Blog week ending 9th October
At the heart of every thriving school is a culture that recognises and celebrates achievement. Whether it’s academic excellence, creative brilliance, sporting triumphs, or acts of kindness and resilience, acknowledging success is more than a moment of applause, it’s a powerful message to every student about what’s possible.
When we shine a light on the hard work, initiative and determination of those who’ve achieved something special, we not only honour their journey but also inspire others to aim high. Celebrating success builds confidence, fosters ambition, and strengthens the bonds within our school community. It reminds us all that effort matters, and that every achievement – big or small – is worth recognising! In this (and every!) Blog we aim to champion student successes – from classrooms to clubs through to interests and activities pursued out of school.
I am very much looking forward to our Academic Awards this evening – an incredibly special event where we come together to mark and celebrate achievements from across our school, to reinforce the clear message that student achievements are seen, valued and recognised by us all – not just by teaching staff, but across our whole school community. Photos and news from tonight’s event will be reported in our next School Blog, after the half term. In the meantime, please do continue to share your news and achievements with us!
Miss Ryder from our MFL department hosted the Great Languages Bake-Off in celebration of European Day of Languages – not surprisingly a very popular competition not just with our student bakers .. but our staff and student judges too! The event saw students bringing in a range of culinary creations representing a language or culture, including Irish soda bread, delicious gulab jamun sweets, empire biscuits, honeyed baklava, Black Forest gateaux and perfect scotch eggs – all were an absolute treat! Thank you so much to every student who worked to contribute such mouthwatering entries! Following a scrupulous judging process involving teachers from across the school, Leo of 9J (pictured middle of top row) was chosen as the winner for his Italian lemon cake, with Walter of 7T a close runner up with his Swedish Herrgards Tarta cake (pictured top right). All entrants (below) receive a prize!
Ehan 7A
Jenson 7B
Adam 7J
Aarav 7K
Jedidiah 7K
Dexter 7M
Idris 7T
Walter 7T
Rudy 7T
Splendor 8A
Jude 8A
Louis 8B
James 8B
Milo 8T
Shabaz 8T
Jacob 9A
Leo 9J
Nathan 9K
Rewards Breakfast – Twelve Year 11 students were selected to attend the first rewards breakfast of this academic year for their outstanding commitment to the Becoming an Expert Learner Programme and the consistent merits awarded by staff in recognition of their excellent attitude to learning and contribution to the learning environment.
Congratulations to the students selected for demonstrating resilience, independence, and a proactive approach to their studies.
11A – Kyle S & Oliver C
11B – Oscar T & Saran P
11K – Reuben B & Luke P
11J – Igor P & Olly F
11M – Ben L & Louie G
11T – Luvin W & Michael B
Ms Holledge’s 7 Drama students have been taking part in role-plays for their set-pieces. Students were set a dramatic scenario and challenged to create a piece exploring ‘what happens next?’ This exercise prompted students to consider the consequence of their characters decisions.
In addition to regular Drama productions, Ms Holledge also hosts another extra-curricular Club – WGSB Choir which meets every Thursday after school. Studies have shown that the act of singing, particularly as part of a performing group, can trigger a range of wellbeing benefits for the mind – Increasing happiness and reduced stress! All are welcome, please do encourage your child to come and give it a go!
For a list of all of our school Clubs, please click here Learning – Wilmington Grammar School for Boys
Over the last few months, the WGSB Model Railway Club has been working on its entry for the ‘Peco Railway 200 competition’. For this the team had to construct a model railway scene on a board which measured 70cm x 30cm. This has been completed by Railway Modellers across the Country, with prizes given to the best entries.
The creation which the team has made is called ‘Wilmington Grammar School for Trains’ and is a 1:72 scale model of the front of the boys school, but the cars and buses have been replaced by trains which bring everyone to and from school; hopefully eliminating the traffic issues which we see daily on Common Lane. All of the buildings have been designed and created by the students using skills they’ve developed at school.
The scene depicts students arriving for school on a busy morning, with staff wearing high vis jackets ensuring students arrive safely and even the site team working hard to keep the railway and school functioning.
The deadline for entries was Tuesday 30th September, we now await for news if the diorama is one of the finalists, with the winners announced at an exhibition held at the NEC in November.
Huge congratulations to Bukkan A in 8K. He has been awarded ‘all-rounder of the year’ in both Dartford CC’s U13 team and more impressively in the U15 side. Bukkan is only in Year 8 now so has been playing cricket in age groups much higher than his own. He was a valuable member of the Year 7 side last year who got the quarter final of the Kent cup and runners up in the North Kent Cup.
The good news continues for Bukkan as he has now been selected to be part of the Kent Regional squad. The PE department (and us all!) wish him well with this and no doubt Bukkan has his sights set on eventually making the final county squad, something we all wish him well with.
It’s not long now until Bukkan will be part of the WGSB St Lucia cricket tour, so we look forward to hearing how he and the entire squad do on this amazing opportunity for all students and staff involved.
Maisie C, our WG6 Correspondent, is in Year 13 at WG6 and has written an article to support students when considering their ‘next steps’ after GCSEs.
“Being in Year 11 can be extremely daunting, you’ve got exams coming up and your future laying in the palm of your hand. You’ve probably started hearing a lot about next steps, open days, and subject choices — and if you’re anything like I was, you’re probably feeling a mix of excitement and panic; choosing what to do next can feel huge, especially when everyone around you seems to have their future planned already. But here’s the truth, while it may seem that way, it’s likely that everyone around you is in the exact same boat!
