Welcome to this week’s Wildern Weekly. 

 

I am Mr Knight and one of the Assistant Headteachers. This week at Wildern has been filled with festive fun, including Christmas Jumper Day, Christmas Quiz, Year 7 Christmas Disco, Year 7 Christmas Shop, the Christmas Dance Showcase, and our brilliant Christmas Concert.

 

Looking ahead to next week, we’ll be continuing the celebrations with our basic bank collections, Carehome visits, a Christmas Food Festival in the hall, and plenty of cheer at Christmas Karaoke.

 

It’s a wonderfully busy and joyful time in school as we move closer to the holidays!

Whole School

Monday 15 December - Week A

Friday 19 December - Last day of term - School closes at

12.30pm for students

 

Monday 5 January 2026 - Week B - Students return to School

Wednesday 7 January  - Preloved Sale 3.15pm - 4.15pm

Monday 12 January - Week A

Monday 19 January - Week B

Monday 19 January - Non-School Uniform Day - Bright Monday

Year 7 

Monday 12 January - District Cross Country

Friday 16 January - Careers Dragon's Den Day

Thursday 22 January - Whole Year Group Photos

Year 8

Monday 12 January - District Cross Country

Thursday 22 January - Parent Information Evening - Pathways

Year 9 & 10

            No Key Dates or Reminders

Year 11

Thursday 18 December - Practice Exam Results 8am

Thursday 22 January - Whole Year Group Photos

Our final day of the term brings our last charity opportunity of 2025 with Pyjama Day.

 

This is an extra non-uniform day back by student request this half term!

 

If a £1 donation is paid - through Parentpay or cash in tutor - to support the Ollie Foundation (wellbeing charity) then students can wear appropriate pyjamas, oodies or onesies to school to finish the year in comfortable style and get behind a great cause.

Year 7 - Timetable Changes

We are writing to let you know that after Christmas, Year 7 students will have timetable changes affecting the number of hours of study for Maths and Design Technology.

Year 8 - Timetable Changes

We are writing to let you know that after Christmas, Year 8 students will have timetable changes affecting the number of hours of study for Maths.

No letter or reminders

Year 11 - Exams

Please find attached the exam timetable for January 2026

Year 11 Combined Science Biology - Mini-paper

On Wednesday 17 December students will be completing a Biology Paper 1 practice exam during their science lesson. This will be a shortened exam paper.

At Wildern, effective learning happens where there is mutual respect, support, encouragement, security, and independence. All members of the school share responsibility for developing this ethos. We want students to be willing to learn and ready to work, because a positive, hardworking attitude can make a real difference to achievement.

 

We have updated our Wildern Assessment Data (WAD) for 2025-26. Teachers will give each student a Behaviours for Learning (BfL) colour in every subject, reflecting how well they demonstrate behaviours that support their progress in that subject:

The comment column of your child’s report will indicate if any of these 11 Behaviours for Learning codes need to be prioritised in that subject.

Behaviours for Learning Codes

Behaviours for Learning areas for development

• Being respectful to teachers and other learners in the classroom at all times
• Being fully engaged in lessons, listening carefully and following instructions
• Being punctual to lessons to maximise learning
• Attending all lessons to maximise learning
• Being always appropriately equipped and ready to learn

Academic Learning areas for development

• Completing all class work or Non-Examined Assessment (NEA) to a required standard 
• Completing all self-study on time and to a required standard
• Working independently, seeking out appropriate opportunities to maximise your potential
• Understanding and acting on feedback
• Preparing appropriately for assessments or Non-Examined Assessments (NEA)
• Using appropriate subject-specific vocabulary and skills

We have also updated how we set targets for all students. Read more about this here.

 

Exam Dates (2026)

Exams help your child and teachers see progress and celebrate achievements. They highlight strengths and show where a little extra support can help. With your encouragement, exams become a positive step in building confidence and learning.

 

Year Group    Exam Dates

Year 7              W/c 13 April 2026 (English, Maths and Science)

Year 8              W/c 27 April 2026 GL Assessments (English & Maths)

W/c 1 May other subjects.

Year 9              W/c 4 May 2026

Year 10            W/c 23 February 2026

Year 11              W/c 25 January 2026 (English & Maths)

GCSEs - 7 May 2026 - 19 June 2026

 

Year 11 Practice Exam results will be available for collection on Thursday, 18th December at 8am from the DART.

Parents’ Evenings

We will be holding Parents’ Evening in the new year between 4pm and 8pm on the dates below. These events provide an important opportunity to engage directly with your child's subject teachers regarding their progress and engagement.  If possible, please keep the date free. Appointments can be made via the Edulink App in the weeks prior.

 

Year Group                         Date

Year 7                                   Thursday 14 May 2026

Year 8                                   Thursday 29 January 2026

Year 9                                   Thursday 5 March 2026

Year 10                                 Thursday 30 April 2026

Year 11                                  Thursday 19 March 2026

 

These updates reflect Wildern School’s commitment to a supportive, structured, and high-quality learning experience. Families will continue to receive updates throughout the year to ensure all students are fully supported on their learning journey.  All published WAD information is available to be viewed via Edulink.

 

If you have any questions about any of this information, please contact me via the usual methods.

 

Mr Knight

Assessment Data Disclaimer 2025/26

Thank you to all the entries to our Chrismas Card Competition 

 

Congratulations to the winner Yasmin A in Yr 7, along with Mya E and Grace B as the runner ups.

We had a brilliant time at the Christmas quiz last weekend.

 

Chef Dan and his team cooked some delicious festive food and our winning team was Rowan S and his family! Congratulations! 

On Wednesday we hosted our first Christmas shop for year 7.

