Blog week ending 1st March

Our annual WG6 Cultural Trip to New York had an amazing time creating memories, broadening horizons and inspiring life goals.  Mr Colledge, Head of Business Studies and Economics works with students to create a stimulating itinerary that inevitably includes a visit to New York’s famous financial district as well as endless opportunities to enjoy the quintessential New York experience!  As you can see from the below, it was a huge amount of fun too, featuring the Rockefeller Center, Grand Central Station, a snowy central park, ice-skating and more!

Our Year 11s played Trinity from Belvedere at football. It was a nice afternoon spent with many fellow Year 11 supporters and a sunny sunset in the crisp air. The overall score was 3-1 to Wilmington, with goals scored by Charlie and Leo. This will be their last game together, Mr Hook wishes them well for their exams. A special mention to Leo who was a goal-scorer in a 2-2 draw against Arsenal last week!

Our Year 9 Artists have been exploring the work and techniques of Dutch artist Eric Cremers.  Inspired by Brazilian shanty towns (called favelas), Eric’s artworks are intricately detailed 3D sculptures made to be hung on a wall, created using cardboard and found items such as driftwood.  Working together in groups using card and scrap boxes students have made their own architectural sculptures.  Students demonstrated an understanding of form, design and creative collaboration.  Whilst learning through these processes, students were also developing their fine motor skills.  There was a great deal of experimentation and learning through making, an important aspect of the creative journey.

Our Model Railway Club continues to develop, with students currently in the process of building their own layout. Since we began the club in September, following the success of our Steam week activity last July, we’ve been giving students the chance to develop skills they might not have the chance to within the normal school curriculum. Our goal has been to create a layout which we could take to a model railway exhibition, and recently we have been accepted to our first one, which will take place next January. Currently the students are working on the first two sections of their layout, this has been designed around a model viaduct which the students have made. In addition, students have been honing a range of skills, including model making, electronics and painting.

Many thank you to the following businesses that continue to support us through their kind donations: Bachmann Europe, KR Models, Rapido Trains UK, Gaugemaster and Plus Daughters (Basildon)  If anyone has any donations, please email Dr Harris lharris@wgsb.co.uk

I accompanied students to a thrilling Rugby match, Saracens versus Leinster at the impressive Stonex Stadium.  It was a brilliant experience made better by a home win for Saracens with a score of 31-19

Year 12 Politics students made a trip to Parliament in Westminster to learn about the workings of the UK Government, an integral part of the A Level curriculum. Upon arrival, the students undertook a guided tour of the Palace of Westminster and had the opportunity to stand inside both the Houses of Commons and the Lords and learn about the processes and history of our political system. This was followed by a question and answer session with Dartford MP; Gareth Johnson. Mr Johnson was asked questions on a number of issues including his Private Members Bill seeking to end the Expansion of ULEZ, his voting record and his thoughts on reforming the House of Lords. After a short lunch break, the students attended ‘Home Office Questions’ in the House of Commons, which included some lively and heated debate before seeing the Speaker of the House make a statement on the issue of a vote around tensions in the middle east.  Many thanks to Mr Johnson and his team for organising a terrific day.

Dr Harris was invited to Selwyn College, Cambridge by former WGSB student and first year History student, David Ruston to speak before the college’s history society. Dr Harris’s lecture was focused around his research into Britain’s involvement in the early Olympics, with a 45 minute speech given, followed by questions. Following this, David and Dr Harris were joined for a Formal Dinner by Professor David L. Smith, the colleges Director of Studies and Admissions tutor.

PTA Update. 

PTA Lottery: Added onto Parent Pay is the option to buy tickets for the remaining part of the year. £6 for the remaining part of the year from March - August for one unique number. More than one number may be purchased. Each number goes into six monthly draws between March and August. Prize money is £30 per month. All funds to help PTA support the students. Winners will be notified by the PTA. Please note, cut-off date to join the lottery is 15th March 2024 to be included for the year.

Uniform Shop: We will be having an upcoming uniform shop.  If you have any donations for uniform or PE kits, please do drop them into the main office for the attention of the PTA. A list of items and prices will be sent out before the event.

Save the Date: Summer Fair to be held on Saturday July 13th 11am – 2pm.

Forthcoming Dates;

Year 7 (7B, N & T) Trip to Tower of London – 5^th March

Year 9 GCSE Options DEADLINE – 8^th March

Year 11 History Revision Day – 8^th March

Year 7 (7D, H & S) Trip to Tower of London – 11^th March

Year 7 Parents’ Evening – 12^th March

F1 in Schools – Year 10 Team are in the National Finals – 12^th March

MFL Language Hub Trip – 14^th March

WG6 Grade Booster Workshop – 18^th March

Spring Arts Festival 21^st March

Year 10 Progress Exams, results home – 28^th March

Last Day of Term 4 – 28^th March

Year 12 Progress Exams – 15^th April – 26^th April

First Day of Term 5 – 15^th April

 

Best wishes,

Stuart Harrington

Head Teacher