Week 31
As we complete another busy – and sunny- week at Watling, it has been wonderful to see so many great things going on around the school. Before we get into some of the highlights from this week I wanted to give a couple of reminders.
Uniform Standards
Please can I ask for all parent/carer’s support in ensuring that students are wearing the correct uniform to school. Uniform is an important part of our shared school culture and community, and we insist on high standards for all our students. Students choosing to wear trousers should be wearing grey trousers only, and must not wear leggings. Skirts should be of a reasonable length and we will challenge students who are wearing their skirts too short or are rolling them up. As part of our Health and Safety requirements, students are only allowed to wear one small stud in each ear and nothing below the earlobe (for example, hoops).
Library books
As Year 11 students prepare to go on study leave, we kindly remind you to return all school Library books by Friday 23rd May. Returning these resources ensures they are available for other students. If any books have been lost or damaged, please let us know by emailing library@watling.academy or ask students to speak to Library staff. Once the exams are over, we would also welcome donations of study guides or other GCSE texts that are no longer needed, for use in the Library.
UK Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Junior Maths Challenge
I’m delighted to share results of the recent UKMT Junior Maths Challenge, which has involved some of our Year 7 and 8 students. The Junior Maths Challenge is a 60 minute, 25 question multiple choice challenge which encourages mathematical reasoning, fluency and precision of thought. Our students achieved 54 bronze certificates, 38 silver and 9 gold and two of our Year 8 students, Yat Hei and Yassir, have progressed to the next round of the competition. It is very impressive to see some of our highest-level mathematicians performing well in these competitions, well done to everyone involved.
KS4 Drama & Music Performance Evening
On Wednesday evening some of our Year 10 Drama and Music students wowed their audience with a fantastic set of performances. Drama students performed their own original devised pieces while the musical recitals ranged from Bach to Rihanna, Stevie Wonder to Hamilton. As well as forming a crucial part of their GCSEs, these performances give students an important opportunity to gain confidence performing for an audience, and of course to showcase their hard work and talents. Thank you to everyone who came to watch, it was brilliant to see so many parents/carers, family and friends show their support.
Eco-Committee Pumpkin Planting
This term the student Eco-Committee have been focusing on increasing biodiversity and collaborating with our canteen to introduce food initiatives. As part of this, on Tuesday morning, Ope, Varisha, Michelle, Paige, Erin, Riley and Faith, from our Eco-Committee planted pumpkin seeds, kindly donated by our canteen, in our new vegetable planters. They aim to harvest their crop of pumpkins in October and host a pumpkin carving competition for Halloween. You can read more about this and other Eco-Committee activities in students’ own words here.
Sports Results
Last Friday, Mr Hale took 14 Year 7 and 8 students to the dodgeball tournament at Stoke Mandeville school. As always, the students were extremely excited about this opportunity and had a fantastic time representing the school. The girls made it all the way to the 3rd/4th match where they unfortunately just fell short but displayed excellent sportsmanship and resilience. The boys also put on a great show, coming 6th after facing some tough opponents. We are so proud of all who took part and represented the school the Watling way.
This week our U15 Boys Cricket team played Denbigh. We knew the Trust derby was going to be a tough match against a strong side but seemingly no match for our cricket team. Denbigh chose to bat scoring a respectable 93, with Watling needing 94 runs to win and it was done in style. The boys managed to chase down this score with 8 overs remaining! This included an incredible batting display from Trishiv who scored 54 from only 33 balls.
Finally, our Year 8 Basketball team won 50-43 against Denbigh in the Junior NBA semi-final! Well done to all our Watling sports teams for all their effort in fixtures and some brilliant results.
Subject Consultation Evenings
Thank you to all those who attended the Year 10 subject consultation evenings this week and last. These evenings are a key opportunity to discuss your child’s progress, performance and any areas for improvement, so teachers can work together with you to ensure your child achieves their full potential, therefore it’s great to see as many parents and carers attending as possible. Year 8 subject consultations are coming up on Thursday 5th June, details will be sent via ParentMail early next week so please look out for this and book in early to avoid disappointment.
Looking ahead to next week, it will be an exciting one for Year 10M students as they head off on their first week of work experience. I know they will enjoy their experience in the world of work and make the most of the opportunity and I look forward to hearing more about their placements upon their return. Year 7 and 8 students begin their end of year assessments in class on Monday and, following the completion of their end-of-year assessments this week, Year 9 students will be rewarded with their enrichment day trips to Thorpe Park on Thursday (9M) and Friday (9K) next week.
Wishing you all a restful weekend.
Mrs Fry
Headteacher
Sports Results –
- Tuesday 13th May
- Year 8 Cricket Vs Denbigh LOST
- U15 Cricket Vs Denbigh WON
- Thursday 15th May
- Year 8 Basketball Junior NBA semi-final Vs Denbigh WON
What’s happening next week?
- Monday 19th May –
- Year 7 & 8 end of year assessments (all week)
- Year 10M work experience (all week)
- Year 11 Exams AM: Chemistry, Combined Science
- Year 11 Exams PM: Mandarin, PE, Community Languages – Urdu
- Tuesday 20th May –
- Year 11 Exams AM: English Literature, Sociology
- Year 11 Exams PM: Computer Science
- Wednesday 21st May –
- Year 11 Exams AM: RE, Community Languages – French
- Thursday 22nd May –
- Year 9M Thorpe Park trip
- Year 11 Exams AM: Physics, Combined Science
- Year 11 Exams PM: Community Languages – Turkish, Arabic
- Friday 23rd May –
- Last day of term
- Year 9K Thorpe Park trip
- Year 11 Exams AM: English Language
Sports Fixtures –
- Tuesday 20th May
- Year 7 Jr NBA Semi Final Vs Hazeley
- Wednesday 21st May
- Year 7 Rounders Vs MKA AWAY
- Year 8 Rounders Vs Brooklands HOME
- Thursday 22nd May
- Year 7 Cricket Vs Lord Grey HOME
