Category: Meetings

Minutes 22 September 2016

September 22, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Agenda:

  • Actual Jobs
  • Hair issues
  • Halal Food
  • SIMS Categories
  • Incident Report
  • “This is England” campaign

Apologies:

Henry, Dewi, Matthew.

Minutes:

  • Actual Jobs – areas of responsibility (We agreed these and will assign people to them in the next meeting)
  1. SIMS Report – Henry
  2. Assemblies –
  3. Curriculum –
  4. Workshops –
  5. Promotions –
  6. Events –
  • Hair

Obai reported that the school seems to have inconsistencies in the way they address people’s hairstyles.

Henry has written a paper on this – we will deal with this next week.

  • Racist Incidents

Mr Harris joined the Equalities Group at this point. In a discussion about the resolution process he developed in accord with our recommendations (He explored the use of a student conference: both students were present of their own volition and time was taken to explore the incident. Eventually both acknowledged/accepted each other’s position and the perpetrator apologised for his actions, which was accepted by the victim).

We concentrated on what happens if a resolution is not reached. To which Mr Harris added the following observation:

A resource exists in the LSC to provide a programme about prejudice – we would like to understand this more and encourage this to be used.

A proposal for working together in the future was developed:

  1. Mr Harris will work with a Year 9 representative of the Equalities group to develop a formal policy for dealing with incidents of prejudice.
  2. The proposed student conference will happen after the school’s formal sanctions have been enacted – usually initially a period in referral. This will be a voluntary meeting, but will be a way for students to demonstrate they’re serious.
  3. Ms Phillips will be invited to show the Equalities group her LSC anti-prejudice progamme.
  4. Some discussion occurred about whether parents should be involved in this meeting. This matter remained unresolved.

Next Week:

  • Actual Jobs
  • Hair issues
  • Halal Food
  • SIMS Categories
  • Incident Report
  • “This is England” campaign

 

Minutes 15.09.16

September 15, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Apologies

Demi and Jamal are on Duke of Edinburgh

Agenda

Motion: Adding SEN Discrimination to the SIMS logs. Unanimously carried. Miss C and Lethaniel will do it this week. 

Review of Equalities incidents so far this year. Henry will present this in future with names removed. Mr Waugh summarised. 

Mr Harris’s response to Racists incidents. He tried to use our strategy of families meeting when racist incidents occurred. He used tutors instead of families because leadership prevented him bringing families in. Mr Waugh says the meeting was a success and results in apologies but it can be successful even if apologies aren’t made. All parties chose to attend. Genuine apologies made. We will ask that these incidents are based on how the students feel. Involve the school counsellor. If the resolution cannot be met then we could then start to impose sanctions. We will invite Mr Harris to talk about how it is going to be implemented. 

No Halal food in the canteen. Or food in the canteen is not labelled halal. Obai and Mr Waugh. 

Dyed hair? Henry will invite Max. 

Next week’s agenda

New focusses this year 

Giving people actual jobs

Dyed hair referral

Minutes 14 July

July 14, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Apologies:

  1. Ms Lucking (letter attached)

    For the Group’s information:
    1. I have organised again with Mr Atherton to meet with him regarding the Women’s Group/Parity Project. We now have a meeting for Monday next week.
    I will feedback regarding the issues we discussed after the meeting.

    2. I have had no one else pop by to do any Counterculture Workshops. The workshop we did do was very inspiring and super productive.
    I agree with Liam Harris’ suggestion of using the Group’s ideas about issues to address via the Counterculture group. I look forward to working on this in the new academic year and will continue to work on this over the summer as it’s quite close to my heart.

    3. Making Waves – I know that I was meant to receive an updated version of the article for Making Waves – but I haven’t received it yet. Please could it kindly be resent – I am holding a page in the magazine for it.

    Many thanks for all your support. I have enjoyed every moment of Equalities this year and look forward to many more.
    With Best wishes to all for a wonderful summer

Matters Arising

  1. Mr Leonard gave an assembly in relation to the Orlando shootings and it appeared to go well. The Year 7 students who were at the assembly
  2. Mr Price’s statement see the minutes from 30 June 2016 – Mr Price would like to distribute his statement for feedback and input before it goes out under our names.

