Townley Parent Weekly Communication 06-12-23

Dear Parents, Carers and Students,

Parent/Carer invitation - 2 Johns E-Safety Training – Monday 11^th December at 5.30pm

We are delighted that so many parents have signed up to join us on Monday 11th December at 5.30pm. For parents attending, please note the talk will start promptly at 5.30pm and we would kindly ask you to arrive at 5.10pm. The PTA will be on hand with refreshments.

A reminder that the 2 Johns E-Safety Training for parents and carers is an exceptionally important event, in light of the exposure that young people today have on social media and the internet, and we would therefore urge you to book your place to ensure we have adequate seating and resources.  If you have not yet booked, please do register your attendance using this link.

The '2 Johns' e-safety training is conducted by two former police officers with extensive expertise in online safeguarding. Over the past five years, they have been actively involved in various key events related to Online Child Sexual Exploitation of Children and their insights and knowledge have been sought after by prominent media outlets. They have also conducted presentations in schools across the UK.  

I do hope that you will all join what promises to be an incredibly informative session from industry experts - we may think we know all there is to know about keeping our children safe online - but there is always more to learn. We look forward to welcoming you to the event. 

Flu and Seasonal Colds
We are aware that some students are unfortunately falling unwell to different strains of flu and similar illnesses at present. Please could we encourage parents/ carers to allow children to recuperate at home if they are unwell and particularly if they are experiencing persistent coughing as this can increase the rate that illness spreads in a school community. We can always ensure that student learning is not affected when students  return to school and can implement catch-up sessions as required. As always, your support is appreciated. 

Secret Santa gift exchanges
At this time of year, we realise that exchanging gifts can be a lovely way for some students to mark the end of term and get into the festive celebrations. However, it can also be extremely isolating for some students when they are not included in the friendship groups for secret santas but are present in the room when others are exchanging their own gifts. We often have to speak to students who are feeling lonely and sad as a result and it is imperative that other students are particularly sensitive about this. 

Therefore, tutors will not permit the exchanging of gifts in form time. Thank you for your support and understanding.

Visitor’s car park
Please could parents/ carers not use the visitor's car park to collect children at the end of the school day. This small area becomes congested quickly, meaning visitors are unable to reverse out of parking bays and deliveries are not able to enter. With over 1500 students on site, I am sure you appreciate that we are unable to offer the visitor's parking areas as a collection point. 

Bexley Foodbank
Bexley Foodbank collected 497.15kg of donations during harvest and last year, from April 2022 to April 2023, were able to feed 14,161 people.  Since April this year, they have already been able to feed 9,222.  

A huge thank you to parents, carers and students for your generous contributions and continued support of this valuable community project.

Forthcoming Events:

Christmas Jumper Day – Thursday 7^th December
A reminder that we are partnering with Save the Children for our Christmas Jumper Day. Christmas Jumpers are the only alteration to uniform on Thursday 7^th December. Students should wear full Townley uniform with their festive jumper. Christmas Jumper Day is a day to raise money for charity, and the £1 that each student donates will go towards Save the Children who have a Gaza appeal for donations at the moment. 

Christmas Carol Service - Thursday 14^th December at 7pm
We invite you to join us for the evening service which will include lessons and carols, at Christ Church, Broadway, Bexleyheath on 14^thDecember. 

End of term arrangements – Wednesday 20^th December
A reminder that the last day of term for students is Wednesday 20^th December. This will be an Own Clothes Day, with donations to the British Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders. 

Normal timetabled lessons will take place in the morning but students will finish early on the day. There will be a shortened lunch break, with a limited service of hot and cold food available. Students with free school meals will still have the opportunity to purchase a meal, either at break or the shortened lunch. 

Details are confirmed below:

Students will return for the Spring Term on Monday 8^th January 2024.

Finally, I leave you with the Townley Bulletin to read, engage with and enjoy. 

Kind regards,

Miss H Mitchem

Deputy Headteacher