This week Having welcomed our students back from the half-term break, we continue to do all we can to provide the best education in these challenging circumstances and adapt our arrangements as necessary. I draw your attention to various emails through this week, one of which mentions a change to the end of the school day from Monday, 9th November. The following times will apply: Years 7&8 – leave 3pm Years 9&10 – leave 3.05pm Years 11, 12&13 – leave…
Great news from former Darrick Wood student Hannah Holland whose Talent Management business, started in 2019, HLD Management goes from strength to strength. Representing female talent from social media influencers Demi Rose and Yvonne Victoria, reality tv sisters Eve and Jessica Gale Siân Carys Owen who is a DJ, HLD is founded on the principle of strong women supporting strong women. From her office near St Paul’s cathedral, Hannah’s client list grows despite this year’s unusual challenges and she was,…
Half-term We come to the end of the first half term and whilst it has been hard work and not without issues, I think we can say it has largely been very successful here at Darrick Wood with the aim of re-opening the School to all students for the first time since the lockdown being achieved and sustained. I draw your attention to the Head Teacher update email today which outline some changes we will put in place for after…
Competition close date: Monday 16th November Celebrate World Town Planning Day and take part in the Plan The World We Need competition. The Plan The World We Need competition is an incredibly flexible challenge for students and asks you to consider curriculum areas such as design and technology, history, citizenship, STEM, climate change and ICT. The competition is open to all students at secondary schools (ages 11-18). The competition asks you to compile your best ideas about helping local communities…
The Bright Ideas Challenge is back for the sixth year, asking students aged 11-14 to use their STEM skills and creativity to come up with innovative energy solutions to power cities of the future. You could win up to £10,000 for our school, high-tech goodie bags and action-packed educational experiences, so there’s every reason to think big! The competition will be launching in early November and is completely free to enter. Visit the Shell website to… ■Sign up to a newsletter to receive…
Assembly this week Introducing Black History Month, our assemblies this week focussed on equality and diversity and the positive contribution to society by black and ethnic minority British people including former international athlete from Croydon, Donna Fraser. Form time activities have also been shared by members of staff and discussed by Forms throughout the week. ID cards Student ID cards and lanyards that are lost or damaged will need to be paid for. The cost is £5. Please pay online…
Did you know that it’s World Mental Health Day on 10th October, so this Saturday? What’s your 2020 been like? Put your feelings into words, in a project led by Bupa and it’s project partners. Writing has so many benefits for our wellbeing and mental health. And in these extraordinary times, the creative process can help us make sense of how we feel. In the run up to World Mental Health Day (Saturday 10 October), Bupa are inviting all young…
Virtual assembly I had a fabulous opportunity to break a school record on Monday – something I have not had the chance to do since my own school days when things were very different indeed! Whilst the technology let me down for a short while (I became muted), I was able to speak to all students and staff across the School in a short assembly on Microsoft Teams via staff laptops. Now we have tested the system and had the…
This week With all year groups now back it has been delightful to walk around school and see lessons in progress, learning happening and our new procedures making a difference in minimising risk to students and staff. I have been very impressed to see our students quickly settling into the new routines, following instructions and understanding that whilst many things have necessarily changed in school, that we are here to help them prepare for the future. They look smart in…
Mr Timmins has reported that Charlie Platt (Year 7) has already broken a school athletics record. Mr Timmins has written the following: “You know I love a school record, so I’m very excited to announce we already have a new school Pole Vault record for Year 7! Charlie Platt cleared 2.23m at a competition yesterday beating the previous record of 2.10m. This performance ranks him 1st in the UK for a Year 7 pupil!” Charlie is also a highly ranked…