Hello, my name is Mrs Greensword and I am the Subject leader for History.

 

I am deeply passionate about teaching and inspiring students to engage with the past in meaningful ways. With a commitment to fostering a dynamic and inclusive learning environment, I strive to ignite curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of history.

 

My goal is to guide students in developing the skills to analyse historical events, connect them to the present, and encourage a lifelong passion for learning. Through creative teaching methods and a strong dedication to student growth, I aim to make history both relevant and exciting for every learner. 

 

Whole School

Monday 27 January Week A

Wednesday 29 January Dance Live! competition

Monday 3 February Week B

Monday 10 February Week A

Friday 14 February CPD day - School closed to students

Monday 17 February - Friday 21 February  Half Term

Monday 24 February Week B

Thursday 27 February Parent Information Evening: Supporting your Teenager

Year 7

No key dates for Year 7

Year 8

Thursday 30 January Parent Information Evening: Pathways

Thursday 6 February Parents Communication Evening  (virtual)

Thursday 13 February Careers Speed Networking Day

Year 9

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday 5 February Teenage Booster Vaccinations

Year 10

Monday 27 January Practice exams start

Tuesday 4 February Parent Information Evening: Apprenticeship Careers Fair

Year 11

Thursday 30 January An Inspector Calls Theatre trip

Tuesday 4 February Parent Information Evening: Apprenticeship Careers Fair

Monday 10 - Wednesday 12 February English & Maths practice exams

 

The Importance of Keeping Us Informed About Your Child's Absence

At Wildern, the safety and well-being of your child is our highest priority. Ensuring regular attendance is a key part of this, but we also understand that sometimes your child may need to be absent from school due to illness or other unavoidable circumstances. When this happens, it is vital that you inform us promptly to let us know the reason for their absence.

 

Why is this so important?

When a child is absent, and we have not been contacted by a parent or guardian, it raises a safeguarding concern. As part of our commitment to keeping all students safe, we must ensure that every child is accounted for each school day. If we do not hear from you, we cannot be sure of your child’s whereabouts, which could mean they are at risk.

 

Our Process for Managing Unexplained Absences

To help us safeguard your child and ensure we maintain accurate attendance records, we follow the steps below:

• Absence Notification: If your child is going to be absent, please contact us as soon as possible on the morning of their absence. This can be done by calling the school office, using our attendance email address absence@wildern.org, or via the INSIGHT app.
• Reminder Email: If we have not received any communication from you regarding your child’s absence, an email reminder will be sent. This email will prompt you to get in touch with us to provide the necessary information.
• Follow-Up Phone Call: If we still do not receive any communication, our Attendance Officer will follow up with a phone call to confirm the reason for the absence. This step is essential to ensure your child’s safety and well-being. This follow up call is for attendance officers to establish students' location. This call is not to discuss wider school issues. If parents have concerns they should contact the child's tutor/DOPA.

How You Can Help

• Contact us promptly: Please inform the school of your child’s absence by 8:00 AM on the first day of absence. Provide their name, class, and the reason for the absence.
• Keep your contact details up to date: Ensure we have your most recent phone number and email address so that we can reach you if necessary.
• Respond to reminders: If you receive an absence email or call, please respond as soon as possible to confirm your child’s situation.

Working Together to Keep Students Safe

Your cooperation in keeping us informed about your child’s attendance is vital to maintaining a safe and supportive school environment. By promptly notifying us of any absences, you help us ensure that every student is accounted for and safe. We appreciate your support in this important matter.

If you have any questions or concerns about this process, please do not hesitate to contact your child's tutor in the first instance. Thank you for your continued partnership in prioritising your child’s safety and education.

Year 8-11 - Dance Live! 2025 - Wednesday 29 January

9am Meet at the Gymnasium. Please bring your costumes and food/drink for the day. Don't for get any makeup/hair accessories. Please arrive in school in your DanceLive T-shirt and black sports leggings/black bottoms and you will need a coat.

Free Football Tickets

Southampton Football Club are offering free tickets to watch the Barclay's Women's Championship match against Newcastle United on Sunday 2 February, 2pm kick off. For tickets, click here.

 

Maths Open Day

We are looking to grow our maths teaching team and are hosting an open day next Friday morning where we will be showcasing the Wildern curriculum and maths learning experience. Please share with anyone who might be interested.

No letters or reminders for Year 7 this week

Year 8 Science Live trip  - London, Friday 14 March 2025
The Science department would like to offer your child the opportunity to attend KS3 Science Live at the Emmanuel Centre, London. KS3 Science Live is an excellent opportunity to stimulate and improve your child’s scientific literacy by connecting science taught in school to the real world through workshops with leading scientists. Sign up deadline Wednesday 5th February.

MFL revision guides

We’re delighted that so many students are interested in getting a revision guide for French, German and Spanish. Due to a new GCSE specification that is first assessed in 2026, there are limited published resources at this time. We are currently working on ordering the best option to support your child and will be in touch when they are available.

MFL revision guides

We’re delighted that so many students are interested in getting a revision guide for French, German and Spanish. Due to a new GCSE specification that is first assessed in 2026, there are limited published resources at this time. We are currently working on ordering the best option to support your child and will be in touch when they are available.

