The Darrick Wood Way
Parent Bulletin
“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing”
– Albert Einstein –
Message from the Head Teacher
I write this a few hours ahead of attending what is always a very special way to prepare for the festive season, watching our students perform at our annual Christmas Concert. Music goes from strength to strength at Darrick Wood I am continually impressed by the dedication and talent on display on these evenings.
Congratulations to Year 11 who have completed their mock examinations. They conducted themselves very well throughout the last fortnight and really deserve the break coming up. As they start to receive their results we hope they will use these to prepare well for the public examinations to come. It is the turn of Year 13 after Christmas and we wish them well in their preparations.
This week I have been delighted to hold Achievement Assemblies with all year groups apart form Year 11 who I will see on their return from the Christmas holidays. We have seen a huge increase in students receiving positive points, not all accounted for by the new initiative where they receive a positive point for every day they do not receive any negatives. Put simply, the vast majority in each year group are being seen by teachers to be doing even better than previously. This presented some logistical problems in handing out so many certificates in assemblies but this was a nice problem to have and it meant we really could celebrate achievement as we head off for a well earned rest. I was especially impressed to be presenting Gold level awards including three students in Year 7 who have already amassed over 300 points.
By the time you receive this Parent Bulletin, our second uniform consultation of the autumn term will have finished. I will share the results of this with everyone at the start of the spring term. Thank you to the many of who responded.
Reminders
Lost for last minute present ideas? How about some lovely new stationery to start the new term off well? When going into lessons recently I have been surprised by the number of students who are not giving themselves the best chance at school as they seem to regularly not have the equipment expected of them. Hopefully this can be rectified over the Christmas holidays. We will be paying special attention to this on our return for the spring term.
Coats at Darrick Wood should be plain black or dark brown. Please ensure your child has an appropriate coat for school which also protects them well during the winter months. Please refrain from buying them anything too expensive for school. We know from the police that thefts of very expensive fashionable items have been occurring recently.
Christmas wishes
Finally for this bulletin, I would like to express my gratitude for your continued support and wish all parents/carers, students and wider families a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas. I look forward to another successful term starting on Tuesday, 6th January.
Attendance Focus
93.1%
Congratulations to our Attendance Week winners – form groups 7LSL, 10YP and 13MLO – each earning an ‘own clothes’ day as well as numerous individual prizes for those randomly selected from the excellent attendees that week.
Reading Recommendations
Click below for details
Upcoming Events
5th January 2026 – Professional Development Day. Only staff attend.
6th January 2026 – Students return for spring term. Year 13 mock examinations fortnight including BTEC external examinations.
15th January 2026 – Year 7 Parents’ Evening (4-7pm online)
19th January 2026 – Year 11 Parents’ Evening (4-7pm)
16th-20th February 2026 – Half-term break
Useful Links
Updates and Reminders
Bromley Borough Foodbank
Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to the Bromley Food Bank with Rice and Milk. As a school we managed to collect 21.1kg in total. This will make a huge difference to the local community this Christmas time.
Highlights
Last week we enjoyed a wonderful Festive Week, organised by our hardworking Student Leadership Council, who planned a range of exciting activities and charity events.
One of the highlights was the Tutor Time Challenge – “Guess Which Staff Member is Behind Santa”. With 28 staff members photographed in disguise, the competition was fierce and fun, ending in a joint victory for 10YH, 10YP and 11XS.
Students also tested their estimation skills in the Jellybean Jar Challenge, which was impressively won by Mojola in Year 10, who guessed the exact number – 753 jellybeans!
Midweek brought the ever-popular Bake Sale, alongside daily sales of candy cane sweets and pens, which kept everyone in the festive spirit.
The celebrations concluded with Festive Wear Day, where students showcased their seasonal style with everything from hats and ties to jumpers and socks.
A huge thank you to everyone who donated throughout the week. We will share the total amount raised for Save the Children once it has been confirmed
Year 9 Shine at STEM Bridge Challenge
A group of our Year 9 students had the exciting opportunity to take part in the STEM Bridge Challenge, hosted by the Smallpiece Trust. The task? To design, build, test, and pitch an innovative bridge using only the materials provided.
Each student embraced a unique role ranging from designer and structural engineer to community lead and marketing executive. This brought teamwork and creativity to the forefront. The day concluded with a thrilling test to see which bridge could bear the greatest load.
The organiser was so impressed by our students’ enthusiasm, professionalism, and exemplary behaviour that he expressed a keen interest in returning for future challenges. A true testament to the talent and attitude of our Year 9 cohort!
Arts Award
A selection of Year 9 and 10 students are currently completing their Arts Award Bronze and Silver as an extra-curricular opportunity. As part of the Award, students need to write a review of a play they have seen. On Wednesday, 3rd December they went to see ‘A Christmas Carol’ at the Old Vic Theatre in London, adapted by Jack Thorn and staring Paul Hilton as Ebeneezer Scrooge. The performance was stunning and the students were highly impressed by the range of acting and design elements involved. I look forward to reading their reviews of the play in the New Year.
