This week

It is has been the turn of Year 13 to complete mock examinations as well as an opportunity for any Year 11 students who missed an examination over the last few weeks to sit remaining papers. The aim is to provide Year 11 students with their results on Wednesday, 14th December. Whatever the results show, this will be an opportunity for them to reflect, to have a break over Christmas, and then to return refreshed and ready to give their all towards the public examinations in the summer.

Assemblies have this week encouraged consideration on life’s struggles, on values we all appreciate and on religious festivals such as the Jewish festival of Hannukah that reflect and celebrate these. Next week’s assemblies will recognise the significant numbers of students who have achieved their Bronze or Silver Awards for positive points, individual subject awards and other recognition of achievements. It will be a very fitting end to a successful autumn term.

After a very mild autumn and early winter, the weather has finally turned much colder. Students are encouraged to bring an appropriate coat with them in line with the uniform policy. Our site team have been hard at work putting down grit to stave off the worst of the frost. We are grateful for this as it does take a lot of time and effort on such a big site.

Thank you to everyone who joined in with Thursday’s Christmas Jumper Day for Save the Children. Everyone looked fantastic and lots of money will have been raised for a very worthy cause.

Reminders on safety

Over the last two weeks students have been reminded in assemblies about the importance of being as safe as possible when travelling to and from school. In particular, the issue of not looking at a mobile phone when crossing the road has been highlighted along with not being distracted by friends. Students should also think about their safety when riding bikes ensuring they have the correct lights, safety helmet and reflective clothing.

Parents’ attention is also drawn to the letter sent on behalf of the police about an increase in robberies in the Bromley area where school children have been targeted for items such as mobile phones.

Scarlet Fever and Group Strep A infections

Further to information sent on behalf of public health earlier this week, an outline of what the Council’s Public Health Team is doing regarding Group Strep A with advice for parents can be found at https://www.bromley.gov.uk/news/article/424/bromley-public-health-advises-parents-on-group-a-strep

Parents may also find further advice at UKHSA update on scarlet fever and invasive Group A strep – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)  

Vaping in schools

As mentioned in previous parent bulletins we are seeing a national crisis regarding children and young people using vapes in and out of school. At Darrick Wood we are very clear about the sanctions for being found in possession of a vape or in the company of those who vape. This will be at least one day internal exclusion. Repeatedly doing so, or where there is evidence of supplying to others, will lead to further escalation of sanction in line with our Behaviour Policy. We are not prepared to see young people get caught up in this worrying and addictive trend. In light of this, we monitor areas of the School where it is most likely to be happening. This week, to support this monitoring, we have installed vape detecting devices in some of our student toilets. These send an immediate alert to senior staff when vape is detected and will lead to a search being undertaken and appropriate sanctions being issued.

Christmas lunch

Students will be able to have a Christmas lunch on Wednesday, 14^th December and Thursday, 15^th December.  It will be served in Dining Hall 1 only. Other serveries will provide access to the usual snacks and sandwiches on those days.

Food Bank article

Please read the excellent article by Darrick Wood School Year 11 student, Kate Smith:

https://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/23161209.collecting-christmas-bromley-borough-food-bank/

Well done to Kate for her article and a big thank you to all who gave so generously to this worthy cause.

New regular feature on subjects. This week’s featured subjects are Spanish and Drama.

Spanish

Year 11s have now completed a full GCSE mock speaking exam over the past couple of weeks, which requires them to speak on different themes for between 6 and 12 minutes (depending on the tier they are being entered for).  Their lessons in the weeks previous were tailored to helping them develop confidence and fluency in speaking, and they were tasked with practising at home in order to do their best. If  they continue with the same focus and enthusiasm, then we expect them to do well in the real GCSE speaking exam next April.

Additionally, Spanish was a popular choice for the Year 7 students last year going into Year 8 and this year we have six classes studying Spanish in Year 8. All classes have had a very positive first term studying the language and have been enjoying learning how to introduce themselves, discuss what they like to do in their free time, express opinions and talk about their siblings, alongside covering the basics such as numbers, the alphabet, phonics and adjectives.

