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We hope that students who have been sitting public examinations were able to find the right balance between rest and revision over the half-term break. For the rest of the School before the break, it was business as usual and we had some amazing music in our assemblies from the Year 9 rock band. In assemblies students were provided with some inspiring examples, both recent and from longer ago, of people who have fought for freedom from injustice. Examples included Sophie Scholl, Wangari Maathai, Rosa Park,  Malala Yousafzai and Nelson Mandela.  This week’s assemblies have focused on values. These include our own school values (Respect, Responsibility and Honesty) but also how young peoples’ values develop over time through various influences. Students reflected on the how every individual in any community and wider society has a role to play in living by and demonstrating particular agreed values including “British Values” such as democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance.

This final half term is set to be very busy with the continuation of public exams along with assessments for Years 7-9 and Year 12. We also have lots of additional events including the Art Exhibition, KS3 Sports Day, Sports Awards, Summer Concert and much more (see dates below).

The weather has been warming up, especially in the afternoons. We hope it does not develop into the sustained record breaking temperatures of last summer! In the meantime, Hot Weather Rules were in action today. This means that students may remove jackets and cardigans when moving around school. They are expected to be placed in bags and must be brought back into school each day. The decision about Hot Weather Rules is reviewed by the Head Teacher on a daily basis. Students should not assume Hot Weather Rules apply unless informed by their tutor/teacher. We expect all students to remain smart and other aspects of our uniform policy to be followed.

Students should use break and lunch time plus movement time between lessons to fill their water bottles. They should not be asking their teachers to leave lessons to do this. This is also the case for visiting the toilets wherever possible.

Late start on Thursday, 22nd June 2023

Please note that to facilitate arrangements for a return to our traditional “Book Return Day” for Years 11 and 13, on Tuesday, 22nd June school will start at 9.45am for Years 7, 8, 9, 10 12.

Vaping

We have written here before about concerns nationally that schools are noticing increasing numbers of children and young people vaping. The issue has been highly publicised in the media. This has become particularly problematic in areas of schools that are less supervised (e.g. toilets). As a school we have tackled this, and other issues that can occur in these areas, through investment in vape detectors and by making toilet areas easier to supervise from outside by removing the main entrance door to each toilet area. Bromley Changes have recently shared this very informative YouTube video that we are encouraging parents, students and our staff to watch in relation to the risks and issues with vaping. We hope you find it helpful.

DWS Dance Company

On Sunday, 4th June, DWS Dance Company attended their first ever Dance Competition at the Dance Championships. We entered two pieces in the secondary school category and came 1^st and 2^nd! What a fantastic achievement!

Transport for London STARS Top Schools Award

As mentioned in a previous bulletin, we are so proud of our students who attended the special award ceremony at the Kia Oval. Well done everyone!

Year 8 Sayers Croft Residential Trip

A presentation for parents will take place on Monday, 12^th June at 5.30pm in the New Dining Hall. There will also be an opportunity to ask any questions regarding the trip. For those parents that are unable to attend, the presentation and the kit list will be emailed.

Sports Day – Years 7, 8 and 9

Earlier this week parents/carers of students in Years 7, 8 and 9 were sent a very important email about this year’s Sports Day which is quickly approaching on Tuesday, 11^th July. Students will be given thorough instructions via tutor time and assemblies, but it is important that parents/carers read the email and understand what is required for the day to be a success. This is particularly important due to the nature of an off-site school day. It is essential that parents/carers complete the the form to indicate they have read and understand the information about this day. Completing the form will also save staff a huge amount of time having to telephone parents/carers and checking the information has been received.

Many thanks in advance

Mr Simpson, Head of PE

Charity update

We were delighted to receive this certificate of thanks from Bromley Foodbank recognising the donations from students and staff in the recent collection. Well done to all who gave so generously.

Duke of Edinburgh

We were also delighted to receive this “Thank You” from the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award recognising the 559 hours of volunteering undertaken by our students during 2022/23. All involved should be very proud of themselves.

Athletics

Our Inter Boys team comprising Year 9 and Year 10 athletes competed in the Regional B Final of the ESAA Cup in Gillingham on Thursday 8^th June. They scored a total of 382 points, exceeding the 364 they achieved in the 1^st round event. Such was the standards of competition they finished 8 out of 12 teams.

Highlights include:

Charlie scoring 50 points for the team in his two events, Pole Vault (3.60m) and 100m (12.0)

Michael scoring 39 points in High Jump (1.59m!) and 100m (12.3)

Rohan jumping 11.10m in Triple Jump and 25.1s 200m to score 37 points

Max winning his 300m race in 39.9 and jumping 1.47m High Jump scoring 36 points.

Oscar throwing 28.86m in the Discus and running 1500m in 5:22 for 2 PBs scoring 33 points

Joe running 2:19.8 in the 800m and a great performance in the 4×100 relay (52.2s) scoring 36 points

Well done to all involved.

PSFA

Tables are still available for the PSFA Quiz Night on Friday, 14^th July. 

Please book here: Darrick Wood School PSFA Darrick Wood Summer Quiz Night!

Any donations for the raffle will be gratefully received. Please leave these at Main Reception marked FAO PSFA.

Second hand uniform is needed in time for the next uniform sale. It can be dropped off at Reception.

The PSFA lottery is a fantastic way to raise money for the School. See here for details.

Dates for the diary

Monday, 12th June to Friday, 16th June	Year 7, 8, 9 Assessments – week 2
Monday, 12th June to Wednesday, 14th June	Year 12 Textiles exams
Monday, 12th June 5.30pm – 6.30pm	Sayers Croft trip parents’ meeting in Dining Hall 2
Wednesday, 14th June 5.00pm to 7.00pm	Art Exhibition
Thursday, 15th June 3.15pm to 5.15pm	Year 9 Old Vic Workshop
Thursday, 15th June 6.00pm	Poland trip parents’ meeting in Dining Hall 2
Friday, 16th June to Monday, 19th June	Madrid trip
Wednesday, 21st June evening	Year 9 Old Vic performance trip
Thursday, 22nd June – school starts at 9.45am for Years 7-10 and 12	Book Return Day/Year 11 Leavers’ Assembly
Thursday, 22nd June evening	Year 11 Prom
Saturday, 24th / Sunday 25th June	DofE Bronze assessed walk
Monday, 26th June to Friday, 30th June	Year 12 Assessments
Tuesday, 27th June	Year 12 September 2023 Orientation
Tuesday, 4th July	Year 6 to 7 Transition Day
Tuesday, 4th July 7.00pm	Dance production
Wednesday, 5th July 7.00pm	New Year 7 parents’ evening
Thursday, 6th July to Sunday, 9th July	DofE Gold Peak District trip
Monday, 10th July to Friday, 14th July	Year 12 WEX
Tuesday, 11th July	Sports Day for Years 7,8,9
Tuesday, 11th July	Year 10 Work Related Learning Day
Wednesday, 12th July 7.00pm	Sports Awards Ceremony
Thursday, 13th July 7.00pm	Summer Concert
Friday, 14th July	Year 9 Team Building day
Monday, 17th July to Wednesday, 19th July	Year 8 Sayers Croft trip
Wednesday, 19th July to Friday, 21st July	Year 8 Sayers Croft trip
Wednesday, 19th July to Monday, 24th July	DofE Gold Brecon Beacons trip
Friday, 21st July	End of term
Thursday, 17th August	A level results day
Thursday, 24th August	GCSE results day
Monday, 4th September	Year 7 and 12 return to school
Tuesday, 5th September	All year groups return to school