Dear families,

As you may be aware, on 26^th November 2022, two teenagers in our local community tragically lost their lives due to knife crime. Kearne Solanke and Charlie Bartolo were only 16 years old when they were stabbed and killed. This tragic loss affected both our local and school communities, and both boys have family members linked to our schools. We want to remember them both one year on and pay tribute to them by raising money for the Ben Kinsella Trust.

The Ben Kinsella Trust is a charity set up in honour of Ben who also lost his life to knife crime 15 years ago.  The Trust was set up by his family and their website describes their work as: “We educate young people on the dangers of knife crime and help them to make positive choices to stay safe. Our workshops follow the journey of both the victim and the offender through a series of unique and immersive experiences to show young people how choices and consequences are intrinsically linked.”

We will be using resources from the Trust to deliver Personal Development lessons for our students to remind them of the impact that knives can have on individuals, families, and communities. 

On Thursday 23^rd November, we will be having a ‘Wear Purple Day’ to raise money for the charity. 

We ask that students contribute £1 on the day (they of course can donate more if they are able).  Students/families that are not in a financial situation where they cannot contribute financially are still able to take part should they wish to, as this is about us standing together in Kearne and Charlie’s memory.

On the day, students can wear an item or combination of items that are purple from the following list: 

• Purple socks/tights 
• Purple shirt/polo 
• Purple hair band/bow/ribbon/accessory 
• Purple tie 

Students will still need to be in the rest of their school uniform with their purple item or items, (blazer, tie, skirt/trousers, shoes etc) and will not be permitted to have purple nails or make up/face paint. 

If your daughter is worried about anything of this nature, please encourage her to speak to her form tutor or another member of staff as well as someone at home.

Thank you in advance for your support for this cause.

Ms E Smith

DSL/Assistant Headteacher