News Blog

15/11/22

Festival of Inclusion

On Monday 14th November 2022, some of our student had the opportunity to take part in the ‘Festival of Inclusion’ at the university of East London. During the day our students were able to go on a tour of the universities Stratford campus. The Stratford Campus is home to the School of Education and Communities and the Centre for Clinical Education in Podiatry, Physiotherapy and Sports Science. The students enjoyed experiencing the atmosphere of a typical day at university. In the afternoon, our students presented their feelings on special needs inclusion to a cohort of 200 trainee teachers. Our students were joined by students from two other schools. One who spoke about ethnicity and religion being represented correctly in the curriculum and the other discussing how to stretch more able students. All the presentations were well received by the trainee teachers and provided vital feedback from the students about how to best teach them. After the presentations the trainee teachers were able to meet with the students in the gallery for informal conversations, during this time students were able to confidently discuss their school experiences. In a response to the student presentations the trainee teachers were each ask to make a small visual tile which represented what they had learnt from the visiting children. The tiles will be combined into a piece of commissioned 3D art, which will be displayed in the campus grounds as a permanent reminder of the ‘festival of Inclusion’. We can’t wait to go back to see the piece of art, which we inspired!
10/11/22

Remembering Jason Matthews

Today, 10th November 2022, staff and pupils who were close friends of Jason attended the celebration of life service and burial of Jason at Bowers Gifford. At school, pupils and staff also remembered Jason Matthews with a 2 minutes silence and the service for Jason was also attended on-line by pupils and staff who wished to pay their respects. Jason was a remarkable young man. He was a dedicated and committed pupil who had a vision of joining the medical profession as a doctor. We have no doubt that he would have achieved that ambition and was already making his mark in the school as a role model, School Council Representative and all round excellent pupil. He was an aspirational and motivated young man who was always going to be a top contender for head prefect and further success. As well as his amazingly high achievement scores, Jason was a unique person who was well-liked and respected by both staff and pupils. The book of condolences, written in by so many staff and pupils, continuously mentioned his bright smile and friendliness. His positivity rubbed off on others; he had a character which was caring and kind; his sense of humour made him fun to be with. Jason was described as a confident, caring and kind friend who will be very much missed by his form group, 10W1, as well as his classmates, staff and the wider community of St Clere’s. We were fortunate to have him as our pupil in our school. Our thoughts are with Jason’s family and friends as we all remember this bright, shining, clever young gentleman who will always have a place in our hearts.
1/02/22

National Apprenticeship Week

As part of National Apprenticeship Week, pupils will be viewing presentations and taking part in activities in form time. Here are some extra resources that may be of interest to some. Build The Future: Morgan Sindall Insight Experience  I  7-13 February 2022 Day and Session 9:30–10:30 13:30–14:30 18:00–19:00 Monday 7th – Introduction to Construction Morning Session  Afternoon Session  Evening Session  Tuesday 8th – Meet the Trade Apprentices Morning Session  Afternoon Session  Evening Session  Wednesday 9th – Meet the Technical Apprentices Morning Session  Afternoon Session  Evening Session  Thursday 10th – What you need to know about applying for apprenticeships Morning Session  Afternoon Session  Evening Session  Friday 11th – University vs Apprenticeships Morning Session  Afternoon Session  Evening Session  Interested In Joining? Please register for one of the three opportunities offered each day by clicking on the links provided within the table above. Students can register as individuals or schools/colleges can register as a group. Register as a Young Person user (individual): https://www.s4snextgen.org/students/Take-Part Register as a group: https://forms.office.com/r/RqrigTcfvP   Rate My Apprenticeship As many of you know, we’ve got an exciting week coming up that is designed to help and inspire students in the world of work. So, what is it? Next week is the 15th annual National Apprenticeship Week! National Apprenticeship Week (or #NAW2022) is an event that celebrates apprenticeships around the UK. It brings together employers, apprentices and training providers as well as any other young people interested in taking the apprenticeship path. WANT MORE DETAILS? It takes place during the 7th - 13th February 2022 and the theme of the week is #BuildTheFuture for a second year running. The aim is to help aspiring apprentices reach their career goals by providing them with all the useful skills they will need to achieve this. This year, we will be hosting our first ever Instagram Live, joined by current apprentices to share their knowledge and inspire others to take their first steps in the apprenticeship world. Expect to see topics discussed such as... • How to make their applications stand out • What a day in the life of an apprentice is really like • Social perks of being an apprentice Encouraging students to join the Live will help focus on the apprentice experience, followed by tips and advice. For those that attend on Wednesday 9th February at 6pm, there will be a chance to win a £100 Deliveroo voucher! The winner will be announced at the end of the session. TAKE ME TO INSTAGRAM   South Essex College Virtual Information Event Monday 7 February, 4 - 8pm Following the success of last year's events, we are running another Apprenticeship Virtual Information Event to kick off National Apprenticeship Week. Members of our Apprenticeship team will be available for 1:1 advice and guidance sessions. All you need to do is book a time slot and let us know whether you would prefer to be contacted via telephone or a virtual meeting on Microsoft Teams. Book now Apprenticeships at South Essex College We offer a variety of apprenticeships from Level 2 to Level 5, starting at various times throughout the year. To find out more about the apprenticeships we offer, or to fill out an expression of interest form, visit the Apprenticeships page on our website. Click here Apprenticeship FAQs Click below to view our guide that tells you all you need to know about apprenticeships. Apprenticeship FAQs Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for more college news and updates.
13/12/21

