June marks Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month, and we are proud to be celebrating across the school.

To kick things off, a short introductory presentation has been shared, exploring the origins of GRTHM and the rich history of GRT communities.

This year, we’re taking a slightly different approach. Instead of a competition, students will spend a few minutes each morning discovering a significant individual or aspect of GRT culture and history - designed to fit seamlessly into tutor time.

Tomorrow’s focus is footballer Jonjo Shelvey, followed by guitarist and composer Django Reinhardt on Friday.

We are also excited to share that new literature is now available in the library, including a recent release with links to Thamesmead and Abbey Wood - perfect for students to explore further.

A huge thank you to Miss Tuckwell for coordinating and leading this important celebration, and to Mrs Hawgood for supporting with our library resources.

Let’s continue to celebrate and learn together.

Year 9 Explore Testimony360: A Powerful Encounter with Holocaust History

On Monday 18th May, our Year 9 students who have chosen GCSE History for next year took part in the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Testimony360 programme - an extraordinary digital learning experience that brings survivor testimony and historical sites directly into the classroom.

Testimony360 combines interactive, pre‑recorded eyewitness testimony with virtual reality, giving students the chance to ask their own questions to Holocaust survivors and explore key historical locations connected to the Holocaust without leaving school. This innovative approach transforms how young people access and understand survivor stories.

During the session, students engaged deeply with Manfred’s story - learning about his hometown, his life before the Second World War, the events he endured, and how life changed for him after liberation in 1945. It was a powerful opportunity for students to connect personally with history, reflect on the human impact of the Holocaust, and understand why remembrance and education remain so important.

A meaningful and memorable experience for all involved.

Over the Easter break and into the first weeks of term, students took part in our very first Spring Photography and Art Competition, inspired by the theme Spring: Growth, Life and Light.

We were thrilled with the number and quality of entries, showcasing creativity, imagination and thoughtful interpretation across both art and photography.

Our finalists truly captured the spirit of the season. Take a look at their incredible work in our YouTube Short below.

Well done to every student who took part in this fantastic celebration of creativity.

WPSfB Spring Photography and Art Competition – Winners Announced

Following an outstanding selection of entries, we are delighted to announce the winners of our first Spring Photography and Art Competition.

First Place: Thishon – Year 7

Second Place: Mahammed – Year 9

Third Place: Galin – Year 10

The standard was exceptionally high, making this a very difficult decision for our judges. Each winning piece beautifully reflected the theme Spring: Growth, Life and Light.

A huge congratulations to our winners and a big well done to all students who took part. We look forward to seeing even more creativity in future competitions.

We recognise that sometimes unexpected situations arise during the holidays, and although school may be closed, support is still available for students and parents/carers.

To help during this period, we have created a list of free support services that can offer guidance, someone to talk to, or practical assistance when it is needed most. These organisations remain accessible throughout the holidays and are there to ensure that no one feels without help.

Please take care during the break.

Food & Essentials Support

• Holiday Activities & Food (HAF) Programme – Free holiday clubs with meals for children on benefits‑related free school meals (usually up to 4 sessions per holiday).
• Royal Greenwich Holiday Food & Fun – Free meals and activities across Woolwich, Plumstead, Eltham and Thamesmead (including SEND-friendly provision).
• Trussell Trust Food Banks – Emergency food parcels available nationwide.
• Family Action FOOD Clubs – Affordable food boxes and holiday support.

Mental Health & Emotional Support

• Childline – Free, confidential support for under‑19s (0800 1111).
• Shout – Text CONNECT to 85258 for free 24/7 support.
• Kooth – Free, anonymous online mental health support.
• ThinkNinja App – NHS-supported wellbeing app for ages 10–18 (access may vary locally).
• Samaritans – 24/7 emotional support (116 123).
• Papyrus HOPELINE247 – Suicide prevention for young people (0800 068 4141).
• NHS Mental Health Crisis Line – Call 111 and select Option 2.
• YoungMinds – Advice and support for young people and parents.

Family & Parenting Support

• Family Hubs & Start for Life
• FamilyLine (Family Action)
• YoungMinds Parent Helpline (0808 802 5544)
• Parenting Smart (Place2Be)
• Mind – School holiday wellbeing support
• Family Lives
• Action for Children
• Barnardo’s
• NSPCC Helpline (0808 800 5000)

Online Safety & Protection

• CEOP – Report online grooming or abuse.
• Thinkuknow – Advice, videos and resources for children, parents and carers on staying safe online.

The month of May marks Local History Month, and our History Department would like to thank our school community in advance for supporting this initiative as we bring local history to life across the school.

To celebrate, Miss Tuckwell has created a ‘Slide‑A‑Day’ PowerPoint, designed to be shared during form time throughout May. Each slide highlights a significant local historical event linked to that date, encouraging students to read, discuss and deepen their understanding of the history of the area they call home.

For example, Friday 1st May explores how workers at the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich formed a football team known as Dial Square. This team later became Royal Arsenal, then Woolwich Arsenal, before eventually moving to north London and becoming the club we know today as Arsenal FC.

Our aim this month is not only to build historical knowledge, but also to inspire students and their families to engage more actively with the rich history within our local community.

The final slide in the presentation invites students to reflect and share:

• their favourite local place, event or historical site

• a recommendation for others

• and why it holds personal meaning for them

We look forward to celebrating Local History Month together and shining a spotlight on the stories that shape our community.

Our Spring 2026 Trust Newsletter Is Here!

We are delighted to share the latest edition of the PolyMAT Trust Newsletter (Issue 6) - a celebration of our people, our values, and the incredible work taking place across our schools this term.

This issue explores our Trust-wide theme of resilience, reflected in everything from our inaugural PolyMAT Conference, to the inspiring activities taking place in classrooms, to the achievements and community spirit shown across each of our schools.

This edition includes:

• Highlights from the first ever PolyMAT Conference, bringing together over 500 colleagues
• Insights from each headteacher on how resilience is lived and nurtured in their school
• Free support services and activities available to families over the spring break
• A celebration of our 200th YouTube video milestone
• Updates, achievements and stories from across our Poly Family

As always, this newsletter reflects the CARE and UNITY that sit at the heart of our Trust and drive our shared vision of Success for Everyone.

We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed putting it together.
Read the full Spring 2026 edition now