This week We hope everyone had an enjoyable and restful time over the festive period. Happy New Year to all our students and their families. It was lovely to see everyone again after the break, and to have the School open without snow to deal with! However, I am sure we will all be looking forward to some lighter mornings and evenings along with the onset of spring – it seems permanently dark at this time of year. On a…
This week The arrival of snow on Sunday night meant too many staff were unable to reach the School on Monday morning and we had to close to all but three year groups. Our site staff had put grit down in anticipation the week before and this ensured they were able to clear paths and roads around the site on Monday morning. They worked incredibly hard and with the whole school back in on Tuesday they continued gritting as the…
This week It is has been the turn of Year 13 to complete mock examinations as well as an opportunity for any Year 11 students who missed an examination over the last few weeks to sit remaining papers. The aim is to provide Year 11 students with their results on Wednesday, 14th December. Whatever the results show, this will be an opportunity for them to reflect, to have a break over Christmas, and then to return refreshed and ready to…
This week Year 11 have completed their first week of mock examinations. We have been very impressed with how they have conducted themselves throughout, getting into the routines that are required for the smooth running of these examinations – remembering the equipment they need, the venues to be at on time and the rules of the exam hall/room. Arranging exams on this scale is a major operation for all schools but at Darrick Wood, we benefit from an experienced and…
Assembly This week’s assemblies focused on the Cuban missile crisis and how the actions of individuals at the time helped avoid a possible escalation towards nuclear war. The overall message was that we all have a role in trying to keep the peace by reaching out to others, helping understand their point of view and developing positive relationships with all that we meet. This linked back to last week’s assemblies on Anti-Bullying and the School’s core value of Respect and…
This week Assemblies this week have included a musical item from next week’s School Production of Oliver. Rehearsals are in full swing, and the stage is set for what we know will be an amazing performance by students from all year groups. The assemblies themselves have been looking ahead to next week’s Anti-Bullying Week and referencing Oliver where there the exploitation of the poor by the rich and powerful is a form of bullying. The theme of Anti-Bullying Week this…
Everybody Sings Thursday,13th October saw the return, for the first time since COVID-19, of our annual Year 7 singing competition. This was the culmination of half a term’s hard work by the Year 7 pastoral team, Music Department and of course all Year 7 pupils. The enthusiasm and commitment pupils displayed was outstanding, and the musical performances were uplifting and highly entertaining. The theme of the evening was Motown. 7XB, sang My Girl, featuring some prominent solos and backing harmonies.7XL gave us a…
This week Our thanks to Ella and Sasha who led assemblies all week to share their idea of a Plant a Tree Day on 25th November. Their idea is that if more of us plant trees and grow plants, it can be part of a wider national and international effort to combat global warming. The summer of 2022 in the UK alone was a reminder to us all that the climate is changing and more extreme weather is becoming more…
Assemblies and expectations Assemblies in the week before the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II focused on her long life dedicated to the service of others. Further reference to the life of Her Majesty was made in assemblies this week which had a theme of friendship and togetherness, where all in a community work towards the common good. This is what we aim for in successful schools – individuals supporting each other within a framework of rules and structures that are…
Queen Elizabeth II Students and staff arriving at school today (Friday) were greeted by the Union flag flying at half-mast as the nation enters a period of mourning and reflection on the life of Queen Elizabeth II. Whilst reactions to the news that broke on Thursday evening will vary from person to person, for many in our school community, this time may feel upsetting and strange and we will do our best to come together as a community to support…