Brighter later
to an i-pod or glued to some mobile device. We´ve had our minds concentrated on this issue at school this month as students returned from their Christmases laden with the latest mobile devices (parents please remember that your children have to take responsibility for these; the school is not liable in the case of disappearance or damage). Our young people inhabit an astonishingly technologically rich world both in and out of school, and the recurring question for school leaders is to what extent this is a blessing in terms of teaching and learning.
The benefits of the latest technology are obvious: the internet as research tool; email for swift and easy communication to anywhere in the world; mobile phones for instant contact wherever we are; ICT packages to enhance everything from school newsletters to students´ coursework assignments. But the i-phone which can one minute help a year 7 student ascertain Anne Frank´s date of birth without having to book a computer room or go to the library to look it up, can just as easily be used by her less studious friend to contact someone in the next class on Facebook. At the moment, given that the culture of using technology even amongst adults can be somewhat immature (witness the number who overtly consult their phones during meetings and conversations) it´s perhaps unreasonable to expect teenagers to be able to compartmentalise their use of technology during the school day. So for the present, our rules on mobile devices remain unchanged — they should not be used in the building during lesson times. Parents please see page 8 of your child´s logbook for the clearly stated policy and sanctions which will be applied in the event of misuse, and we thank you for your support. We will however be revisiting this issue regularly over the coming months. On a completely different note, one of the highlights of last week was taking a trip down to one of our main link primary schools, Hampton Juniors, to attend the opening of their splendid new Learning Resources Centre by the Mayor of Richmond. I was accompanied by former HJS pupils Thomas Chapman (Conrad) and Abbie Baldwin (Wordsworth) who were enthusiastically greeted by teachers and pupils in every room, and the three of us admired the many improvements that have been made to the school in the last few months by recently appointed headteacher Rachel Kluczynski. It was also good to see another of our partner schools, Hampton Infants, represented in large numbers, and to meet so many current and former HCC/HA parents amongst the packed audience. Later that day I was very pleased to join in the welcome given to several new parents at the termly meeting of the Hampton Academy Association. It was great to have several new Year 7 and 8 parents offering their help with various activities. If you haven´t volunteered so far — it´s not too late! Please contact Cathy or Deborah via hamptonacademyassociation@googlemail.com Also do look out for the HAA´s next big event — the annual quiz night, to be held at the academy on Friday 25th March, always well attended by both parents and staff. It´s been a successful week for staff too. Congratulations go to David Collins, Conrad College Director and member of the Academy Leadership Team, who passed his NPQH assessment on Friday, enabling him to start studying formally for his headship qualification. Hopefully in the next 15 months David will
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