Blog week ending 25th September

Wilmington Grammar School for Boys is much more than just a place to study – it’s an opportunity to discover new interests, build social networks, and create lasting memories. One of the best ways to make the most of your time at school is by participating in extra-curricular clubs and societies. These activities are a fantastic way to complement your academic learning and help you grow as a well-rounded individual.

Whether you’re interested in exploring the arts through Art Club or WGSB Choir, engaging in friendly competition with the Chess Club or Squash Club, or delving into the exciting world of technology with Coding Club, there’s truly something for everyone. Our school offers a rich variety of clubs that cater to a wide range of interests—academic, creative, athletic, and more.

This is a fantastic way to ensure your child is developing new skills, making new friends, and importantly, having fun. By signing up for a club or society, students not only enhance their school experience, but they also set themselves up for success in the future by honing valuable skills like teamwork, time management, problem-solving, and creativity.

So, whether your child is interested in joining Dungeons & Dragons, developing their leadership skills with Duke of Edinburgh, or into Formula 1 STEM Racing , there’s no better time than now to get involved. Please do discuss the full schedule with your child and encourage them to sign up to at least one club.

Year 7, 8 & 9 Schedule (subject to change as more clubs become available)

Years 10, 11, 12 & 13 Schedule

We are delighted to welcome Mrs Bekavac to our school community as our new Teacher of Music. In the below lesson, Year 7 students were introduced to the foundations of Western music notation – focusing on how to read music on a staff and how to count rhythmic figures. The aim is for students to build their knowledge of notation so that they will be able to play pieces on the keyboard more independently. Mrs Bekavac said: “I have been delighted to see that students are interested in music and joining extra-curricular clubs. Many are already undertaking tuition for drums, guitar and piano, which is wonderful to see. I am also very much looking forward to working together with the drama and art departments on special projects in the future.” 

In addition to the opportunities listed above, students can also book one-to-one music lessons (a fee payable to the tutor) Instrument lessons include, drums, piano and guitar. For more information and booking forms please ask your child to speak to either Miss Holledge or Mrs Bekavac. Pictured, Year 9 student piano lesson.

Miss Barry’s Year 7 scientists have been familiarising themselves with the Laboratory classrooms and the apparatus that they will be using across their studies. These valuable lessons include health and safety information to enable students to work scientifically, and safetly in the labs aware of lab rules, hazard symbols on chemicals and safety precautions.

Our WG6 Enrichment Programme takes place every Wednesday afternoon offering our sixth form students a breathtaking range of academic (and life!) enhancing opportunities to supplement and support their career and future ambitions – as well as provide creative and wellbeing projects to enhance their experience at WG6. Our Enrichment Programme is designed to build new skills and support overall wellbeing. Below, just a small snapshot of all the opportunities available.

Mrs Develeski, Deputy Head of WG6 (based at WGSG) has been supporting students make their Elective choices for this term, and added “I popped in on some of the groups ….High energy combined with technical skill, our boxing students will be aching tomorrow! And musical arts students were in their element under Mrs Dent’s expert guidance – this week it was Nirvana classics.  Other opportunities take place off-site including 20 students successful placed in our local primary schools and care homes.” 

“Our chefs prepared sweet and sour chicken this week – invaluable life skills supporting independence .. and great meal planning ideas for those moving away from home for further education or apprenticeship opportunities!”

Also pictured below, Art Club and Badmington – For the full list of opportunities, our Electives Booklet can be viewed here Courses – Wilmington Grammar Sixth Form

Year 12 WG6 students completed an Independent Learning workshop with Ella from the Life Skills Company. They were all super engaged and learned so much about how to manage (and maximise!) their personal study time. 

Congratulations to Jasmine G in Year 13 who entered a short creative writing competition .. and whose wonderful poem was selected to appear in a mural in the ICU waiting room at Darenth Vally Hospital. The judges, Allies and Morrison Architects selected Jasmine’s poem due to its calming and uplifting tone. Her poem is below.

Where wildflowers dream and nature breathes,

Kind hands mend quite wounds.

Healing comes like morning light –

A new day, a new life, blooming in the valley. 

By Jasmine G, Wilmington Grammar School 6th Form

Huge congratulations to the Year 7 boys who travelled to Canterbury recently to take part in a rugby friendly match with their Dartford Valley Rugby team.

Canterbury proved to be a strong and challenging opponent, but our boys gave it their all. With heart, passion, and determination, they pushed through and played an excellent game — even when they were completely knackered by the end!

A special mention goes to Joshua A, Leon S, Divine E, and Sam R for their commitment and team spirit on the day. We are very proud of how well they worked together, they represented themselves so well on the field. Well done to you all!

To find out more/join click here for facebook Dartford Valley Rugby Club | Dartford | Facebook and here for Intagram Instagram

Forthcoming Dates:

Year 12 Expectations Evening (in person) – 25 Sept 6-7pm (at WGSB) TONIGHT!

Y12 & 13 Girl’s Maths Challenge – 25 Sept

European Day of Languages – 26 Sept

Year 7 Sports Enrichment Programme – Saturday 27 Sept 9-10.30am

Year 11 Mocks – Parent/Carers Briefing (virtual) – 2 Oct 6pm

Year 7 Sports Enrichment Programme – Saturday 4 Oct 9-10.30am

Academic Awards Evening (in person) – 9 Oct 5.30-7.30pm

Year 7 Sports Enrichment Programme, House Competition – Saturday 11 Oct 9-10.30am

Year 6 Open Evening – 15 Oct

Year 6 Open Morning (by appt only) – 16 Oct

Year 6 Open Morning (by appt only) – 17 Oct

Last Day of Term 1 – 17 Oct

First Day of Term 2 – Thursday 30 Oct

Best wishes,

Stuart Harrington

Headteacher