When I was deciding, the first thing I looked at was subjects. Sixth form is your chance to focus on what you really enjoy, so pick courses that genuinely interest you, not just what your friends are doing, because after the first week I had made lots of new and interesting friends whom I spend lessons with. Honestly, I think it has been incredible for my close friendships to not be in lessons with them – it’s given us all space to branch out and meet new people, giving us independence and pushing us outside of our comfort zones! Then there’s the environment. Every sixth form has its own vibe. Some are super academic and fast-paced; others feel more laid-back and personal. Ask yourself what kind of learner you are. For me, I knew I wanted teachers I could talk to easily and a place that felt familiar rather than overwhelming, and ultimately that’s why I decided to stay at WGSG for my A Levels.
It’s also worth checking how those subjects are taught too – some places are more exam-heavy, while others give more coursework or practical options. There is no right or wrong way, just the way which will be most beneficial to you in the long run! Open days are honestly the best way to figure this out. Go and talk to current students – they’ll tell you the truth about the workload, how supportive the teachers are, and what student life feels like day-to-day. It’s also important to think about support. Sixth form can be challenging at times, so find out what help is available, both academically and emotionally. Some places, like WG6, have incredible mentors and wellbeing teams, that can make a massive difference when things get tough. Then there’s the practical elements – which sounds boring, but trust me, it matters. Think about how far you’ll have to travel, what the facilities are like for your subjects, and whether it’s somewhere you can imagine spending most of your week. Going to sixth form can feel like a full-time job at times, so picking somewhere you will feel comfortable and can see yourself spending time at is the best way!
And of course, there’s the social side. Sixth form isn’t just about studying – it’s also about growing up, meeting new people, and figuring out who you are. Some people love the idea of a completely new start, while others prefer to stay somewhere familiar. For me, I decided to stay at Wilmington for sixth form. It offered the subjects I wanted (Business studies, Psychology and Media Studies), and I already felt comfortable here. I knew the teachers, the environment, and the people – and that made the step up to sixth form a lot less scary. A lot of people told me to go somewhere new, but I realised I didn’t have to sacrifice familiarity to get a good education. Staying where I already felt supported has honestly helped me settle in and focus on doing my best. That being said, college or moving to a different school is a completely valid choice too. If you prefer a more hands-on or practical approach, or you want to study something vocational like sport, or health and social care, college might be the perfect fit – and that’s totally okay. Whether you choose a sixth form or college, the most important thing is picking the place where you’ll be happy and motivated to learn. So don’t worry too much about making the “perfect” choice. Visit places, ask questions, and listen to your instincts, you’ll know when somewhere feels right – and that’s probably where you belong!” Save the Date – our WG6 Open Event is on Wednesday 3rd December! More information and booking will be announced soon.
Please join me in congratulating WG6 student Tilly G of Year 12 who has recently been selected for the U18 Girls Kent County RFU Squad. Following a hugely successful two-year stint at U16 level, Tilly will continue her Rugby journey with the U18s. What makes her achievement that bit more special is that Tilly will be the youngest player in the squad!
PTA Update. The PTA held its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, 23rd September, and we are excited to announce a new joint Chair: Ismet Kundi, who joins Rosanna Mazzilli (pictured). Both are enthusiastic about the year ahead and are full of fresh fundraising ideas to support the school.
It was fantastic to see so many new faces at the meeting! We always welcome new members – whether you can spare a lot of time or just help out occasionally. Volunteering with the PTA is a great way to meet other parents and carers and contribute to raising much-needed funds for the school. If you’re interested in getting involved, please email us at pta@wgsb.co.uk
Year 7 Sports Saturdays. Over the past few weeks, the PTA has supported the Year 7 Sports Saturdays by selling refreshments to parents, carers, and students. It’s been a pleasure meeting so many members of our school community during these events!
Christmas Fair 29th November 11-2pm. We’re excited to announce the return of our Annual Christmas Fair! It’s always a fantastic event full of festive cheer, fun activities, and community spirit. More details will be shared soon, so keep an eye out! If you—or someone you know—would like to book a stall, please get in touch with us at pta@wgsb.co.uk. Stalls are a great opportunity for local businesses, crafters, and community groups to connect with families and share their products or services. We can’t wait to see you there!
Doughnut and Samosa sale Friday 12th December – breaktimes. You will soon be able to pre order these on Ipay.
Preloved School Uniform. We’re always happy to receive donations of preloved school uniforms. If you have any items to donate, please drop them off at Reception clearly marked for the PTA. If you’d like to request any preloved uniform items, feel free to get in touch via pta@wgsb.co.uk
Forthcoming Dates:
Academic Awards Evening (in person) – 9 Oct 5.30-7.30pm (tonight!)
Senior Maths Challenge WG6 – 9 Oct
Sports Fixture Y9 Rugby v Beths – 9 Oct
Sports Fixture Y11 Kent Cup v St Columbas – 9 Oct
Big Mental Health Conversation Trip – 10 Oct
Year 7 Sports Enrichment Programme, House Competition – Saturday 11 Oct 9-10.30am
Sports Fixture WGSB 1st XI v Hayes
Sports Fixture 1st XV v Canterbury – 15 Oct
Year 6 Open Evening – 15 Oct
Year 6 Open Morning (by appt only) – 16 Oct
University Admission Tests (Cambridge/General) – 16 Oct
Sports Fixture Y9 Rugby v Bexley – 16 Oct
Year 6 Open Morning (by appt only) – 17 Oct
Y13 Grades sent home – 17 Oct
Last Day of Term 1 – 17 Oct
First Day of Term 2 – Thursday 30 Oct
Year 11 Mocks commence – 30 Oct
WG6 Applications Open – 31 Oct
Sixth Form (WG6) Open Event – Wednesday 3rd December
Best wishes,
Stuart Harrington
Headteacher
