Hello, my name is Mr Hinks and I am an RE teacher. I also oversee Student Leadership, including Prefects, Focus Groups and Transition Leaders as well as all charitable events.

 

It was a huge privilege to take part in the recent Hedge End Remembrance Day Parade with two of our head students and see so many others involved. It moved me to see people remaining grateful for the generosity of those passed, and it inspires me to live to help others.

 

A key aspect of my role is charity: creating opportunities for becoming increasingly generous people, positively impacting our local community and beyond. Acts of generosity make the world a better place for everyone, including us - giving is one of MIND's top 5 ways to personal wellbeing.

 

Last half term we raised over £4500 with the Race for Life, Rotary Shoebox Appeal and WWF non-uniform day; amazing! And this half term is full of festive giving spirit with Christmas Jumper Day (13th Dec) for Save the Children's work helping children internationally, the Basics Bank Appeal (16-20th Dec) feeding local families through Southampton City Mission, and an opportunity to donate any unwanted winter coats (28th Nov). And on the last day of term we finish with Pyjama Day for Mind Mental Health! 

 

Join us! Encourage your children to be a part. Donate, where possible. Any unwanted Christmas Jumpers will be gratefully received! You can drop these off at reception of to your child's tutor. Change only happens when we do what we can, and the Christmas season is an ideal time for it! 

This week, our science department had the incredible opportunity to host Moon rocks once again!

 

Year 8 and 10 students and STEM club were captivated by the wonders of space as they delved into the fascinating world of meteorites.

 

They had the chance to examine various meteorite structures and even view actual lunar samples collected during space missions. It was a truly out-of-this-world experience!

Whole School

Monday 18 November Week A

Monday 18 & Tuesday 19 November Nasal Flu Vaccinations

Thursday 21 November Parent Information Evening - Being a Wildern Meta-Learner

Monday 25 November Week B

Thursday 28 November GCSE Certificate collection evening

Thursday 28 November Dance Showcase
Friday 29 November CPD day (school closed)

Year 7

No key dates

Year 8

Tuesday 26 November - Geography Ordnance Survey trip

Year 9

Monday 25 November - Solomons Theatre workshops

Year 10

No key dates

Year 11

Monday 4 - Friday 15 November Practice Exams

 

This time of year is always close to the hearts of the Wildern community. We come together, whether in observing the two minute silence, attending the service outside of St John’s Church on Remembrance Sunday, delivering sessions to students or taking time out of our busy lives to remember the ultimate sacrifice made by so many in conflicts around the world.

We have chosen this year to focus on the stories of the 42 local soldiers who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars. Their names are commemorated on the memorial at St John’s Church. Through researching newspaper archives, military records and burial registers, the stories of the fallen have really come to light. It has been a real privilege to learn about their lives and share this information with students, staff and visitors.

 

The History department developed a tutor session which was delivered to all students on Monday morning. This looked into what remembrance is and how we remember. We shared the stories of several local soldiers including Basil and Yvo Ellis - two sons of the vicar of Hedge End who both lost their lives during World War One - as well as Sidney Emery and James Windsor. The latter two are commemorated on Thiepval memorial in France and were names that our Battlefields trip students in year 10 searched for on their trip in October.

 

Furthermore, we were honoured to invite a veteran, Michael Homer, to deliver a talk to and welcome questions from 60 students in the LRC on Monday 11th. It was fascinating to hear his experiences as an ambulance driver in the army, his efforts to commemorate national service and his charity work as an ambassador for the Royal British Legion. The students involved were a wonderful audience and represented the school wonderfully. Michael then joined us to observe the beautiful playing of the Last Post by one of our students as well as the two minute silence which followed. 

Anti-Bullying Week has once again been a huge success with the theme: Choose Respect. It was truly wonderful to see so many of our staff and students embrace Odd Socks Day on Tuesday by wearing odd socks to celebrate all of our differences and what makes us all unique. A particular highlight of the week is all the wonderful photos shared with us by our students of their pets in odd socks. 

Throughout the week students have been encouraged to complete ‘Respect’ pledges empowering them to reflect on how they can be respectful towards each other to counter the harm and hurt that bullying causes. Our staff were on the lookout for ‘acts of kindness or respect’ from our students shown towards other students or staff. It has been wonderful seeing our school community come together and hearing about all the wonderful acts of kindness and respect our students have shown.

