Blog week ending 8 May
Welcome to my first school Blog! I feel incredibly privileged to have been 
given this opportunity to serve the Stone Lodge community and I am very much looking forward to working in partnership with you to ensure that the young people at Stone Lodge lead successful lives.
It is clear that Stone Lodge is a school with a strong sense of community, dedicated staff, and young people who are vibrant, curious, and capable of academic success. I am excited to build on the school’s strengths and ensure that every student continues to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
I had the great pleasure of introducing myself to all students via a series of assemblies on the theme of the power of self-belief. We explored how high levels of self-confidence contributes positively to successful outcomes and I shared a list of strategies to do this, such as rejecting beliefs which limit what they can achieve, being curious and open to new things and ideas, and using positive self-talk. I ended the assembly by challenging students to start to work on believing in themselves with this quote from Stephen King, ‘you can, you should and if you’re brave enough to try, you will’.
Over the coming weeks I hope to meet many of you in person both via my Meet the Headteacher events on Monday 12th & Wednesday 14th May. There are two time slots each evening, with the event lasting 45 minutes. If you would like to attend, please complete this form Meet the New SLS Headteacher. There is also the option to submit a specific question in advance which I will be able to address on the evening. Unfortunately, there will not be time to answer questions asked on the evening. I believe that open and honest communication is key to a successful school community, and I am committed to listening, learning, and working collaboratively with families to support every child’s journey. I am truly looking forward to getting to know you and your children, and to sharing in the exciting times ahead.
I am particularly enjoying meeting and chatting to students around school and in lessons and have been impressed by how confident and articulate they are, and how welcome they have already made me feel! This week is assessment week, so across school, Year 7-10 students have been re-capping topic content and checking their learning via in-class assessments. In the below photos, Mr Naylor’s Year 7 maths students have been preparing their revision ahead of their assessment .. great work everyone!
Our STEM engineering Club have designed and built a racing Go-Kart which they took to Whilton Mill Circuit for a test day ahead of the main race day in June. This cross-curricular STEM club is an incredible learning opportunity combining science, technology, engineering and mathematics with the thrill of kart racing! Stone Racers are a club built on diversity, creativity, and determination. With two teams, each has four drivers and one spare, made up of students from different backgrounds, abilities, and interests. From engineers and artists to data analysts and presenters, every member brings something valuable to the table. What makes Stone Racers unique is the way they work together supporting one another’s strengths and learning from their differences.
As you can see from the below, our Stone Racers really put themselves and the kart through its paces, making any necessary adjustments ahead of the grand final race, where we compete against other schools on the same programme.
Library Update. This week marks 80 years since the end of World War II in Europe known as VE Day – Victory in Europe Day and celebrations and street parties have been happening across the UK to commemorate the anniversary. To mark the occasion, we held a two-minute silence as a way to honour the dead, show our gratitude, and recognise the sacrifices of servicemen and women. Additionally, Year 7 and Year 8 had special dedicated library lessons. Students watched a short film created by the BBC in partnership with Imperial War Museums that explained VE Day and VJ Day and the events that led to the end of the war. This sparked a lively discussion with many students sharing their family’s stories. It was very moving to find out that some had family members serving during WW2 in many military units including in RAF: flying Lancaster bombers or Spitfire fighter aircrafts!
Since not everyone was fortunate enough to attend Monday’s historical events on the Mall in central London, I brought the event to us! We watched a fantastic BBC Newsround broadcast from the day, followed by a short interview with Squadron Leader Paul Wise who flew the Lancaster Bomber and led more than 20 military aeroplanes over Buckingham Palace. To top it all, and to huge enthusiasm, we experienced the VE Day flypast from inside the Red Arrows cockpit in 360° video. Some classes had enough time to write a short diary entry from a soldier’s perspective; on hearing WW2 had ended. Next week we will continue with VE Day theme exploring how the WW2 affected children at the time and looking at women’s roles during the war.
Happy reading!
Mrs Nguyen
Careers Update. our comprehensive careers provision is aimed at preparing students for their future careers and life beyond Stone Lodge School. Last week, Year 9 had a range of specialist industry speakers visit who provided accurate and focused careers information regarding their sectors. This helps students gain insights into different industries and career opportunities. Speakers included Thermo Fisher Scientific, Hilton, Bellway Homes, Metropolitan Police, Sportacus Sports Coaching and JGF electrical and building services.
Harvey H, our SL6 correspondent.
“Our Year 13 cohort are entering into their final term as SL6 students. This term consists of a vast amount of coursework, and deadlines to meet as we look to achieve the highest possible grades to excel ourselves into our next steps, whether that be university, full-time work or apprenticeships.
Some of us have spoken about our individual pathways with younger students during Careers sessions and in this Blog. Kieran in Year 13 is going on to a full-time job in sports coaching with JMF Allstars, a role he earned via hard work throughout work experience and networking within the industry. The same goes for Charlie, who is going to work for Sportacus. Both of them have been working with these companies’ part time on Wednesday afternoons as part of the Electives campaign.”
Pictured below, Kieran teaching primary school pupils PE in his capacity as coach at JMF Allstars.
Miss Bassant added, “We are incredibly proud of all of our Year 13 students with every one having secured their preferred next step pathways including apprenticeships, full time careers and university.”
Congratulations to the Year 11 Football Team who have made it to the final of the North Kent Cup Final!! The match is scheduled for tomorrow, 9th May at Princes Park Stadium, Dartford. And we would love to see as many of you as possible there to cheer them on! It’s an 8pm kick-off and just £5 for spectators. Food and drink available at the stadium! Princes Park Stadium, (Dartford FC), Darenth Road, Dartford, DA1 1RT
I’m not the only new Stone Lodge arrival! Please join me in congratulating Mr Witt, our IT Manager and Mrs Witt, Business Administrator on the birth of their gorgeous daughter, Frankie Robyn Witt born 9:23am on 15th April weighing 7.11lbs. As you can see from the photo, Frankie is thriving, and we hope she is able to visit us all soon!
Local football club the Swanscombe Tigers is currently recruiting girls for their Under 14 team. It’s a fun, friendly, girls’ team and girls don’t have to be ‘pro‘ football players, they just need to be passionate about playing football (they will pick up the skills as they go on) and be willing to commit time to training (usually on Wednesdays and Fridays) and match dates. For more information, see the below poster or call Penney on 07816 123914
Forthcoming Dates;
Year 10 work experience week – 12-16 May
Last Day of Term 5 – 23 May
First Day of Term 6 – 2 June
Year 12 Higher Education Exhibition @ University of East London – 6 June
Year 6 Information Evening – 26 June
Year 11 Prom – 27 June 7-11pm
Year 6 Transition Day – 4 July
Year 12 Alton Towers Residential- 8-9 July
Year 12 Work Experience – 14-18 July
Learning Beyond the Classroom Week – 14-18 July
Last Day of Term 6 – 22 July
Best wishes,
Catherine Cusick
Headteacher
