Blog week ending 5th June
As we start our final school term of this academic year, our Year 11 and 13 students continue with their GCSE & A Levels, and this week, Years 7, 8 and 9 are sitting their subject assessment exams. These subject exams are an opportunity for students to demonstrate their learning and just as importantly, they give our teaching staff valuable insights to guide future subject planning and tailor the support each student needs to achieve their personal goals and aspirations. I’d like to take a moment to thank our parents and carers for the vital support you provide in this process – with your continued support, encouragement, and understanding, you’re helping lay the foundation for their long-term academic success and wellbeing. Thank you for being an integral part of our school community.
Pictured below, students taking advantage of our library and its resources to help support their exam preparation.
Over the last few terms, our reading club has been participating in the Carnegie 2025 Book Awards, a 
prestigious celebration of outstanding literature for young people. Through the Carnegie Shadowing Scheme, our boys have been reading, reflecting and voting on this years titles, and the experience has sparked some powerful conversations.
What is particularly striking about this year’s shortlist is how many of the books dissect and challenge ideas of masculinity. From emotionally complex male protagonists to stories that tackle mental health, grief, identity and vulnerability. These books offer students powerful models of what it means to be a man in today’s society and encourage them to reflect, think critically, and tackle the bigger questions.
- Why is it important for boys to talk about their feelings?
- Can you be brave and vulnerable at the same time?
- How does society mould our expectations of boys and men?
- How can literature help us understand ourselves and each other better?
Alongside these discussions, students have been honing their analytical skills by comparing writing styles, debating character choices, and defending their favourites with passion. They have cast their official votes for the book they believe deserves to win, ahead of the official announcement on Thursday 19th June.
Whatever the result, the real success of the Carnegie Awards lies in how they bring young people and books together — encouraging empathy, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of reading. We’ve been incredibly proud of how thoughtfully our reading club has engaged with this year’s shortlist, and we look forward to continuing these important conversations through the rest of the term and beyond.
All the below Carnegie books are available to borrow from our library
Additionally, KS3 reading club is on a Friday Lunchtime, everyone is welcome!
New Drama Department theatre group production – Animal Farm. TICKETS ON SALE NOW ON PARENTPAY! Our talented WGSB theatre company are in the final stages of their rehearsals and are excited to welcome you to show night on the 19th June. Come along and support our amazing students, it would be great to see as many of you as are able! Refreshments will be available on the night.
WG6 Year 12 Geographers took part in a fantastic, and sunny(!) field trip to Brighton and the surrounding area, gathering vital data for their Non-Examined Assessment (NEA). Students investigated land use, regeneration, and inequality, as well as measuring beach profiles to explore the impact of geomorphic processes on the coastal landscape. Our base for the trip was the YHA in Lewes, where students continued working well into the evenings, showing real commitment to their projects. Students and staff ended the trip on a high note with a scenic walk to the top of the first of the Seven Sisters at Cuckmere Haven, followed by a visit to the iconic Birling Gap—an inspiring end to a productive few days. Well done to all the students for their enthusiasm and hard work throughout the trip!
Year 12 WG6 Forensics and Criminal Investigation students took part in a required practical, conducting a forensic investigation around the WGSG site. Students donned full forensic PPE, before securing the scene of the ‘crime’ and undertaking their investigation, applying their learned scientific forensic procedures.
Summer Afternoon Tea. Please note change of date, now Thursday 3rd July. Students and staff are delighted to confirm the date of our next (and last of this academic year) Community Afternoon Tea. They really are a truly wonderful treat – with entertainment from our students, a free raffle and a range of delicious cakes and savouries on offer! To reserve your space, simply give us a call or drop us an email (all details in the poster below)
WGSB Art Exhibition Thursday 12th June 5-7pm in the Art Department. Our Art Department have curated a full exhibition of our GCSE and A Level exam pieces. If you are able, I would urge you to come along, the students’ work is as exciting and varied as it is brilliant! The exhibition is free!
WG6 Year 12 Biologists conducted an investigation into the potential energy of water molecules by recording the effect of various sugar solutions on a sample organism – in this case, potato. Students were able to accurately measure the percentage change in mass. This process is widely used in the water and pharmaceutical industries.
