Students and staff have been enjoying celebrating Diwali at KWS this week with a Rangoli workshop facilitated by Mrs Tailor and Mrs Schneider where students enjoyed working with coloured sand to create elaborate traditional patterns. As well as this, on Tuesday the catering staff showcased an Diwali-inspired menu including diya (tealights) shaped cookies! Thank you to HCL for your hard work, the students enjoyed the impressive array of foods showcased. We wish a Happy Diwali to all of our families who will be celebrating it over the half term break.

Next half term, we will be marking Islamophobia Awareness month as well as Show Racism the Red Card which will encompass form time sessions on misconceptions about Islam and antisemitism. I look forward to seeing our students get involved with the sessions in order to develop their knowledge and understand that there is no place for racism in our world.

Have a safe half term everyone,

Miss Annie

Last week, the Year 10 Spanish students had the incredible opportunity to travel to Águilas in the Murcia region of Spain for an immersive Spanish language and cultural experience. The trip was packed with exciting activities, providing us not only with language practice but also with a real taste of Spanish life! Each morning, we  participated in Spanish lessons with local teachers, improving our language skills in an engaging and supportive environment, learning important terms that you would use in life such as directions and body parts.

In the afternoons, we took part in thrilling water sports, from paddle boarding to kayaking, enjoying the beautiful Mediterranean coast. One of the highlights was our day trip to Cartagena, where we explored the fascinating Roman Theatre and Nautical Museums, learning about the rich history of the region. We were also able to go out shopping in the city, where we  were able to practise using Spanish in an everyday context, talking to Spanish shopkeepers, bartenders and passers by. This had to be one of my favourite parts, as I felt like a real Spaniard, and buying food, drink and clothes whilst talking in a different language felt amazing!

The educational experience didn’t stop there—we also embraced the art of salsa dancing, learning to dance right on the beach under the warm Spanish sun! In true Spanish style, we also got hands-on in the kitchen, competing in a Spanish cooking competition. We learnt about and made bolas de coco, which the Spanish made during the civil war when food was scarce, and these were decorated and  judged by the activity leaders, and the results were delicious! Throughout the trip, our Spanish activity leaders were fantastic, guiding us through all activities with enthusiasm and warmth, as well as hosting unforgettable fiestas! Their dedication ensured that every student had a fantastic educational and recreational experience.

We’ve thoroughly enjoyed embracing Spanish life and culture, and can’t wait to see the effect it’s had on our language skills!

Bobby S and Barney B – Year 10 students 

It has been fabulous to see our Autumn Block of Period 7 already in full swing, there is such a buzz if you walk around the school during it – so much to see and so many smiles! 

We have new options including football skills, girls football, video game maker and table tennis which are proving to be huge hit.  Lots of the old favourites continue to be popular – DofE Skills, Puzzles, Chess and Gardening to name just a few.   A key difference this year is having a 6th form and its  fantastic to see our Year 12s getting involved in sessions, supporting younger students to do and learn more. 

Our Year 11s intervention has started too, with the small group sessions proving to be really productive on Tuesday and Wednesdays,  whilst other students have more time for independent study ahead of their November mocks. Year 10 have begun to focus on Careers, Community and Study Skills every Tuesday during Period 7.

Thank you very much to the massive majority that have ensured they have a pair of plastic studded boots for the new term and brought them to PE lessons. It hugely helps with the efficiency of starting a lesson.

Congratulations to our cross country teams over the last few weeks. Some amazing commitment and strong performances all round. Well done to the junior boys who all finished in the top 10, with Lucas finishing 3rd, Thomas 7th and Harris 9th.

Moving onto football, our U15 girls had a very positive game versus the Priory School. An unfortunate 3-1 loss but so much improvement throughout the game and a great team effort. The goalscorer on the day was Alice T and she was also identified as the Player of the Match. 

Finally, it was fantastic to have our first set of rugby fixtures of the season last weekend against St Columba’s, including our first ever game hosted at KWS! A high number of hugely encouraging performances from all but especially dominant displays from Years 7 and 9. Well done to all involved.

Mr Alexander