Blog Week Ending 30th January
National Apprenticeship Week 10th to 14th February 2025. There are lots of events happening here at WGSB and in the local area that students and parents/carers can attend.
The North Kent Apprentice Event is now in its 4th year and is being hosted by St John’s Secondary School in Gravesend this year on Wednesday 12th February 4-6pm. There are 36 employers, training providers and universities attending to advise students and parents on progression routes, training, careers and of course apprenticeships. Anyone is welcome to attend, young people, parents, carers and adults, you just need to sign up here: www.kentchoices.info/12-02-25
Our Year 11, 12 and 13 students can also attend Unifrog’s Online Apprenticeship Fair on 12th February sign up here Apprenticeship Fair it will cover:
- How to ace your written apprenticeship applications
- Everything you need to know about apprenticeships
- What to expect from the application process
- Degree apprenticeships
- How to showcase your skills in applications
- How to ace interviews and assessment centres
- Parents and carers session: what are apprenticeships and how to support applications
Current live apprenticeship vacancies can be found by clicking here with a new January listing due any day and students can also look for live apprenticeships here. Additionally, Year 13 students have a “Live Apprenticeships” Teams Page where the most up to date opportunities are shared. Students who are actively looking for apprenticeships – We have a six week after school online course for Year 11 and 13 run by the Apprenticeship Academy which starts on the 26th February. Sign up here
Laing O’Rourke Professional Apprenticeships Event for Students and Parents/Carers Wednesday, 12 February: 5:30-7:30pm Dartford Head Office, Bridge Place 2, Anchor Boulevard, Admirals Park, Crossways, Dartford, Kent DA2 6SN. Meet the early talent recruitment team and department leads and learn about our exciting apprenticeship opportunities and to discover more about Laing O’Rourke and the incredible projects you could work on as an apprentice click here for current opportunities. Please register your interest by competing this form.
“Hi, my name is Ruby Kaufman, student correspondent for WG6. I am an aspiring journalist working with the school blog to advocate for the student voices within the sixth form and to share my own personal experiences. I encourage all students to put forward their own ideas that they would like to see in the School Blog and I commit to making them possible! “
Year 13 is finally reaching the last stretch to the A Level finish line, the end is near and whilst this is exciting, the next steps can seem daunting. It is a strange feeling, difficult to pin down, leaving the comfort of academia which most people have lived within for the last seven years into the wider world of opportunity and new experience. However, always embrace change, as it can bring you the best things in life that you never even knew existed.
From university to apprenticeships the possibilities are vast, and I aim to give you more detail on these choices. Universities require a UCAS application due in November, these act as a ticket to different locations depending on your course choices. It’s great to visit a variety of cities and campuses to narrow down your choices. My university adventures took me to Leeds and Norwich and even though I didn’t choose them, I was able to filter down my ideas on what I was looking for.
An alternative route, still carrying a degree, is a degree apprenticeship. These are highly competitive but carry great payout. The advantages stem from no student debt and a salary but it does require full-time work, which is a shift from school life. The demanding lifestyle of work and studying is an important factor to consider when applying. The application window varies with some opening as early as October. However, there are also opportunities for apprenticeships without degrees, level 3-5 can still result in paid salaries. When looking ensure to look at all options and never rule anything out!
Whilst apprenticeships and university are advocated for, there are paths through full time employment. After leaving school, you can get entry level jobs and work your way up through the company, developing your skills and gaining better salaries.
Congratulations to Demi O of 8J who is now a published author! Demi’s first book, Backpacks Bigger Than Us is an insightful and brilliantly written book chronicling the transition to secondary school offering advice, reassurance and tips from his own experience. Demi is already planning his next writing project, and I will make sure to announce its launch in my Blog! We are all immensely proud of Demi, his achievement, vision and ambition .. he is an inspiration to us all.
“Whether you’re feeling anxious about your first day or just curious about what to expect, this book is here to empower you every step of the way. Get ready to embrace your new adventure and discover that secondary school can be a place where you truly shine!
Join Demi on this unforgettable journey where every chapter is a new adventure. And remember that it’s not just about surviving the next few years—it’s about thriving!”
Miss Rebecca Netherwood, our librarian added “As an academic librarian, there’s no greater joy than watching a young author’s dreams come to life on the page. Seeing Demi publish his own book fills us all with pride and acts as a reminder of the endless possibilities that reading and writing can inspire.”
A reviewer on Amazon commented “As a parent, I also appreciated the insights it provided into how to better support my child during this transition. It’s not just a guide for kids but a valuable resource for parents to walk this journey alongside them. Every family with a student transitioning to secondary school should have this book—it’s truly a gem!” We will certainly be adding a copy to our school library. To find out more and to buy, please click here.
At WGSB we offer a stimulating and varied schedule of extra-curricular clubs, subject support sessions and homework clubs. Our budding KS3 authors, journalists and vloggers can attend Young Writers Society on Tuesday lunchtime and Reading Club on Friday lunchtime. To read our full programme of lunch and after school groups, please click here.
