Head’s Newsletter – 10th March 2023
Good evening
Strike Update
A reminder that there is further strike action planned for next week by the NEU. The intended strike is planned for Wednesday and Thursday and approximately 50% of our teaching staff are members of the NEU. Therefore, our intention is to partially open to Years 11, 12 & 13, children classed as vulnerable or whose parents are key workers. If you are a key worker and require a place in school for your child on the strike days please contact Miss Fitzhugh at fitzhughj@wollaston-school.net
For children in Years 7-10, remote learning will be provided on Go4Schools by subject staff who are in work on Wednesday and Thursday.
News
Careers Week
Thank you to Mr Myers who has led assemblies to all year groups this week to mark national careers week. The assemblies have been extremely well received by all students who have found them interesting and informative. We were also lucky enough to have Northampton College in on Wednesday to speak with Year 9 in advance of the options process and this was an opportunity for our students to find out about alternative pathways to sixth form from another local provider.
In keeping with the theme- we were made aware this week that two former students (and twin sisters) Jodie and Molly Hill, 18, recently both attested as police officers. Congratulations to both Jodie and Mollie- we wish you both the greatest of success in your new careers! Full details of the story can be found HERE.
Netball Success
On Tuesday the Years 7 and 8 netball teams travelled to Weavers with Miss Cattell & Mr Roberts for their first district netball match.
All students who represented the school applied their training into competitive games, which is reflective of their outcomes and progress! The Year 7s won 3-1 and the Year 8s winning 18-0. Well done girls!
Comic Relief – House Events
To raise money for Comic Relief we will be holding a number of exciting break and lunch time charity activities for students to take part in next week. Any donations that can be made will be gratefully received on behalf of Comic Relief.
Drama Production: National Theatre Connexions Festival 2023 – Review by Mr Birkett
Wollaston School are once again proud to be participating in the National Theatre’s annual festival celebrating and championing the best of young performance from around the country.
The Wollaston School Theatre Company production of “Old Times”, certainly demonstrated the amazing student talent we have, both in terms of the incredible cast and also the professional and innovative design and technical crew. The performances held this week were technically accomplished, thought provoking and highly creative.
In telling the story of a group of young adults reuniting after a tragic event which took place in their early teens, the production brought to life the individual and collective repercussions of lies and half truths told in the past. “Old Times” was staged with considerable creativity, with current events, seamlessly interspersed with flashbacks to the events which had defined the characters’ youth. It was wonderful to see a cast ranging from Year 10 to Year 13, working with such harmony and fluency. Each performer brought their individual character to life, whilst ensuring that the ensemble elements of the performance led to a tight and cohesive production.
In addition to the Wollaston audience who were present, this week’s performances were watched by a professional director from The National Theatre, who provides comprehensive feedback to the staff and cast in preparation for further refinement.
The company will use this to inform further rehearsal work before performing the final revision of “Old Times” both at Wollaston School and at the Derngate Theatre Northampton. We will of course make the school community aware of these future dates as it will be a production not to be missed.
Best wishes for the week ahead.
Simon Anderson