Dear Parents and Carers

Thank you to all the parents who joined us Tuesday evening to discuss smartphone use. We had just shy of 400 people over the two sessions which is significantly higher than these sessions normally attract and this just goes to show how engaged Myton parents are – one of the many reasons I enjoy working here so much. Lots of questions after each talk both publicly and then more informally afterwards. It is important to hear what parents have to say about initiatives such as these so I’d also like to thank the parents who emailed in following these talks. I understand there was quite the debate on a local social media page (I’m afraid I didn’t see it as I don’t have any social media but my team gave me the highlights – I’m that old and out of touch to still think that discussions like these are why God gave us pubs ), it’s brilliant that it got people talking about smartphone use among young people. We have work to do and I’ll be in touch soon with next steps on our proposed policy.

We also had a visit this week from the Minister for Children and Families, Josh MacAlister OBE. He has a wide range of responsibilities in the Department for Education including school rebuilds. He wanted to see our school, see the RAAC zone and our modular facilities and ask what September and October 2023 were like for us – a question I believe he regretted as I ranted on and on, foaming at the mouth and with a vein popping in my forehead. Our last Ministerial visit was October 2023 from the last Government and I’m glad to say this one was a lot calmer, more productive and far friendlier than the last unpleasantness. 

The Ministerial visit was followed by A Midsummer Night’s Dream by our kids and Drama team in the evening which was brilliant. I have to confess to not always enjoying a Shakespearean play but I certainly enjoyed this one. Some really standout performances but what I found really noticeable (and have done throughout the rehearsals) is just how much the kids enjoyed doing this. That then translated to the audience who became increasingly responsive throughout the play. Great stuff by the kids and the Drama team and best of luck for tonight.  

Best wishes

Andy Perry

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