Withymoor News

• Tik Tok - age requirement raised to 18

  Mon 21 Nov 2022

  TikTok has now raised its Livestreaming Age Requirement to 18 (BBC News)  
  TikTok has frequently been called out for its glaring failures to protect under 18s which use its service. With its flashy images, easily digestible content and ‘childlike’ feel it has always been popular among school aged children. A fact which has made its safeguarding failures all the more worrying. The platform’s attempt to ban under 18s seems to be unfeasible however, and so it is as important as ever to be aware of its usage in the classroom. In particular, its gift function can easily be manipulated in order to commit criminal acts against children. As such wariness around the app should not be lowered as a result. To find out more about what motivated their decision, and its potential outcomes head over to the page linked below: 
  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-63262102

• Parent Safe: Keeping your children safe online and beyond

  Mon 21 Nov 2022

  https://parentsafe.lgfl.net/

  Parent Safe, from the London grid for learning, is a great source of advice for parents on all kinds of topics. Their resources related to keeping safe online are excellent and worth a look. There are lots of practical tips and advice.

• Support for your child's mental health

  Tue 15 Nov 2022

  'This May Help' is a website that has been created to support parents and carers with concerns about their child’s mental health.

  The subjects covered have been chosen by families and young people who have gone through their own mental health challenges. What helped them may also help you.

  Please visit This May Help for more information. Thank you

• Remembrance

  Mon 14 Nov 2022

  We are so proud of our Year 6 children who joined members of our local community for a Remembrance service at the Cenotaph in Brierley Hill on Friday. Their behaviour was impeccable. We are also really proud of Sam, one of our pupils, who read a line as part of the service. Afterwards, children spent time at the church, learning about local history and about local soldiers who made sacrifices for us all. Children in school also paid their respects last week with special assemblies and two minutes of silent reflection.  

  

• Anti-Bullying Week 2022

  Mon 14 Nov 2022

  Anti-Bullying Week 2022 is coordinated in England and Wales by the Anti-Bullying Alliance. It will take place from 14 to 18 November 2022 and has the theme Reach Out. The week will kick off with a whole school assembly and Odd Socks Day, where adults and children wear odd socks to celebrate what makes us all unique. Class teachers will then be leading discussion in classes throughout the week.

  Anti-Bullying Week

   

  The theme of Reach Out came about following consultation with teachers and pupils by the Anti-Bullying Alliance which coordinates Anti-Bullying Week every year in England and Wales. Teachers and children wanted a theme that empowered them to do something positive to counter the harm and hurt that bullying causes.

  Following the success of the campaign in 2021 – when 80% of schools marked the week, reaching over 7.5 million children and young people – Anti-Bullying Week will remind everyone whether it’s in school, at home, in the community or online, let’s reach out and show each other the support we need.

   

  Bullying affects millions of lives and can leave us feeling hopeless. But it doesn’t have to be this way. If we challenge it, we can change it. And it starts by reaching out.

  Whether it’s in school, at home, in the community or online, let’s reach out and show each other the support we need. Reach out to someone you trust if you need to talk. Reach out to someone you know is being bullied. Reach out and consider a new approach.

   

  And it doesn’t stop with young people. From teachers to parents and influencers to politicians, we all have a responsibility to help each other reach out. Together, let’s be the change we want to see. Reflect on our own behaviour, set positive examples and create kinder communities.

  It takes courage, but it can change lives. So, this Anti-Bullying Week, let’s come together and reach out to stop bullying.

• Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme for low income families

  Tue 08 Nov 2022

  With the winter holidays fast approaching, we have been asked to send a reminder regarding the Dudley holiday activities and food programme (HAF) provision for this period.

   

  All families who are eligible for low income based free schools meals can book activities from the 1st of December. All activities will take place within the winter holiday period.

   

  Dudley HAF programme have a wide range of activities on offer, from Santa hunts at the Black Country Living Museum to festive yoga and winter wonderlands! All activities have food provided and are completely free. 

  
  Colleagues from the programme tell us that feedback from the summer programme was overwhelmingly positive, and that children loved the experiences of learning new skills and making new friends. Parents also said that it relieved the pressure that the holidays can bring. 

   

  For more information please Click here