Blog week ending 21st May
We bid a heartfelt and uplifting farewell to our remarkable Year 13 students at a truly 
special final assembly. The occasion brought everyone together to celebrate their time at WG6, featuring a memorable showreel capturing their time at WG6 and for many, stretching back to their early days in Year 7 at WGSB or WGSG. Unsurprisingly, the earlier photographs prompted laughter and fond reflection in equal measure!
Each member of this Year 13 cohort should take immense pride in all they have achieved – the milestones reached, the challenges overcome and the positive steps taken along the way. The thoughtful and inspiring addresses from our Headteacher, Heads of WG6, Student Managers and Heads of Year reflected not only what a pleasure it has been to work with this group over the past two years, but also how growth and development cuts both ways. Whilst responding to the learning needs and aspirations of our students, we continue to refine and strengthen our support, creating an environment that nurtures progress and enables every student to achieve.
Midway through exams now, Year 13 continue to demonstrate their readiness by approaching each paper with genuine positivity and professionalism. We wish them every success for the future, both in their examinations and in the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. We also hope they will remain a valued part of our community as members of our distinguished alumni, continuing to inspire and support those who follow in their footsteps.
The celebration was enriched by wonderful performances from our talented Year 13 musicians and singers, and concluded with a particularly memorable Guard of Honour, enthusiastically formed by our Year 7 students from both schools.
Year 7 and 8 recently sat the UK Maths Trust Junior Mathematical Challenge paper. As a 60-minute, 25 multiple choice question paper, it encourages mathematical reasoning, precision of thought and fluency to make students think. A couple of examples are below for anyone who would like to have a go.
The students did fantastically well. They achieved overall, 15 Gold Certificates, 57 Silver and 116 Bronze across both year groups. Congratulations go to Isla C and Elsie F in Year 7 for achieving a Gold Certificate and both progressing to the follow-on round, the Junior Kangaroo. In Year 8, Lucia M, Lawun W, Amyra R, Miya S, Varisha M, Rose T, Hiba I, Isabele G, Bella O, Yuqing W and Darcey W all achieved a Gold Certificate. Lucia, Lawun, Amyra, Miya, Varisha and Rose have progressed to the Junior Kangaroo. This will be the second year running that Varisha and Miya have qualified for the Kangaroo. An amazing achievement.
Example Questions .. answers at the bottom of the Blog!
1. Which of the following calculations gives the largest result?
A 2 × 0 + 26 B 2 + 0 + 2 × 6 C 20 + 26 D 20 × 2 − 6 E 20 + 2 × 6
11. In how many ways can all the digits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 be placed in a 3 × 3 grid so that the sum of the numbers in each row is even and the sum of the numbers in each column is odd?
A 0 B 1 C 2 D 3 E more than 3
22. In Poppy’s pond there are frogs and snakes. Four-fifths of the frogs are green frogs and six-sevenths of the snakes are black snakes. Which of the following could not be the total number of creatures in Poppy’s pond?
A 22 B 23 C 24 D 26 E 27
Library Update. Year 7 students were invited to take part in a virtual author event with Katherine Rundell, hosted by Waterstones. The session focused on her new book, Impossible Creatures: The Poison King.
Students were selected to attend in recognition of their excellent Sparx Reader SRPs and their consistently positive attitude to learning. The event was thoroughly enjoyable and inspiring. Katherine Rundell spoke about the ideas and experiences that inspire her writing, shared insights into her childhood and life, and explained how she finds inspiration in the world around her. She also discussed the writing process before taking part in a short Q&A, with questions submitted by schools from across the UK.
The students greatly enjoyed the experience, and we are looking forward to purchasing this exciting new series for the school library.
Our new Student Leaders in Year 10 and Year 12 Senior Student leaders from across WG6 participated in student leader training, delivered by the Life Skills Company who we have a lasting working relationship with. Students had a whistle-stop tour of communication, leadership, teamwork and presentation skills, even down to how to shake hands and positive body language. All students were massively engaged and seemed to get a lot out of the session. Thank you to Ella from the Life Skills company for another active and engaging session.
Our Year 12 A Level Geographers recently took part in a residential trip exploring a mix of physical and human landscapes across Sussex. Students carried out coastal fieldwork on a shingle beach at Seaford, investigating erosion, wave processes and the effectiveness of local management strategies.
The trip also included urban fieldwork in Brighton, where students examined regeneration, land‑use change and the social and economic character of the city. Across all locations, students collected valuable data for their NEA projects and strengthened their confidence in real‑world geographical investigation.
