East Leake
STAFF CONDEMN GEORGE FLOYD DEATH. Staff at East Leake Academy have condemned the death of George Floyd in America in a letter to students about the related Black Lives Matter protests and racism.
In a letter issued on the academy’s website, principal Mr. Blake Francis and four other members of staff say:” We are sure many of you are aware of the devastating events occurring in the United States of America at this moment. Some of you have been in contact about this, keen to discuss what you have seen. We wanted to write a meaningful message to you to acknowledge this.”
The letter states: “One of the things that have been an inevitable outcome of this lockdown is the missed opportunities to answer your questions, to understand and discuss what we are witnessing. It also gave us pause to reflect on what we can do to ensure our school is as inclusive and welcoming as it can be for all.”
The Academy staff say: “We, like many of you, were shocked and appalled to see the video of a black man in America gasp for breath and beg for his life whilst the knee of a police officer was pressing on his neck. This is an image that have stuck with us; in particular, those three words ‘I can’t breathe’. “
The letter continues: “”It also reminded us of previous events seen on the news about this before and names such as Mike Brown and Sandra Bland will now be joined by the name George Floyd. Following this, the response from Americans across the country has been one of hurt, betrayal and anger. We have seen these emotions expressed through protests, sit ins and riots across many cities.
The Academy staff tell students that they know that discussing the issue of racism is difficult and can be uncomfortable to acknowledge and to deliberate over for many.
They explain: “It is something that we are always working on and to call out racism if we witness it, as well as approaching it following our policies at ELA if it involves anyone in our student body.”
According to the senior leaders: “Racism is seen as conscious hate, but it is so much more than that. It can be subtle, and it can be on many scales. The term ‘Black Lives Matter’ has also been a term most used. This movement aims to use marches and digital activism to campaign against violence and systematic racism aimed at black people. It is not putting one race above another but focuses on disproportionate violence experienced by black people and the acknowledgement that this needs to stop.”
As educators, the East Leake Academy staff say it is the duty of all teachers to continually learn and find out information to understand all issues our society faces and use this to inform students.
According to the letter:” These are challenging times ahead for the United States which have raised questions about what we can do as a society. It also highlighted issues that the BAME community feels in the United Kingdom, as seen in the protests in London. You may have heard Clara Amfo of Radio 1 speak about this issue; it is worth listening to.”
The academy staff say that just because one cannot see racism, does not mean that it is not there. They continue: “If you have ideas about what we can do in school or want to talk about your experiences, then please let us know. We want to hear from you. There are many other issues facing our society and we will continue to address those.”
The letter suggests some reading material and videos for students about the issues that students may be witnessing. “This is one of many steps we can take as a school to make our school and wider community a safe place for all.”
The letter to students ends with a quote from Michelle Obama: “It’s up to all of us – black, white, everyone – no matter how well-meaning we think we might be, to do the honest, uncomfortable work of rooting it out”
Along with Mr. Francis, the other school staff who signed the letter are Miss Rehman, Miss Croft, Mrs Slack and Mrs Clifton The letter is signed on behalf of the East Leake Academy community.
CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE UNIT. Hundreds of East Leake people have played a massive part in ensuring the village is well to the fore in Nottinghamshire in the way it has looked after residents who are in need during the coronavirus pandemic, and will continue to do so for months to come.
Mr Martin Walker, who is leading the impressive East Leake Coronavirus Response (ELCR) operation, has praised the way village residents have come forward to say they can be called on to help those village folk in need during the difficult times that the whole of the UK has had to contend with because of the virus.
The village group was established right at the start of the virus outbreak in March and since then more and more people have put their names forward – nearly 600 of them - to be asked to help when the need arose.
Mr Walker and a handful of other residents has led the Crisis group’s activities and has been there to guarantee that any local village resident in need of help could be assured it was there.
The Parish Council and many of the familiar local organisations together with newly formed Facebook groups have come together to co-ordinate the village response to the ever moving and changing situation with Coved 19.
The highly respected Community Care Association