Yet again Darland High School pupils are celebrating their GCSE results. The past few months have indeed seen extraordinary times with the summer exams cancelled along with many of the celebrations year 11 pupil look forward to. Although the school has had to re-schedule events such as the Year 11 Prom, today they were determined to celebrate GCSE successes with their students.

Assistant Headteacher Stewart Roberts said “Our students have worked extremely hard over the past 5 years to attain the GCSE grades they have picked up today, and we have seen a number of incredible sets of results by individuals. Just a few of these include (Photo Above with Cllr Rob Walsh- Chair of Governors and Headteacher Joanne Lee) Jessica Owen 8A*, 2A; Sasha Aldridge 6A*, 4A, 1B; Rachel Mclean with 7A*, 2A, 2B; Anabelle Bailey 9A*, 2 A; Abi Povey 7A*, 3A, 1C; Bethan Jones 7A*, 3A, 1B; Joe Baines 10 A*, 1C and James Mann 8A*, 1A, 1B. I am so pleased for them, they deserve these successes. Anabelle, Jessica and Bethan will now be moving on to the Maelor School in Penley to study A Levels and Joe, Sasha, James, Abi and Rachel will be studying A-Levels at Colleg Cambria.”

Deputy Headteacher Simon Corner said “I am very proud of the work ethic this year group has shown since they joined us in Year 7 and the way in which they have handled the recent difficult situation. It is testimony to their maturity and the support provided by their families”.

Headteacher Joanne Lee commented “Today has been a very special occasion, a chance for students to smile, see their teachers and friends and celebrate their hard work. Many are taking different routes with the majority going on to further studies in local A-Level schools and colleges, and a number starting local apprenticeships. Whichever path they have chosen we wish them every success, and staff have been on hand today to continue to support them with applications to college or 6^th form. The last few months really have been a test of character for them all, with the uncertainty around exams and how grades were to be awarded. I am proud of the way they have conducted themselves. Regardless of the awarding systems in place, our students have worked exceptionally hard for these results and they deserve them. Whether they are going into education, training or employment we do hope they will pop back from time to time and let us know how they are getting on. I am also proud of the support I have been given from a wonderful team of staff who have worked together so effectively in what has been a uniquely challenging, but enjoyable first year as a Head”

Chair of Governors Cllr Rob Walsh added “I am so proud. After everything that has happened this year with the Covid lockdown, so much could have gone wrong. However, our staff and pupils battled on regardless and have achieved great results. Well done one and all”.

My Name is O
By Sam Enthoven

Review by Charlie Chowdhury 8L

Do you ever get the feeling that your life isn’t your own?

That everything you do, or everything you ever can do, has been chosen for you already?

That it was all planned out before you were born?

I have news for you… It’s true.

I highly  recommend the book ‘My Name is O’ because of it’s suspense storyline about the secret of earth.  I feel this book is more for teenagers than children because of it’s darker tone.  I like this book because not only is it a spy like storyline but it makes you feel like your the only one on earth who has ever read it.  Its intense and has a ruined relationship between a mother and child and always makes you think what next?

O is on a mission… Are you?

On Wednesday 16th October pupils from Year 7 participated in the National Restart a Heart Day.  The aim of the day was to train as many young people as possible with the knowledge of how to save a life and to empower a new  generation of life savers.   Darland has participated in this annual event for several years and were fortunate enough to receive the full Re-start a Heart pack including approx. 25 mannequins courtesy of the British Heart Foundation to enable ongoing training.

Special thanks to Andy and Mandy from the Ambulance Service, who spent the morning with our pupils.

A project aimed at connecting more young people with wildlife and encouraging them to engage with nature has been launched in North Wales.  Year eight science students got to make bird feeders and local MP Ian Lucas was given a bird box to put up in the school grounds to mark the roll-out of the UK-wide bird box education project into Wales. 

BASC’s project aims to connect young people with wildlife by helping them put up their own birdboxes and watching the results. The birdboxes highlight BASC’s commitment to conservation and education.  Darland High School follows a number of other schools around the rest of the UK who have put up birdboxes and learnt about the types of birds that will potentially call the box their home.

BASC-branded bird boxes have also been given to MPs from a range of parties during visits from BASC political officers aimed at improving engagement and discussing conservation projects in their areas.

 Sian Smith, BASC’s political officer for Wales, said: “We are thrilled to be working with staff and pupils at Darland on this wildlife project which highlights our contribution to conservation.

“As well as aiding conservation efforts, the initiative aims to connect more young people with wildlife by helping them engage with nature by making and putting up their own feeders and birdboxes.

“This year BASC has taken part in several school visits around the country to further our outreach and discuss how shooting and conservation go hand-in-hand.

J. Lee – Headteacher added “We are very excited to be leading on this project. Darland High School is the perfect school for such an initiative, our extensive green site hosts a vast number of different species of birds. To have the opportunity to work with the team from BASC is important. It not only enthuses pupils about conservation, but teaches them scientific skills and techniques that are used in the industry. Our Science team have today launched the project, which will be headed up by Science teacher Katherine Roberts and further supported by Kate Green (Head of Faculty). However we hope to widen the influence of the initiative by engaging more faculties, especially as we move toward a more collaborative curriculum with the changes up and coming in the Welsh Education System. We will be posting progress updates on the school’s Twitter account, and I will be watching with enthusiasm as the project develops. Pupils were thrilled to meet with Ian Lucas our MP and show off what they had learnt”

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Darland students soar to success in GCSEs a year early. Students from Darland High School are celebrating A*s in Mathematics and Numeracy GCSEs having sat them at the end of Year 10. Dr Edwards Head of Maths Faculty said “The students have worked exceptionally hard to cover both 2 year courses in 1 year. We want to ensure every student gets given opportunities to succeed in their areas of strength. They will now follow a more advanced course in Year 11, touching on elements of  A-Level mathematics.”

Darland sat at the top of the Wrexham Schools performance table from 2018-2019, and this summer’s superb results continue this upward trend. This September Darland welcomed new Headteacher – Joanne Lee.

Mrs. Lee brings with her a wide range of experience from her teaching career that spans over two decades, and draws on roles in Stoke-on-Trent, Nantwich, Widnes and most recently Wrexham. She started her teaching career as a Physics teacher in Widnes and says, “I am lucky to have had the opportunity to work in a wide variety of schools, each school is unique with its own character.”

“From the first moment I walked into Darland High School I was impressed with the professionalism and warmth of the staff. They go above and beyond to ensure each child is supported in their studies”

“Darland topped the Wrexham league tables last year with the level 2 plus Wales Performance Measure, which is impressive. This summer’s results have seen further increases in performance in the new Welsh Education measure of Capped 9.”

“I am very excited to be working with such a committed team of professionals. As a school we have the needs of the child at our very core, regardless of ability. Our motto ‘Aspire Apply Achieve’ drives us forward as we embark on a journey of change.”

In September Darland opened its doors for the Annual Open Evening. Deputy Headteacher Mr Simon Corner said “We were completely overwhelmed by the response from parents, with over 900 people through our doors. The staff and students put on a festival of activities for visitors, it was a great opportunity for prospective pupils to come and see the school and experience the warm welcoming atmosphere.”

Mrs. Lee added “I am exceptionally proud of the students at Darland, I have extended an invitation to all parents of Year 5 and Year 6 students to come and see us on a normal working day; To book a tour and experience the calm working environment that makes this school a real Hidden Gem.”