Blog week ending 21st May
We bid a heartfelt and uplifting farewell to our remarkable Year 13 students at a truly special final assembly. The occasion brought everyone together to celebrate their time at WG6, featuring a memorable showreel capturing their time at WG6 and for many, stretching back to their early days in Year 7 at WGSB or WGSG. Unsurprisingly, the earlier photographs prompted laughter and fond reflection in equal measure!
Each member of this Year 13 cohort should take immense pride in all they have achieved – the milestones reached, the challenges overcome and the positive steps taken along the way. The thoughtful and inspiring addresses from our Headteacher, Heads of WG6, Student Managers and Heads of Year reflected not only what a pleasure it has been to work with this group over the past two years, but also how growth and development cuts both ways. Whilst responding to the learning needs and aspirations of our students, we continue to refine and strengthen our support, creating an environment that nurtures progress and enables every student to achieve.
Midway through exams now, Year 13 continue to demonstrate their readiness by approaching each paper with genuine positivity and professionalism. We wish them every success for the future, both in their examinations and in the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. We also hope they will remain a valued part of our community as members of our distinguished alumni, continuing to inspire and support those who follow in their footsteps.
The celebration was enriched by wonderful performances from our talented Year 13 musicians and singers, and concluded with a particularly memorable Guard of Honour, enthusiastically formed by our Year 7 students from both schools.
Careers Update – Supporting our students as they prepare for life beyond school remains central to our commitment. We are proud to offer bespoke, tailored guidance and resources to help each individual explore and achieve their future aspirations.
Students benefit from a comprehensive Careers Programme led by Mrs Walker, Careers Lead, which is aligned with the Gatsby Benchmarks. This ensures they are supported to reflect on their strengths, develop their ambitions, and make informed decisions about their next steps.
We are delighted that many of our Year 13 students have successfully secured highly competitive apprenticeship opportunities, including programmes equivalent to degree and Master’s level study. These have been awarded with prestigious organisations such as PwC, Blick Rothenberg, Airbus, JP Morgan, EY, Vodaphone and KPMG and is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students.
Congratulations to all those who have now confirmed their next steps, whether that be apprenticeships, university study, or entering the world of work. We are incredibly proud of all they have achieved and look forward to seeing their continued success.
Our latest Careers Newsletter, featuring a round-up of news and current opportunities, is available to view on our website. WGSB.
Our Year 7 students recently enjoyed an inspiring visit to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, where they stepped into the magical world of Harry Potter. From exploring the Great Hall and Diagon Alley to seeing the intricate props and costumes up close, the experience brought the famous books to life. Beyond the excitement, the trip offered a valuable link to their learning in English; in Term 3, students studied Myths & Legends, exploring stories, characters and creatures from across the world. During the trip students were able to learn more about the mythical creatures of the Harry Potter world and appreciate how a story moves from page to screen through characterisation and setting. It was a memorable and enriching experience, sparking imagination and creativity, and one we look forward to seeing reflected in students’ future writing.
Our Year 12 A Level Geographers recently took part in a residential trip exploring a mix of physical and human landscapes across Sussex. Students carried out coastal fieldwork on a shingle beach at Seaford, investigating erosion, wave processes and the effectiveness of local management strategies.
The trip also included urban fieldwork in Brighton, where students examined regeneration, land‑use change and the social and economic character of the city. Across all locations, students collected valuable data for their NEA projects and strengthened their confidence in real‑world geographical investigation.
They spent the final day in the South Downs National Park, witnessing the area’s chalk landscape and taking in the breathtaking landforms and views.
It was a fantastic opportunity for students to work together, develop practical skills and see geography in action.
A date for your diary! School Production. Mr Woodbridge and our drama students would love to see as many of you as are able to attend! Having had a sneak peek during rehearsals … we are in for a treat!
Year 8 Scientists enjoyed a lesson making an electromagnet as part of their current topic. Students investigated three ways to strengthen their electromagnets – increasing current, increasing the number of turns of the coil and by adding an iron core.
The Dartford Bear Hunt – update – Our fabulous ‘Wilm’ the Bear features the creative input of our Year 8 students .. all contributing to the wonderful design of our Bear Cub and led by ‘Art Director’ Cooper of Year 9. We are all thrilled to bits with the finished, exhibition-ready piece! The Bear Hunt Art Trail runs from 17th July – 13th September. Details of the route can be seen by clicking here Art Trail – Dartford Bear Hunt
75th Anniversary Programme of Celebration. Across the school, we have been marking our 75th Anniversary with a range of dedicated form‑time activities. Students and staff have worked together to develop a series of special events to celebrate this significant milestone in WGSB’s history. As we continue through our year of celebrations, 
we will be highlighting key elements from our 75th Programme of Celebration.
This Week’s 75th Highlight – It’s A Knockout Challenge!
