This term has flown by marked with lots of sunshine, and with the clocks changing, spring's arrival feels imminent! Phew!

 

Once more this term has been packed with enriching experiences for our students, including a vibrant Science Week, engaging World Book Day, vital Safer Internet Day, and insightful Careers Week, alongside numerous PE fixtures and trips. 

 

A true highlight was our powerful Dance Live performance, tackling the "Post Office scandal" with remarkable talent and passion. It's a must-see. 

 

As we approach Easter, we eagerly anticipate the summer term; the longer warmer days are always a blessing.

Today, we held our second Cultural Day, which we plan to build on and celebrate annually. You can read more about this in the write up by our Diversity Focus Group in the Spotlight section.

Have a lovely, restful Easter holiday. 

Mrs Oakley

Whole School

Monday 7 April - Monday 21 April Easter Holidays

Tuesday 22 April Inset Day School closed for Students

Wednesday 23 April Students return to School - Week B

Monday 5 May Bank Holiday School closed

Thursday 15 May Parent information evening: Education for Life & RSE (Relationship & Sex Education)

 Year 7

            Tuesday 6 May Year 7 exams week

Year 8

Friday 25 April Aurora Mac mentoring

Thursday 8 May Parent information evening: Chromebooks

Monday 12 May Year 8 Exams Week

Year 9

Monday 28 April Year 9 exams week

Year 10

Thursday 24 April Parents Evening - face to face

Friday 25 April Aurora Mac mentoring

Tuesday 29 April Science trip to Marwell Zoo

Wednesday 30 April - Friday 2 May Practice interviews

Year 11

Wednesday 23 - Friday 25 April MFL GCSE Speaking exams

Monday 28 April - Friday 2 May GCSE Art & photography exams

Wednesday 7 May Reports Home

 

Consultation Outcome

 

Please see attached letter from Mr Mann with regards to the consultation for October Half Term.  Please also note the subsequent change of date to one of our Inset days (INSET day 4) for 2025/26 as a result.

Uniform update

 

As always when we return from a holiday we will check students uniform on the first day back. Please ensure your child has the correct uniform and use the two week break to check that your child has everything they need.

 

Ties

To support students in wearing their ties every day we are adopting a new approach. If a student arrives at school without a tie they will be sent to the Student Hub where they will be given a tie for the day and will hand in their phone to ensure the tie is returned at the end of the day. If students refuse they will be out of circulation for the day.

 

If you have any ties of any colour or pattern that you would like to donate to us please hand these into Reception or via your child’s tutor. 

 

Nose studs

I wrote to you at the start of this term about the increase in students wearing nose studs in school. I am pleased to report that students have responded positively and are wearing clear retainers if they have a piercing. I will take this opportunity to remind you that if you choose to have your child’s nose pierced during the holidays they will need to return with a clear retainer. Students who refuse to wear a clear retainer or remove their nose stud will be out of circulation.

 

Uniform check list:

• Green Wildern jumper
• White shirt (tucked in)
• Wildern tie
• Black trousers
• Black tailored shorts (knee length)
• Wildern skirt
• Black polishable shoes
• Black tights or socks (not both)

Summer term timetables

 

Student timetables have been sent out today for the Summer Term. Due to staff changes (maternity leaves, new staff joining and others who are leaving), we have had to re-timetable for after Easter and there will be some changes to students’ teachers and classes. We will reissue timetables after the holidays to all students. Please discuss these changes with your child and ensure they have updated their timetable in their planner at the end of the first day back after Easter. 

Tescos Stronger Starts Scheme

 

If you visit either of the Hedge End Tescos Express stores or Tescos Extra in Bursledon, our Toast and Talk initiative is featuring as one of the options to vote for with blue tokens at the checkout.

 

Toast and Talk is a breakfast club that has been running for some of our  students on a Tuesday morning and it has been really well attended. We would love to expand this opportunity to more students and are thankful to Tescos for featuring us in their community fundraising.