 

As a parent or carer, you are a vital piece of the puzzle in tackling bullying. You have a unique role to play in guiding and supporting your child through their school years and there are many positive steps you can take to help keep your child safe from bullying and harm. One of the steps is knowing when to ask for support. Please see this parent pack provided by the anti Bullying Alliance. 

As parents you can support us by talking to your child about Diversity and Inclusion and by being mindful of any implicit biases you may have. Talking openly and positively about differences can help children better understand themselves and those around them. If they see you embrace diversity and inclusion it will empower them to engage in their world with curiosity, confidence and kindness. 

There are many ways that you can promote Diversity and Inclusion at home. 

• You can take active steps to ensure your child is immersed in communities and opportunities that embrace and celebrate differences. 
• Acknowledge differences as children notice them so there is no need to pretend they do not exist. 
• Emphasise the differences and be honest about the ways people are mistreated for their differences. 
• Ask your child open-ended questions and listen to them without judgement. 
• It is okay to take your time if you need it. 
• If you’re unsure how to answer your child's questions, tell them you’ll think about it and set a time to talk when you are more prepared. 
• Speak up when bias happens. 
• Whenever your child or someone else does or says something prejudiced, address it in the moment. 

Our Diversity Focus Group meets weekly in the CPD room each Monday during break 2. We always welcome new faces. If your child would like to be involved in raising awareness and being involved in making change please do encourage them to come along and join us.

 

Working together as a community by openly talking about any worries or curiosities our young people have and encouraging them to seek knowledge by either joining the groups mentioned above or by asking staff the things they need to know will really continue to ensure our school is a kind and safe place to be.

As parents and carers we worry about our children: all we want is for them to be happy, healthy, and safe. With that in mind, it’s only natural that we worry about bullying - particularly if we think our child may be more vulnerable to bullying, or we have experienced bullying ourselves. We’re here to tell you, you don’t have to go through it alone! The Anti-Bullying Alliance and its members are here to work with children, families, and schools to help keep children safe, and address bullying. There is some guidance on this here. Let’s work together to ensure our school remains a welcoming place for all. Thank you for your continued support in making our community a better place!

Here is our updated Autumn term Co-Curricular timetable of activities.

Sessions will be available with our employment engagement officers after course completion! ️

 

We run ONLY in term time and not during half term/ end of term periods. 

This is a six-week intensive course, with online live webinars with Aspire Education's friendly tutors, starting at 9:30am and finishing at 2pm (with lunch break) from Monday to Friday.

 

All you need is access to the internet and a laptop or tablet.

These courses are fully funded by the ESFA (Education Skills Funding Agency).

 

If you are earning less than £23,500 per year or claiming benefits (including Universal Credit, JSA, ESA, PIP, Income Support, Housing Benefits, carers allowance or any type of Tax Credit including Child Tax Credit) you are eligible for a funded place.

 

*Please see more details about our eligibility on our website.

www.studysmartuk.onlin

 

Take advantage of this opportunity while it's still available.

Please go to: www.studysmartuk.online for more information.

Friday 15th November 

District Cross Country trials for U14s and U16s

U16 Girls Football Vs Mountbatten School

 

Monday 18th November

U14 Mixed Basketball Vs Swanmore College

Year 8 Boys Football Vs Wyvern College

 

Tuesday 19th November

Year 7 boys Football Vs Wyvern College

Year 9 Boys Football Vs Springfield School

 

Wednesday 20th November

U16 girls Football Vs Oasis Academy Mayfield 

Y11 Boys football won against Calthorpe School 3-0 

Year 9 Boys Football won against Parkhouse School 2-1

U14 Girls netball came runners up in the U14 District Netball Tournament, missing out on the championship on points difference. The girls were thrilled with their performance and their silver medals they were awarded.

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

hat Parents & Educators Need to Know about Minecraft

 

This week's free online safety guide focuses on Minecraft. It highlights a number of risks such as in-game purchases, addiction and chatting with strangers.

 

Every Student Matters, Every Moment Counts

 

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Wildern School

Wildern Lane

Hedge End

Southampton

Hampshire

SO30 4EJ

 

01489 783473

 

#WeAreWildern