Blog week ending 9th June

This week our new Library and WG6 area was officially opened by Mrs Donna Lodge, after whom the block is named.  It was a huge pleasure to welcome back Donna who served as our Head Teacher and then CEO of Endeavour MAT.  Members of staff from across Endeavour MAT, Governors, school alumni and PTFA joined us to mark the occasion which was expertly led by our student performers who reprised a number from their recent sell-out Matilda Production!  Our Library has become the ‘heart’ of the school, providing an amazing multi-purpose space and endless resource for literacy, research and future career exploration that supports both academic achievement and student wellbeing.  Thanks to the generosity of our school community we have been able to expand our range of books with countless new and exciting titles to foster our students' love of literacy and reading for pleasure.  Since Donna’s retirement she has relocated near her home town of Sheffield and continues to serve as a consultant and coach to senior educators.  Donna has also found time to write a novel, ‘Sixties Child’, all proceeds of which will go to support the work of the Alzheimers Society.  The book is available to purchase on Amazon, by clicking here.

WG6 Politics students visited City Hall, London as part of their studies into devolved governments, their powers and responsibilities. The students enjoyed a fantastic lecture from the education official, giving us interesting discussion points and examples that are relevant not only to British, but also Global Politics (which are the two courses that are studied). Following the lecture, we got to sit on the floor of where the London Government meet and take photos. We also had a photo with London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, who was kind enough to join us for the visit.

Careers Update.  Supporting students to make informed choices about their future is an important element of our students’ school career. This means ensuring that they not only achieve good academic outcomes, but that they are equipped for life beyond school and to arrive in the workplace with the skills they need to thrive.

One key aspect of Year 11 is making applications for their Post-16 choices, whether they are considering moving on to WG6, starting a course at college or beginning their employment journey through an apprenticeship. Hence, we are excited to share that we are starting our Year 10 Futures Programme this week. Career guidance offered to students includes information on the range of education or training options, including apprenticeships and technical education routes and will be delivered through talks, trips, experience of the workplace and an individual personal guidance meeting with a careers professional.  Students will be creating Unifrog accounts to help them with their decision making.  The Careers Department team look forward to working closely with Year 10 in the coming months to support them in planning the best transition for them.  Pictured, is Megan Attlee who is currently undertaking an apprenticeship with the Financial Conduct Authority and as part of her volunteering remit is encouraging other WG6 alumni to support future events including the forthcoming Careers Week.

Year 12 Work Experience.  Can you offer work experience to a Year 12 student from the 10-14th July 2023 to broaden students’ knowledge of industries and sectors, and shape their career decisions? Please contact dmartin@wgsgc.o.uk

Our Year 12 WG6 students visited the UCAS Discovery exhibition at the University of East London.  The exhibition is intended to inspire students regarding their post-18 options and included over 100 universities, colleges and apprenticeship employers.  This was a unique opportunity to explore, and shortlist information on different career options, face-to-face with industry experts.  This sets up Year 12 well ahead of their Futures Week starting in school on Thursday 15th June. 

Thank you to all our student and staff contributors to the recent video recording of the latest Epistemic Knowledge film “Reimagining schools with permeable walls” in conjunction with Canterbury Christ Church University.  It was a thrilling opportunity to showcase our work here at WGSG and to demonstrate how Epistemic Insight is applied to our curriculum to show the connectivity between subjects and how learning in one subject can be applied to aid problem solving and critical thinking across the subjects.  This linking of knowledge has formed part of our “The Big Questions” EI learning and was created for use by the OECD to help schools teach this more effectively.  The full video can be viewed by clicking here

It’s all starting to come up roses (well, strawberries, lavender and wild flowers!) in the Nurture Garden.  Our club members are learning practical skills, environmental issues and sustainability as part of their school gardening awards in conjunction with the Royal Horticultural Society.  The Nurture Garden is a calm and sensory oasis for students to enjoy, and contribute to.  We are currently concentrating on planting out our seedlings and weeding back some of the more invasive weeds!  If you do have any spare plants, seeds or gardening equipment that you could donate to our students for their garden we would be very grateful.  As you can see from the below photos, our ‘wild planting’ area is attracting bees and other pollinators and our strawberries are starting to turn red.  We’ve had some lovely feed-back from students who clearly value the quiet and calm of the garden and the opportunity to contribute to something so worthwhile.

Introducing .. Miss Eckley, Wellbeing and Pastoral Student Support Manager – SEN.  Following an MA in Inclusive Education I am currently studying for an Educational Doctorate, exploring Philosophy and research in education and specifically writing a thesis that includes how we can support and teach children and young people with additional needs within our classroom for a more inclusive practice.  I have developed a series of educational support interventions to ensure that every student in our care is supported to access classroom lessons and is able to take advantage of the many wonderful learning experiences with us at WGSG and in their future life pathways.

Current interventions include; Executive Functioning – building skills to plan ahead, meet goals, display self-control, and support clarity of focus. Zones of Regulations – framework that develops awareness of feelings and energy exploring strategies to help self-care and regulate big feelings and foster healthy relationships. Greater Me - helps young people build their advocacy skills by establishing their own strengths and needs.

Mrs Shooman-Taylor Year 7 Science students have just completed their space topic which culminated in them creating a self-spinning 3D model of the earth and presenting their learned facts, brilliant models and conclusions to the rest of the class. 

Our Year 12 Forensics and Criminal Investigation students wearing full ‘bunny suits’ and protective clothing set up a CSI style crime scene outside the Manor this week.  Student investigators secured the scene before conducting a thorough search and evaluation of the area, collecting evidence, taking photos and making sketches to inform their lab evaluations and findings!

Please join me in congratulating Year 8 student Isla M who has been recognised for her incredible sporting achievements in activities pursued outside of school.  Isla was awarded Player of the Year 2022/3 and Managers Player of the season by Dartford District Schools FA.  Isla has scored 18 Goals this season (top overall goal scorer winning the golden boot award) and was also awarded Team of the Year.  A stunning season!

PFA Update.  Our Oscars themed Year 11 Prom is sure to be a lavish affair!  Tickets are available to purchase on ParentPay – we ask that you book by 16^th June to allow us to plan the catering. 

Pre-loved Uniform sale – is scheduled for Sunday 9th July 11am-1pm. if you have any out-grown or unwanted uniform items please do consider donating them to our PFA Shop.  We offer a range of uniform in excellent condition and will be offering items for sale in school ahead of the new school year.

Easyfundraising & Amazonsmile - By signing up and using the below link when you shop online with more than 3,300 well-known online stores such as Amazon, eBay, John Lewis will earn free donations for WGSG at no additional cost to you.  Please click here for further information and to sign up 

Forthcoming Dates;

Year 12 Futures Week – from Friday 16^th June

Year 10 Geography Field Trip Tankerton – Thursday 22^nd June

Year 12 Written reports home – Monday 26^th June

WG6 Prom at Birchwood Golf Club – Friday 30^th June

 

Best wishes,

Michelle Lawson

Head Teacher