Warbler Issue 15 July 2019

WARBLER
NEWSLETTER
THE WILNECOTE
SCHOOL
July 2019
Issue 15
1

WELCOME
WELCOME
Wilnecote Warbler
July 2019
Can you believe that another academic
year has passed by? As always, the
year finished off with some of the
best bits, which all staff feel uplifted by
even when they are tired at the end of
term - the Year 11 Leavers’ Assembly, the
Prom, transition days when we welcome
our new Year 7 and Open Morning. All of
these recent events were excellent, saying
so much about the family of The Wilnecote
School but also the wider Wilnecote
community. Our students, as always, acting
in the most exemplary manner and being
proud ambassadors for the school.
I would just like to single out the Leavers’
Assembly for a moment. This is the final time (apart from Results Day
obviously) when all of Year 11 come together in the hall to celebrate their five
years at The Wilnecote School. Speeches are made, old photos and videos
are viewed, embarrassed laughter ensues (those Year 7 hair cuts are always
greeted with amazement!) and they are given the chance to pick up hoodies,
yearbooks and collate their memories in books or on shirts. All staff have the
opportunity to attend and it always makes us cry. This time however there
was something different. Mr Adams decided to lift our spirits and create an
amazing memory in the form of a collective sing-a-long. Students sang four
songs with real gusto, some with mobile phone lights held high in the air,
if their arms weren’t around the shoulders of the friend next to them. The
crowning glory came when the students requested a additional song of their
choice at the end. The rousing chorus of ‘Sweet Caroline’ by Neil Diamond,
sung to the rafters by all students and staff, filled the school. Neil Diamond’s
lyrics effectively summarised our feelings at that time, “Good times never
seemed so good”.
May I take this opportunity to wish all of our Wilnecote family a very restful and
happy summer with lots of ‘good times’ and we look forward to welcoming
everyone back in the new academic year.
Best wishes
Sian Hartle
2

Wilnecote Warbler
July 2019
WELCOME
PASTORAL WELCOME
This last term has been a busy one. We
have said goodbye to our Year 11 students
who have completed their GCSE exams,
laughed, cried and sung through their leavers
assembly and dressed up to the nines for the
calendar event of the year: Prom. Year 10 have
completed their first set of PPEs (mock exams)
and most have taken the fantastic opportunity to gain some work experience. Year 9 have
settled into their options and made a choice of which of the two routes they will take in GCSE
Science. Year 8 have made their options choices and now know what they will be studying for
their GCSEs next academic year. Year 7 have firmly settled in and made themselves a key part
of the Wilnecote Family.
The vast majority of our students have continued to attend school regularly, to respect and
adhere to school rules, to wear their full uniform with pride and have worked hard in lessons. We
have seen some great progress made by so many students across all year groups. Our student
voice members have remained committed and enthusiastic and have therefore worked well as a
large group to make a difference to their peers and the school experience for students.
An impressive number of students have signed up to become Autism Ambassadors, showing
what an inclusive and caring school community we have. We have a core group of students
who act as student mentors to those in lower year groups which is invaluable for some of our
younger students. Some Year 10 students have shown their individual commitment to their
school and their education through some fantastic applications for the roles of Head Boy and
Head Girl, Senior Prefect and Prefect.
The number of students we were able to invite to the Celebration Cinema simply as a result of
modelling great behaviour, working hard in lessons and maintaining a good attendance level
was impressive. It is always a great feeling to be able to reward students simply for doing the
right thing.
We are so so proud of all the small acts of kindness, the commitment to school and the integrity
with which the majority of our students act. We look forward to being able to continue to
support all of our students in the next school year and to continuing to celebrate the success
of our students.
And just like that, the summer holidays are here!
This last academic year has been a busy one with the German Exchange, the ski trip, lots of
sports competitions including the football and athletics where Wilencote students performed
amazingly. The outstanding production of Beauty and the Beast, music shows, art exhibitions,
open days, celebration cinemas, splat the teacher, World Book Day, non-uniform days and so
much more. We are more than just a school with lessons - we are community. We are the
Wilnecote Family.
We would like to pass our best wishes to all of our students and their families for a fantastic
and safe summer break. Six weeks is a nice amount of time to get some rest, enjoy those muchneeded
lie-ins, take advantage of the (hopefully) nice weather and to enjoy a break from the
routine of school. It also allows for a positive and fresh start when we come back to school in
the first week of September.
Thanks for a great academic year. We look forward to doing it all again and making new
memories in the next one.
3

