Blog week ending 6th May

Posted on: 06/05/2022

Mrs McKenna together with our Librarian, Miss Ogunkanmi are encouraging students to join with them and read the shortlisted books from the Carnegie Medal Award!  Students will share their reviews … and vote for their favourites ahead of the winners being announced on the 16th June … so that’s six weeks to read six books!  There are copies of the books available in the library – please speak with either Mrs McKenna or Miss Ogunkanmi if you wouold like to join their reading group!

  • October, October by Katya Balen
  • Guard Your Heart by Sue Divin
  • When the Sky Falls by Phil Earle
  • Everyone Dies Famous in a Small Town by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock
  • The Crossing by Manjeet Mann
  • Tsunami Girl by Julian Sedgwick
  • Cane Warriors by Alex Wheatle
  • Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam

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Mrs McKenna’s Year 8 Drama students have been exploring their creativity with a series of improvised workshops.  Using visual prompts students made a series of freeze-frames which show a ‘moment’ or an image.  Below, students using witches and fairies as inspiration!

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Mrs McKenna together with our Librarian, Miss Ogunkanmi are encoraging Year 9 and 10 students to join with them and read the shortlisted books from the Carnegie Medal Award!  Students will share their reviews … and vote for their favourites ahead of the winners being announced on the 16th June … so that’s six weeks to read six books!  There are copies of the books available in the library – please speak with either Mrs McKenna or Miss Ogunkanmi if you would like to join their reading group!

Mrs Dent, Head of Music has a schedule of exciting and rewarding clubs … and everyone is welcome!  Our new Glee Club (pictured below) is lead by a professional singing coach every Wednesday lunchtime.  Our Music department is a vibrant hub of creativity – and welcomes students who would like to use the space to practice their instruments and/or singing techniques or to come along and join one of the below clubs currently on offer.

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As part of our ongoing programme of in-school staff training and development a specialist trainer and psychologist delivered a session entitled ‘Student Emotional Wellbeing’.  The session forms part of our Trust commitment to ensure all staff are fully trained and equipped to support the mental health and wellbeing of all students.  The knowledge and skills gained are implemented across the school.  However, a range of targeted student support sessions are delivered by our Student Managers.  Students have access to lunchtime clubs, resilience sessions and a number of "Way to Wellbeing" workshops. These have recently included a session for Year 11 on coping with exam stress.

Our newly appointed Year 10 and Year 12 Student Wellbeing Leaders are busy creating an assembly to share with the whole school on mental wellbeing and resilience to mark Mental Health Awareness week (9th - 15th May).  Our Student Wellbeing Leaders together with Mrs Pritchard SEN Manager, WG6 students and Mr Lennon are currently working on our Nurture Garden which provides a quiet place for students and staff .. and an opportunity to be part of the team working on our school gardening award with the Royal Horticultural Society.

Pictured below, a robin .. and frequent visitor to our Nurture Garden bird feeders!

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Mrs Selfe, of our PE Department, is back from maternity leave … and married (following significant delay due to the pandemic!)  Below, Mrs Selfe working with Year 11 students on their netball skills and below that, a rather wonderful sneaky peak of her magical wedding!

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Congratulations to three Year 11 students, Jasmine F-H (team captain), Sophia B and Louisa T, who were part of the Kent County Netball Club (KCNC) that won the Kent county league as undefeated champions! Their brilliant play, determination and team spirit shone through to see them crowned the Under 16's Kent county champions.  What an achievement – well done to you all!

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PFA Update.  The Year 11 Prom has been scheduled for Saturday 25th June, 7-10pm.  Tickets are priced at £30 and includes a “mocktail” on arrival, delicious finger buffet and bottomless soft drinks for the evening, as well as the disco, photo booth and many other surprises!  Payment is by ParentPay

A photographer will be available to take photos on the red carpet upon arrival and inside in the hall.  Photos are £10 each (6 in. x 9 in.) on a card mount or £8 each without a mount.  Photos can be paid for in advance via ParentPay, or on the night (cash payments only).  If you wish to order additional photos after the event, an addition £2.75 postage will be payable.

For more information please contact, Catherine Goodhind, WGSG PFA Chair via email: wgsgpfa@gmail.com

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Please note, our school blog is moving to a fortnightly frequency and our next blog will be sent on Friday 20th May.  We welcome items from students with news of their clubs or activities outside of school so that we can celebrate all successes, both inside, and out of school.

Best wishes,

Michelle Lawson

Head Teacher

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