Willington News

As another busy week draws to a close, it has undoubtedly been hectic, to say the least. At such times, our older pupils find their focus sharply directed towards the commencement of the 11+ exams. This week witnessed many of our boys undertaking the ISEB online tests for their chosen schools. Coupled with numerous school visits for interviews, it's a busy and pivotal time for them, underscoring the significant amount of hard work invested.

Amidst this, there have been football fixtures and educational trips, adding to the buzz. Year 3 enjoyed an excursion to the Wimbledon Tennis Museum, while Year 6 embarked on their weekly Oates afternoon to Wimbledon Common. Indeed, it's been an exciting period for everyone involved.

Throughout  the week, I have been in discussions with our Year 5 parents, setting the stage for their 11+ journey over the next year. It's imperative to understand that, despite its pressures, this process doesn't have to be stress-inducing. Bearing in mind the tender age of these children, it's crucial to remind ourselves and them that this phase will not define their entire lives. They have so much of their journey still ahead of them.

On Wednesday, my attention was turned to the Independent Schools Conference in Birmingham, which coincidentally, provided access to the Schools and Academies Conference happening in the same venue. It was enlightening to hear about the challenges faced by the state sector, many of which we are, to an extent, shielded from. It highlighted the vast potential for mutual good that could stem from both sectors collaborating. However, it's rather unfortunate that we often find ourselves pitted against each other instead of working together for the betterment of all children in this country. This situation calls for reflection on the broader picture and a spirit of cooperation for the greater common good.

On Monday, we had the pleasure of hosting the fourth instalment in our Opening Minds assembly series, which featured the return of Professor Clive Grinyer, a renowned figure in the field of design. As one of the UK's—and arguably the world’s—leading design consultants and educators, Professor Grinyer delivered yet another inspirational talk to our pupils. He delved into the realm of product design, illuminating the concept that every item we interact with in our daily lives has been thoughtfully designed by someone.

The consensus by the end of his talk was clear: there is one aspect of our world that AI should never supplant, and that is human creativity. Witnessing the range of projects Professor Grinyer has been involved in was not only a privilege but also, hopefully, a source of inspiration for our pupils. It is this exposure to the tangible results of creativity and innovation that we hope will encourage them to consider a future in careers like design, where they can leave a lasting imprint on the world through their creative vision.

Now that the weather has taken a decidedly colder turn, there's a palpable sense of festive cheer in the air at Willington this week. The house Christmas tree competition is in full swing, and this morning's house meetings marked the start of our festive celebrations. With only three weeks left until the end of term, we have a busy schedule ahead, including the POW Christmas Fair on Friday, 6th December and  our much-anticipated Christmas Carol Service. This will take place at St John's Church on the 10th of December. 

Please do keep an eye on the events page for further details. I eagerly anticipate seeing many of you over the coming weeks as we approach the end of term on the 13th. It's a wonderful time of year to come together, celebrate our achievements, and revel in the festive spirit.

Finally, congratulations to Noah in Year 6 for his winning Christmas poster design, chosen by our Head of Art, Miss Beere. 

Have a great weekend.  KB