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And it is that second verse "Curl
your locks as I do mine" that inspired my February
theme. The theme I have chosen this month is about
celebrating individuality.
Interestingly, back in 2005 a team of scientists from
L'Oreal in Clichy, Paris were given the challenge to find
what makes hair curly. They grew hair in the laboratory to
get to the 'root' (excuse the pun) of what makes hair
curly. The scientists subsequently found that a curly, or
'hook shaped' follicle (the little bulb about 4mm deep in
the scalp) is the reason why hair grows curly. I liken it
to that curling ribbon that you romantic souls wrapped
around the stems of your Valentine roses. Now those of you
who have already met me since taking up this post cannot
deny that I have a full head of unruly curls - and before
you reach for the home perming kit, I am not suggesting for
a minute request that you 'curl your locks as I do mine'.
My hooked follicles are not something I can do much about
(as my parents' follicles were certainly on the 'wavy'
side); but like eye shape and skin colour, height and shoe
size there is very little I can do to change my genetic
blueprint.
So before I get inundated
with hair straighteners let me get to the point....
I was honoured this month to
attend a bullying workshop at
Uplands Primary hosted by
Kidscape. They carried out a series of workshops during
the school day and then parents were invited to attend an
evening workshop and discussion. A theme raised during
these sessions was identifying how each of us has an
entirely unique set of qualities. This was carried out with
a simple "hands up" exercise. Kidscape then worked with the
parents, staff and children to show how these differences
should be celebrated and never the cause of bullying. The
website advises: "Reward
and encourage children for individuality". Many thanks must
go to Jude Ramshaw, and her team of staff and parent
organisers at Uplands for making this such an enjoyable and
informative day. Details of the Kidscape workshops can be
seen by clicking the link above. Also - if you have not
already received details regarding school resources
available from the NSPCC's Full Stop Campaign then please
feel free to download the pack below:
NSPCC Services and resources for schools 
Keeping to this theme of
individuality - later this month I attended a networking
event in Fareham exploring the theme of ethnic and minority
groups and community inclusion. The attendees came from
many different backgrounds and professions and some
interesting points were raised. I shall not go into full
details here until I am in receipt of the final report to
distribute amongst my schools; but a couple of interesting
reflective issues, relevant to the school setting came from
our discussion. The first came in the wake of 9/11 where a
climate of fear and misunderstanding meant that some parents
of school-age children were unwilling for their children to
associate with their Muslim friends after school. This
obviously has implications for extended schools. Out of
interest, a former Portsmouth shop keeper explained how
bricks were thrown through his windows and racism incidents
increased dramatically in the local community. More
recently, a caretaker at a school in Fareham (which remained
unnamed) interrupted a group of girls'
Muslim prayer at the tail end of the school day and
expelled them from the building because he wanted to lock
up. Now these may be the extreme end of the spectrum of
ignorance and intolerance but the point was clear - how many
of us have a true understanding of cultural and
spiritual needs? Are well failing to celebrate those
differences?
I am aware that schools and
colleges in the UK are fully committed to Equal
Opportunities. That goes without dispute. Schools are
required to have a strong anti-racist strategy and the need
to challenge racism is well understood by pupils and staff.
But I question whether challenging sexism, ageism,
disability and homophobia is not always given an equal
degree of importance? For example a teacher calling a pupil
"A stupid boy" (this does still happen) or a child calling
another "A poof" or "A spaz" because they are unhappy to
participate in a rough game. How many times have we turned
a blind eye? The most reported discriminatory
hate crime in Fareham for instance is against
homosexuals, so perhaps that "poof" tease in the primary
playground is less innocent when put into this wider
community context.
 Most
of these incidents seem to stem simply from a lack of
understanding of these very unique qualities we are
attempting to cherish and celebrate in our community.
If you are interested in
running a quick and fun experiment on Gardner's theory of
multiple intelligences to explore these differences in
learning styles, I would recommend the following website:
http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks3/ict/multiple_int/index.htm.
More learning styles can be found at
support4learning
Furthermore, as a celebration
of differences that exist between individuals, the
Portchester Partnership Board will be launching a
competition in the near future for children and young people
to explore an area of the
Ditchley
Report. The title will be based upon
"The Space to Enjoy
Childhood" and I
shall provide further information to practitioners regarding
this project when it has been finalised. Keep your eyes
open for full details appearing in the spring edition of The
Portchester People. In the meantime, I have supplied a
teaching resource poster simply entitled Cherishing
Childhood that hopefully may spark some creative juices in
preparation.
Cherishing Childhood - Blooms Taxonomy
As a creative theme now
appears to be overtaking this month's blog, I was also
delighted to be invited to work alongside
The
Portchester Civic Society and
Portchester
Community School on a living theatre project. The
Society have kindly sent me a copy of
"Portchester in Living Memory" and I am busy reading the
memories and recollections that have been collated from many
generations of Portchester residents. Thank you for the
warm welcome I have received from the Society and I look
forward to working with you on this exciting project.
Which leads me beautifully to
the National Year of Reading. This is due to
commence April 2008 but schools can sign up for it now and
get the logos and newsletters to plan events for the year
ahead.
Get signed up
at:
http://www.yearofreading.org.uk.
And
finally...
For all those bikers, moped
and scooter owners I have details of another exciting
community project. Fareham East Extended Services is
working with the Fareham Safety Partnership to launch a TAG
(Twist And Go for all those non-moped people) club for 16-19
year olds. The club will hopefully outreach to all young
people across the Borough who own, or who are thinking of
owning a moped or scooter. Safety is of paramount
importance balancing on those two vulnerable wheels,
therefore accident prevention, vehicle maintenance and
raising awareness of the responsibilities of road users will
be a theme running through the club. I would be delighted
to hear from anyone who might like to become involved.
However if you fancy just popping along on the night, the
launch date details are as follows:
24 April 2008
18.30 - 21.00
X-Perience Young
People's Centre, Fareham
Flyers and
display poster for the event will be distributed nearer the
date.
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