Week 7
As we reach the end of a busy and rewarding half-term, I’d like to take a moment to thank our staff, students, and families for their continued support and commitment. There has been energy and enthusiasm across the school, and it’s been a pleasure to see our community thriving. I wish you a wonderful half-term break and look forward to welcoming students back to school on Monday 2nd November.
Mrs Anderson
Headteacher
Attendance Matters: A Community Effort
Strong attendance is built through partnership. Students achieve the greatest success when families and schools work together to promote the value of attending every day they can.
Thank you for the commitment you show in supporting your child’s education. By attending school regularly, students benefit from learning, friendships, extra-curricular opportunities, and the sense of belonging that comes from being an active member of our school community. Together, we can make every school day count.
We’re here to help. If there is anything affecting your child’s attendance, please contact your child’s Tutor, Head of Year, or our Attendance Team. At Watling Academy, we are here to work with you and provide support wherever possible.
Sports Leaders Impress at the MK Schools Primary Cross Country
Last Friday, a group of our Year 10 and Year 12 Sports Leaders spent the day at the National Bowl supporting the MK Schools Primary Cross Country event. They demonstrated fantastic leadership throughout, cheering children on, running alongside them to help them complete the course, and offering encouragement. The event organisers were extremely complimentary of our students, praising their maturity, kindness and teamwork. They embodied our RRK values and were outstanding representatives of Watling Academy – well done!
Year 13 Students Learn Lessons from Auschwitz
This week, Year 13 students Benjamin, Jemima and Tegan flew to Poland to visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial and museum as part of the Lessons from Auschwitz Project led by the Holocaust Educational Trust. This visit forms part of the programme which offers a powerful learning experience centred around Holocaust education and remembrance. Prior to the trip, students attended a seminar in London where they examined pre-war Jewish life, heard from Holocaust survivors first-hand and made preparations for their visit.
Next term the group will attend a follow-up seminar giving them the opportunity to reflect on their visit, explore the contemporary relevance of the Holocaust and devise practical ideas for their next steps as they become ambassadors for the Holocaust Educational Trust. As ambassadors, students will complete an independent project aimed at sharing the lessons they have learned with their peers and communities. We look forward to hearing from these students about their experience next term.
Year 9 Students Attend MK Innovates STEM Festival
A group of Year 9 students attended the MK Innovates STEM Festival in Middleton Hall this week, taking part in the Career Safari experience and engaging with employers through practical, hands-on challenges. Students were encouraged to start conversations with employers, ask questions and learn more about STEM careers. Some students found approaching professionals and starting those conversations daunting, but with a little encouragement were able to step outside their comfort zone and have a go. As a result students came away feeling more confident, inspired, informed and were excited to share their experiences and learnings from the event on the journey back to school.
Friends of Watling Academy Doughnut Sale
A huge thank you to the Friends of Watling Academy for another sell-out doughnut sale and to all those who supported the event, particularly those who helped to organise and run the sale. Together we raised £545 which will be invested back into the school to benefit our students and school community. Thanks again for your support, and keep an eye out for the next delicious event coming soon!
Sports Results
Well done to our Year 9 and Year 10 Netball teams who were away at St Paul’s. With two strong wins (12-2 and 12-3 respectively) the girls showed excellent teamwork and positioning to secure the win.
What’s happening after half-term?
- Monday 2nd November – Week A
- School Re-opens to students
- Tuesday 3rd November –
- Year 8 & 9 MEP Chinese Cultural Workshop
- Wednesday 4th November –
- Year 11 Food & Nutrition NEA Practical Assessment
- Visit from MP Chris Curtis
- Thursday 5th November –
- Year 11 Food & Nutrition NEA Practical Assessment
- Friday 6th November –
- A Level Geography Fieldwork trip to Bournemouth
- Year 13 Progress Review 1 sent home
Sports Fixtures
- Tuesday 3rd November –
- Year 7 National Cup Football Vs Woolaston HOME
- Wednesday 4th November –
- Year 7 Girls Football Vs Shenley Brook End AWAY
- Year 8 Girls Football Vs Shenley Brook End AWAY
- Year 9 Girls Netball Vs Walton High AWAY
- Year 10 Netball Vs Walton High AWAY
- U16 Girls County Cup Football Vs Buckingham School HOME
- Thursday 5th November –
- Year 7 Netball Vs St Paul’s AWAY
- Year 8 Netball Vs Walton High HOME
- U16 Basketball Vs Stantonbury HOME
We’d love to hear your thoughts on the bulletin. Have you enjoyed reading this? Is there anything else you’d like to see included in future? Should you have any questions, comments or feedback, please do not hesitate to email: communications@watling.academy
