WLD Update for Parents & Carers - Friday 21 April 2023

Thank you for your support and patience with us this week as we ensure the students adhere to the uniform policy. I realise that this can be unsettling, but pupils have responded positively, and I have been really proud of them. Despite introducing what they see as some unwelcome changes, they have remained positive, respectful and compliant on the whole.

 

Please rest assured that these changes are in no way indicative of a culture change at Walton Le Dale. We will continue to be an inclusive school which champions individuality and embraces difference. I understand that a change of Headteacher can be very unsettling, and parents need reassurance that the school will retain its ethos. I will set a date to give parents the opportunity to meet me and will send out this invitation in due course, once I am a little more established.

 

You may be aware of and increased staff presence after school as we ensure students catch the public bus safely, cross the roads sensibly and are respectful of our local community. We have encountered some students from other schools congregating outside Walton Le Dale and exhibiting anti-social behaviour, for which the police have been called. We will reiterate next week in assemblies the importance of remaining respectful of our community both within and outside of school as we adjust to the new transport situation. 

 

All years

NEU Strike Days:  The NEU have announced two more strike days - Thursday 27^th April and Tuesday 2^nd May.  The school will be closed to all but year 11 students on this day. Year 11 will be expected to attend, in full school uniform.

 

Teen Book Club - Cheap Books!:  Don’t forget that our latest Scholastic Book Club is now online at 

https://schools.scholastic.co.uk/walton-le-dale/digital-book-club. There are hundreds of fantastic children’s books to choose from, and every £1 you spend on this month’s Book Club will earn 20p for our school in Scholastic Rewards.  Please place your order online by April 27th, 2023.

 

Year 10

Year 10 Exams: Friday 28^th April to Monday 15^th May

Please be aware that Year 10 students will be sitting their Year 10 exams (in exam conditions in the Sports Hall) starting on Friday 28^th April. Students will sit their Year 10 exams in the Sports Hall under formal exam conditions as a practice for their GCSE exams in Year 11.  The exam timetable will be sent to parents next week and will also be available on the website.

 

Year 11

Prom: Reminder that tickets for the prom are paid in full by 30^th April.

 

NCS: Please see email sent by our careers Co-ordinator, Miss Minton regarding the National Citizen Service Opportunity.

 

French and German: The French and German Speaking exams will take place on Wednesday 3^rd May; Wednesday 10^th May and Thursday 11^th May.  Please see emails sent out regarding when your child will be having theirs.