Statement on Racist and Xenophobic Incidents

The recent political events in the United Kingdom, although democratic and legal, have been linked to a fivefold increase in instances of reported racism and religious bigotry including Islamophobia and Anti-Semitism.

We would utterly condemn any mistreatment of our fellow pupils or staff, on any grounds. Specifically we condemn all xenophobia and racism in any form.

We stand as a group of young people and their teachers wholly opposed to these acts, wherever they may occur. They are to us abhorrent and unlawful. We will not accept them happening in our school or in our wider community.

Furthermore, we will work to protect and support those who are targeted by hateful rhetoric and action in coming forward. They have a guarantee of any and all support they may need in reporting these abuses that we can offer, and call for swift action to be taken when reports are made.

Stefano indicated a concern that any system that might arise could be open to mis-use. Mr Price clarified that this statement doesn’t propose a system, it is simply a statement of our support for people who may be experiencing racism and xenophobia.

Mr Price compared this to the American Constitution which makes statements like “All men are created equal”, which then the country has to interpret.

This statement was adopted unanimously by the members present.

Chris identified that this statement may be a good opportunity for us to shift our group’s focus towards specific actions we can take to tackle matters of xenophobia and religious prejudice.

Mr Price suggested that we circulate this document to the wider student body allowing them to be more clear about this position – Matthew and Mr Waugh agreed to act on this.

Mr Price and Mr Leonard both said this would be their last Equalities meeting – Obai said that Mr Leonard has done a fantastic job and that he would be missed by us all and that there will always be a place for him in our group.

Minutes 07 July 2016

July 14, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Apologies

Dewi

Mr Waugh

Miss Murphy

Miss Wilberforce is going to be late

Agenda

Last week’s minutes

Mr Waugh- talk about the Policies from Governors and how we will get this in motion.

Teachers Survey

Ms Lucking hasn’t spoken to Mr Atherton because she hasn’t seen him. Jamal and Obai will remind Mr Atherton to speak to Miss Lucking.

Making Waves

Obai wrote a piece and we gave him some things we’d like to add. He’ll redraft and send ASAP.

Mr Mummuluh’s Assembly on Shooting in Orlando

Mr Leonard will help to replace Obai who must withdraw his offer to support.

Brexit

Jack proposed the school supports the anti-racism demonstrations on Saturday 16th July. Schuil agrees. Jack will bring fliers. Ms Schuil will put them up. Jack thinks it is important to attend.

Equalities Goals

  • What can we do?
  • Make the curriculum more representative of our school population: how could we do it?
  • Diverse authors in English
  • Geography: look more at cultural human geography
  • Why are we teaching Key stage 3 for an exam when we could use the opportunities and freedom in the curriculum to promos diversity.
  • Obai is concerned people will feel offended speaking about their culture. Miss Lucking thinks we should still encourage it.
  • Propose some uses for tutor time?

Actions

 

Ms Lucking with meet Mr Atherton

Mr Leonard with help Mr Mummuluh with his assembly

Meet regarding Mr Prices’s post Brexit Statement. Obai.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meeting 30 June

June 30, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Apologies:

  • Michael
  • Jack Elderton

Agenda:

LAST WEEK’S ACTIONS:

Ms Lucking is to speak with Mr Atherton about a teacher survey

Has had a lot of trouble meeting Mr Atherton. Mr Atherton has agreed to speak in more than a corridor conversation

Making Waves

Ms Lucking outlined the scope of this magazine. She asked that we contribute an Equalities page with articles from students. She is open to anything – but there is a 7 day deadline. You can email Ms Lucking on mlucking@nautical.lambeth.sch.uk if you have anything to contribute

  1. Obai offered an article.

Counter-Culture

A small group are working on promoting discussion about our Equalities issues using a more innovative, less interpersonal means. Ms Lucking has been running workshops to see if we can produce imagery that might promote a response focussing on the language we use in relation to women. Ms Schuil, Mr Harris and Ms Lucking created images based on models from street art. An example is attached.

Mr Harris asked if the group could offer suggestions about what the focus for this might be?

