Week 30
I hope this finds you well and that you enjoyed a lovely Bank Holiday weekend.
I would like to start by thanking parents for your support this week. Closing the school or changing the school day is only considered as a last resort where the health and safety of our community is at risk. Last weekend we experienced a significant water leak from a water tank in a science lab caused by an undetectable fault. The water flooded the room and seeped through to the middle and ground floors causing damage to a number of classrooms, workshops, stores and corridors. Our site team have done a fantastic job of clearing up the considerable damage and we have had a number of contractors on site to support the team with building and electrical works needed. As a result we have had to close some rooms and sections of two main corridors. Whilst this has caused some disruption, I am impressed how our staff and students have adapted and shown flexibility and resilience. It looks like the repairs will be ongoing for a while and so I will update you as and when I can.
On another note, full cohort GCSE exams start next week and so I wish our Year 11 students all the very best for these next weeks. Please remind students that we show respect, responsibility and kindness around the building at all times and be mindful of the exams that are taking place.
Despite the disruption, and a shorter week, we have still plenty to celebrate. Here are some highlights.
Mrs Anderson
Headteacher
Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award Expedition
Over the bank holiday weekend, our Year 10 students completed their assessed expedition for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze award. An incredible 110 students took part, working in teams to navigate their routes around the beautiful Chilterns countryside, before setting up camp for the night and cooking their own meals. The students showed real determination, resilience, and teamwork every step of the way, and overcame challenges (including the Saturday rain!), with positivity and perseverance. We are extremely proud of every single student involved – well done to you all! A huge thank you as well to our dedicated staff and volunteers who made the weekend possible.
English Schools Athletics Track and Field Cup Regional Competition
On Wednesday, Watling’s Athletics team of 54 students competed at English Schools Track and Field Cup regional round. Our students performed fantastically against a very strong field of Buckinghamshire schools. As a school, we finished in 4th place out of 10 schools competing. All of our students did brilliantly and we are very proud of their effort and determination, well done to you all. Congratulations to the students (listed below) who won their events, the highlight of the day were our relay teams who stormed the finish line, winning us 3 out of 4 relays by a considerable distance. We look forward to our next athletic competitions after half term.
- Evie – IG Javelin 30m
- Shanae – JG 100m
- Janice – IG 100m (heat)
- Zhane – JG High Jump (2nd)
- Aubrey – JB 100m (12.8secs)
- Princella – JG 200m
- Luke F – IB High Jump (1.56m)
- IG Relay team (Ariel, Janice, Gabi, Anji)
- Anji – IG 100m (heat)
- JB Relay team (Jaiden, Alex, Jacob, Aubrey)
- JG Relay team (Cyrus, Leanne, Shanae, Princella – pictured)
- Yvie – JG 800m
- Finley O – JB 300m
Year 12 Careers Visit to Scania Group
Year 12 students visited Scania Group headquarters for an interactive careers workshop aimed at preparing them for the world of work. Taking place in a relaxed and supportive environment, students learnt about the key steps involved in applying for roles, including how to structure and present an effective CV, preparing for interviews and challenging common misconceptions about the workplace. Students took part in a team-based challenge, encouraging collaboration, communication and problem-solving were also able to ask questions to senior members of the Scania GB team and hear first-hand about their career journeys and experiences. Students came away feeling motivated and inspired with lots to think about and with many helped to connect their current studies to future career pathways.
Year 9 MK Dons Careers Visit
Last week, some of our Year 9 students had the opportunity to attend a careers event at MK Dons, to give them an insight into the wide range of career journeys within the organisation. As part of this, students were challenged to think about what a communications team would need to do to run a football tournament. Stepping outside of her comfort zone, Josie C-H took on the role of presenting the group’s ideas to an audience of over 40 people, speaking confidently and doing a fantastic job – well done Josie!
VEX Robotics World Championship
Following their team’s success at the VEX IQ Robotics National Championship in Telford earlier this year, Watling students Atom C (year 7) and Robin S (year 8) recently travelled to St. Louis, Missouri, USA to represent the UK at the World Championship. The competition consisted of five divisions, each featuring more than 80 of the best young robotics teams globally. We are delighted to share that the team were honoured with the Create Award, recognising their outstanding creativity, innovation, and engineering excellence. In addition, the team placed 4th in their division – an extraordinary accomplishment given the scale and calibre of the competition, and testament to the students’ talent, determination and teamwork. Huge congratulations to Atom, Robin and their team!
Sports Results
- Year 7 Netball Final Vs Oakgrove – Lost
What’s happening next week?
- Monday 11th May – Week A
- Year 9 Proof of Progress Tests all week
- Year 10M Food & Nutrition Practical Mock
- Year 11 GCSE Exams AM: English Literature
- Year 11 GCSE Exams PM: Business Studies, Mandarin
- Tuesday 12th May –
- Year 12 Brilliant Club Trip
- Year 11 GCSE Exams AM: Engineering, RE
- Year 11 GCSE Exams PM: Biology, Combined Science: Biology
- Wednesday 13th May –
- Year 10K Food & Nutrition Practical Mock
- Year 11 GCSE Exams AM: Geography
- Year 11 GCSE Exams PM: Computer Science
- Year 10 Barcelona Trip Parents Meeting
- Thursday 14th May –
- Year 11 GCSE Exams AM: Maths
- Year 11 GCSE Exams PM: German
- Friday 15th May –
- Year 11 GCSE Exams AM: History
- Year 11 GCSE Exams PM: Sociology
Sports Fixtures
- Tuesday 12th May -
- U15 Cricket Vs Denbigh AWAY
- U13 Cricket Vs Denbigh HOME
- Wednesday 13th May –
- Y7 Cricket Vs Denbigh HOME
- Y7 & 8 Pickleball Tournament at Kents Hill Park AWAY
- Thursday 14th May –
- Y10 & 11 Pickleball Tournament at Kents Hill Park AWAY
