Blog week ending 19th April

Spotlight on our Art Department.  Mrs Jackson, Head of Art has established a stimulating curriculum to allow students to develop their own unique style and techniques for self-expression and art appreciation.  The art rooms at Stone Lodge are bright, well-appointed studio classrooms with ample resource and inspiration for students to explore creative ideas to support them as they develop their own artistic ‘voice’.

During art trips students have visited public art galleries as well as commercial private shows giving an aspirational view of the commercial potential for artists and to provide a deeper appreciation for established artist techniques and their work.

In additional to core art and design lessons, students study graphic design, providing a rounded view of artistic outlets and career opportunities within the sector.  In the below lesson Year 7 students have started work on a project to design their own sweet brand.  Students first researched potential ideas to help inform the flavour, size and colour and price point of their new product.  Pictured, students with their preliminary research and design ideas.

Guest speaker George Chilian visited Year 8 Art students to share his experience of studying Graphic Design at University. George is a second-year student and President of the University’s Boxing Society and combines his studies with a freelance role as a graphic designer for a confectionary company.  George is a most inspirational speaker providing a relatable session helping students to make the connections between their studies at school and the rewarding career options that they can lead to.  George highlighted his positive experience at university and the opportunities it has provided him both personally and professionally, demonstrating university and a career in graphic design is a potential option to all our art students.  George answered an unprecedented number of questions from the students who clearly got a great deal from the session! 

Our Year 11 Art GCSE Students are working on their portfolio pieces.  The completed portfolio features research and artworks showing the development of their ideas and personal response to a central theme.  Our talented artists are creating pieces in a range of mediums including acrylic paint, photography, textiles, linocut print making, collage and pencil drawings each demonstrating a great level of creativity and skill.  I’m very much looking forward to seeing their completed portfolios and final exam pieces.

The Art Department’s Learning Beyond the Classroom week will focus on creating art to help raise awareness of the impact of rubbish on the environment and to start conversations on how we can help to minimise the issue and its negative effect on our planet.  Students will enjoy two trips during the course of the week to gather information and items for their artworks travelling to the beach for the day and into Central London.

Members of the Student Leaders charities working party travelled to Priory Mews Care Home with Miss Rutt to lead some activities with residents. There were a lot of board games being played, colouring easter images, painting and even some dancing! It was a fantastic (and heartwarming!) afternoon, and the students are looking forward for their next visit in May. 

Mrs Favata’s Year 7 Geographers are currently exploring the Human Geography through the Geography of football. In this lesson 7E learned that globalisation is about how countries and people become more connected.  Football is a great example of globalisation with international tournaments broadcast live across the world, and online games and forums aimed at an international audience.  Pictured below, students taking part in an activity to correctly locate the ‘home’ country of footballers currently playing in the UK’s Premier League!

Over the Easter break teaching staff held tailored revision and exam preparation sessions for our Year 11 students ahead of their GCSE and BTEC exams.  I was pleased to see over 70% of the cohort attended sessions demonstrating a great commitment to their studies and future pathways.  The feed-back has been extremely positive on providing the necessary tools, confidence, and knowledge so students feel fully prepared for their exams. 

SL6 Update.  Congratulations to Year 12 student Keiran N who has been offered a permanent role, subject to the completion of his examinations, with All Star Sports Coaching following a work placement.  We received exceptional feed-back on Kieran following his placement and are delighted it has resulted in a Sports Coach and Mentoring role. 

Our Librarian is introducing the Carnegie Yoto Awards to all Year 7 and 8 students.  These awards are the UK’s longest running children’s and young adult’s book awards.  We now have a large number of the Shortlisted books (pictured below) and are keen to get feed-back and reviews from students ahead of the winners announcement in June.  Our Librarian has created a display to prompt students to get involved!  Please encourage your children to read the books, share their reviews and join our shadowing group.  The shadowing group will read and meet to discuss the books, share reviews, and ultimately watch the winners be announced live via an online broadcast on 20 June 2024, 12 noon.

 

Year 9 Scienctists have been studying Chromatography, which is the process for separating components of a mixture.  In this required GCSE practical lesson were exploring the phases of Chromatography and were able to observe the movement of pigments.  In ‘real life’, Chromatography has many uses including; to determine which antibodies fight diseases in the manufactor of vaccines, food testing to analyse the contents of food such as proceded meats, beverage testing to ensure every bottle of a mass produced product is exactly the same and forensic testing to analyse DNA samples to help identify criminals!

Year 9 Career Insight Talks.  Students were able to choose two sessions from a range of business leaders and specialist advisors offering guidance and information on their sector and potential career pathways.  Sectors included construction (specifically, our Governor Ms West, Director of Operations at KpH Deconstruction Services UK), NHS and the care industry, law, finance and engineering.  Thank you to all of our contributors, you have generated a huge number of positive conversations regarding students’ future career pathways.

I’d like to wish ‘good luck’ to all of our Year 9 adventurers heading out on their DofE Bronze Award practice expedition today!  … The weather forecast is looking kind, let’s hope it stays that way!

Please join me in wishing Miss Anderson all the best as she is taking part in the London Marathon this weekend.  Miss Anderson is running to raise money for Mind North Kent who assist young people with their mental health across Kent. So, if you are able to support her efforts please click this link and donate any money you can – all is very gratefully received, no amount too small!  Students made the brilliant … and motivational banner below to help buoy Miss Anderson and show our whole-school support!!

I’m looking forward to seeing you all at our forthcoming PTFA Quiz Night on the 24th April.  Bring your own snacks and drinks and join in the fun!  Tickets for sale on ParentPay or on the night at £5 per person.  Suitable for all ages, teams of up to eight people .. see you there!

Mr Simmons, Teacher of Geography at Wilmington Grammar School for Girls is also a member and coach for local Cycling Club Team, Darenth Cycling Club.

“Our Club is extremely family friendly and a hugely fun way of gaining new skills, keeping healthy and socialising with friends and families from the local area.  We develop riding and bike-handling skills for children and young people and have a team of very experienced DBS-checked British Cycling trained coaches.  We meet every Saturday at 9:45am at Baldwyns Freeholders Association. The entrance is the driveway between 24 & 26 Baldwyns Park, Joydens Wood, Bexley DA5 2BA .. come and join us!” 

• All you need to join us is a mountain bike, helmet and gloves!  We do have a small number of bikes available for younger children.
• All abilities very welcome, but you just need to be able to ride a bike!
• We mostly cycle off-road on mountain bikes as we have so many great green spaces nearby!
• Qualified Cycle Coaches to guide riders as well as offer support to diagnose or fix any issues with your bikes  .. or recommend best place to go for new parts of further support.
• Summer Events – Regular Racing and Skills Competitions throughout the summer season. Gain points by improving your racing times and skills.   
• First two sessions completely FREE.  One-off membership of just £15, then £10 per month fees (£5 for every additional family member)

For further information and contact details please click here Team Darenth Cycling Club - Team Darenth Cycling Club 

Forthcoming Dates;

DofE Practice Expedition – 19^th – 20^th April

Year 11 GCSE Public Exams Start – 8^th May

DofE Bronze final expedition – 11^th – 12^th May

Year 10 Work Experience Week – 13^th – 17^th May

Year 12 Grades home – 24^th May

Last Day of Term 5 – 24^th May

First Day of Term 6 – 3^rd June

Year 11 Last day of GCSE Public Exams – 19^th June

 

Best wishes,

 

Gavin Burnett

Head Teacher