Hello, and welcome to this week's edition of the Wildern Weekly. My name is Mrs Wheeler and I am one of the Assistant Headteachers here at Wildern School.

 

As a Science teacher I love exploring the world around us. Whether “natural” or man-made, every aspect of a student’s life is filled with science — from their own internal biology to the mobile phone in their hands. As Scientists we are always learning and discovering new things, this is what I believe makes the subject so interesting.

 

In addition to teaching Science I also plan and provide opportunities for staff to continue to develop their practice. Here at Wildern, we do not stand still. Learning is important for us all, not just our students.

I am passionate about developing people; working and supporting my colleagues to develop their own practice and autonomy in the classroom has given me some of my most enjoyable teaching moments. I have the pleasure of working with expert colleagues to facilitate the learning of teachers from as early as their training year. As Strategic Lead for our Wildern Partnership SCITT (School Centred Initial Teacher Training) we work with an average of 25 trainees a year, the vast majority of whom go on to become employed as teachers in our Partnership schools. If you, or anyone you know are interested in becoming a teacher then please get in touch. More information can be found on our website here.

 

"If we create a culture where every teacher believes they need to improve, not because they are not good enough but because they can be even better, there is no limit to what we can achieve" - One of my favourite quotes from Dylan Wiliam which I believes sums up our CPD ethos here at Wildern.

We are seeking parent feedback about your child’s experience of our Career programme since they joined Wildern. Please complete this 2 question survey to let us know your thoughts, either for events that have run this year, or previously. 

  In this issue...  

Green Careers Week!

Green Careers Week is an exciting event that raises aspiration, supports diversity, challenges stereotypes, and promotes real opportunities for young people to have a career that will genuinely make a difference.

 

Discover careers, jobs, roles, and career pathways that are green careers and develop green skills. Further information has been shared to all students' Careers Google Classrooms.

Anti-Bullying Week

What is Anti-Bullying Week? 

Anti-Bullying Week 2022 is coordinated in England and Wales by the Anti-Bullying Alliance. It will take place from 14 to 18 November 2022 and has the theme Reach Out.

 

Following the success of the campaign in 2021 – when 80% of schools marked the week, reaching over 7.5 million children and young people – Anti-Bullying Week will remind everyone, whether it’s in school, at home, in the community or online, to reach out and show each other the support we need.

Why is it important?

Bullying affects millions of lives and can leave us feeling hopeless. But it doesn’t have to be this way. If we challenge it, we can change it. And it starts by reaching out.  Whether it’s in school, at home, in the community or online, this week is a chance to reach out and show each other the support we need. 

 

And it doesn’t stop with young people. From teachers to parents and influencers to politicians, we all have a responsibility to help each other reach out. Together, let’s be the change we want to see. We can reflect on our own behaviour, set positive examples and create kinder communities.

 

It takes courage, but it can change lives. So, this Anti-Bullying Week, let’s come together and reach out to stop bullying.

 

More information for parents and carers can be found here.

Remembrance

At 11 o’clock on the 11th of November, Wildern School community joined the rest of the country in a two minute silence to mark Remembrance Day. This is as a direct result of students voting for this to happen. At this exact time in 1918 an armistice brought the First World War to an end and this was followed by the need and want to remember the soldiers and civilians who had made sacrifices during the war. For over one hundred years, Britain and its Commonwealth have paused at this time to remember those men and women who have made sacrifices for their country in not only the First World War, but subsequent conflicts. During the week leading up to Friday 11th November, students have been learning about the origins of many aspects of this significant day such as the symbol of the poppy and the laying of wreaths at the Cenotaph. ‘For your tomorrow we gave our today’ John Edmonds.  

 

What does remembrance mean to you? 

WW1 battles poem - written by Zach, Year 9

 

Through death, through light we shall march on

But if you think it was a breeze you would be terribly wrong

From naval to on foot this is guerilla warfare 

Scents of gunpowder and death runs through the air

 

Behind you is freedom in front is death

“Over the top!” says your comrades in their last breath

At home there's fear on the frontline is war 

Lifeless animals surrounding you cold to the core

 

As the victory comes home so do the soldiers 

Time to release your rifle hanging from your shoulders

This is war, to be afraid you shall be 

Now to celebrate and to be happy

Recent student and parent feedback has queried what food is available for different dietary needs. In addition to the meal deal options listed below there are also

• jacket potatoes (with baked beans, cheese or sometimes tuna toppings)
• salad bar with a range of salad, vegetables, pasta and potatoes dishes
• a variety rolls, wraps, sandwiches and baguettes
• hot paninis with various fillings
• sausage rolls and other snacks

All cakes made on the premises are gluten free. Dan and his catering team are able to adapt the majority of meals to any dietary needs including gluten free, halal and dairy free if they know in advance (your child can pop to the kitchen to see them before 8:30am that day). Please talk to Dan or the catering team about any dietary needs as they are happy to help.

Extra-Curricular activities

Please see our updated clubs for the second half of the Autumn term. Focus groups are also running as well.  More details can be found on our website using the button below. The library is always available to students after school as well. 

 

What Parents Need to Know about Amigo

 

Amigo is a social platform which purports to connect strangers from around the world – and, with built-in translation software, it reduces the expected language barriers. Focusing heavily on one-to-one chat, video calls and live streams, Amigo encourages its users to build up online relationships to unlock exclusive features such as private video and audio calls: essentially, the more that people chat, the more features become available to them. This is an app designed with mature users very much in mind and is therefore definitely not recommended for children. 

 

In the guide, you'll find tips on a number of potential risks such as inappropriate contact, strangers and membership costs.