Headteacher's Bulletin

Week 12

It feels like the term is going by quickly and we have now reached the end of November! We have had a busy week at school and it has been brilliant to have some extensive careers activities in school this week, supported by our external industry partners.  

I wanted to take a moment this week to thank our Watling families for their ongoing support, be it through completing our recent parent survey or continuing to encourage our students to attend and be on time to school. Students are working hard to collectively ensure our school attendance continues to rise, and we are seeing some positive impacts of our in school competition. As it gets colder and darker, we know that it can feel harder to come into school on some days, we would ask that students continue to demonstrate resilience and come to school whenever they can.

Our recent parent survey was incredibly positive, and I am grateful for the support and recognition of the role that Watling plays in supporting the wellbeing and development of our students. We have identified areas we can continue to improve our service and provision for our students and will share some plans in the new year about next steps.  

At Watling, we take the mental health and wellbeing of our students extremely seriously. We know how important it is for young people to feel supported, and we want to reassure you that we have dedicated teams in school to help during the day. We were saddened to learn that the Young Persons Sanctuary (YPS) will close permanently on 31st November. This service has provided vital out-of-hours support for young people in crisis since January 2024, and unfortunately, there is currently no replacement planned. We wanted to share information with you so that, if you ever feel you need it, you know where to turn for help outside school hours. Here are some trusted resources: 

If a young person is in crisis take them to A&E for immediate specialist help, or call 999 for urgent assistance. 

Please remember, we are here to support your child and family. If you have any concerns, do not hesitate to contact us. 

This week, our Year 10 students took part in an exciting workshop delivered by the Royal Navy. They had the opportunity to meet a range of professionals and learn about different roles within the Navy, including logistics, engineering, catering and more. Students took part in hands on activities and team-based challenges, with each task designed to build teamwork, leadership, and communication skills. 

Our Year 8 students also enjoyed a special assembly where the Royal Navy introduced the many career pathways available, the variety of roles they offer, and what life in the Navy is really like. It was an inspiring week for our young people, and we are grateful to the Royal Navy for providing such an engaging and meaningful experience for our students.

Our Year 10 and 11 Engineering students recently took part in an inspiring workshop led by industry professionals, Ian Boreham from Bureau Veritas and Mark Bonnar, a Senior Design Engineer at Airbus Defence and Space. Students heard real career journeys from both speakers, including Ian’s transition from the Royal Air Force to becoming a Mechanical Engineer Surveyor, and Mark’s pathway from a Youth Training Scheme in technical drawing to designing spacecraft and rover components for major European space missions. The session gave students a clear insight into the wide range of careers available in engineering, from safety inspection and design to aerospace and satellite development. 

Our students then worked in teams on a hands-on engineering challenge: designing and building a paper bridge that could span a set distance and hold a given weight, all while managing a limited budget of materials. This allowed them to apply problem solving, creativity, teamwork and engineering thinking in a fun and competitive environment. 

The day gave our students a valuable opportunity to learn from real engineers, explore different pathways, and gain a deeper understanding of how engineering impacts the world around us. 

As a member of The Alliance Schools Trust, Watling students have the opportunity to work with the Denbigh Army Cadets Unit. Cadets get involved in activities such as navigation skills, weapon handling and also take part in numerous overnight field days each year. It is an excellent opportunity for any young person, and often works well alongside activities such as Duke Of Edinburgh. Joining the cadets has many benefits, including; 

  • Learning new skills and abilities 
  • Developing leadership and teamwork skills 
  • Inspiring an enjoyment for adventure, exploration and the outdoors 
  • Engaging in community and citizenship activities 

Sessions are held at Denbigh School on a Tuesday evening between 7-9:30pm. To find out more, please speak to Mr Green or Miss Shah, or visit the website here. 

As part of our Black History Month celebrations in October, students were invited to design a special Black History Month version of the Watling School logo. There were some fantastic entries and we are delighted to announce that Catherine B and Delia M (Year 10) created the winning design! Their logo will be proudly used in future Black History Month events at Watling. Congratulations also go to Desire C (Year 7) Ronin M (Year 8) who were awarded second and third place respectively. A huge well done to all our talented students who took part. 

At the end of term, The Friends of Watling Academy (FOWA) are holding their next Krispy Kreme doughnut sale after school on Thursday 18th December to raise funds to support the school and students. Boxes of 12 original glazed doughnuts can be pre-ordered via ParentMail until 12pm on Wednesday 10th December. Pre-orders will be available for students to collect at 3:15pm on 18th December from the canteen area. Alternatively, students will be able to purchase single original glazed Krispy Kreme doughnuts for £1.50 cash on the day. Plus, there will be an extra Christmas treat for anyone finding a Christmas tree in their single doughnut bag. Thank you in advance for your support.

Wishing you an enjoyable weekend.

Mrs Fry

Headteacher

Reminders – 

Vomiting and Diarrhoea 

Please be reminded of our policy regarding students who have been ill with vomiting and/or diarrhoea. 

  • Duration: Children should not return to school until they have been symptom-free for a full 48 hours after their last episode of vomiting or diarrhoea. 
  • Purpose: The rule is in place to stop the spread of infections, as viruses and bacteria that cause diarrhoea and vomiting can spread easily in close settings like schools. 
  • Example: If a child is sick at lunchtime on a Tuesday, they should not return to school until after lunch on Thursday, assuming no further symptoms have occurred. 
  • When to seek medical advice: While most cases resolve on their own, you should consult a doctor if you are concerned, especially if vomiting lasts more than 12 hours.

Sports Results –

  • Year 8 Basketball Vs Denbigh – WON 42-30
  • Year 9 Basketball Vs Denbigh – LOST
  • Year 7 Girls Football Vs Kents Hill Park – WON 6-0
  • Year 11 Netball Vs Shenley Brook End – WON 19-8
  • Year 11 Boys National Cup Football Vs Campion School – LOST

What’s happening next week? 

  • Monday 1st December – Week A 
    • Year 11 Berlin Trip Parent Information Evening
  • Tuesday 2nd December –
    • Flu vaccination mop-up session
  • Thursday 4th December –  
    • Year 11 Futures Day 
    • Sixth Form Open Evening 

Sports Fixtures 

  • Tuesday 2nd December –  
    • Year 7 Boys Football Vs Ousedale HOME 
    • Year 11 Boys Football Vs Walton High HOME 
    • Year 8 Netball Vs The Webber Independent School HOME 
  • Wednesday 3rd December –  
    • U14 Girls County Cup Football Vs Ousedale HOME 
    • Year 9 Netball Vs St Paul’s HOME 
    • Year 11 Netball Vs St Paul’s HOME 
  • Thursday 4th December –  
    • Year 10 Netball Vs Radcliffe AWAY

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