We Have a Voice

My heart has been heavy this week.
I have been reading, reflecting, thinking and talking.
I have been talking to white friends as my black friends are tired. They are tired of explaining themselves, pretending they are OK.
I have been learning too and I have a lot of work still to do.
The Black Lives Matter campaign has gathered pace in the UK as a result of the terrible atrocities which have happened in the US.  
I have spent a lot of time this week supporting people who say "all lives matter".
Of course everyone's life matters but right now we are focusing on black lives as hard data shows black people's lives are at risk more than "all" lives.
I am so proud to be part of the Rachel Keeling Nursery School family. I do not use the term 'family' loosely. We are a family.  We have worked hard to ensure we welcome everyone, value them and celebrate uniqueness - we do not want everyone to be the same. 
We do want everyone to follow our Rachel Keeling Values to help life be harmonious and rich.
Talk to your children about our values at school:
WE HAVE A VOICE
WE HAVE A CHOICE
WE SHARE AND TAKE TURNS
WE RESPECT EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING
Finally, the first photograph above is one of our Rachel Keeling family, who is now in Reception Class. She attended the Hackney Kids Against Racism protest on Saturday.
She used her voice and her mum proudly shared her photograph with us.
We all have a part to play.
I will add some resources below during the week for grown ups and children to access.
We will also as a school ensure we are deeply rooted in this work - challenging each other, stereotypes, assumptions, our resources and books. 
Please email me head@rachelKeelingtowerhamlets.sch.uk if you have any questions or comments.
Love, hope and peace, Becky xxx

​https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/7xvLw6Q4qbJBnkzkj6xm9Z/how-to-talk-to-your-children-about-race-and-racism