26 September 2023
Staff and students demonstrated the depth and breadth of teaching and learning at Woldingham at our inaugural Write Your Own Story: Academic Showcase on Thursday 21 September. Feedback from the parents who took part in the interactive evening was very positive, with comments including ‘I came away feeling lucky that my girls are at Woldingham being taught by such interesting and thoughtful teachers.’
Sessions included a Harkness exercise, led by Mr Cullen, where parents took part in a workshop to experience first-hand an example of group work in the Sixth Form. In the ‘science room’, parents enjoyed an explanation of how STEM is taught at Woldingham with Head of Science Mr Rickard and Upper Sixth student Cherry and learnt about the fantastic range of STEM activities connecting science with the real world and providing academic stretch. Mrs Deaney and Upper Sixth students Alya, India and Zoe demonstrated the independent research and stretch provided by taking an EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) and Mrs Payne talked about the Year 7 to 11 academic scholarship programme, Kritikos.
In the Library, Lower Sixth students, Hattie, Phoebe and Anjali, along with alumna Sophie Denny, who is currently studying at St John’s College, Cambridge, shared their personal Woldingham story - all excellent examples of how Woldingham focuses on each individual student, helping her to #WriteYourOwnStory. Mr Kellaway demonstrated the type of coaching skills used at Woldingham, with the help of Hattie, Phoebe and Anjali, and outlined how Empowered Learning, Woldingham’s pedagogy, leads to independent and focused learners. Ms Weatherston, Deputy Head Academic, shared the excellence of our talks programme, with Deputy Head Girl Lara reprising a talk on epigenetics which won her first place at a recent science communication competition. Students Natalia and Ovieya provided insight into the Sixth Form Sophia Programme, which connects ancient wisdom with the modern world in a stimulating and enjoyable way.
Rounding off the evening, Mr Abbott, Head of Sixth Form, provided an update on the progress of the construction of the new Sixth Form Centre and Library and the huge range of opportunities the new building will provide. Examples of the furniture and new visuals of the Sixth Form Centre and Library brought the building to life for students and parents as the opening in autumn 2024 gets closer.
There are a small number of sponsorship and naming opportunities for the Sixth Form Centre. If you would like to know more, please get in touch with Mrs Camilla Mair, Foundation Director.
