Camberley Heath Youth Engagement Officers visit
Learning ‘How not to die from a stab wound’ with the Camberley Heath Youth Engagement Officers.
High Sheriff visits exemplary school
St John’s C of E Primary School in the Goodwin area of Dorking “does a tremendous job of keeping all children in education regardless of their backgrounds,” said Dr Julie Llewelyn during a visit to the school in June.
The school is in a deprived area with a high proportion of children entitled to school meals. However, it is now the number one primary school in Surrey, thanks to the efforts of headteacher Jacky Fyson and her team.
Visited Hambledon Pre-School
Dr Llewelyn is pictured answering questions from children during her visit to Hambledon Pre-School. The teachers had asked the children to think about the role of a High Sheriff, prompting some imaginative answers. Happily, killing or chasing away dragons isn’t part of Dr Llewelyn’s duties!
School support and training on ADHD
Children’s charity Barnardo’s is rolling out a free training course to empower all school staff to help children across Surrey with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Dr Llewelyn attended the training on Zoom and said: “You learn about recognising and managing ADHD, and anyone in a school is welcome to participate, whether you’re a receptionist, catering staff, teaching assistant or teacher.”
First visit as High Sheriff
Dr Llewelyn’s first visit as High Sheriff followed her theme of ‘Every child included’ and was at Spelthorne School in an area with pockets of deprivation alongside more affluent ones.
Her theme focuses on keeping young people in school through the proper support at the right time and is particularly appropriate now. After the pandemic, returning to school has posed significant challenges for many young people who did not fully engage with online learning during the lockdowns.
The issue is that if a young person hasn’t had the early help they need and misses a lot of schooling, they often fall into antisocial behaviour and become involved with county lines.
Another school, Thamesmead School in Shepperton, leads the way in the Borough with its Inclusion Unit. The unit works with students to identify problems early and ensure they are supported. Early intervention is key to preventing all sorts of school-related issues from happening later.
Dr Llewelyn said: “The local Youth Engagement Officer and the team at Family Services are busy doing all they can to help these young people, and demand is enormous as Surrey emerges from the pandemic.”
GASP Motor Project in Albury
Dr Llewelyn really enjoyed getting to grips with car engines at GASP Motor Project thanks to the totally inspiring students at Jubilee High and the wonderful GASP staff.
Dorking for Surrey Day
@HelloDorking businesses welcomed Dr Llewelyn to Dorking for Surrey Day, receiving a warm welcome from Mid Surrey Community Fridges, Burgundy & Black coffee shop, FoodFloat and SC Fuller fishing shop.
The High Sheriff heard how the businesses managed during the pandemic and their hopes as lockdown eases.
2021-2022 High Sheriff Installation
“The first recorded High Sheriff of Surrey was In 1066 and since then the role has evolved through plague, wars, huge upheavals of all kind and pandemics. Long gone are the law enforcing, tax collecting strongmen of old and, as Surrey emerges from the ravages caused by Covid 19, I feel hugely priviledged to take on the ‘softer power’ of the modern day High Sheriff. The ability to support, say thank you, convene and connect: or as I like to say, ‘join the dots together’ bringing people together to share professional and personal experiences, one of those things that makes life better. “
Dr Julie Llewellyn
High Sheriff of Surrey 2021-22
30th April 2021
Tribute to HRH Prince Philip
I would like to pay tribute to HRH Prince Philip and offer my sincere condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family.
His Royal Highness was a great man who was a big supporter of the County of Surrey and will be remembered for his work with young people with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, the 992 associations and patronage’s he held with a great many charities including, since 1961, the World Wildlife Fund, based here in Surrey, his Military life, work with education and his lifelong service to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. I had the honour of reading the following words at a special service at Guildford Cathedral on the eve of his funeral:
‘I said to the man who stood at the Gate of the Year, ‘Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.’ And he replied, ‘Go out into the darkness, and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light, and safer than a known way.’
(text: Louise Haskins (1875–1958) quoted by King George VI in his Christmas Broadcast, 1939)
May he rest in peace.
Shahid, Azeem, High Sheriff of Surrey 2020-21.
Woking Crime Report.
I met up with Woking Borough Divisional Commander Inspector Dave Bentley last week for an update on the local challenges and a nice walk down the Basingstoke Canal.
It was very encouraging to see that the overall crime in Woking has fallen by nearly 15%, however the Anti-social behaviour, which also includes the Coronavirus incidents, are also recorded, and ASB has risen by 33%. Thankfully hate crime has fallen by 8% and residential burglary has fallen by 25% (some of the reason being people re working from home), but sadly the domestic violence rate has risen by 7%. Woking Police has recovered over 13% of Bicycle theft, which against national bike theft has increased by 27%.
Having spent this year as a High Sheriff whilst still under strict limitations, it has been truly incredible to see the good work carried out by Surrey Police across the county which has been challenging on many fronts and for that we will be grateful. Thanks to you David and your team, for keeping our region safe!