Ms Lucking would like to run the workshop again at

Equalities statements from other schools

Obai has provided an example of Equalities goals. We should read this for next week where we’ll have a more detailed conversation about these.

Obai’s offer support to Mr Mumuluh

Dewi offered to help Obai support Mr Mumuluh in the Orlando assembly.

Post Brexit response

Formal submission from Mr Price:

Brexit Response
To quote today’s BBC news:

“the referendum has changed nothing legally but everything politically.”

(http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-uk-leaves-the-eu-36671629)

To this I would add socially. Already society is feeling the consequences of the controversial vote.

(https://www.yahoo.com/news/brexit-post-ref-racism-000000858.html)

We note the rise in racist abuse as reported by many reputable sources.

We believe that any response needs to be considered and rational.

Likewise we applaud the decision by the prime minister to condemn the attacks on migrant communities.

Furthermore that our own response should be as widely publicised and participatory as is feasible.

To this end I move that:

We prepare a statement of the type that names can be added. “We the undersigned”, followed by a statement on the social conditions post Brexit and a strong defence of the values of equality and tolerance for difference which has absolutely not been diminished.

We therefore will prepare such a statement and seek all avenues available, digital and analogue, to publicise this and allow our school community to add their names to it.

Obai seconded this motion, based on his own personal experience of this racist abuse.

Carried Unanimously

ACTION: Mr Price, Mr North, Mr Ermack

Obai: Not all Leave voters are racist.
Dewi: Many of us have seen this increase in xenophobic behaviour
Mr North: Agrees that it should be intelligent response
Mr Harris: Would this be an issue to explore in relation to the counter-culture project
Mr Price: It is our moral and legal obligation to respond to these breaches of our equality obligation

TIME FOR COUNTER-CULTURE WORKSHOP:

To be announced.

Action:

  • SIMS wording for logging incidents – Ms Critchley, Mr Waugh, Obai. Need to meet.

Minutes Thursday 23rd June

June 29, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Apologies

Jamal is going to be late

Lethaniel

Miss Lucking

Miss Wilberforce

And sincere apologies from Miss Critchley who was present. Her muddled notes from the meeting have been neatened up here. If anything is missing or misrepresented please say so and she will amend the minutes. 

Last Week’s minutes

Last week’s minutes were read. The following actions were reviewed:

  • Ms Lucking is speaking with Mr Atherton about a teacher survey to identify the issues some teacher might have with students being disrespectful. Ms Lucking can report on this when she is next here.
  • Obai and Freddy and Christian and Henry will bring a list of equalities statements from other schools as well as our existing one – Everyone forgot. This is an action for next week too.
  • SIMS wording for logging incidents – Ms Critchley, Mr Waugh, Obai. This has not been arranged. This is an action for next week too BUT it was brought up to Governors by Mr Waugh. We will continue to be persistent about this. Should be doing it anyway….
  • Obai offered to support Mr Mumuluh who wants to address Orlando with his Year 7 cohort. Obi has not yet spoken to Mr Mumuluh. He will do that this week

Agenda:

Review of meeting with Mr Bull

He was impressed that the equalities group exists. He’s ready to help us. We spoke about the incidents we tackle and he reassured us that he was sorting it out but that he was bringing his own more consistent behaviour policy which will not favour certain types of pupils. Positive generally.

Pride: Permission form drive

All are responsible for bringing own slips in and for reminding others.

This brought up the question of Uniform again. Arguments for the students being able to express themselves were put forward. Teachers insisted that uniform or sixth form uniform (as a compromise) must be worn by all students.

Financial Inequality

Ms Critchley read Lethaniel’s post to the group in his absences. Mr Waugh feels this should be on our list of things we are concerned about. Even when people try to be inclusive of race or gender for example, they are not respectful of financial contraints.

Obai is worried that the rich will not be affected by Brexit but poor people will be. Some people cannot afford things- like computers but they are expected to use them. It isn’t fair. Headphones and games consoles (or not having the right one) can lead to social stigma. Geography trip £182 but 25% of marks would have been lost if you didn’t go.  Jamal points out that some people indulge in the wrong things so can’t afford other things they need. Blazers are also too expensive. Your wealth can also affect your social group and peoples perception of you (Christian). Extra curricular activities can be expensive. Learning to play musical instruments is expensive so it excludes student who cannot afford them. Making assumptions about wealth is also damaging.