Model Railway Club. At the weekend, along with seven students and one parent, Dr Harris and Mr Clark exhibited the schools Model Railway layout ‘Aberilmington’ at the Erith Model Railway Exhibition. This was the culmination of 16 months work at lunchtimes and after school. Students had an incredibly positive response from the many members of the public we spoke to over the weekend who were impressed by their endeavours. The students were all excellent and deserve a lot of praise for everything they’ve done in their creation and their attitude over the 15 hours we exhibited on Saturday and Sunday. They were all a huge credit to our school.
Below is a group picture, although not all were present when the photo was taken. This is the full list of students involved:
Ben K
Jake L
Riegardt P
Oscar E
Matthew B
Nathaniel W
Joe G
Science Club for KS3 takes place every Tuesday after school and everyone is welcome! The club is run by Mr Owen, Teacher of Science and Mr Stimson, Science Technician. Our Science Club activities are intended to enhance our curriculum STEM learning. But more than that, to spark a love of scientific investigation where students can make discoveries of their own and see the links between science and creativity as well as it’s practical application in everyday life .. and career paths. Ultimately, Science Club is about the excitement of exploration, experimentation and discovery!
In this session students took part in a forensic investigation to identify the perpetrator of a murder! (very CSI!) Students took fingerprints, identifying different types as well as using chromatography to correctly match samples ‘found’ at the scene of the crime and finally, examining samples found under the microscope to match fibres.
Our Year 7 Scientists have been learning about the pH scale and how to use it in order to measure the acidity or alkaline of aqueous solutions. In this practical lesson, Mr Hook’s students were conducting a pH test investigation looking at a range of household samples and correctly assessing and plotting their findings.
Dr Harris, Head of History, accompanied WG6 students who attended a Holocaust Memorial Day commemoration at Auschwitz in Poland, run by the Holocaust Education Trust. 140 students attended the trip from across the Southeast, with the group visiting both Auschwitz and Auschwitz Birkenau. BBC’s Newsround recorded a broadcast piece which was aired this week and featured our students. It was an incredibly poignant and moving trip to commemorate the memory of the six million Jews and other groups who were murdered by the Nazis in the Holocaust and educate about the danger of discrimination and persecution, to prevent the spread of hatred in future generations.
The theme of Holocaust Memorial Day 2025 is ‘For a Better Future’.
The full piece can be seen by clicking here.
Our librarian, Miss Netherwood hosts library lessons for all Year 7 and Year 8 where they are able to borrow, discuss and read books of their choice. Students took part in an online session from historical author Tom Palmer on the process of writing historical books. Students first considered how historical facts might inspire and inform authors. Students discussed Holocaust Memorial Day and listened to survivor’s stories before taking part in the author’s workshop.
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The WG6 Elective Programme promotes life-skills to benefit future aspirations as well as providing opportunities to explore more about their interests and learn new skills. The Scholars Group (pictured below) are working on an academic research project. In groups, students choose an academic article of mutual interest to discuss and evaluate. Using the Harkness Method, (which facilitates meaningful discussions that empower students to explore complex topics and learn from one another) students extended their critical thinking and effective researching skills – providing valuable skills and preparation ahead of their university studies.
Our Year 12 WG6 Biologists had the opportunity to dissect a fish as part of their topic ‘Gas Exchange Systems’. The dissection allowed students to study the structure of the gills and their role in the respiratory system. A practical where Mr Barnes could spot the accomplished cooks with their seasoned approach to dissection!
Fixtures report from the Sports Department. The Year 7 rugby team remain undefeated! They travelled down the A2 to possibly one of the strongest rugby schools in the area, Gravesend Grammar School. Spirits were high, as we were travelling with the still undefeated Year 7 football team who were also playing in a quarter-final match against Northfleet School for Boys. As you can imagine, the buzz on the coach was infectious. We arrived at GGS to be faced with two separate teams, Gravesend A and B team. The first half saw us defend incredibly well, but only score from GGS mistakes – special mentions in the first half go to Zander for some real physical tackling, Jonty for his strength in the counter ruck to win the ball back and Harry S for his hard carrying. In the second Gravesend changed the whole team, taking our boys a little by surprise. Gravesend started to capitalise on us trying to find our feet with two really quick tries. However, it didn’t take us long to start playing fast-flowing rugby with some beautiful passing from Oliver P to put Mathew O-N on for two tries on his debut. The game ended with WGSB winning 13-4, Leo, Materna, Mathew O-N and Jason A all making their WGSB debut, with Leo getting player of the match.
Our Year 7 Football team continue to go from strength to strength and remain unbeaten! They are now seven games unbeaten and following the Quarter Final in the Kent Cup against Northfleet, reached the last four and a place in the Semi-Finals. The Year 7 Football Team travelled to Kedbull Leisure, a fantastic purpose-built football facility in Gravesend and home of Ebsfleet United FC Training ground to play Northfleet TC in the Kent Cup Quarter Final.
