REMINDER - Christmas Jumper Day - Friday 13th December 2024

On Friday, December 13th, we invite all students to participate in Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day. The donations collected will support Save the Children, ensuring that every child, regardless of their birthplace, receives essentials such as food, clean water, healthcare, education, protection, and shelter. Our goal is to raise funds to help save children's lives globally.

We encourage both students and staff to wear a festive jumper and contribute a suggested donation of £1. Students should continue to wear their regular school uniform as normal, simply adding a festive jumper to the outfit.

There's no need to buy a brand-new jumper to join in the fun; feel free to borrow one or embellish an old jumper with some decorations.

To learn more about Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day, visit https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/christmas-jumper-day Your support would mean a lot in making Christmas Jumper Day 2024 a success - it's a wonderful cause, and together, we can help make the world a better place.

Save the Children UK #ChristmasJumperDay #christmasjumperday2024 #SaveTheChildren #woolwichpolytechnic #woolwichpolytechnicschoolforboys #thamesmead #greenwich

Odd Socks Day 2024

We are excited to announce that our school will be participating in Odd Socks Day on Wednesday 13th November as part of our Anti-Bullying Week. This is an opportunity for students and staff to wear mismatched socks to school in support of this cause. It is a fun and positive way to celebrate what makes us all unique and raise awareness against bullying.

#oddsocksday #oddsocks #antibullyingweek2024 #antibullyingawarenessweek #antibullying #woolwichpolytechnicschoolforboys #woolwichpolytechnicsixthform #woolwichpolytechnic #thamesmead #Greenwich #polymatschools #Polymat

Our school uniform supplier, SWI Schoolwear’s huge 20% off everything offer is being extended until Friday 1st November.

If you need to top up on any uniform or P.E. kit items or need a refresh on your everyday essentials and stationery, now is the time to shop. Use code SAVE20 at checkout. www.swischoolwear.co.uk

Former student, Micah Eghafona awarded £75,000 scholarship to attend London College of Fashion Gucci Changemakers

Micah Eghafona, Alumni of Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys who graduated with a C in Photographic Studies, has been awarded a prestigious £75, 000 scholarship to attend London College of Fashion Gucci Changemakers. He will be working with the forefront of the fashion world. One to watch.

Micah Eghafona will be undertaking a BA (Hons) Creative Direction for Fashion degree.

We are immensely proud of Micah for securing this amazing scholarship, and we eagerly anticipate the bright future that lies ahead for him.

Gucci announces 2024 gucci changemakers london scholarship winners

Gucci Gives Scholarships to Three Students in Partnership With London College of Fashion

 

Please find below a list of useful links for free events and activities available during the upcoming October Half-Term!

Museums

• Art in the Gardens: Natural History - Horniman Museum and Gardens
• Halloween Fun! - Horniman Museum and Gardens
• Families (nationalgallery.org.uk)
• October half-term: Decoding pictures | Events container | National Gallery, London
• October half-term: The sound of paintings | Events container | National Gallery, London
• What's On · Exhibitions, Events & Courses · V&A (vam.ac.uk)
• Black History Month for kids at the National Maritime Museum | Royal Museums Greenwich (rmg.co.uk)
• October half term family activities at the Queen's House | Royal Museums Greenwich (rmg.co.uk)
• October Half Term Events at National Maritime Museum | Things to do with kids in Greenwich, London (rmg.co.uk)
• Safe Harbour | Royal Museums Greenwich (rmg.co.uk)
• Designer Maker User - Design Museum
• Family Activities: IWM London | Imperial War Museums
• What's On | Tate
• October half term | London Museum Docklands | London Museum
• What's on | Southbank Centre

SEND

• Activity for children with SEND: Inclusive Hula Hooping with Planet Hoop - Thamesmead (thamesmeadnow.org.uk)
• Activity for children with SEND: Hoopz Basketball with Planet Hoop - Thamesmead (thamesmeadnow.org.uk)
• Activity for children with SEND: Zumba - Thamesmead (thamesmeadnow.org.uk)
• Activity for children with SEND: Rugby - Thamesmead (thamesmeadnow.org.uk)
• Activity for children with SEND: Glowdance with Kelly - Thamesmead (thamesmeadnow.org.uk)

