The Darrick Wood Way
Parent Bulletin
“Education is a once in a lifetime opportunity to open children’s hearts and minds to the unbelievable wonder of the universe”
– Sir Anthony Seldon –
Message from the Head Teacher
After such a gloomy and wet winter, the spring sunshine (at least until today) was most welcome this week. The School always looks great this time of year as the daffodils come out and you can start to feel summer around the corner.
I was delighted to welcome so many parents/carers of students in Year 9 to the School on Wednesday for our Year 9 Options Evening. Thank you to staff and students who ensured it was an informative and successful event. We sent a copy of the presentation and a reminder of the key dates out on Thursday which should be helpful for anyone who was unable to make it.
Also on Wednesday we welcomed many of our Governors into school to visit lessons, accompanied by either myself or one of the deputy head teachers. We were all very impressed with our students and the calm environment around the School. Whilst being a governor is a largely strategic role, it is important that governors have the opportunity to see the School as it is on an average day so that they can support and challenge us to work towards our vision of the very best education for all. Thank you especially to our parent governors who were able to attend.
Last week, what started as an idea from the Student Leadership Council, became a new initiative where we focus each week on one of our values or life learning skills. To launch this I made that key aspect of another new initiative, the Darrick Dispatch – a recorded PowerPoint to be shown in form time to all students addressing key issues for the whole school and letting them know what the next week’s focus would be. So, this week it was Communication. All week, staff have been looking for opportunities to give positive points to those being excellent communicators. It might be because they communicated a response to a question in class particularly well, or it might be because they were overheard speaking kindly to someone else. We encouraged all to think carefully about their communication with others – in school, away from school and online. Next week’s focus is going to be on the life learning skill of “Thinker”.
Finally from me, I want to pay tribute to the staff who dressed up for World Book Day. There’s a report and photo to see below.
Upcoming Events
12th March – Year 9 Parents’ Evening
19th March – Spring Concert
24th March – Gym Show
Useful Links
Reading Recommendations
Click below for details
Attendance Focus
93.1%
We are pleased to see an increase in the number of pupils with 95% or higher attendance during February. Well done to those students! We hope to see this rise further during March and encourage all pupils to aim for excellent attendance as we approach the Easter break.
Previous Bulletins
Updates and Reminders
Highlights
University of Oxford Chiral Chemistry Workshop
On 10th February, a group of Sixth Form students attended a Chiral Chemistry workshop run by the University of Oxford. Below is a report from Jasmine and Ruby.
The Chiral Chemistry online workshop consisted of a lot of interesting new information about shapes of molecules and enantiomers. It included a well-known example of thalidomide – a drug used in the 1960s for morning sickness, that consequently caused birth defects in children. It was fascinating to find out about the science behind the well-known tragedy. Overall, we found the workshop to be a helpful and interesting extension of the curriculum.
Year 12 A level Drama
On Thursday 12th February, the Year 12 A level Drama students along with 16 students across Years 8-10 delivered an outstanding performance of ‘Macbeth Macbeth Macbeth Macbeth Macbeth’. It was wonderful to see such a high standard of performance from all involved as well as having the opportunity to see students who have not been involved in a Drama production at school before, shine on stage too. The Mentor Director from the National Connections was highly impressed and provided us with glowing feedback. The students still have more rehearsing before they perform again at the Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells on Thursday, 23rd April at 6.30pm, and I know they will all rise to the challenge. All of the students should be extremely proud of their achievement and we look forward to seeing the final performance in April. Tickets for this performance are on sale now and can be purchased at https://trinitytheatre.net/events/nt-connections-festival-2026/ or from scanning the QR-Code shown here. Tickets are £7 for adults and £5 for students. We do hope to see you there.
Indoor Athletics Success
We are delighted to share the fantastic achievements of our Year 7 and Year 8 girls at the Indoor Athletics Competition held at Westcroft Leisure Centre, Sutton on Friday, 6th February.
