{"id":2164,"date":"2024-01-12T18:37:21","date_gmt":"2024-01-12T18:37:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.darrickwood.co.uk\/?p=2164"},"modified":"2024-01-12T18:37:21","modified_gmt":"2024-01-12T18:37:21","slug":"parent-bulletin-12-01-24","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.darrickwood.co.uk\/?p=2164","title":{"rendered":"Parent Bulletin 12\/01\/24"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This week<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assemblies this week have focused on what it means to be a neighbour and in particular a good neighbour. Students also reflected on how technology is changing what we mean by neighbour and bringing people closer together virtually. The example was shared of how the Duolingo app is being used by millions of people worldwide to learn languages and how, by learning another language, we can then develop closer links with others that we might not otherwise have been able to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately we have continued to experience issues with our new catering arrangements. Please see the separate email from the Head Teacher regarding how we are looking to resolve remaining difficulties. Please check your child’s ParentPay balance this weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cologne Christmas Market trip – December 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The final Friday of the term, 40 Year 11 students and 4 members of staff set off on the annual German Christmas Markets trip to Cologne. Despite the ungodly 4am start, both staff and students were in good spirits as our coach trundled on to the 6.55 Dover to Calais crossing. The weather was dry and fine and allowed even faint-hearted souls to enjoy the Channel views from the deck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our journey through the Low Countries passed without incident (unless you count having to pay to visit the toilet in the Belgian service station) and by the afternoon we were in the outskirts of Cologne, getting ready to drag suitcases into the hostel reception. Our party gamely feasted on the Friday night fish that the hostel had on offer as the evening meal and we then repaired to our first stop; the Hafenmarkt. <\/em>Surrounded by the twinkling Christmas lights, the nautically-themed market stalls and the live music, our Year 11 students soon got into the festive spirit. A few hours later, however, we were tucked up in bed ready for a long day ahead of us on the Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

As we headed out into Cologne in the daylight, we could see the city centre decorations near the Old Town. We passed these by to head to the just-opening Schildergasse<\/em>, Cologne\u2019s premier shopping street. A few hours later, we moved to the cathedral square, in the shadow of the ever impressive, K\u00f6lner Dom, <\/em>Germany\u2019s most visited tourist attraction. A number of our more stout-hearted students scaled the tower in order to gain breathtaking views of the city. After some more retail therapy in the already bustling Christmas Markt am K\u00f6lner Dom, <\/em>we headed to our next stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our next port of call on the itinerary was the Schokoladenmuseum <\/em>(chocolate museum). As students made their way through the manufacturing rooms of the exhibition, some managed to accrue quite substantial free gifts of freshly-made chocolates\u2026..others less so. Wie schade!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Right next door to the Schokoladenmuseum <\/em>is the Deutsches Sport & Olympia Museum <\/em>where visitors are treated to the story of sport and games from prehistory to the present day. This is an interactive space and very soon our students were jumping, stretching, boxing and lifting. Many of our party made their way to the roof of this re-purposed wharf building to play football. Even the physically improbable prospect of Mr Wright playing football came to pass as two matches took place on these pitches, picturesquely situated next to the Rhine and with a view of the cathedral and the Ferris wheel of the harbour market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday night\u2019s trip into the city was to the Heinzels Winterm\u00e4rchen <\/em>market which is located between Alter Markt <\/em>and Heumarkt. <\/em>The Heinzelm\u00e4nnchen <\/em>are mythical creatures, not unlike gnomes, and all of the theming of this, arguably the most Christmassy of the markets, reflected their presence with signs, cabins and animated decorations. Despite the mild conditions, the organisers even ran to some snow, albeit it artificially generated by machines, which descended from the trees as the night wore on. Again, some of our students proved avid shoppers, finding rare trinkets and gifts for those at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The final day of our trip (aside from the journey home) was Wintertraum <\/em>at Phantasialand. The kinder weather conditions of this year compared to 2022 made the rides less of a test of endurance than they were last year. We also were able to stay a little later and enjoy the nightly Wintertraum <\/em>illuminations at the park which really do need to be seen to be believed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All good things come to an end and a slightly drizzlier Monday accompanied our trip home. Again, although I might be considered biased, Germany proved to be an excellent warm-up for the Christmas break. Ein frohes neues Jahr f\u00fcr 2024!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eco Committee Meeting 3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This week the Eco Reps met for their half-termly meeting. The Eco Committee is now supported by over 40 students across the whole school community who are keen to implement change within our school environment. The focus this term is on \u2018litter\u2019. We have invested in 40 litter pickers which are distributed across all the year teams and are used daily. The meeting including students completing a litter pick as we moved around the school site as we looked at the changes to the School Grounds and the increase in biodiversity on the site. We have also started to plan a whole school assembly with the focus of \u2018Who\u2019s World Is It Anyway?\u2019 which we be delivered by some of the Eco Reps to the whole school in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Dance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just a reminder that students in Years 7 and 8 must wear Darrick Wood PE kit on Dance lesson days. Below identifies what is acceptable kit:<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Hoodies and other branded sports tops are not permitted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dance clubs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dance clubs will start back next week and we look forward to welcoming new members. All clubs take place in the dance studio and students need to wear DWS PE kit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday after school \u2013 Years 8-10 Dance club 3.20-4pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday after school \u2013 Year 7 Dance club 3.20-4pm<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Young Carers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This week we have sent home communication to all parents\/carers with information about Young Carers.  A Young Carer is a young person who has caring responsibilities for a family member with a disability or health condition.  Young carers may provide physical care or personal care to the family member, or they may help with practical tasks around the home.  Young carers may also provide emotional support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because of their caring responsibilities, Young Carers can sometimes benefit from additional support at school.  We are asking parents\/carers to complete an e-form to tell us if their child is a Young Carer; this information will be shared with your child’s Form Tutor and teachers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PSFA uniform sale<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There will be a PSFA pre-loved uniform sale on the morning of Saturday, 20th January in the Dining Hall 10-11am. If you are able to help set up the evening before or to help out on the morning please contact the PSFA via their website (accessed via the School’s website).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Football update<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Year 7 Girls unfortunately lost in the Kent Cup \u00bc final this week 2-4 against Crown Woods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Year 8 Girls won in the Kent Cup \u00bc final yesterday 2-0 against Dartford S&T to reach the semi-final! We do not know who we are playing yet but it is scheduled for a fixed date of Saturday 3rd<\/sup> February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Year 11 Girls have their Kent Cup Semi-Final next week against Herne Bay so we will report back on that and hopefully be in our first County Cup Final for over ten years!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Year 9 girls have been drawn against Shenfield High School In the last 16 of the National Cup. Yet to be confirmed but is a huge game for the girls and the school!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All teams are now embarking on their Bromley Cup journeys and we are hoping for plenty more games and more success!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

