Welcome to this week’s Wildern Weekly. 

 

The beauty of the autumn leaves is everywhere now—a last stunning burst of color before the quiet of winter descends. While we’re thankful for the dry, cloudy days that keep spirits high, we’re even more grateful for the exceptional spirit and positive conduct across our school this week and last half term.

 

We have a packed and exciting half-term ahead to carry us through the darker, wintry days! Key dates include the essential Year 11 Practice Examinations and the start of our festive calendar, including our Music Concert, Dance Showcase, and Christmas Jumper Day. We wish you a restful and lovely weekend.

Whole School

Monday 10 November - Week B

Monday 10 November - Odd Sock Day

Tuesday 11 November - Remembrance Day

Tuesday 11 November - Bike Doctor Visit

Monday 17 November - Week A

Wednesday 19 November - Preloved Sale 3pm -3.45pm

Monday 24 November - Week B

Thursday 27 November - Music Soundbites Concert

Friday 28 November - CPD Day - School closed for Students

Year 7 

No Key Dates

Year 8

            Monday 24 November - Geography Ordnance Survey Trip

Year 9 

            Tuesday 11 November - Soloman's Theatre Workshops

Year 10 

            Tuesday 25 November - Oxford University Trip

Year 11

Monday 3 - 14 November - Practice Exams

Christmas Celebration -  Thursday 4 December 2025

 

You are invited to attend our Christmas Celebration on Thursday 4 December starting at 7.00pm in The Berry Theatre.

There will be performances from all of our main ensembles in school including Orchestra, WAVE Choir, Close Harmony and Brass Band. There will also be various smaller performances.  You can purchase tickets for the concert online here

Christmas Celebration of Dance - Monday 8 December 2025

 

The performance will take place at 7.00pm - 9pm (approx) in The Berry Theatre. Dancers must arrive back at school with their costume(s) at 6.00pm. 

 

Tickets for the show will be available on Monday 10 November from 9am and can be purchased from the following website 

Winchester Science Centre & Planetarium - Tuesday 10 February 2026

An opportunity to attend the Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium to explore the interactive exhibits, complete a workshop in physical matter science and a show in the planetarium. 

The deadline to sign up is Friday 5 December.

Christmas Disco - Thursday 11 December 2025

We are delighted to invite all of our year 7 students to celebrate the end of their first term at our Wildern Christmas Disco! This is the first time we have offered this event, and we are really looking forward to it.

Religious Education

On Wednesday 19 November we are really excited to have two representatives from the Southampton Jewish Congregation to deliver a session about Judaism bringing in artefacts and offering students a question and answer. This will happen within their lesson times for RE or humanities that day

New York Creative Arts Trip: Saturday 13 Feb - Wednesday 17 Feb 2027

We are delighted to invite any Year 8 students interested in Creative Arts to join the current Year 9+10s on this trip. Please see attached letter for more information. Deadline to sign up is Friday 14 November

Legoland - Tuesday 17 March 2026

An opportunity to attend Legoland to explore the park and, complete a workshop on the physics of rollercoasters. The deadline to sign up is Friday 5 December

Battlefields Trip to Belgium 2026

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 residential trip to France and Belgium. The deadline to sign up is 28 November

New York Creative Arts Trip: Saturday 13 Feb - Wednesday 17 Feb 2027

For parents of students studying Creative Arts and are interested in the upcoming trip to New York, please note that the last date for deposits is 14 November 2025 NOT 2026 as was advertised in the letter sent.

Geography

For self study and long term revision students need to have a CGP book. The letters are available outside the finance office and we have the books for sale for a discounted price of £3.50. When students bring the money into finance, they will sign their forms & then the student can bring their slip to their Geography lesson and their teacher will hand them a book. 

A Note from Mr Nash

I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you how amazing Year 11 have been over the first week of practice exams!   It is clear they have taken revision seriously and value the importance of practice to help them prepare for their exams in the summer.

 

Can I just ask that you remind students, as soon as they enter the school site they should be following the Wildern rules surrounding electronic devices and uniforms, to help minimise any potential conflicts that may arise directly before exam starts. 

 

I hope you all have a great weekend and look forward to the continued success of Year 11 into next week and as the Year goes on.  As always please get in contact with Tutors, Mr Ryan-Heaney or myself if there are any issues of concerns. 

Year 11 - Poetry Live! - Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre 

The English department is excited to announce that we have secured tickets to go to the Poetry Live! event at Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre on Tuesday 20 January 2026. Deadline to sign up is Fri 21 November

We share each half term with parents a summary of what students will be learning about in their subject lessons in the following weeks. 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

Get Ready to Unleash Your Power for Good! Anti-Bullying Week is Next Week!