Events in Greenwich

• Tump 53 half term open morning - Thamesmead (thamesmeadnow.org.uk)
• Halloween Scavenger Hunt - Thamesmead (thamesmeadnow.org.uk)
• Saturday Art Club - Workshop/Course in Greenwich, Greenwich - Visit Greenwich
• Park It in the Market: Halloween - Halloween Event in Greenwich, Greenwich - Visit Greenwich
• Kids' Activities & Games Clubs | Greenwich Libraries | Better
• FREE Halloween craft session for young children Tickets, Tue 29 Oct 2024 at 09:30 | Eventbrite
• Colour Me Happy @AKIndex ( Art & Music in the mix ) (royalgreenwich.gov.uk)
• Kids' Culture Fiesta: Interactive storytelling and theatre session (royalgreenwich.gov.uk)
• Empowerment 4 Families and Children with Own Your Crown CIC (royalgreenwich.gov.uk)
• GCDA: Family crafts (royalgreenwich.gov.uk)
• FREE Cuban and African-Cuban dance classes (9-11-year-olds) (royalgreenwich.gov.uk)
• Kids Culture Fiesta: Celebrating Black History Month (royalgreenwich.gov.uk)
• Silk Worm: weaving workshop (royalgreenwich.gov.uk)
• Creative glitter and face painting (royalgreenwich.gov.uk)
• Parks Sports FREE Tennis Camps (Ages 7-16) (royalgreenwich.gov.uk)
• Halloween Creation Stations | Woolwich Works
• Halloween Hunt Window Display | Woolwich Works

City farm

• Mudchute Park and Farm
• Golders Hill Park Zoo - City of London
• See & do | Hackney City Farm
• Spitalfields City Farm
• Vauxhall City Farm
• Visiting The Farm (ktcityfarm.org.uk)

*Message from the Local Public Health Team to Parents/Carers*

The Risks Concerning Children and Young People’s Use of Adulterated Vapes

Public Health teams across London are aware of several incidents in recent months, where secondary school-aged children have become unwell after using adulterated vape devices. In some instances, this has resulted in young people requiring hospital treatment.

Across London, adulterated vape liquids have been found to contain illegal substances, including the synthetic cannabinoid known as Spice. This is a particularly dangerous substance that can cause a serious threat to the health of young people.

In most instances, the young people were unaware of the substance they were using.

Please talk to your young people about the risks of buying adulterated vapes. There is no way of knowing the substance they contain and, therefore, the potential danger.

Locally, Public Health is working closely with the substance misuse service, the Police, and Trading Standards. Action is being taken to understand the ongoing issues around the supply of these substances, to prevent harm and help keep our young people safe.

Parents and carers can play an important role in helping young people understand the risks, so that they don’t choose to use adulterated vapes without realising the harm they could be exposing themselves to.

It is important to advise young people that regardless of what they have been told, even by a close friend, that it is impossible to know what is actually contained in these substances. All drugs, whether alcohol, illegal drugs or prescription medication, carry risks.

Please have an open, honest and non-judgmental conversation with those in your care to explore these risks and prevent further harms. This could provide valuable tools for a young person to make the right decision and stay safe. It is clear that young people have accessed adulterated vapes through social media apps, such as Instagram. So, it will also be important to stress the risks of young people buying devices through social media.

Please note that, in any case, it is illegal to sell nicotine vapes to anyone under 18 or for adults to buy them on behalf of under 18s.

If you are aware of any shops in Greenwich selling vapes to young people (under 18), you should contact the Trading Standards Team on 020 8921 8157. You can also report online anonymously at:

https://www.londontradingstandards.org.uk/report-consumer-crime/

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. Your cooperation and awareness are crucial in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our young people in Greenwich.

Yours sincerely,

 

Director of Public Health, Royal Borough of Greenwich.

 

Support and advice for parents and children in Royal Greenwich.

• Online family support:  dedicated family support through online counselling adfam.org.uk/greenwich (to complete the online form)
• Children and you people:  Children and Young people’s substance misuse service support for children and young people 11-18, (and up to 25 for care leavers and SEND)
• Email: Substancemisuseservice@royalgreenwich.gov.uk
• Call: 020 8921 6907
• Adults: Visit Via Greenwich – drug and alcohol support for adults (18 and over)
• Email: greenwich@viaorg.uk
• Call: 0300 303 4552

Further advice and information can be found online at:

• www.talktofrank.com
• www.substancemisuseresources.co.uk
• Spice harm reduction information