The Darrick Wood Way
Parent Bulletin
“The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.”
– B.B. King –
Message from the Head Teacher
The first fortnight back at school seems to have gone very quickly. We might be in what is called the “spring term” but the weather has certainly been far from spring-like! I would like to thank our students for behaving sensibly during the icy conditions last week and pay tribute to our site team who worked tirelessly to ensure the site was made safe.
The mock examinations for Year 13 come to an end, as does students’ study leave. We look forward to seeing Year 13 back in school for lessons next week. We wish them luck with their mock results and in their final preparations for the examinations this summer.
Today I had the pleasure of the company of small groups of pupils from Years 7, 8 and 9 who joined me for a hot chocolate as a reward for their endeavours in school. This was a new initiative which we will hopefully be expanding to other years and other students in time. We had some very enjoyable discussions on a whole range of topics, not all school related. It was a reminder to me after all these years as to why I came into teaching in the first place. Young people have amazing ideas and energy and deserve to be listened to. From the evidence of today’s discussions, they will go far I am sure.
We are in the season for parents’ evenings and it was the turn of parents/carers of Year 7 pupils on Thursday. We have been made aware of some technical and other difficulties and are writing separately to parents about these so that we can investigate what happened and ensure there is a way teachers can still feedback. We will also want to ensure the system itself remains reliable with further parents’ evenings to come.
Finally, from me, you will have received an email notifying you of our latest fund raising campaign. We are always grateful for donations to the School and many parents/carers do so on a regular basis already, but this one is different. We are urgently looking to raise funds specifically for our Main School Hall. The email explains more, but the link to the JustGiving page is provided below also. Please give what you can and ensure this flagship part of the School continues to be a facility we can use and benefit from for the future. We are very grateful for any support you feel you can give.
DARRICK WOOD SCHOOL MAIN HALL UPGRADE – JustGiving
Upcoming Events
19th January 2026 – Year 11 Parents’ Evening (4-7pm)
16th-20th February 2026 – Half-term break
Useful Links
Reading Recommendations
Click below for details
Attendance Focus
93.2%
Congratulations to form groups 10XS, 10YP and 8XS who managed to complete the first week of term with no late arrivals to school. Please keep this up! As a reminder to parents/carers – late arrival after the registers close at 9:05am without a valid reason is recorded as code ‘U’ – ‘unauthorised’. All pupils should be on site and in their playgrounds by 8:35am.
Previous Bulletins
Updates and Reminders
At Darrick Wood, we take great pride in celebrating the achievements of our students within school, both through daily recognition and our positive points and awards system. We have this year extended this celebration to include achievements outside of school.
Many of our students take part in a wide range of activities beyond the classroom, and we know that many accomplishments go unseen. We believe it is important to recognise these successes too. Examples might include raising money for charity, achieving a music grade, or competing in a sporting event at County level.
To support this, there is an e-form for you to complete if you would like to share your child’s out‑of‑school achievements with us. These may be featured in the Parent Bulletin and in Alternative Assemblies. By completing the form you are consenting us sharing the details of your child’s achievements through these.
Please see the link to the form below.
Highlights
Cologne Christmas Market trip
On Friday, 19th December, 39 weary Year pupils (and four equally bleary-eyed members of staff) made the coach journey from Darrick Wood School to the Köln Deutz Youth Hostel in Cologne. The early start did mean, however, that we were able to take the earlier ferry which would mean that we would hit the continent earlier than was planned.
Once installed into our hostel with beds made and duly fed, our party made the 15-minute walk in the evening cold across the Deutz bridge to our first destination; the harbour Christmas market. Huddled around the narrow strip of land in the Rhine, the market stalls were thronged on the Friday night. Soon many of our pupils had made up for not eating at dinner by feasting on chips and Würstchen. Many too were to make the most of the market Ferris wheel which offered fantastic views of the city at night.
The start of day two was also an early one, and we headed out straight after breakfast to the Schildergasse. Pupils had some time to satisfy their retail desires in the Schildergasse – a street that is sometimes described as Europe’s busiest shopping street. No time to relax, we then headed on to Cathedral Square in the shadow of the impressive Kölner Dom. More time for shopping and the buying of gifts in the Cathedral market.
Our next stop on the itinerary was the Schokoladenmuseum (chocolate museum). We snaked through the exhibition halls which described the history of chocolate and, more specifically, the history of chocolate in Cologne. The factory floor even showed the manufacturing process and you could avail yourself of some free samples as you went round.
Immediately adjacent to the Schokoladenmuseum is the Deutsches Sport & Olympia Museum where visitors are treated to the story of sport and games from pre-history to the present day. This is an interactive space and soon our pupils were sprinting, jumping, boxing and lifting. Many of our number made their way to the roof of this re-purposed wharf building to play football. No matter that the temperature was hovering just above zero, this pitch, picturesquely situated next to the Rhine and with a view of the Cathedral and the Ferris wheel of the harbour market, provided a perfect opportunity for them to let off some steam.
Saturday night’s trip into the city was to the Heinzelmännchenmarkt in the historic Heumarkt and the Alter Markt. This market had an ice-skating rink (which, sadly, we were not adequately insured to try out) in addition to the familiar wooden stalls. The pupils of Darrick Wood did yet more to support the German economy by buying traditional and artisanal gifts for loved ones at home.
