Hello and welcome to this week's edition of the Wildern Weekly. My name is Mrs K Thomas and I am the Assistant Head for Attendance and Inclusion here at Wildern School. I am dedicated to ensuring that every student feels supported and valued in our school community. My role encompasses a variety of initiatives aimed at fostering an inclusive environment where all children can thrive. One of my key responsibilities is to monitor and improve attendance, as we know that regular school attendance is vital for academic success. We work closely with our families to address any barriers to attendance, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to engage fully in their learning journey.

 

In addition to attendance, I also oversee our internal alternative curriculum programs, The Nest and The Ascend Programme. Both these initiatives are designed for students who may struggle to access the mainstream curriculum due to various challenges. Our tailored support system helps these students engage meaningfully with their education while developing essential skills for their future. By providing a nurturing environment that meets their unique needs, we aim to empower these students to thrive and where possible  reintegrate into the mainstream setting. 

The Year 6 transition program, which helps students smoothly navigate the exciting but often challenging move to secondary school is also under my remit. We provide tailored support and resources to make this transition as seamless as possible. I also facilitate our Diversity Focus Group, where we celebrate the richness of our diverse community and strive to ensure that every voice is heard and respected. Moreover, I oversee the Anti-Bullying Ambassadors initiative, empowering students to take an active role in promoting kindness and respect within our school. Stay tuned as information regarding Anti Bullying Week will be shared with you all soon. 

 

Together, we are building a safe and inclusive environment where all students can flourish. Thank you for your continued support as we work together to create the best possible experience for our children.

Attendance Raffle

We are excited to provide an update on our “Every Moment Counts: Skip the Queue for Lunch!” attendance reward system. It’s been just two weeks since we launched this initiative, and the enthusiasm from our students has been fantastic!

 

With over 1,500 students achieving 100% attendance on random days, we’ve already held two successful raffles. 

As a reminder, we will have two more random raffles before half term and we can't wait to award more skip-the-queue vouchers.

 

This initiative not only encourages punctuality and attendance but also fosters a sense of community among our students. Thank you for your continued support in promoting daily attendance. Together, we are making every moment count!

Whole School

Saturday 12 October Quiz & Chips event

Monday 14 October Week A

Thursday 17 October Athena Awards

Friday 18 October Non-uniform day

Monday 21 October Week B

Monday 21 October Open morning

Wednesday 23-Friday 25 October Legally Blonde Performances

Monday 28 October - Friday 1 November Half term

 

Year 7, 8 and 9

No key dates

Year 10

Friday 11 - Monday 14 October Battlefields History trip

Friday 25 - Monday 28 October Iceland Geography trip

Year 11

Friday 18 - Saturday 19 October DoE expedition (catch up)

 

Year 10 Parent Information Evening - Preparing for Exams

Thank you to the parents who joined us last Thursday for this. The slides from the presentation are uploaded to our website here.

Year 11 Parent Information Evening - Preparing for Exams

Thank you to the parents who joined us last Thursday for this. The slides from the presentation are uploaded to our website here.

The mathematics department set all self-study through Sparx, an online learning platform that is used by many schools across the country.

 

It is designed to use AI to support students with making progress in maths by creating intelligent practice and incorporating retrieval practice from previous self study.

 

Sparx is set for:

• 30 minutes of self study at KS3 
• 1 hr of self study at KS4
• Each self study to be completed to 100%
• Should take the time allocated

To help with this, there is support available while completing self study in the form of helpful videos for students to watch.

 

We also run Sparx clinics after school on Mondays and Wednesdays, where students can drop in and help with questions or stay and complete their self study.

Why does my child need to achieve 100%? 

Sparx self study has been designed to help students really get to grips with and understand the concepts and skills they are learning by ensuring they cover the essential building blocks needed to make progress in maths.

 

Sparx’ research has shown using Sparx maths for home learning leads to clear progress. Please see an explanation in the video as to why the 100% target is so important in terms of student learning.

