Our first full week back at school has been incredibly positive. It has been lovely to see how well students have settled back into school life and the enthusiasm they are showing for their learning. I am incredibly impressed with how calm and purposeful the school feels – well done, everyone! The PE department have had a busy start to the term, holding trials for our Football and Netball teams and it was brilliant to see so many students taking part and keen to represent their school. Afterschool clubs will be back up and running from the week commencing 22nd September, check the letter on ParentMail for more information and booking.
It was fantastic to welcome so many Year 7 families to our Year 7 Learning Pathways Evening on Thursday, I hope you found it helpful and informative. We will be holding Learning Pathways Evenings for Year 12 next Thursday, followed by Years 11 and 10 in the coming weeks. These events are a key opportunity to share important information for the coming academic year including expectations and curriculum, and we hope to see as many of you there as possible. Year 7 have made a positive start to life at Watling, upholding our values of Respect, Responsibility and Kindness and trying their best in all lessons.
Please be aware that we publish the start times of all talks and events taking place throughout the year and will start promptly. We ask you to arrive in the building at least 10 minutes before the start time of your chosen presentation. Once the presentation has begun, will we not admit any further visitors into the hall. Punctuality is a key part of life at Watling, we reinforce this with our students, and is something that we expect to model in all aspects of school life. If you are running late, you may be able to join the audience for a later presentation if there is one, however this is subject to space being available.
Early this morning a group of 40 Year 11 students, accompanied by Mr Scott, Mr Parks, Ms Stratton and Mr Williams headed off to Spain for three nights to take in the sights of Barcelona and practise their Spanish. The group have a jam-packed itinerary including visits to the famous Las Ramblas, Sagrada Familia, Roman ruins at Tarragona, Museum of FC Barcelona and Port Aventura theme park. Students will also have time to relax and enjoy the Spanish culture with a paella workshop, tapas night, flamenco show and walks around local beaches and markets, with plenty of opportunity to develop their language skills along the way. We wish them a wonderful trip and look forward to hearing about it upon their return next week. Thank you to the staff and parents who were at school at 3am this morning to facilitate this trip for our Year 11s.
On Wednesday, I was delighted to take members of our site team and Senior Leadership Team on a tour of the new buildings with members of the team from Qube, our builders. The Sixth Form Centre is looking fantastic; it is painted, the internal doors have been installed and the heating system is in place. Next week, flooring is being put down, the Sixth Form social space furniture is due to arrive, and our café will be nearing completion. Students will notice the scaffolding being taken down and the canopy being installed at the front entrance of the building. We are progressing with the work to connect the services to the new buildings so the build can be completed and signed off for use as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the teaching block continues to progress rapidly, with the stairs and window installation due to be completed in the coming days.
On Tuesday next week, we will be taking school photographs for students in Year 7, 9 and 11. We will be on hand throughout the day to assist students and I would ask for your support to ensure that, as every day, they come to school in correct uniform. Year 12 will also be photographed on this day and should attend dressed appropriately with adherence to the Sixth Form dress code.
Our Art department are organising a giant group post-it note art show open to all students. Students are invited to create a piece of art using a post-it note (or 3x3in square of paper) as their canvas, using any materials/media they wish. Entries are unlimited and can be submitted to their form tutor or Art teacher in exchange for 1 house point per entry until Tuesday 30th September.
Have a lovely weekend,
Mrs Fry
Headteacher
Reminders:
Catering
We work with Cucina to deliver a high-quality food service that offers a range of options that are both healthy and appealing to students, and great value for parents and carers. More details on the offer and the price lists, for both our school canteen and our newly launched Sixth Form café, can be viewed on our website.
Year 12 Learning Pathways Evening
Year 12 parents and carers, please make sure you have registered for the Learning Pathways Evening on Thursday 18th September. You will find more information in the letter on ParentMail along with the booking form.
What’s happening next week?
- Monday 15th September – Week A
- Year 11 Barcelona trip returns
- Tuesday 16th September –
- Years 7, 9, 11 & 12 School Photos
- Thursday 18th September –
- Year 12 Learning Pathways Evening
Sports Fixtures
- Tuesday 16th September –
- Y8 Boys County Cup Football Vs The Grange AWAY
- Y9 Boys Football Vs Walton High HOME
- Wednesday 17th September –
- Y11 Boys County Cup Football Vs The Grange AWAY
- Y10 Boys Football Vs St Paul’s HOME
- Thursday 18th September –
- U14 Girls County Cup Football Vs Glebe Farm AWAY
- U16 Girls County Cup Football Vs Denbigh HOME
- Y10 County Cup Football Vs Aylesbury HOME
We’d love to hear your thoughts on the bulletin. Have you enjoyed reading this? Is there anything else you’d like to see included in future? Should you have any questions, comments or feedback, please do not hesitate to email: admin@watling.academy
