Blog week ending 21st April

Wilmington Grammar School for Boys collaborated with the Girls’ school to stage a Spring Arts Festival here at WGSB.  Students showcased performance, song, music and art in a display of great talent and creativity.  The concert acted as a unique insight into the creative arts practised and nurtured across our two schools with a rich set list that included world music, musical theatre, contemporary rock, choir and group pieces.  Our students performed to a packed and enthusiastic audience, thank you to our PTA for providing the refreshments. 

Congratulations to all student performers and contributors for such an enjoyable and uplifting show!

Our student skiers had the best possible weather and snow conditions on their trip to Serre Chevallier in the French Alps.  It was a truly beautiful location with amazing views and facilities – perfect to get the most out of the experience!  The previous lessons and practice sessions at the dry ski centre really paid off - the instructors were impressed at how quickly the students adapted to the slopes and how accomplished they became over the course of the trip.  Naturally, there was plenty of down-time off the slopes to relax, enjoy meals together and take advantage of the hotel’s games facilities.   Staff challenged students to some table football and Mr Darwin attempted (unsuccessfully!) to beat the student top score on the punch bag.  Students voted on the best “stack of the day” each ‘winner’ received a commemorative shirt.  And we celebrated two birthdays!

As you can see from the photos .. it was a wonderful trip with new skills learned, new memories created .. and a huge amount of fun.

Our WG6 hosted a very special Cultural Dress Day at WGSG which culminated in a catwalk fashion show with live music and poetry performances.  Each and every contributor who took to the stage or catwalk was met with thunderous applause as students shared their cultural heritage and influences in a wonderful display of self-expression and celebration!  I hope you enjoy the wonderful photos which capture the essence of the event .. and of our school community.

Year 10 GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition students have been learning butchery skills.  Students learned how to portion a chicken.  This practical lesson not only highlighted different recipes suitable for each chicken portion but demonstrates the potential financial savings in buying a whole chicken rather than individual prepared portions.

Year 8 Scientists have been exploring DNA and genes.  In this practical lesson students extracted DNA from plant cells – specifically from leeks!  A fascinating lesson where students were able to clearly see, and collect, the fine white strands of DNA. 

Thank you to all staff who provided additional revision sessions and mentoring over the Easter break ahead of the GCSE and A Level examinations this term.  The sessions form part of our commitment to supporting our students as they make the final preparations ahead of the formal exams.  Students have received revision workshops provided by specialist practitioners as well as a comprehensive period of in-class preparations and lunchtime and after school teacher-led sessions.  Year 11 and Year 13 .. you have all the necessary tools and knowledge to achieve your full potential .. You’ve got this!  As always, our Student Managers, Teachers and SEN team are available should you need any further support.

Please join us me congratulating Mr Lewis and his wife on the birth of their beautiful son, Teddy!  Teddy weighed in at 7lbs, 11oz and is thriving.  Thank you to the proud father for sharing this wonderful photo.  We look forward to meeting Teddy in person in due course!

Forthcoming dates;

• PTA Meeting to plan the Summer Fair – tomorrow, Saturday, 22nd April, 1.00pm @ Birchwood Park Golf and Country Club, DA2 7HJ
• Year 13 Examination Briefing Presentation (virtual) – Tuesday 25^th April 5.30pm
• Year 7 & 8 Junior Maths Challenge – Wednesday 26^th April
• Strike Action – Thursday 27^th April
• DofE Bronze Practice Expedition, Buckmore Park - Saturday 29^th April – Sunday 30^th April
• Bank Holidays – Monday 1^st and 8^th May
• F1 in Schools Trip to RAF Benson Base, London & south regional F1 finals – Thursday 4^th May
• Year 10 Parents’ Evening – (in person) 4pm Thursday 4^th May
• Next PTA Meeting - Tuesday, 09 May 2023 6.00-7.00pm (virtual)

Click here to join the meeting Meeting ID: 324 654 391 784; Passcode: 7CuUAm

• Year 12 Politics Trip to County Hall – Tuesday 23^rd May
• Year 12 Geography Trip - Thursday 25^th to Sunday 28th May
• Summer Fair - Saturday, 15 July, 11am - 2pm

PTA Blog Update - A very warm welcome back to Term 5 from all of us at the PTA. We hope you had a relaxing and enjoyable Easter break. Here are a few updates on what we have in stock with regards to fundraising this term. Please do not hesitate to contact pta@wgsb.co.uk if you would like to get involved in any way.  We particularly need the help of volunteer Secretary on the PTA, so please get in touch if you are able to help. Unfortunately, we’ve had to cancel the Bingo Night, we’ll let you know when this is rescheduled.

Easter Eggs Hampers Raffle Draw.  The PTA would like to say a very BIG thank you to Everyone who supported the Easter Eggs Hamper raffle draw. You have helped us to raise a whooping sum of £857.00, which will be put to good use in the school. Congratulations to all our winners.

1st - 160: Jaiden S – 7S

2nd - 458 - Matthew M – 11B

3rd - 446 - Stirling H – 12F

Pre-Loved Uniform - You helped us to raise £65.00 from the pre-loved uniform sale which took place on 31st Mar. As always, every little help goes a long way - so Thank You! Please watch this space for next sale date.

Thanks to everyone who's helped make a BIG difference during this difficult time by raising donations for us via Easyfundraising. If you're not supporting us yet, please sign up now. It takes two minutes & 7,000 brands will donate to us for free every time you shop with them! Visit: wgsbpta easyfundraising

Planning our PTA Summer Fair and Barbecue which will come up at the end of the STEAM week on Saturday, 15th July, is our key focus now.  The Summer Fair is a really fun event for the whole family so please save the date in your diary, if you have not done that already! The PTA are always looking for any help and support before, during and after the event.

• Do you have a flair for organising events?
• Would you like to spare some time to help our school raise some funds?
• Or maybe you will like to run a stall at the summer fair?
• Would you be able to sponsor some part of the event or donate prizes for the summer fair raffle draw?

Please do not hesitate to contact pta@wgsb.co.uk if you would like to get involved in any way.

Best wishes,

Stuart Harrington

Head Teacher