 

As a Rights Respecting School, next week, 10th - 14th November, Wildern will be dedicating time and energy to celebrate Anti-Bullying Week with the theme: "Power for Good."

 

This is an important opportunity for all students to reflect on the difference they can make in promoting Kindness and Respect throughout our school community. We want every student to understand they have the power to stop bullying, support friends, and ensure Wildern remains a safe and inclusive environment.

 

We have a vibrant week planned, designed to engage students with the Wildern Attributes and bring the "Power for Good" theme to life:

"Power for Good" Pledges: Students will have the opportunity to show their determination by writing personal 'Power for Good' Pledges. These commitments detail how they will use their individual power to promote positivity. The pledges will then be displayed in our Wellbeing Garden as a lasting reminder of our collective resolve.

The core of Anti-Bullying Week is reinforcing our key attributes of Kindness and Respect. Bullying thrives in silence, but a community that uses its Power for Good, by speaking out and actively showing kindness, flourishes.

 

We encourage you to talk to your children this week about what the phrase "Power for Good" means to them and how they can embody the Wildern attributes to make a difference every day.

 

We look forward to a week full of positive action!

In October, 45 students and 5 teachers went on their yearly History trip. They visited World War One (WWI) battlefields, military cemeteries, and war memorials in Belgium and Northern France.

 

As in past years, the students honoured soldiers from our local area:

• Thiepval Arch: At this huge memorial for the missing soldiers of the Somme, the students found the names of Private James Windsor and Corporal Sidney Emery.
• Menin Gate: The group also laid a wreath on behalf of the school during the special ceremony here. One of the names written on the Menin Gate is Private Herbert Lucas from Botley
• Local Heroes: For the first time, the group visited the graves of two local soldiers: Lance Corporal Charles Clark and Private Frederick Watts. These two men are also remembered on the St John’s Church memorial in Hedge End.

The Story of Charles Clark

Charles Clark was born in 1895 and lived in Hedge End. His military records tell us a few facts: he was nearly 5 feet 10 inches tall and had a chest measurement of 34.5 inches. In March 1915, the local newspaper reported that he got engaged to Mabel Alice Pink while he was serving in the Royal Flying Corps (the British air force). By May 1915, Charles was fighting in France. He was forced to miss his own grandfather's funeral that July. In December, he was promoted to Lance Corporal.

 

Sadly, Charles was killed in battle when he was only 21. This happened on the very first day of the Battle of the Somme: July 1st, 1916. This single day remains the British Army's deadliest day in history, with 60,000 soldiers killed or wounded. Charles is buried at Dantzig Alley British Cemetery in Mametz. A meeting of the Parish Council later in July recorded that sympathy was sent to his grieving parents.

The Story of Frederick Watts

Frederick Watts is also remembered on the St John’s Church memorial. Not as much was written about him in the local papers. Although his parents were from Hedge End, Frederick lived in Bournemouth. He joined the army in Weymouth in December 1915.

 

By August 1916, Frederick was serving in Belgium with the Hampshire Regiment. He died from his wounds on August 9th, 1916, and is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. It is believed he might have been a victim of a gas attack in the area the day before he died.

 

The students were able to place crosses of remembrance on the graves of Charles Clark and Frederick Watts.

The Missing

However, Private James Windsor (who fell on July 1st, 1916) and Corporal Sidney Emery (who fell on October 23rd, 1916) have no known graves. Their names are simply written on the Thiepval Arch memorial.

 

The local paper described Private James Windsor as 'a very thoughtful and considerate lad for his mother, and was regular in sending home letters to his family.' He had actually been at home on leave from the army just six weeks before his death. Sidney Emery, a former grocer's assistant, was also a top sportsman and had a perfect school attendance record for seven years. The local paper described him as ‘a good lad in every way’.

The Menin Gate Ceremony

Two students laid a wreath representing Wildern school, while the rest of the group watched the Menin Gate ceremony. This special ceremony has happened every single night since 1928, only stopping during the Second World War.

 

The Menin Gate lists the names of soldiers who were killed in the Ypres area and have no known grave. One of these names is Private Herbert Lucas from Botley, who was killed in action on April 29th, 1915. A month later, a memorial service was held for him at the Parish Church in Botley. During the service, hymns were sung in memory of the fallen. The ceremony finished with the National Anthem and a Union Jack flag was hung in the Church to remind the congregation what their loved ones had been fighting for.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.

Hampshire Children's Services Christmas Card competition winner is Yasmin in year 7, congratulations!

