Weekly Bulletin – Week 8

Well we have made it to the end of the first half term and what a busy & exciting time it has been for Year 7.

Well done to Demi & Elia who made their debut in the year 7&8 football match on Monday, helping Waldegrave achieve a 5-3 win against St Richard Reynold’s.

Year 7 made some very creative and spooky Halloween carvings for the Interhouse competition – well done to everyone who took part. The Year 7 House Captain’s choice went to Mia T, 7FKV, while the staff judges chose Ruth H, 7SDE, Emilie P and Sara A, 7EHO and Willow M and Ellie C-D, 7STH. See a full report and view our pumpkin gallery on the news pages of the website.

Finally on Friday we ended the term in a blaze of Pink on “Pink Day”. Thank you for all the contributions towards the Breast Cancer Charities, Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel. Year 7 also took part in the book swap at lunchtime, so hopefully those who took part will have a new book to read over the half term break.

Our House Point Stars of the week are Arya E, 7SDE & Alisa M, 7FKV. Well done! They will join the house point stars from the other year group with Mr Gerald for a hot chocolate and a sweet treat today.

The house point tutor group leader board sees 7SDE stay at the top spot, 7PGO hold onto their 2nd place position, with 7STH climbing up the leader board to 3rd place this week. Well done to everyone who has earned house points this week and over the course of this half term for hard work and demonstrating our school values: enjoy, achieve and empower.

We are very proud of Year 7 and the way they have engaged in school life in such a positive way in their first half term of secondary school. They have definitely earned the break and we hope they enjoy the opportunity to relax and have fun during the Halloween period.

We would like to remind you all that we return to school on Wednesday 4 November which will be week B.

Wishing you a lovely weekend.

Mrs Bashford-Hynes, Head of Year 7

As we round out the first half term, I would like to thank students for their exceptional start to the academic year. It has been a wonderful term full of opportunities including the Year 7 and 8 book swap, open morning tours, auditions for the school play and sporting fixtures, just to name a few. Thank you to parents too for your ongoing support.

The Year 8 football team won again on Monday 5-3 with Sophia Woods being named player of the match. Well done all!

Mr Gerald continues his hot chocolate Fridays for our top house point scorers – this week Bobbie W in 8SPI and Alecia M in 8SRI were our winners. Great work!

It has been a great term of house points for all students, with the top three forms on the house points leader board being 8SPI, 8FKI and 8EAL. The leaderboard is constantly changing, and it is so great to see student’s working hard.

Please be aware that our uniform policy states students are allowed to have one small stud in each ear, and wear plain black or white socks. Students are not to wear socks with logos, or white socks over their stockings. Students are also not permitted to have fake nails and excess jewellery. Thank you for your support in reminding them to remove this before returning on Wednesday 4 November.

Have a great half term break!

Ms N Ansell, Head of Year 8

We have had a fantastic final week of what has been a busy first half of the Autumn term, and Year 9 has continued to impress both me and their teachers. It has been wonderful to see so many students approaching their learning with enthusiasm, demonstrating positive attitudes in lessons and making the most of the opportunities available to them. Their continued effort, engagement and willingness to challenge themselves have been particularly pleasing to see as they settle further into the demands and expectations of Year 9.

Throughout the half-term, students have been encouraged to take greater responsibility for their learning, develop their independence and maintain high standards in both their academic work and their conduct. It is encouraging to see so many students embracing these expectations and contributing positively to the wider school community. I would like to thank them for their hard work and commitment over the past few weeks, as well as their teachers for the continued support, guidance and encouragement they provide.

This week, we held a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) assembly for our Year 9 tutor groups, introducing students to the programme and highlighting the exciting opportunities and challenges it offers. The assembly provided an overview of the award, its key components and the skills students can develop through participation, including independence, resilience, teamwork and a sense of achievement. Students were encouraged to consider getting involved and to think about how the award could support their personal development both inside and outside the classroom.

We also hosted a DofE Parents’ Information Evening, giving parents and carers an opportunity to learn more about the programme, its requirements and the commitment involved. The session outlined the different sections of the award, explained how students can get started and provided guidance on the support available throughout their DofE journey. It was also an opportunity for parents to ask questions and gain a clearer understanding of how they can support their child as they work towards achieving their award.

Both events marked an important step in raising awareness of the DofE programme and helping students and their families feel informed, prepared and enthusiastic about the opportunities ahead.

A huge well done to our house point winners this week! Maja J and Rosa Rasti, both 9SGU. It is fantastic to see students being recognised for their hard work, positive attitudes and contributions to school life. House points celebrate the effort, commitment and excellent behaviour that students demonstrate both in and out of the classroom. Congratulations to all our winners, keep up the brilliant work, and continue to be positive role models for the rest of Year 9!

