Week 07
Week 7
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As we complete week 7 of term, we are making final preparations for our Year 6 Open Evening which takes place next week.
There have been several events, trips and fixtures taking place this week, and it has been great to see the school so busy! Our Maths department led a Year 9 trip to Silverstone Museum, giving them the opportunity to learn about different motorsports, engineering and the historic Silverstone race circuit. We also held our first enrichment day of the year, for Year 9, with various House related activities being provided on site. Students completed a range of challenges including; testing their engineering skills to build the most stable and tallest structures using plastic cups, testing their physical and teamwork skills by transporting items using ropes and wooden boards and using their creative flair to decorate cow shapes in a variety of designs. Bloomsbury publishing celebrated Harry Potter Book Day on Thursday (17th October) and as a part of the events we welcomed some Year 7 back into school on Thursday evening for a themed evening. Students were encouraged to dress up as characters from the book and took part in a highly competitive quiz. The students responded positively to all activities taking place and I would like to thank the staff for planning, setting up and running these events.
Also on Thursday evening, we held our final Learning Pathways Evening of the year for Year 8. Thank you to everyone who has attended these important events throughout this half term. They are designed to give families an insight into life at Watling, with key specific information relating to the year ahead.
During the day today, we have welcomed our new local MP Chris Curtis to Watling Academy. I was delighted to be able to share with Chris our plans for our Sixth Form, which is opening in September 2025 for our current Year 11 students, and give him a tour of some of our current facilities. During our discussion, we shared our thoughts on developments and issues within MK and education more generally. I also proudly introduced Chris to some of our current students, who were able to ask him some questions about issues that are important to young people in MK today.
During the summer, extensive work was completed on the school site to ensure that the environment is as suitable as possible for our students. Unfortunately in the last few weeks a small number of students have not been treating our school facilities with respect and I am disappointed that some of our students are not considering the impact of their actions on the wider school community. This will divert essential funds and resources to address issues that simply should not arise. I am clear that this represents a very small minority of our community, but simply will not accept this lack of respect for our school. Please be aware that if students are found to have caused damage, we will notify parents/carers of this and seek reimbursement for costs incurred. Thank you for your support.
We want to take a moment to remind everyone that our school is a nut-free environment, a policy we uphold to ensure the safety and well-being of all our students, particularly those with severe nut allergies. These allergies can be life-threatening, and even trace amounts of nuts can trigger serious reactions. To protect all students, we kindly ask that you refrain from sending snacks or lunches that contain nuts or any nut products. We appreciate your understanding and support in this matter, as it plays a crucial role in creating a safe and inclusive space where every child can thrive. By working together, we can foster an environment that prioritizes the health and safety of all students.
I am pleased to inform you that copies of school photos ordered for delivery at school have been distributed to students during their Tutorials this morning. If your child has not received their photos, please encourage them to check with their Tutor.
Finally, thank you to those who took the time to respond to our Communication Survey regarding school-wide communications. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us improve our processes and ensure that we meet the needs of our school community. We appreciate your insights and suggestions, which will guide us in enhancing our communication efforts moving forward. There is still time to respond should you wish to on the link here: Communication Survey. Thank you for your engagement and support!
As we approach the end of term, we want to remind you that the last day of school will be Thursday 24th October. I hope this upcoming break provides an opportunity for families to relax and recharge. Thank you for your support this half term, and we look forward to welcoming students back after a well-earned break.
Mrs H Fry
What’s happening next week?
Key events happening next week include:
- Thursday 24th October: Year 6 Open Evening for September 2025 intake
- Thursday 24th October: School closes for half term
- Friday 25th October: Inset Day
- Sports fixtures:
- Monday 21st October: Year 7 & Year 8 Basketball vs Hazeley
- Tuesday 22nd October: Year 9 & Year 10 Basketball vs Hazeley
- Tuesday 22nd October: Year 7 & Year 8 Netball vs Stantonbury
- Wednesday 23rd October: Year 9 Boys County Cup Football vs Mandeville
- Wednesday 23rd October: Year 9 & Year 10 Netball vs Stantonbury
- Wednesday 23rd October: Cross Country at Oakgrove
- Thursday 24th October: Year 10 Netball vs Ousedale
Updated dates for the diary…
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: media@watling.academy
