Hello and welcome to this week's Wildern Weekly!

 

My name is Mr Ryan-Heaney and I teach within the Mathematics Department. I am the ADOPA for Year 10, where I work with a wide range of students, getting to celebrate their successes and work with them on their progression into their final year of school.

 

I am also responsible for managing the Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) scheme at Wildern. This provides students from Year 9 onwards a great opportunity to develop a wide range of life skills, whilst also discovering new interests and supporting in the local community. Students will get to participate in walks, camps and expeditions which take place across our local national parks, and are always thoroughly enjoyed by all.

 

This year, I am particularly proud of our Year 11 students who are undertaking their DofE Silver Award. This is a progression from the skills that they have learnt over the last 2 years whilst completing the Bronze award. Students will be completing their final Assessed Expedition after their exams have finished towards the end of June, and they have all shown great commitment in completing their sections. This is the first Silver DofE group that Wildern has EVER had, and we hope to be able to continue this going forward in the years to come.

We would not be able to run DofE for so many students across the school without the hard work and dedication of such an amazing team of teachers who give up their time and expertise to provide students with such a fantastic enrichment opportunity. Across the rest of the year, we will have 6 separate weekends where DofE activities will be taking place.

 

Thank you for reading, have a lovely half term!

We regularly receive some wonderful feedback from different members of our Wildern community and we wanted to share this with you too.

 

'Wonderful words' will be showcased in Reception as well as here on the Wildern Weekly. You can recognise staff by scanning the QR code or clicking the link to our new staff recognition form.

Whole School

Monday 26 May - Friday 30 May Half Term

Monday 2 June  Week A

Monday 9 June Week B

Monday 16 June Week A

Thursday 19 June Summer Music Concert

Friday 20 June  Inset Day - School closed for students

Year 7

          Thursday 12 June Virtual Parents Evening

Year 8

           Thursday 5 June Legoland Trip

           Tuesday 17 + Wednesday 18 June - HPV Vaccines

Year 9

No Key Dates

Year 10

Wednesday 4 + Thursday 5 June Hengistbury Head Trip

Monday 9 + Tuesday 10 June Hengistbury Head Trip

Tuesday 17 + Wednesday 18 June - Experience of a Workplace

School Crossing Patrol

Please not that there will be no school crossing patrols after Thursday 22 May AM until Tuesday 3 June.

Parent Governor Vacancy

Wildern School's Local Academy Committee (LAC) has an exciting opportunity for a parent to join us as a Parent Governor this Summer term, 2025.

Summer Celebration of Dance - Thursday 19 June

Tickets for the Summer Celebration of Dance will go on sale at 9am on Monday 9th June. Tickets can be purchased here. 

Music Lessons - September 2025

If your child is interested in learning an instrument or in having singing lessons in September 2025, please see this google form for information and to sign up. 

Paultons Park Trip 2025 FAQ's

Please click here for our live FAQ's - which will be regularly updated with questions we have received from parents.

No letters for Year 7 

Madrid Trip - February 2026

MFL Students interested in a trip to Madrid in 2026 please pay the deposit of £150 on ParentPay by Saturday 31 May    

HPV Vaccines now due

An email has been sent to all parents/carers with regards to the HPV vaccination.  Please complete the electronic form on this email.

These will take place on 17 and 18 June 2025.

Chromebook Scheme (September 2025)

Please see attached letter with all the information, benefits and sign up information with regards to the Chromebook Scheme for September 2025 when your child is in Year 9. Deadline is Monday 2 June 2025

Madrid Trip - February 2026

MFL Students interested in a trip to Madrid in 2026 please pay the deposit of £150 on ParentPay by Saturday 31 May  

 

Geography Field trips

The first two days of our GCSE fieldwork go out Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th June. All students going on the trip need to check the weather, be in non-uniform, trainers and bring a packed lunch and plenty of water. Students will register at the front of school at 8:30am. We should return between 3:00-3:30pm depending on traffic.

Prom Vehicle Arrangements

An email has been sent with regards to the Prom vehicle arrangements from the Venue.

Year Books

Please click here should you wish to order a Year Book.  When the Yearbook company have 10 orders the books will be printed and delivered to school. As such the delivery date cannot be confirmed.

Did you know that what your child eats can have a big impact on their learning, concentration and energy levels throughout the school day?

 

Students have busy days filled with learning, activities and personal growth — and they need good fuel to stay alert and focused. That’s where brain food comes in, helping students perform at their best, because every bite matters and every moment counts. A healthy breakfast and smart snack choices are essential for making the most of each day’s opportunities.

 

Breakfast gives the brain the energy it needs to start the day. After a night of fasting, a healthy breakfast restores glucose — the brain’s main fuel, improving memory, attention and problem-solving skills.

 

Skipping breakfast can lead to low energy, poor focus, and irritability, not a great way to start a school day!

Quick, Nutritious Breakfast Ideas:

• Porridge with fruit (e.g, banana or berries) – Packed with fibre and slow-release carbohydrates for steady energy.
• Toast with scrambled egg – Eggs are rich in protein and choline, important for brain development and memory.
• Low-fat yogurt with chopped fruit and oats – Provides protein and calcium, plus complex carbohydrates to keep students full and focused.
• Smoothie with milk, banana, and oats – Combines calcium, potassium, and fibre for an easy-to-digest, nutrient-rich option.

The best snacks provide lasting energy without causing a sugar crash. Look for options with protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals — all of which support brain function.

