Blog week ending 14th June

This week students across key stage 3 have completed their end of year exams.  We have been impressed by the positive approach and mindset of all students and their continued dedication to getting the most out of their learning as well as the extra-curricular opportunities available to them.  Every year group is supported ahead of their exams with revision sessions in lessons as well as homework club which includes revision techniques and strategies as well as subject content.  Our Pastoral Support Team work in conjunction with teaching staff and students to provide full support, including student check-ins and tailor-made programmes to support wellbeing and pro-active strategies to promote student confidence.  These exams not only provide a full picture of topic understanding but identify areas of strength and highlight potential topics for further work and revision.  Additionally, especially for Year 9, the exams are an aid to provide experience of formal exam conditions, so all students are familiar with, and prepared for GCSE exam procedures.

Cheerleading after school club.  KS3 students took a healthy and well-earned break from their end of year exams to attend the popular PE club.  Miss Skrine, who coaches the club, leads students in a series of warm ups, drills and exciting individual and team routines.  Cheerleading is claimed to be the fastest growing sport in the world and modern cheerleading is performed by men and women in 82 countries, featuring fast-moving, complex acrobatic routines, that blend sports disciplines including acrobatics, gymnastics and dance. This sport demands strength, flexibility, lightening quick footwork and, most of all, dedication and teamwork.  Well done everyone!   

Mrs Shooman-Taylor recently accompanied 97 students on their DofE Bronze training day to North Cray Scout Hut. They were all eager and on time! They were overjoyed when the sun was shining when they turned up, but due to the unpredictable British weather we were treated to flurries of rain throughout the day. The students were amazing, learning camp craft, menu planning, putting tents up and down (multiple times for some) and planning their routes for our expedition in October. The students were a credit to WGSG and one of the instructors from our partner company, Ben Bullen said “WGSG girls are always lovely, and these are particularly great.” After half a day of walking (no one got too lost), we had a very tired but happy group of students at the end of the day. There will be plenty of opportunity for them to practice these skills between now and when they go on the assessed expedition as well as a Trangia cooking contest to hone their skills for that valuable evening meal. 

WG6 students all have access to our Electives Programme which provides life-skills and ‘soft skills’ employers and universities look for whilst also allowing students to explore new interests.  To read more about our Programme of Elective societies and groups please click here.  There really is something for everyone, with groups ranging from university cooking to finance qualifications to community service!  Other groups include …

Our Mandarin Group study for a HSK Level 1 in Mandarin as well as explore Chinese culture and traditions.  Our  Year 12 students have made perfume pouches for the Chinese dragon boat festival. Filled with herbs, the perfume pouches are a good luck charm which are said to warn off bad spirits and promote good luck!  As you can see, they did a brilliant job .. and really enjoyed getting a taste of a Chinese tradition.      

Our WG6 Art Society electives group are currently working on a mask project.  Students experimented with different materials and creative themes to make theatrical masks.

The WG6 Forensics and Criminal Investigation students completed blood-typing tests on their own blood in preparation of their mock crime scene evidence collection and analysis. With parental consent students used lancets to collect blood samples from their fingertips which was then added to anti serums to reveal what blood type they were. A positive result shows agglutination (blood cells grouping together).

WG6 Forensics and Criminal Investigation students completed their mock crime scene assessment where they acted as a SOCO (scene of crime officer) documenting, preserving and collecting evidence from a murder scene. They had to work in groups to ensure that they followed the forensic guidelines maintaining the chain of custody so that evidence can be used to prosecute the suspects in court. In a few weeks time they will analyse the evidence, identify the lead suspect and write their expert witness report to present in court. 

As part of our Careers programme Year 12 students visited the UCAS Discovery Event at the University of East London.  UCAS Discovery provides an opportunity to explore all future pathway options under one roof. Students were able to meet organisations who offer traditional degrees, apprenticeships, and employment opportunities. The event enabled our students to meet lots of different unis in one place and a chance to speak to Uni and apprenticeship representatives, course leaders and admissions staff as well as job recruiters.