 

The more votes we get, the more funding we will receive. So if you are in tescos please make sure you get your blue token at the checkout and vote for us. Please spread the word to friends and family - the vote is open until 30 June 2025.

SEND Newsletter

 

Our Spring newsletter has been sent to parents of SEND students outlining the some key dates, exam support, reading interventions and an update on our Autism in Schools project. You can read more here. 

Upcoming Parent Information Evenings

 

Chromebooks Year 8 Only  - Thursday 8 May 2025 - 6 - 7pm

Organiser: Mr Walmsley - Info here

Venue: School Hall

Book your space here

 

 

RSE & Education for Life  - Thursday 15 May 2025 - 6 - 7pm

Organiser: Mr Ware

Venue: School Hall

Book your space here

No letters for Years 7 & 8

Year 9 and 10 trip to Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew

The Science department would like to offer your child the opportunity to visit the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. The trip includes entry to the gardens and a 45 minute workshop, focussing on the Photosynthesis & Gas Exchange.  Sign up on Parent Pay - deadline is Friday 25 April 2025

Year 9 and 10 curriculum changes

We are writing to let you know that after Easter, Year 9 & 10 students will have a timetable change affecting the number of hours of study for Science and core PE. We have been able to appoint a new Science teacher so we have been able to fully restore our intended Science curriculum hours for all students in Year 9 and 10. Time has been made available for this by students having one less core PE lesson a fortnight. 

Year 10 - Letter from Mr Kinnaird

As we approach Easter break, I felt it important to write to you and reflect on what has occurred for Year 10 during this term.

Today, we held our second Cultural Day, which we plan to build on and celebrate annually. The day was led by our Diversity Focus Group, and our aim was to provide every student with the opportunity to explore and celebrate their individual identities while recognising how these unique identities contribute to our Wildern culture. We want to ensure that every student understands they have the right to belong within our school community.

 

By highlighting the rich heritage and diversity within our school, we also focused on our ‘Respect’ value and the British principles of tolerance. The day was centered around the importance of respecting and embracing everyone for who they are, regardless of differences, and approaching these differences with curiosity and open-mindedness.

We invited staff and students to come to school dressed in a way that reflects their family heritage, traditions, or culture—whether through traditional/cultural attire, flag colors, Wildern House colors, or uniforms such as those worn by cadets, scouts, or similar groups.

Throughout the day, our students had the chance to learn about, share, and celebrate different cultures and traditions in various lessons, alongside engaging breaktime activities like food tastings from different cultures. World Dance tutorials also provided a fun way for students to explore global movement styles.

 

We look forward to sharing the photos and memories from our Cultural Day with you soon.

A massive well done to those who entered into the Wildern House Easter Cooking Competition 2025. The winners are: 1st place - Kirstie B 10A1, 2nd place - Oliwia 9S2 and 3rd place - Poppy D 7P1

A selection of arty eggs created by the students.

Year 11 Photographers making the most of the beautiful sunny weather today by creating these lovely cyanotypes or 'sun prints'

People of all ages use emojis in their digital communications. In addition to adding humour or emphasis to messages, for some communities and peer groups, these symbols can form a language of their own. Emojis can have lots of different meanings and most of the time children and young people will use them innocently. However, they might sometimes use them to discuss things like drugs or sex or as a code to disguise their true intentions from adults. 
 

While hidden meanings behind emojis used by young people can be harmless, some may indicate risks including extremism, drugs, sexual interactions and bullying. The new Netflix series, Adolescence, has sparked some powerful conversations about online safety - particularly how easily children can hide what they’re really saying in everyday conversations and which depicted the devastating consequences of harmful online interactions, and the warning signs (in the form of emojis) that are easily missed by adults. 

 

To help parents decode potentially harmful messages, here is a list of emojis commonly used in dangerous contexts. This includes specific emojis used on the show, and others highlighted by the work of Olivia Brown, Associate Professor in Digital Futures at the University of Bath.

