Head’s Newsletter – 21st July 2023
Dear parents and carers
We have reached the end of the year and what a year it has been. We are immensely proud of our students and staff and what they achieve day to day, week to week and term to term. I am very pleased that we had the opportunity to have our ongoing work recognised by Ofsted this year- and I very much look forward to the opportunity to continue this good work in the new academic year.
It is also the time of year where we say farewell and good luck to staff moving on to pastures new. Two such staff have been with us for over 20 years, and I would like to recognise the great impact they have had at Wollaston over those years. Firstly, science teacher Dr Faye Sheldrick, who leave us to join a school closer to home: Dr Sheldrick has been a key member of staff in science and notably for our current students has done some amazing work with the Eco Ambassadors in gaining the green flag and Eco Schools status this year. Secondly, I would like to mention our MFL teacher, Mr Rockingham, who has done an amazing service of 22 years to Wollaston who is retiring to pursue some adventures with his family. Mr Rockingham in his time at Wollaston has contributed so much to the school, notably with the German exchange visits and the connections made with colleagues and students in Bremen. Good luck to all our departing colleagues.
Notices
Start of Term
A reminder that the autumn term commences on Tuesday September 5th at 08.30. Students are expected in full school uniform on this day including their ties which we had relaxed expectations on for the summer term! Also, the annual reminder that trainers are not part of the school uniform (whatever your child may tell you!) so please do ensure that if you are out shopping for new uniform over the summer that precious money is not wasted on buying footwear that is not part of our uniform expectations.
French Trip
Zoe Callister and Zoe Low (Year 8) write “Last week a group of 55 students in Year 8 and Year 10 got an opportunity to go to Normandy, the first time the trip has run since 2019. We stayed at Bernieres sur-mer in a hostel located close to the beach where we enjoyed fun games every evening. The rooms were good with ensuites and bunk beds, with four in each room. The food was amazing, and the staff were kind. We went to a cheese factory which smelt ‘interesting’! We also visited the Bayeux Tapestry. We went to Mont St Michel and although the walk was long it was beautiful. We were given lunches and they were good, but some people don’t like tuna (which we had a lot of!). We saw the D Day landing beaches and watched a video about it in a 360° cinema. We also had time to go to a supermarket and some free time in a local French town. Thank you to the brilliant staff at Bernnieres sur-mer and the teachers who came & organised the trip. Thank you, Mr Brookes, Dr Gracey, Mr Bloomfield, Mrs Weir-Smith and extra thanks to Mrs Berry for organising the trip.”
Eco Schools Green Flag
I am pleased to announce that the school has been award an Eco Schools green flag. The Eco Schools program is designed to empower young people to make a difference in their school, local community and beyond. The areas they have focused on this year were energy, litter and biodiversity. This work has involved lots of the students and staff, and was coordinated by our Eco Ambassadors and Dr Sheldrick. I have been privileged to meet with the eco-ambassadors recently to hear about their plans and to see how I could support them to make Wollaston an environmentally sustainable school and I look forward to seeing the outcomes in the coming academic year!
The Eco July Newsletter can be read HERE
Leavers and Starters
We would like to say farewell to the staff leaving us.
Dr Anna Gracey – Teacher of MFL
Dr Faye Sheldrick – Teacher of science
Miss Claire Jones – Teacher of computing
Miss Gemma Campion – Teacher of MFL
Miss Libby Tiernan – Teacher of dance
Miss Megan Bishop – Teacher of English
Miss Phillippa Stothers – Teacher of MFL
Mr Oliver Burton – Teacher of English
Mr Scott Rockingham – Teacher of MFL
Mrs Gabriele Willis – Teacher of geography
Mrs Natalie Sharkey – Student Mentor
Mrs Rousannara Miah – cover supervisor
Miss Niamh Cardwell – librarian
Mr Matt Sanders – cover manager
Miss Justyna Widera – Learning Support Assistant
We would like to extend a warm Wollaston welcome to the following staff to the team in September:
Mr A Varley – Teacher of geography
Miss K Bird – Assistant SENDCO
Mr T Hawkins – Head of English
Miss E Wakefield – Teacher of art
Ms V Smith – Teacher of science
Miss H Seaton – Teacher of dance
Miss E McNeil – Teacher of dance
Mrs S Kerr – Teacher of science
Mrs S Ballinger – Teacher of MFL
Mr L Towers – Deputy Headteacher and Teacher of history
Mr G Taylor – Teacher of computing
Safeguarding and Wellbeing Bulletin
Please see below a link to the termly bulletin from Ms Walker, Assistant Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Term 6 Safeguarding and Wellbeing bulletin 2023
Summer notices from the local authority
CCO-Pornography-and-Young-People
Measles Parent Carer Letter 190723
Places where kids eat free or for £1
Best wishes for the summer break.
Simon Anderson