WG6 Year 12 Psychology students made brain hemisphere hats to help them visualise where the different parts of the brain sit in their heads.  The activity was part of their research and discussion into the function of each lobe of the brain, within the Biopsychology unit.

Thank you to the WG6 A Level Geography students who provided the following account of their recent residential field trip. 

Kirsty.  “As part of our preparation for the NEA (non-examined assessment), we spent four enriching days in Brighton, gathering both physical and human data. The coastal setting provided a unique opportunity to measure beach heights and evaluate the effectiveness of the coastal defences in place.  For my NEA, I chose to focus on human geography, specifically exploring Brighton's cultural significance. I conducted interviews with members of ethnic minority groups to gain insight into their views on the city. Through these conversations, I became aware of issues related to integration and a lack of community cohesion, but also how the city offers many events to help encourage Brighton to be a cultural melting pot.  Our stay in the South Downs allowed me to appreciate the beauty of nature and understand how coastal landforms are shaped. This experience highlighted the natural wonders that can often be overlooked when being surrounded by the city. Our trip taught me many transferable skills, such as how to ethically conduct an interview, which comes in handy for if I ever need to do it again.”

Jarvis.  “On the Monday before half term, all the Year 12 A Level students set off for our trip to Brighton. Although we were stuck in traffic on the way there, we finally arrived at Seaford beach before moving on to Newhaven beach. At these locations we measured the size of the beaches, the difference in the size of sediment (pebbles) and looked at how human intervention affects the beach environment. Following this, on the Tuesday, we went to Brighton where we looked at contrasting areas of wealth and how wealth is perceived through the built environment, quality of buildings and the environmental quality. Following this we visited some cool and quirky locations which help identify Brighton. The next day, we visited either location based upon our individual coursework, the human geography students visited Brighton whereas the physical geography students visited the two beaches in which all students collected personalised data to match their coursework proposal. Finally, on the last day, we went for a thorough hike (which some people weren’t too pleased with!) which overlooked an amazing beach as well as a meandering river inbetween fields of cattle. As a whole, the trip gave us an amazing opportunity to experience geography in real-life as opposed to looking at it through a screen; this helped to deepen our understanding and knowledge but also gave us an opportunity to question why things happen and what causes geographical processes to occur whilst actually witnessing them - such as longshore drift!!  Although we did a lot of work throughout the week, we were able to have periods of down time at the youth hostel. It was around 20 minutes from the two beaches and around 35-40 minutes from Brighton & Hove. We enjoyed a few games of uno, dinner in the evenings, a kick-about when we had the chance and ultimately some moments of relaxation following a very busy few days.

Looking for a new career opportunity?  It is our firm belief that a motivated, supported and empowered staff are at the heart of our students’ achievements.  Endeavour MAT’s staff development programme offers our staff opportunities for career progression across our Trust schools for the next generation of exceptional teachers, support staff and leaders.  All our schools take pride in being warm, friendly and supportive workplaces.  You can be assured, regardless of your role, you will be working with people who enjoy their work, are proud to be here and who will want to welcome you to the team.  To view our current vacancies, please click here.  Current Vacancies - Endeavour MAT (endeavour-mat.co.uk)

Forthcoming Dates;

Careers Week & WG6 Futures Week – 17^th June – 20^th June

WG6 Induction Day – 24^th June

GCSE & A Level exams finish – 26^th June

School Production ‘Fame’ – 27^th & 28^th June – tickets available at £5 from ParentPay

Summer Showcase (Art, Music & Drama) – 2^nd July

Sports Day – 3^rd July

Year 12 Parents’ Evening (at WGSB) – 4^th July

Year 7 Coast Trip, Geography – 8^th July

All Years, Enrichment Week – 8^th – 12^th July

Year 10 Paris & Valencia Trip – 8^th – 12^th July

Year 12 Work Experience – 15^th – 19^th July

Year 10 Work Shadowing Day – 16^th July

Written Reports home, Years 7, 8 & 9 – 16^th July

End of Term 6 – 19^th July 12 noon

 

Best wishes,

Michelle Lawson

Head Teacher