Congratulations to Aarush S-K of 8J who has added to his medal tally with a further two Gold medals (Backstroke & Medley) and one Silver (Fly) in a recent Gala representing his Club, Gravesend and Northfleet Swimming Club (GNSC). This is a terrific achievement Aarush, congratulations on your latest accolades! GNSC have been awarded Swimming Club of the Year 2024, to find out more about their club memberships click here Gravesend & Northfleet Swimming Club Home
Ben Martin (11B) is part of the Kent Schools’ Football Association Football Squad. Having narrowly missed out on a National Cup Final this year as a squad, Ben played a pivotal role last week scoring a goal and an assist in a 2-1 win against Sussex at Eastbourne Borough FC in the Southeast England Schools Inter County Competition. Congratulations Ben, you have represented the School and Kent impeccably this year, and we are all extremely proud of your achievements.
PTA Update. We are looking forward to the summer term ahead and have a few events planned which we would appreciate support from the school community.
What have we helped to fund? WGSB staff have benefited greatly from the generosity of the PTA, who funded the implementation of Iris Connect technology. This innovative tool enables teachers to engage in deep reflection on their practice, supporting the development of a reflective and collaborative professional learning culture across the school.
The introduction of Iris Connect plays a pivotal role in building a self-improving system, providing staff with the tools needed for meaningful and impactful self-reflection. It enables teachers to:
- Be reflective – developing confidence in analysing their own practice, recognising strengths, and identifying areas for improvement.
- Become autonomous – taking a proactive approach to their ongoing professional learning and growth.
- Be adaptable to change – responding effectively to the diverse and evolving needs of their students.
This investment by the PTA is contributing to a culture of continuous improvement and excellence in teaching, benefiting the entire school community. Increasingly, teachers across the school are actively booking the technology to record lessons, reflect on their delivery, and identify both strengths and areas for development.
Importantly, this initiative is also fostering a stronger sense of professional community. Staff are now more engaged in sharing best practices, discussing their growth, and contributing to a supportive and collaborative working environment.
Mr Powell added “I would like to say a big thank you to our WGSB PTA who have worked tirelessly throughout the year to help fund this initiative.”
Preloved School Uniform. We always welcome donations of preloved school uniforms. If you have any items to donate, please drop them off at reception, marked for the PTA’s attention. If you’d like to request a preloved uniform, please email us at pta@wgsb.co.uk.
Doughnut & Samosa Sale. This was held on the last day of term and we were excited to offer Lola’s cupcakes as well as the usual doughnuts and samosas. We raised £482.30 for school projects. Thank you for all the students, teachers and parents/carers that supported this.
Summer Fair – Saturday 14th June. We are holding our Summer Fair, there will be the usual fun and games on the day along with refreshments and our barbecue.
Assault course – Saturday 14th June. This will be held at the same time as the Summer Fair, Mr Powell provided a talk on this to the students and tickets for this can be purchased on ParentPay for £8.
Raffle Tickets. Tickets are on sale on ParentPay now for £1 each. We have some fantastic prizes on offer including Bluewater Vouchers, afternoon tea at Rowhill Grange, restaurant vouchers and many more
Matched Funding Appeal. Some employers offer matched funding for charity initiatives, which can significantly boost our fundraising efforts. If you or someone you know can help with matched funding, please get in touch with the PTA, we would greatly appreciate your support! Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to an exciting Summer Term!
STEAM WEEK APPEAL. If anyone has any spare shoe boxes, please could you donate them to us for one of our STEAM week activities? If so, could you or your child drop them off at reception? Many thanks.
Forthcoming Dates;
Years 7- 9 Assessments – till 6 June
Year 10 Globe Theatre Trip – 6 June
Year 10 PE GCSE Dartford athletics track – 10 June
GCSE & A Level Art Exhibition – 12 June 5-7pm
Summer Fair – Saturday 14 June 11am-2pm
Careers Week & Year 12 Futures Week – 16 – 20 June
School Production Animal Farm (tickets available on ParentPay) – 19 June 6-8pm
Year 11 Thorpe Park Trip – 20 June
School Shop uniform sizing event – 20 June – 4-6pm
School Shop uniform sizing event – Saturday 21 June 8.30am to 12.30pm
WG6 Induction Day – 12 June
Sports Week
Year 8 – 23 June
Year 7 – 24 June
Year 9 – 26 June
Year 10 – 27 June
Year 6 Transition Evening – 2 July 4-7.30pm
Year 12 Parents’ Evening (at WGSG) – 3 July 4-7.30pm
Senior Citizens’ Community Afternoon Tea – 3 July 2.30-3.45pm
Year 6 Transition Day – 4 July
Year 7 Science Trip to Wildwood – 7 July & 8 July
STEAM week – 14 – 18 July
Year 10 work experience – 14 – 18 July
Year 12 work experience – 14 – 18 July
Year 9 DofE Bronze assessed expedition – 15 – 16 July
Last Day of Term 6 – 22 July @ 12 noon
Best wishes,
Stuart Harrington
Headteacher
