E-safety News – Amigo is a social platform

4th November 2022Louise Gatti

Amigo is a social platform which purports to connect strangers from around the world – and, with built-in translation software, it reduces the expected language barriers. Focusing heavily on one-to-one chat, video calls and live streams, Amigo encourages its users to build up online relationships to unlock exclusive features such as private video and audio calls: essentially, the more that people chat, the more features become available to them. This is an app designed with mature users very much in mind and is therefore definitely not recommended for children. 

In the guide, you’ll find tips on a number of potential risks such as inappropriate contact, strangers and membership costs. 

 

Staff Wear it Pink Day- raised £179.02.

22nd October 2022Louise Gatti

On Friday 21st of October, Duke’s Staff wore Pink to raised awareness about breast cancer.

Staff Wear it Pink Day – raised £179.02.

Thank you to all staff who donated to the tombola.

Also thank you to SEND department for organising this charity event.

Duke’s Secondary School recognised for its commitment to helping pupils stay safe online

19th October 2022Louise Gatti

Duke’s Secondary School is now a National Online Safety Certified School

ncea-dukes-secondary-school-certified-school-certificate-2022-2023

Duke’s Secondary School has successfully completed a comprehensive online safety training
programme demonstrating its commitment to keeping children and young people safe online.
The school has received a National Online Safety Certified School Accreditation for its whole school community approach to protecting children in the online world.

National Online Safety is a multi-award winning digital training provider with extensive resources in online safety, developed in line with the Department of Education’s statutory requirements.

Its CPD accredited courses and educational resources support UK schools in educating the whole school community in online safety– including all senior leaders, teachers, all school staff and parents – on how to make the internet a safer place for children.

James Southworth, co-founder of National Online Safety, said: “Congratulations to everyone at Duke’s Secondary School on becoming a National Online Safety Certified School. By completing our training programme, the school has shown its strong commitment to implementing an effective whole school approach to online safety.”

“It can be increasingly difficult for schools and parents to stay ahead of online threats and ensure both children and staff are safeguarded from potentially harmful and inappropriate online material. We arm schools with the knowledge they need to understand online dangers and react in the best way possible to any problems.”

Selwyn Thompson, Assistant Principal at Duke’s Secondary School said: ‘’We are delighted to have been recognised as a National Online Safety Certified School. This award demonstrates our commitment to our staff, students and parents and carers in ensuring that they have on-going access to high-quality teaching, training and resources in the extremely important area of online safety. Online safety awareness is crucial and we continue to be committed to ensuring that opportunity is provided year-round to encourage our students, staff, and parents and carers towards responsible and safe practices when online.’’

Y11 Parent/Carers Evening Wed 2nd November 4-6pm

18th October 2022Louise Gatti

 

Dear Parent/Carer
Year 11 Parents’/Carers Evening and Duke’s Sixth Form Open Evening – Wednesday 2 November 2022

Students in Year 11 will shortly be submitting applications for the courses they wish to study post 16.
To support them with this decision, Duke’s Sixth Form will be holding an Open Evening on Wednesday 2 November 2022 between 4.00pm and 6.00pm. The Open Evening will take place alongside the usual Year 11 Parents’/Carers Evening.

This will give you the opportunity to:-
 Discuss your child’s progress and any concerns you may have regarding specific subjects
 Speak to the Head of Year and Year 11 Raising Achievement Team
 Find out what Duke’s Sixth Form could offer your child in September 2023
 Speak with subject staff and current students about courses on offer next year
 Receive personal advice from senior staff to ensure the correct post 16 pathway for your child
 Speak to our careers team about post 16 options including sixth form, college and
apprenticeships

There are no specific appointment times. You will be given a sheet with locations of staff who teach your child on arrival as well as a copy of the Duke’s Sixth Form interim prospectus.
We look forward to welcoming all parents/carers and students to showcase what Duke’s Sixth Form has to offer.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Mrs D Towers
Head of Sixth Form & Careers

 

 

What Parents Need to Know about FIFA 23

13th October 2022Louise Gatti

A free online safety guide on FIFA 23.FIFA 23, like its many predecessors, is a massively popular football simulator featuring lifelike recreations of thousands of real-world players, drawn from teams around the globe. While the gameplay is subtly improved year on year, the publisher EA’s focus remains firmly on FIFA Ultimate Team – a mode in the game that can tempt players of all ages to spend actual money on recruiting better players for their side. With each new release of FIFA comes a host of new players to unlock – meaning that youngsters can feel pressured to keep buying to compete with their friends.

In the guide, you’ll find tips on a number of potential risks such as age-inappropriate chat, scammers and addiction.