Greg vs Bill Gates
Hello
I actually thought Bill Gates seemed quite cool.
Charitable, smart and kinda normal for being so rich.
But on Christmas day, Bill Gates decided to block our charity's site.
I don't think it was actually him, but his browser Microsoft Edge.
But it wasn't such a big problem during Christmas. Tucking into your big festive dinner, settling in to watch Wallace and Gromit. Who cares, right?
But when schools came back, it started to be a problem. Loads of schools couldn't do their class meetings. Fully blocked. Teachers emailing and calling. Disruption and stress.
The last thing we all need.
After a full two weeks of calling Microsoft, we finally got the problem fixed. Then we noticed something.
Every teacher who contacted us was just trying to help.
They wanted to make sure we knew about the problem. They weren't angry.
So I'm starting the year thanking you and our amazing community. You're helping us through a long, chilly and gremlin-filled January.
You rock.
How do I think about school councils in 2025?
I've recorded a quick video on how I think about school councils and pupil voice in 2025.
🎓 Shout Outs
Huge shout out to Whitefield Primary, Liverpool. Their school councils is involving the whole school in what to do with wet playtimes. I love this tweet...can you imagine how much wet play there would be in Liverpool? :)
Highcliffe Primary in Guisborough have won our first ever book competition. Here's some of their pupils with their winning books.
🎈 Smart School Councils News
We've updated our Member Guide - it's super easy to get started on the programme. Take a look here.
Parnering with the Electoral Commission at the moment, to help SEN schools debate the electoral process. Sneak peek from St. Vincent's here.
Huge news, we've moved our official address to Warrington. Don't pop in for a cuppa though, we're still remote.
Wishing you a great start to 2025.
And if you're reading, Bill. I forgive you.
Greg, Founder @ Smart School Councils