These cushion covers were designed and created by Year 8 students who were inspired by images from Mexican Day of the Dead. They have used Textile techniques such as Tie-dying, Applique, hand embroidery, transfer printing and machine sewing.
This term, Year 7 have created doorstops inspired by an animal of their choice. All the features are made of felt and have been hand embroidered with running stitch, back stitch and cross stitch. They were sewn together on the sewing machine and stuffed with wadding and rice to make them weighted.
Congratulations to Molly in Year 7 who, after an intensive audition process, was cast in the children’s chorus of the Royal Ballet and Opera Company’s production of Puccini’s Turandot at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Molly had her opening night earlier this week and will be appearing in the show for the next three months. The Music Department are taking the GCSE and A Level Music students on a trip to see the show in February and can’t wait to see Molly in action!
Christmas Card Competition
The Art Department would like to say well done to everyone in Year 7 for taking part in our annual Christmas Card Competition. The standard of entries was excellent. Dr Airey had a very hard decision when choosing a winner. Congratulations to the winner and the three runners-up. Below are the pictures of the winning entry and the runners-up, all of which have featured in e-card sent by Dr Airey on the School’s behalf to colleagues in other schools, the local authority, the Trust, former staff and long term friends of the School. He received many replies commenting on how lovely the designs were.
UKMT Senior Maths Challenge 2025
Well done to all 114 students from Years 11-13 who participated in the 2025 UKMT Senior Maths Challenge this term. All students demonstrated excellent effort and application, with some fantastic results achieved!
Congratulations to the 32 students who achieved Bronze Certificate standard, and to our Sixth Formers — Harry P, Lewis S, Susan H, Joel B, Harry W and Tim V — who proudly earned Silver Certificates.
A special mention goes to Eden M (Year 11), who not only achieved Silver but was also recognised as Best in KS4.
We are especially delighted to celebrate Nathan S (Year 13), who achieved Best in School, earning a Gold Certificate. Nathan went on to compete in the prestigious Andrew Jobbings Senior Kangaroo Challenge 2025, where he secured an impressive Silver Certificate. This is a truly outstanding achievement — well done, Nathan, and congratulations to all our award winners!
Mr Ball and Mathematics Department.
Aiming High – University of Oxford Trip
On Tuesday, 2nd December, a group of year 12 students visited Mansfield College, Oxford. Below is a report from Izzah.
My visit to Oxford University was an inspiring and incredibly valuable experience. The day began with a Q&A session led by the admissions guidance team, where we learned in depth about the admissions process, the importance of super-curricular activities, and what the university looks for in applicants. This was followed by conversations with current students studying a wide range of subjects—from Theology and Philosophy to Law, Mathematics and Computer Science—which gave us an honest insight into academic life at Oxford.
We then split into Arts and Sciences groups for a guided college tour. During the tour we visited key student spaces including the library, recreational rooms, dormitories, and various parts of the college grounds. One of the highlights was the stunning dining hall, complete with stained-glass windows and notably the only church-built dining hall in all of Oxford. I also appreciated how inclusive the catering options were, with plenty of choices for vegetarian students and those who eat halal.
In the afternoon, we took part in subject taster sessions, choosing either an Arts or Science pathway. I joined the Earth Sciences session, which was one of the best parts of the day. We were taught about volcanic processes in depth and introduced to the breadth of the Earth Sciences degree. It was fascinating to learn about the range of career pathways it can lead to, from engineering and energy resources to finance. We also had the chance to examine real specimens—including a 4.6-billion-year-old meteorite, fossils and iron pyrite—and carried out practical experiments to demonstrate different types of volcanic activity. Working through real case studies made the subject feel even more engaging and relevant.
Overall, I loved the experience and found it both enjoyable and incredibly informative. The visit gave me a much clearer understanding of university study and life at Oxford, and I would highly recommend it to any student considering applying. It was genuinely motivating, and I came away having learned a great deal.
Curriculum Showcase
In Year 7, students have been learning about E-safety, developing their awareness of the risks associated with social media and being online. For homework, they were asked to design posters raising awareness of these dangers. The results were excellent, with students demonstrating a strong understanding of both the risks and the precautions needed to stay safe online.
This term, Year 9 students have been revisiting their basic programming skills before moving on to more advanced work in Python. To deepen engagement, they were set a research project exploring careers in technology, notable computer scientists, and professionals working in IT. Below is a selection of three of their PowerPoint presentations showcasing their findings.
In Year 10 Computer Science, students worked collaboratively in groups to explore network topologies. Each group researched the different types of networks and presented their findings to the class, showcasing both knowledge and teamwork. It was fantastic to see students taking real ownership of their learning.
As part of the task, students discussed how each topology functions, weighing up the advantages and disadvantages of each. They then provided feedback on one another’s presentations before deciding on an overall winner. This activity not only strengthened their understanding of network structures but also encouraged critical thinking, collaboration, and confident presentation skills.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
As we approach the end of the year, December offers many opportunities to reflect on values that unite us as a community: human rights, solidarity, and respect for diversity. These themes are central to our school’s commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). We encourage families to discuss these important dates and events at home, helping students understand their significance in today’s world.