The final day of our trip (aside from the journey home) was Wintertraum at Phantasialand, Brühl (the site of Phantasialand). Once released, our pupils made the most of their time by being spun round and thrown up in the air by the best that the Phantasialand rides could offer. It was a tired and cold group that made their way back to the coach ready for a relaxing evening in the hostel.
It was a very hurried and early start on the Monday. The air was somewhat crisper than the weekend had been but we made good time getting to Calais. So much so that we were able to take the earlier ferry home too – something of an early Christmas present. As usual, Cologne did not disappoint and it had been the perfect start to the Christmas holidays. Ein frohes neues Jahr für 2026.
DWS Dance Company Selected for UDance London Regional Platform 2026
We are incredibly proud to announce that DWS Dance Company has been selected to perform at the UDance London Regional Platform, taking place at Trinity Laban in February. This prestigious opportunity follows a highly competitive video audition process, from dance schools, youth dance companies, community groups and schools across the region. Being chosen is a remarkable achievement for any secondary school, and it highlights the exceptional talent, commitment, and creativity of our dancers. UDance offers young performers the chance to showcase their work on a professional stage, and being selected places DWS Dance Company among some of the most exciting youth dance groups in London. Congratulations to every dancer involved—we are incredibly proud of you!
Curriculum Showcase
Drama
Our Year 11 and Year 13 Drama students have completed their Component 1 Devised performances (this counts towards 40% of their final grade) and are in the final stages of completing their coursework portfolio that also contributes towards this Component. The commitment and dedication shown by all students for their practical pieces was exceptional this year. The students are currently rehearsing their final Component 2 scripted performances (this counts towards 20% of their final grade) and we look forward to seeing the final pieces in March.
Year 12 students are currently exploring and rehearsing Macbeth Macbeth Macbeth Macbeth Macbeth for this year’s National Connections Festival in partnership with the National Theatre. We are delighted to have been selected to participate once again. In addition to performing, Year 12 students are working collaboratively to direct our ensemble which comprises of 14 students who auditioned across Year’s 8, 9 and 10 during after school rehearsals. This is a wonderful opportunity for our Year 12 students to develop their leadership skills as well as their performance and design/technical skills as they also take on the responsibility for staging the play. Next week the Year 12 students will be taking part in an online workshop with the playwright Kirsty Housley where they will have the opportunity to ask questions about the play and her writing process. Performances will take place at school on Thursday 12 February at 6pm and at the Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells, on Thursday 23 April. Ticket details will be shared via ParentPay shortly for both performances should you wish to attend.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
At Darrick Wood School, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where every individual feels valued and respected. This month, we are marking several important awareness days that highlight equality, diversity, and education:
4th January – World Braille Day
This day celebrates the importance of Braille as a means of communication for blind and visually impaired people. It reminds us of the need for accessibility and inclusion in all aspects of life.
18th January – World Religion Day
World Religion Day promotes understanding and harmony among people of different faiths. It is an opportunity to reflect on the values of respect and tolerance that underpin our diverse community.
19th January – Martin Luther King Jr Day
This day honours the life and legacy of Dr Martin Luther King Jr, a leader in the civil rights movement who championed equality and justice. His message of peace and non-violence continues to inspire us today.
24th January – International Day of Education
Education is a fundamental human right and a key driver of sustainable development. This day highlights the importance of inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
27th January – Holocaust Memorial Day
Holocaust Memorial Day is a time to remember the millions of people who were murdered during the Holocaust and subsequent genocides. It encourages us to reflect on the consequences of prejudice and hatred and to reaffirm our commitment to standing against discrimination in all its forms.
We encourage parents to discuss these themes at home and support our efforts in promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion throughout the school community.
Sports and PE News
Safety & Awareness
Wellbeing
This month, The Wellbeing Hub are running a webinar on raising teens in the digital age. Click the image to register for this event. If you have not yet registered for The Wellbeing Hub, you can do this by following the link on the registration email sent on 17th November 2025.
Student Leadership
Main Assembly
Last week in assembly, Ella and Megan, two of our fantastic Attendance Ambassadors, delivered a powerful message about the importance of being in school. Their presentation inspired students and highlighted not only why attendance matters, but also the real impact that absence can have on learning and wellbeing.
Main Assembly
This week in assembly, Wesley and Lucas, two of our dedicated Anti‑Bullying Ambassadors, spoke to us about the importance of kindness and the role it plays in strengthening our school community. They addressed a challenging topic with maturity and confidence, and we are grateful to them for leading on such an important issue.
Work Related Learning
Year 10 Air Ambulance Assembly
On Friday, 8th January, Year 10 students attended an informative assembly led by Rhiannon Evans from London’s Air Ambulance Service, a vital life-saving charity. Rhiannon spoke about the crucial work the service carries out across the capital, sharing a range of striking statistics to illustrate the frequency and severity of incidents they respond to and the impact of rapid medical intervention. She highlighted the importance of teamwork, public support, and awareness, while also introducing students to basic principles of first response and the variety of careers within emergency medicine, aviation and the fire service who play a key role in supporting in air ambulance operations. Students were highly engaged and left with a greater appreciation of the essential role the Air Ambulance charity plays in supporting communities across London.
Careers Bulletin
This term we have introduced a Careers Bulletin to showcase a wide range of opportunities that we would usually share with students individually via email. The bulletin brings together information on events, courses, work experience, apprenticeships, and other enrichment opportunities in one clear and accessible place. This approach helps ensure that all students are aware of the support and opportunities available to them, while also encouraging greater engagement with careers guidance and forward planning for future pathways. The latest edition can be found here.
