Blog week ending 4th December - WGSG

Our Y11 students are taking part in a series of Careers sessions.  Led by our Deputy Head Teachers Mr David Marchant (WGSG) and Mr Mark Baker (WGSB), students have been exploring and discussing their WG6 post-16 options in relation to strengths, preferences and longer-term career aspirations.  Our Careers Lead, Mrs Martin, Head of Year 11, Mr Lennon and subject specialist teachers are delivering a series of destination driven talks, taster lessons and support sessions to help students navigate the options available; including university entry requirements and apprenticeships.  Mrs Martin, provided a ‘Next Steps’ Morrisby Careers session covering topics which included;

• effective revision techniques and strategies 
• how to set and achieve SMART targets 
• how to use feedback constructively when planning for the future 
• advice about options post-16 and career pathways 
• information about the application processes, including writing CVs, personal statements and interview technique 
• how to maximise employability, including managing online presence and taking opportunities to broaden experience 

We are currently providing the opportunity for our Year 11 student to have careers interviews with our qualified careers lead – Mrs Martin. This has been proved popular with the students, particularly as these sessions were provided in the evening allowing parents to be involved in the process.

All students received a Curriculum Booklet for WG6 outlining the extensive range of courses and enrichment opportunities available to them.  

Message from Mr Lennon, Head of Year 11

“There are a number of ‘stages’ that the students will go through this year which are different to others they will have experienced so far. They have completed their mock exams and now considering their options for next year as part of their longer-term plans.

In any normal year, our Year 11 students would have undertaken an Open Evening for WG6 and planning the steps they will be taking after the summer examinations. We may not have been able to do things in the ‘usual’ way, but we wanted to make sure that students still have every opportunity to make informed decisions about the subjects they want to study next year, so this week, the students have had presentations from the teachers of subjects they have not studied before (such as Sociology, Psychology & Photography – to name just a few) as well as their subject teachers telling them about their A Level courses.”

As part of the support provided to our WG6 students we work with Elevate Education, who provide tailored study skills workshops to our students to help students establish good study habits.  This week Y13 Students took part in a session, entitled Ace Your Exams, focused specifically on revision techniques to help them prepare as effectively as possible for their forthcoming A Level exams.

Pictured, students exploring the WG6 Curriculum Booklet

To give you an insight into our WG6 and to hear from current students, please view our Open Event Film which is available to view by on our WG6 website together with a digital version of the Curriculum booklet, which details our full range of exciting courses. 

Click here to view our WG6 Open Event Film & Booklet

Across WG6 we have a network of subject ambassadors and alumni contacts, including;

My name is Holly M, I am currently in year 13 and I will be sitting my A Levels this year. Outside of study, I train as a sprinter at Blackheath and Bromley Harriers competing in many competitions nationally as well as internationally. Athletics has been a passion of mine since I was young and so I decided, to broaden my options by not only applying to universities here in the UK, but to also apply as a Division 1 student athlete in the United States, allowing me to compete there as a college athlete. I received several scholarships offers from colleges as far apart as New York, Texas, and North Carolina, but out of all my options, I decided that James Madison University could potentially be the best fit for me. Overall, my advice to you all is try not to limit yourself, make sure to work your hardest and broaden your options because you never know how many paths it can lead you along.”

Holly is pictured in the middle of the below photo

Hana N, who left WG6 after A level study this year has been in touch to let us know all is well on her optometry course at City University, Hana has kindly offered to be an Alumni Student Ambassador for biology, and we hope she can visit soon to inspire other students and share her journey so far.

Year 11 Food Tech students completed their mock NEA Section D (final cook).  Pictured below; Holly, made a chicken burger, where she deboned and portioned a chicken for the fillet. Made fresh bread rolls along with fries and a mayonnaise sauce on the side.  Danielle made a homemade curry with naan. She deboned her chicken and marinated it to ensure it was full of flavour.  Emily baked a shortcrust pastry for a raspberry frangipane – even the jam was homemade in the mock!

All dishes required students to use complex techniques and demonstrate presentation skills.

Y11 Art GCSE students also completed their mock examinations.  There are a wonderful range of pieces being worked on in a number of mediums including acrylic paints, sculpture and textiles.  Such a positive and confident approach to their exam pieces, extremely impressive!

Christmas Hampers Deadline – I’ve seen some amazing hamper designs and preparations around school, please complete your finishing touches as they need to be ready for delivery with any final additions by 9th December. 

National Online Safety has launched a new Safety Mobile App.  Children are spending more time than ever online.  This new App is designed to give parents/carers all the knowledge to keep children safe in the digital world.  Please click here for more information and to download the App

Forthcoming;

The nasal flu vaccine will be given to all of our Year 7 students next Monday 7th December.  Please can you ensure that students have had something to eat and drink for breakfast and have lunch with them/ordered that day.

Please note that we will have an early (staggered) end of school on our last day of term from 12.05pm on December 18^th.

 

Best wishes,

Michelle Lawson

Head Teacher