 

Nut-Free Snack Ideas:

• Carrot sticks or cucumber with houmous – Houmous offers protein and iron for energy, while veggies add fibre and vitamins.
• Boiled egg with crackers – Eggs provide protein and vitamin D. Wholegrain crackers offer slow-release energy.
• Rice cakes with mashed avocado – Avocados are rich in healthy fats, supporting memory and brain function.
• Low-fat yogurt with a sprinkle of oats or fruit – A protein and probiotic boost for digestion and sustained energy, with added fibre from oats or fruit.
• Banana or a small fruit pot – Fast fuel with natural sugars and potassium, supporting nerve and muscle function.

Encouraging healthy eating habits doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated. A balanced breakfast and a few well chosen snacks can make a real difference in how your child performs and feels at school. Try prepping snacks ahead of time to make mornings and after school routines easier.

Let’s keep our students fuelled, focused, and ready to learn!

Last week, a group of year 7 students had the incredible opportunity to step back in time during a visit to Bletchley Park, the historic home of Britain’s World War II codebreakers.

 

The trip offered a fascinating insight into the secretive world of wartime intelligence, from Alan Turing’s ground-breaking work on the Enigma machine to the daily life of the men and women who worked tirelessly behind the scenes.

 

Students explored the original huts and blocks where vital codebreaking work took place, and engaged with interactive exhibits that brought this pivotal period of history to life. The experience was not only educational but also inspiring, shining a spotlight on the power of teamwork, resilience, and innovation.

 

Everyone came away with a deeper appreciation of the incredible contributions made at Bletchley Park and how they shaped the course of history.

This past weekend our Year 10 Bronze Duke of Edinburgh group participated in an overnight camp focused on developing their campcraft skills, such as putting up tents and cooking meals on Trangia Stoves. 

 

We were blessed with glorious sunshine for the camp, and students got the opportunity to play games, make smores on the campfire and enjoy being outdoors. 

 

All students held a great account for themselves and were a credit to the school. They are now thoroughly prepared for their Assessed Expeditions in the coming months.

A fantastic day had at the Romsey Relay Marathon 2025 last Sunday!  We had beautiful sunshine! £898 raised so far (17% above our target!) for Papyrus charity.

 

It was superb to add a student team to our staff teams for the first time - they were excellent! Well done all!

 

Any other donations would be amazing and much appreciated from the Team!  Please click here should you wish to donate.

Hampshire County Council have joined forces with the RNLI and the University of Portsmouth to get key water safety messages out to all secondary schools. As Hampshire has about 230 miles of coastline, as well as many rivers, canals and lakes, it’s essential that young people know about water safety.

 

Every year, 300-400 people lose their lives by accidental drowning. It’s the third most common cause of death amongst children and young people.

 

Two of the most common causes are cold water shock and rip currents. Hampshire have created a short information film (see below) identifying what to do in these situations that they hope will inform parents and young people.

The key steps to remember are below:

Cold water shock: 

• Remember to float
• The cold water will catch your breathe
• Don’t panic - keep calm
• Try and relax
• Shout for help 

Rip currents (when the water pulls at your ankles):

• Swim between lifeguard flags (if there are any)
• Swim parallel to the shore
• Shout for help

We know that these messages may not be new for some of you but we wanted to ensure that before the summer holidays these are revisited to ensure that everyone in our community knows how to keep safe. 

Today PC Newell and PC Hearn came into Wildern to host a knife crime drop in session at break time. Our students were all very interested in speaking to our local Police team and we would like to thank them for coming in

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

College open events are a great opportunity for students and parents and guardians to explore what options are available after completing GCSEs.

As well as meeting staff and students, you can learn more about courses being offered and tour the facilities.

Please refer to individual provider websites for details on how to book
attendance and check the events are still taking place on the advertised dates.

There will be further open events available in the autumn term of year
11. These will be advertised as dates become available.

Do you know a young person looking for work experience? 

 

BAE Systems Maritime Services in Portsmouth are offering Work Experience Programmes for 14 – 18 year olds this Summer:

Our 5-day work experience placements include presentations, tours and team building exercises, plus practical experience in engineering or business-related tasks (see placement specialisms listed above). Students will work as part of a group with other work experience students, and independently on individual tasks.

 

If students successfully complete their placement, they’ll achieve an Industrial Cadets Silver Award.

 

BAE Systems Work Experience Programmes close for application (a minimum of) 6 weeks prior to the advertised start date, or sooner once a sufficient number of applications are received. Therefore, early application is advised. Please note the individual programme opening and closing dates stated above.  Students can expect to receive the outcome of their online application approximately 5 weeks before the scheduled placement start date.

 

To get started, complete the online form at: Work experience | Getting ready for work | UK Careers | Careers | BAE Systems 

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 Palworld

 

Released in January 2024, Palworld took the gaming scene by storm, selling over five million copies in just three days. A new take on the survival genre – blending mechanics similar to games like Minecraft with the ability to catch and fight alongside creatures reminiscent of Pokémon – it saw plenty of coverage from games journalists and influencers alike. 

 

However, despite its lower age rating and popularity with young gamers, Palworld has been criticised for its reliance on shock humour – touching on topics including animal abuse and sweatshop labour – and as a game featuring online multiplayer, one can expect certain safety concerns to arise.

 

Our Wake Up Wednesday guide dives into the risks of Palworld, offering expert tips on how to safeguard children who simply want to enjoy the game.

Every Student Matters, Every Moment Counts

 

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Wildern School

Wildern Lane

Hedge End

Southampton

Hampshire

SO30 4EJ

 

01489 783473

 

#WeAreWildern