{"id":2018,"date":"2023-09-08T10:40:38","date_gmt":"2023-09-08T09:40:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.darrickwood.co.uk\/?p=2018"},"modified":"2023-09-12T10:42:36","modified_gmt":"2023-09-12T09:42:36","slug":"parent-bulletin-08-09-23","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.darrickwood.co.uk\/?p=2018","title":{"rendered":"Parent Bulletin 08\/09\/23"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Return to school<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As usual it has been brilliant seeing all our students again and welcoming students joining the School for the first time. We have held an assembly with the Head Teacher with most years earlier this week. This was an opportunity to speak about what it means coming together as a large school community every day and a reminder of all that school offers, whether that is the taught curriculum or clubs, societies, leadership and collaborative opportunities, fund raising activities, the chance to help others and to develop and grow as an individual so that, when they leave school they can be positive contributors to society and the wider world. School also enables young people to understand how to make and keep friendships, how to handle situations when they do not go their way and how to cope with people who are not nice to them. In short, school is preparation for life. Over the last two years, Darrick Wood School has started to develop and integrate our DWS life learning skills, these are skills the School community has agreed will be valued not only in school, but life beyond. The DWS life learning skills are:<\/p>\n\n\n

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In assemblies this week, we also spoke about all the things that have been going on in school during the holidays. We’ve been refreshing our oldest part of the School, making the most of a government energy efficiency grant to install new ceilings and energy efficient lighting. We had exciting plans to build on the improvements to our outside spaces made last year when we transformed the Year 8 playground and created a garden space near the Year 9 playground. We are now focusing on ensuring all outdoor spaces are utilised for activities the students want during break (e.g. football, basketball, table tennis) whilst also providing quieter spaces for those who want these. We are also very aware that during this hot weather there are some outdoor spaces that have very little shade so are looking into how we can provide this better in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, our assemblies this week also served to remind students of the importance of adhering to the uniform policy and following school rules and expectations – this all part of belonging to one community together. We celebrated the successful public examination results of last year’s Year 11 and Year 13. Teachers and other staff are always striving to improve their practice to support our students to learn best, but we also know that all students will achieve highly when they get the basics right – attending well, being punctual and making the most of their time in lessons and with home learning. They need to develop the skills and habits during KS3 and develop these further in KS4 and beyond. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are very grateful for parent\/carer support in ensuring that the vast majority of students are well equipped and ready to learn, in full school uniform. We very much hope that any remaining issues (e.g. boots being worn instead of shoes) are able to be sorted out quickly. If you have any issues please get in touch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

British Record for Charlie<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we returned to school we found out that Charlie Platt had broken the under-15 British Record for pole vault. His height of 4.33m is truly outstanding. He has dedicated so much time to this and we are so pleased he achieved his goal for the summer. Well done Charlie.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Email<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are pleased that our email system is finally now back up and running and apologise for the disruption and inconvenience this may have caused over the past week. Enquiries to the School should be sent to office@darrickwood.bromley.sch.uk<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The term ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The autumn term is always very busy. Students in Year 7 will gradually be getting to know their new school and making new friends, hopefully enjoying all that secondary school life brings. Students in Year 8 need to be building on a successful Year 7 and especially thinking about how they learn best so that they get themselves into a good position ahead of the final year of KS3. Those in Year 9 will later this year be thinking about their GCSE options for Years 10 and 11. Students in Years 10 and 12 have an opportunity to start new courses and a bit of time to enjoy gaining new knowledge, understanding and skills before the more pressured second year of their courses. Year 12 have an exciting change to get used to, studying mostly just three subjects that they love and really thinking deeply about these. Students in Year 11 of course have a big year ahead and it is really only a few school weeks before the mock examinations that begin on 20th November. Students in Year 13 will be considering about what happens at the end of this year. They will be applying to university, for apprenticeships and employment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wherever our students are at in their journey with us, they are all encouraged to make the most of their time, get involved in clubs, societies, the annual production, trips and visits. Most importantly they need to feel they belong to the wider school community and be positive role models to each other. They need to ensure they are supporting each other to be the best they can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reminders<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attendance<\/span> – please be aware that the School does not authorise holidays in term time. Requests for absence are only granted in exceptional circumstances through a request using the form available on our website. Authorisation can only be given by the Head Teacher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Punctuality<\/span> – all students are expected to be on site by 8.35am. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expectations<\/span> – students are expected to go directly home after school or when their after school activity finishes. They should also be aware of School Rule 1 which is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students are expected to behave sensibly and with consideration for others at all times
(including when travelling to and from school).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The should also remain in their full school uniform until they get home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lovibonds Avenue and surrounding roads<\/span> – we politely request that parents\/carers avoid dropping\/picking up by car if at all possible, but if necessary please avoid areas close to the School. Please also respect local residents and park with consideration. We are liaising with the relevant authorities to ensure those who park illegally are caught. Some parents have been seen to stop on the zigzag lines right outside the School driveway and need to be aware that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is an offense to stop or wait in your vehicle outside a school where the road is marked with yellow zig-zag lines during restricted times. If you do, you could be fined.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The restrictions apply:<\/p>\n\n\n\n