Blog week ending 14th July

We are huge advocates of ‘learning beyond the classroom’ and the opportunities they provide for our students’ talents to flourish and to enhance their learning experience.  Aside from the many benefits to students’ educational and personal development, these trips provide a chance to have fun with peers and strengthen social bonds, to visit or experience something new and to make memories. 

Our Year 7 have travelled to Shorne Woods Country Park, Year 8 had a day on the beach at Joss Bay, Year 9 travelled to the University of Hertfordshire to get an insight into student life with fun activities to help them decide if this is something they may like to do in the future.

Year 10 visited Sussex University for sessions delivered by Sussex graduates and student ambassadors with activities to aid decision making, talks on higher education, workshops and tours. Year 12 enjoyed a trip to Laser Tag, a high-tech, fast paced game of strategy and skill.

I will include photos from the trips next week!

What a night!  .. well, two nights.  Our amazing Bugsy Malone cast and production crew put on the most incredible show … and the audience LOVED IT!  Their performances were incredible; physical comedy, dramatic delivery and musical timing – every actor and member of the production team turned in a highly professional and polished contribution.  Mr Bailey, Head of Drama and Year 7 (moving with them to Year 8 next year) has received so much positive and enthusiastic feed-back from audience members and from the production team themselves.  The students are already drawing up a long list for next year’s show!!  Thank you to all that supported the students and show especially to Miss Cambridge who (as a trained actor!) provided choreography and coaching support throughout.

Hair and make-up provided by Mrs Aziz 

Congratulations to the 41 students who successfully passed their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition.  Working in small teams, students developed their spirit of adventure spending two days and one night exploring the countryside whilst carrying everything they needed to survive to complete their journeys. The students were exceptional, each demonstrating tenacity, resilience and a wealth of new-found skills used on the expedition.  We are all bowled over by the mature and capable way the students have approached the scheme .. each should be feeling extremely proud of their achievements.  The Duke of Edinburgh scheme gives students a platform to develop their skills, confidence and provides an edge over others when applying for college, university or a job.  Dr El-Damanawi, Assistant Head Teacher leads the programme at Stone Lodge and we look forward to opening up applications for next academic year in due course.

Introducing … Mr Poole, Head of Computer Science who joined us earlier this term.  Mr Poole is a highly skilled practitioner with over 9 years teaching and leadership experience in schools around south east London and Kent.  Out of the classroom Mr Poole is a keen sportman, particularly high intensity interval training (HIT)!  He added, “taking an active role in student life above and beyond lessons is very improtant to me and I’m looking forward to running new Computer Science clubs and activities from September”

Mr Poole’s Year 7 students have been learning about computer networks and in the below lesson discussion the pros and cons of social networks and the impact and consequenses of cyberbullying.

SL6 Sixth Form Induction day.  We were very proud to welcome our prospective sixth form students to Stone Lodge on 30th June 2023. They were excited to be our second year joining the sixth form.

The day started with some fun teambuilding challenges where all students were able to demonstrate excellent teamwork and communication skills.  It was great to see so many students making new fronds and taking themselves outside of their comfort zones.

 

The morning also included a talk from Early Career Foundation to discuss their business mentoring programme and support with achieving their end goals. This included applying for a possible grant for up to £5000 for completing the programme in full.  All students were keen to get involved and will receive further details about applications in September 2023 when they join us.

Students then experienced taster lessons in their chosen subjects of Sport, Engineering or Health as well as meeting existing students to discuss life at SLS. We look forward to welcoming them in September 2023.

Year 7 students have been working as Youth Travel Ambassadors with KCC identifying and implementing road safety initiatives for our school.  Students were then presented with a cheque for £250 to help them put their plan into action.

Our Youth Travel Ambassadors are (left to right): Kamakshi of 7F, Imogen of 7F, Elsie of 7B, Eva of 7B, Camren of 7B and Harrison of 7H.

Please join me in congratulating Emmarose who together with her teams scooped not one, but TWO 2^nd place Silver awards in the recent Dance World Cup finals in Portugal.  There were over 120,000 competitors from 62 countries taking part with lots of different styles of dance including ballet, jazz, commercial and lyrical.  The overall winning country was England.

Congratulations Emmarose we are all incredibly proud of your achievement!

Update from our Chair of Governors, Sara Kemsley.  The Endeavour Trust held a networking evening in April for trustees and governors from our four schools.  While pleased with our progress and direction, we all wanted to streamline our processes and spend more of our volunteer time in our schools.  This helps us to understand more fully how our vision, values and policies work in practice and what more we can do to help.  We are also all committed to reducing whenever we can the burden of accountability which is placed on all school leaders in this country.  We know that our schools are doing really well so we do not need to keep ‘weighing them’ to double-check. 

As governors, we want to meet more parents and members of our community next year.  The pandemic and move to online parent evenings took away a natural means of doing this so we must find other ways to get to know more of you and give you the chance to ask things of us.

We wish everyone a good summer and thank everyone for another very positive and successful year.

KCC have asked us to share the following information with our families.  Places Leisure are offering a ‘Free Summer Swimming Pass’ for children receiving free school meals. You will have received an email from us with the full information.  The pass will allow your child to enjoy free swimming from 1^st August to 31^st August 2023.  In addition to the free swimming, each child who receives a free swimming pass will also receive a free pair of Zoggs goggles (while stocks last). 

Further information can be found on Places Leisure website here https://www.placesleisure.org/offers/free-summer-swimming-pass/

Stone Parish Council are thrilled to announce an exciting lineup of summer events that will be running throughout the summer holidays, designed to provide endless fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for our beloved local community, from laser tag battles to crazy golf, these events have been carefully planned to ensure there's something for everyone to enjoy, regardless of age or interest. Here is a sneak peak of the events we will be running: Laser tag, Crazy golf, Silent disco, Woodland craft workshop, Messy play for under 3's, Go-karting, Family fun afternoon and an author workshop with King Kimba.

 To secure your place at these events, we highly recommend purchasing your tickets in advance. Visit our official website www.stoneparishcouncil.com/sof2023 to explore the complete event schedule and book your tickets online.

 

The Wilmington Grammar School for Boys (WGSB) PTA are pleased to invite members of our local community and schools to their Summer Fair which will take place on Saturday, 15 Jul, from 11am - 2pm. 

Assault Course, Barbecue, Bouncy castle, Children’s Corner - face painting, crafts and decorations, Sweets and Chocolates Tombola, Drinks Tombola, Coconut Shy, Beat the Goalie, Drinks, Ice Poles and Ice cream sale, Cakes, Books, Beauty items, Gift items

 . . . and lots more

 

Forthcoming Dates;

Sports day Y7, 8, 9 and 10 – 17^th July

Last day of term – 21^st July 12 noon

First day of new school year – Years 7 and 12 ONLY – 4th September.  All other years start Tuesday 5^th September

 

Best wishes,

Gavin Barnett

Head Teacher