National Online Safety Guide – NGL

2nd March 2023Louise Gatti
It seems people just can’t resist finding out what others really think of them – whether that’s for better or worse. NGL, an app which invites a user’s social media followers to send them anonymous questions and feedback, flew to the summit of the App Store’s charts last summer and racked up almost 30 million total downloads throughout 2022.

NGL is another of those ‘bolt-on’ apps which is designed to work alongside a major social media network. In this instance, the ‘host’ platforms are Instagram and Twitter – with NGL (meaning, as you may have surmised, ‘Not Gonna Lie’) inviting a user’s friends and followers to ask them questions anonymously. An intriguing novelty, perhaps – but also not without risk.Human nature being what it is, some people take the smokescreen of online anonymity as an excuse to behave in ways that they certainly wouldn’t if their identity were visible.

The brutal honesty – and outright malice – that such anonymity can encourage, however, brings obvious drawbacks for a young audience. Teens seeking validation or reassurance may instead find themselves bombarded by negative comments highlighting aspects of themselves that they were already insecure about.

 
The idea of exposing young social media users to anonymous messages is one which understandably concerns many parents: our #WakeUpWednesday guide brings you the facts about NGL.

KS4 Options Form

2nd March 2023Louise Gatti

Dear Parent / Carer

 

The Year 9 Option Process has now reached a point where, having had a series of assemblies, information videos and now the information evening,  students can now begin filling in their preferred option choices on the options form. The form for this year is on line and the link is recorded below:

 

KS4 Options Form (google.com)

 

Students will still be able to access support to fill in the form should they require it, with student interviews taking place between the 28-30th March and a virtual Options Support Evening for students and parents being held on 22-23rd March. More information about the Support Evening will be sent out nearer the time. Students can also ask for support in school from either myself or the other members of the Option Team, Mrs Spratt or Ms Gatti at any point between now and the deadline for completing the form on 31st March. There are also all subject videos available on the school website along with the prospectus and additional information and advice. To access these, please follow the link below:

 

Year 9 Options | Duke’s School (ncea.org.uk)

 

This will be the first time that you and your child have had a choice in what your child studies each day at school. This is both exciting and, to some, daunting but we hope that the support you will be provided with over the course of the process will ensure that your child is able to  make informed decisions that lead to positive experiences and outcomes for the future. 

 

Yours sincerely,

Ben Line

Deputy Principal

Online Safety Guide – Artificial Intelligence

27th February 2023Louise Gatti
Artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming a part of modern life and, for all intents and purposes, isn’t something we can shy away from. The explosion of ChatGPT, for instance, has brought this kind of technology into a more purposeful context, with millions now using the language model to help solve problems, write computer code or even complete their homework.
 
The rise of programmes like ChatGPT has brought the use of artificial intelligence solutions into sharp focus. Designed to potentially make our lives easier and support everyday tasks, this advanced machine-learning technology offers boundless possibilities and will be a part of our future, and our children’s future, for generations to come.

So how do artificial intelligence solutions work exactly? What kind of risks do they bring? Will they eventually negate the need for certain job roles, particularly in the creative industries? Ourguide explains what AI solutions are and suggests ways parents and carers can support children to use the technology with an open mind. In the guide you’ll find tips on a number of potential risks such as inaccurate information, reinforcing stereotypes and what impact the technology might have on children’s creativity and problem-solving skills


The opportunities that these AI solutions bring can’t be underestimated, so it’s important that we, as trusted adults, understand how they work, what they can be used for and what potential risks they could spawn. 

Premier League Inspires…

20th February 2023Fran Davison

Very proud to share that a group of Duke’s Secondary Students have won the club heat of the PL Inspires Challenge.

The PL Inspires Challenge is a National Competition that football club’s engaging in PL Inspires around England enter, having a designated team to represent them. The competition see’s teams set a challenge around a specific topic and teams have to design, implement and put a social action project in place to tackle the issue. This years topic that students have to create their social action project around is ‘Protect the Planet’

Alongside other local secondary schools, two groups of Duke’s Students participated in the heat. They completed a session to design their social action project idea and then presented to a panel of judges.

One of the groups from Duke’s Secondary were selected as winners to represent Newcastle United Foundation at the regional and national finals later in the year.

Well Done Girls, now the hard work starts as we bring the project to life!

Y9 Parents’ Evening – Online appointment booking only – Wednesday 1st March 2023

16th February 2023Louise Gatti

Dear Parent / Carer

Y9 Parents’ Evening – Online appointment booking only – Wednesday 1st March 2023

I would like to invite you to attend our Parents’ and Options Evening on Wednesday 1st March. This evening is an important opportunity for you to discuss your child’s performance in the recent Progress Assessments, progress in their lessons and also to find out more about the subjects that your child may be interested in taking at GCSE. If you wish to discuss information about a particular subject as an option then please do so with the relevant teacher as part of the parents’ evening appointment. There will be a further opportunity on the night to discuss the full GCSE options process and ask any questions that you might have about either subject choice combinations or career pathways with a member of either the Options Team or the Careers Team.

Booking for this parents’ evening will be using the on-line system called School Cloud. It has its own online booking system which allows you to choose your own appointment times with teachers and receive an email confirming your appointments. Once you have followed the guides below and logged in, the appointment booking times will appear for each member of staff. Staff will be available between 4 – 6.30 pm. The appointment booking system will be open from and will close on .You do not have to book online to speak to a member of the Options Team or Careers Team on the night. They will be operating a drop in system.

The school prospectus and electronic options form, along with other information and advice, are available on the school website through the following link: Year 9 Options | Duke’s School (ncea.org.uk)

To understand how to use the booking system

Secondly this link will

Once you have watched

If you do not have access to the internet and / or are unable to access the booking system and resources, please contact the school office.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Line
Deputy Principal

Tips for Encouraging Open Discussions about Digital Lives

15th February 2023Louise Gatti


Tips for Encouraging Open Discussions about Digital Lives

Most parents frequently chat with their child about how things are going at school or what’s happening in their friendship groups – but those discussions often don’t extend to youngsters’ online activities. In fact, National Online Safety conducted a recent survey which found that only slightly more than half (54%) of parents regularly talk to their children about staying safe online.

It can be an awkward topic to broach and, of course, it needs not to feel intrusive. However, just checking in with your child about their digital life can get them thinking about online safety and alert you to any issues they might be having. In support of Safer Internet Day 2023, our #WakeUpWednesday guide has some useful tips on potential ways to start those conversations.

In the guide you’ll find a number of useful tips such as being as honest as possible, discussing how misleading the online world can be and creating a ‘family agreement’.