At Holte School we had a great engagement with one of the young boys who mentioned that he came into school at 3rd period due to not feeling well. I checked to see how he’s feeling now, and he said he feels better. He explained that there are 2 trips for the students for Christmas and that he has been selected to go ice skating next Friday with school. A reward for good students, he mentioned that he was surprised he got selected. I told him congratulations and keep up the good work and it’s just shows that you’re doing well in school, so enjoy the treat.

A young girl (white) shared with the class what she felt nobody knew about her. She said that she is scared to be herself around her friends and family because she may be judged. This was a very vulnerable moment for her to share this secret because in response to her statement I replied to say it is important for her to be herself because that is who she is. She is unique and a very special amazing person when she is being herself. Some people will love you for it, some may dislike you but that is simply life which is why she should not allow that fear to stop her from being the individual she is. This made her become teary to the point of exiting the room for a break and being supplied with some tissue to dry her eyes.

While being part of the panel of speakers at Joseph Leckie Academy, there was a group of Black and Asian students who were lining up outside of the assembly hall. You can see from their behaviour and how they greeted me that they were excited to see a black male speaker coming into the school, especially for Black History Month. The engagement during assembly was inspiring and it was great to feel that the minority students were represented. Engaged 200+ students across all year groups (Year 7 – 11)