Parent Bulletin Friday 28 February
|
|
|
Parent Bulletin Friday 28 February 2025
|
|
|
|
|
Welcome back!
We hope you and your families enjoyed a restful and rejuvenating break. As the first signs of spring appear, we're thrilled to kick off a new half-term filled with exciting learning opportunities and growth for our students.
We're re-energised and ready to dive into a term brimming with fresh ideas and engaging activities. This spring term promises to be a time of renewal and progress, mirroring the blossoming season around us.
In this newsletter, you'll find important information about upcoming events, key dates for your calendar, and a glimpse into the exciting curriculum we have planned for the term. We're especially looking forward to our culture day at the end of March as well as wishing our Year 11's the best for their upcoming GCSE exams.
|
|
|
We value your partnership and look forward to working together to ensure another successful and rewarding half- term for all our students. Your support and involvement are invaluable, and we encourage you to stay connected with us throughout the coming weeks.
We are hopeful that this spring term will be a time of growth, discovery, and joyful learning!
|
|
|
Whole School
Monday 3 March Week A
Thursday 6 March World Book Day
Monday 10 March Week B
Thursday 13 March Parent Information Evening: Supporting your Child with reading
Monday 17 March Week A
Thursday 20 March Parent Information Evening: SEN in a Mainstream School
Friday 21 March Red Nose Day - Non School Uniform Day
Monday 24 March Week B
Year 7
Tuesday 11 March NHS Health & Wellbeing Roadshow
|
|
Year 8
Monday 3 - 14 March Pathways Taster Lessons
Tuesday 11 March NHS Health & Wellbeing Roadshow
Friday 14 March KS3 Science Live Trip
Monday 24 March Pathways Form Deadline
Year 9
Friday 7 March Work Skills Day
Year 10
Sunday 9 March DofE South Downs Trip
Year 11
Thursday 6 & Friday 7 March Drama Practical Exam
Wednesday 19 March GCSE PE Moderation
Thursday 20 March Dance Practical NEA
Friday 21 - Saturday 22 March DofE Silver Practice Expedition
|
|
|
New Head Student Team 2025 - 2026
We are excited to announce our new head student team for 2025-2026! Congratulations to Maisie, Tom, Alice and Michelle!
We had the privilege of interviewing 17 top class students who passionately presented on a cause they would champion as head students and then faced tough interview questions to fight for their chance to be on the team. It was fantastic to see a showcase of some of Wildern’s finest students who displayed such maturity, insight and great character.
We are excited to see what impact Maisie, Tom, Alice and Michelle, and their team of prefects, have over the next year!
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Parent Information Evenings - Open to ALL year gorups
|
|
|
|
|
SEND Evening - Thursday 20 March 2025, 6-7pm
Organiser: Mrs J Fleeman
Venue: Hall
SEND Evening
|
|
|
Proposal Letter from Raise Education Trust
The schools across RAISE Education Trust recognise that their greatest asset is the staff that teach our young people day in, day out. As with many of the public services, schools nationally are facing recruitment challenges for both teaching and support staff. Our Trust is no different and is therefore looking to find creative ways to both retain and recruit the very best staff for all our schools.
In addition, over the last three years we have also become increasingly aware of the increase in school absence for both young people and staff over November in particular which has caused increasing disruption to learning for all our community.
Therefore, please see attached a letter with a proposal currently under consideration by the Trust Board and staff across the Trust, that would introduce significant changes to the school calendar and potentially the school day from September 2025.
|
Spring Dance Showcase
This is on Thursday 3 April. Tickets will go on sale on Monday 10 March from the The Little Box Office. The link for tickets will be shared in the Wildern Weekly next week.
|
Parent Pay
There is a top up machine in the Red Dining Hall where students can load cash onto their parent pay account or can check their balance.
|
|
|
World Book Day
On Thursday 6th March we will be celebrating here at Wildern.
Dress as your favourite literary character or take part in 'Book Bounding' where you can draw inspiration from character colours and accessories, team up with friends for some fun, and raise money for the LRC and our associated supported charities.
Donations can be made via ParentPay all next week.
|
|
Duolingo Competition results
Well done to the 200 students and staff who took part in our first Duolingo language learning competition!
We were blown away by the enthusiasm and dedication to learn from so many people. It was very competitive, but the results are below. (Who knew that Portuguese would be so popular!)
Hopefully this will be able to continue your streak even further.