EU Referendum

Discussed above.

Actions

  • Ms Lucking is to speak with Mr Atherton about a teacher survey and will feed back
  • Obai and Freddy and Christian and Henry will bring a list of equalities statements from other schools
  • SIMS wording for logging incidents – Ms Critchley, Mr Waugh, Obai. Need to meet.
  • Obai is to offer support to Mr Mumuluh

 

 

 

 

 

Meeting 16 June 2016

June 16, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Apologies:

Dewi, Ms Wilberforce, Barnaby, Alistair

Agenda:

  • Orlando – Obai
  • Socio-Economic Inequality – Lethaniel
  • Pride Uniform – Jack

Orlando

Ms Schuil explained some of the issues that have been triggered by the mass-shooting in an Orlando nightclub. Ms Schuil suggested we wear a (black) ribbon.

Jack wanted to reaffirm the importance that we acknowledge that it was an LBGT hate crime, not just a generic terrorist attack.

Mr Mumuluh is very keen to run an assembly – Obai has offered to support

In response to Obai’s question about the potential risk at pride, Henry encouraged people to still ‘step outside their front door’ even in the light of these risks as we need to challenge the fears created by people performing terrorist actions.

Pride Uniform

Jack identified that many Year 11 students would be reluctant to come if they had to wear their school uniform.

Chris put forward his ‘identity’ idea. Henry expressed that our banner would show who we are.

It’s important to Ms Critchley that we are in uniform in order to show that we are part of a school.

Ms Schuil reminded the group that usually groups walking in pride are unified by what they wear.

Last Week’s Actions:

  • Ms Critchley will support forms to invite people to Pride and check who agreed to do the no filter video and provide some encouragement. Ms Critchley, Marcel, Obai, Matthew, Ms Shuil Matthew. TUESDAY BREAK. Mr Waugh will have consent form – two assemblies have been done Y8, Y7 and Year 10 are in progress.
  • Ms Lucking is speaking to Mr Atherton about a survey of teachers to identify if there’s a difference in the classroom experience between male and female teachers.
  • Group speaking to Mr Bull. Freddy, Christian, Obai, Jack, Dominic, Leon, Ms Critchley, Ms Murphy, Ms Schuil, Matthew Q. Friday 17th June – Parents’ Meeting Room.
  • Jack will have a lot of availability after next Friday.
  • SIMS wording for logging incidents – Ms Critchley, Mr Waugh, Obai

Actions:

  • Ms Lucking is speaking to Mr Atherton about a survey of teachers to identify if there’s a difference in the classroom experience between male and female teachers.
  • Obai and Freddy and Christian and Henry will bring a list of equalities statements from other schools as well as our existing one – Tuesday Break, Music room
  • SIMS wording for logging incidents – Ms Critchley, Mr Waugh, Obai
  • Obai offered to support Mr Mumuluh who wants to address Orlando with his Year 7 cohort

Minutes 9 June

June 9, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Agenda:

  1. Equalities Objectives
  2. Parade 25 June – speak to your families now. Mr Bull was invited and will consider joining us. We’ll be attending in uniform.
  3. Group speaking to Mr Bull. Freddy, Christian, Obai, Jack, Dominic, Leon, Ms Critchley, Ms Murphy, Ms Schuil, Mr Michael, Matthew Q. Friday 17th June – Parents’ Meeting Room.
  4. SIMS wording for logging incidents.

ACTIONS:

  • Ms Critchley will support forms to invite people to Pride and check who agreed to do the no filter video and provide some encouragement. Ms Critchley, Marcel, Obai, Matthew, Ms Shuil Matthew. TUESDAY BREAK. Mr Waugh will have consent form.
  • Ms Lucking is speaking to Mr Atherton about a survey of teachers to identify if there’s a difference in the classroom experience between male and female teachers.
  • Obai and Freddy and Christian and Henry will bring a list of equalities statements from other schools as well as our existing one.
  • Group speaking to Mr Bull. Freddy, Christian, Obai, Jack, Dominic, Leon, Ms Critchley, Ms Murphy, Ms Schuil, Mr Michael, Matthew Q. Friday 17th June – Parents’ Meeting Room.
  • Jack will have a lot of availability after next Friday.
  • SIMS wording for logging incidents – Ms Critchley, Mr Waugh, Obai

 

Minutes 19th May

May 19, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Apologies

Miss Lucking is working with GCSE students during lunchtime today-

“Please could you give my Thanks to the Group for the wonderful Eurovision Party last Friday, it was great and so many of you put in a fantastic effort with the delicious food.