Key Dates and Events
- 18th December – International Migrants’ Day
This day highlights the contributions and challenges of migrants worldwide. Families might explore stories of migration and discuss how diversity enriches our communities. - 20th December – International Human Solidarity Day
Solidarity is about standing together for justice and equality. Ask your child how they can show solidarity in school and beyond. - 21st December – Winter Solstice
The shortest day of the year is celebrated in many cultures as a time of renewal. It’s a great opportunity to learn about seasonal traditions around the world. - 26th December – Boxing Day
Traditionally a day of giving and charity. Discuss with your child ways to help others during the festive season. - 26th December – 1st January – Kwanzaa
A celebration of African heritage and values such as unity and self-determination. Families can explore the seven principles of Kwanzaa and their relevance today. - 31st December – New Year’s Eve / Hogmanay
A time for reflection and new beginnings. This is an opportunity to encourage your child to set positive goals for the year ahead.
Sports and PE News
Christmas Fun Run
Our Year 7 students completed their Christmas Fun Run on Tuesday, and it was fantastic to see the enthusiasm, energy, and festive spirit on display throughout the event. Many students embraced the occasion by dressing up in Christmas outfits, helping to create a joyful and memorable atmosphere. The positive attitude shown by all participants were a credit to the year group. Year 8 students also held their Fun Run on Thursday, and it was again a very enjoyable and successful event. Well done everyone.
Thank you to all students and families for their continued support and generosity. The money raised helps fund equipment, coaches, and kits for PE lessons and extra-curricular activities, directly benefiting our students’ sporting experiences.
Safety & Awareness
Wellbeing
Internet Matters have worked with Roblox and Ambitious about Autism to create new resources to support neurodivergent children who like playing games online, to help recognise and deal with scams.
You can find the information here
Student Leadership
Main Assembly
This week in assembly, before we celebrated achievements we were treated to the Year 8 Girls Vocal Group. The girls were amazing and displayed their talents to all year groups across the whole week. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Emily, Lizzie, Tamara, Alice, Amelie, Annerley, Oliva, Isabelle, Alice, and Caitlin for all their hard work and dedication and Miss Fraser for all her support with this group.
Main Assembly
Last week in assembly Poppy advertised ‘Festive Week’ on behalf of the Student Leadership Council. She went through all the activities taking place and how students can be involved. Thank you to her for such an inspiring and mature speech.
Main Assembly
During the week beginning 1st December, our assembly was enriched by a wonderful presentation from Lucas and Anna in Year 7, who spoke passionately about their love for languages. In doing so, they embodied all of our school values, displaying courage and enthusiasm as they addressed the entire school.
We would like to extend our congratulations to Lucas and Anna for their confidence and commitment, and a heartfelt thank you to Mr Wright for supporting and coordinating this inspiring item.
Work Related Learning
Year 10 Visit Bombardier at Biggin Hill Airport
On Friday, 28th November, Mrs Collier (Head of Work-Related Learning) and Miss Bargeron (Year 10 Achievement Coordinator) accompanied 12 of our Year 10 female students to an inspiring careers event at Bombardier’s hangar in Biggin Hill Airport. Bombardier invited us to have an exclusive look behind the scenes and to help encourage more young women to consider careers in aviation and engineering.
The morning was crammed full of fantastic opportunities for our students. When we arrived, students were split into two groups and taken on a tour of the hangar, where they were introduced to many different everyday roles that keep the company running from engineering and quality assurance to technical records. Staff explained the vast range of jobs available in the aviation industry, many of which our students had never heard of before.
The groups took part in hands-on activities, including a workshop where they learned how to use tools to tie specialist knots. As Bombardier’s engineering work is carried out entirely by hand, students were able to try techniques used daily by their engineers. They also heard from several members of staff who spoke honestly about their own journeys into engineering, offering advice and encouragement. Members of staff included Callum Fairhead, a former student who left Darrick Wood School in 2022, and has just completed an apprenticeship with Bombardier. Callum is now a qualified Aircraft Technician and was able to share his own experience since leaving our school.
A real highlight was exploring the jets inside the hangar. Students were able to board one of the aircraft and even sit in the cockpit, which sparked a lot of conversation about famous people who fly into Biggin Hill regularly!
Evie said, “I found the trip a great experience and it helped show me what different career paths I could take. All the different activities we did were a great insight into the world of engineering.”
Overall, it was a memorable and eye-opening trip that gave our students a genuine insight into the aviation world. We are very grateful to Bombardier for giving them such a brilliant insight and for helping to inspire the next generation of female engineers.
Apprenticeship Webinars
Amazing Apprenticeships are hosting a range of informative webinars offering plenty of guidance, practical tips, and key information about apprenticeships. The webinars are suitable for students, parents and carers.
Each session runs for 30–60 minutes on Zoom. Participants must register in advance and will receive a link to the webinar. All sessions are recorded and shared following the webinar to anyone who has registered.
The link to view the webinar schedule and sign up can be found here: Webinars & Workshops – Amazing Apprenticeships