Best overall student: Livia D 9B2, learning Spanish
Best teacher: Mrs Cowan, learning French
Best tutor groups: 10A1, 10P2, 8S2
Year 7: Lexi S-R 7S1 Spanish
Year 8: Joseph R 8S2 Portuguese
Year 9: Filip W 9S2 Portuguese
Year 10: Sam O 10S2 French
Year 11: Alex G 11S2 Portuguese
Watch out for the next competition soon!
|
|
|
No letters or reminders for Year 7 this week
|
|
Pathways Letter
In our recent Year 8 Pathways Information Evening, we explained the pathways process and the choices available to your child. If you have not yet viewed this presentation you can find it on this link
|
|
|
Years 8, 9 & 10 Skiing Trip to Italy – Easter 2026 (current Year 7, 8 and 9 Students)
We are taking a Skiing Trip to Val Di Fassa, Italy at Easter 2026, from Saturday 28 March 2026 to Saturday 4 April 2026. The cost of the trip will be £1395.00 which includes a deposit payment of £155.00 by Sunday 16 March (non-refundable). There are 40 places available. This is a very competitive price and includes:
- 5 hours ski instruction per day (by qualified ski instructors)
- Full board accommodation
- All ski equipment hire
- Insurance (including Ski Breakage)
- Lift pass – including glacier
- All transport to and from the resort
- Evening entertainments in resort
- Trip Hoodie
- Dry slope skiing lessons (prior to the trip)
In early December 2025 (date to be confirmed) there will be a Parent information Ski Trip Evening in the School Hall, from 5.00pm until 6.00pm to provide parents and students with more specific details about the trip.
|
|
|
|
Battlefields Trip to Belgium (Ypres) & France (Somme)
Friday 3 October - Monday 6 October 2025
The History Department will be offering the opportunity for Year 10 (current Year 9) History students to enrich their experience of the History curriculum through a field trip to France and Belgium. Students will gain a detailed insight into the events of World War I at Sanctuary Wood, the underground tunnels at Vimy Ridge, the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate, the contrasting British and German cemeteries at Langemark and Tyne Cot, and the most impressive interactive state of the art Memorial Museum in Passchendaele. The cost of the trip is £390. Sign up deadline Sunday 2 March.
|
|
Sparx Letter
The Science department is excited to let you know that we’ve partnered with Sparx to start using their new science homework platform, Sparx Science. From the week commencing 10th March your child will be using Sparx Science to complete weekly homework
|
Year 9 - French, German & Spanish Revision Guides
Revision guides are now available for the new GCSE for French, German and Spanish. You can buy them from finance and then pick them up from your language teacher. French and Spanish are £7 and the German guide is £3.50. All are half the price that you can get online and contain all the language, grammar and practice to help your child prepare for the exams in MFL.
|
|
|
Year 10 - French, German & Spanish Revision Guides
Revision guides are now available for the new GCSE for French, German and Spanish. You can buy them from finance and then pick them up from your language teacher. French and Spanish are £7 and the German guide is £3.50. All are half the price that you can get online and contain all the language, grammar and practice to help your child prepare for the exams in MFL.
|
|
Marwell Zoo Trip - Tuesday 29 April
The Science department would like to offer students in Year 10 the opportunity to visit Marwell Zoo, Winchester. The trip includes entry to the zoo and a workshop called the World Wide Webs, focusing on the themes of food webs and interdependence. The aim of the trip is to provide students with the opportunity to explore the relationships between living organisms through a variety of interactive activities and an opportunity to explore the zoo. The cost of the trip is £32.25. Sign up deadline Friday 7 March.
|
|
|
Science Separate Biology mini-paper: On Thursday 6 March students studying separate science will complete their biology mini-paper during their lesson. Students should revise and prepare for this exam using the resources available on Google classroom and the Science website.
|
Year 11 Leaving Arrangements
As we approach the final weeks of Year 11 we would like to share some key information for Year 11 students in the run up to their exams.
|
|
Year 11 Prom - Update & Ticket Information
Following our previous letter regarding the Year 11 Prom, please see attached
|
Year 11 - Hoodies & Year Book
Letters with all information and details on how to order have been sent out - please check your emails. Deadline is Friday 21 March.
|
|
|
What your child is learning this half term
|
This year, following parental feedback we will be sharing with parents a summary of what students will be learning about in their subject lessons each half term. This information is something it was felt would enable you as parents to be better informed when speaking to your child about their learning and be able to support them further at home. Please see these links to give you more information about what your child will be studying this half term.
|
|
|
Perse Coding Challenge Results
|
The Perse Coding Team Challenge is an international competition open to Computer Science students, with teams from secondary schools across the UK and around the world battling it out over two rounds for certificates and to win The Braben Cup.
