E-Safety Information – Helldivers 2

8th May 2024L Forster

A peak simultaneous player count of almost 500,000. It’s safe to say that Helldivers 2 has taken the games industry by storm, attracting a wide array of fans from all over the world and – more importantly – from various age groups. Many young gamers are actively playing this title, both with friends and with strangers via online multiplayer – despite the game’s 18+ rating.

Unfortunately, the gore and violence of Helldivers 2 (combined with its in-game purchases and the ability to play with unfamiliar people online) present significant online safety concerns for its younger players. This Wake up Wednesday, our guide explores these issues in detail and advises on minimising the risks to children and young people.

Within the last few months, Helldivers 2 has propelled to immense popularity in the gaming community, with players of all ages enjoying its frenetic combat, humorous presentation, and challenging gameplay. Whether they’re cooperating with friends or competing with strangers, the game has attracted many young players despite its higher age rating.

As can be expected from an online game – especially one rated 18+ – there are several inherent online safety risks posed to children and young people who play Helldivers 2; from the content of the game itself to the dangers of interacting with strangers online. Our guide highlights the most prominent hazards of Helldivers 2 and provides you with top tips for keeping its younger players safe.

https://nationalcollege.com/

Reader of the Month

7th May 2024P Mullea

We always love celebrating the achievements of our children and we LOVE Reading!

This month our readers of the month were chosen because they show super effort with home reading; responsibly looking after their books and returning them each week. We also noticed children who make a super effort to look after our library spaces around school. They are all superstars!

Well done to all of our Reader’s for April. A special shout out for Kyle in Y5 who has made a spectacular 3 years of progress in his star reading assessment!

 

 

Reflections

24th April 2024D Fawkes

In science this half term, Y6 are learning all about light. The children have been looking at how light is reflected and have used protractors to measure to angles of incidence and reflection after shining a light through a prism.

 

Reading Superstars

28th March 2024D Fawkes

Congratulations to our latest batch of AR Award Winners in Year 6.

Ella. Isla and Joel are now proud Word Millionaires and Amelia, Cameron, Isaac. Owen, Kenny, Will, Caitlin and Darcie are now Half Millionaires! They have all taken exciting books home with them from the library to continue their reading over the Easter Break.

E-Safety Information – Clickbait

27th March 2024L Forster

Around one in five headlines online are clickbait. That’s an estimate from experts at Stanford University, who conducted a study into this phenomenon which has gradually extended its reach to almost every corner of the internet – powered by a strategy of snagging users’ attention by any means necessary rather than a legitimate desire to inform or enlighten.

As that statistic indicates, this manipulative marketing strategy is difficult to avoid online. There’s still plenty that can be done though to limit its influence – especially in relation to young people, who are often more susceptible to sensationalist headlines. Today’s #WakeUpWednesday guide details the potential hazards around clickbait and has expert tips for avoiding them.

Cultural and technological changes have made the experiences of today’s children vastly different to our own childhoods; it can be challenging to engage youngsters in open, honest conversation – especially about more sensitive topics. This, combined with many children’s instinct to avoid “rocking the boat”, can make it difficult to stay up to date with the goings on in their lives.

However, it’s hugely important that trusted adults still offer an empathetic ear and feel able to encourage young people to open up about their day-to-day activities. This #WakeUpWednesday guide provides ten top tips for promoting open conversations with children – helping to make sure there’s someone they know they can turn to in times of need.

World Book Day 2024

15th March 2024P Mullea

World Book day is always one of our favourite days of the year and this one was amazing thanks to the wonderful efforts of our children. It was so lovely to see so many lovely characters from the stories we know and love.

Throughout the day the children took part in a range of book related activities and enjoyed discussing how they could have different careers with books, including becoming an Author or illustrator.

We also held our Book swap event- giving the children a chance to swap an unwanted book from home for a new one to refresh their collections. Thank you for the wonderful donations.

It was a fantastic day!

 

E-Safety Information – Developing Healthy Sleeping Pattern

13th March 2024L Forster

Dreaming of a decent night’s sleep? Many of us are – and it’s a particularly pervasive problem for young people. Concerningly, research has suggested that around 70% of teens get less than the recommended 8–10 hours’ sleep per night. The effects of poor-quality sleep on a developing mind, of course, can be harmful over a prolonged period.

Although a significant portion of under-18s struggle for shut eye, there is still plenty we can do to support them in getting the beneficial rest they need during those formative years. Compiled in conjunction with our friends at award-winning mental health charity Minds Ahead, this week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide has tips on helping children to develop healthy sleeping habits.

For children and young people, low-quality sleep can become a serious issue. It has been theorised that poor sleep can have a significant impact on children’s brain development, affecting them for the rest of their lives. A healthy – and consistent – sleeping pattern, therefore, is incredibly important for children and young people’s wellbeing.

With the stresses and distractions that can present themselves to youngsters, it can be tricky to ensure they’re in the best mindset to wind down in the evenings for the rejuvenating rest that they need. The right approach, however, can give them a better chance of cultivating a healthy sleeping pattern. Our guide has some practical tips on helping them to achieve exactly that.

https://nationalcollege.com/

Top Tips for Supporting Children Who Are Experiencing Bullying

1st March 2024L Forster

The latest bullying research from the DfE makes for upsetting reading. Almost half (40%) of schoolchildren in the UK have been bullied within the past 12 months – with 21% of them experiencing negative changes to their behaviour, including avoiding going to school. In 15% of those cases, the victim’s behaviour suffers to the extent that they are ultimately excluded themselves.

Understanding and honest conversation can be an immense benefit to children who have become the target of bullying – but it’s such a delicate subject that it can often be hard for trusted adults to know where (or how) to start. Our #WakeUpWednesday guide this week contains ten practical tips for supporting a child who is experiencing bullying.

Bullying has long been a pervasive issue in schools – and, being realistic, it’s regrettably a problem which is always likely to exist to a certain extent. There are still plenty of steps we can take as trusted adults, however, to lend support, comfort and reassurance to children who are going through this deeply upsetting experience.

Such a highly emotive topic can be a difficult one to talk about with children – but honest, open communication nevertheless remains vital to young victims’ wellbeing. It’s important to be aware, then, of effective ways to broach and explore the subject. Our #WakeUpWednesday guide has expert advice on effective ways to support children who are being bullied.

https://nationalcollege.com/