For many of our Year 7 students, this was their first athletics event representing the School, and they rose to the occasion brilliantly. Both teams demonstrated determination, teamwork, and resilience throughout the competition, doing themselves and their school proud. A special congratulations to our Year 8 team, who finished an impressive 2nd place out of 8 schools, qualifying for the next stage of the competition.
We would also like to celebrate some outstanding individual performances:
- Alana S – 1st place in the Year 8 4-lap race
- Louisa B – 1st place in the Year 7 6-lap race
- Jess R – 1st place in the Year 8 6-lap race
We are incredibly proud of all the students for their commitment to training and the way they represented our school. Well done to everyone involved!
Daniel Spargo Mabbs Foundation
The week before half term Year 9 were lucky enough to watch a performance of ‘I love you mum I promise I wont die’ by the Daniel Spargo Mabbs Foundation. The piece is written by Daniel’s mum who wants to raise awareness in young people about the danger in drugs since she lost her son Daniel. It was a very emotional piece and afterwards the year group were involved in a Q and A session about drugs and their dangers.
World Book Day at Darrick Wood School – A Celebration of Reading
Yesterday, Darrick Wood School celebrated World Book Day (5th March 2026) with a wonderful range of activities that brought the joy of reading to life across the school community.
Throughout the week, our Reading Ambassadors took centre stage in assemblies, sharing books they have loved and recommending new reads to students across the school. Their enthusiasm was there for all to see, and their thoughtful suggestions helped to inspire students across all year groups to explore new genres and authors. Thank you to all those involved for showcasing their passion for reading and encouraging others to discover the pleasure and value of a great book.
On Thursday, students took part in a World Book Day Book Trail, which sent them exploring around the School site in search of clues linked to well‑known stories and characters. Pupils also enjoyed book-related quizzes in form-time, other activities including book speed-dating were on offer in the Reading Realm and English lessons included making your own books.
Next week will also see the arrival of the Scholastic Book Fair and the launch of our Readathon, to support the hospital-based charity ReadforGood – please look out for further details in letters home.
And, of course, no World Book Day would be complete without costumes. Many staff members contributed to the fun by dressing up as their favourite book characters. Among the figures spotted roaming the corridors were Greek Gods and Goddesses, Paddington Bear (twice!), and even a blueberry, much to the delight of students.
Thank you to all staff, students, and Reading Ambassadors who helped make this year’s World Book Day such a memorable celebration of the power of reading.
Jack Petchey
A huge congratulations to Gracie in Year 7, Olivia in Year 11 and Poppy in Year 13 for all winning the Jack Petchey Award. Staff and students nominated at first and we had 21 students with nominations – which shows how many of our students go above and beyond and are recognised by others for it. Then out of the 21 students, the Student Leadership Council voted anonymously for their winners. A huge achievement for these three!
Year 12 Etching Workshop at Eltham College
Our Year 12 artists took part in their first Art Workshop at Eltham College on Friday, 6th February, where they were introduced to the technique of etching. This was a completely new process for our students, and they thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to develop a different skill. They produced some impressive prints, which will make a strong addition to their portfolios. The students also had a fantastic opportunity to see the Hayward Gallery Touring Exhibition at The Gerald Moore Gallery, which was a portfolio of 21 photogravures of drawings made by Georgia O’Keeffe.
The Art Department would like to extend its thanks to Eltham College and The Gerald Moore Gallery for hosting another inspiring workshop for our Sixth Form artists. We are already looking forward to the final two workshops in March, which will focus on painting into the etchings and life drawing.
Student Leadership Council
We are thrilled to announce that the Student Leadership Council Valentines/Friendship week raised £362 for The British Hear Foundation. A huge congratulations to all who were involved in this week. This will make a big difference to people’s lives.
Curriculum Showcase
In the middle of February our Year 11 took their practical assessment for their GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition. It was great to see them showcasing their cooking skills.
Learn Together at Home
Art
We research and respond to the work of other artists at all key stages.
Everyone is an artist—including you! That’s why studying some of the most famous artists in the world can guide us and inspire us in creating our own art. Plus, learning about these people gives us a glimpse into history, culture, and popular art movements. Inspire your creativity and broaden your knowledge and understanding of artists’ work my taking the time to visit galleries, art websites, and virtual tours, which showcase artwork.
