Headteacher's Message
Our Open Mornings have now concluded for the year but I wanted to highlight how very impressed I have been with the maturity and confidence our Year 8s displayed. They showed excellent knowledge of the school while escorting prospective parents and students on tours and I was delighted to hear them speak about the kindness and care of staff which had helped them to grow in confidence in their first year at Waldegrave, as this is the environment we, as whole school community, very much strive to achieve. I received lovely feedback from parents who attended our Open Morning, one said: “Beyond the academic achievements of the school, what particularly struck us was seeing a school full of happy, confident and engaged children.”
I am also proud to announce that this week Waldegrave has been recognised by the SSAT (The schools, students and teachers network) with two accreditations for offering exceptional education by transforming practice in our positive ‘climate for learning’ and ‘effective learning behaviours’. This not only speaks to the high quality of teaching we offer at Waldegrave but that we continue to strive to preserve these high standards within our school. Read more here.
It has also been an exciting week for student opportunities with a small group of Year 8, 9 and 10 pupils getting to meet and train with the Black Ferns, the New Zealand Women’s Rugby Team, in a rugby workshop. It was an incredible opportunity, read more in our news section.
We have been celebrating the European Day of Languages around the school this week, both in languages lessons and during tutor time. Tutor groups took part in a quiz, while Year 7 created some fantastic posters and Year 7 and 8 got busy in the kitchen for a baking competition. See some of the fantastic creations they came up with in this news piece.
On Tuesday this week our Year 10 Art students went on an inspiring trip to Kew Gardens, they enjoyed sketching the Henry Moore sculptures and natural forms as well as visiting the Shirley Sherwood Gallery. They had a slightly wet start but this did not dampen their spirits and the sun came out in the afternoon. I look forward to seeing some of the amazing work coming out from this stimulating trip. Look out for our student report on this coming out next week.
On Thursday we once again waved off our Year 11 Duke of Edinburgh Challengers – some of whom are on their third expedition this term! This is their final assessment for their Silver Award and we are very proud of them all for showing such consistency and determination. They were lucky with the weather and enjoyed a lovely couple of days exploring the New Forest on foot. I am sure they will all come home very tired but happy to have completed this challenge with their friends. Well done to them all!
Finally, today we have had another fascinating Waldegrave Working Lunch. Thank you to Ms Lee Lewis for this wonderful series of careers’ talks, this week’s speaker, Dr Henrietta Rees, Consultant Psychiatrist, was no exception.
We are all looking forward to another fantastic Macmillan Coffee Morning next Friday. Please do encourage your child to take part in the baking competition – this is run by our prefects, with each of our houses competing to be named the winner! All cakes will be sold in aid of Macmillan Cancer Care, the UK leading Cancer support charity. Read more here.
