This week

Monday saw our first Odd Socks Day and the launch of this year’s anti-bullying week. Quite a few students, especially lower down the School, along with staff wore odd socks to promote the idea that everyone is unique. Our anti-bullying assemblies were very thought provoking and encouraged everyone to use kind words so that this starts a domino effect with more and more kind words used around us. Music at the start of assemblies this term has been of the highest quality and this week was no exception with a trio on the guitar, drums and piano playing brilliantly every day.

There have been quite a few sporting successes recently and attendance at extra-curricular clubs has been really high. Some highlights in sport are the following results:

The Year 7 A team boys football beat Charles Darwin 4-1 in a very tightly fought contest.

The Year 7 B team played against Coopers A. These boys have been extremely resilient over the last term. Despite not being picked for the A team they continue to train on a Monday and Friday in an effort to improve. They won their game 2-1 as a result.

Our teams conducted themselves in impeccable style, showing respect for the opposition throughout and upholding the high standards we expect of all our students.  Well done to all involved. 

The Year 8 girls beat Bullers Wood in the Kent cup 4-3 on penalties. This was an incredible performance against local rivals who are well known to be very strong at football. The game was 2-1 to Bullers Wood until the final kick of the game where when Darrick Wood drew level. We then held on over extra-time and thanks to numerous penalty takers and some excellent goal keeping, the team won to reach the next round. They are one game away from the quarter finals.

The Year 9 girls are also extremely talented and could go on to achieve huge success in the coming months. Last week they had their first game against Coopers winning 3-2.

Finally, the Year 9 boys excelled with a goal scoring extravaganza winning 10-1 against Kemnal.

Year 11 mock examinations

These start next week and last for two weeks. They are conducted under strict exam conditions, the same conditions as in the public exams in the summer.

As per School Rules, students must not bring in valuables/mobile phones/smart watches etc. In particular they must not have these on them in an exam. They are not allowed in the exam hall/room. Any items brought in and left elsewhere are done so at the owner’s risk. Anyone found with such an item in the exam hall will face usual consequences (e.g. disqualified from paper or whole exam, consequence in school).

We know there will be worries over these exams. This is their first taste of examinations at this level and we wish all of Year 11 every success and are committed to ensuring they have every opportunity throughout the rest of this year to do well in the summer.

School uniform

As notified previously all of Years 7 to 11 must be in full school uniform from Monday, 22nd November 2021 regardless of whether they have a PE lesson. Full PE kit must be brought in to be changed into at the start of the PE lesson, ideally carried in a separate bag.

Lockers will be made available to those who want them as soon as possible. Please bear with us as we re-arrange these. Students in Years 9-11 should have handed back their key to help us re-arrange everything. They will then be re-issued with a key should they still wish to have a locker.

Coats – coats should be plain dark brown or black. They should cover arms – no gilet, nody warmers etc.

Christmas present appeal

Thank you to everyone for their efforts and donations for the Bromley Food Bank Harvest Collection. We managed to donate 175.2kg of food which is fantastic.

We are pleased to announce the launch of the Christmas Present Appeal 2021 with the Salvation Army. This is different to the Shoe Box Appeals we have done before; it is much simpler and all donations are distributed within Bromley, following on a theme of support our local community.

A presentation is being shared with students with all the information needed but a summary is as follows:

• Form Groups/Departments may decide to focus on a particular age group and gender, or they may choose to contribute to a general collection.
• Most items can be obtained from the pound shop if students choose to donate individual items. Alternatively, friends may want to join together to get a larger item such as a doll or board game.
• Select items that require no batteries please.
• Items must be brand new and not wrapped in Christmas paper. This is because items are given to parents who cannot afford to buy presents for Christmas and they are provided wrapping paper to allow them the experience of wrapping their own presents for their children.
• Charity Reps will collect items together in school and take to Pupil Reception.
• The deadline is Monday, 13^th December 2021. The gifts will then be delivered to St Mary’s Church before the end of term.

We hope you and your children are able to support this worthy cause.

Bromley Y webinar for parents

Please see below information regarding free webinars offered by Bromley Y for parents/carers regarding helping children with fears and worries. To book a place, click here.

PSFA

The PSFA have organised a Christmas disco for Year 7 on Friday 3^rd December 2021 from 7pm until 9pm and for Year 8 on Friday 10^th December 2021 from 7pm to 9pm. Drinks and sweets will be available to purchase on the night and songs can be requested in advanced.

Tickets are £5 and must be purchased in advance via the PSFA website, see links below:

Darrick Wood School PSFA Year 7 Disco Tickets

Darrick Wood School PSFA Year 8 Disco Tickets

In previous years this has been a tremendously popular event and we are glad to be able to hold it again this year.

Don’t forget to order your Christmas Tree from the PSFA. Deadline Monday 22nd November. Click here for details.

We are launching a Christmas Raffle. Click here for information and to purchase tickets.

Dates for the diary

22nd November – start of Year 11 mock examinations

24th November – Year 8 Parents’ Evening (SchoolCloud)

6th December – start of Year 13 mock examinations

10th December – deadline for applications to the Sixth Form