Art
Wilnecote Warbler
July 2019
Art Exhibition
On Monday 1st July, the school held its annual Art Exhibition.
It shows all the artwork that the Year 11’s have created for
their Art GCSEs and it also allows younger years in the
school to display their amazing artwork. During the day, students
were able to help display the artwork. I was a student, able to help
along with my friend. We helped to put the artwork up and were
able to look at all the variations of artwork that had been made. I
thought that this gave us an opportunity to observe the artwork
and give us an idea of what we would be making in the future.
Before the exhibition began, families were queuing outside the
door, waiting to finally view the amazing art. Families were able
to walk around looking at the year 9, 10 and 11 work. People were
able to look at artbooks, professional artwork, glass work and
much more. My work was chosen for the year 9 display board so
this really made my mum and dad feel proud. My mum was so
impressed with the glass work that she wants me to make her one
in year 11. I heard people commenting on my work, so this made
me feel like I would be able to create inspiring work in the future,
like the year 11’s did this year. I think this would help the years
below to think about the artwork they could produce, too.
Alexandria Gledhill (yr 9)
4

Wilnecote Warbler
July 2019
Art
“I enjoyed seeing all
the different variations
of artwork. Knowing that
my daughter’s work was
recognised made me
feel proud of the work
that she is producing.
I also thought that it
was excellent how the
school included work
produced by artists in the
exhibition.
”
“It was nice to see
the pupils’ GCSE
work and how hard
they worked over the
year. I was intrigued
by the glass work
and how the patterns
and colours were
introduced into it.
”
5

V
YOUR LIBRARY
BEADED GECKOS
Celebrating diversity - we are all unique in our own way!
It’s fantastic that we, as human beings, are alike but have
our differences, our own personality, looks, preferences
and skills.
To encourage conversation about our differences and to
celebrate diversity a group of students from Year 7 & Year
8 have been making bead geckos in the Library. Students
chose different coloured beads to make geckos of any
design or shape. Mrs Taylor, from Student Support said
that she was absolutely delighted with the reaction of the
students who so enjoyed the bead craft and that there is
now a huge demand for this craft session to continue. The
bead craft sessions enabled new friendships to be made
whilst learning a new skill and it was so rewarding to
watch students help each other to achieve completion of
their very own bead gecko.
The Library is such an uplifting environment for
supporting students and the perfect place for such
sessions. With the support of our librarian, Mrs Hinckley,
it is hoped that bead craft sessions can continue as this
will be great for the wellbeing of students and offer
opportunity to make new friends and have fun.
Wilnecote Warbler
July 2019
SUMMER OPENING TIMES
Monday
9am - 12pm & 2.15pm - 5pm
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 9am - 12pm & 2.15pm - 7pm
Thursday 3pm - 6pm
Friday
2.15pm - 7pm
Saturday 9.30am - 1pm
6

Wilnecote Warbler
July 2019
NEWS
Mission Young Teenage Fiction
Open to all Year 7, 8 & 9 students in Staffordshire,
your local library wants to see you this summer
holiday! Your mission is to borrow and read any six
fiction books from a Staffordshire Library between 13th
July and 9th September 2019.
Pick up a special bookmark from your local library and get
it stamped every time you return a book. Once you have
read six books, you can enter a prize draw to win one of
25 x £10 One4All gift cards to spend at your favourite
shop!
Bookmarks are available to pick up from 15th July so
why not get along to your library and get started on
#MissionYTF
V
AUTISM ADVOCATE TRAINING
You may remember that back in April, during Autism Awareness Week, we invited students
who were interested in learning more about autism and sensory difficulties to sign-up
if they wished to take part in our new Autism Advocate training programme. We were
overwhelmed by the amount of interest from students wishing to take part, with over 70 students
signing-up!
We are very proud to share with you that 8 Year 11 students successfully completed the course in
May and received their certificates from Mr Grant, SENCO. Although no longer in school, these
students have been able to take their deeper understanding about autism and sensory difficulties
with them on the next stage of their journey.
A further 14 students across Year 7, 8, 9 & 10 are also currently taking part in the training programme
and are due to complete it by the end of term. Miss Jones, course leader said, “I’ve been really
pleased that all the students have committed to the course and engaged in the sessions, asking
questions and making notes. The course has been so successful and I look forward to delivering
it again in September”. From September, these students will be wearing their Autism Advocate
pins on their blazers to show that they are approachable and understanding to all students in
school who may be struggling with sensory difficulties as well as an ASC. Here’s what they think
about the course -
“It’s really good for helping people on the
spectrum” - Callum, Year 7
“I am really enjoying the course. It’s helping me
understand about more people in the world and
how we can help them.” - Caitlin, Year 7
“It’s really interesting to learn about something
not many people understand.” - Ruby, Year 9
“I think it’s really great to understand people with
autism as it’s a vastly misunderstood topic and I
think it’s underestimated.” - Sam, Year 9
7

SCIENCE
Wilnecote Warbler
July 2019
SCIENCE NEWS
It’s Been a Good Month:
Nightmare sufferers:
A team at the
University of Turku
discovered that the
brain’s right frontal
cortex is particularly
active in those who
experience distressing
nightmares. The
finding could help us
understand the neural
basis of the emotional contents of dreams.
Talkative parents:
Love a natter? You may be raising the next
Einstein. Researchers at the University of
York have found that pre-schoolers who are
often spoken to by an adult perform better in
language, reasoning and numeracy tests.
It’s Been a Bad Month For:
Bearded men:
Bearded men can
be dirtier than dogs
according to a Swiss
study. Swabs were
taken from the
beards of 18 men
aged 18 to 76, and
the necks of 30
dogs. All the beards contained a high number
of microbes, some of which are harmful to
health. Just 23 of the dogs had significant
numbers of microbes in their fur.
Youngsters:
Fewer young people are earning more than
their parents, a study at the University of
Surrey has found. In 2005, more than half of
30-year-olds were on higher salaries than their
dads. By 2017 that figure had fallen to less
than a third.
In Numbers
200,000
The number of populations of marine
viruses found in the world’s oceans as part
of a pole to pole survey led by Ohio State
University.
23 million
The number of girls not born worldwide
since 1970 due to sex selective
terminations, as estimated by researchers
at the National University of Singapore.
16
The number of minutes of lost sleep per
night that can lead to increased stress
levels, poorer judgment and worse
workplace performance, according to a
study at the University of South Florida.
8

Wilnecote Warbler
July 2019
STUDENT SUCCESS
BRAVING THE SHAVE
O
On Saturday 6th July, my mum and I
braved the shave for Macmillan Cancer
Support.
We want to thank the lovely ladies at
Rembrandt’s hairdressers in Wilnecote for their
complete support, generosity and kindness in
helping us, to help such a fantastic cause.
Our family has been affected by cancer for over
30 years now and that is one of many reasons
why we have done the Brave the Shave this year.
We set a target of £500 and have smashed
through that and are currently at over £750! My
mum’s employer, Ocado, will be match funding
my mum’s sponsorship, making our total £1250
at present. We appreciate all the help and
donations we have received. And since we hit
£500 my mom has had her hair all off and we
are proud of ourselves and everyone supporting
us through our journey so far.
I hope to do this again in the future, because
all money donated will go to Macmillan nurses
and I feel that they help people get through
the hardest times in life and they really deserve
some respect as they try their best to do what
they do.
I really want to help people with cancer and
difficulties, and I understand how they feel
and how they get treated but it’s not like they
can prevent cancer or their difficulties from
happening. Even though they’re different, they should still be treated the same as everyone else.
I hope you take this information on board and
help people with cancer or difficulties because
no-one can prevent themselves from having a
difficulty. All we can do to help as a community
is donate to nurses and cancer patients to make
their lives easier than it is right now.
9

PROM
Wilnecote Warbler
July 2019
YEAR 11 PROM
This year I was taking photos at The Wilnecote School’s end of year 11 prom, I thoroughly
enjoyed this experience because I was able to capture the pure joy and excitement of
the year 11’s as they enjoyed an evening where they could all come together and have fun
without the stress sometimes provoked by the pressure of their exams.
The atmosphere was truly exuberant; from the stylish clothes to the imaginative modes of
transport as part of the entrance to a night of singing and dancing with their classmates.
The night was undeniably unforgettable. What better way than that to say goodbye to their
teachers and classmates, and celebrate this important part of their lives?
Personally, I cannot wait for my prom next year. It was lovely to see all of the year 11’s
enjoying their evening. I wish you all the best for your future.
Izzy Chinn (Yr 10)
10

Wilnecote Warbler
July 2019
PROM
11

STUDENT SUCCESS
POETRY
Wilnecote Warbler
July 2019
Year 7 have been studying
A Midsummer Night’s
Dream. They have written
their own magic spells for
Puck to use on the lovers’ eyes
which are written in Iambic
Pentameter.
Iambic Pentameter is a
technique often used by
Shakespeare which structures
writing in lines of 10 syllables.
The rhythm as it is read should
follow a da DUM da DUM
pattern, like a heartbeat.
To read the poems head over to:
www.thewilnecoteschool.com
12
MILLIONAIRE READERS
Huge congratulations to some of our Year 7 students who were
invited to a special Accelerated Reader celebration in the
Library.
Accelerated Reader is a computer-based program that we use in
school to monitor reading practice and progress. It helps teachers
guide students to books that match students’ individual reading
levels.
Four students who have read over 1 million words & five students who
have read over 500,000 words this academic year were presented
with Accelerated Reader certificates by Mrs Tonks, Deputy Head,
to acknowledge their amazing achievement. In total these students
have read a staggering 152 books between them and a total of
9,729,476 words!!!
Mrs Tonks said, “It’s delightful to see that these students, with all the
electronic distractions around today, are such avid readers. Each
one spoke with enthusiasm about their favourite books and authors.
There is no doubt that the benefits of reading books is extensive;
from improving vocabulary and general knowledge to enhancing
imagination and creative writing skills. Reading is something all
children (and adults) can benefit from and we would encourage all
students to read regularly. I look forward to seeing who can break
the 2,000,000 word barrier next year!”
Mrs Adams, Literacy Lead, said, “It is wonderful to see these students
reading so well, which will make such a difference to their learning
across the curriculum. Their hard work will definitely pay off. Well
Done!”
A further 102 students who have read over 100,000 words & 37
students who have read over 50,000 words also received certificates
during in tutor time. These students were across Year 7 & Year 8.
The Library is open to both students and the public during the
school holidays.
Millionare Readers
500,000 Readers

Wilnecote Warbler
July 2019
ART
POP ART
The year 8’s have been researching the art
movement ‘Pop Art’ and have completed an
independent project
for homework. They had
a month to complete
the project. So many
students worked really
hard and produced some
fantastically creative
pieces of art work
based on the Pop Art
movement.
13

DRAMA
Wilnecote Warbler
July 2019
PHYSICAL FELLOWSHIP
T
his year students from The Wilnecote School participated in The Physical Fellowship Project
for the fourth year in a row. The project, which is run by Coventry based physical theatre
company Highly Sprung, is the UK’s only physical theatre festival which is exclusively for
young people.
The project lasts for three tiring but extremely exciting days. Days one and two take place at
school and students worked with Highly Sprung artist Ben Morley to create a performance. Each
year the festival has a theme and this year it focused on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
to mark its 70th anniversary. Here at Wilnecote, the 30 year 7 and 8 students who participated
in the project focused on Article 13, the right to freedom of movement and students created an
engaging piece examining the importance of this right and the impact that it has on people’s lives.
Ben and all the students worked extremely hard to create the entire piece in just two days.
Then, on Wednesday 26th June, students travelled to The Belgrade Theatre in Coventry for
day three of the project. Students were split into four groups and each got to participate in
two workshops. The workshops were run by some of the countries’ leading theatre companies
including: Gecko Theatre, Frantic Assembly and Motionhouse. The students learnt loads of new
techniques and skills that they can use in their drama work back at school. They also had the
opportunity to work with students from other schools and build relationships.
The day ended with students performing the piece that they had created with Ben to a sold out
audience. They all performed brilliantly, showing off the new skills and confidence they had gained
from participating in the project. All of the students involved were an absolute credit to both
the school and themselves. They also had a great time, as one of the students commented on
Wednesday night, “I have loved every minute of it.” I couldn’t have put it better myself.
14

Wilnecote Warbler
July 2019
DRAMA
15

SPORT
Wilnecote Warbler
July 2019
ROUNDERS ROUND UP
With record numbers of students attending summer sports clubs, we have seen a huge
improvement in sports standards in rounders and athletics. The Wilnecote School students
have become a fighting force on the rounders field, with the Year 7 and 8 rounders team
winning the District’s finals to represent Tamworth at the Staffordshire Festival of Sport county
finals.
With such a large squad of players training, The Wilnecote School went off to Keele University to
compete for the County title for the first time. Despite the recent wet and windy weather, the team
had been training hard to master set pieces, with each player expected to master several different
fielding positions to give them the edge in the county competition.
After arriving at the sports campus and grabbing a shady spot, the team set up their temporary home
before heading off to the opening ceremony. After being entertained by dancers and performers,
the Summer Festival of Summer Sport was opened by two Team GB stars. Both athletes represented
Great Britain in the recent Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast and are now in full training in
preparation for their sport’s World Championships, with their focus on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Our girls faced nine schools in a tough round robin competition from the best of each Staffordshire
district. Despite facing narrow loses in their first two games, the girls kept their confidence and
started to settle into their own game to go on to win the next four games in a row, despite an injury
to their top batter Phoebe Hepburn.
Captain Millie Watton led the way with numerous rounders and Macey Jewkes excelled in the
field to stump out the majority of players on third post. The girls started to believe in themselves,
recognising that the final few games could mean a place in the top three. Employing every tactic,
the girls worked well as a team, covering and supporting each other with skills often seen in only
in more senior teams. With Phoebe now recovered, bowler Amy Goodvin continued to successfully
lead the decision-making, pulling off another win and a nail biting draw. By now the sun was beating
down, with players starting to feel the burn as they faced the final opposition who had a couple of
big hitters. Having set up the field for an attacking game, they managed to prevent the big hits with
sharp bowling and clever fielding positions to catch both of their goals out. Sadly, the opposition did
exactly the same to us, preventing our batters from getting the total we were chasing.
It was a tight competition with 5 schools finishing in third place with the same number of points, so
final placings came down to rounders scored and rounders conceded, pushing us out of third place…
Despite the disappointment after just three losses in the whole event, they should be so proud of
themselves; they played some of the best rounders that I have seen them play.
Sitting down after the game, whilst enjoying a balanced diet from the famous Golden Arches and
Crispy Crème Doughnuts, the girls set a goal. Next year we will be back and next year we will get
that county crown!
16

Wilnecote Warbler
July 2019
SPORT
ATHLETICS
With our highest numbers of athletes either winning or finishing runners up in the recent
Tamworth District Athletics Championships, the Tamworth District Athletics girl’s team
was comprised from mainly The Wilnecote School students – an exceptional achievement.
Twenty two students from The Wilnecote School set off to the County Championships at Northwood
Stadium in Stoke for a day of athletic competition.
In each track event there are a possible thirty competitors, and in field events twenty each selected
as the best from their own district’s competitions. It’s a big stage-and for most of these athletes
their first experience of County level athletics.
All students battled the rain and wind with grit and determination throughout the day (certainly
not summer weather) and should be very proud of their performances, as although no personal
bests were set, their individual resolve showed them to be resilient and the most determined of
competitors.
Three amazing students managed to beat the summer storm, reflecting their past dedication and
training to win the county crown or to finish runners up:
Lottie McLaren Staffordshire Schools County Champion 300m and Runner Up 800m 2nd by 1.7
seconds.
Brooke Burton Staffordshire Schools County Runner Up 200m and 100m 3rd place
Georgia Davey Staffordshire Schools County Runner up Discus
A huge well done to all - an outstanding effort.
Lottie, Brooke and Georgia won their Staffordshire Schools Athletics county vest and go onto
represent Staffordshire at The Mason Trophy at Alexandra Place, Birmingham. We wish them every
best wish as they will compete against a field from ten counties.
And finally, in Year 7 and 8 Staffordshire Schools Athletics, the Wilnecote students made up over
half of the District team. The Wilnecote School girls forming almost the entire Year 8 District team.
With the weather doing a three sixty from the last County Championships and the sun beating
down on a packed athletics stadium, the distance events a real challenge for those competing.
With so many of The Wilnecote School competing, it was no surprise to see real teamwork and
support paying off as the list of county titles and runners-up grew:
Brooke Burton Staffordshire Schools County Champion 100m, Staffordshire Schools County
Champion 200m
Lottie McLaren Staffordshire Schools County Champion 800m , Staffordshire Schools County
runner up 300m
Kayleigh Murrall, Brooke Burton and Lottie McLaren Staffordshire Schools County Champion
Relay.
Notable performances Cameron Ware 4th shot, Phoebe Hepburn 6th shot.
We are so proud of all our athletes this year... we are a team with both strength and depth.
Lottie, Brook & Georgia who will represent Staffordshire at the
Mason Trophy.
17

VV
MUSIC
IRIDIUM
Wilnecote Warbler
July 2019
At The Wilnecote School we love to share and celebrate student achievements.
We have an amazing bunch of talented students, and celebrating their success in
Performing Arts is a big part of the Wilnecote Year.
This year a group of four Year 9 lads are about to hit the big time locally, by taking
centre stage at the Statfold Barn Festival during August.
Statfold Barn Festival is a new and exciting music festival showcasing well-known acts
alongside unsigned talent, top comedians and family-friendly entertainment including
live outdoor theatre. It seems only yesterday that the lads: James Bartholomew (Bass),
Ben Ryan (Drums), Sam Martin (Vocals) and Ben Jones (Lead Guitar), won the school
talent show with their cover of a Queen Song, but after soaking up all the positive
comments from friends and staff at the school the lads decided to take their music
making together one step further and created their band ‘Iridium’.
Over the last year the lads have rehearsed a repertoire of cover songs, from the likes
of the Arctic Monkeys, AC/DC, Metallica and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. As their
confidence and performance skills have grown, they continue to gain a loyal, local
following and have performed at several functions across the area.
Destiny called however, and when the lads were asked to perform at Statfold this
August, they knew they were on to something, especially when they were asked to take
centre stage for a half hour gig alongside artists such as Sophie Ellis Bextor, The Bootleg
Beatles, Ocean Colour Scene, Andy Bennett and Toploader.
18

Wilnecote Warbler
July 2019
MUSIC
INTERGENERATIONAL EVENT
A
group of elderly residents from across the area
visited The Wilnecote School this week as part of
an intergenerational project to help build better
relationships between young and old people. The school visit
included a music performance from students, a fun game of
bingo plus lots of tea and cake.
Both the elderly visitors and students spent the afternoon
talking about a range of subjects, including how lifestyles
have changed over the years, as well as future hopes and
aspirations. The event enabled students to learn more about
the life of an elderly citizen, discuss memories of past child
hoods as well as challenging possible stereotypes of the
young today.
Mr Stephen Hyden, Head of Music at The Wilnecote
School, said, “the afternoon was a great success, with both
generations enjoying each other’s company over afternoon
tea. ‘Students described how interesting it was listening
to the lives and memories of our elderly guests, whilst
the senior citizens were complimentary of the students,
describing them as wonderful, talented, young people.
Hopefully this will be the start of regular events throughout
the year where the different generations can meet, chat,
share experiences and most importantly just enjoy each
other’s company in an atmosphere of mutual respect.”
19

CHALLENGE
Wilnecote Warbler
July 2019
COIN CHALLENGE
For four weeks, staff and students had been collecting all of the copper coins that they
could get their hands on in a bid to be the wining form. The challenge was simple: work
as a form group to collect the highest amount of 1p and 2p coins by the deadline and be
declared the winner.
As a school, we collected a fantastic £360.79 all of which will be donated to Dementia UK. RP1
(Mr Blake’s form group) were the proud winners of the challenge, with their impressive total of
£73.80. Peel were also the winning house, with the highest amount collected when compared
to the other two houses. Grazier came second and MacGregor, third.
As winners, RP1 get to hold the title for House Competition Champions – until the next
challenge! They also got to display ALL of the coins collected as a school, as shown in the
picture; and they got the opportunity to choose the charity which will receive the generous
donation. Mr Blake led his form group through a discussion around which charity to support
and narrowed it down to three which all had links to the family history of students in the
form. They then took a democratic vote between the three to determine their final choice of
Dementia UK.
20
The Value of the month for July is thoughtfulness and all Wilnecote students that contributed
to this challenge demonstrated this quality, knowing that there was no personal gain. Well
done to all who took part and, one more time, a huge well done to RP1 and Mr Blake.

Wilnecote Warbler
July 2019
TRANSITION
YEAR 6 TRANSITION DAY
We thoroughly enjoyed welcoming 180 excited year 6 students, from a variety
of different primary schools, who arrived at The Wilnecote School early on the
27th June ready for their first real taster of high school. The next two days saw
our annual transition process for all of the new students who will be joining us as our
year 7 group in September.
Led by the three Heads of House and Mr Adams, the two days were a huge success, with
a large number of students and parents praising the school for the positive experience
they had over the two days, and for helping to ease the common fears so many young
people have. This was a whole school effort with all departments delivering lessons
to the groups of year 6 students; the canteen staff serving all 180 new students to a
delicious lunch (with an amazing cake for pudding!), form tutors meeting their new
tutees; school leaders delivering presentations; administration staff organising the huge
amount of documentation that comes with a new student and, notably, our existing
students for the excellent manners, conduct and welcome they displayed for the two
days we had the youngsters with us.
We are very excited to be welcoming all of those current year 6 students to our school
in September and we look forward to seeing them all dressed so smartly in their brand
new Wilnecote uniforms, wearing their house ties with both pride and belonging, and
ready to embed themselves within the Wilnecote Family.
21

DANCE
Wilnecote Warbler
July 2019
DANCE FESTIVAL
On Thursday 4th July, 130 primary school pupils from Wilnecote Junior, Thomas
Barnes and Manor Primary took part in Wilnecote’s second Primary Dance
Festival. The event was a great success. The primary school pupils enjoyed not
only learning and performing a dance routine together, but having the opportunity to
watch dance performances by Wilnecote pupils. Kayleigh M, Amara M, Sophie B, Megan
S and Elise T performed a lovely lyrical piece to ‘This is me’ from The Greatest Showman
and Kieran H wowed the audience with his street dance freestyle. I would like to take this
opportunity to thank all of the schools and pupils involved. Miss Neville
22

Wilnecote Warbler
July 2019
INFORMATION
PETE HILL
DRAYTON MANOR VISIT
Just wanted to say a last goodbye to the students,
parents and teachers at the Wilnecote School.
Unfortunately, due to ill health, I am unable to
continue to be a teacher.
Although this is a sad time, it’s also been a time to reflect
for me and I can’t help but look back on my 23 years
with a smile. I have so many memories of staff, parents
and students that I will always treasure. It’s been a true
privilege to be a teacher here and I wish all of you the very
best for the future.
If I tried to thank everyone that has helped me, cared
for me or just been a friendly face then I would not have
enough room. All I can say is THANKYOU.
Students from the Autism Resource went
to Drayton Manor for the day. This was
our leaving trip as three of the students
were in year 11. Everyone had a great time and
we managed to miss most of the rain.
Miss Jones from the Resource
CHRISTOPHER PINCHER
We were pleased to welcome Rt.Hon. Christopher
Pincher, the Member of Parliament for Tamworth,
to The Wilnecote School on Friday 4th July. Mr.
Pincher met with Mrs Hartle and Mr. Howell, our Chair of
Governors, before taking a tour of the school. There are
many opportunities, in school and outside of it, for our
students to stay connected with both local and national
politics and we will hopefully be able to offer a trip to
Westminster in the near future to see our government in
action.
BOOK DROP & SWAP
COMING SOON...WILNECOTE BOOK DROP & SWAP...
If you or your friends/ family have any good condition books (fiction, non
fiction and/or magazines) suitable for students to enjoy reading which
they no longer want, please bring them in to Mrs Adams (room 35) or
leave them at Reception. There will be a free book-swap area being set
up in school from September, so all donations will be greatly appreciated!
23

24