Our U16 Basketball team has been unstoppable this season, showing incredible teamwork, determination and passion in every game. Match after match, they have battled hard, supported each other and proved exactly what they are capable of. With an unbeaten record, their hard work on the training ground is clearly paying off, and their commitment to giving 100% every time they step onto the pitch is something to be proud of. The journey is far from over, and the girls are hungry to keep the unbeaten run going!

We want to end this half term positively and so we would ask for your support in checking in with your child about how they feel this term has gone so far and if there is anything they would like to work on moving forward. A reminder to all students and parents regarding our school uniform expectations as we look ahead to the next half-term. We expect all students to wear their uniform correctly and with pride, ensuring they meet the standards set out in our school uniform policy. This includes wearing appropriate school socks, with white socks and Nike socks worn over tights not permitted. Students should also ensure that their appearance remains in line with school expectations, which means no fake nails or false eyelashes. These expectations are in place to maintain a smart, professional and consistent standard across the year group. Thank you to parents and carers for your continued support in ensuring that students return after half-term in the correct uniform and ready to learn.

I am sure everyone is looking forward to the half term break. Students are due to return to school on Wednesday 4 November. We encourage you to remind your children about the key expectations around uniform, lanyards and chrome books. This will enable Year 9 to put their best foot forward!

Have a great half term.

Ms G Wood, Heads of Year 9

We have had a fantastic final week of the term and Year 10 has continued to impress both myself and their teachers. This week Year 10 had two important assemblies. In their work assembly. They heard from students in year 11 who shared their experiences and offered valuable advice. Students have been encouraged to start researching and contacting places of interest over half term, or as soon as they have decided where they would like to experience work. We would appreciate your support in having these conversations at home. Further information on dates and how to log placements will follow.

They also had an informative assembly on DofE Silver Award. Further information will be sent out by Miss Guy in due course.

On Thursday this week we had our Waldegrave inaugural pumpkin carving House competition. Students were able to enter individually or as teams. Pumpkins were judged based on creativity, technical skills and wow factor. The results are here in our news pages.

Well done to those Year 10 students who have achieved house points this half term for demonstrating the enjoy, achieve and empower aspects of school. Our leading students this week were Amy M, 10PIR and Hannah M, 10PIR! Keep up the great work.

I am sure everyone is looking forward to the half term break. Students are due to return to school on Wednesday 4 November. We encourage you to remind your child about the key expectations around uniform, lanyards and chrome books. As the weather gets colder, more students are bringing in coats to wear outside. Please can you ensure that all clothes have name labels on them, as it is very easy for these to be misplaced.

I am immensely proud of all of the students in Year 10 and I look forward to welcoming them back into school after half term! I hope the upcoming half term provides all our students and families with an enjoyable and restful break.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Mrs N Lyddon, Head of Year 10

First, I would like to celebrate and extend a huge congratulations to all of our students who have achieved 100% attendance this half-term. Maintaining perfect attendance is a fantastic achievement, particularly during a demanding term. Consistent attendance is directly linked to GCSE success, as every single day in the classroom ensures students do not miss vital course content, exam preparation, and teacher support. Thank you to these students for their excellent commitment, and to you, their parents, for supporting them in getting to school every day.

We had a wonderful start to our day earlier this week with a brilliant assembly led by Ms Lane. The focus was on Black music artists and how they have acted as true pioneers across different eras and genres. It was a thoroughly musical and uplifting experience that brought incredible energy to the morning, leaving both staff and students feeling inspired.

Our House Point Stars of the week are Flossie H, 11 PWA and Freda L, 11FDO. Well done! They will join the house point stars from the other year group with Mr Gerald for a hot chocolate and a sweet treat today.

Our success has also extended well beyond the classroom this week. I was delighted to hear a special mention in our staff briefing from Miss Astridge regarding our U16 Basketball team. A huge well done to the team for securing a fantastic win! Your teamwork, resilience, and sportsmanship were exemplary, and you have represented the year group brilliantly.

In addition to our sporting success, our creative talents have been on full display. I want to celebrate all the Year 11 students who performed in the Music Live Lounge. Taking to the stage requires an immense amount of courage, and the talent on show was absolutely outstanding. You captivated the audience and showcased the very best of our year group’s creative spirit.

It has been a packed half-term, and our students have truly earned a break. I hope you all have a wonderful, safe, and restful half-term holiday. We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed and ready for the next chapter of Year 11.

Please be reminded that Year 11 need to be in school on Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 November for their mocks before normal school for all resumes on Wednesday 4.

Have a lovely half term.

Mrs O Mortimer, Head of Year 11