Month: November 2015

Minutes 26/11

November 26, 2015 / / 0 Comments

Last Week

  • Possibility of the Women’s group merging with the Equalities group. SW will look into this.

This Week

  • can we begin to read the incidents from SIMS again?
  • Exploration of the term ‘That’s racist!’ This has begun to be misused by students and creates a problem. Could this lead us to think about positive messages within the school. We must be careful with the term ‘racist’ and begin to value/celebrate difference through education. There are apparently conflicting messages as to how pastoral leaders might have given guidance on how to deal with incidences of racism. Could we begin to develop constructive guidance to help deal with racism and give positive messages about people. Can students form the work work to develop a ‘Day of Difference’ that celebrates us all?
  • Alistair met with N Atherton about developing a coherent system where the Equalities Group are in communication with the School Leadership Group. They have proposed a monthly meeting where Alistair passes on our priorities. Are we able to approve Alistair as responsible for our communications? Could we have two people do this? Nominations: Jamal’s, Alistair and Henry.
  • Ms Prince, the school counsellor has asked if she can attend the group, are we ok with this? Yes.

Letter from Ms Lucking

November 22, 2015 / / 0 Comments

After the Teacher training session, Ms Lucking felt she had a whole lot more to say and asked if she could write to the equalities group. Here’s her letter:

Equalities Group

18/11/2015

17:59

Dear Equalities Group

I wanted to write a few words to say how grateful I was and am for your INSET earlier this evening.

Not only was it a thoughtful presentation but has definitely intensified a debate (for myself at the very least) with regard to the last  of your role plays.

I know that the intention was to allow the female voice to be heard on this matter. However it was illuminating in how we then were not making ourselves heard.

For me I think that the way we were asked became too confrontational/masculine in approach and therefore we reverted to type. We need perhaps a different forum to air these feelings and opinions ( I am emailing..) or at least begin to air these feelings and thoughts before more of us are ready to speak.

It felt that we didn’t have a lot to say but actually we do.

I feel that we are hyper aware of getting along with men in the workplace for pure survival so it has become difficult to openly voice our opinions/feelings on matters relating to sexism.

There were points I agreed with and others I disagreed with, although I understand where they are coming from… a comment about when sexist comments are challenged it being more powerful if coming from men and not us.

Across the board it needs to be said.

How we all say it will be different but still it  needs to be said. That’s ok. We all response differently and it makes us interesting and unique.

Role models of all genders are important for this.

I am no less powerful in saying it than a male.

To say yes implies we are less than other genders and I am not willing to give away my female power (particularly when it is so hard fought for every day).

The older I get the more I am attuned to it. I grew up in a different environment in an all girls school which set no limits on what women could do…we can rule the world….that was the norm. I want that outlook for all girls and boys to be the norm. Society depresses me in regard to this.  I fully understand how using the word girl in a negative way towards a boy highlighting perceived faults is constraining and limiting to the boys as well as offensive about and to women. Not allowing for expression outside of ‘male’ parameters is tremendously harmful to personal growth and your point at the end was so appropriate.

I think that this issue was also evidenced tonight by the female staff. Women are so used to being told to constrain themselves to be more like men, at work, to get ahead, that the constraints meant we couldn’t really cope with the discussion. Not yet. Often we go to default…which is humour to disperse the issue. Doesn’t deal with it though. And we couldn’t do that tonight so therefore alot of food for thought.

I have 2 young boys and I am very aware that I do not want them to have that attitude growing up.

I want for students (&staff) to be comfortable in expressing themselves however they wish and for these expressions to be valued as such.

Setting the example is key. If there is to be change we must become the change.

I was surprised that male staff did not really discuss this issue. I could see they were waiting for us to provide an answer however we roll differently and this needs much, much more work.

