As we approach the end of the school term, we want to thank you for your incredible support over the past year. Summer is a fantastic time for our students to relax, recharge, and enjoy their freedom.
To help ensure everyone has a fun and secure break, we have put together a quick safety checklist. We encourage you to sit down and chat through these topics with your child before the holidays begin.
Out and About: Knowing the Network
During the term, students spend most of their time within a structured school community. Over the summer, their social circles naturally expand as regular school friends go away on holiday.
- Who are they meeting? Talk to your child about who they are spending time with, especially if they are hanging out in new peer groups or in new public spaces (like local parks or malls).
- The "Trusted Circle": Remind your child that while making new friends is great, they should always be cautious around unfamiliar older teenagers or adults who try to join their social groups or offer them gifts, lifts, or favours.
- Check-In Routine: Agree on a simple check-in routine so you always know where they are, who they are with, and when they will be home.
Navigating Independence and Budgets
With more free time, many students will be organising their own social outings to the cinema, cafes, or shopping centres.
- Planning Ahead: Encourage your child to plan their routes and transport (such as ride-sharing apps) in advance, ensuring they always travel in groups, especially later in the evening.
- Financial Safety: Talk to them about managing their holiday budget and keeping their personal belongings, phones, and cash secure while out in busy public areas.
Digital Boundaries
With more free time, screen time usually increases.
- Revisit your home’s boundaries regarding online gaming and social media.
- Remind your children never to share their location publicly online, and to be wary of friend requests or private messages from accounts they don't know in real life.
Who to Contact
If your child ever feels uncomfortable, unsafe, or pressured by anyone, whether a peer or an adult, remind them they can always talk to you without judgment.
If you have any safeguarding concerns over the summer, please remember there are many local organisations who can help support you, these have been shared with your children during tutor time this week too
We wish all of our families a restful, sunny, and safe summer break!