Hazelwick School Newsletter - September 2026 by Hazelwick School

Where can languages take you?

hazelwick — 2026-09-07 11:17:15 UTC

Back in the summer, we really enjoyed our visit from an ex-student, Leticia Santoro, who came to speak to a Year 9 French class about where languages can take you. She was once in their shoes in the languages classroom and is now a successful trainee lawyer in London having graduated in 2023 with a 1^st class honours degree in law from Kings College London and has recently secured a secondment in Tokyo. She spoke about her Brazilian background and her general love of languages from a young age, and how having learnt Spanish and French at school really helped her communicate with other students from all over the world during her time at university and during her travels since then to many places around the world, including San Diego, Bangkok, India and Thailand. She really is inspirational and we look forward to having Leticia back in school at some point to talk about the importance of learning a language to our Year 11 classes.

hazelwick — 2026-09-07 11:18:08 UTC

We also heard from an ex-student, Vedika Bahl. Unfortunately, Vedika couldn’t be with us in person, but the students were able to see her in action as she has her own TV show on the French TV channel, France 24. Vedika studied A-level French here at Hazelwick School and having graduated from Birmingham University in 2017 with a degree in International Relations with French, she moved to Paris, where she has been in the news office for over 8 years. Vedika shared with Year 9 how she values her time learning French here at Hazelwick School, which shaped the rest of her career.

hazelwick — 2026-09-07 11:18:38 UTC

The Year 9 class also joined a live British council meeting recently, where the discussion was about where languages will take you. The one resounding message that students have learnt is, you do not need to be fluent (if you are, that’s a bonus), but THE NEED TO COMMUNICATE IS REAL! Have you ever been ill on holiday and tried to explain this over the counter? Or tried to read and understand a sign when abroad? Learning a language isn’t only about being able to communicate but also helps us to understand other cultures and traditions. Also, knowing another language is also very useful later in life in the workplace.

Well done to all our students who have worked hard this year in French and Spanish, and of course we wish our ex-students all the best in their next adventures and look forward to hearing from them, and others, in the future.

Mrs Burke

MFL Teacher

Cricket Success

hazelwick — 2026-09-07 11:20:39 UTC

Bassaam Khan and Avish Sinha both play for Forge Wood Cricket Club. Following a trial, they were selected for the Breaking Boundaries initiative run by Sussex Cricket. This led to them playing in the squad for Sussex Blitz in July. Their team made it all the way to the final where they were narrowly defeated by just four runs. We are very proud of them and look forward to hearing of their future success.

Attendance and Punctuality

hazelwick — 2026-09-07 11:22:43 UTC

hazelwick — 2026-09-10 14:25:31 UTC

Crawley Sea Cadets & Royal Marines Cadets Winter Recruitment Drive

hazelwick — 2026-09-15 10:40:28 UTC

Crawley Sea Cadets & Royal Marines Cadets are launching our Winter Recruitment Drive, and we're looking for new cadets aged 9 to 17 years old to join our growing unit.

Why not become part of a nautical-themed youth organisation built on the traditions, values, and ethos of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines? You'll make new friends, learn valuable life skills, and take part in a wide range of exciting activities, including:

Boating and watersports
First Aid training
Engineering and STEM activities
Fieldcraft and adventure training
Leadership development
Community projects and life skills

We are recruiting throughout September, with new cadets starting shortly afterwards.

If you'd like to come along and see what we do, register your interest by emailing info@crawleyseacadets.org.uk or complete our online enquiry form at www.sea-cadets.org/crawley.

Come and discover new opportunities, build confidence, make lifelong friends, and experience adventure with Crawley Sea Cadets & Royal Marines Cadets.

#SeaCadets #RoyalMarinesCadets #Crawley #YouthDevelopment #Adventure #Confidence #Leadership #JoinUsToday

hazelwick — 2026-09-21 11:24:31 UTC

Welcome back to another year of the House Competition at Hazelwick. Last year, Sancho House were our incredible champions - but who will win this year?

Currently, our Heads of Houses are preparing the first House events of the term. We look forward to running amazing events that are sure to generate competition, spark fun and get the students’ creativity flowing! Year 10 and 11 students should look out for The Chase: a chance to test their general knowledge trivia. For Years 7, 8 and 9 students, there will be a colour-themed Photography competition. For Sixth Formers, there will be a benchball tournament and finally, for all students in Years 7-11, there will be a Design a Mascot challenge to represent their House.

