Head’s Newsletter – 13th October 2023

Dear parents and carers

 

Plenty to update you on this week as we approach the last week of half term!

 

A reminder to Year 11 parents and carers that next Thursday 19th October is parents’ evening and appointments can be made with your child’s teachers via the Edulink app. Immediately following half term, on Thursday 2nd November at 6pm,  we also have our Sixth Form Open Evening where our students can find out all about the next stage of their Wollaston journey. We have an amazing sixth form at Wollaston School and not only do our students achieve great outcomes and go onto amazing destinations, the pastoral support and character development they receive ensures they are well prepared for future success. Booking a spot on Eventbrite for the open evening can be done here.

 

It was also really pleasing to see over 50 Year 11s attend a revision event hosted in the Andy Todd Sixth Form Centre by Mr Mills last night. They have showed great ambition for themselves by attending and no doubt left with some practical strategies to get cracking on their revision for their upcoming mocks! Do look out for information from the sixth form team about future events including our ‘Masterclasses’ that will be available to students from January onwards.

 

DEI Conference 11th October (Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion)

 

Our Diversity Ambassadors write: “On the 11th of October Diversity and Community ambassadors from Wollaston School attended a DEI conference at Sir Christopher Hatton, with other schools including Wellingborough, Wrenn School, Weavers, Huxlow and many others. At this conference, each school presented on their school’s progress, achievements and future plans regarding DEI issues. Wollaston was represented by Adam, Emmanuella and Tierni who delivered a speech speaking about Wollaston’s plans and our current achievements.

 

During the conference Hatton spoke about Black History Month and showed videos about what they have done for this month such as a speech from their school students about their experiences as a black person in this society, raising of the flag ceremony and the celebration of different Black people in History. Collectively, in mixed school groups, we spoke about issues and negative influences in our society like Andrew Tate Culture, the current crisis in masculinity and the rise of transphobic and homophobic views and incidents of derogatory language. After it was discussed, they thought of solutions to these problems to make a positive change.

 

We then created a mission Statement that the Wollaston ambassadors agreed that Wollaston school should stand by this being “For every Wollaston student to feel safe in their own skin and for people to respect and not discriminate against others’ beliefs” with the headline being “Respect and Accept”. From this Day the ambassadors have been given many new ideas from other schools to assimilate into our school and better it. We look forward to working with the school community to promote and educate this year. “

 

Adam, Emmanuella and Tierni

Year 11 Diversity Ambassadors

 

Notices

 

Use of the School Carpark

We have had occasions this week where cars have tried to exit the school’s carpark via the entrance to avoid waiting until the buses have exited the carpark. Needless to say, this kind of decision making does pose a risk to both students, staff on duty in that area and traffic pulling into the carpark. All drivers must follow the one-way system at all times.

 

Notices from North Northamptonshire

 

Support children and young people to take part in The Big Ambition survey !

 

The Children’s Commissioner for England has recently launched ‘The Big Ambition’ to hear directly from children, young people, and parents across the country. This is an opportunity to hear from all children, in every part of the country and in every setting. The survey will be used to encourage policymakers to think about children and young people’s needs, to ensure children’s voices are reflected in the decisions that will affect them in years to come. Education settings play a critical role in enabling us to hear from as many children and young people as possible. That is why we are encouraging all settings in England to take part and let their pupils have their say on what is important to them! To find out more head to The Big Ambition page. To take part in The Big Ambition survey visit: www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/thebigambition.

 

Measles/ MMR Vaccinations

 

The local authority has asked us to share information regarding measles and NHS guidance on how to access vaccinations for your children. Please find the NHS Vaccine Poster HERE and NHS MMR Poster HERE. Measles is highly infectious and if left unvaccinated nine out of ten children in a classroom can catch the disease if just one child is infectious.

 

PE Updates

 

Mr Bennett writes “Outstanding numbers attending PE clubs and numerous activities continue this week in the sports and PE world.

 

The U18 team were playing in the National Cup this week and were unlucky to lose to a very well drilled Samuel Whitbread School. This school regularly reaches the latter stages of the competitions, and it is a shame that Wollaston met them so early in the competition.

 

Tuesday saw an epic game of football with the Year 9’s losing 7-6 to Mark Rutherford school in extra time. The boys were desperately unlucky to have lost and even came back from 3-0 down at one point. Such a good game and so exciting to watch.

The Year 9 girls netballers won their games without conceding a point in their two matches. This week also saw great attendance at afterschool clubs with other age groups practising hard at Wollaston after school club. The boys football was extremely well attended, and this is also true of the rugby and girls football on Thursday with over 100 students involved on Thursday after school.

 

The Year 5 and Year 6 primary competition was held at Wollaston on Tuesday with 9 schools and 11 teams of primary students playing matches across two groups. The Wollaston Sports Leaders were fantastic in their support and refereeing and the event was a really enjoyable experience for all involved.

 

I also wanted to recognise students who have found recent success outside of the routine school sport experience and have performed particularly well. Congratulations to Aaron Mountford (Year 9) and Alice Wallinger (Year 8), who both who swim for Wellingborough Amateur Swimming Club (WASC) and were selected to swim for the County. This is an incredible accomplishment. Last weekend they competed in the Swimming National County Team Championships held at the home of British Swimming at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre in Sheffield. This must have been a great experience for both young swimmers and we look forward to following their burgeoning swimming careers in the coming years.

Congratulations also to Freya Garlick and Alex Parsons in Year 12. Freya has reached the final selection and training for selection to the England Age group for Hockey, having already been recognised at regional level. We really wish her the best of luck and hope that she does well. Alex Parsons recently won the Dancelines International Championships in Glasgow in her freestyle discipline, and we congratulate her in the success she has achieved.

 

We would love to hear and be reminded of any of our Wollaston students who have found sporting success outside of school and celebrate this with them. If you would like to share their accomplishments please contact Head of PE, Mr Bennett Bennetta@wollaston-school.net

 

 

Best wishes for the week ahead!

 

Simon Anderson