Blog week ending 5th June
Students are now very much immersed in the summer exam season, with GCSE and A Levels taking place until 20th June. Additionally, next week, Years 7, 8 and 9 are sitting their subject assessments. These assessments provide valuable individual data to inform subject planning, ensuring that every student continues to develop academically to support their future goals and aspirations. The results of these assessments provide parents and carers with meaningful and actionable feed-back so we can work together to provide each student with the appropriate support. All year groups have access to spaces to prepare for the assessments, and as always, teaching and pastoral staff are on hand to provide any additional support. Pictured below, students studying independently. I am always impressed with the pro-active way students self-manage their own additional exam preparation.
Year 8 PE students have been improving their running technique to develop and enhance sprinting performance. In the below lesson students took part in 200-meter sprint race, applying their technique improvements with several students achieving PBs. The support and encouragement students gave each other undoubtably added to their performance. Today’s lesson suggests it’s going to be a thrilling Sports Day!
Mr Alexander’s Year 10 GCSE sociology students have been working on an outline to their new topic, ‘education as an institution’, starting with a research piece exploring education laws and policies across different types of schools. Throughout this term students will consider key sociology studies and concepts to inform and enhance their understanding of this fascinating topic and its impact on society.
Year 12 WG6 Forensics and Criminal Investigation students took part in a required practical conducting a forensic investigation around our school site. Students donned full forensic PPE, before securing the scene of the ‘crime’ and undertaking their investigation and applying their learned scientific forensic procedures.
WG6 Year 12 Geographers enjoyed a fantastic, and sunny(!) field trip to Brighton and the surrounding area, gathering vital data for their Non-Examined Assessment (NEA). Students investigated land use, regeneration, and inequality, as well as measuring beach profiles to explore the impact of geomorphic processes on the coastal landscape. Our base for the trip was the YHA in Lewes, where students continued working well into the evenings, showing real commitment to their projects. Students and staff ended the trip on a high note with a scenic walk to the top of the first of the Seven Sisters at Cuckmere Haven, followed by a visit to the iconic Birling Gap—an inspiring end to a productive few days. Well done to all the students for their enthusiasm and hard work throughout the trip!
WG6 Year 12 Biologists conducted an investigation into the potential energy of water molecules by recording the effect of various sugar solutions on a sample organism – in this case, potato. Students were able to accurately measure the percentage change in mass. This process is widely used in the water and pharmaceutical industries.
Our PE Department offers a programme of lunchtime and after school clubs – with lots of opportunities to try a new sport or develop existing interests including the popular Cheerleading Club on a Tuesday after school. We have several accomplished athletes who, with clubs outside of school, go on to compete locally and on the world stage.
Sophia of Year 8 and Lily in Year 7 flew out to Florida with their cheerleading team Shiver to compete in the Varsity Youth Summit Competition in Tampa against 64 other teams from around the world and qualified through to finals on Day 2 with 34 other teams finishing 24th in the world which is an amazing achievement for their team of girls aged 9-13 and the first time Ice Athletics have qualified for the Youth Summit and means they are one of the top U12 teams in the UK. A great experience for these girls to compete on a global stage!
Scarlett H of 10C and Georgia L of 10W competed with their level 5 under 18 cheer team Lady Ice in Florida at the most prestigious cheer competition in the world – the Cheerleading World Championship at ESPN. They are currently National champions here in the UK, and in Florida they competed against the best teams worldwide achieving an incredible position of 12th in the world. An amazing achievement and experience for this team that trains incredibly hard. We are so proud.
Gravesham and Dartford Games have made us aware of the following opportunity;
The Teach Orienteering Part 1 Course at St John’s Comprehensive in Gravesend is going ahead on Tuesday 10th June. These courses are a great way to develop confidence in delivering OAA but very few courses are held nationally each year. There are a few places still available and if you would like to attend, please email Andrew Evans using schools@dfok.co.uk
Here is a link to the flyer https://www.dfok.co.uk/documents/schools/Teaching-O-Course-Gravesend-2025.pdf with further details.
Local football club the Swanscombe Tigers is currently recruiting girls for their Under 15 team (Y9 & 10 mostly). It’s a fun, friendly, girls’ team and girls don’t have to be ‘pro‘ football players, they just need to be passionate about playing football (they will pick up the skills as they go on) and be willing to commit time to training and match days. For more information, see the below poster or call Penney on 07816 123914
Forthcoming Dates;
Careers & Futures Week – 16-19 June
WG6 Induction Day – 23 June
Year 10 Geography field trip to Tankerton – 24 and 26 June
Year 6 Transition Evening – 1 July (5.30-6.30pm)
Sports Day – 2 July
Year 12 Parents’ Evening – 3 July (@WGSG)
Year 6 Transition Day 4 July
Years 7, 8 & 9 Written Reports home – w/c 14 July
Year 12 Work Experience – 14-22 July
Enrichment Week – 14-18 July
Last Day of Term 6 – 22 Jul at 12 noon
First Day of Term 1 – Wednesday 3 September (new Year 7 & 12 students Tuesday 2 September)
Best wishes,
Michelle Lawson
Headteacher