Last week, some Year 9 students were creating a Spanish cooking programme which they are going to be completing for homework over the next two weeks. This project will require them to write the script for the show, cook the meal explaining each step, then present their dish – all in Spanish. There will be prizes for the best videos (and scripts if they are not able to make a video). We look forward to seeing some amazing, creative work.

Looking to the future the Spanish Department are planning for a theatre company to come to school in March to perform a play in Spanish. More on that another time.

Drama

It has been a very busy past couple of weeks in Drama.  Year 11 and 13 Drama students have successfully completed their first practical examination.  Year 12 produced an outstanding performance of their adaptation of the play ‘The Woman Who Cooked her Husband’ by Debbie Isitt. Year 10 Drama students are preparing for their first Mock practical assessment next week.

This year, for the first time, a selection of Year 9 students have been able to participate in the Old Vic’s School Club. This programme (consisting of tickets to see four live performances and industry led workshops) is designed to encourage the next generation of theatre-makers through providing young people with an introduction to a broad range of non-performing roles. The students involved have already taken part in a Playwriting workshop led by industry professionals as well as watching the play ‘Eureka Day’ staring the award winning actress, Helen Hunt.

Last week the same students were able to participate in a Sound workshop as well as watching the outstanding new adaption of ‘A Christmas Carol’ at the Old Vic Theatre staring Owen Teale.  This stunning performance allowed the students to see creativity at its best as a result of the unique in-the-round staging with audience participation, cleverly choregraphed ensemble work, various sources of lighting including a plethora of hanging lanterns from the ceiling as well as the beautiful singing and inclusion of pre-recorded and live sounds such as handheld bells. If there is any show that can bring the spirit of Christmas alive, then this is it.  With the added bonus of free mince pies and satsumas for all audience members, it is truly one to go and see if you get the chance.

Finally a selection of Year 7 and 8 students joined the Drama Department on our annual trip to the pantomime on Thursday night at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley.  This year’s production of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ staring Anton du Beke consisted of all the traditional pantomime conventions that delight audience members of all ages.  With the added inclusion of a 3D segment in the second half, it brought audience interaction to a whole new level.  Tickets have already been reserved for next year’s production of ‘Cinderella’ and the Drama Department cannot wait to continue this long-standing tradition yet again with our students.

Merry Christmas from the Reading Realm! 

We are sharing some exciting news that Santa came early to the Reading Realm… and gifted us a whole new online library!

Students and staff are able to explore our digital collection of 2000 e-books and audiobooks here:

https://soraapp.com/library/uksecondary

https://uk.accessit.online/drr02/#!dashboard

To gain access students need to:

• Select ‘Darrick Wood’ and log in using their school email and password.
• They can access the e-books and audiobooks on any device with internet.
• The collection contains fiction and graphic novels, non-fiction and revision guides at all reading levels.
• They can change the font, font size, and paper colour. There is also a dyslexia friendly font option!
• They can highlight, make notes, and add books to their digital bookshelf/wish list. They can also earn badges and track progress as they read!

Below are some pictures of the decorations and creations by Year 7-9 students to celebrate Christmas in the Reading Realm with books and friends!

Rotary Club Masterchef competition

Below are some pictures from the Junior Masterchef competition held on Friday in conjunction with the Rotary Club.  The standard of work really impressed the judges and they took a long time deciding on the top 3. We are hopeful that all three finalists will go through to the next round.

Dates for the diary

Monday, 5th December to Friday, 16th December inclusive	Year 13 mock examinations (students on study leave)
Friday, 9th December	Year 11 Music practical

Week Commencing 12^th December 2022

Tuesday, 13th December	Year 10 Drama practical
Wednesday, 14th December	Year 11 Drama written evaluation
Wednesday, 14th December and Thursday, 15th December	Student Christmas lunch available
Thursday, 15th December 7.00pm	Christmas Concert
Friday, 16th December – last day of term	See separate email.

Tuesday, 3rd January 2023 – Start of spring term