London terror attack

In Haringey, #WeStandTogether with all those affected by this week’s terror attack in Westminster.

Councillor Eugene Ayisi, Cabinet Member for Communities, has shared his thoughts on the attack, and his praise for Haringey’s communities. 

Read his statement here.

A+ for Octagon Academy

Congratulations to staff and students at the Octagon AP Academy, which has just earned a “good” rating from education watchdog Ofsted.

The Octagon, which supports primary and secondary pupils who have had difficulties with learning and behaviour at mainstream schools, has been transformed since its “inadequate” rating just three years ago.

Ofsted praised efforts to drive up standards, which have seen huge improvements in attendance; challenging and supportive teaching; good behaviour; good results, and the successful reintegration of many pupils back into mainstream education.

They also said that pupils have benefited from, and understand, the high quality of care and support they get at the Octagon.

Tackling rough sleeping

Plans to help prevent Haringey residents from becoming homeless have taken a huge step forward after the council secured a slice of the government’s Homelessness Prevention Programme funding.

More than £1million will be invested in two schemes, including a prevention programme to offer advice to those at risk of becoming homeless and a drive to provide more emergency accommodation to rough sleepers.

The council has also been awarded a Rough Sleeping Programme grant to help residents in crisis who find themselves on the streets.

Find out more about new homelessness funding in Haringey.

Switch to save

Citizens Advice Haringey is urging residents to consider shopping around for a better energy deal after research revealed the borough’s residents are amongst the least likely to switch energy supplier.

A typical household could save more than £145 a year by changing to a cheaper tariff, but fewer than 10 percent of local households changed supplier last year.

Citizens Advice Haringey Chief Executive Lynn Hannah said: “Whether you’re a homeowner or private renter, Citizens Advice Haringey can help you check how much you’re paying and compare prices so you can work out if you could cut your bills by going to another supplier."

Check whether you could save money by using the Citizens Advice online price comparison tool.

It’s no yolk!

Tottenham-based urban dairy, Wildes Cheese, has been toasting its success after securing cracking media coverage for its innovative Cheester egg.

Working with food blogger Annem Hobson, Wildes hatched the egg-cellent idea of making a savoury solid-cheese alternative to chocolate Easter eggs.

Cheester eggs were featured in a number of national newspapers, as well as making an appearance with Dermot O’Leary on ITV’s Nightly Show.

Hungry punters scrambled to shell out for the innovative egg, and it quickly sold out.

Loads of laughs on Red Nose Day

Schools and offices throughout Haringey have been doing their bit for Comic Relief with a host of hilarious antics.

At Lancasterian Primary school, a Silly Teacher Assembly has seen staff stuffing marshmallows up their nostrils; at the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London, teenagers have taken part in fundraising basketball matches, and at schools across the borough, children have been dressing in red and digging deep to donate to the charity.

Tweet us your Red Nose Day snaps to @haringeycouncil for a chance to be featured in next week’s Haringey People Extra.

Secrets of sauce success

Dragons’ Den star Levi Roots will be sharing the secrets of his success at a charity fundraising event in Tottenham tomorrow (Saturday 25 March).

The Reggae Reggae sauce creator will give a keynote speech before taking questions at a “Building Communities” event at Park View School, organised by social enterprise Working Action Group and community group Find Your Voice.

Proceeds will support the Action for the Homeless scheme, which aims to reduce rough sleeping and offer support and advice to those on the streets.

Further information is available here.

Take a look below at some of the exciting events coming up, but check out our What's On calendar for a full list. Remember you can also submit your own event online.

Saturday 25 March

• Free Strategic Reading session - Hornsey Library, N8 9JA
• Highgate Village Market - St Michael's Primary School, N6 4BG
• Introduction to fruit growing - Lordship Rec, N17
• Karamel Kids: Old McDonald and the Three Pigs - Karamel Restaurant, N22 6UJ
• Men's Health Seminar: Prostate Cancer - The People's Christian Fellowship, N15 4DW

Sunday 26 March

• Family Art & Craft Activities: Sculpting Spring - Bruce Castle Museum and Haringey Archive, N17 8NU
• Fortismere Food Market - Fortismere Secondary School, N10 1NE
• Mother's Day Tea at The Hub - The Lordship Hub, N17 6NU
• Story-telling & drama workshop - Big Green Bookshop, N22 6BG

Monday 27 March

• Magic And Wonder Performance and Workshop - The Lordship Hub, N17 6NU
• Munch & Listen: It's All A Bit Heath Robinson: Re-inventing the First World War - Bruce Castle Museum and Haringey Archive, N17 8NU
• The 14% - Wood Green Library and Customer Services, N22 6XD

Tuesday 28 March

• Children's Art Classes age 7+ - The Lordship Hub, N17 6NU
• Haste Theatre Presents: Oyster Boy - Outsider Gallery, N8 0DJ

Wednesday 29 March

• Lakeside Planting with Friends of Lordship Rec - Lordship Rec, N17
• Talk: Textiles - A Component of Style - Bruce Castle Museum and Haringey Archive, N17 8NU

Thursday 30 March

• Jazz at Karamel: Threeway - Karamel Restaurant, N22 6UJ
• PHASCA Adult Music Classes - Chestnuts Community Centre, N15 5BN
• Stroke Action Drop In (Community Room 2nd floor) - Wood Green Library and Customer Services, N22 6XD

Friday 31 March

• Business Advice - Wood Green Library and Customer Services, N22 6XD
• First Byte Computer Classes - Highgate Library, N6 5QT