This week World Book Day was the theme of our assemblies all week. Here students were inspired by hearing the story of a teacher who overcame difficulties with reading when young to eventually become not only avid reader but even a Teacher of English! The assembly encouraged everyone to read more because books open up worlds that we might never otherwise experience. We might never climb Mount Everest, but we can read about it and learn from this. We might…
School production of Grease There were moments in the last few months where we really did not know if this year’s production of Grease could go ahead. On three nights this week, however, students and staff achieved something that will surely last in their memories for ever. Despite all the setbacks due to COVID, it all came together in the end thanks to the perseverance of students and staff alike. Those lucky enough to watch on any of the evenings…
Year 11 parents’ evening We are aware there were some technical issues with the SchoolCloud system yesterday. We have informed SchoolCloud of this and will be wanting ensure this does not happen again. Parents/carers who were affected should contact the School and if teachers have not done so already, they will then make alternative arrangements for feeding back to parents. Please accept our apologies if you were affected. We are also aware that parents will sometimes want more than 5…
This week Assemblies this week began in lively fashion with the Year 11 Band performing Yardbirds’ “For Your Love” and on one day this week they swapped over to play Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit. On all occasions they were brilliant and I think it was fair to say they woke us all up! We have had so many wonderful performances in assemblies this year and we look forward to many more to come. Live music is hard to beat,…
This week Assemblies this week have covered the theme of choices, freedom and equality. The civil rights movement in the USA, in particular the pivotal roles played by people such as Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr., were used to illustrate how individual choices and decisions can lead to positive change. Students were encouraged to consider how they can contribute to helping society become more equal and reminded that how they speak to each other, to friends and family…
New term reflections Parents/carers, students and staff will not need to be reminded that a year ago we were in the unfortunate position of having to experience another COVID-19 lockdown and most students were having to learn at home. Public examinations had been cancelled and we were very unsure about what would replace them. A year on and COVID-19 continues to affect life at school, but we are much more optimistic as we are able to do much of what…
Latest news On Friday there was widespread support for Christmas Jumper Day. Lots of students and staff wore a jumper or other item with a Christmas theme to raise money for Save the Children. Today students were able to wear the shoes of their choice to raise money for the LATCH homeless charity. The latter led to quite a few students initially being asked by staff (including the Head Teacher) why they were wearing trainers and not their school shoes….
This week With just two weeks left to the end of term we can start to reflect on the autumn term and consider all that we have accomplished. Cases of COVID-19 in school and in the community continue to increase, but we do not want to let this be the overriding memory of this term. Despite the difficulties and current COVID cases, attendance at Darrick Wood has been above the national average. We have been able to deliver a full…
This week Year 11 have begun their mock exams/internal assessments. We have been really impressed by how they have conducted themselves going into the Hall and other exam venues. This is a difficult time for them and they have another week of assessments to come. We encourage them to continue preparing well for each one. Whatever the result, what we do know is that by preparing well through rigorous revision, thinking hard during an assessment, learning is enhanced and they…
This week Monday saw our first Odd Socks Day and the launch of this year’s anti-bullying week. Quite a few students, especially lower down the School, along with staff wore odd socks to promote the idea that everyone is unique. Our anti-bullying assemblies were very thought provoking and encouraged everyone to use kind words so that this starts a domino effect with more and more kind words used around us. Music at the start of assemblies this term has been…