Week 11
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The change in seasons has been evident this week with the picturesque, and somewhat unexpected, snowfall and the drop in temperatures. I hope you all managed to travel safely and stay warm. There has been a huge amount of activity at Watling this week, so I have selected a sample to share with you. Thank you to all the students, staff and their families who have been involved in events this week.
Over the past two weeks, our Year 9 girls had the exciting opportunity to attend a *Girls in STEM* event at MK College. During the event, they participated in an engaging tour of the college’s state-of-the-art engineering facilities. This immersive experience allowed them to explore the possibilities of studying STEM subjects and provided valuable insights into what a future career in STEM might look like. The event was a fantastic way to inspire and encourage their aspirations in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. SMC, who were involved in the day, are leading experts in industrial automation. They have provided some useful links and interactive activities which are on the image here:
Thank you to all those who attended our Friends of Watling Academy (FoWA) meeting on Monday. The support of our parents and families is crucial to our success, and we really do appreciate the time that is volunteered by members of FoWA and our Governors. FoWA are hard at work preparing for our Quiz and Curry Night that is taking place next week and I am sure will be a huge success.
This week, some of our Year 11 students competed their GCSE Geography field trip in Milton Keynes Centre. As part of their studies, they applied various techniques to analyse the redevelopment of Unity Place and Milton Keynes Train Station. Their activities included conducting footfall and traffic counts, surveying the area, and completing detailed questionnaires. Throughout the trip, they displayed exemplary behaviour, showcasing their maturity and respect while representing the school in the community. Year 11 Food students have been creating their dishes for their Practical assessment units this week. They have spent a large amount of time preparing for their assessment days and there were many fantastic culinary creations on display. Our PE department is leading collaboration with other local Secondary schools, hosting practice practical moderation events for our Year 11 GCSE PE students. One such event took place this week. I’m incredibly proud of the collaborative work we are leading in this area, which is supporting teachers across the City to ensure consistently high standards and opportunities for students. Thank you and well done to all our students and staff for your hard work and dedication.
The Year 11 Subject Consultations, conducted this week, served as an essential platform for subject teachers to engage with students, focusing on the critical aspects of their curriculum. These consultations are a crucial part of each academic year, allowing us to reflect on the progress, engagement and wellbeing of our students, ensuring they are best prepared for the rest of this academic year.
I am excited to share the new logo for our Sixth Form. Our Sixth Form is more than just an extension of Watling Academy; it is the culmination of our vision to create a learning environment where every student can excel. I have no doubt that the Sixth Form at Watling will benefit every student in the school, whether in Year 7 or 12. Our curriculum has always been designed to culminate in Post 16 studies, giving our students the opportunity to further share the love of learning that our staff have and become experts in their chosen subjects. For younger students, the presence of Sixth Form students provides visible role models, mentors and will expand the support and opportunities available to them. This week, we have sent invites to our Year 11s to our Sixth Form Open Evening on Thursday 5th December and I have sent more information to Year 11 families today regarding our Sixth Form offer to students. We are looking forward to sharing further information in the coming weeks.
Many thanks for your ongoing support of our school.
Mrs H Fry
What’s happening next week?
Key events upcoming:
- Wednesday 27th November: FOWA Curry & Quiz Night
- Thursday 28th November: Flu Immunisations
- Thursday 28th November: Arts Showcase Evening
- Friday 29th November: Year 11 RE Trip to St Paul’s Cathedral
- Sports fixtures:
- Tuesday 26th November: Year 11 Boys Football vs Kents Hill Park
- Tuesday 26th November: Year 7 & 9 Netball vs Denbigh
- Tuesday 26th November: Year 9 Girls Football vs Shenley Brook End
- Wednesday 27th November: Year 9 County Cup Football vs Holmer Green
- Wednesday 27th November: U13 Girls County Cup Football vs Shenley Brook End
- Thursday 28th November: U5 Girls County Cup Football vs Buckingham School
- Thursday 28th November: Year 11 Basketball vs Lord Grey
Updated dates for the diary…
Events in our Community
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
