Headteachers Letter – 10th May 2022

Dear Parents and Carers,

Thank you so much for your messages of support, following the tragic news of the passing of one of our former students, Tom Lowe. We are incredibly proud of how students are supporting one another, and we will of course provide additional help to those who may need it, both now and in the future.

We know that students have already begun considering appropriate ways to remember Tom at Wollaston School, and we will work together with Tom’s family and friends to ensure a suitable memorial to Tom.

Our thoughts and sympathies are with Tom’s family, friends and loved ones at this terrible time.

A reminder that if students or young people need any additional support, they can contact the relevant Head of Year, or the following external agencies.

Young Minds Text helpline: Text ‘YM’ to 85258

The Samaritans: Telephone 116123

Childline: Telephone 0800 1111

 

Mark Wade Day

Today we remembered Mark Wade, a much-loved colleague, teacher and friend to many at Wollaston School who sadly passed away in June 2020. During form time this morning, students spent some time reflecting on the positive impact and influence that Mark had on so many within our school community. We have also had an array of wacky, bright and garish ties worn today to celebrate Mark’s humour and the positivity with which he embraced life and the great humour, kindness and warmth towards every member of the school and wider community. Thank you to all students and staff who part!

 

Extra-Curricular

We have had another action-packed week that saw a coach load of our athletes from Years 8, 9 & 10 take part in the district athletics championships and with Year 10 completing their bronze award expedition that they have been so busily practising for. We will have full reports of both of these fantastic events next week and in the meantime well done to everyone involved!

 

Pastoral Focus

This week there have been two celebration days across the world, first the United Nations World Environment Day and secondly, the World Ocean Day. Therefore, our pastoral focus for the week has been the environment and we have considered how we can all contribute to protecting and restoring our environment both in school and within the wider community. Students have been encouraged to get involved and find out more at www.worldoceanday.org/

This week, I also introduced to students in assembly the plan to establish an environmental group here at Wollaston School. I am seeking volunteers from the student body who would like to get involved in helping to maintain our wonderful outdoor spaces, develop new spaces on the school site to encourage wildlife visitors and also to look at how we can be ‘greener’ as a school in terms of our recycling and energy use. If your child would like to be involved, then please encourage them to let their form tutors know so we can arrange our inaugural committee meeting!

 

Wollaston Shapes Lives

It is clear that Wollaston School has a great impact on how young lives are shaped and ambitions realised. Consequently, we are looking to develop our alumni and in the first instance we are looking to create a portfolio of previous students who have gone on to interesting or even unusual careers, that we can use to inspire the next generation!

If you are interested in sharing your story, please contact FitzhughJ@wollaston-school.net

 

Simon Anderson 

Head of School