Read on Twitter
1/13
I'm really excited & proud to share this.
Not just because of the individuals our School Council chose as representing our school community values or the incredible art from local artist Amy Smith @Graphicsnstuff but because of the courage of one child who made a stand. https://twitter.com/HowdenJuniors/status/1362742285415415811
I'm really excited & proud to share this.
Not just because of the individuals our School Council chose as representing our school community values or the incredible art from local artist Amy Smith @Graphicsnstuff but because of the courage of one child who made a stand. https://twitter.com/HowdenJuniors/status/1362742285415415811
2/13
During the Black Lives Matter protests, I received a passionate and brave email from a former pupil. This pupil not only educated me about the history of the three house names - that sat on our website, in our hall and were raised as ambassadors for our school).
During the Black Lives Matter protests, I received a passionate and brave email from a former pupil. This pupil not only educated me about the history of the three house names - that sat on our website, in our hall and were raised as ambassadors for our school).
3/13
but also explained the impact of seeing these figures - who have links to slavery, oppression and racism - had on her during her time at our school. Not only a brave email to send to a white male in a position of power but also an email that set off a chain of events.
but also explained the impact of seeing these figures - who have links to slavery, oppression and racism - had on her during her time at our school. Not only a brave email to send to a white male in a position of power but also an email that set off a chain of events.
4/13
Following the email, we discussed as a staff the house names, the email sent by Francesca, and specifically why they are in place at our school. This led to some very difficult but important conversations with each other and the children.
Following the email, we discussed as a staff the house names, the email sent by Francesca, and specifically why they are in place at our school. This led to some very difficult but important conversations with each other and the children.
5/13
Beyond the fact they had been in place for decades, we had no tangible reason behind them. We didn't team them in our curriculum & we clearly didn't know all aspects of their history. None of our pupils knew who they were (beyond sailors) nor could they relate to them.
Beyond the fact they had been in place for decades, we had no tangible reason behind them. We didn't team them in our curriculum & we clearly didn't know all aspects of their history. None of our pupils knew who they were (beyond sailors) nor could they relate to them.
6/13
And, more importantly, a member of our community (a child) strongly, and understandably, was affected by their association with the school. Bearing in mind, if ANY child felt this way about any area of school, we would look at it and, where appropriate, make changes.
And, more importantly, a member of our community (a child) strongly, and understandably, was affected by their association with the school. Bearing in mind, if ANY child felt this way about any area of school, we would look at it and, where appropriate, make changes.
7/13
We do not condone racism or any form of discrimination in our school but by doing nothing we were. We were sending a message that it was part of our culture through our inaction - it was systemic and accepted. We had a responsibility to act.
We do not condone racism or any form of discrimination in our school but by doing nothing we were. We were sending a message that it was part of our culture through our inaction - it was systemic and accepted. We had a responsibility to act.
8/13
Our school value are community, courage, curiosity and care. The individuals displayed proudly in our school did not match our values. They did not represent our community. They did not represent our school.
Our school value are community, courage, curiosity and care. The individuals displayed proudly in our school did not match our values. They did not represent our community. They did not represent our school.
9/13
Over the last few months, we have harnessed Francesca's drive for change and met as a school community (staff, children and parents) to make this happen.
Our children chose who they wanted to represent each house. They did us proud.
Over the last few months, we have harnessed Francesca's drive for change and met as a school community (staff, children and parents) to make this happen.
Our children chose who they wanted to represent each house. They did us proud.
10/13
They chose people who were diverse - not only because of the colour of their skin, their place of birth or their faith but for their actions, their values and their impact on the world we share.
They chose people who were diverse - not only because of the colour of their skin, their place of birth or their faith but for their actions, their values and their impact on the world we share.
11/13
This is a change driven by the children (past and present) of our school in its truest sense - something we should all be incredibly proud of. Something, albeit small, that should give us all hope.
This is a change driven by the children (past and present) of our school in its truest sense - something we should all be incredibly proud of. Something, albeit small, that should give us all hope.
12/13
Thank you to the Parent's Forum for your confidentiality whilst we awaited permission from Francesca to share this information - she deserved ownership of this. It was her words that lit the flame.
Thank you to the Parent's Forum for your confidentiality whilst we awaited permission from Francesca to share this information - she deserved ownership of this. It was her words that lit the flame.
13/13
To Francesca, I want to say thank you for your courage - for making a stand, for being a role model to our school community and beyond. For showing that each of our voice matter and that we can make a change for the better.
You have taught me more than you can imagine.
To Francesca, I want to say thank you for your courage - for making a stand, for being a role model to our school community and beyond. For showing that each of our voice matter and that we can make a change for the better.
You have taught me more than you can imagine.
