I LEARN TERM 2 FOCUS: LITERACY Friday 6th November 2020 A message from the Headteacher: Our first week back after half term has been a busy one! I’m delighted that the Swindon Youth Literature Festival will be taking place virtually and here at LMA next week. As I said in my letter to all parents and carers yesterday, it is very much business as usual here at Lawn Manor throughout the national lockdown period and we would be delighted to celebrate any positive news stories of successes outside of school in our newsletter, please just contact year leaders or the admin office to let us know. Sandra Muir Headteacher Year 7 Artwork Year 7 art with Miss Townsend Year 7 have been developing their art skills, particularly using pen shading techniques to create bold designs. Over half term, pupils were asked to copy the work of an artist who uses these same techniques in their work. These are some of the amazing art pieces that were handed in. Well done! The Headteacher’s Newsletter Weekly How to contact us: Telephone: 01793 487286 www.lawnmanor.org Attendance: 01793 427749 Student Services: 01793 Email: [email protected] @lawn_manor 427755 Head Lice s We have unfortunately had a report of head lice in the school. Here are a few tips from an NHS website regarding identifying head lice and how to get rid of them, which sometimes takes a few treatments. Head lice can make your head feel: • itchy • like something is moving in your hair The only way to be sure someone has head lice is by finding live lice. You can do this by combing their hair with a special fine-toothed comb (detection comb). You can buy these online or at pharmacies. Treat head lice as soon as you spot them. You should check everyone in the house and start treating anyone who has head lice on the same day. Contact details Follow Lawn Manor on social media As a school, it’s imperative that we have your correct contact details. At this current time, it has shown us that a lot of contact details have not been updated. We send a lot of information out via our text and email service which you could be missing out on. Please inform the school if you move house, change contact number or have a change of email address. You can change your details via: [email protected]. Please state your child’s name when sending your details through. Poem by a Year 9 pupil Freedom by Maia Freedom is putting pen to paper to write what I like. I can plan an escape route from the stresses of life. And straighten my curly tresses into submission. I'm free to be me if I like. Be in my bedroom all day, all night My safe sanctuary. But nothing is like being forced into modern slavery. And the cruelty of what happened in black history. No pen or paper to plan a fugitive escape. The Headteacher’s Newsletter Weekly From slave owners who would not forsake. But hope was found amidst the corn, cane, tobacco, cotton plantations In the form of trails, mountains and rivers braided into many a ring worm infested scalp Corn rows and cane rows - like a treasure map. Gateways to freedom. Hope in those beautiful braids. Escape plans made. A hope, a dream of a life running free. But is it a life when you're a fugitive free? Just like is it a life when you're a school refusee? Not putting pen to paper in a classroom of conformity? I guess it's better than a life of dehumanisation. I must be thankful for my education. We all want freedom but freedom is not free. Someone somewhere is making a sacrifice for me. The corn in my popcorn, the sugar in my cake. Is someone forcing that human for what they can take? Word Power Word Power Well done to all those pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9 who took the opportunity over half term to increase their vocabulary knowledge by completing the optional homework on Quizlet. The results are: 7F earned 50 points for Fitzroy, 8A earned 50 points for Pleydell and 9G also earned 50 points for Pleydell. Pupils completed 256 tasks in total and 0000 mastered such words as deduction, hypothesis, alliance, demographics and posture. This is a fantastic start to our whole school work on learning vocabulary. Word Knowledge Did you know that the word ‘demographic’ comes from two Greek words: ‘demos’ meaning ‘the people’ and ‘graphy’ meaning ‘the process of writing or recording’? You can also see ‘demo’ at the start of the word ‘democracy’, which is the system of government in which the people choose who rules them. This word has often been in the media this week as the people of the USA voted for their next president. Stress Awareness Day Stress awareness Day. Wednesday 4th November was stress awareness day. As we re-enter lockdown we all have concerns which may lead to increased stress. For pupils who have up-coming assessments they may also experience higher stress levels than normal. It is important to remember that not all stress is bad. Feeling some stress can lead to improved performance / outcomes and ultimately lead to better Mental Health. It is important that if you are experiencing very high levels of stress that you speak to someone about it. Remember: When "I" is replaced by "WE", Illness becomes WEllness. There are also things you can do to lessen stress. Why not try one of these stress management tips: 1. Keep a positive attitude. 2. Accept that there are events that you cannot control. 3. Be assertive instead of aggressive. ... 4. Learn and practice relaxation techniques (see below) 5. Exercise regularly. ... Eat healthy, well-balanced meals. The Headteacher’s Newsletter Weekly Mindfulness tip No.3 Using the senses Be aware of your five senses (seeing, hearing, smelling, touching and tasting). To do this focus on one sense at a time, notice: Five things you see Four things you hear Three things you smell - Two things you can touch - One thing you can taste 5 x 4 x 3 x 2 x 1 x Remember you need to practise these strategies when you are calm so you can use them when you are not. SWINDON YOUTH FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE 9th -13th NOVEMBER 2020 Next week is the Swindon Youth Festival of Literature 2020 which is celebrating 13 years! We are going virtual!!! We are going virtual! It’s a very exciting, busy week with lots taking place. We have virtual chats from talented Authors and Poets. There is an Illustration, Poetry and Creative Writing competition. Results to follow. I hope you enjoy this exciting week and will be inspired by all the talented Authors we have lined up. There will be books available to buy and the authors will be happy to personally sign book plates that can be stuck into your newly purchased book. Poetry competition Results Poet- Ash Dickinson judged the competition - 12 schools entered and the results are in……. Aysha (Year 7) came 3rd in the Year 7 - 8 category with her poem 'Freedom' Mahnoor (Year 9) came 1st in the Year 9 - 11 category with her poem 'Freedom of racism'. Ash said: “Personal but universal, a good use of repetition, particularly to create a claustrophobic atmosphere and very real fear. Powerful, desperate, an important message well told, its urgency present in fast-paced, punchy lines”. What great achievements for both pupils. Ash then chose an overall winner of the whole competition and I am extremely proud to announce that Mahnoor won. Unfortunately due to Covid restrictions there will not be the usual celebration event this year, but we are The Headteacher’s Newsletter Weekly hoping to possibly do something virtual. Winning poems FREEDOM OF RACISM Three words, twelve letters FREEDOM... The chains are wrapped tight People like me filled with fright Freedom, such a powerful word It feels like we are trapped behind bars No matter where you go it's never unheard Scared to be who we are We search for Freedom Day and night Holding on tight to our fight Three words, twelve letters Freedom lies in being bold Being judged for something I can’t control Breaking the rules not doing what were told Part of a community but still alone Being told to go back home Freedom is being you We’re not welcome, we don’t belong without asking permission Taking control of your every decision Three words, twelve letters Not afraid to think outside the box We are the default, we don’t fit in, Break away from this world's We are the ones with the wrong coloured skin Chains and locks The wrong culture, the wrong accent Trying to break free from the cycle we’re in Freedom is the oxygen to our soul Breath it in don’t let it go Three words, twelve letters The journey we take its going to be there Racism the forbidden word Grab it with both hands and enjoy it The hidden sin while you can The words that cut deep within Don’t let freedom go no matter what Once you’ve pressed start that’s it Three words, twelve letters You have began Racism is like cancer (deep within) We cannot completely cure it But we can control it Stop it affecting you, me, her and him Three words, twelve letters I want to know that there are no boundaries to restrict me Of who I can be Or what I can achieve I want to be free Three words, twelve letters That changed the world Three words twelve letters I .