Head’s Newsletter -26th January 2024

Dear parents and carers

 

We have been privileged this week to have the Holocaust Ambassadors deliver an assembly to all year groups to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. I would like to thank all ambassadors who participated and Mr Foster for supporting the assemblies.  To recognise this, I have asked for a student contribution for this week’s newsletter reflecting on their recent trip to Poland and visit to Auschwitz. Thank you to Emily Bollard for her contribution.

My thoughts on Holocaust Memorial Day (27th January 2024)

Emily Boland writes: “International Holocaust Memorial Day is an incredibly important day. Not only does it allow us to mourn the loss of the millions of Jews whose lives were cruelly stolen by the Nazis, but to also bring attention to the events during and leading up to the Holocaust so that we as a community can try and ensure that the past is never repeated. It is estimated that around 6 million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust, a statistic that is completely impossible to even imagine. I was incredibly lucky to be given the opportunity to be able to visit some of the key sites from the Holocaust on a school trip last December. I wanted to go and experience these places because I think it is an incredibly important part of our history, and I felt that being able to see it first-hand would give me a deeper understanding of what really happened. The way visiting these sites made me feel can’t even be translated into words, the sheer scale and size of what I saw was completely unexpected to me, and the knowledge and understanding I gained from it is something I hope to carry through with me for the rest of my life. We also had the privilege to visit the Jewish district of Krakow, and enjoy a meal at a Jewish restaurant accompanied by some musicians playing and singing a mixture of traditional Jewish songs. Whilst watching their performance, I felt I was getting a real taste of some Jewish culture, that might have been lost from Krakow. I was also reminded that in the end, the Holocaust was not a success. Going on the trip also made me realise how important it is for us to face the past, and that we all have a role in making sure it doesn’t happen again. By acknowledging the events of the Holocaust and making an effort to educate future generations, we can all play our part in making sure that the Holocaust and its victims are never forgotten, and that things like this are never allowed to be repeated. To learn more, you can visit this website: https://www.hmd.org.uk , and if you are interested in an act of remembrance, then you can join in by safely placing a candle or a light in a window at 8pm on Saturday evening.”

PE Updates

 

Mr Bennett writes: “The County Cross Country event was held last Saturday at the West Glebe Park in Corby and I am pleased to report that the Wollaston runners were very successful. Although the ground was still frozen under the surface, it was a wet and slippery course. The highlights came from Laike Favier completely dominating the winning the U15 Boys race to win by 12. This is an exceptional performance and a brilliant example of running. Iona Ellwood came in 3rd place in the U17 Girls race and ran well. Arlo Bamford came 9th in the U17 Boys. Other Wollaston Students who ran were Catherine Fairley, Zach Odell, Max Maloy, Myone Wilson and Jaiden Kenyon. Congratulations to all our runners.

 

The Year 8 girls football were in action against Moulton College and were unlucky to be beaten 2-1. The pitch played a significant factor in the result and the performances of both teams. The School’s leadership students were involved in the Primary Schools Dodgeball Competition organised by Mr Roberts and the tournament was played in a wonderful spirit and enjoyable atmosphere. The leaders and their officiating were top notch and really helped the event run smoothly.

 

Thursday saw the U13 girls playing futsal in the district competition at Weavers School. They won two games and drew one and ended up the winners of the round and progress through to the next stages.  There was some excellent play with a brilliant goal scored from a corner kick and volleyed home by Lottie.

 

Thursday also saw the A-level PE students playing a match against Campion School as support to their exam evidence and performance grading. This was a busy and eventful game with the final score being 4-2 to Campion School.”

 

Notices:

 

I have been contacted by the Wollaston Parish Council who have contacted me to ask parents and carers to please be considerate to our neighbours when dropping and picking up children from school, particularly when doing so from Hookhams Path. Therefore, if I could ask that when dropping and picking up, all parents and carers drive and park responsibly and considerately and ensure that grass verges are not parked on and drive ways are not blocked.  Thank you for your cooperation with this.

 

Key Dates

 

Thursday 1st February

 

  • Year 8 Parents Evening (Virtual on Edulink)
  • Year 9 Vaccination Boosters

 

Best wishes for the week ahead!

 

Simon Anderson