Blog week ending 10th June

We launched our own Platinum Jubilee Celebrations early, and spent the last day of term with a distinctly 50’s themed Wilmington Grammar School for Girls!  As you can see from the below photographs students and staff very much got into the swing of it!  There were countless wonderful outfits, including our brilliant student musicians and singers who put on a period piece show during assembly – thank you to all our student performers and Mrs Dent for arranging such an amazing performance.  A highlight of the day was a very special talk from Mrs Diane Connell, who attended WGSG as a student when it first opened!  Students were very relieved that they attend school today at a time when the whole curriculum is offered to both boys and girls and teachers didn’t wield a cane to ‘encourage discipline’!  Mrs Connell is a Trustee of Endeavour MAT and was previously Chair of Governors of WGSG and has been a lifelong supporter of and contributor to our school and its students and staff.  Students were very keen to learn more and asked lots of questions including “what piece of advice would you give us today?”  Mrs Connell responded “first and foremost, please remember to be kind to yourselves, give yourself time and don’t be too hard on yourselves; you have a lifetime of adventures ahead of you”

Additionally, students enjoyed especially themed lessons and a Jubilee menu for lunch!

Introducing Mrs Diane Connell who is a Trustee of Endeavour MAT and was previously WGSG’s Chair of Governors and school alumni, having attended in the 1950s

The PE Department entered into the spirit of the day.

Our catering staff created a special menu and decorated the food hall and kitchen with bunting and Royal memorabilia

Please join me in welcoming our Head Students to their new roles.  Each has demonstrated attributes, insight and skills that will see them making excellent ambassadors and role models for our students and as speakers at events and school open days with the wider community.  I, and the rest of the Senior Leadership Team look forward to working with them.

“Hello everyone, my name is Sydney and I am delighted to introduce myself as the Head Girl of WGSG. Since year 7, I have aspired to make a positive impact on the school and I knew that I would be able to do just that if I were in this position! I have many objectives that I would like to fulfil, but my main one would be; to improve the career opportunities for the entire school, from the encouragement to take part in extracurriculars in order to support student's CV's by developing their soft skills, to helping students obtain and apply for work experience as early as year 9. I'll also encourage students to speak up about what they would like to see in order to support them fulfil their ambitions by giving them a better understanding of the actions they need to take. â€‹I am thrilled to collaborate with you all!”

"Hello, my name is Jordan and I am the new Head Boy for this year. I am delighted to have this role as it has been a personal ambition for many years! For the next year, I am determined to deliver on our promises as a team as well as my own personal goals which include improving the school's environment, inclusivity and skills training schemes. I think that I will bring lots of enthusiasm and interesting perspectives to the role and I aim to leave a lasting legacy upon the school."

“Hello all, my name is Lily and I am taking on the role of deputy head girl, I am beyond honoured to have been given this amazing opportunity which I hope I will fulfil to the best of my ability. In my role I aim to focus on the environment, improving the sustainability of the school and reducing our effect on the planet and educating students on how they can help. I also want to work collaboratively with the younger years in all aspects of my role and bring back the sense of togetherness that may have been lost down to separations during times of covid. I am excited to take on this new challenge and work with you!”

 

“Hi all, my name is Will and i am your new deputy head boy here at Wilmington grammar school for girls. With this new-found responsibility I hope to be a role model and a bridge between students and teachers to allow opinions to be heard and hopefully integrated in our school. I also aim to be planning more events in order to enhance our school experience while widening our knowledge on issues and things that need to be celebrated. I will carry out this role to the best of my ability and hopefully it’s a successful tenure.”

Our Nurture Garden group hosted an Open Event to share news of their project with staff and WG6 students.  Thank goodness the weather was kind to us as we shared our plans for the future … as well as cake and refreshments with visitors.  The group have done so much to transform an overlooked and rather barren corner of the school into an oasis of calm and beauty.  Members of our senior leadership team, teachers and support staff from across the school gathered to explore the garden and learn more about the project’s ambition to develop the garden.  In addition to preparing the flower beds and planting, students have made a host of complementary bird feeders, wind chimes and decorated plant pots to encourage wildlife to the area as well as installing a relaxing seating area to enjoy the garden from!  Students have been working in conjunction with the RHS Campaign for School Gardening to learn about the planting and care of the garden and are now working toward their Level 3 RHS School Gardening Award.

