This week students were treated to a fantastic workshop by “The Prime Agency”. The engaging and exciting workshop gave students insight into mental health and managing emotions through the medium of theatre and performance. The workshops were a great moment for our students.
Assemblies with Steven Browne Foundation
This week also saw assemblies delivered by the Steven Browne foundation on the theme of Anti Bullying. Students were treated to a fantastic interactive assembly on the themes of looking out for each other and reporting bullying. Overall the assemblies were brilliantly well received.
E Sports – Tottenham Hotspur Visit
A really lucky group of year 7 students this week also got to go to the Tottenham Stadium and meet a player! None other than Xavi Simmonds was on hand to give information and advice to our young people on professional football and what it is like playing for one of the UK’s top clubs!
This week our student body took part in a series of workshops on the theme of misinformation and media literacy. The workshops were delivered by Shout Out UK and gave students a fantastic insight into how spot fake news and extremism online. All students left the workshops with a clearer understanding of how to stay safe online.
Sporting Success
Some great sporting success stories this week with our year 9 boys football team beating local rivals Harris Academy Tottenham 7-1! A stunning display and great to see Amri starring with a fantastic display of teamwork and tenacity on the pitch.
The success didn’t end there with our year 10 girls beating St Thomas More in netball 7-0 with Lekeyshia crowned woman of the game.
Brilliant successes and well done to the PE team for their work in organising our sporting fixtures.
This week Duke’s students have been presenting in assembly as part of the application process for our student leadership group. Students from years 9, 10 and 11 presented their ideas for the revamped student leadership team and presented themselves in a professional and mature manner. Students had the opportunity to ask questions and reflect on their potential leaders before the voting for Head students and Vice Principal students takes place next week.
Democracy in action!
Linklaters Workshops
Our year 7 challenge mentoring group continued their weekly mentoring sessions at Linklaters this week alongside the Eastside Employability programme through which a group of year 10 students build their CVs and skills that relate to job applications. Both programmes have been giving students some amazing new experiences and lifelong skills. Both programmes also give students the opportunity to visit Linklater’s offices in central London.
A big week at Duke’s this week – Hollywood, a trip to Westminster and Black History celebrations!
Letitia Wright Visit
On Monday 20th October Duke’s was dazzled by the bright lights of Hollywood as Letitia Wright (AKA Shuri in Black Panther) came to visit. Letitia is an ex-student who has gone on to achieve great things in life and was very excited to be back in her old school inspiring the younger generation. It was also wonderful for Letitia to connect with some of her old teachers who still work here!
An award winning actor, Leitita was delighted to share her latest project with Duke’s students – a short film that she has written, directed and produced herself called ‘Highway to the Moon’. The film is an abstract film that follows the experiences of young Black men whose lives have been tragically cut short. She describes the film as a “love letter to young Black men all over the world.”
Not only did Duke’s students get to watch the film, they also got a question and answer session with Letitia. It was fascinating to hear how she had achieved all she had from her younger years in Tottenham. Our students asked insightful and interesting questions – while also feeling a bit starstruck!
The visit was also an amazing way for our students to understand more about careers in the film industry! #Aldridgeconnect
Westminster Trip – Year 10 Business Studies
More #Aldrigeconnect activities with a lucky group of year 10 business studies students who got to visit Westminster. The students attended an event called ‘Speak Week’ set up by Loudspeaker – an organisation that specialises in oracy and young people’s voice in conjunction with the House of Lords.
The students were engaged in a series of workshops on networking, pitching and oracy; all entrepreneurial skills that gave students a window into possible future careers and the confidence to sell themselves. Two students (Ovidu and Tafari) stood up and pitched a business idea in one of the sessions – they represented themselves and us excellently!
Black History Celebration Lunch
Finally this week a big shout out to the Maths department that led on our annual Black History Month lunch – a great time was had by all and stomachs were well and truly fed. As ever lots of staff from across the school got involved, a great event.
