Stone Lodge School - Blog 9th September

A very warm welcome to all our new and returning students, staff, and families.  I hope you all enjoyed your summer break.   We have an exciting term planned; getting to know each other and exploring all the amazing opportunities for learning and adventure that are available here at Stone Lodge School.  Over the coming weeks we will introduce new staff members via our School Blog as well as share news of our lunchtime and after school clubs.

Joining us this term are a number of new staff including Mr Fisher, Head of Year 8 and Ms Anderson Head of Year 9.  Mr Proctor is now Head of Year 7 and Ms Clarke is now Head of Year 10.

Ms Anderson is our new Head of Year 9 and Teacher of Philosophy and Ethics.  “I have come from a London school but have now returned to my hometown of Dartford to teach here at Stone Lodge. My ethos is all about helping the students develop into being the best they can be for their own fulfilment and for our wider society. To teach them how to have and voice their opinion in a way that is respectful, kind and considerate of other people. I have the highest expectations of the students here, having heard so much positive feedback regarding the school’s fantastic reputation from parents and carers in the community and existing staff.”

In the pictured lesson Year 10 students are working on an introduction to their GCSE studies.  Philosophy and Ethics is a fascinating GCSE subject where students take the methods and tools of philosophical and ethical inquiry and apply them to contemporary beliefs and values and key issues facing the world today. This course investigates our beliefs, values and decision-making processes and challenges assumptions and ideas.

Mr Fisher is our new Head of Year 8 and Head of Computer Science.  Mr Fisher brings a breadth of experience, having entered the teaching profession late in life. He has spent the last six years at Trinity School in Sevenoaks teaching Maths and Computing. During his time there he was, at various times, Head of Computing, Head of Year, and Assistant Safeguarding Lead. Outside of school he is also director of a successful software company. He is looking forward to working with the students at Stone Lodge to empower them to solve complex, challenging problems, enabling them to make a positive difference in the world.

In the below lesson, students are learning the optimum method for presenting, sorting and collating information in a database.

Mr Finch, Teacher of Physical Education joins us from Crystal Palace FC where he was lead practitioner for the football scholars’ studies. “I am passionate about Sport; playing it, watching it and teaching it! PE is a fantastic opportunity for students to take on a number of different roles and responsibilities within a class – all while challenging themselves in a range of sports. I am really excited to give every student the opportunity to enjoy their PE here at Stone Lodge School, and I’m looking forward to working with our students to build on the competition success of our school teams.”

Mr Proctor is our Head of Year 7 and has been on hand to support and work with students to ensure an enjoyable and productive transition to life and learning at secondary school.  In the below photos Mr Proctor and Mr Finch are introducing new Year 7 students to the PE facilities at Stone lodge with an introductory lesson where students learned the benefits and purpose of an effective warm up routine before taking part in their first football and netball lessons! 

Mr Guthrie, Endeavour MAT CEO is also an accomplished linguist and Spanish specialist and has been taking our Year 10 GCSE students through their paces with a series of quick-fire vocabulary and pronunciation drills!  The students have made an excellent start to their studies.  

We were delighted to open our new Sixth Form (SL6) area as we welcomed our first cohort of Year 12 Engineering and Sports students!  Our student induction programme included team building activities .. the perfect ice-breaker!  Students took part in a number of challenging games and exercises designed to build camaraderie and encourage team work and develop communication skills.

Forthcoming dates.  Our School calendar can be accessed on our website here Calendar - Stone Lodge School 

It was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.  She was the longest reigning monarch in UK history dedicating her life to the service of her subjects.  We will be sharing a special assembly to celebrate her life and legacy, she acted at all times with great dignity and grace – may she rest in peace.

Best wishes,

Gavin Barnett

Head Teacher