At Wildern we have run this competition for several years, with some students entering every year throughout their study of Computer Science from Year 9 to 11. This year is no different, with some new entrants having their first experience of competitive coding, and some seasoned veterans taking part in their third competition.
|
|
|
Well done to the following students for their participation and achievement in round one this year:
- Oliwia S (Year 9) - Merit
- Shashwath C (Year 10) - Merit
- Megh K (Year 10) - Merit
- Emma C (Year 11) - Higher Participation
- Lily E (Year 11) - Higher Participation
- Sophie G (Year 11) - Higher Participation
- Arjun S (Year 11) - Higher Participation
- Anahita Y (Year 11) - Higher Participation
Huge congratulations to Ben G and Adan L (Year 11), who have qualified for the final by achieving Distinction level!
|
|
|
|
Finally, if you would like to have a go at some competition questions and see just what our competitors were up against, you can tackle some previous years questions here: https://pctc.perse.co.uk/practice/
|
|
|
There will be a ‘Meet the Contractor’ information event for Botley Bypass on Thursday 13 March for the general public local to Botley.
Hampshire County Council, in collaboration with partner Milestone Infrastructure, soon to be rebranded as M Group, will be present at the event to address any questions. This event aims to provide comprehensive information about the Botley Bypass scheme, including an overview of the phasing plan, ecological and environmental considerations, and the objectives for delivering the project.
Event Details:
Date: Thursday, 13 March
Time: 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: Deer Park School Community Hall Sports Centre, Sika Avenue, Hedge End, SO30 2HT
To ensure the venue's capacity is managed, you are kindly encouraged to book your visit in advance via the Eventbrite page, which you can find on the scheme webpage.
Botley Bypass | Transport and roads | Hampshire County Council
|
|
|
|
Engineering Apprenticeship vacancies are starting to go live now. There are currently 15 vacancies. These will only increase between now and the end of May. So if you have any young people that are interested in engineering, please click Link Here
Use the Apprenticeships Tab at the top of the page, current vacancies is the first drop down on the list!
|
|
|
Railway Education
New treasure trove of free railway learning
resources to inspire next generation of
innovators in bicentenary year. Click here for more information.
|
|
|
Parent/Carer General Technical & Apprenticeship Information Session
The Hampshire Careers Hub is hosting an informative Parent/Carer General Technical & Apprenticeship Information Session, This session will provide valuable insights into apprenticeships, T-Levels, and other technical pathways, helping you support your child in making informed decisions about their future.
To register for the above information session please click the link below, scroll down halfway and click on Upcoming Events on the right hand side.
Register Here
|
|
Get Career Smart! National Careers Week & Free Parent Guide
National Careers Week is happening w/b 3 March. It's a great opportunity for students to explore different career paths and get inspired about their future. We'll be running some activities in school during the week to help students think about their options, but we also wanted to let you know about a fantastic free resource that's available to you as parents: a National Careers Week Parent Guide to Careers!
This guide is packed with useful information, tips, and advice on how you can support your child in making career decisions. It covers everything from navigating subject choices and finding work experience, to understanding apprenticeships and university options. It's a really valuable tool, and we highly recommend taking a look.
You can download the free guide here: The Parents' Guide to Careers
We believe that parents play a crucial role in helping their children shape their future careers, and this guide is designed to empower you with the knowledge and resources you need to do just that.
|
|
|
Easter 2025 - Half Term Activities
|
The Eastleigh Active programme of sports and activity sessions expands to Easter for a third year to help children and young people across the Borough to escape the everyday this April. Eastleigh Borough Council’s programme will run Tuesdays to Thursdays, 8 - 10 and 15 - 17 April across the two Easter holiday weeks for 5-16-year-olds. It sees the return of popular activities such as Golf, Tennis and CrossFit.
All information about the programme can be found here. There will be two release dates on Tuesday 4th March at 10am and Thursday 6th March at 1pm
|
|
|
Fixtures Next Week
Tuesday 4 March
Year 8 Boys Football v Cantell
Wednesday 5 March
Year 7 Boys Football v USH
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 Data Backups & Storage
Most of us have experienced it at some point: the distressing discovery that we can’t open one of our most important or treasured files – usually because of corrupted data, infection by malware or accidental deletion.
A useful solution for keeping valued content safe is backing up files to another location, such as an external hard drive or a cloud-based account.
Keeping ‘spare’ copies of our essential information or precious pictures and videos is good digital practice, but it’s not totally without risk.
From inadvertently copying sensitive or infected files to cloud accounts being targeted by cyber-criminals, there are plenty of considerations to bear in mind.
Check out our #WakeUpWednesday guide to data backups and storage.
|
|
|
|
Every Student Matters, Every Moment Counts
Follow us on social media:
|
Wildern School
Wildern Lane
Hedge End
Southampton
Hampshire
SO30 4EJ
01489 783473
#WeAreWildern
|
|
|
|