If you see your child using these emojis, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re using them in the ways described. When monitoring digital interactions for these emojis, it’s important to remember that context matters. Their use does not automatically indicate a harmful conversation - the specific circumstances in which a symbol is used will reveal whether it’s something that should spark concern. Understanding the hidden meanings behind emojis can be most helpful when they are considered alongside other markers of risk. 

 

Of course, the language used by teenagers is constantly evolving. The meanings of emojis can change from one month to the next, so it’s useful to try to stay abreast of the latest slang, as it may offer signs of safeguarding risks. Here’s what they might mean in some alternative contexts.

We know that for many the school holidays are an exciting time of the year however for some of you we know it can be a difficult time. If you need support over the holiday period or if you are concerned about a friend below are some points of contact for you.

• The Wellbeing Hub on our website is a great place to access support.
• ChatHealth 07505 332160
• Childline
• Samaritans 116123
• Police 101 or in an emergency 999
• CAMHS
• If you are upset and having thoughts and urges about hurting yourself, then stop, take a deep breath and read this page
• If you are witnessing or a victim of Stop Domestic Abuse can provide support
• If you are coping with grief Winstons Wish has some great tips to help you

Experian are excited to announce their virtual work experience opportunities, taking place in May for students in year groups 7-9 (First Step) and 10-13 (Next Step). Our events take place outside of school hours, making them easily accessible for all students.

FIRST STEP - Student year groups 7-9 England & Wales,

Tuesday 1 May at 4.30pm (virtual session)

 

“Free Skins or Fake Wins? Exposing Fake Gaming Giveaways!”

• A 45-minute briefing with the Experian team
• Complete the career challenge at their own pace
• Certification awarded on completion
• Register now! (students)

NEXT STEP - Student year groups 10-13 England & Wales, 

Wednesday 14 May at 5pm (virtual session)

"Get Rich Quick... or Get Caught? The Dark Side of Influencer Money Scams!"

• A 45-minute virtual briefing with the Experian team
• Complete the career challenge at their own pace
• Certification awarded on completion
• Register now! (students)

Southampton FC - Starling Bank

 

The Next Starling is a free football experience, provided by Starling Bank, with the aim of providing local girls with an elite experience to inspire them on their footballing journey. Taking place at Staplewood Training Campus.

 

The experience gives girls ranging from under 8's to under 13's the chance to train like 'the next star' of the academy with academy-style training sessions led by Southampton FC coaches, all hosted at our elite facility: Staplewood Training Campus.

 

There are a limited number of places available across the sessions below. Places on this experience are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information and to book click here

Year 10 Boys football beat Redbridge 6-0 in the semi final of the district cup and move to the final.

Year 9 Boys football beat Hamble 4-1.

Congratulations to the U13 Netball Team who placed 2nd in the Southampton School Netball Tournament on Monday at Southampton Sports Centre.

 

We lost one match narrowly and won all other matches, conceding only 1 goal across all those winning games. A wonderful showcase of the netball talent we have here at Wildern. Well Done!

Congratulations to the Year 7 Wildern Netball Team who came 3rd in the U12 Hampshire Netball Finals at Southampton Sports Centre.

Following the Morning Round Wildern qualified for the afternoon cup competition. The competition was fierce with some great netball talent on display. After some really challenging games, and some epic performances from the Wildern team we placed 3rd out of 18 teams across Hampshire. 

Player of the Tournament: Quinn M.  A huge well done to all!

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 Bluesky

 

Bluesky is a microblogging social media platform that gained popularity after separating from Twitter in 2021.

 

Since accounts must be public, this opens the door to potential trolling, cyberbullying and the spread of misinformation.

 

We’ve created this free guide, offering parents and educators advice and guidance on the tools available to keep children safe while using the popular social media platform Bluesky.

Every Student Matters, Every Moment Counts

 

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Wildern School

Wildern Lane

Hedge End

Southampton

Hampshire

SO30 4EJ

 

01489 783473

 

#WeAreWildern