Blog week ending 4th December
Success comes in many forms, and at Wilmington Grammar School for Girls we believe every achievement deserves recognition. Whether it’s mastering a new skill, showing resilience in the face of challenge, or excelling academically, each success contributes to the growth of our community. We take pride in celebrating these moments together, no matter how big or small, because they reflect the spirit of our school values.
Guided by our REACH principles; Respect and Resilience, Equality, Achievement, Community, and Honesty and Integrity, we nurture an environment where students and staff alike are encouraged to embrace opportunities and overcome obstacles. Our culture of recognising and celebrating every ‘win’ comes to life in so many ways including via our Celebration Assemblies, shout-outs in this Blog, House Points, in lessons and now in our weekly ‘Tuesday Glow Up’!
At WGSG, celebrating success is more than recognition it is a shared joy that strengthens our community and inspires us all to continue reaching higher.
Mrs Selfe has recently launched “Tuesday Glow Up!” every Tuesday KS4 break until Christmas, as a way of getting students to celebrate their successes, particularly the small wins! Below, a selection of students who took to the stage to announce their own wins or achievements of their peers.
The generosity of our wonderful school community is evident in so many aspects of school life, and recently we have been blown away by the outpouring of support from staff and families. Whether helping those in our local area or reaching out to communities further afield, the kindness shown has been remarkable. The photographs below capture just a glimpse of the practical generosity and heartfelt compassion that define our community spirit. Under the leadership of Mrs Sommerfield, we were able to send a vast number of vital supplies to those affected by the recent storms in Jamaica. The boxes pictured have now been transported directly to families in need, offering much‑needed relief and comfort.
Closer to home, our fabulous hamper competition brought joy to both participants and recipients alike. Thanks to your generous contributions, we were able to create themed hampers for a variety of recipients, from family hampers and gifts for the elderly to prizes for our PTFA Christmas Fayre. The tombola, always a highlight of the Fayre, was once again hugely popular with visitors.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed. Your kindness continues to make a real difference, both within our local community and beyond.
Our PTFA joined me in judging our Hampers competition – congratulations to our winners who each produced beautifully decorated hampers with a wide range of carefully considered gifts!
Bader – 9W
Singh – 9E
Hepworth – 10E
Franklin – 7R
Thank you to Ali H of 9W who has crocheted numerous wonderful pieces to support charitable fundraising or as thoughtful gifts. Ali is extremely caring and a real asset to the community. Look at the amazing Elphaba from Wicked she has crocheted, broomstick included, for Miss Cullingham!
Ms Armellino’s Year 7 Design Technology students study disciplines across the subject in rotation. At the end of each module students check their learning via an assessment and review lesson before moving onto the new topic. The below students will next be working on a Design module as they master the principles and uses of 3D drawing in design projects.
Our Art Department accompanied Year 10 Art GCSE students to the National Gallery for a prestigious drawing workshop and art history talk from the National Gallery Art Education Team. The students thoroughly enjoyed their art study day creating research drawings, photographs and written analysis for their coursework sketchbooks. Our fabulous Year 10 students learned about the compositional elements and symbolism in some of Titian’s iconic paintings alongside viewing other Renaissance art works. The students were able to study independently working from direct observation from art works in the Baroque, Rococo and Modernist era. In lessons next week they will be creating their own flesh tone oil paintings.
Miss Alfah’s Year 8 Scientists took part in a practical investigation as part of their photosynthesis module. In this lesson, students tested a leaf for the presence of starch. Students learned that a can be ‘de-starched’ by leaving it in the dark for a few hours. Parts of its leaves are covered, and the plant is left in the light for a few hours. Only the uncovered parts become blue/black with iodine solution, showing the importance of light in photosynthesis.
WG6 A Level PE students took part in a practical lesson today dissecting hearts and examining a set of lungs, following learning about the cardiorespiratory system. The students were all incredibly engaged, contributing to their team and being positive in their learning.
Year 12 Politics A Level students were joined virtually via a team’s call, with Claire Deller-Rust a Senior Public Affairs Officer from CIPD. Claire spoke about her education and career in politics. Claire began by speaking about on her studies at Canterbury Christ Church University and the University of Leeds, Claire told of the opportunities this created to work in politics, before she went to work as an MP’s PA for several years. Now working for CIPD, Claire explained the projects which she has been working on, in particular, alongside the current government and the Employment Rights Bill, which links to the A Level Politics course through its focus on lobbying and Pressure groups.
This was a really interesting an insightful conversation, which helped to develop the students’ knowledge and understanding of how politics works and also the steps required to undertake a career working within politics. Thank you to Claire for giving up her time to speak to us.
Sports Fixtures Update. Year 9 had a friendly match and Year 10 had a league netball match, both against Mayfield Grammar School in Gravesend.
Year 9 played well despite the team not playing together before. They showed flair and determination and won 7-1. The player of the match was Annabelle A.
Year 10 showed true grit and determination as they played a very well-established team. Despite losing 10-2, the team worked hard to continue battling. The player of the match was Jasmine C.
Our Year 8 Netball team played against DSTC yesterday and won 5-4. They fought solidly as a team and Miss Skrine was extremely proud of them. Our player of the match was Florence W-S.
The Maths Department have shared nrich’s Mathematical Advent Calendar!
Students are invited to solve the twenty-four problems, which they hope will tap into your mathematical curiosity. There is one for each day in December, during the run-up to Christmas. After students have had a go at the day’s problem, they can compare their approach to the published solutions. Advent Calendar 2025 – Secondary | NRICH
PTFA Update. Thank you to all staff and student families who supported our Christmas Market, it really was a lovely festive occasion! Not surprisingly, the Student Hamper raffle was a huge attraction! In addition to the wonderful craft and gift stalls one of our students ran a stall to help raise funds for a future Scout Trip to Poland – we were so impressed with her creative approach to fund-raising. If other students would like to host a stall or activity in future events please do come to us with your ‘apprentice’ style pitch!
We would like to thank all of our families and staff for your support this term. In particular, our helpers and volunteers who do the hidden jobs such as providing second hand school uniform. Others who have contributed, such as providing material and wood to replace our Christmas market banner, it’s very much appreciated by the committee. Do attend our next online meeting on 14th January if you are able.
Have a lovely break with your families.
Forthcoming Dates;
Celebration Assemblies all Year groups – commence 8 December
Year 7 Christmas Concert – 11 December at St Michael & All Angels Church
Year 13 Mocks Results Assembly – 12 December at WGSB
Year 10 & 11 Christmas Talent Show (during Periods 6 & 7) – 16 December
A Level Certificate Presentation & Drinks Reception – 17 December at WGSG
Christmas Lunch – 18 December
Last Day of Term 2 – 19 December at 12pm
First Day of Term 3 – 5 January
Year 13 Mock Examinations commence – 5 January
Best wishes,
Dave Fuller
Headteacher
