Dear Parents, Guardians and Friends
The PoR department certainly made sure they had booked the weather when they organised the annual Year 7 walking tour of the Wokingham churches last Thursday. It was a beautiful day as Mrs Barker, our head of PoR took half of Year 7 on the first of two trips.
Mrs Barker said:
Last Thursday, our Year 7 students (L, S, T and W) enjoyed our annual Church Walking Tour around Wokingham as part of their Religious Studies curriculum.
We visited three local churches – St Paul’s, King’s Church, and Wokingham Baptist Church – where students had the opportunity to explore the buildings, hear from members of each church community, and ask thoughtful questions. Our focus was on spotting similarities and differences between Christian denominations, and the students did a great job noticing how worship spaces, practices and traditions can vary.
At Wokingham Baptist Church, we even had the chance to see how a baptism takes place, with one of our students volunteering to be “baptised” – no water was involved today!
Each church was incredibly generous with their time, sharing their knowledge and welcoming our students so warmly. Thank you also for the delicious cake and hospitality – it was very much appreciated.
The POR department would like to say a big thank you to all three churches for inviting us and to the Soulscape volunteers who came with us. We look forward to returning next Thursday with 7B, 7C, 7G and 7H for another walking tour. Let’s hope we get beautiful sunshine again!
Today is the turn of the other half of the year and, yes, we are crossing our fingers that the weather fairies are kind to us once again.
Thanks go to Mrs Barker and her team and Soulscape for organising this trip.
Friday afternoon saw another much-loved Holt annual event, as Mr Mosely once again hosted the very competitive House geography quiz. Yes, his famous map-of-the-world suit was dusted down for the occasion, and he looked the part as he led six rounds of quiz questions, with each round inspired by a different member of the geography department. There were rounds like service stations or cheese, a country Emoji Quiz and fill in the blanks of key terms. Each House had two teams made up of one Year 8, 9 & 10. There was also a break for the quizzers to have a donut halfway through. The quiz was marked by some of the 6th form geographers and they did a brilliant job. Well done to everyone who took part! And B were the winners!
Thank you, Mr Mosely, for another great event!
This week is the technology department’s time to shine as they enter “Exhibition Week”, culminating in an event open to parents and students tonight.
Mr Turner wrote:
On Thursday 12th March 2026, our GCSE and A Level Product Design, Graphics and Textiles students will be exhibiting their final products at our 8th annual design exhibition. On show are a wide range of products from children’s toys to winter wear. During the evening visitors will be asked to complete questionnaires to help our students evaluate their products.
Parents and guardians of our Y11 and Y13 Design and Technology students are welcome to attend between 6:00pm and 7:30pm in the Technology building. Canapés will be served from 6pm. We look forward to welcoming you.
Thanks go to everyone in the technology department for all the hard work and support they have given to our students- who themselves have done a wonderful job.
Well done!
To end the round up of department news…….the history department have just launched their annual Easter competition- my personal favourite- Hard Boiled Histories
For me, the best ever entry was “Freda Kahl-yolk” genius- let’s see if we can “beat” that this year!
Here are some other previous winners…
And here are the details of the competition! Get “cracking”!
On Saturday, Mrs E Smith and her team of Year 9 Magistrates take on the local competition at Reading Crown Court in the annual Bar Mock Trials. We wish them all the best of luck and look forward to reporting on how they did in the blog next week.
Lastly, it’s the final plug for our fabulous show “Made in Dagenham”. If you have not yet bought your tickets- here is one last chance.
We look forward to seeing you at “curtain up” on the 17th, 18th or 19th March
Katie Pearce
Co-Headteacher