Head’s Newsletter – 18th November 2022

Good evening

It has been an action packed week again at Wollaston with our ‘I’m a Celebrity’ house event, Children in Need day and the first student leadership conference.

Next week’s newsletter will provide some details of the highlights of all of these events, however, I must acknowledge that I was really proud to see almost a hundred of our students involved in the leadership conference. The conference incorporated a range of leadership training, team work and priority planning for the academic year. Students were also joined by Andrew Thomson who delivered their keynote speech, sharing his experiences as a leader within the army. Andrew has an extensive leadership background and was a member of the army for 20 years where he led teams of increasing size, from 24 soldiers in Bosnia to his final role as Commanding Officer of a regiment of 1050 soldiers, at times based across 4 continents.  After leaving the Army in 2014 he worked in financial services for 4 years in a regulatory compliance role, and is now a leader in the defence industry. The students really enjoyed meeting him and I would like to offer thanks to Andrew for his inspirational words.

Yesterday, we also welcomed some colleagues from the trust and Sir Christopher Hatton School who came to help us with some of our school improvement priorities. This involved some lesson visits as well as some conversations with groups of students. I am very proud to feedback that all of our visitors commended the behaviour and attitudes of our students and in particular both Mrs Alison (Headteacher at Irchester Primary) and Mr Rust (Head of School at Bozeat) enjoyed seeing and speaking to some of their former students and asking me to pass on their thanks to the students for making them feel welcome.

 

PE Update

Mr Bennett write “The Wollaston School sports and activities have been busy through the week. The Year 9 boys football team played Moulton School in the National Competition and were beaten by a very sharp and organised opposition. However, the spirit and performance of the Year 9 football team was back at its best on Thursday 17th November and the team came 2nd out of 8 schools in the district. The team played some excellent football and beat some very good opposition, Unfortunately losing to Rushden Academy and the overall winners of the competition.

The U16 rugby team were in action on Tuesday 15th Nov at home vs Pitsford School. A combination of Year 11 and Year 10 players played well and scored some excellent tries to overhaul their opponents and progress to the next round of the County competition. Wednesday was the turn of the Year 8 rugby team vs Sharnbrook. The opposition were extremely strong and overpowered the Wollaston team. The players involved committed themselves well and really make a significant improvement in their performance throughout the match. There will be more to come from this year group in rugby.

There is a Year 9 rugby match next week and also Year 9/10 girls football on Thursday 24th November so please keep an eye out for information regarding this and if you are selected.”

 

Flu Vaccinations

NHS Northampton School Aged Immunisation Service, have asked us to host a Flu Vaccination session for Year 7-9 on Thursday 15th December. If you would like your child to receive a flu vaccination please complete the consent form HERE by Monday 12th December.

 

Best wishes

Simon Anderson