Blog week ending 18th September
One of the real highlights of the term so far has been meeting so many of our parents and carers during our year group ‘Welcome Evenings’, we finish with the Year 7 meeting this evening which includes time to meet your child’s form teachers – we are looking forward to meeting you all! These opportunities to come together at the start of the academic year are so important, and I am grateful to all the parents and carers who are able to attend. Your support, enthusiasm, and partnership make a huge difference to the students’ experience at school, and it was lovely to begin building those connections, I’m excited about all that we will achieve together.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support in making our school such a warm and thriving place for every student.
We’re delighted to welcome new colleagues to our Senior Leadership Team and teaching staff this term. Their skills, energy, and fresh ideas will make a real difference for our students and the whole school community. Many parents and carers had the chance to meet some of them at our Welcome Events, and over the coming weeks we’ll be introducing each of them here on the Blog so you can get to know them too.
We’re thrilled to introduce Mr Alderman, Teacher of English and Head of Year 7 who joins us from a Multi-Academy Trust in Kent where he was part of the senior leadership team. Mr Alderman brings a wealth of experience and a real passion for teaching English. Dynamic and forward-thinking, Mr Alderman is already making a positive impact on our students and their learning. His enthusiasm for his subject is certainly contagious!
“Being back in the classroom reminds me why I became a teacher in the first place. There’s nothing more rewarding than watching a student discover the power of language or seeing their face light up when they finally believe in their own ability. As Head of Year 7, I have the added privilege of guiding students as they make the leap from primary to secondary school – a pivotal moment where the right support can shape everything. At Stone Lodge, I feel newly energised, valued and deeply fulfilled. Teaching is, without question, the highlight of my day, and I’m grateful to be in a role where I get to do more of what I love.”
In the pictured lesson Mr Alderman and students have been exploring different English literature genres. Using their mini white boards, students are able to contribute ideas and answers allowing Mr Alderman to instantly gauge class comprehension to a topic, providing real-time feed-back to tailor lesson pace and content.
Introducing …. We’re very pleased to welcome Mr Lonergan to our Senior Leadership Team who joins us from another large Multi-Academy Trust, with significant expertise in improving outcomes for young people across the county. As a teacher of Maths, Economics, and Business, Mr Lonergan combines subject knowledge with a collaborative, student-focused leadership style that empowers staff and learners alike. We’re looking forward to the new opportunities and fresh perspectives he will help unlock for our students.
“I am delighted to work with our young people to not only develop their subject knowledge, but to support their wider development in order for our students to become highly successful, global citizens. At Stone Lodge School, we instil on our core RIDES values to provide the foundation for students maximise their potential and ensure they are successful in their future.”
In the below lesson GCSE Business Year 10 students were discussing the merits and pitfalls of partnerships in business. Mr Lonergan’s students correctly identifies the pros and cons giving relatable scenarios to make their points.
Miss Deacon’s Year 7 Chemists are learning about the Periodic Table in their current topic. In this highly interactive lesson students considered the physical and chemical characteristics of household and food items before applying the same principle to sort elements into groups. Brilliant comprehension across the class with students able to correctly articulate why they grouped elements together. Miss Deacon is Head of Psychology and Deputy Head of SL6 (our sixth form)
Mr Dunscombe’s (Assistant Headteacher) Year 8 Biologists have been studying Photosynthesis as part of their current topic. In the below practical investigation, students tested plant leaves for the presence of starch to establish if the plant has been photosynthesising. Students placed a leaf in boiling water before placing it in ethanol to dissolve the chlorophyll before washing the leaf, adding iodine solution and writing a scientific report of their findings.
Mr Bailey, Head of Drama and Year 10 has been working with his Year 8 classes developing characterisation in set pieces, harnessing drama to support key messages and express emotions. This lesson forms part of our commitment to PHSE, which stands for personal, social, health and economic education. It’s a school curriculum subject that helps students stay healthy, safe and prepared for life and supports students to achieve their academic potential.
Our new SL6 correspondents are Year 13 students, Millie S and Seren. Millie is currently studying Politics, Sociology and English at A Level as a pathway to her chosen career in paediatrics – specifically, Physiotherapy. Seren is studying English, Sociology and Politics at A Level with a view to continuing her studies at university studying for a Degree in Social Policy and Politics. Millie and Seren will contribute regular Blog updates and news from our SL6 students.
“Studying Politics at A Level has given me the tools to make sense of the constant turmoil we see in the news – from party leadership struggles to debates about the future of democracy. Instead of feeling shut out, I feel empowered to question decisions, form my own views, and join in the debate. Learning about how power really works has shown me why it’s vital that young people speak up – because the choices being made today are shaping our futures tomorrow.” Seren
“We are currently looking at the cabinet re-shuffle following the recent negative newstories 
concerning the actions of key MPs, which has resulted in all three great offices of state being held by women, it’s been fascinating discussing and debating the merits and implication of the changhes to the Labour party, and wider UK and Global politics” Millie
Pictured below, Year 13 A Level Politics students and Head of History and Politics, Ms Ayling
Huge congratulations to Year 13 students Lilah and Tegan who took part in a creative writing competition in conjunction with Allies and Morrison Architects and Darenth Valley Hospital. We are delighted to announce their winning entry will be included on a new mural which will be installed in the Intensive Care Unit of Department of Darenth Valley Hospital. Their entry was selected due to the uplifting wellbeing message it contained – well done, we are looking forward to seeing a photo of the completed mural!
Their winning submission:
Darenth valley is full of grace,
A healing peaceful gentle place.
But sometimes all we need to be,
Is surrounded by nature, perhaps under a tree.
to read, to write, to think or reset
a moments peace, no past regrets.
So next time life gets too stressful,
Remember the community we live in and forever be grateful.
By Lilah and Tegan of Stone Lodge School
Miss Haynes, Teacher of English and Duke of Edinburgh Coordinator, introduced our Year 10 cohort to our Duke of Edinburgh scheme and its wealth of opportunities and value for personal development. During the Year 10 assembly Miss Haynes shared a presentation and answered student questions, and will be sending a letter home with further information, inviting all those interested in signing up to attend an information evening in due course.
Forthcoming Dates:
Year 7 Welcome Event (& ‘meet the tutor’) – 18 Sept 4.30-7.30pm – TODAY!
Year 11 Careers Day – 23 Sept
Culture Day – 26 Sept
Year 6 Open Morning (appt only – booking details will be announced in due course) – 13 Oct
Year 6 Open Morning (appt only) – 14 Oct
Year 6 Open Morning (appt only) – 15 Oct
Year 6 Open Evening (no appt necessary) – 16 Oct
Year 13 SL6 Apprenticeship Event – 17 Oct
Last Day of Term 1 – 17 Oct
First Day of Term 2 – Thursday 30 Oct
Year 11 Mock Exams – 31 Oct – 7 Nov
Best wishes,
Dr Cusick
Headteacher
