Headteacher's Message
AMBER WEATHER WARNING: Extreme Heat next week
We have issued safety guidance to students during tutor time today. Please take a look at this presentation as we would appreciate your support with this at home.
Well done and congratulations to our Year 11 and 13 students for getting through the GCSE and A-Level Exams. I am sure it is a huge relief to them all to be free to enjoy their summer break. Thursday was time to say our farewells to the Year 13 students who have worked so hard and we have watched mature over the past two years. Many of these students we have watched grow from nervous, excited Year 7s who joined us in September 2019! From all the staff at Waldegrave, I would like to wish all students leaving the Sixth Form this year the best of luck with the future, wherever their journey takes them. Our door will remain open for guidance and support, both on results day and beyond. We look forward to seeing them in August for their results days when we will be available to celebrate and support with next steps.
Today it was back to the other end of the school, with half of the Year 7 cohort taking their parents and carers on a tour of Waldegrave. They got to show their families their form rooms and where all their classes take place, including science labs, the studio theatre, foodtech as well as our lovely outside spaces!
Year 10 started their assessments this week, which will help measure their progress and importantly help practice formal exam regulations. They have demonstrated a very sensible approach towards these exams, showing great maturity and have another week to go. We appreciate your support at home during this time to ensure they are well rested and balance their revision with plenty of breaks.
On Tuesday a group of very talented Year 9 students pitched their Music Lingo App, which aims to support musicians to share songs globally by translating them, in the finals of the Apps for Good programme. The judging panel included a grilling by a copyright lawyer but they were also encouraged to think big and expand their idea to be successful commercially. As well as being judged by the panel the team are also looking for votes for the People’s Choice Award. Please follow this link and cast your vote for MUSIC LINGO. Voting is open until 5pm on Monday.
Following the end of exams, Year 11 pupils with offers to attend the Sixth Form at Waldegrave were invited to an open morning of taster sessions. On Wednesday we had approximately 260 students trialling A-level classes in the subjects they are considering studying, from economics to physics, english to psychology. They also had time to meet and speak to Sixth Form staff about their A-Level choices ahead of the enrolment day in the summer. As the Sixth Form was closed to current students for the day, the Year 11s were able to enjoy using the coffee shop and social spaces all to themselves!
Finally our second cohort of Year 9s have been undertaking their Duke of Edinburgh, Bronze training expedition in the Surrey Hills over the past two days. Well done to everyone for showing perseverance and determination, while keeping a smile on your faces. Enjoy a good rest this weekend, ahead of next week’s final assessment!
