Head’s Welcome

As I write this, we are preparing for the last week of term at School. You will be pleased to hear that not even a global pandemic could stop the annual Festive fancy dress sports matches, Christmas jumper day, Christmas lunch, concerts and even a very special twelve days of Christmas. It was more important this year than ever to keep your children smiling and excited about the festivities around them. We even made sure every “bubble” had its own Christmas tree so no one missed out. Diwali, Hanukkah, Yalda and of course the 551st birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji are also celebrated at this time of year by members of our school community. We wish all who celebrate festivitieshappiness and peace.

Seasonal celebrations aside, this term has once again demonstrated the enormity of our community spirit. Non-uniform day in December was put to good use by Senior students who raised in excess of a thousand pounds for local charity “The Well” who provide support to families in Wolverhampton who are struggling to buy food and other essential items. Junior School students raised £270 to add to their annual pot of fundraising money for their chosen charities Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Dogs Trust and World Wildlife Fund. Thank you also to all families who contributed tinned and packaged food for us to donate to local food banks. Students also participated in the

Compton Care 'Light up a Life' event and 'Advent Calendar' – please do take a look at their website or social media accounts if you would like to see the videos. Thanks to the enormous ongoing efforts of you and our staff, we have managed to ensure as few children as necessary have been forced to isolate. As soon as we are made aware of a student who has tested positive with COVID, or on the rare occasion a child has become symptomatic at School, we have followed the instructions from the Department for Education. The enormous work that has been put in place to secure one way systems, bubbles and lesson seating plans has meant that, we have thankfully not been in the position of having to send home a whole year group at a time. Yes, certain rites of passage have been missed in 2020. From the usual visits from touring theatre companies, weekly sports fixtures to alumni reunions and School productions. But, 2020 has also been a historic year for our School community.

2021 looks bright with the promise of a vaccine and the hope of the return to some kind of normal for all of us. The year also heralds new opportunities for School as with plans to integrate Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 into our Junior School; a new offer of Drama at GCSE for students in Year 10 and the reintroduction of the House system across our Senior School in September. There is much to look forward to, and more details will be shared soon. Please remain safe and well this Christmas. We are a truly unique and special School community. Season's greetings to one and all.

Alex Frazer Head

Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 is coming to School

Work is underway to expand our Junior School to incorporate Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 from September 2021.

The proposal will see provision from Reception to Sixth Form within our existing 25 acre campus in Wolverhampton and will provide the opportunity for children of all school ages (4-18) to experience our very special, award-winning approach to education. Some of you will know that we have explored before the provision of infant classes at WGS. This new solution will enable us to deliver just that, but without the requirement of a new building. The proposal will see one class in each of Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 within the existing footprint of our School buildings. Demand for classes is already high. If you have a child of early years age and would be interested in learning more about our proposals for Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 – please contact Jane Morris, Admissions Registrar, by email: admissions@wgs-sch.net or by telephone: 01902 421326 so that we can help register your child for a place as soon as we are able to.

We will always remember them

Remembrance Day is always a treasured day in School as we pay our respects to all of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country.

The School is usually represented at the City’s annual remembrance service at St Peter’s Church. Current restrictions meant that this year’s tribute had to be a much more personal occasion.

On Monday 9th November, the Head joined Head Girl, Lizzie Anderson, and Head Boy, Brandon Taylor, for a moment of reflection in front of Big School’s memorial commemorating Old Wulfrunians who lost their lives in the First World War. The three then walked to the cenotaph in central Wolverhampton to lay the School's wreath in the presence of the Rector of St Peter's, Reverend Prebendary David Wright.

Themed assemblies contributed to the poignant two minute silences observed by the whole School.

NEED TO CONTACT US?

There are still various ways that you can remain in contact with School over the festive period:

Email correspondence via info@wgs-sch.net

Telephone: 01902 421326

Parent Portal Social Media:

@WGS1512

Wolverhampton Grammar School

Official

Wolverhampton Grammar School

Wolverhampton Grammar School

School remembers Robert and Frederick Willcock

In the First World War 105 former pupils (known as Old Wulfrunians) and staff lost their lives. Two cousins, Robert and Frederick Willcock, both died in the Battle of the Somme and their story is remembered here: wgs.org.uk/robert-frederick-willcock

If you, or your child is having any technical difficulties with the Portal or work set online, contact School by using any of the channels above and we will ask the IT team to contact you.

If your child is a student at our School and you have a COVID related question or query, please email covid@wgs-sch.net

Term resumes again on Tuesday 5th January (a ‘blue week’ for the two week timetable).