11 September 2020
After almost sixth months, Woldingham is once again full of the sights of students studying, playing sport, moving between lessons and enjoying each other’s company at break and lunchtime.
Among the first arrivals on Thursday 3 September were our new Year 7s, accompanied by a few students joining in Year 8. In short order they filled Marden dining room with more joyful noise than it had heard since March as they met their tutor and the other students in their tutor group. They were beautifully quiet, however, as they heard from Woldingham’s Head, Dr Whitehead, Head of Marden Miss Owen and Chaplain Fr Gerry. In their colourful House tops they were to be spotted in most corners of the school as they learnt how to use the library and IT system, heard about sport and the languages department from teachers and spent time ‘orienteering’ around our extensive site, reassured by Miss Owen that “we’ve not lost anyone yet!”
With lessons resuming on Friday 4 September, students and staff are adapting to the new normal, which includes:
- Students remaining in their Marden and year group bubbles
- Social distancing measures
- New classroom layouts
- Staggered meal times
- A one-way system around the grounds
- Provision of hand sanitising stations across the school, internally and externally
- Enhanced cleaning across the school
- Increased signage to encourage good hygiene and social distancing.
