This weekly bulletin contains the latest news updates across Year 8.
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 8
I want to say a huge well done to Year 8 for making such a positive start to the year. I have been really impressed by their enthusiasm and kindness to one another. Many of our students are getting to grips with new teachers, new rooms and new lesson content - great work. This week Year 8 attended an assembly, inspired by a book called ‘Invisible Women’, focusing on the ideas of gender. Students were asked to think about how we can make sure that the world we build takes into consideration the needs of both men and women and I hope that they found it interesting and inspiring. So far this year we have 8EMU as our front runners for the epraise points followed closely by 8EFR then 8SGZ. Well done to those individuals who have achieved epraise in the first week of term - this is a brilliant start. 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. Throughout this academic year, all our Year 8 students will have the opportunity to spend one day being a ‘student receptionist’. The information has been relayed to them via our tutor programme and we have a rota system in place which avoids disruption of any learning. Please speak to your child about using this as an opportunity to support the daily running of the school. We find it is a day where students get to be part of the behind the scenes and it allows them to take on more leadership roles within the school.
MRS MORTIMER, HEAD OF YEAR 8
BOOK OF THE MONTH
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
DRAMA DEPARTMENT SUPPORT
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
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 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 8 HEAD OF YEAR AND TUTORS
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