Week 28
I hope this finds you well and that you have had a good week. Hasn’t it been nice to have some sunshine?
I’d like to thank parents for their support of our Year 10 and Year 12 students who are taking mock exams and to parents of Year 11 as they enter the public exam season. GCSE Languages exams have started and the main exam timetable begins in earnest at the beginning of May. The GCSE exam timetable can be found here and on our website under the exams section. Year 11 students continue to work hard and I wish them the very best for these next few months.
I am proud that Watling Academy has a very good reputation in our local and wider community. Our local businesses that sponsor our sports teams, professional colleagues working in support services, visitors to the school and the many guest speakers we have, all comment on how great this school is. We have a responsibility to our immediate neighbours to ensure that we play our part in ensuring high standards of conduct from our students. I ask that you remind your children about this and to remember excellent behaviour is expected when travelling to and from school including respect of our neighbour’s privacy and property. There have been a couple of incidents recently where a very small number of our community have not met these standards which is disappointing. Please note we do follow up on any poor behaviour in our community as soon as we are aware of it.
I also ask that if you are collecting or dropping off your child by car that you take extra care around the school. It gets particularly busy at the end of the school day. Last week we had a near miss, where a car reversed into a member of staff who was supporting students crossing the road at the pelican crossing. Luckily no one was hurt. I would remind you of the following:
- The bus lanes should not be used for parking.
- The disabled parking spaces in our carpark are for blue badge holders only or those who have permission from school. We have had families unable to access these spaces which has caused significant difficulty for some our students.
Your consideration in this matter is very much appreciated.
Here’s what’s happened this week in school and some dates for your diary.
Thank you for your ongoing support and have a lovely weekend.
Mrs Anderson
Headteacher
Year 9 Sports Leaders
On Tuesday 21st April, we took 14 Sports Leaders to Two Mile Ash Middle School to help run their House Games Day. Our students helped lead events, taking on roles as officials, coaches, scorers and timers. The Year 9s did a fantastic job and worked really well to support and encourage the younger students. The event was a great success and we are very proud of our Sports Leaders for representing the school and our values.
Year 10 Students Get ‘Future Ready’
A group of Year 10 students began an 8-week personal development programme with Future Ready Consultancy, designed to help them think more purposefully about their future, develop employability skills, build confidence and explore career pathways and opportunities. In their first session, students were encouraged to reflect on their own goals and aspirations while learning about key concepts such as building a stable income, and how planning and decision making can support long term goals. Students took part in hands-on activities, including “Moulding Your Future”, where they represented what they want to achieve by creating a plasticine model. They also began making timelines and discussed what it means to be future ready, looking at areas such as finances, social development, academics, and first jobs.
Year 12 Uni Compare Session
Year 12 students were visited by a speaker from Uni Compare to help them explore their post-18 options and understand the pathways available to them. Students found the session both engaging and useful, particularly in considering what to study at university and how to find the right university for them.
Reminders
No Clubs or Twilight Sessions – Thursday 30th April
Further to our letter of 24th March, please be reminded that all school-run afterschool clubs and Year 9 and 10 MEP twilight lessons scheduled to run today (Thursday 30th April), are cancelled due to the Year 7 Subject Consultation Evening. All paid clubs and Homework Clinic will continue to run as intended on this date. If you have any queries regarding afterschool clubs, please email opportunity@watling.academy.
Year 7 Online Subject Consultation Evening
The Year 7 Online Subject Consultation Evening is taking place on Thursday next week from 3:30-7:30pm. If you would like to attend and haven’t already made appointment with your child’s subject teachers, please do so via SchoolCloud before 11:55pm on Wednesday 29th April. Please note that some teachers are now fully booked but you can add yourself to the waiting list to be notified if a space becomes available.
What’s happening next week?
- Monday 27th April – Week A
- Thursday 30th April –
- Year 7 Online Subject Consultation Evening
- Saturday 2nd – Sunday 3rd May –
- Year 10 DofE Bronze Assessed Expedition
Sports Fixtures
- Tuesday 28th April –
- Year 7 Girls Football Final Vs Hazeley
- Wednesday 29th April –
- Cricket Cup Vs Lord Grey AWAY (at Denbigh)
- U13 Cricket V Shenley Brook End AWAY