Women’s Group Meeting NEXT WEEK WEDNESDAY LUNCHTIME GO2.”

Ms Pope

Mr Leonard is doing no filter

 

Barney and Alistair are revising

Today’s Agenda

KC’s Meeting with NA

 Minutes
  • KC explained our proposal that we we remove any reference to lines in hair from our behaviour/uniform policy. After some discussion, no agreement could be made and NA expressed the idea that LG and Mr Bull will not agree to this either. 
  • KC explained our proposal that we add the correct options to log racist, homophobic, gender discriminatory, religious discriminatory and disability discriminatory incidents. After explaining the reasons for removal in the first place, NA agreed. NA also expressed concerns that teachers do not log incidents properly. 
  • KC explained that we wish to remove some ambiguous statements from our behaviour policy. NA says he’s happy to consult with students on his in future but that Mr Bull will bring his own policy that NA has. KC asked to read the policy but NA said we would need to wait until LG have seen it when Mr Bull arrives. 

Student members disappointed about the lines in hair policy and wish it was easier to talk to leadership. Members happy for KC to email NA with the incident categories list. Members expressed wish to speak to new head.

The New Head Communications Committee 

As a result of the meeting between NA and KC in which we realised we must communicate our ideas to Mr Bull better we prose a group being responsible for this. Freddy, Christina, Leon, Mr Waugh, Ms Murphy, Matthew, Jack and Ms Critchley have agreed to be this group. Mr Waugh will arrange it.

No Filter 

Ten people have come to video themselves this week. We need more. Mr Waugh and Ms Critchley have promised to do it. KC- “Well done to the students who participated in the assembly. You spoke beautifully and it was great to see and five members of my form already want to participate.”  

Proposal to Vote for Mr Atherton To Attend The Equalities Group

Some agree because he has a lot of pastoral responsibility which important. Others think it would be scary to have him present. We must discuss this again.

Inviting people to Pride

We should do this by inviting people to the equalities group in the first instance. Sending emails, talking at parade all proposed. Form tutors should be asked to support this.

Expanding our reach

We could communicate with similar groups at other schools. With Skype or meet ups. Discussion to be continued.

Next Week’s Agenda

Scottish English Rivalry

Lines in hair policy

Mr Atherton at Equalities group meetings

Promoting Pride

Expanding our reach

Actions

Mr Waugh will arrange to meet with regards our communication with the new head teacher.

Ms Critchley will support Y8 forms to invite people to Pride and check who agreed to do the no filter video and provide some encouragement.

Mr  Leonard will continue the no filter videoing. All must encourage others to participate and go along themselves.

Women Group members are to meet in Ms Lucking’s Room at lunch time on Wednesday next week.

Minutes 12th May

May 19, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Apologies

Dewi is sailing
Schuil is at Rambert
Mr Waugh is at Rambert
Dance Club is at Rambert
Lines in hair
Raised the lines in hair issue CW hasn’t explored yet
Student expressed ideas that a uniform is enough and designs are part of culture.
Outrage that students are sent home for haircuts.
Gateway haircuts? CW will bring up at LG again.
Promoting Pride in the Wider School Community
Advertise Pride and do assemblies Ms Schuil.
Mr Leonard leading on #nofilter video next week.
Every member will take responsibility for recruitment of participants for our video.
Jamal would like to help.
Ms Lucking we should build a booth.
Start filming this week.
Scottish English Rivalry
Group was confused by the issue and asked to wait for Obai. Some expressed worry for Mr Murray.
What should we do that is fun? 
Watch X men?
8 voted for it. Most don’t like that idea.
Actions
KC MUST meet NA
ML is working on video
CW will talk to LG RE lines in hair