This week

Assemblies this week have been themed around Black History Month. The assembly was prepared and led by students and Mr Guest, Head of History and Politics. It started with a recording of students performing Benjamin Zephaniah’s Melting Pot, acted out in one of our Food Tech classrooms. Many students were involved in researching the assembly’s focus and were able to share the achievements of black women in particular. Students were encouraged to join our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Society that meets Wednesday lunchtimes where further plans are being discussed about how to promote and celebrate EDI amongst our school community.

On Wednesday we held our Open Evening for those wishing to be admitted to the School in September 2024. It was one of our busiest ever. On the night, and by email the next day, we received such lovely comments about the School and especially about our student guides and subject ambassadors. If your child was involved in this, you should be very proud of them, as are we. After the half-term break we have our Sixth Form Open Evening. This is always a very busy night and we look forward to seeing all of Year 11 there along with many others from other schools.

On Tuesday we flew the German flag. This year, we have decided to put extra emphasis on celebrating other nations with links to our school. We have a flag pole, so we want to use it better! This Tuesday celebrated 33 years since German Reunification (the year after the Berlin Wall fell and East Germany and West Germany became one nation for the first time since World War 2). As a school that teaches German to the Y half in Year 7 and others in Year 8 onwards right up to A level, it is important we know about the culture and history of a country as much as its language. The flying of flags in this way definitely generates lots of interest from our students.

Bromley Y

Bromley Y is a Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing service for children and young people. Bromley Y practitioners work closely with us as a school and offer services both individually and as part of a group. Over the half-term break, they are hosting the following online sessions which may be of interest.  

For parents

Emotionally Based School Avoidance 

For students

Managing Anxious Thoughts 

Understanding and Managing Anxiety 

Bromley Y have further sessions coming up later in the Autumn term which will cover dealing with low mood and depression, and how to manage academic stress. Their upcoming events can be seen here: Bromley Y Webinar Calendar

Reading Realm Book Fair Success

Our Scholastics Book Fair was popular and nostalgic for many, and it was great to see everyone sharing the joy of reading with friends and our community at school.

Pupils far exceeded our expectations and spent a total of £1340.09 at the Book Fair. This means we earned £737.05 in rewards for the Reading Realm to spend on new books!

Huge thank you to all involved in organising the fair and to pupils and staff who took the time to help Miss Jacobs run the fair – your help was invaluable!

We’ve played the most football in Kent, and there’s more to come

Rugby news

The first match of the season, against Hayes ended 21-12 – a closer score than last year. There are positive signs of a win not being far away, however –  with 34 students at the Sixth Form rugby training on Tuesday, this strength in number will surely pay off soon – we do not lack enthusiasm!

Message from PSFA Chair

Dear parents and carers

My name is Joanne Cummins and I am delighted to have joined the PSFA as the new Chair. The Committee and myself would like to thank the outgoing Chair Emma McGrath for all her efforts while in post, and wish her well for the future.

A little about me, I am a working mum, with two children in year 7 and year 5 and I have been the PTA Chair at a different school for a number of years. I have had a lot of fun over the years, working with some great parents to deliver really fun events for the children, and their families. And now I look forward to working with you all to raise some extra funds for the School to spend on the playground areas and eco projects.  

The PSFA raised a whopping £12k last year, which was donated to the School to purchase the new water fountains, but this is only possible with the help of our families.

How you can help:

We have a few events coming up, and would really appreciate you donating an hour of your time if you can. Please click on the following web link to see what’s in the diary for November 2023 to January 204 and to sign up: volunteersignup.org/9MMDP

I would also like to encourage you all to follow us on social media so you can be kept up to date with events, reminders and our pleas for volunteers. Please check us out:

Facebook: @darrickwoodpsa

Twitter: @DarrickWdPSA

Our next committee meeting is January 11th 2024 but if you would like to get involved or have a chat with us about getting involved, please email us: darrickwoodpsfa@outlook.com

Have a lovely weekend,

Joanne, PSFA Chair

Date	Event
Monday, 16th October to Friday, 27th October inclusive	HALF TERM BREAK
Thursday, 2nd November	Sixth Form Open Evening
Tuesday, 14th November Wednesday, 15th November Thursday, 16th November	School Production: Wizard of Oz
Monday, 20th November for two weeks	Year 11 mock examinations