Headteachers Letter – 21st January 2022
Dear Parents and carers,
Thank you for your support in responding to Mr Anderson’s letter regarding uniform and particularly the use of acrylic nails. We have seen a significant improvement this week, and we do appreciate the commitment of parents and carers to ensuring that students are in full uniform and are ready for the practical demands of a broad school curriculum.
Thanks also to our students for coping with a very last minute change in Government guidance regarding face coverings! It is no longer mandatory for students or staff to wear these during lessons, although the requirement remains for their use in corridors and communal areas until the 27th January 2022. We have been made aware that guidance could change again, and if cases were to rise significantly at Wollaston School, we may also be advised to introduce our own local measures. However, the situation is relatively stable at the moment and we will look forward to the further easing of restrictions, but with the knowledge that it is fairly impossible to predict what may happen next!
Community Use Defibrillator at Wollaston School
Thanks to Irchester Romans as well as to staff at Wollaston School, as we are pleased to announce that we now have an additional defibrillator on the school site, which is housed externally, near the canteen. This is for the use of the community, external lettings, as well as for Wollaston School during the daytime. The hope of course, is that defibrillators are never required, but we do know that they have proved invaluable in saving lives which may otherwise have been lost. There are first aid staff trained on defibrillator use at both Wollaston School and community groups, but the equipment is also deigned to ensure that no prior instruction is required to use this successfully.
Cyber Security Success
Congratulations to the 5 teams from Wollaston School who took part in a national cyber security competition under the guidance of Mr Foster. We are pleased to announce that one of Wollaston’s teams were successful in reaching the National Final which will take place at DeMontford University.
Well done to Hannah, Faye, Imogen and Isla in Year 8 for this wonderful achievement and we look forward to hearing how they get on in the final!
Success for the Year 10 Football Team
We are delighted to announce that our talented and dedicated year 10 football team have secured a Semi Final place in the County Cup. Under Mr Carey’s expert management, the team beat Elizabeth Woodville School 4-1, an even more impressive feat given that the opposing goal keeper was exceptional and earned the man of the match award.
Well done to the team and we look forward to the semi-final, and hopefully further glory!
Homework Club
We are delighted to welcome Mr Holmes to Wollaston School, who will be working as a Cover Supervisor and our Homework Co-ordinator. We do know that some students struggle to find the motivation or a quiet space to complete homework, so we are pleased to launch our homework club in the Library from next week.
This will take place after school every day, and is available between 3pm – 4.30 pm. Mr Holmes will supervise and there will be support and additional resources available to assist students with their work. There is no need to book a place in advance, but of course transport home will need to be provided by parents and carers.
Please click HERE to view the flyer for full information.
Careers Information
We have established a new dedicated careers room, just outside the library which is staffed by our three specialist careers staff, Mr Myers (Wollaston’s Careers Leader), Mrs Downey and Mrs Howard.
Our guidance to students is a very strong aspect of Wollaston’s service to students, as evidenced by our 100% success in ensuring that the 2021 Year 11 cohort were able to enrol in sustainable education or training courses last year.
Our careers team provide face to face meetings, including written feedback and work both pro-actively and in response to requests. If you would like further information, please contact Mr Myers on MyersB@wollaston-school.net
Information on Knife Crime
On Thursday, we were pleased to welcome to school, members of the CIRV (Community Initiative to Reduce Violence) team who are a branch of Northamptonshire Police. The team spoke with students about the dangers of knife crime and some of the challenges which are being faced throughout the county. Whilst we know that some areas of Northamptonshire are more affected than others, it is also vitally important that we educate all students on the potential dangers and consequences of such a concerning issue, as we are also keenly aware that this is a growing issue and can become problematic without warning.
As always, thank you for your continued support. Please do get in touch if there is any aspect of our provision which you would like to discuss.
Mr James Birkett
Headteacher