When looking at art think about the following:
- Who created the artwork?
- What can you see?
- What materials and processes have been used?
- What inspired the artist’s work?
- What do you think and feel about the artwork?
How do I gain an understanding of how the work was created?
Copy your favourite artwork or create your own version of the artwork. Use the colours, materials, and techniques the artist used to show an understanding of their work.
Further thinking
Read through and watch the video and information on the Tate website. Why do you think art is important?
Useful websites
Galleries
https://www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk/
https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-britain
https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/
https://www.saatchigallery.com/
Art Movements
https://www.theartstory.org/section-movements.htm
Click on the links below to take a virtual tour of some of the world’s most prestigious institutions:
The British Museum, London
The Musée d’Orsay, Paris
National Museum, New Delhi
The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC
Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, Santa Fe
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
This week at Darrick Wood School, our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) theme has centred on Communication and the idea that Your Voice Matters.
In assemblies, pupils explored how bees communicate within a hive, using movement, sound and cooperation to work efficiently and harmoniously. This fascinating look into nature helped highlight how positive, purposeful communication can strengthen our own school community. Just like a successful hive, Darrick Wood thrives when every member communicates with clarity, respect and kindness.
As part of our ongoing commitment to raising awareness of global and national EDI events, we would also like to draw your attention to the following important dates:
EDI Dates This Week and Next Week
1st March – Zero Discrimination Day
A day promoting inclusion, compassion and the right of every individual to live free from discrimination.
1st March – International Wheelchair Day
Celebrating wheelchair users and recognising the importance of accessibility, independence and mobility.
3rd March – World Hearing Day
Raising awareness of ear and hearing care, and the importance of early intervention.
4th–6th March – TUC Women’s Conference
An annual event championing gender equality in workplaces and communities across the UK.
8th March – International Women’s Day
A global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, and a reminder of the ongoing work toward gender equality.
We look forward to continuing these conversations with pupils throughout the term, ensuring all voices across the school are heard, valued and respected.
Sports and PE News
The Football season is still going strong. We are currently in Bromley Cup season, and we have set a new personal record by making 6 semi-finals! We have on average only usually been in two or three, so this is fantastic and clear evidence of progress with our Football programme.
Bromley Cups:
- Year 7 boys made the semi-final by beating Eden Park 4-1.
- 1Xi boys made the semi-final by beating Ravensbourne 8-1 today!
- U12 girls made the semi-final by beating Charles Darwin 2-0
- U13 girls made the semi-final by beating Chislehurst School 4-3 (they were 0-3 down….)
- U14 girls made the semi-final by beating Coopers 8-0
- U16 girls made the semi-final by beating Hayes 2-0
Kent Leagues and Cups:
- Our 1Xi boys are still top of the North Kent Division 1 and have two games left to win it. Recently we beat Blackfen 4-2, Christ the King 8-0, Bennett Memorial 8-0 and St Olaves 11-0…….
- Our 2Xi unfortunately lost in the semi-final of the Kent cup but they beat North Kent College 3-0 this week.
- The U18 girls are still in the Kent Cup and have their Quarter final next Thursday against Bullers Wood.
Bromley Tournaments:
In the next fortnight we are hosting borough 6aside tournaments. We have A and B teams playing in Year 7 and 8 against local opposition.
All this considered and by the time we will have played these remaining games we will have played more Football than the previous year again and are close to 130 games since September.
Safety & Awareness
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Wellbeing
Wellbeing and Mental Health Support – Parent Questionnaire
Bromley Y’s Mental Health Support Team (MHST) is currently reviewing the wellbeing and mental health support available at Darrick Wood School. The MHST plays an important role in our whole‑school approach to supporting students’ emotional wellbeing and mental health. As part of their review, they are keen to hear from parents and carers to understand how accessible and effective the current support is, and how we can continue to strengthen it together. Your feedback is incredibly important and will play a key role in shaping how we develop and improve support for students and their families.
