Week 38
As we approach the end of the school year, we have lots to look forward to next week including the celebration evening for invited students, House Fete and Sports Day – always a highlight of the school calendar. This week it has been fantastic to see students embracing opportunities to learn and grow, both in and out of the classroom setting. I’d like to thank the staff who work hard to facilitate these opportunities for our students. Our Year 10 Health and Social students completed their First Aid Course this week, as part of their curriculum and our House Councils also met. We were delighted to welcome a small group of new Year 7 students from Fairfields primary this week, who had a chance to look around the school and meet with key staff in preparation for September.
It has been a hot week this week and temperatures are set to remain high, we will continue with our uniform adaption where students do not have to wear ties, jumpers or blazers at school. I would also ask that students bring refillable water bottles to school. Please remember that students must wear PE Kit on Friday as it is Sports Day. It is due to be a lovely day, so I would ask that students wear sun cream and a hat, as they will be outside for longer periods of time.
Thank you to all Parents and Carers who came to our Academic Mentoring Afternoon. This is an opportunity for you to talk to your child’s Tutor face to face and is something that we value in the calendar at Watling. We hold these events twice in a school year and they are incredibly valuable.
Pre-loved uniform sale
As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability and supporting the Watling community, alongside Friends of Watling Academy (FoWA) we will be holding a pre-loved uniform sale on Saturday 12th July, 2-3pm in the sports block. We hope to be able to schedule these uniform sales regularly next academic year if there is sufficient demand, and we continue to receive donations from those families where uniform has been outgrown.
MEP China Trip
The MEP group are having a fantastic time in China as evidenced by Mr Mason’s daily updates on our Facebook page. Students have been immersed in Chinese culture through food, music, traditional games, crafts and dance and have bonded with Chinese students over shared interests. Not to mention plenty of opportunities to practise and extend their Mandarin skills through interactive lessons including the popular game of Chinese charades, as well as on visits to the university aviation and robotics centres, a traditional street market, shopping mall and parks. Our hosts at the Kunming University of Science and Technology have gone above and beyond to make our students feel at home and even presented Mr Brown with a special souvenir gift for Watling at the official opening ceremony. We wish the group a wonderful last few days of their trip and look forward to hearing more about it upon their return.
Human Rights Conference at Denbigh
Last Friday, Mrs Griffiths accompanied six Year 9 and 10 Reps from House Council to a Human Rights Conference hosted by Denbigh School, and attended by Chris Curtis MP, MK Mayor James Lancaster and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant. The group had the honour of hearing from Paul Salver B.E.M, a staunch advocate for Human Rights who brings a wealth of compassion and heart to speaking out for victims of genocide. Other speakers included a survivor of the Bosnian genocide, a Denbigh student who is a Ukrainian refugee, and visitors from the Ukraine appeal.
Watling students not only learnt a lot from the talks but also asked fantastic questions, including Zaina who discussed the Role of the UN in modern conflict and refugee crises with Paul Salver B.E.M, and Noah who made the effort to speak to the Ukraine Appeal about what he had learnt and what he hopes to do going forward. They were then invited to talk with other students and visitors and add their handprint to a ‘Human Rights Tree’ which will hang in Denbigh to commemorate the day and serve as a reminder that we all have a hand in ensuring Human Rights are protected. Our House Reps will now return to our last House Council meeting of the year to discuss how we can bring Human Rights to the fore in our Council activities.
You can read more about the day on our website here.
Year 9 Inspire Engineering trip
Last Tuesday, a group of Year 9 students visited the London Transport Museum to participate in the Inspire Engineering day as part of the Feel-Good Futures programme, funded by Avanti West Coast and run in collaboration with Community Rail. Forming part of a wider initiative to help inspire the next generation of engineers and rail professionals, the event introduced students to exciting STEM and careers opportunities within the rail and transport industry.
Students were given an interactive introduction to the world of engineering before a guided tour of the depot to explore the history of London’s engineering. Students tested their skills in a hands-on team challenge which required students to develop and reflect on sustainable solutions for our cities. Students delved into the world of engineering with a chance to interview three Transport for London engineers about their career journeys and find out about apprenticeship opportunities. Thank you to the staff involved in making this happen.
Hope you have a lovely weekend,
Mrs Fry
Headteacher
What’s happening next week?
- Tuesday 15th July –
- Year 7 Whipsnade trip
- Wednesday 16th July –
- Parents/Carers’ Meeting for Spain trip
- Thursday 17th July –
- Friends of Watling Academy doughnut sale
- House Fete
- Celebration Evening (for invited students & performers)
- Friday 18th July –
- Sports Day