Years 7 & 8 – 22nd June
Years 9 & 10 – 23rd June
Most of you might not remember(!) the hugely popular and iconic TV gameshow of the same name that ran for over 20 years from the late 60s to 80s. Our It’s A Knockout Challenge will see students taking part in a series of giant inflatable obstacles, foam-filled challenges and fast-paced courses mirroring the fun and capturing the essence of the original show. We are all very much looking forward to taking part! A letter with full details and cost has gone out, and can be read by clicking here
Please join me in congratulating Eden of 7M who excelled at the recent 2026 London Taekwondo Championships securing two Gold medals and one Silver! An incredibly impressive achievement. Eden is a member of Nomad Taekwondo Club who welcome new members of all ages and abilities. Taekwondo offers a host of benefits including building confidence, focus, strength coordination … as well as a great place to meet new friends and socialise! To find out more click here Nomad Taekwondo | London | Facebook
Aarush S K of 9J is also an active club member and competitor, recently represented his swimming club Gravesend and Northfleet Swimming Club at the South East Regional Championships in Winchester. Aarush competed in two events 50m and 100m backstroke coming 17th in both events both long course (LC) 50m pool.
To find out more, or join Gravesend and Northfleet swimming club (GNSC) click here Gravesend & Northfleet Swimming Club – About
And even more cause for celebration! Charlie L of 8T took part in the prestigious Junior Premier League Nation Cup Final in Wigan with his team Welling United – and as you can see from the photo .. they won! It was a thrilling final showcasing technique, resilience and work-rate resulting in a memorable win for the boys and a fantastic experience for Charlie. To top it off, the team also won the Kent Youth League North on Sunday, so it has been a hugely successful weekend for both Charlie and the whole squad. This meant they have completed a quadruple cup success this season as they also won the London Cup in March! An incredible achievement.
PTA Update. We were pleased to see that our Model Railway Club, which is supported by the PTA, was featured on a double page spread in the latest issue of Railway Modeller – a great accolade for the students involved in the project.
Upcoming PFA Events
Doughnut and Samosa Sale – Friday 22nd May (Breaktimes)
Doughnuts and samosas will be available to purchase during breaktimes. Pre-orders can also be made now via iPay.
Summer Fair – Sunday 5th July, 11am – 2pm
We’d love for you to join us for an afternoon of fun, games, and great food from our barbecue. Raffle tickets are now available on iPay, with prizes including vouchers, food hampers, gift sets, and many more exciting prizes.
Preloved School Uniform
We are always grateful for donations of preloved school uniform. If you have any items you would like to donate, please drop them off at Reception clearly marked for the PTA.
Thank you to all of our wonderful parents and families for your continued support throughout the year. Whether you’ve volunteered your time, attended events, donated prizes, shared ideas, or simply supported our activities, every contribution helps make a positive difference to our school community. Your support enables us to provide enriching opportunities, valuable resources, and memorable experiences for all of our students, and we are incredibly grateful for everything you do.
We’re looking forward to sharing more updates with you soon and continuing to work together to make our school community the very best it can be.
Thank you for being such an important part of our PTA community.
Gravesham Child Centred Policing Team have asked us to share the below poster.
Forthcoming Dates;
Y8 Mathsworld Trip (8M & T) – 21 May
PTA Doughnut & Samosa sale – 22 May – Break Times
Last Day of Term 5 – 22 May
First Day of Term 6 – 1 June
Year 8 Sports Fixture cricket v Beths – 1 June
Year 7 Wildwood Trip 7K, 7J, & 7T – 2 June
Mathsworld Trip 8A & 8J – 2 June
Year 7 Wildwood Trip – 7A, 7B, 7M – 4 June
Year 10 Cricket v Bexley Grammar – 4 June
Mathsworld Trip 8B & 8K – 5 June
Year 10 Cricket v Hurstmere – 10 June
Year 12 Futures Week – 15 – 19 June
Year 10 Geography Trip – 15 June
Year 9 Cricket v CSGS – 15 June
Year 10 Cricket v CSGS – 15 June
Year 8 Portsmouth Dockyard Trip – 18 June
Year 7 Cricket v CSGS – 18 June
Year 8 Cricket v CSGS – 18 June
Year 11 Thorpe Park Trip – 19 June
SchoolShop Uniform sizing event – 19 June in school hall from @ 2pm
SchoolShop Uniform sizing event – Saturday 20 June in school hall finishing @ 1.30pm
WG6 Induction Day – 22 June
Years 7-10 Sports week – 22-26 June
75TH Anniversary Celebrations It’s A Knockout – 22 June
75TH Anniversary Celebrations It’s A Knockout – 23 June
Summer Production, Lord of the Flies – 25 June
Best wishes,
Stuart Harrington
Headteacher
