A message form Pinaki Ghoshal, Lewisham’s Executive Director for Children and Young People and Angela Scattergood, Director of Education.

The Mayor of Lewisham, Damien Egan has published a statement on behalf of Lewisham Council in response to the killing of George Floyd in the United States. You can read the full statement here: https://lewisham.gov.uk/articles/news/black-lives-matter-in-lewisham

We believe that our schools and settings are key to tackling racism and other forms of discrimination. We will support all Lewisham schools and settings in their commitment to standing against racism and injustice, alongside and in solidarity with the local and global Black community

Trinity statement:

On Monday 25th May an unlawful murder of George Floyd took place in Minneapolis in the USA. We condemn this unlawful killing of a black man. The Trinity family stand united in our commitment to tackle and challenge racism, address inequality and call out discrimination.  Everyone must be treated equally. 

I have been working with all Lewisham leaders this week and we all stand together on this.  As educators of a school population which is 76% Black and ethnic minority we cannot remain silent.

What is racism?

Believing that people of a different race are less valuable and treating them differently. 

At Trinity our Ethos is to Learn, Love and Live. Our curriculum is built upon the standpoint that we need to be courageous advocates - to fight injustices, to love one another and to live good lives. Our equalities statement is clear ...  The School actively seeks to promote an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment and where all staff and pupils are encouraged to fulfil their full potential.

We ensure that everything we do helps to:

• Eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Equality Act 2010
• Advance the equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not
• Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those that do not

There are two very good resources that I wish to share.   Jelani Memory - A kids book about racism and Let's talk about Race by Julius Lester.  Please watch the youtube clips of the authors reading their work by clicking the titles.  They are child centred and would form a great discussion tool for you and your family.  Our school chaplains assembly this week is also on Racism, with questions to make you think and reflect.  Please do use these resources at home.  Another online resources can be found here:  https://live.firstnews.co.uk/i-dont-get-it/bfi/racism-why-is-it-still-a-big-issue/​

The key messages in these books are around valuing differences, and understanding that ultimately we are all the same.  Beneath our clothes and skin we are all the same. No matter what our skin colour, gender or sexuality is - we are all the same. Being different is good. It brings so many ideas, different strengths, creativity, wisdom, insight and originality. Trinity’s diversity therefore makes our environment a rich experience for all and an amazing place to be. 

The murder of George Floyd must  prompt careful reflection about racism in Britain today, and the extent to which it shapes our values, politics and economic life.

Our community needs and deserves to feel safe in the belief that its leaders condemn all acts of racism and violence and moreover that they believe racism is an abhorrence that we as a school leaders across Lewisham reject.

Lewisham Leaders have a duty to address systemic racism in our society and we uphold this in our united condemnation of the unlawful murder of a black man George Floyd.

Learning loving living - at Trinity we are always fighting injustices and standing together. 

Stay safe, strong and united. 

Reports of racist social media activity after the Euros finals

We have had reports from pupils at Trinity and the Local Authority have received many reports about disturbing social media posts being shared this week, connected to the appalling racist abuse the young Black England footballers received after the Euros final.  This is very upsetting, not just for our pupils but also for our whole school community.  We want to reassure you that any reporting of racial abuse has been and will continue to be taken extremely seriously, and we have been working with the Safer Communities team on the best way to support our community.  We have reported the posts to the local Police Hate Crime Officer who will be acting on all the reports received.  Please can I encourage all families to report to the Police by calling 101 if you have seen any of these messages.  It is also important to report the social media post as abusive via the social media platform - there will be different ways to do this depending on whether it is Twitter / snapchat / Instagram / TikTok but it usually needs to be reported by the account that receives the post.  You can also report hate crime using the following website:  https://www.report-it.org.uk/your_police_force.   Racism has no place in Trinity or Lewisham.