Week 15
As this term draws to a close, I wanted to take a moment to express my thanks to you all. It has been an absolute privilege to serve as Deputy Headteacher and then Headteacher of this wonderful school. Together, we have shared so many achievements, overcome challenges, and celebrated the successes of our incredible students. I am immensely proud of the community we have built, a community rooted in Respect, Responsibility and Kindness, ambition, and a commitment to giving every child the best possible start in life. Watling Academy has been a huge part of my life for many years and it is a bittersweet moment to be moving on, as I take the next step in my career.
One of my favourite parts of being Headteacher has been spending time with our students; their energy, curiosity, and sense of humour is infectious. They remind us why we do what we do, and it has been inspiring to watch them grow alongside the school, learn, and achieve. I would also like to pay special tribute to our exceptional staff team, and particularly our Senior Leadership Team. Every day, they give their very best for the students, going above and beyond to ensure that every child feels supported and challenged. Their dedication and professionalism have been the heartbeat of this school.
Looking back, there have been so many memorable moments: Welcoming hundreds of new members of staff and students as we grow, the excitement of opening new facilities, the pride of seeing students perform on stage and excel in sports, and the shared celebrations of academic success. Most importantly, these milestones reflect the daily commitment of our students, staff and parents; working together every day to be just a little better than the day before.
Even as we finish this term, we have had a busy time at Watling. Last week, we held our Winter Performing Arts Showcase, bringing together music, drama, dance and visual art in a packed and vibrant evening. Families were welcomed by a curated gallery of student artwork, displaying pieces from across all year groups.
The performance programme featured a wide range of ensembles and disciplines, including the orchestra, string group, choir, Dance Experience, student band, individual solo performances and multiple drama groups. Across the evening, audiences enjoyed everything from classical arrangements to contemporary songs, original drama scenes and choreographed pieces, all demonstrating the creativity and hard work students have shown throughout the term.
The event concluded with a whole-hall festive singalong, marking a warm and celebratory end to the showcase. A huge well done to everyone involved, on stage, backstage and in the art studios, for contributing to a successful and uplifting evening.
On Wednesday, our Year 7 Mandarin Excellence Programme students took part in a successful Launch Day designed to build enthusiasm and understanding of the programme. Activities included a lively Kahoot quiz to consolidate prior Mandarin learning, a focused lesson on talking about pets, and an introduction to the aims and expectations of the MEP, supported by examples of high-quality student work and video clips from previous China trips. The day concluded with a practical cultural activity in the main hall, where students particularly enjoyed learning and practising traditional Chinese shuttlecock kicking, developing teamwork, coordination, and cultural awareness in a fun and engaging way.
Our Year 7s have been stepping into the shoes of fictional Victorian detective Enola Holmes in their library lessons this term. Linking to the text they’re studying in English lessons, Ruby in the Smoke, students have sharpened their research skills by uncovering stories of real-life female detectives from the era, and ended the term by solving a locked-room mystery where they raced to solve the disappearance of Viscount Tewkesbury by cracking ciphers and piecing together documents hidden around the Library. A true test of teamwork and detective flair!
This year, Year 11 student Emran A took part in the prestigious UKMT Golden Kangaroo Competition, joining two Year 12 participants, Qasim M and Naseem A, in representing the school at this advanced level of mathematical problem-solving. Emran delivered an exceptional performance, achieving a Golden Kangaroo Award, a distinction reserved for the highest-scoring students nationally. His outstanding result not only reflects his remarkable talent and dedication, but also earned him the title of Best in School, surpassing even older students in this challenging competition. We congratulate Emran on this impressive accomplishment and celebrate the hard work of all three students who took part. Their achievements continue to raise the profile of mathematics within the school and serve as an inspiration to others.
During this term, students in Years 7, 8 and 9 have been busy preparing for the Foreign Language Translation Spelling Bee House Competition which has taken place in MFL lessons over the last few weeks. Students practised translating and spelling new words (Year 7) and sentences (Years 8 and 9) into Spanish and Mandarin. During the competition, students were given one minute to translate and spell as many words or sentences as they could into Spanish or Mandarin. Well done to everyone who took part and congratulations to our winners who will go on to compete in Stage 2, a school competition, taking place next term. For details of the competition and all our Stage 1 winners, please read the full story here.
A huge thank you to the Friends of Watling Academy for another sell-out doughnut sale and to all those who supported the event. Together we raised over £600 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!
As I step away at the end of this term, please know that I will always carry fond memories of this school and its people. I leave confident that the future is bright, and that your children will continue to thrive under the guidance of such a dedicated team.
Thank you for allowing me to be part of your children’s journey. Wishing you all a joyful festive season and every success in the years ahead.
Mrs Fry
Headteacher
Reminders –
Back to School – Tuesday 6th January
A quick reminder that school will be closed on Monday 5th January for an INSET day. We look forward to welcoming students back to school on Tuesday 6th January.
Sports Results –
- U16 Girls County Cup Football – Postponed by Cottlesloe
- Year 7 boys football Vs Ousedale WON 10-1
- Year 9 boys football Vs Walton High WON 4-3
What’s happening next term?
- Monday 5th – January
- INSET Day – School Closed
- Tuesday 6th January Week B
- Progress Week Year 11
- Wednesday 7th January
- Booking for Year 11 Subject Consultations closes at 11:55pm
- Thursday 8th January
- Year 11 Subject Consultation Evening (online)
- Friday 9th January
- Year 11 Stranger Things drama trip
Sports Fixtures
- Wednesday 7th January
- Year 10 County Cup Boys Football Vs Chesham
