Ebony And Ivory live together in perfect harmony Side by side on my piano keyboard. Oh lord why don't we? We all know that people are the same where ever you go. There is good and bad in everyone. We learn to live, we learn to give each other what we need to survive. Together alive. Ebony and Ivory was written by Paul McCartney (one of The Beatles) and recorded by him and Stevie Wonder, the blind American singer-songwriter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZtiJN6yiik

7th Sept

Ebony and Ivory The black keys on a piano used to be made of a wood called ebony and the white keys used to be covered with a strip of ivory. In his song, McCartney uses the piano keys as a metaphor for people of different colours and backgrounds and asks why we can’t live together in perfect harmony

Of course, even though a piano played well can sound beautiful, the piano keys have to be played in harmony. We all know how discordant a wrong note can sound

As we start this new school year we must all live together in harmony at Princes Risbrough School. We have far more students than we have ever had before and this makes it all the more important to be considerate to one and other and to just be a little more thoughtful. Just moving from one classroom to another can sometimes be quite a challenge. By remembering to keep left, movement around the school will be easier for everyone.

Looking out for each other –Opening Doors •Can we all help by holding doors open for others? •Have a look behind you when you go through a door and see if you need to hold it for someone. •Let others go through first especially if they are struggling. •Is someone on crutches? •Has someone else a pile of heavy equipment? •Is there a visitor who is unsure where they are going? It doesn’t take a lot of thought to help others

There are very many other ways you can help. In any community, small or large, people have different roles or jobs to do. When people are working together we can all do our jobs better. That is why all communities have rules and routines to help things run smoothly. Think about one simple rule we have. No Gum. How does that help the school to run smoothly? •No one wants to step on discarded gum or worse still get it on their clothing. •You don’t end up putting your hand on it when a thoughtless person has stuck it to the underside of a chair or desk. •Cleaners do not waste valuable time cleaning gum off surfaces when their time could be better spent cleaning other areas more thoroughly. •Displays are not spoilt by thoughtlessness. •Costly Items do not have to be replaced if damaged by gum. Schools have limited budgets.

The governors and Mr. Rowe want to spend as much of that budget as they can on things which will benefit you and help you get the best possible education and experience at PRS. Every pound spent on extra cleaning time, repair work by site managers, re-painting, replacing damaged or lost books or equipment is a pound less to spend on you.

Think •Would you rather eat your lunch in a clean and tidy dining area where the table top is clean? •When you go into one of the courtyards do you want to see it littered with crisp packets and plastic bottles? •Do you want to see badly marked corridor walls where people have been careless with bags etc. •Do you want to be disturbed by noise when you are trying to read or work in the library?

Think and always show consideration to others.

Discuss how and who you are helping by following these guidelines at break and lunchtime •Sitting appropriately around a table in the hub •Not sitting on table tops of picnic benches •Putting all litter in a bin •Remaining in the hub or outside at break and lunchtime and not wandering elsewhere •Keeping down noise moving between lessons •Talking quietly in the hub •If you move chairs/tables putting them back tidily •Not jumping the queue for food. •Only using the library area for work or reading when permitted

Are there things which annoy you? What can be done to help?

• The following slides remind us of some of the rules and routines we have at Princes Risborough School.

• If you always adopt them you will help to make PRS a more harmonious place.

• Please stand quietly at your desk at the start of lessons with equipment out and wait to be invited to sit down.

• Always sit where you have been asked to. • •Your teachers want you to have a fair chance. • •You deserve a fair chance. • •Other people in your class need to be given a fair chance.

If everyone follows a fair and simple code of behaviour then we will all end up with the best possible chance of doing well. Be in harmony with others, give everyone a chance and avoid confrontation which just leads to discord.

Uniform Reminder

• Ties and Shirts–buttoned to the top. • Shoes must be plain black. No boots or trainers. • The school blazer must be worn at all times (unless permission is given to

remove it in a classroom). Blazer sleeves must not be rolled up. • All items of clothing should be in a good, respectable condition. • A school design black jumper or cardigan may be worn under the blazer but

not instead of a blazer. • Any extra layer worn under your shirt must not be visible. (E.g. No dark • t-shirts or long sleeves extended beyond the white shirt sleeves) • If it is cold/wet a suitable outdoor coat (not hoodie) may be worn over the

blazer but the coat is not an alternative to the blazer. It is in addition to. The blazer and coat may be worn to and from school and at break times.

Your uniform should look smart. Throughout life you will have plenty of choices over what you wear at different times. There is no choice over uniform, however. It must be worn how it was intended to be worn. If you have as problem with your uniform which needs to be resolved, write a reminder in your Planner now.

Uniform reminder continue

Shirts should be tucked in at all time. •Bracelets, bands, bangles, necklaces etc. are not permitted. •Nail varnish, if worn, must be clear or “natural” •Make-up, if worn “must not be obvious”. •A wristwatch and a simple small, plain (gold or silver) ring or stud may be worn in each ear •No other facial jewellery is permitted. Please remove all jewellery which is not permitted and do not wear it to school in future. If you do, it will be confiscated.

Uniform and Equipment Expectations

This is the very least you should have in school. • If you have this equipment you will be properly prepared for most

lessons. If you do not have the basics then you will have difficulty getting started and others will also be delayed. Should others have to wait for you?

Is this fair?

These are the basics!

What else might you need?

Uniform and Equipment Expectations

There will be the same expectations of: •Classroom Behaviour •Uniform •Equipment every day and in every lesson. Please ensure that you are properly prepared. This will ensure lessons start promptly without unnecessary fuss or disruption. Don’t be the cause of that disruption. Help to maintain harmony