This week

This week in assemblies we have been preparing for Safer Internet Day 2023 which occurs on Tuesday, 7^th February.  The theme for this year is “Want to talk about it?” which encourages young people to talk about what they are doing online.  In particular, we hope to foster positive conversations between children and the key adults in their lives about their online habits.

Some helpful resources have been produced by the UK Safer Internet Centre to help parents hold meaningful conversations with their children, which cover the following issues:

• Practical tips for starting a conversation about life online
• How to talk about difficult topics
• My child has said something worrying – what do I do?
• What do I do if something goes wrong?
• How do I make a report?

Information about all of these issues and more besides can be found at Parents and carers – UK Safer Internet Centre and an extract is reproduced below.

Top Tips for Parents and Carers

These top tips have been written for you (parents and carers) to help you support your child to stay safe and happy online.

This Safer Internet Day make space for….

Make space for regular conversations about life online

Talk openly and frequently about what you are doing online and encourage your child to do the same. Talk about the positive experiences you can have online, share what you have done when you have come across content you did not want to, and how you dealt with the situation.

Make space for enjoying and exploring the online world together!

Play games, watch videos, and express an interest in your child’s online life. Celebrate all the opportunities that technology has to offer, and show them what a great space the internet can be when used responsibly.

Make space for working as a family to agree expectations for going online

Talk to your family about the role technology plays in your lives. Establish rules and expectations that encourage meaningful use of technology, in the same way you set boundaries in other areas of your children’s lives. It’s important to review these regularly and adapt them for each member of your family.

Make space for learning about the apps, games and websites your child is using

There are lots of tools and guides to support you with keeping your child safe on whatever apps, games and websites they are using. Research age ratings, privacy settings, and safety features (like the block and report button) so that you are best placed to help your child should anything go wrong.

Make space for supporting and reassuring your child if things go wrong

Remind your child they can talk to you about anything. If something goes wrong, listen and respond with reassurance and kindness and stay calm. Work with your child to find solutions to the problem, perhaps by using the block and report tools or seeking advice from your child’s school.

Information and support for managing use of internet access and mobile devices can also be found at the following websites:

NSPCC – Keeping Children Safe Online – https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/ – this includes resources for children with additional needs as well as information on parental controls and signposting to further support

NSPCC – chat app safety – https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/social-media/chat-apps/

Parents Protect – Internet Safety (part of a longer course on safety) – https://www.parentsprotect.co.uk/internet-safety.htm

BBC Teach – Online Safety https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/internet-safety/z8w8bqt – excellent resources for children, families and professionals around online safety

WhatsApp group exit instructions – https://www.wikihow.com/Leave-a-Group-Chat-on-WhatsApp

SnapChat Safety Centre – https://values.snap.com/en-GB/safety/safety-center

Recent news from across the School

Netball

Congratulations to the Year 7 girls netball team for their 6-5 win away at Bullers Wood last week – a superb team effort from Mary, Amelie, Megan, Emma, Emily, Poppy, Eva and Summer – well done all!

Cross Country

On Saturday, 21^st January, the Kent Schools Cross Country took place at Dartford Central park.  As the Bromley team Mrs Philbrick was there to support all of those selected to run for Bromley, including Darrick Wood’s Anamaria, Harvir, George and Anthony. Anthony’s 25th place was strong enough to give him the opportunity to be selected for Kent in the upcoming south-east inter-counties event. Well done to him but also to all who ran. We are so proud of you.

Music

We are also incredibly proud of Abigail and Rebecca who performed at the finals of the Bromley Youth Music Trust Advanced Singer of the Year last weekend. They were both outstanding and we look forward to hearing them perform at our Spring Concert. They displayed confidence, command of the stage and a superb relationship with the audience.

Rebecca in fact won the competition having so impressed the judges. The Mayor of Bromley presented Rebecca with a fabulous trophy.

Dance

We are delighted to share the news that DWS Dance Company have been selected as one of just 12 groups to perform in the U.Dance Festival, celebrating excellence in youth dance. The piece is called ‘Finding Home’ and will be showcased at Trinity Laban on Sunday, 26^th February. The judging criteria for entrants was for excellent and engaging choreography, excellence in performance, and dancers taking clear ownership of age-appropriate choreography, so we are delighted to have been selected for the second year in a row. What an achievement!

Congratulations and good luck to all the dancers for the final performance.

PSFA focus

The Darrick Wood School PSFA’s fundraising activities last year meant that the Committee was able to donate £9500 last term. This will be spent on projects around the School including additional water dispensers, playground furniture and our new garden area. All students benefit from this additional investment in the School, so please consider how you can help the Committee in their tremendous efforts this year. One way you can do so is to come along this Saturday morning (4th February)  and support the second hand uniform sale being held in the Dining Hall from 10am until 11am.

Another easy way to help raise funds is to join the lottery. Details are available here. The next draw prize incudes a £25,000 jackpot!

Dates for the diary

Saturday, 4th February	Second hand uniform sale
Thursday, 9th February	Staff training event in conjunction with Bromley Schools’ Collegiate. Students finish at 2.30pm. Their five lessons that day will be 55 minutes instead of the usual hour to enable the earlier finish.
Monday, 13th February to Friday 17th February	HALF TERM
Thursday, 2nd March	Year 10 Parents’ Evening
Wednesday, 8th March	Year 9 Options Evening
Thursday, 16th March	Year 9 Parents’ Evening
Wednesday, 29th March	Year 8 Parents’ Evening
Monday, 3rd April to Friday, 14th April	EASTER HOLIDAY (return Monday, 17th April)
Thursday, 20th April	Year 7 Parents’ Evening