This weekly bulletin contains the latest news updates across Year 7.
EEKLY W B ULLETIN 15 SEPTEMBER 2023
KEY SCHOOL DATES
A MESSAGE FROM OUR HEADTEACHER
HOLIDAYS & NATIONAL DAYS Alzheimer’s Awareness Month - September Suicide Prevention Month - September Rosh HaShanah (Jewish New Year) - 15-17 September Youth Mental Health Day - 19 September International Day of Peace - 21 September Year 13 Geography Trip to Barcelona Information Evening - 18 September Year 12/13 Information Evening - 19 September Student Photographs - 21-22 September Year 12 Subject Change Deadline - 22 September Year 10/11 Information Evening - 26 September
I am delighted to be writing our first bulletin of the school year. This is always such a lovely time of year, full of excitement and possibility. Not only is it wonderful to welcome our new students in Year 7 and Year 12, but our returning students and staff always enjoy catching up with each other to share tales of the summer holidays and plans for the year ahead. This week in assemblies I have been talking to students about Rosh HaShanah, the
*PICTURE OF BILLIE*
Jewish New Year which begins this evening at sunset, using this as an opportunity to reflect on how we can learn from the past as we begin a new year. One tradition we enjoy every September are the new school photographs. These will take place next week on Thursday and Friday for students in Years 7- 11. All students will have an individual photo as well as a tutor group photograph. We have reminded all our students about our uniform policy and appreciate your support in ensuring students comply with this. It was lovely to meet so many Year 7 parents and carers at our Information Evening on Tuesday. A huge thank you to our fabulous PTA who hosted informal welcome drinks in the Sixth Form. The PTA will be holding a Pre-loved Uniform sale on Saturday 30 September, any donations of unwanted uniforms would be very much appreciated. Finally, I would like to thank you for your support on Wednesday when we were forced to close the school at short notice due to having no water supply. Your patience and understanding was greatly appreciated.
~ Ms Tongue, Headteacher
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Send us your stories and photos to share by email to info@waldegravesch.org Follow us on twitter @Waldegravesch for general news and @WaldegraveSport for frequent sports updates JOINING THE PTA To get in contact with our PTA about joining the team please click below.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
The start of a new school year can be exciting, but it can also make young people feel anxious. Clinical psychologist, Nicholas J. Westers, recommends seven ways parents can help their children get the school year off right and build habits that foster strong mental health: 1. Encourage them to define their values and goals: The beginning of the year is a good time to focus on who they want to be and what they believe in. 2. Think of this year as a new start: A new school year is a chance to start fresh. 3. Foster meaningful friendships: If your child wants to make new friends this year, encourage them to start small: Say hello to at least one person every day, compliment another classmate or ask them about their interests. 4. Learn from setbacks: Build resilience by reframing challenges as learning opportunities. 5. Remember that although grades are important, so is being well-rounded: Many children and teenagers feel nervous and anxious about getting good grades. Remembering that activities and interests outside of the classroom are also important is helpful. 6. Remind your child that you’re their biggest ally: Many of the most successful and emotionally healthy students at school know that their parents can be their greatest ally. 7. Learn when to seek professional help: Key signs might be: noticeably and consistently different behaviour, poor sleep or school avoidance.
CONTACT PTA
A MESSAGE FROM HEAD OF YEAR 7
Welcome to Year 7! It has been a delight to welcome our new students to Waldegrave. Our Year 7 students have certainly hit the ground running with their Taster Day, CATs assessments, the start of the Thames Young Mariners visits and a whole host of new lessons. I have been very pleased with the enthusiastic attitude displayed by our students and they seem to have dealt with their ‘new school nerves’ very well. Of course, it can take students a while to settle in and we are all on hand to support our students as they come to terms with the transition. This can be a long process and experience has shown that patience and constant reassurance and encouragement is key. It was nice to see so many parents at the Year 7 Information Evening on Tuesday. The presentation can be accessed via the school website and I would like to draw particular attention to the information about school uniform and social media age requirements. 7EST have got off to a splendid start to the year by receiving 35 epraise points. 7PIR and 7PUN have also scored well with 26 and 23 points respectively. A special mention to Olivia B (7EST) who at time of writing has the most points in Year 7. An impressive start Olivia! There are a number of extra curricular clubs already starting up. This is a perfect opportunity for students to try something new this year. Click here to view the Autumn 2023 extracurricular timetable. Detailed information about the Year 7 visits to the Thames Young Mariners centre has been emailed to parents and carers. If you have not received this, please contact me and I will arrange for your child to receive a paper copy. If your child is eligible for Free School Meals, we can provide a packed lunch for the day providing you email us in advance. If your child is ill on the day of their trip, please can I ask that you contact the school as soon as possible to avoid delaying the trip unnecessarily. As mentioned previously, we love to hear about and celebrate our students’ achievements out of school. Please be sure to let us know of anything your child has been involved in that deserves recognition!
MR GREAVES, HEAD OF YEAR 7
BOOK OF THE MONTH
DRAMA DEPARTMENT SUPPORT
We are really excited to be rehearsing our latest school production, Annie. As ever parental support would be very much appreciated. In particular we hope someone may have a free standing door frame with a door in it to donate as part of the set design. The help of a theatre lighting expert to offer specialist advice would also be very welcome. Please can we kindly ask for parents/carers picking up and dropping off their children in cars to be considerate of the neighbourhood and their street policies in place for parking. You may incur a Penalty Charge Notice if you are found to be contravening the on street parking restrictions. PARKING NOTICE FROM THE COUNCIL
The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon The sun is also a star is told through the perspective of two teenagers whose lives cross paths and so they spend 12 fateful hours together. It explores how they struggle with parental relationships and expectations, coping with pressures of racism and immigration and the meaning of love and life. ~ Recommended by Marina M-B, Year 11 student
Please contact us with any queries or problems you may have. To get in touch with a member of staff from your child’s year group, you can: Send an email to KS3@waldegravesch.org Or you can contact the school via phone by calling: 02088943244 WALDEGRAVE SCHOOL Fifth Cross Road, Twickenham, Middlesex, TW2 5LH HOW TO CONTACT YEAR 7 HEAD OF YEAR AND TUTORS
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