This week Thank you to parents/carers who were able to attend the Year 13 Parents’ Evening on Thursday. We hope you found the opportunity helpful and that students understand how they can make the most of their time before public examinations this summer. We wish them well in their final year at school. They have exciting times ahead but the next few months will no doubt be challenging. Their teachers and other staff are here for them. Assemblies this week…
This week Assemblies this week have focused on how we relate to our neighbours. This has been considered within different contexts. We reflected on the meaning of the Hindu festival of Makar Sankranti, which takes place this Sunday. We also considered how getting to know our neighbours, always aiming to be kind to others and going out of our way to help them leads to a better life for all. Students were reminded of our School Rule 1: Behave sensibly…
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…
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…
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…
Empowerment Conference On Tuesday 12th July, Mrs Keaney and Mr Read accompanied Darrick Wood students from Years 7-12 to the first annual Empowerment Conference hosted by Langley Park School for Girls. The Empowerment Conference was a celebration of strong female leaders and pioneers across a range of different industries, who delivered keynote speeches. The guest speakers included Melissa Cummings-Quarry and Natalie A. Carter – authors of “Grown: The Black Girls’ Guide to Glowing Up” and founders of Black Girls’ Book…
This week In assemblies this week the topic was Right Speech. The assembly started with the familiar phrase, “Is it true, is it necessary, is it kind?” Students were asked to reflect on whether, when they speak or post online, they follow this simple rule. From the looks on many faces, it would seem they do not always do this. This is no surprise – we know when we are still growing and developing, finding our way in the world,…