 

Wordplayers Topic of the Week

 

In our ‘Worldplayer’ tutor time literacy sessions this week, students have been reading and discussing the latest news surrounding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and the loss of his titles.

 

Students were asked to discuss their opinions on the subject and whether they felt justice had been served. Please feel free to continue this conversation at home!

Reading Ambassadors Programme

 

This week we were very proud to launch our Reading Ambassadors programme with our Year 7 students, who will be mentored in their reading by some of our wonderful Year 9 students. We look forward to working with them all across the year!

Our new Scholastic Book Club is up and running!

 

Click here to browse the latest books and order online. For every £1 you spend on this month’s Book Club, our school will earn 20p in Scholastic Rewards.

 

Please place your order online by 12 December 2025.

November is Men's Mental Health Awareness Month!

 

This raises awareness for men's mental and physical wellbeing, challenges stereotypes, and promotes positive male role models. It's a time to encourage open conversations, normalise seeking support, and combat issues like isolation and high suicide rates among men. At Wildern we are building a culture to promote positive wellbeing for all!

 

Next time you check in with someone, instead of asking "Are you okay?" (which invites a one-word answer), try, "How have you been feeling lately?" or "What's been on your mind?".

 

Boys and men are often less likely to seek help for mental health challenges like depression or anxiety. This isn't because males don't struggle; it's often because of a deeply ingrained culture that men must always be "strong" or "man up."

At Wildern, we want to break that stereotype. Just like girls, boys face pressure, whether it's academic stress, friendship issues, social media, or dealing with complicated emotions they feel they can’t express without being judged. It’s vital to understand that bottling up these feelings doesn't help. Actively using  positive wellbeing strategies can help promote positive mental health. 

Talking about a problem is the first and most effective step towards solving it. You don't have to be in crisis to talk; if you're feeling stressed, low, or simply not yourself, reach out. 

 

If you’re supporting a friend, remember the simple rule: Check In, Listen Up.

 

Asking a mate what’s been on their mind, and genuinely listening to the answer without judgment, can make a massive difference.

 

Over the course of this important month, some of our staff will be sharing how they promote positive wellbeing.  As a School, we are proud to be recognising this important month and promote positive wellbeing for all.

Letters to Our Sons

 

Orly Klein and Stephen Graham are publishing a book, in October 2026, titled “Letters to Our Sons”. It’s going to be a collection of letters filled with thoughts and wisdom that fathers want to pass down to their boys.

 

As they say,  “it’s going to be a game-changer in how we raise our boys to be the men we would like them to be”. 

 

For more information, please click here

‘Bike it’ John from the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust will be at Wildern offering FREE bike safety checks, repairs and security coding on Tuesday 11 November. This will take place at the bike sheds by block 1 & 2.

Work Experience Deadline - 30 November 2025

 

A reminder to all students that the deadline to upload your work experience placement details to Unifrog is 30 November.

 

It is important that all placements are submitted by this date, as the school must complete Health and Safety, safeguarding checks for every placement before approval is given. 

 

Please note that any placement not uploaded to Unifrog cannot go through the required checking process and therefore will not be authorised or approved as a placement. 

 

For those still looking for a placement there is still time. The Careers Team can provide advice, suggest employers and help you complete your Unifrog form. We are here to support you every step of the way, do not leave it to the last minute. 

 

For any questions or help please contact the careers team careers@wildern.org or students can visit us in the Careers Hub office opposite the library during any tutor time. 

See the huge variety of clubs that are on offer this half term! Sign up for these using the Clubs tab on Edulink.

Tuesday 11 November - U16 Netball Tournament

Tuesday 11 November - Yr 7 Boys Football Vs Deer Park School

We are excited to share that the Kitchen refurbishments are almost complete and we are looking forward to offering a greater range of hot food options after Half Term.

 

Please see the menu for our hot food options for the week back after Half Term. These will be available from the main servery.

 

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 Houseparty

 

Houseparty is a live streaming app, which described as a face-to-face social network where people ‘drop in’ on each other to video chat, leave messages and hang out in groups.

 

The app is available for iOS, Android, macOS and Google Chrome and has gathered tens of millions of users worldwide. It’s important to note that children under the age of 13 must have a parent’s permission to access the services; no proof of age is required, however, to create an account.

 

In our guide, you'll find tips on avoiding potential risks such as strangers joining a child’s call, cyberbullying and in-app purchases.

Every Student Matters, Every Moment Counts

 

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Wildern School

Wildern Lane

Hedge End

Southampton

Hampshire

SO30 4EJ

 

01489 783473

 

#WeAreWildern