There has been some improvement during our focus on equipment. Please check your child is fully equipped for school. The list is on the website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dates for the diary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Date<\/strong><\/td>Event<\/strong><\/td>Notes<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Thursday, 18th January<\/td>Year 13 Parents’ Evening<\/td>SchoolCloud<\/td><\/tr>
Saturday, 20th January<\/td>PSFA uniform sale<\/td>10-11am – Dining Hall<\/td><\/tr>
Thursday, 25th January<\/td>Year 7 Parents’ Evening<\/td>SchoolCloud<\/td><\/tr>
Thursday, 1st February<\/td>Year 8 Parents’ Information Evening<\/td>6.30-7.30pm at the School<\/td><\/tr>
12th – 16th February<\/td>HALF TERM<\/td> <\/td><\/tr>
Thursday, 29th February<\/td>Year 10 Parents’ Evening<\/td>SchoolCloud<\/td><\/tr>
Wednesday, 6th March<\/td>Year 9 Options Evening<\/td> <\/td><\/tr>
Wednesday, 27th March<\/td>Year 8 Parents’ Evening<\/td> <\/td><\/tr>
Thursday, 28th March<\/td>Last day of spring term (Friday is a Bank Holiday)<\/td> <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This week Assemblies this week have focused on what it means to be a neighbour and in particular a good neighbour. Students also reflected on how technology is changing what we mean by neighbour and bringing people closer together virtually. The example was shared of how the Duolingo app is being used by millions of people worldwide to learn languages and how, by learning another language, we can then develop closer links with others that we might not otherwise have…<\/p>\n

Read More Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,6,9,11,13,18],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.darrickwood.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2164"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.darrickwood.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.darrickwood.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.darrickwood.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.darrickwood.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2164"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/news.darrickwood.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2164\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2170,"href":"https:\/\/news.darrickwood.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2164\/revisions\/2170"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.darrickwood.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2164"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.darrickwood.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2164"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.darrickwood.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2164"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}