Head’s Newsletter -17th November 2023

Good afternoon

 

Thank you to all parents who attended the Year 10 Success at GCSE evening and also to the Year 11 students who attended the first of our GCSE masterclasses this week in English and maths.

 

I have been really pleased with the commitment to their studies shown by the Year 11 cohort in advance of their mock exams that start at the end of the month. Thank you also all parents who have been supporting their children with picks up – whether it be for masterclasses or fixtures- your support is very much appreciated!

 

Notices

 

If anyone is planning on visiting the Grendon Christmas fayre this Saturday, please do go and support Evie Bush in Year 10, who is showing real entrepreneurial skills by making and selling baked goods!  She would love it if anyone was able to pop in and see what she has produced, and maybe buy an item or two.

 

Key Dates for the Diary

 

  • A reminder that next Friday 24th November and Monday 27th November are professional development days and school will be closed to all students. Therefore, the usual ‘Friday fish and chip day’ will take place on Thursday 23rd November instead.
  • Monday 1800-1830: Year 7 Residential Information Evening (main hall)
  • Wednesday 1800-1900: Duke of Edinburgh Information Evening (main hall)
  • Thursday 1830 start: Holocaust Memorial Trip Parents Information Evening in the Andy Todd Sixth Form Centre

 

Sports Updates

 

Mr Bennett writes: “Wollaston School sports teams have been in winning form during the last two weeks!

 

The District Cross Country being a particular highlight with some strong finishing positions by the Wollaston athletes including Laike Favier and Iona Elwood who won their races and Zack Odell, Year 7, and Arlo Bamford Year 11 (U17) who both came second in their respective races. Thank you so much to all the Wollaston runners for working so hard and really performing well.

 

Recent results from fixtures include a desperately close game by the Year 8 U13 boys against Caroline Chisholm, where sadly we were defeated at the last on penalties, with Kobe scoring a brilliant late goal to take it to penalties. On the same day, the U14 boys took on Northampton School for Boys and were always in the game. This was their best team performance, and they certainly did well scoring 3 goals against a very strong opponent, however the boys were eventually beaten 5-3.

The Year 8/9 girls beat Northampton Academy 6-0 and progress to the next round of the County Cup in a competitive and great team performance.

 

The Wollaston Sports Leaders were delivering a charity event at Wollaston Primary School last Friday 3rd November and put together a wonderful occasion with the whole school taking part in a sponsored run. The leaders were supported by Mr Roberts and the OCR Sport 6th form students. The Primary pupils really enjoyed the event and ran superbly well.

 

The U14 girls’ netball county competition was cancelled due to poor weather on last Wednesday, however then rescheduled for Thursday. The girls were in a tough group and managed a win, draw and a loss. Sadly, this wasn’t good enough to take them to the knockout stages and further in the competition.

 

The Year 7 boys were in action in the County Cup against Parker Academy and were beaten by a tough and well drilled opponent. The team are back in action this coming week in the National Cup and we hope for a better outcome going forwards.

 

The Year 10-11 Girls football team played a Cup Game this week and were superb in their approach. They scored many goals and beat their opponents Weston Favel by quite a few goals. It was a really positive outcome for the girls playing and great to see the team progress to the next round of the cup.

 

This week the Year 7 boys travelled to St Ives in Cambridgeshire for their next round of the National Cup. They played some excellent football at times and their work rate was exceptional. Their opponents were physically dominant and scored some excellent goals and Wollaston were beaten and knocked out of the competition.

 

At the time of writing the Year 7 boys are preparing for their first rugby match where they will play against Sharnbrook Academy. This is always a tough fixture, and we look forwards to the boys playing well and hope for a victory!

 

The PE Staff and I are so proud to have so many sports and matches being played, and of course we are proud of our students who represent the school in a truly positive and admirable way.

 

Next week is just as busy with fixtures and activities and we look forward to the competitions and results upcoming!” 

 

 

Best wishes for the week ahead.

 

Simon Anderson