This week
Assemblies have focused on the theme of Opportunity. There were some fascinating videos of teachers sharing moments in their lives where opportunities came along and the difference these made to them.

As part of the Year 13 Level 3 BTEC in Children’s Play Learning and Development, students are required to demonstrate their knowledge of first aid. A representative from Daisy First Aid came into school on Tuesday to teach the students these skills during a two hour interactive first aid session. Students were shown how to respond to a number of child related emergencies including choking and cardiac arrest. They learned how to administer CPR to babies and children as well as how to put them into the recovery position. The students practised on baby and child sized resuscitation dummies and were able to test out their ability to save a choking child using the choking vest. All students thoroughly enjoyed the session and are now confident in responding to different child related first aid situations.

Poetry By Heart
On the luckiest day of the year, our Key Stage 3 Poetry By Heart competition has begun, with Years 8 and 9 competitors scheduled today. Year 7 competitions will be held next week. A further session will be held for pupils who were unable to attend their scheduled competition. Students will be judged on their memorisation and delivery of their chosen poem. Winners for each year will be entered into the national competition, with finalists performing their poem at the Globe Theatre. If your child is lucky enough to be selected, you will be contacted to sign a release form. Best of luck to all our Key Stage 3 students!

DWS Audio on Radio Kent
The work of DWS Audio once again featured on Leo Ulph’s Upload show on BBC Radio Kent this week. You can listen again to ‘A Grease Monkey and a Peacock’ on BBC Sounds via the links on this page. Congratulations to all students involved. DWS Audio on BBC Radio Kent – DWS Audio

Student Learning Bulletin
Every week for the past few weeks, students have been provided with a Learning Bulletin giving tips on how to study and learn well based on the latest research. A copy of the latest bulletin is provided below. Please encourage your child to check their school email and to read the bulletins and try the techniques mentioned. Here’s this week’s Student Learning Bulletin:

Reading out loud helps us to learn

Research has discovered that we are more likely to remember things if we read them out loud, rather than silently in our heads.

One study has shown that students who read out loud did 12% better in memory tests than those who read in silence.

Study habit tips
IMPORTANT – These tips are for studying at home. Only read aloud in the classroom if your teacher asks you to. Background noise can distracting and has a very negative impact on your classmates.
1. Practise saying subject specific words out loud – All subjects at school use words that we don’t often say every day. Make sure you get used to saying those tricky words out loud when studying at home. Saying the words will help you to remember them.

2. Pair chat – Read your schoolwork out loud to someone in your household or a friend. Can’t find a willing human…pets like being spoken to.

Resources used for this bulletin
· Forrin and McLeod (2018). This time it’s personal: the memory benefit of hearing oneself. Memory
· Reading information aloud to yourself improves memory of materials — ScienceDaily

Dates for the diary

Tuesday, 21st March	Year 9 Parents’ Evening
Wednesday, 29th March	Year 8 Parents’ Evening
Monday, 3rd April to Friday, 14th April	EASTER HOLIDAY (return Monday, 17th April)
Thursday, 20th April	Year 7 Parents’ Evening