Willington News

I hope you’ve had an enjoyable week and are looking forward to the weekend. It’s been a busy time at Willington, packed with opportunities that not only took the children beyond the classroom walls but also made learning come alive within our own spaces.

Firstly, I had the privilege to visit St Catherine’s School in Twickenham, an all-girls Catholic institution. Despite its religious affiliation, the school maintains a subtle approach to Catholicism, making it a potential choice for families from varied religious backgrounds. Roughly twice our size, St Catherine's shares our ethos of a small, nurturing environment replete with exceptional facilities. With our girls currently in Year 4, this might be an opportune moment for prospective visits. Please get in touch if you wish to discuss this further.

One of this week’s highlights was our pupils’ visit to Epsom College for their Annual Strings Day. Regrettably, I couldn’t attend but the feedback was extraordinarily positive, illustrating the event as a musical spectacle that enriched our children’s understanding and appreciation of music.

Our Year 2 children experienced the Great Fire of London in a unique re-enactment right here in Willington! Bringing history to life in our hall, it was delightful to watch their engagement and enjoyment outside the traditional classroom setting. Meanwhile, Year 3 explored the wonders of the Science Museum, with a 'Feel the Force' theme at the Science Museum – a trip that resonated wonderfully with the adventurous spirit of Star Wars!

On Thursday, we hosted a coffee morning for prospective parents. It was well-attended, and I must commend our pupils for their confident, ‘authentic’ tours of the school. If you ever want to know what a school is really like, ask a group of the pupils when there are no teachers around! The visitors were impressed by the vibrant and purposeful learning environment and commitment to childhood.

Today, Mr Thisanayagam and I visited the International Maritime Organisation, thanks to Year 4 parent Ms Jensen. The visit not only showcased a beautiful building, including the debating chamber, but also tied in seamlessly with our curriculum, especially topics like environmental preservation and sea pollution. We will be adding this impressive institution to our roster of educational trips. A huge thank you to Ms Jensen for this wonderful opportunity.

Despite the chilly weather reminding us of winter’s touch, I hope you manage to seize some quality time with your families over the weekend. KB