Science Club update – thank you to Tomisin A for providing the below photo and news from the latest Science Club.  “We were testing aluminium as a conductor of heat using a tealight candle turbine, which show principles of convection as the aluminium spins on top of a kebab stick as the heat rises. If more candles are used the aluminium spins faster.”

Our Governor, Bridget Ampofo was recently interviewed by Inspiring Governance regarding her role here at WGSG, which can be read below;

Educator on Board: meet Bridget Ampofo, teacher and school governor

Educators: have you considered volunteering as a school governor?

There are so many benefits to the role, both professional and personal: joining the governing board of a different school or trust offers a fantastic development opportunity where you can use your expertise in a different context and setting, and the chance to help children and young people in your local community.

We spoke to Bridget Ampofo, a primary school teacher based in Kent, who told us why she got involved in volunteering as a governor, the skills she has taken back to her own school- and her highlights in the role so far.

“My name is Bridget and I am a teacher and middle leader in a Catholic school in Kent. I am a governor at Wilmington grammar school, a girls school with a mixed sixth form, and I’ve been in the post for about a year. The school has a fantastic ethos that respects the individual and celebrates the rich diversity of students’ backgrounds and the heritage of the students and staff. Their mission really resonated with me and that drove me to become a governor in the school.

What made you initially decide to volunteer as a school governor?

I felt motivated to give back to my community, but wasn’t sure how best to do it. While researching for a CPD session that I was running, I came across the Inspiring Governance website and thought – actually, this could be the perfect opportunity for me! I had always wanted to become a governor and reading through the information on the site inspired me to sign up. I also wanted to further develop my professional skills and to gain more knowledge about the learning opportunities that are being offered to the students who live in my community.

What skills and insight have you brought to the governing board from your professional background?

I teach in a primary school and volunteer in a secondary, and being able to share some of the experiences that younger children face, and offer strategic insight into what to look out for when they transition into secondary school. It has also been an opportunity to further develop my leadership skills and to network with others from different professions and different walks of life – it’s great to learn from others who have a common interest in education to share different perspectives.

What have been the benefits to you from a personal perspective?

It’s so rewarding. Being informed about how other schools work and being able to influence what happens in a school other than my own – I have found it really enriching and fulfilling.

If you could bust one myth about volunteering as a governor, what would it be?

I couldn’t stop at one, I have three! One, that you need to have children attending the school where you want to volunteer as a governor – not true! Two, that you have to be a teacher to be a governor – you can bring your own experiences, knowledge and skills from any profession to the table. Three, that it is overly time consuming – of course, you need to give some of your time but once you have understood the requirements of the role and are able to prioritise, it is absolutely manageable.

If you could pick one highlight of your time as a school governor so far, what would it be?

My highlight so far has been attending an event at the school to showcase all the great things that they are doing. The staff speak so passionately and share evidence to show the measures they are putting in place for the children – considering what schools have been through over the last two years, it gives me a real sense of pride that we are helping to make a difference to the local community.

I have also been able to attend training opportunities offered by The Education People which has further supported my skills and deepened my knowledge as a teacher and governor. The training enhances and inspires personal and professional growth and development.

Would you recommend the role of school governor to teachers and other professionals with a background in education?

I would highly recommend it. Being a school governor has enabled me to be involved in the strategic development of a school, and therefore make a positive impact on the community. Teachers know how much support students need when going through the education system, and by volunteering as a governor, sharing our knowledge and skills, we are able to make that impact and help the next generation get a great start. It’s another way to make a difference.”

Huge thanks to Bridget for helping to make a difference through volunteering as a school governor! To find out more about the role of school governor and to apply, please click here Become a school governor - Inspiring Governance

PTA Announcement. Year 7 & 8 Disco, on Friday, 17^th of June from 6pm - 8.30pm.  Tickets are £5 each. Snacks and drinks will be sold at the event. 

This event is payable by cash or cheque (exact money only please) – via reception.  Full details can be read on our website here

The Year 11 Prom has been scheduled for Saturday 25^th 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

A local club is looking for new players ..

Forthcoming:

End of Year Assessments Years 7, 8 & 9 commence Monday 13^th June

Year 12 Careers Event 16^th-21^st June

Year 12 work experience from 11^th July

 

Best wishes,

Michelle Lawson

Head Teacher