 

As parents you can support by encouraging your child to do their self study as early as possible, so they can attempt work themselves and seek help from their teacher or attend a clinic if needed. You can keep track of your child’s homework completion in the weekly email you will receive from Sparx.

 

Please do have conversations with your child about supporting them to complete their SPARX self study. Please go to this link to find out more: https://sparxmaths.com/parents

We are delighted to tell you about our upcoming Film Making Workshop which will be running this coming October Half Term from 28th October to 1st November, 10am-4pm at the Dart Centre.

 

It is the ideal opportunity for students aged 13-17 years who are interested in learning all about the film-making industry, culminating in the creation of a short film...in just one week!

 

The course is perfect for anyone interested in acting, filming, editing, lighting, audio, 3D modelling, production management and special effects, they also get to play with green screen tech.  

 

Participants will:

• Learn filming techniques, editing software, and special effects
• Get a chance to explore their acting on-screen
• Work alongside industry professionals from D&T Videography
• Experience hands-on activities with green screen technology
• Collaborate to create their very own short film from start to finish!

They then get to watch their final edited film at the end of the week.

 

Special Offer
The Dart Centre has received some funding from Eastleigh Borough Council offering the course for £99 for the full week (regular price £142.50). 

 

If you are interested in booking or to find out more you can call The Dart on 01489 779471 or email community@thedart.co.uk.  For full details visit our website here: https://www.thedart.co.uk/youth-activities/a-film-in-a-week/

It is set to be a great week of creativity and collaboration and could just inspire a future career in the film industry.

Here is our Autumn term Co-Curricular timetable of activities including our Autumn PE menu. Clubs start in the week. Please look at what is on offer to your child and discuss this with them as their might be something that they would like to get involved with. Full details are available in the Student Wildern Weekly and from that subject area.

Please be aware that rehearsals are subject to change depending on the progress of blocking and availability of students. A reminder to all cast members that our LB Sunday rehearsals are going to be on the 13th and 20th October. These rehearsals are from 9.30 until 4pm but the meeting/ registration time is 9.10am.

Week Beginning October 14th - 18th

Week Beginning October 21st - 25th

Friday 4th October

Year 8 Boys football lost to Swanmore College - County Cup

Senior Girls Football won 3-2 against Hamble School - (League)

 

Monday 7th October

Senior Girls Football lost to Kings School ( National Cup)

 

Tuesday 8th October

U13 Girls Football lost to Brookfield School (County Cup)

U15 Boys Basketball won 40-22 against Wyvern College

Year 9 Boys Football won 5-1 against Arnewood School

 

Wednesday 9th October

Year 11A Boys Football won 7-0 against Upper Shirley High

Year 11B Boys Football lost to Woodlands Community College (League)

Monday 14th October

U16 Girls Football Vs St George's Catholic College 

 

Wednesday 16th October 

Year 11 Boys A Football Vs Woodlands Community College

 

Thursday 17th October

U14 boys Basketball Vs Hamble School

 

 

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

 

The main school meal deals are £3.20 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

What Parents need to know about Sharing Intimate Images

 

The sharing of intimate images online can be a dangerous avenue through which abusers seek to exploit children and young people, forcibly exposing them to explicit material, coercing them into sharing self-generated intimate images, and extorting them with the threat of sharing such images more widely. From reputational impact to potential blackmail or emotional distress, and even legal consequences, exposure to this harmful behaviour can have a severe impact.

 

It’s important to remember that the creation and distribution of explicit material featuring under-18s – even by the child themselves – is illegal under UK law. Our guide looks at the serious concerns associated with this behaviour, and lets parents and educators know how best to address these issues and protect young people.

 

Sources

https://www.childline.org.uk/

Every Student Matters, Every Moment Counts

 

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Wildern School

Wildern Lane

Hedge End

Southampton

Hampshire

SO30 4EJ

 

01489 783473

 

#WeAreWildern