In Memory of Gwynne Mack

St Clere’s staff, Governors and The Osborne Trust are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Gwynne Mack, former Deputy Headteacher of St Clere's School. Gwynne (born 25/3/1943) was appointed as Deputy Headteacher while St Clere’s School was in temporary accommodation at Hassenbrook School in 1978. Gwynne was one of the founding members of staff who set up St Clere’s School. Before taking up this post, Gwynne had taught Geography at Harrowfield Boys’ School; Gaynes School Upminster and Eastbrook School Dagenham. Gwynne also worked as Head of Gaynes Centre Evening Adult Education alongside his daytime job. Following his retirement in 1997, Gwynne continued to play a significant role at the school, as a school governor and a trustee of St Clere's Co-operative Academy Trust. Gwynne devoted his life to the education and well-being of young people. He is responsible for the well established House system at St Clere’s. The rewards system still in place today around House competition in sport and general knowledge were all organised by him. Students still take pride in their House membership and value the history of this system. We still follow his vision for healthy competition, charity and rewards today. ‘Gwynne’s presence has always been, and continues to be, a part of St Clere’s School. His reputation goes before him because he left such firm ‘footprints’ which still form the fabric of the provision we provide for our students today’ Mrs Hughes, Head Teacher of St. Clere’s ‘Gwynne Mack was the founding Deputy Headteacher at the school who developed the school’s pastoral systems that remain so strong today. I was personally supported by Gwynne as part of my induction into the school. His support assured my success as the second Headteacher and I offer my sincere condolences to his wife and family’ Mr Griffiths, (previous Head Teacher at St. Clere’s) CEO of the Osborne Co-operative Academy Trust. We extend our sympathy to his wife and family. St Clere’s School and the Osborne Trust will be represented at his funeral, next week. Any donations, as requested by his family, will go to the Alzheimer's Society.
1/04/21

Abuse in Education - NSPCC Helpline

Sexual abuse in any form is unacceptable. Following the concerning reports provided to the Everyone’s Invited website, detailing incidents of sexual assault in schools and colleges, the Government is taking immediate steps to support to those affected and ensure all schools are safe places. The Government is working with the NSPCC to launch a dedicated helpline for victims of sexual abuse to provide support and guidance. The dedicated NSPCC Helpline - Report Abuse in Education – launched today (Thursday 1 April) and can be contacted by phone on 0800 136 663, or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk. Here’s what you need to know about the helpline.   Who is the helpline for? The new dedicated helpline will open from today to children, young people and adult victims of sexual abuse. The helpline will be run by the NSPCC and will provide victims of abuse with the appropriate support, advice and onward action, including on contacting professionals or the police if they wish. The helpline will also provide support to parents and professionals too. Everyone’s Invited, a place where victims are encouraged to record their experiences of sexual assault and abuse, will also signpost to the helpline from their website.   What will happen to the information that the helpline receives? We want victims to have the confidence to report these crimes, knowing everything will be done to bring offenders to justice. The NSPCC will provide support to those who are reporting abuse and signpost and advise on services available, including contacting the police if needed. Operation Hydrant, the coordination hub delivering the national policing response, oversight, and coordination of non-recent child sexual abuse investigations, will pass on any police referrals made through the helpline, asking local forces to investigate serious allegations.   Is the helpline just for school age pupils? No. It is open for people of all ages.   Is this just for incidents that happen in schools? No. As a Government we are determined to improve outcomes for victims and survivors of all ages and backgrounds, both outside and inside educational settings. The Government published its Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Strategy in January. It aims to help local areas to improve their response to exploitation with Home Office funding for The Children’s Society’s Prevention Programme. It will help victims and survivors of child sexual abuse to rebuild their lives by boosting investment in specialist sexual violence support services delivered by the voluntary sector, as well as support for victims and survivors through the court process with the new and revised Victim’s Code and consultation on a Victims’ Law.