They spent the final day in the South Downs National Park, witnessing the area’s chalk landscape and taking in the breathtaking landforms and views. It was a fantastic opportunity for students to work together, develop practical skills and see geography in action.
Careers Update – our latest Newsletter includes a round-up of the latest news and opportunities and can be viewed on our website by clicking here WGSG Edition 9
Congratulations to Zosia of 7W who competed in the recent Swim England South East Regional Summer Championships where she qualified to swim in eight events, progressing to the final in four of them. Zosia won the bronze medal (for 50 m breaststroke) and was hundreds of a second close to a couple more medals. A great competition performance!
Zosia trains with, and represents, White Oak Swim Club where I understand other WGSG students are club-mates. To find out more, or to join White Oak Swimming Club, click here White Oak Swimming Club |
Together with the Kent Emotional Wellbeing Team, our Student Managers have been implementing a seven week Facing Your Fears workshop for a small group of Year 7 and 8 students. The KEWT practitioners provide Universal Support for all students through Worries Workshops and Exam Stress Workshops, as well as targeted interventions for select students and 1:1 sessions if required – we all have access to this excellent NHS service which forms part of the graduated support ladder offered by our Pastoral Team to support students’ wellbeing. For more details Kent Emotional Wellbeing Teams and Medway Emotional Support Teams – Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust.
PTA Update. Just a reminder that there is still time for Year 11 students to secure tickets to attend their Prom being held on Friday 19th June – full details in poster. There is also the opportunity for a photo by a professional photographer (payment via iPay).
Pre-Loved Uniform purchase or donation enquiries – please contact wgsgpfauniform@gmail.com.
Our PFA meeting will be held week commencing 1st June via Teams. Date and time to be determined.
Thank you as always for your support.
The PFA committee
Endeavour MAT Transition Programme. Local pupils across Years 5 and 6 are supported in their progression to secondary school learning and school life via a range of initiatives and practical lessons in conjunction with our Endeavour MAT grammar schools. Our Heads of Department and classroom teachers have developed a series of ‘taster lessons’ and school visits to reassure, enthuse and support our pupils ahead of them starting secondary school in September. In the below photos Year 6 pupils from Wilmington Primary visited WGSG to take part in English and Library lessons, Ms Selby, Head of English worked with pupils as they explored the ‘horror’ genre in literature – watching a short film to discuss genre characteristics of suspense and dread and how they might be depicted. Ms Booth, the librarian, challenged pupils to ‘judge a book by its cover’ and follow clues to complete a library scavenger hunt.
Gravesham Child Centred Policing Team have asked us to share the below poster.
Forthcoming Dates;
Last Day of Term 5 – Friday 22nd May
First Day of Term 6 – Monday 1st June
Year 12 Data & Written Reports home – 1st June
Year 10 Parent/Carers’ Evening – 4th June
Years 7, 8 & 9 Exams – 8th – 12th June
Year 10 Geography Trip – 17th & 18th June
WG6 Induction Day – 22nd June
Drama Club Production – Legally Blond – 24th & 25th June
Year 6 Transition Evening – 30th June (5.30pm-6.30pm)
Sports Day – 1st July
Music Showcase – 2nd July (6-7pm)
Year 6 Transition Day – 3rd July
Year 12 Parents/Carers’ Evening – 9th July
Enrichment Week – 14th – 17th July
Years 7, 8 & 9 Data & Reports home – 13th July
Years 10 & 12 Work Experience – 13th – 17th July
Last Day of Term 6 – Tuesday 21st July (12noon)
Best wishes,
Dave Fuller
Headteacher.
Maths Challenge Solutions:
1. C The results of the five calculations are, respectively, 26, 14, 46, 34 and 32. So 20 + 26 gives the largest result.
11. A The sum of the nine numbers to place in the grid is 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 9, that is 45. So it is impossible for the sum of the three numbers in each row to be even, as three even numbers have an even sum but 45 is odd.
22. B It may be deduced that the number of frogs is a multiple of 5 and the number of snakes is multiple of 7. So the total number of creatures is the sum of a multiple of 5 and a multiple of 7. Now 22 = 3 × 5 + 1 × 7; 24 = 2 × 5 + 2 × 7; 26 = 1 × 5 + 3 × 7; 27 = 4 × 5 + 1 × 7. However, it is not possible for 23 to be written as the sum of a multiple of 5 and a multiple of 7. So there could not be 23 creatures in the pond.