 

They thoroughly enjoyed choosing gifts for their families and taking them home ready for Christmas.

Our year 7s also had a fantastic time at the disco on Thursday night!

 

It was a lovely festive evening with the year group experiencing their first social all together.

Today we held our Christmas Jumper Day, supporting Save the Children Charity. Thank you to everyone that took part, it was lovely seeing all the different jumpers around the school and for such a great cause too.

Thank you also to B&Q for kindly gifting us this wonderful Christmas tree.

We are pleased to be taking part in the National Literacy Trust’s ‘Year of Reading’ - 2026, for which the theme is ‘go all in’.

 

We will be launching monthly initiatives, competitions and prizes linked to reading and we can’t wait to share these with you and your child. Watch this space!

1. Have an Open & Ongoing Conversation

• The most effective safety measure isn't a setting, it's the relationship you have with your child.
• Create a 'Safe Space': Ensure your child knows they can come to you without fear of getting in trouble, no matter what they've seen or who they've spoken to online. Remind them that they are never to blame if someone makes them feel uncomfortable.

Discuss Risks Before They Arise - Talk about what to do if they encounter:

• Inappropriate Content: How to close the app/browser, turn the device off, and tell an adult.
• Contact from Strangers: Why they should never accept friend requests, follow requests, or messages from people they don't know in real life.
• Cyberbullying: How to block, report, and save evidence (screenshots) of unkind behaviour.

2. Lock Down Privacy and Security Settings

• Set up the device together before they get fully immersed. Check and change the default settings on the device, apps, and platforms.
• Review Age Ratings & Settings: Check the minimum age for any apps they want to download (e.g., most social media is 13+). On all apps and the device itself, set privacy to the highest/most restrictive level possible. Use guides from organisations like Internet Matters or the UK Safer Internet Centre for step-by-step instructions on popular devices/apps.
• Strong Passwords & Permissions: Help them choose a strong, unique password or passcode for the device and for key accounts. Make sure they understand that their password is private and should never be shared, even with friends.
• Disable Location Sharing: Turn off location services for all but essential apps (e.g., maps). Check the settings on social media and gaming apps where 'checking in' or sharing location can be a feature.

3. Establish a 'Family Agreement' and Clear Boundaries

• Create shared rules for when, where, and how the device will be used, particularly over the holidays.
• Device Curfew: Agree on a time when all devices (including phones) are put away downstairs, especially at night. Overnight use is a major factor in disturbed sleep and exposure to harmful content.
• Keep Personal Info Private: Agree that they will never share personal information online, such as their full name, school, address, or photos that show their school uniform or local area.
• Permission to Download: Make it a rule that they must ask for permission before downloading new apps or games, and before making any in-app purchases. This gives you a chance to check the age rating and community guidelines of the app first.

This month, students have been learning about the importance of Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month during Tutor Time to highlight the value in talking about wellbeing, stigma and the power of having open and honest conversations. 

 

Students have been learning about key statistics surrounding mental health as well as sources of support.

At present, only a small number of students have yet to upload or confirm their placement details, we are keen to support these final students in securing suitable opportunities.

In order to provide additional time and ensure everyone has the best possible chance to take part, we will be extending the placement deadline until the 31st December.

See the huge variety of clubs that are on offer this half term! Sign up for these using the Clubs tab on Edulink.

Wednesday 17 December - Yr 8 Football (Friendly) Vs Deer Park

Senior Boys Basketball Vs Bitterne Park School  - Won 40 - 28

U14 Girls Netball Tournament - 2nd Place

U16 Boys Basketball remain unbeaten!

 

Two games into the Eastleigh & Winchester East Division season and two wins for the Senior boys basketball team led by Mr Zealander.

 

A very close opening fixture against Westgate ended 44-43 with Koani M (Year 10) leading the scoring with 19pts. Back to back wins followed with a 40-28 win at home to Bitterne Park school with Dom K (Year 11) and Koani M (Year 10) again dominating the score book. 

 

With 7 more to play, it's looking like a good season shaping up with the team looking to go one better this year and win the trophy final in the spring.

Please see the menu for our hot food options for next week.

 

The main school meal deals are £3.40 which is in line with all Hampshire schools. In a meal deal, students can get one of the meal choices below with a bottle of plain water and a cookie or piece of fruit.

• Either of the hot meal options,
• A jacket potato,
• A pasta pot,
• A chicken or beef burger,
• A salad pot (from the salad bar)

We encourage all families to use the free school meals eligibility checker, which can be found here, to determine if they qualify for this entitlement. 

 

Please remember, we can adapt the majority of meals to any dietary needs if we know in advance (your child can speak to kitchen staff by visiting the kitchen before 8:30am that day). Main A/B vegetarian options are always available - just ask Dan and his team.

 

* correct at time of sending, but may be subject to change

This will be served as part of our Christmas Festival, taking place for all year groups from Monday 15 December

What Parents & Educators Need to Know about Scalping.

 

Scalping has long been a frustration for fans hoping to bag concert tickets or exclusive toys, but the online world has supercharged this dishonest tactic. Scalpers use bots to buy up stock in seconds, then resell items such as consoles or collectibles at significant mark-ups. For young people, it can be disappointing and harmful to their wallets, wellbeing and worldview. 

 

As this unethical practice becomes more visible, and, worryingly, sometimes glamourised online, it’s important to talk to children about fairness, financial boundaries, and spotting scams. This guide breaks down the tricks of the trade and how to avoid them, helping young consumers stay safe, informed and scam-free. 

Every Student Matters, Every Moment Counts

 

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Wildern School

Wildern Lane

Hedge End

Southampton

Hampshire

SO30 4EJ

 

01489 783473

 

#WeAreWildern