Thank you so much once again

Kind regards

Miss Lucking

Minutes 19/11

November 19, 2015 / / 0 Comments

Apologies: Ms Hayles, Dewi, Tobias

from last week

  • historical unresolved racist incident – the meeting took place, but only Ms Wright and Alistair were present. They began working on a set of policies/proposals that the group would present to Senior Management. The favoured approach from this meeting was that there would be a meeting between students; their parents; a member of SLT. The teacher should not be responsible for making the initial phone call home and arranging the meeting. The sanction should be in line with how fights are dealt with, therefore carrying the same weight on SIMS. We have touched on a sensitive subject and it’s possibly the first time we have been met with resistance for the things we have asked for. Do also remember that your attendance at the group does not mean you must take part, but please show your support of you commit to a group.
  • The Equalities Teacher Inset took place on Wednesday after school and was generally well received. There was definitely debate amongst the staff to the role plays produced. We also have been written a letter by Ms Lucking, which will be published on our website. We would welcome anonymous responses to the role plays performed at the inset. This will be hard and there will be backlash, but our response has often been to approach these situations positively.

Added to the agenda:

  • reporting on the events of this week
  • Using the term ‘racist’ inappropriately.
  • when will we begin to visit Enrichment Observations

Minutes 12th November

November 12, 2015 / / 0 Comments

Meeting for the Equalities Inset will take place after school today and on Monday in CW’s room, 201. All are welcome.

Mr Taylor will be delivering a whole school assembly on Monday and Tuesday on the topic of homophobia. He has approached the group and asked for genuine incidences where students have experienced or witnessed homophobia. Mr Taylor has requested that we write an account of incidences and get them to him by the end of today. Mr Taylor will quote you directly, but anonymously.

Mr Taylor will return at a later date to explain why he believes our second objective proposed to the governors should be amended.

SW has had trouble arranging a meeting for a follow up to the historical, and unresolved, racist incident. CW suggested notifying those involved of the date and time of the meeting at a reasonable time and then have the meeting to take place. The meeting will take place on Monday lunchtime, those in attendance will be CW, SW, Alistair and Dominic in Rm 203.

The planning for the International Day must still take place. Jack or SW will send an email with a date, time and place for the meeting.

 

aploogies: Ms Downes, Micheal Adej-Mensah

Ms Hayles and Mr Leonard asked to be added to the group mailing list.

Minutes 5th November

November 5, 2015 / / 0 Comments

Apologies: Jack Elderton

Last Week

  • Konditor and Cook is still ongoing. CW has taken personal responsibility for investigating this.
  • Categories on SIMS have still not been amended. CW has suggested that we now give a suggested list to the school Leadership group.
  • JT must still come to the Equalities group and present his concerns about our second goal presented to the Governors.
  • Planning for the teacher education session is on the 18th November. There will be a meeting for this on Monday 9th November after school in room 201, where the structure will be finalised.
  • International Day – meeting to be arranged for this committee. SW is still waiting for a meeting time with NM to confirm this can take place.
  • Lethaniel has uploaded the equalities resources from the Stonewall conference.

This Week

  • progress on historical racist incident previously discussed. The incident occurred over a month ago, but the matter has not yet been resolved in a way that all parties are happy with. It has now been proposed that a select number of our group would present this case to Senior Leadership. This group should comprise of a key stage 3 member, key stage 4 and a member of staff. Yonatan from Year 8 has volunteered, Christian Lambert, Dominic Pollard-Odle, Marcel Atchoe. We may choose randomly from this group. We will ask members of Key Stage 4. Members of staff: TD and SW. RP has also asked that he can become involved in proceedings as the incident happened during a Science Lesson.
  • defining list of categories for SIMS

Stonewall Resources

November 4, 2015 / / 0 Comments

Hi everyone

I’am just writing to tell you about the resources from Stonewall you might need or wish to have a look at, I have alot of physical resources or you can download digital  versions from the educational resource area of Stonewall at http://www.stonewall.org.uk/our-work/education-resources.  Just ask me if you would like to request any physical copies of the Stonewall resources.

Lethaniel