We would be grateful if you could take five minutes to complete the anonymous questionnaire here.
If you have any immediate concerns about your child’s wellbeing, please contact their Achievement Coordinator using our contact us form here. For further support, please see the Bromley Y website. In a mental health crisis or emergency, you should call 999.
Student Leadership
Main Assembly
In the week before half term, we were treated to a fantastic performance from the Samba Band. It was wonderful to see so many students involved, and their energy really lifted the Hall. A huge well done to Success, Nathan, Tommy, Abi, Alice, Lucy, Vincent, Alyssa, Chloe, Isabel, Piper, Elizabeth, Phoebe, Vlad and Mac for their hard work and commitment. Our thanks also go to Mr Rees for arranging and leading such an enjoyable item.
Main Assembly
In last week’s assembly, we had the pleasure of hearing Elizabeth in Year 9 perform a beautiful solo piece on the piano. It was a real highlight of the morning, and we would like to thank her for sharing her talent and for having the confidence to perform in front of the whole school.
Main Assembly
This week in assembly, our Reading Ambassadors spoke to us about the Reading Realm and shared some of their favourite books. They delivered their presentations with real confidence and enthusiasm. Thank you to Aviral, Zara, Nea, Alyssa, Jake, Zofia, Safia, Sophia and Ella for all their hard work in both writing and presenting, and to Mrs MacBean for her guidance and support.
Work Related Learning
Year 9 Work Shadowing Day – Tuesday, 10th March
A reminder that on Tuesday, 10th March, all Year 9 students will be participating in Work Shadowing Day, either accompanying a parent/carer or trusted adult to their workplace or attending World of Work related sessions in school. Please refer to the latest communication that was emailed to parents/carers earlier this week for final information.
Careers Bulletin
Please click on this link to view this week’s careers bulletin attached with various opportunities that may be of interest to your child.
Bombardier Trip – Friday, 13th February
Following the success of our previous visit, Year 11, 12 and 13 students enjoyed an extended and even more immersive experience at Bombardier in Biggin Hill Airport this term. With a longer schedule, we were able to explore both state-of-the-art hangars and have a deeper look into the site, giving students a unique insight into aircraft maintenance, engineering innovation, and the range of specialist careers within the aviation sector. Staff at Bombardier were incredibly welcoming, offering engaging demonstrations and answering thoughtful student questions throughout the day. A particular highlight was an in‑depth Q&A panel with Bombardier professionals, who offered extensive insight into career pathways, industry developments and the technical skills valued within the aviation sector. The visit provided a valuable real‑world perspective and greatly enriched students’ understanding of opportunities within aerospace.
STEM Careers Event at National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
On Wednesday, 4th March, a group of thirty Year 10 students, accompanied by Mrs Collier, Miss Bargeron and Mr Utton, visited the National Maritime Museum to attend a Sea to Stars careers event hosted by Royal Museums Greenwich.
The event offered students a wealth of opportunities to interact with various employers from STEM and maritime and space sectors, allowing them to learn about different career pathways, required qualifications, and apprenticeship options. Participating organisations included the Royal Museums Greenwich Ship-keeping, Astronomy and Learning, Kuehne and Nagel European Space Agency and Port of London Authority to name a few. Students also attended a talk in a lecture theatre led by CGI and the Royal Navy and had the opportunity to ask questions. Students were given a careers passport to help them navigate the event, encouraging them to visit all the stands and ask questions about the different career pathways on offer. The organisers were particularly impressed with the students’ communication skills and how well they represented our school.
British Army Insights
The British Army has created an on demand session to provide parents/carers and students with information about career pathways.
British Army Insights: A Guide for Parents & Guardians
To access the session – click on this link
This recorded session gives parents and carers a clear, honest insight into what life in today’s Army is really like. You’ll explore:
- The wide range of Army roles and career pathways
- Training, qualifications, and apprenticeship opportunities
- How the Army supports wellbeing, personal development, and long‑term progression
- Real experiences shared by parents who’ve supported their young person through the journey