I’m Mrs Dixon, Director of Learning for Humanities and subject leader for Geography.

 

The Humanities subjects at Wildern are History (subject leader Miss Greensword), Religious Education (subject leader Mrs Watson), Travel and Tourism (subject leader Mrs Mistry) and Geography. I love all of the humanities subjects because they help to explain our place in the World, create empathy and to always consider the impacts our actions have on the World and people around us. 

 

July 11th is World Population Day, a day which seeks to bring awareness to the growing pressures and opportunities a growing population can bring.  This week there is an opportunity for us all to reflect on our population of 8 billion people and how our humanities subjects are woven into this. Our population is able to live longer due to historical breakthroughs in medicine and growing international efforts for peace. Our population of 8 billion all have rich and diverse religious, cultural and social backgrounds which we can all celebrate not just within this week but always. Then we have to decide how we can balance the challenges of a growing population in an ever fragile World. 

 

If you’re curious to find out a little more, find out which billionth person you are by using this website https://worldpopulationhistory.org/my-population-number/. 

 

If you have any concerns with your child’s progress or attainment in Humanities, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or myself and we will be more than happy to discuss this with you. 

On Wednesday evening we celebrated our annual Awards Evening.  Congratulations to all our winners and their families. Special mention to George and Sophie for the outstanding performances in such a large venue, the staff behind the scenes and the Kings Community Church.

 

A final huge thank you to our Senior Student Leadership Team: Harry, Evie, Josh and Flo for the brilliant way they hosted the evening. Supported by a team of really helpful prefects around the venue.

 

We have also had two Headteachers lunches for 140 student with an eref score over 700 this week. 

 

Start of Term Arrangements 2023-24:

 

For all:

Friday 1 September - INSET day

Thursday 7 September - whole school in school. 

 

Year 7:

Monday 4 September – Year 7 programme

Tuesday 5 September - Year 7 Programme

Wednesday 6 September - Year 7 Programme

 

Years 8-10

Tuesday 5 September and Wednesday 6 September - ‘Meeting Me’ conversations between tutor and tutees and parents if they can attend.  Further info to follow

 

Year 11

The Year Group will be divided into two groups and complete a ‘Meeting Me’ conversation with their tutor on one day and on the other day they will be in school all day.  Further info to follow

 

Whole School

Monday 10 July Week B

Monday 17 July Week A

Monday 17 July Colours Evening 7pm- 9pm

Wednesday 19 July Catch up Tdip/MenA/CWY and HPV Vaccinations 

Friday 21 July (12pm) early finish for School Holidays

 

Staff In-Service Training Days 2023-24 (Students will not be in school on the following INSET Days: )

Friday 1 September 

Friday 13 October

Friday 24 November

Monday 19 February 

Monday 24 June

Year 7 

Monday 10 July History Trip to Mary Rose Museum & Dockyard

Monday 10 July Parent Information evening 6pm - 6:45pm

Wednesday 12 July Paultons Park Trip

Thursday 13 July Sports Day

Year 8

Tuesday 11 July Parent Information evening 6pm - 6:45pm

Wednesday 12 July Paultons Park Trip

Thursday 13 July Sports Day

Year 9

Tuesday 11 July Parent Information evening 7pm -7:45pm

Wednesday 12 July Sports Day

Thursday 13 July Paultons Park Trip

Year 10

Monday 10 July Southampton City College Taster Day

Monday 10 July Parent Information evening 7pm - 7:45pm

Wednesday 12 July Sports Day

Thursday 13 July Paultons Park Trip

Year 11

Thursday 24 August 10am GCSE Results collection

English 

 

Year 8 will not have a ‘Summer Booklet’ as outlined for other year groups, as they will be focusing on the whole school Summer reading project.

Careers information

 

As we prepare for the new academic year we thought this would be a good time to outline all of the careers information, advice and guidance programmes your son/daughter will experience as they progress through year 10.

Year 10 WAD 3

 

This has been sent home this week and will appear on INSIGHT. This contains Application Grades for the first time. These are given by teachers to indicate what your son/daughter could achieve if they showed exceptional Behaviours for Learning from this moment on (i.e. YELLOW). They are for college application forms to show what your son/daughter could be capable of. They are not  Predicted Grades. Please do re-watch the video to help with how to talk to your child about WAD.

Science:

 

Booster sessions will be taking place during tutor time after half term. They will be running on Wednesday’s in room 318. You will have received a letter if your child is invited to attend. 

ParentPay

 

A reminding to turn-off automatic top-up payments for school meals on ParentPay

 GCSE Results collection

 

Thursday 24 August 10am from the Dart

Recently, some of our students represented Wildern at the summer EARA meeting (Equality and Rights Advocates). 8-10 schools from around the region meet to discuss issues of equality and rights within schools and feedback on all the work they are doing within their respective schools. This session was focused on expressing their voice through art with Osman Ahmed. Our students then presented to around 70-80 students about the fantastic things we have been doing and achieved, including celebrating receiving the Diana Award for the great work of the anti-bullying ambassadors. 

 

Prefects were also out in full force at Induction Evening welcoming new families to the school, offering tours, answering questions and making sure everyone felt welcome. The wonderful comments from staff and parents have shown the excellent culture they are helping create by their diligence, and they were particularly praised this time for their proactivity. Well done all!