Art and Photography

Year 11 Art and Photography students are currently working on their Externally set Assignment (ESA) worth 40% of their final GCSE grade. ESPs are running on Wednesday 5 March and Wednesday 19 March 2025 in block 2 - alongside the drop in on a Monday evening

This year on 27th January it is the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp. On this day, Allied soldiers saw first hand the atrocities of the Nazi regime so every year Holocaust Memorial Day is held to commemorate the lives lost to the Holocaust and later genocides.

 

The theme of this year's Holocaust Memorial Day is ‘For a Better Future’ so at Wildern we have used this as an opportunity to look forward and think about how we can do better as a community. In tutor sessions this week students have discussed the importance of celebrating differences rather than letting them divide us. Tutors have also reminded students of the importance of reporting any hateful language or behaviour so that we can make our school a more positive and safer place for everyone. The lessons the world learned from the Holocaust must never be forgotten and it’s important to pass these on through high-quality teaching to our students. 

 

This week, 18 year 8 students competed in the national Faraday challenge. Students worked in teams of 6 to design a new product that could; help a person with a disability, create an educational toy for a 2 - 5 year old or an aid to be used in a sporting event.

 

All 3 teams showed amazing teamwork, resilience and creativity in their designs including a walking stick that could sense upcoming puddles for a blind person, a game to teach young children different musical rhythms and a target practice device to be used by athletes playing cricket.

Cycling can be a fun and healthy way to pass the time for children and young people – encouraging them to go outside and stay active, while also spending quality time with parents, carers or other trusted adults. It’s also a useful skill for adult life: teaching youngsters how to use a cheaper, healthier and more eco-friendly method of transportation where possible.

 

However, the risk of injuries that cycling carries can quickly put young people off the hobby. If a child is being introduced to cycling as an activity, it’s essential that they’re also taught how to stay safe while out and about. This free guide offers you expert advice on how to practise safe cycling and preserve the wellbeing of children when going out for a ride.

Sources

Journey planner | Cycling UK

Looking to learn how to cycle with confidence? - Find Cycle Training (bikeability.org.uk)

Video: How to teach your child to ride a bike | Cycling UK

Video guide: What to do before setting off | Cycling UK

Essential cycle maintenance advice | Cycling UK

How to organise a bike bus | Cycling UK

Designed for school leavers, Rathbones Virtual Insight Days are a great way to explore different career paths and gain a deeper understanding of the wealth management industry.

 

Attendees have the chance to meet members of our team, ranging from apprentices and graduate trainees to senior leadership, participate in employability skills sessions and meet other like-minded students. You can see an overview of the day’s agenda below:

 

School/College Pupil Virtual Insight Day

18th February 2025, 10am-4pm

 

10am - Welcome

10.30am - Intro to the Wealth Management industry and Rathbones

11.15am - Culture and Values at Rathbones

12pm - Meet the Trainees (speed dating session)

1-2pm - Lunch Break

2pm - CV and Interview Skills Session

3pm - An Inside Look - Q&A panel with senior colleagues from across the business

4pm - Close

We are excited to share an incredible opportunity for students and parents to explore the wide range of courses and facilities offered at Sparsholt College. To make it easy for you to discover everything Sparsholt has to offer, they have  provided an interactive link below.

 

Through this link, you’ll find information about what courses are available, spanning a diverse range of subjects tailored to suit a variety of interests and career aspirations. From hands-on vocational training to academic pathways, Sparsholt College provides students with the resources and support to achieve their goals.

 

Each course link contains a virtual tour of the college’s facilities, allowing you to explore from the comfort of your home.

 

Interactive Campus Experience

Here is our Spring term Co-Curricular timetable of activities.

Wednesday 22 January

Y9 Boys Football won against Deer Park School

 

Thursday 23 January

U13 Girls Football lost to Deer Park School

Y8 Boys Football won against Bitterne Park School

Monday 27 January

Year 7 Boys Football v Bitterne Park School

 

Tuesday 28 January

Year 8 Boys Football v St George's Catholic College

 

Wednesday 29 January

Year 9 Boys Football v St George's Catholic College

U13 Girls Football v St George's Catholic College

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 & Educators Need to Know about In-Game Chat

 

Online gaming enjoys an apparently ever-increasing level of popularity, and many players are eager to connect with one another as they enjoy a friendly competition or go for the win side by side. Whether it’s to strategise and coordinate, or simply have a chat as you indulge in your hobby, the fact remains that plenty of games now offer means for their players to talk to one another, be that in a text or voice format.

 

Unfortunately, this functionality – which is used to connect with strangers just as often as it is with friends – poses several risks to younger players, and it’s vital for parents and educators to understand these safety concerns. This free guide offers expert advice on the issues that may arise when using in-game chat, and lets you know how to safeguard the children in your care as they make use of this technology.

 

We've also produced a version of this guide in podcast format, so you can access the same superb support while you're on the go. 

Every Student Matters, Every Moment Counts

 

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Wildern School

Wildern Lane

Hedge End

Southampton

Hampshire

SO30 4EJ

 

01489 783473

 

#WeAreWildern