This week

With just two weeks left to the end of term we can start to reflect on the autumn term and consider all that we have accomplished. Cases of COVID-19 in school and in the community continue to increase, but we do not want to let this be the overriding memory of this term. Despite the difficulties and current COVID cases, attendance at Darrick Wood has been above the national average. We have been able to deliver a full and broad curriculum.  We have been re-introduced a wide ranging extra-curricular programme, probably better than that before the pandemic. We have re-introduced school trips, are planning trips abroad in the next year and many students in our older year groups are registered for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Assemblies have returned for most year groups and musical performances have been of a very high quality. If we contrast this to a year ago, we must conclude we are in a better place, despite current concerns about COVID-19.

Students in Year 11 have spent the last two weeks completing their mock examinations. It will have been a very tiring time for them all and we wish them a well-deserved break over the weekend. Next week it is the turn of Year 13 and we wish them well for these important assessments. Many of them are busy either receiving offers from universities or finishing their applications or waiting to hear results. It is always exciting to hear about their offers and about other plans they have for once they finish their final year with us.

We are very grateful to the team of Sixth Form students who helped decorate the Christmas tree in the foyer in the Barker Building today. It has brightened up this area and is a reminder that the festive period will soon be upon us. Thank you to all who helped. The picture below does not really do it justice.

PSFA Christmas trees

The PSFA would like us to remind parents/carers who ordered a Christmas tree that these will be available for collection at the School this Sunday, 2-4pm.

COVID-19/January 2022

For the rest of this term and over Christmas please encourage your child to complete two LFD tests per week. If they are positive or have symptoms of COVID they must not attend school but isolate and arrange for a PCR test. All students must sanitise/wash their hands regularly throughout the school day and wear a mask in interior communal areas (unless exempt). Those who are exempt from wearing a mask should wear a coloured lanyard to indicate this.

The government has requested that secondary schools again take responsibility for asymptomatic COVID-19 testing on site as students return from the Christmas break. Each student will need to be tested on site once and then continue to test at home twice weekly. This is likely to mean we will have to stagger the return to school over a number of days. We will provide more information before the end of term.

Christmas lunch

All next week students will be able to purchase Christmas Lunch tickets in the Dining Hall. This will be full takeaway Christmas Lunch with Festive Cake and Christmas Hat for £3.00p non-refundable. This will be served on 15th December.

DWS Audio

This week on the DWS Audio blog we have a new play written by Harrison Evered in Year 9 and another episode of our weekly school-based audio drama ROUGH DIAMONDS. You can listen to both via this link. DWS Audio (darrickwood.bromley.sch.uk)

Music success

Congratulations to the very talented and hardworking Rebecca Lockyer in Year 12 who has just been awarded Grade 8 with distinction for singing. This is a fabulous achievement and we are very proud of her. It also provides 10 UCAS points.

Reminders

Please park considerately if you need to pick up your child from school. We have had repeated reports from local residents of parents parking on the pavement and also blocking driveways on Lovibonds Avenue and Mada Road. 

Please ensure your child has all the correct uniform and equipment to be successful at school. If there is something that they cannot bring in for the day, please write a note to their Tutor in the student planner.

Dates for the diary

6th December – start of Year 13 mock examinations

10th December – deadline for applications to the Sixth Form

17th December – end of term, early finish, details to follow

4th January – new term starts