Headteachers Update

In what is always a busy term at HEHS, I do hope this snap of extreme cold is not causing you and your family significant disruption. As ever, we will strive to keep the school open during adverse weather conditions and regularly update you via text/email and our website. I wanted to thank all staff, parents/carers and students in our community for their support in what was a difficult time last week when the story about Molly Russell was broadcast and covered in the press. As you will be aware, Molly who tragically died in 2017, may have been affected by some of the toxic material on the Internet and social media sites. As per my statement to you last Wednesday, the BBC produced the piece with the Russell family with the aim of raising awareness of mental health in young people across society and the effect of online forums and social media; hopefully helping to prevent similar tragedies in the future. We fully support raising awareness of this critical issue and are working closely with the Russell family and the Molly Rose Foundation to support. Please be assured our school has a comprehensive programme of support regarding Internet Safety and last week delivered a thoroughly enlightening training day programme for staff, promoting mental health and emotional well being - continuing our long drive to make this a high priority for all in our community. We will also be marking Safer Internet Day (below) with further advice to all our young people. May I remind parents and young people, if you are ever affected by any issues concerning any aspect of safeguarding or Internet Safety, please do not hesitate to use the usual support forums in school, including the pastoral and safeguarding teams and/or specific support agencies/action lines named by the BBC - such as the Samaritans. On a lighter note, our wonderful Production Society have spent months preparing for the fantastic musical Sister Act, which ran from Thursday to Saturday last week - A wonderful performance by all involved.

Ms Sue Maguire, Headteacher