Watch for Signs of Heat Stress

 

On hot days, watch for signs of heat illness in yourself and others. Heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are possible on hot days. Signs of heat-related illness include:

• Muscle pains, cramps, or spasms
• Heavy sweating, paleness, weakness, dizziness, headache nausea or vomiting
• Confusion, fainting or unconsciousness
• High body temperature (over 103 degrees) with dry skin (not sweating)
• Rapid pulse

If you feel sick and suspect it may be heat-related, sip a sports drink. Get medical help if you still don’t feel better.  If you experience very high body temperature, rapid pulse, or dizziness it can be an emergency. Get medical help immediately.

 

By following these tips, you can reduce your risk of heat injury. Have a safe and enjoyable summer!

Microaggressions

 

What are they? Microaggressions are very common, however many people will never have heard of or experienced them. The prefix “micro” helps describe them - they are small, offhand comments which single out or are aimed at specific groups of people. Often those who say them don’t realise the negative effect it has on others. Examples of microaggressions could be: repeatedly asking to touch a black person’s hair, telling a gay person they ‘don’t act gay’, assuming all Asian people are smart, or mispronouncing an ethnic name after being corrected multiple times. To a lot of people, these seem insignificant comments that can be easily forgotten and moved on from. In reality, they can be extremely harmful to someone’s mental health, especially after hearing microaggressions repeatedly throughout their days.

 

Why are they bad? Although often not meant maliciously, that doesn’t mean that the receiver is not hurt. Microaggressions single people out and make them feel different to the rest. The fact that they are not always meant rudely or are not always thought about before being said, means that often people think they aren’t serious enough to act and report upon. But this is not okay - somebody facing constant microaggressions that are not dealt with will bottle up their emotions until it is no longer possible, ultimately causing negative consequences for themselves or others.

 

What can be done? Firstly, it is vital to understand what microaggressions are, how to recognise them, and the impact they can have on others. Even if a microaggression is not directly aimed at you, it is important to step in and point out the problem with what is being said. To stop yourself from saying something that could be offensive towards others, think about what you say before you say it. If you are in doubt, don’t say it - chances are it could be offensive. If you believe you have heard a microaggression, you need to point it out. Don’t be afraid of calling out comments that could be perceived as racist, homophobic, ableist or sexist.

 

Furthermore: If you would like to know more, you can visit the Micropedia of Microaggressions website which gives a more detailed explanation with a multitude of examples. If they have affected you or someone you know, student services, the Wellbeing Hub or Childline can offer support.

 

Contributed by MH and OD Student Diversity Group

In February 2011, Wildern gained, for the first time but not the last, Fairtrade School Status. This was achieved by the school running fairtrade events and the use of fairtrade information in schemes of work and resources. Every year since, Wildern has a fortnight to focus on Fairtrade and what it means.

 

Share your memories and photos with us: 90thbirthday@wildern.org 

Monday

Hawaiian flatbread pizza and mixed salad or

Cheese quiche & roasted vegetables and new potatoes (v) 

Tuesday

Spicy chicken / vegetables with rice and garlic bread (v) or

Veggie Meatballs, pasta and garlic bread (v)

Wednesday

Mexican Chicken / veggie wrap and green salad (v)

Sports Day so only one main meal option 

Thursday

Mexican Chicken / veggie wrap and green salad (v)

Sports Day so only one main meal option 

Friday

Fish of the day or

Beef / veggie pie topped with cajun fries and bbq beans (v)

Another hard-fought victory by the U15 cricket squad v Swanmore College winning by 3 wickets which earns them a place in the Eastleigh & Winchester District Final POM: C.Jones 

 

U13 Cricket team are district cricket champions and it came down to the final over but they won by 11 runs in a very tightly fought contest. Thornden played incredibly but we just held out. Special mention to C.Jones Yr8 hitting 59 runs of 61 balls.

 

Here is our Summer term extra curricular activities including our Summer PE menu. Please look at what is on offer to your child and discuss this over the holidays with them as their might be something more that they can get involved with.

Taster Day information for this week (this is only relevant if your child has opted for these colleges), please make sure your child is aware of the arrangements.

 

Southampton City College  - Monday 10 July

Address: St Mary Street, Southampton, SO14 1AR

Contact number: 02380 577418

 

You will need to make your own way to the college, and meet your teachers there at 9:15am. The day will finish at 2:30pm, and then you need to make your own way home. Lunch - Hot meals, sandwiches and snacks are available to buy from our Café, prices range from £2.00 - £5.99.  You may bring your own food and drink if you wish. Please use the main college entrance on St Mary Street.

What Parents and Carers Need to Know about AI Virtual Friends

 

Artificial intelligence is probably the hot topic in technology circles right now, with questions being raised worldwide about how AI might conceivably affect the very future of the human race. In the short term, however – definitely as far as its impact on young people is concerned – the clearest risk is almost certainly the AI-powered ‘virtual friends’ which are springing up all over the internet.

 

There’s Replika and Kuki, for instance, while Snapchat has recently got in on the act with My AI – and search engines like Bing and Google have developed their own versions. Are these machine intelligences suitable online companions for young people? What are their limitations and weak spots? Our guide profiles the emergence of AI ‘virtual friends’.

Get into Teaching

Wildern Partnership SCITT 

Our school provides the ideal opportunity to undertake and complete your teacher training. We offer expert in-school support through subject mentorship complemented by a school professional themes programme. We aim to offer teaching opportunities across all key stages, allowing you complete immersion into the school environment.

Every Student Matters, Every Moment Counts

 

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Wildern School

Wildern Lane

Hedge End

Southampton

Hampshire

SO30 4EJ

 

01489 783473

 

#WeAreWildern