MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Thank you for all your support this year. We wish all our families a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas break. We look forward to seeing everyone safe and well, and back in school on Monday 5 January (Week 2 timetable).
CONTACT WITH SCHOOL
During the Christmas Holidays
Staff will not be checking their emails after 1:00pm on 19 December until we return on 5 January, so please do not expect a response over the Christmas break. The “office@littleheath.org.uk” email and the "smile@littleheath.org.uk" email will also not be monitored for the duration of the Christmas break.
As we have done over previous holidays, there will be one point of call for emergency contact or safeguarding matters that you feel you need to pass on during the Christmas break. Please note that this email is for emergency or safeguarding matters ONLY and should not be used for routine queries.
This email is: concerns@littleheath.org.uk
This email is an information email only. If you have an immediate or significant concern about a child over the holiday period, you should please contact Children's Services directly on the following telephone numbers:
For emergencies, contact 999 if someone is at immediate risk of harm.
To report a crime (non-emergency), call 101 or Contact us | Police.uk (www.police.uk).
Our “Concerns” email will be monitored on the following days over the Christmas holiday:
- Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 December until 3:00pm each day
- Wednesday 24 December until 12:00pm
- Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 December until 3:00pm each day
- Wednesday 31 December until 12:00pm
- Friday 2 January until 12:00pm
Please note that the "concerns" email will not be monitored over the weekends, over the Christmas period, or on the New Year Bank Holiday.
From Monday 5 January 2025, please contact school in the normal way.
COPING AT CHRISTMAS
Advice and Support
We appreciate Christmas can be a difficult time for some. Therefore, we have put together some information to help you and your family to cope over the Christmas break.
Mr Linz has put together a video, signposting organisations who can help during the festive period, which has been shown in tutor groups this week. You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/J7rFny2SBDU
You can also find year round support and advice on our website.
Student Support: https://www.littleheath.org.uk/studentwellbeing
Parent/Carer Support: https://www.littleheath.org.uk/supportforparents
You are not alone.
'TAP OUT' CHALLENGE
Tik Tok Trend
We have been made aware of national concerns around the “Tap out” TikTok challenge.
What is the “Tap out” out challenge?
This trend often involves a group of teens where one child places another child in a chokehold (a forearm is placed around the other child’s neck and throat). The child performing the chokehold would then apply pressure/squeeze the neck until the child in the chokehold taps them out on their arm in which at this point the chokehold should be released. This can also involve another child “tapping in” to join the chain. Whilst there can be no physical signs of injury following this trend, it is important to be aware that this type of strangulation can lead to serious health implications in the future, including fatalities.
The challenge is presented in a way that downplays the risks, showing participants laughing or walking away unscathed. What they don't show are the serious risks—like brain damage or even death—that can result from asphyxiation.
Children and young people are not aware of how easily these actions can cause serious harm. Trends such as this can change names quickly so, please be alert, talk to children and young people about it and report anything you see.
Signs and injuries to look out for include;
- Head injuries (as can fall when losing consciousness)
- Possible loss of memory – feeling confused or disoriented after being alone
- Marks or bruises on the neck
- Blood shot eyes (conjunctival haemorrhage)
- Scratches or small red spots (petechiae) to neck/eyelids/cheeks and behind the ears
- Raspy or hoarse voice
- Severe headache
Other names given/similar challenges
Fainting game, Hangman, Elevator, and Blackout. Information on a similar trend “TikTok blackout challenging can be found here The TikTok Blackout Challenge: How to Protect Children which includes What Parents Need to Know. How Safe is TikTok for Children?
