Welcome to the weekly Newsletter for parents and carers of students attending John Hanson Community School.
Inspire - Care - Succeed
‘HEAD’ Lines
Phone Free Space
Dear Parents/Carers
While smart phones have revolutionised much of our communication, given access to ‘computers in our pockets’ and allowed us to consume media on the move, they also come with significant drawbacks to some areas of our lives – education is one of these.
There is no doubting that when supervised and used for educational purposes smartphones can play a part in learning, and they will continue to do so at John Hanson. However, the constant pressure for addictive and instant gratification via social media and notifications is an overwhelming distraction to the focus required from students to fully engage in the learning process throughout the school day.
All parents of students in years 7-10 will have received a letter from me yesterday via ParentMail outlining the school’s intention to become a ‘phone free space’ from September 2023. The letter outlines the school’s intent as well as including some FAQs and links to further information.
We look forward to supporting your children in a learning environment that is free from the constant pressure of smartphone notifications and social media during the school day.
Enjoy the bank holiday weekend with your children.
Russell Stevens
Headteacher
Calling all alumni!
If you are an ex-student who has gone onto and interesting course at university or career you think our students would be interested in then please get in contact now!
LRC - NEW TITLES
We have just put these new titles on the shelves of the LRC:
RESPECT is the story of Walter Tull. Tully and his little brother Eddie didn’t have much but they did have each other. Tully had an amazing talent, football. But then the First World War begins and Tully goes on to earn respect of a different kind. Tully was the first black out-field player in professional football. A star! Of course, plenty of people had a go at him but Tully just stood strong. He would never pick fights. Tully’s first match for Spurs was in 1909, he was brilliant. His future was bright, very bright. But later that year something happened, he was playing at an away match and every time the ball went near him, the crowd started to yell at him “Get back to your jungle, darkie!” All around him people hissed, spat and shouted at him. He almost lost his nerve but pulled himself together and made a new start in 1914 playing for Rangers, just round the corner from where his little brother Eddie had been adopted. Tully was killed at the battle of the Somme, he was the first ever British-born black officer in the British Army. He was awarded the British War Medal, the Victory Medal and the Military Cross. He was a hero!
SILENCE IS NOT AN OPTION is Stuart Lawrence talking about what he has learned from life – the tools that have helped him live positively and kept him moving forwards when times have been tough! From role models to self-control, failure to imagination, Stuart uses his own experience to help young people – to help all people harness the good in themselves and in the world around them. Celebrating the life and legacy of his brother Stephen, who was killed 30 years ago this week in a racially motivated attack in South London.
Be the first to come into the LRC and read these amazing new titles.
Mrs Coward,
LRC Manager
Grease
School Kids Ensemble and main cast
School Kids Choir for Grease continues Wednesdays 3-4 pm
New singers always welcome - just turn up and join in!
At John Hanson Community School we are committed to providing equality of opportunity for all students and staff, and to providing a working environment free from discrimination, prejudice and harassment.
We encourage respect and consideration for others, and recognise and value the school as a safe place for learning. The staff at John Hanson recognise that inequalities exist in all levels of society and believe, that as educators, we have a crucial role to play in eliminating all forms of discrimination, in particular against anyone with any of the protected characteristic. We promote equality by dealing with bullying and incidents of discrimination immediately and by educating the young people in our care through assemblies, tutor time, PSHE day sessions and group work where appropriate.
This is part of our responsibility in preparing our students for life after school.
Important EDI events over the next week:
22nd April Earth Day. 23rd April National Shakespeare Day. 23rd April St George's Day. 23rd April World Book Night
Words you might not know:
Earth Day is a worldwide event to raise awareness of the environmental issues which face the whole of planet Earth. The Earth Day organisation campaigns on environmental issues worldwide and promotes sustainability and reducing pollution.
World Book Night brings people from all backgrounds together to inspire others to read more. Each year books are donated to to organisations across the UK that can reach people who don't regularly read for pleasure or have access to books.
Please encourage your son/daughter to use their SCHOOL EMAIL for work rather than their own private email. This is important for safeguarding and also some of our messages for students are being sent to school email addresses.
Think you know – Activity Packs relating to online safety Who’s watching yours? – 17% increase in children livestreaming since lockdown (Advice to help parents/carers minimise risk to children online) Mental health – How to look after your family’s mental health when stuck indoors Houseparty – Everything you need to know.
John Hanson Computing Department
Performing Arts - Instrumental Lessons at school
If your son/daughter would like to learn to play a musical instrument please contact Mike Adams - Head of Music and Drama for details. Email - mike.adams@jhanson.hants.sch.uk
Teachers from Hampshire Music Service visit the school and we can offer lessons in Piano, Woodwind, Brass, Guitar, and Percussion (Drumming).
Want to know more about what’s going on in school? Why not follow us on:
