Headteacher's Newsletter October 2024

Respect, Excellence, Determination

Positive Pathways

It’s been a fantastic start to the academic year with so many students achieving a large number of positive house points, embracing the school's values of Respect, Excellence and Determination. So far this academic year 59,746 positive house points have been issued across the school, which is up from 43,823 this time last year!

Arlo L in Year 7, and Curtis M and Samyak S both in Year 9 are currently the three students with the most house points. However, all our students achieve success on a daily, weekly and termly basis and as a school we celebrate these. Huge congratulations to everyone and keep it going.

Mr Lewis, Assistant Headteacher

Reward trip to Thorpe Park

At TWGSB we reward those students who are role models of our values. As reported in July's newsletter, we made the decision not to run a reward trip last term to avoid visiting a theme park at one of its busiest times. Instead, we made the trip to Thorpe Park on 10th October and took, free of charge, 170 students who had demonstrated our values of Respect, Excellence and Determination and gained over 250 house points during the last academic year.

The students had a great time as the following write-ups show: 

'...The excitement in the air was contagious as we arrived and saw the towering roller coasters. I couldn't wait to ride the Stealth, which shoots you from 0 to 80 mph in just two seconds! We spent the day screaming with joy on all the rides, exploring the different attractions, and enjoying delicious snacks like churros and ice cream. It was not just about the thrills, though; it was a great chance to bond with friends and celebrate our hard work and good behaviour. I can’t wait to try my best this year and have fun on my next adventure!' Tommy S, Year 8

'As soon as I hit 250 house points, I was eagerly waiting for the trip to Thorpe Park. Me and my mates talked about how fun it would be and getting rewarded for all our hard work throughout the year. When the trip was confirmed, we were all told the details of the trip, the timings and how we would get 6 hours to roam the place, I couldn’t believe it! On the actual day, we arrived as soon as the park opened and ran straight to the biggest rides! It was an amazing day, and everybody had great fun during the trip hanging out, and on the coach journeys there and back. My favourite ride was Stealth, and I went on it three times! William U, Year 9

The cut-off for next year's Reward Experience will be 300 house points – plenty of time to start collecting those points!

Mr Lewis, Assistant Headteacher

Well-being

KCC proposals

Kent County Council are proposing to make changes to their emotional well-being support for children and young people aged four to 19 years with mild to medium emotional well-being and mental health needs. They are proposing to fund a new Therapeutic Support Service instead of our current Kent Children and Young People’s Counselling Service.

Instead of one-to-one sessions with a counsellor, the new service would run mostly group activities. These activities would help children and young people learn a new skill, activity or technique that is proven to help with emotional well-being.

KCC would like feedback from all stakeholders including parents and young people. If you would like more information and to provide your views please use this link: Consultation Document.

Holiday stress

School holidays can be a stressful time for some young people as there is a lack of structure and routine. There is plenty of support available for young people and their families, both in and out of school, to help maintain good emotional health. If anyone finds themselves struggling over the half-term holidays they can visit the Kooth website which is for young people and their families. Home - Kooth. You can also visit the school website for further links and advice from a range of services.

We hope you have a happy and restful break. 

Mrs Rose, Assistant Headteacher

ARE Week 2024

All Round Excellence (ARE) 'Week' is when the whole school is off timetable towards the end of the summer term and students participate in various activities including day trips, residentials, workshops and work experience. With staff not in their usual places fulfilling their normal roles, we decided in the summer to publish the end-of-term newsletter a week early. We are therefore including some of the July end-of-term activities in this October newsletter.

Year 7 students enjoyed themselves on a bushcraft trip (photos available HERE) and Year 9 enjoyed a trip to Prison Island at Maidstone. Year 8 went to Bewl Water for water and laser blaster activities (see photos HERE) and had a great time according to the following students:

'I very much enjoyed our Year 8 school trip to Bewl Water. I thought that it was a very fun experience for us to build on our friendships and make more friends. My favourite part was when we went on the inflatable obstacle course and got to run around it. Overall, it was a great opportunity to go out and have fun.' Oscar W, 9F

'The trip to Bewl Water at the end of Year 8 was very good and a fantastic opportunity to build up teamwork outside of school. I particularly enjoyed the laser tag which ensured everyone had different roles and could work together to succeed and that the experience was enjoyable. It was a good competition and allowed for us to use strategy in an activity that was amazing.' Joseph L, 9F

'I thought the Bewl Water trip was great. It was a fun day out. It was nice weather and the water activities were exciting and a nice way to cool off. Also, the laser tag was really fun, being able to run around the forest shooting at our friends and it brought out the friendly but competitive side to us. Overall, it was a great day!' Curtis M, 9E

Year 10 History trip to Germany

The history of World War II, the events leading up to it, and the subsequent Cold War are among the most fascinating topics to study. Our GCSE History trip in July to Munich, Nuremburg and Berlin provided an immersive experience that enriched our understanding of these critical periods and allowed us to explore several significant historical sites.

In Munich, the group wandered through Marienplatz, admiring the stunning architecture of the Neues Rathaus. We also visited the Sterneckerbräu, where Hitler attended a German Workers' Party meeting in 1919, and we later dined at the historic Hofbräuhaus, known for being where Hitler announced the National Socialist Program in 1920. Despite its political significance, the atmosphere in the Hofbräuhaus was vibrant and steeped in tradition.

The highlight of the trip was Berlin, where students explored iconic landmarks like the Reichstag and the Brandenburg Gate. We toured Sachsenhausen, a former concentration camp, which was both compelling and sobering. At Cecilienhof, we learned about the Potsdam Conference, and the visit to Hohenschönhausen, a former Stasi prison, provided insights into life under East Germany’s strict regime.

Before heading to Brandenburg Airport, we stopped at Alexanderplatz, the heart of old East Berlin. Overall, the trip was an incredible experience that future GCSE History students will undoubtedly look forward to.

Oliver J, Year 11

Year 10/11 Geography trip to Iceland

We had the pleasure of taking 46 GCSE geographers to Iceland during ARE Week. Despite the less-than-ideal weather and challenge of almost 24 hours of sunlight, all the students engaged well with the activities on offer, making for a thoroughly enjoyable trip. The students showed a keen interest at all times, with the volcanic hike on Heimaey and the glacier walk on Sólheimajökull being the favourites for both students and staff. The content of their GCSE course was available for all to see and provided students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge to the real world, with examples of waterfalls such as Skógafoss and evidence of plate tectonic movement at the Lava Centre and Thingvellir National Park.

Mr Tindall, Iceland Trip Lead (Geography)

Year 12

Year 12 students enjoyed three fantastic days as part of our All Round Excellence days. Highlights included the exemplary feedback from the employer interviews, expert problem-solving skills, drama skills, CPR and recovery position workshops. We finished with a 'Retro Sports Day' – congratulations to Scotney House for their decisive win. Thank you to all students, staff and visiting speakers. It was a fantastic end to the term. 

KS5 team

Sixth Form

Year 12 induction day

Year 12 students enjoyed their induction day on the first day of term in September, which included team building with their form groups, problem solving and 'using time effectively' workshops, pus the Golden Bucket Challenge, which produced some fantastic results! During this fun day the cohort get to work together as teams, meet their new fellow Sixth Formers and welcome all our new starters. Congratulations to 12A, the winners of the day!

Mrs Brooker, Head of Year 12

Year 12 team building at Bewl Water

In mid-September, Year 12 enjoyed the sunshine and the challenges at Bewl Water Outdoor Centre for their team-building day. Students took part in various team-building and problem-solving activities, forging new friendships and learning to work together as a unit. All of the activities were tailored to improve communication and to encourage the whole group to interact, which is essential when starting TWGSB6. A great fun day out was had by all! See photos HERE.

Mrs Brooker, Head of Year 12

Sixth Form cake sale

Cake sales are always popular with TWGSB students! The Senior Prefects organised a cake sale at the Tunbridge Wells campus on the last day of Term 1 in aid of the Head Students' charities, and raised just over £200.

Our New Year 7s

We had the pleasure of welcoming our brand new Year 7 cohort at the beginning of term. The induction day was a busy day, with students undertaking team-building activities within their form groups. Students were able to get to know the school, their peers and teachers through these activities. Following a successful morning, Year 7 made a purposeful start to their studies.

Year 7 team-building trips

After a busy first few weeks settling into TWGSB, the new Year 7 students took part in a day of team-building activities at Arena Pursuits, near Flimwell. Students competed in various challenges to test their teamwork, agility and thinking skills and we were very proud of how the students worked in their teams to complete tasks. As the week progressed the weather significantly worsened, however the students on the later days showed significant resilience to not let this affect them. Year 7 have settled into life at secondary school excellently and I look forward to the year ahead with them.

Mr Tindall, Head of Year 7

Open Evening

TWGSB held its annual Open Evening on Thursday 3rd October, when we welcomed large numbers of prospective students and their parents to the school. As always, the stars of the evening were our students who passionately represented their school proudly. Our speakers, including our Head Students, and Year 7 Benji L spoke with poise, passion and confidence, entertaining and informing our guests with their excellent public speaking skills. We thank them all for representing the school, as well as all our other student volunteers who helped so much that evening and without whom the event could not happen.

The staff in each department put on excellent displays, demonstrating their passion for their subjects, with fun, interactive and informative displays. Science and Design Technology were particularly popular, with our tour guides often struggling to get our visitors to continue their tours; while Food Preparation and Nutrition helped to provide excellent sustenance for our guests. Thank you to everyone involved in the evening for help making it so successful – teachers, non-teaching staff and students worked tirelessly to pull it all together and ensure the evening ran smoothly. We had a great turnout and enjoyed meeting our visitors and potential new students.

Mr Jackson, Deputy Headteacher

The MFL team were resplendent in their berets at Open Evening.

School Fund

Last school year (2023–2024) our School Fund raised an incredible £53,324.98 (excluding Gift Aid). Donations to the School Fund have made it possible to fund many things that benefit all of our students. These include the funding of our minibuses, new picnic benches for both our Sevenoaks and Tunbridge Wells campuses, entry fees for school sports competitions and payment of qualified match officials, All Round Excellence (ARE) Week and additional library resources. The School Fund is also used to replace the 3G pitch carpet, so we can maintain first-class sporting facilities.

Donations from our parents are much appreciated and help fund many activities beyond the classrooms. Please donate to our School Fund – our donation and Gift Aid form can be found on our school website at the foot of this page; parents can also donate through the Iris PlusPay/Parentmail platform. Thank you.

TWGSB Finance Office

Co-Curricular

Bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award, July 2024

It has been a pleasure to see the Award at TWGSB go from strength to strength. This year, we were able to welcome over 200 participants on to our Bronze Award programme in which they undertook a physical, volunteering and skill activity. There was a wide range of activities undertaken by the participants, and many fantastic pieces of evidence to show the work they have been doing to achieve their goals. The fourth section was the expedition section.

During ARE Week, participants were let loose around our base camp of Adamswell. Participants were well behaved and complimented by assessors and the general public and it was pleasing to see them achieve the completion of the section by the end of Sunday. 

Participants are now busy filling in the rest of their sections ready for the celebration evening taking place in Term 2. Parents should watch out for an invitation to this event. Participants are reminded to regularly check Microsoft Teams for up-to-date information. 

Mrs Fedrick, DofE Coordinator, and Mr Hamilton, Assistant Headteacher

Science Club

During the final weeks of the summer term, Year 7 and 8 students continued to enjoy their role as detectives using a variety of scientific techniques and applying their scientific knowledge to investigate a crime scene. Through fingerprint analysis, chemical analyses, microscopy and ‘blood sample’ analysis, the perpetrator was finally identified. We thank our talented technician Miss Trollope for her support and enthusiasm with this activity and for undertaking the role of ‘criminal’.

Students finished the term by entering the 'Build the Change' competition launched by The Lego Group and New Scientist, to design a solution to help gibbons survive their fragmented forests. Gibbons live in the canopies of tropical rainforests in Asia, rarely coming down to the ground, and fill the air with their song (they are the only singing primate). But the places where these agile apes live are under threat due to man’s activities, including deforestation. Currently, 15 species of gibbon are either endangered or critically endangered. Students had to draw a picture of their proposed solution and write a short description on how it would work.

Miss Hunter, Science Teacher

PTA Fundraising

Next term the PTA will boost its fundraising by holding a non-uniform day at both campuses on Friday 15th November. Students may wear their own clothes in return for a small donation. In addition, the PTA's now traditional, and very popular, festive chocolate tombola takes place on Thursday 5th December at Sevenoaks and on Friday 6th December at Tunbridge Wells. More details to follow.

Every year the Art Department holds a competition and uses the high-quality entries from our students to create a stunning PTA fundraising calendar. Artwork is currently being selected for inclusion in the 2025 calendar, which will be available to purchase during Term 2 and printed in time for Christmas.

Art

Sixth Form trip to London art galleries

On the 23rd October the Art department took the Year 12 and 13 A Level Art students into London to visit The National Gallery, The National Portrait Gallery and The Van Gogh Exhibit in London. This trip will be hugely influential on forthcoming work throughout the course; the variety of styles and artists we were able to see was fascinating and inspiring.  

The National Gallery is known for housing one of the best art collections in the world and includes work by Caravaggio, Da Vinci, Monet and Rembrandt – I was so appreciative to see such historical pieces. The National Portrait Gallery, arguably the first gallery in the world to be dedicated to portraits, was in possession of historically important famous people from Britain; this was a huge encouragement in my work and portraits moving forward as it gave me a visual understanding of what makes a significant portrait. While at the National Portrait Gallery we saw the The Herbert Smith Freehills Portrait Award; this  competition 'showcases the very best in contemporary portrait painting and is open to everyone aged 18 and over. Since its inception over 40 years ago, the competition has attracted over 40,000 entries from more than 100 countries.' Finally, we visited The Van Gogh 'Poets & Lovers' Exhibit, billed as a 'once-in-a-century exhibition'; this was a huge privilege to visit and the work on display was so expressive, emotive and vibrant. 

After seeing all the work in London I feel very motivated and uplifted to work towards goals in my artwork with the memorable pieces I saw in mind.

Ella H, Year 12

Biology

Biology trip to Wakehurst place, Sept 2024

Year 13 Biology students had the opportunity to go on a one-day field trip to Wakehurst Place and the  Millenium Seed Bank.

Here they were able to take part in a laboratory workshop in the research centre of Wakehurst. They were fortunate to use some cutting-edge molecular miology techniques to supplement one of their core modules on genetic engineering. In addition to learning how to digest DNA into fragments and using a gel electrophoresis separation technique, they were able to identify a non-UK based plant, which could have become an invasive species.

In addition, they were treated to a tour of the impressive seed bank and research labs and were able to look at the smallest and largest seeds in the world. The idea of conservation and CITES regulations were delivered in a really interesting and applied way. The day was finished off with a lovely tour of Wakehurst to show the students examples of indigenous plant species from across the world.

The students and staff found the experience very enriching and a good day was had by all. Here are some of the comments made by the students.

'It was interesting to learn how important the seed bank is, storing over 2 million seeds, with some species already extinct in the wild.'

'Wakehurst protects species that are extinct in the wild and it's amazing.'

'The trip gave me a better understanding about the importance of conservation of different varieties of plants.'

'I found learning about the technique of gel electrophoresis very exciting.'

'The trip really reinforced my knowledge of plant biodiversity.'

'Seeing methods of in-situ and ex-situ conservation in action was really interesting.'

Biology A Level Staff

Design Technology

Year 12 Design Technology students have been interacting with their own creations with the use of VR headsets. As part of an architectural project looking into restaurant environments, the students have put themselves into the customers' shoes by being able to walk through the virtual spaces they have designed.

Ms Bramham, DT Teacher

Food Preparation and Nutrition

We have been growing our own ingredients at school and have already harvested peas, potatoes and garlic. The Year 10 GCSE Food students used their potatoes and fresh herbs in a potato and mushroom cream pie, while the Year 7s have enjoyed the sensory analysis of freshly cut herbs. The department is very grateful to the PTA for their continued support of the vegetable and herb garden.

Mrs Humphrey, Food Technician

Geography

Year 11 coastal field trips

On Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th October the Year 11 Geographers travelled to the Sussex coast to carry out fieldwork. This is the second trip (following the Greenwich field trip in Year 10) that contributes to the skills section of paper 3. We had planned to go to Pett Level near Winchelsea but East Sussex County Council had closed the entire coast road so we diverted to Bexhill on Sea. We were planning to assess the need for management on a relatively natural beach so the coast beyond Bexhill at Galley Hill fitted the bill very well.

The coast in between the resorts of Eastbourne, Bexhill and Hastings is affected by the hard engineering of groynes, rip rap and harbour arms. This traps sediment that would otherwise travel towards the east and starves the coast of beach protection. At Galley Hill and Glyne Gap this has resulted in winter storms endangering the railway by eroding the cliff and threatening to flood the low-lying area inland containing housing and a retail centre. It was this dilemma that we were studying.

We measured the beach at two places to ascertain the movement of sediment. We analysed the waves to establish their type and transportation potential. We also measured sediment to work out how the waves sort material on the beach. The cliffs were analysed to establish their geology, and it was realised that the beach material is flint while the cliffs are sandstone. We therefore concluded that the supply of flint pebbles was finite and so management was essential to retain the beach as a barrier to future erosion. The weeks following the trip will be spent presenting our data and concluding our findings. The students worked hard on the field work days and have come away with valuable data and a useful example of coastal management.

Mr Ash, Head of Geography

Modern Foreign Languages

European Day of Languages

Celebrated on 26th September every year, the European Day of Languages is designed to promote the importance of language learning and protecting the linguistic heritage. This year the theme was 'Languages for Peace'.  

We had over 100 entries to The Global School Alliance competition ‘The power of learning a language…. Students were asked to tell us how languages have the power to bring people together, how learning a language empowers them, how languages will open doors for them in the future. The aim of the competition was to:

• Raise awareness of languages and cultural understanding in schools. 
• Unleash students’ imagination and let their voices be heard through presentations, artwork, videos, or any creative submission. 
• Embrace diversity and foster a deeper appreciation for different cultures and languages. 
• Win amazing prizes to transform global education in your school.

The entries were all uploaded on to The Global School Alliance page. Winners will be announced in November. All the entries were amazing; a few are shown here – from Thomas, Jaimin, Alfie, Hezekiah and Damian, all in Year 8.

Miss Allen, Head of MFL

MFL cake sale

Also for the European Day of Languages Year 7 students were asked to bake a cake or biscuits with a European language theme. We were delighted to have raised £233.00 for the Head Students’ charities, Hospice of the Weald and Shelter.  

Mrs P Gray, MFL Lead for French

Music

The Music department is always busy. We have a large number of students who make it their home by turning up every day, before school, at lunch time or after school, to mingle with like-minded people, work on their compositions, jam or attend rehearsals. This year, our trusty vocal group Super Singers continues to be led by Miss King in Tunbridge Wells, with some new blood joining in recent weeks. We have also continued our instrumental groups, including Grammar School for Noise, Orchestra and Seventh Heaven. Further to these, we are trying some new ideas with Classic Grooves in Sevenoaks and Special Forces in Tunbridge Wells, aiming to provide something a little different, particularly for the more experienced students. We have also been delighted to welcome new Year 7 and Year 10 students to the fold; it is always a pleasure to see students embark on a new adventure.

Our public events calendar kicked off with Open Evening on Thursday 3rd October. The Music department was packed with students welcoming newcomers, explaining what we do in Music and filling multiple spaces with different genres of music. Those who attended the Headteacher’s talk will also have been able to enjoy some live piano music performed by one of our Year 7 students. Next, we held a classical recital at Tunbridge Wells on Wednesday 16th October, a lunch time event. Six brave students – Luke, Andrew, Kaiser, Alfie, Seb and Karson – plucked up the courage to perform in front of their peers and a smattering of staff. The event was well attended and a good time was had by all. It was also an opportunity to show off our new piano, a lovely black Yamaha U3.

Looking ahead to next term, we are hosting a similar recital in Sevenoaks on Friday 15th November (Break 2), a Christmas concert at Sevenoaks on 11th December 18:00–19:00 and a Christmas concert on 19th December 18:00–20:30 at Tunbridge Wells.

Mr Joris, Head of Music

Physical Education 

Cross-country

On Tuesday 15th October three teams competed in the cross country cup. This was the first year we have entered a Junior team (Years 7 and 8) – the boys ran an excellent race finishing sixth overall. The second race was the Intermediate Boys (Years 9 and 10): three of the runners finished in the top seven and as a team they finished second overall. The final race was the Senior Boys; this was a very competitive race which was individually won by Toby B for the second year in a row. The rest of the team were not far behind and secured themselves first place as a team.

The incredible effort from both the Intermediate and Senior teams mean that they have qualified for the regional round taking place in November. Good luck to all those running in the next round.

Miss Burdett, PE Teacher

Rugby

There were plenty of rugby fixtures played during Term 1, with our U18, U15 and U14 teams showcasing impressive dedication, skill and teamwork while representing the school. Here’s how they went:

U14 The team enjoyed an impressive initial run in the Kent Shield, travelling to Wilmington Grammar School and winning 0-50 in their first game. The following round of the competition saw the players continue their winning form with the momentum they had gained from the last game, with a convincing win at home against St Lawrence College ending 48-0. The competition's quarter-final was played away against Norton and Knatchbull School which saw TWGSB fall just short of a victory, missing out on a place in the next round in a very evenly matched contest. 

U15 The team started the season with a positive first win at home against Oakwood Park Grammar School in the National Vase. Following this they had a tricky draw against a good Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School side in the Kent Shield, narrowly losing the match at home. Thanks to the impressive consistent numbers that attend training sessions after school, the team has begun to form a strong camaraderie, which will put them in good stead for the rest of the season.

U18 The 1st XV kicked off the season with a convincing win at home against Bennett in the first round of the National Vase. The following game in this competition against Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School saw the team play with a slightly more depleted team than they would have hoped, due to injuries picked up by some of the students. However, after a hard fought first half, the opposition began to implement a strong foothold in the game which put them in a position to win. 

Thank you to the coaches affiliated with Tunbridge Wells RFC and Sevenoaks RFC, who give up their time to help out at club after school and during fixtures. Also, well done to those students who have played in these games and regularly attend training sessions after school. We’re looking forward to the rest of the rugby season with fixtures being played across all year groups. 

Mr Stevens, PE Teacher

Football

It has been a very enjoyable term of football. The teams have been entered in 27 cup competitions this season, Kent and ESFA National at A and B team levels. As we approach Term 2 our teams are still in 22 of these 27 cups.

U18 1st XI: The team lost 3-2 after extra time away at Oxted in the ESFA National Cup. The Kent Cup will start on Wednesday 13th November with an away match at Dover GS.

U18 2nd XI: The team will play away at Maidstone GS on Monday 4th November in the ESFA National Cup. On Wednesday 13th November the team has a home game against Simon Langton GS from Canterbury in the Kent Cup.

Year 11 U16 A and U16 B teams: The A team has had three difficult away games. The team lost 4-2 away at Maidstone GS and lost 1-0 away at Buckswood in the ESFA National Cups. In the Kent Cup we drew 1-1 away at Maidstone GS but lost on penalties. The B team will play away at Buckswood in the ESFA National Cup in Term 2.

Year 10 U15 A and U15 B teams: The A team won 10-0 away at Wilson’s, Surrey in the ESFA National Cup, but then lost 2-0 away at Wrotham in the Kent Cup. The team won 4-3 after extra time at home against St Bede’s from Surrey. The B team won 7-0 against Bede’s from Sussex in the ESFA National Cup.

Year 9 U14 A and U14 B teams: The A team reached the ESFA Elite National Cup semi-final last season. The team has made a strong start to this season winning 2-1 away at Northfleet TC in the Kent Cup. In the Elite ESFA national cup we won 6-0 against Warden Park from Sussex and then won 3-2 away at St Gregory’s in the ESFA National Cup. The B team won 9-1 away at Bishop Challoner in the Kent Cup and won 7-0 against Warden Park in the ESFA National Cup.

Year 8 U13 A and U13 B team: The A team won 14-1 against Bennett in the Kent Cup and had an excellent 4-0 win against Maidstone GS in the ESFA National Cup. The B team won 5-0 against Orchards Academy in the Kent Cup.

Year 7 U12 A and U12 B team: The A team won 3-2 against Wilson’s from Surrey in the ESFA National Cup. The team lost 4-3 away at Northfleet TC in the Kent Cup. The team bounced back to have a 5-5 draw against Carrington from Surrey in the ESFA National Cup with TWGSB winning on penalties. The B team won 3-0 away at Beths GS in the Kent Cup and also won 5-1 away at Oxted in the ESFA National Cup.

TWGSB v Whitgift on Saturday 19th October was a highlight with four teams playing against Whitgift from Croydon. Many boys played in these matches in Year 7 U12 B and C teams and in Year 8 U13 B and C teams. Whitgift had many A team players in these friendly matches. TWGSB won two and lost two of the four matches.

Very well done to all students involved in fixtures. Football practices have taken place after school for Years 7 to 9, four days per week at both sites. These practices have been very well attended with 280 students attending every week. We look forward to another enjoyable term of football in Term 2.

Mr Menzies, Head of Football and Head of Co-Curricular Sport

RE & Philosophy

On Wednesday 16th October the RP Department hosted the Year 11 RE Day, exploring The Human search for Meaning through existentialist philosophy. The RE day was a great success and a positive experience for both the students and staff alike. Here is what a Year 11 student participant had to say about the day... 

Following our Christianity and Humanist talks we had in Year 10, I believe that in the short hour we had on The Year 11 RE Day, I was able to learn so much about the meaning to life and the myriad ways in which we can think about it. 

This is one of the things that I love about RE in general, especially since I am a GCSE student. Being able to justify some of my own ideas and being able to understand their origins – for example Sartre and his idea of the only right way being the one that we choose or Camus’ idea that the meaning to life are the things that leave you with the desire to remain alive, is quite important to me.  

I was also very pleased with the fact that I was given many opportunities to share and hear loads of new ideas ranging from scientific to varying religious views which were great to hear. Even though a few people were a bit quiet at first, we had a good handful of speakers ready to give their thoughts, all varying throughout the room. 

To put it simply, I believe that the RE day was a brilliant and informative time to share Religion and Philosophy with the whole year. Gabriel R

Mrs Hawkes, Head of RE & Philosophy

Sociology & Psychology

In the first few weeks of term we invited our previous Year 13 students who received A* and A grades in the summer to share their revision tips with the current cohort of Year 13s. This was a fantastic day where students were able to see all the brilliant work the previous cohort completed! Some feedback from the current cohort was:

‘They were really genuine and clearly explained the steps necessary for success’ Tom R

‘I found them really relatable and the day provided me with an insight into what I need to achieve over the next year’ Charlie R

‘It was helpful as they have just gone through what we will be doing and have showed that it is possible’ Molly B

Miss Stockdale, Head of Sociology & Psychology

Half-term activities

Kent Police, Tunbride Wells Borough Council and a range of partners have arranged three days of free activities for young people, in the town centre during half term.

Independent Catering created some fabulous spooky offerings on the last day of term.

Marketing, Development & Alumni Relations

Parents and students, please do get in touch if you have any news you would like to share with us. We love celebrating our students’ achievements on our website and social platforms so let us know if someone deserves a pat on the back. Simply email: feedback@twgsboys.kent.sch.uk.

TWGSB is now on four social media platforms:

TWGSB Alumni Connect News 

Some inspiring news stories have been submitted on our Alumni Portal, TWGSB Connect, from former students who tell us what they’ve been up to since leaving TWGSB, and inspiring our students and recent leavers as to what options could be available to them after leaving school. 

Alumni and former staff, please click on the stories below to explore TWGSB Connect News and join our rapidly growing community of if you haven't already done so: Join | TWGSB Connect

Thank you so much for the story contributions and please keep them coming in.

Alumni, please follow our TWGBS Alumni CONNECT socials to hear when new alumni news is published: 

Send all your alumni news, recent releases, career updates and achievements to: connect@twgsboys.kent.sch.uk