The team dominated the first half, going into the break 1-0 up, and being in total control, however, not punishing Northfleet and missing a number of key chances. Early in the second half, on what would be one of Northfleet’s only attacks, which cemented our dominance, Northfleet scored with their first shot at the Wilmington goal. Would we regret missing our key chances in the first half? The next five minutes were a little nervy, however, the boys continued moving the ball around nicely and playing out from the back, exploiting gaps and spaces in the Northfleet defence. Wilmington went on to score another four second half goals, securing a 5-1 win and advancing to the last four of the Kent Cup in their first season. The win takes us to seven wins out of seven, scoring 35 goals and conceding four so far this season.
Special mentions go to Man of the Match, and captain, Mason G (7A) for creating three of the goals, and then capping of a wonderful display with a fine fifth goal. Darrin O-E (7A) who came of the bench as an impact player scoring two goals. The solid defence of James M (7B), Charlie L (7T) and Layton T (7M) were also fantastic.
This was all shared with the Year 7 Rugby team, who also remain unbeaten, and the boys shared their first experience of a large coach journey and celebrating fantastic wins and performances together!
PTA Update: The PTA have a few events coming up over the spring term as detailed below, we would really appreciate any support that you can give to us.
We are always open to donations of pre-loved school uniform, please feel free to drop with the reception for our attention. We are able to source any uniform requests on Wednesday 5th February so if you have any need for uniform, please email the [email protected].
Krispy Kreme Doughnut and Samosa sale – 14th February – Students will be able to purchase on the morning break in the hall, but pre-orders of boxes are now available on ParentPay. All orders to be collected by the students after school on the day.
Easter Raffle – Tickets can be purchased on ParentPay and cost £1 each. We have some great prizes including a chocolate hamper and other prizes. Draw to take place on 28th March.
Pizza Making Workshop – Enzo’s Pizzeria – 27th February 6pm – 8pm – Details and purchase of tickets on ParentPay £15 per person. Tickets are selling fast, so please be quick!
Matched funding plea – Some companies can offer matched funding from their employer, and we would love for anyone to offer to support this. If you or anyone you know can offer any matched funding please do get in touch with the PTA.
It is Place2Be’s Children’s Mental Health Week next week: 3rd – 9th February!
What is Children’s Mental Health Week? The first ever Children’s Mental Health Week took place in 2015 and was launched to shine a spotlight on the importance of children and young people’s mental health. The week was designed to encourage more people to start talking, spread the word and raise money to help fund services to support children’s mental health. As well as to make sure anyone struggling knew they were not alone. Across the UK lots of schools and communities get involved and hold special events or assemblies to mark the week.
What does the 2025 theme ‘Know yourself, Grow yourself’ mean?” Know Yourself, Grow Yourself” is all about how we can build and grow our resilience by understanding ourselves and recognising our emotions. By understanding who we are, we can find out what makes us feel happy, or sad, or anxious, or scared – or maybe all of them at once! The charity have linked up with the well-known movie Inside Out 2 this year. The Inside Out 2 characters can help you understand how different emotions might make you feel.
What is Mental Health? Mental health describes our emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. Everyone has mental health – it effects how you feel and think, and sometimes how you act and cope with things going on in your life. It is completely normal for us all to feel all sorts of emotions. We all feel sad, angry or worried sometimes. But when those feelings won’t go away and they start to really affect day-to-day life, that is when there might be a problem. Some people can experience mental health problems, which can massively affect their thinking, mood, and behaviour.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. If you have a concern about a young person at WGSB, please contact the school office or email [email protected] Please note that this email address is inly monitored during working hours in term time. If you have an urgent safeguarding concern outside of school hours, we recommend calling the police on 999 or Kent Social Services directly on 03000 411111/ Bexley Social Services on 0203 045 5440.
If you have a wellbeing concern, Kooth is a free online counselling service, providing young people aged 11-25 years with a safe and secure means of accessing support with their emotional health and wellbeing needs from a professional team of qualified counsellors: https://www.kooth.com/
You can find out more about Children’s Mental Health Week and how to support your family’s mental health and wellbeing by visiting the Place2Be website here.
Forthcoming Dates;
Year 9 & 10 Intermediate Maths Challenge – 29 January
WG6 Geography Trip – 4 February
Ski Trip Parental Briefing – 5 February 5.30pm in person
Year 9 Parents’ Evening – 6 February 4-7.30pm in person
Year 13 Grades Report home – 12 February
Year 9 Deadline for GCSE Option choices – 12 February
PTA Doughnut & samosa sale at morning break – 14 February
Last Day of Term 3 – 14 February
WG6 Y13 New York Trip – 15 to 20 February
First Day of Term 4 – Tuesday 25 February
Year 10 Progress exams – commence 25 February
Year 7 & 8 Grades Report home – 26 February
Best wishes,
Stuart Harrington
Headteacher