In the Sixth Form, Year 12 students are currently applying to be House Captains, and the successful applicants will be told at the beginning of October. I look forward to reading applications and choosing some brilliant young people to support our House system.

House points are not just determined by House events, and it is a pleasure to announce that Lovelace House are the first to take the lead in the House points competition. Based on achievement points that students have earned in class, Lovelace House have managed to accrue a whopping 2929 House points so far already!

It is sure to be another incredible year for House events, and we look forward to seeing you there.

Mx Nolan (Senior Head of House)

Coding Club

hazelwick — 2026-09-23 12:06:58 UTC

Coding Club is not open on Tuesdays until further notice. It is open on Wednesdays in room 102 from 15:05 to 16:00.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr J Lloyd.

Contact: JLloyd@hazelwick.org.uk

Read On!

hazelwick — 2026-09-23 12:09:43 UTC

Read On! [Continued]

hazelwick — 2026-09-23 12:10:44 UTC

hazelwick — 2026-09-23 12:11:41 UTC

Thursday 1^st October

Year 11 Photographs

Thursday 15^th October

Year 11, Sixth Form Open Evening

Friday 16^th October

INSET Day

Monday 19^th October - Thursday 22^nd October

Year 7, Activities Week at Lodge Hill

Thursday 22^nd October

Sixth Form Photos

Monday 26^th - Friday 30^th October

Half Term

Return Monday 2^nd November

Week 1

Thursday 26^th November

Year 13 Parents’/Carers’ Evening

Monday 30^th November

INSET Day

Tuesday 1^st December - Friday 18^th December

Year 11 Mock Exams

Friday 4th December

Year 7, Student Review Day

Friday 18^th December

End of Term

12.20pm

Message from the Headteacher

hazelwick — 2026-09-28 09:36:24 UTC

Book Review - Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

hazelwick — 2026-09-28 13:07:52 UTC

Don't Miss Out on Careers Opportunities!

hazelwick — 2026-09-28 13:08:54 UTC

hazelwick — 2026-09-28 13:09:28 UTC

Girls Football Trials

hazelwick — 2026-09-28 13:10:53 UTC

Miss Calthorpe and Miss Pordage ran football trials for both U14 and Year 7 girls at the start of the year. We had a fantastic turnout from the girls, with a record number of attendees. A huge well done to everyone that came along and well done to those selected for their first matches.

A reminder that Girls Football Club is running every Thursday after school. Any age and ability can attend. All you have to do is come down to PE and get changed.

Well done again to everyone who came along!

Miss Calthorpe and Miss Pordage

hazelwick — 2026-09-28 13:11:53 UTC

hazelwick — 2026-09-29 08:47:10 UTC

Jasmin Moreira-Pushman from 10DLO recently completed the Shine Night Walk in London for Cancer Research. The walk was a half marathon. Jasmin had not originally planned to be taking part but after her mum had an injury, she stepped in at the last minute and completed the 13.1-mile course in just under 4 hours with her mum’s friend. That is speedy walking! Congratulations to Jasmin, you have made us very proud.

Ancient Worlds Club

hazelwick — 2026-09-29 08:48:11 UTC

It’s been another action-packed week in Ancient Worlds Club! This time students took on the challenge of building their very own Roman forts. With limited time on the clock, teams had to decide what mattered most — style, strength or survival! Some teams focused on making their forts look impressive, while others prioritised sturdy construction. Either way, everyone did a fantastic job.

Once the rapid build time was up, it was time to go full Roman! Teams put their forts to the test as they attempted to conquer each other’s creations. Thankfully, every fort successfully stood its ground, although a few did lose the odd tower or wall along the way!

Meanwhile, our Blooket Championship is well underway! Each week, students battle it out to show off their knowledge of the ancient world and climb the leaderboard. There’s a mini winner crowned each week, but the biggest prize is still up for grabs — who will be sitting at the top of the leaderboard when the half term comes?

If you’re still considering joining us, Ancient Worlds Club meets every Tuesday from 3–4pm in Room 103 with Mrs Burdett. Years 7 – 9 only.

Design and Technology

hazelwick — 2026-09-29 08:49:38 UTC

We have two after school clubs running this year.

Year 7 Geography Photo Mystery Tour

hazelwick — 2026-09-29 09:01:59 UTC

Year 7 students participated in a photo mystery tour around the school grounds in geography lessons. This gave students the opportunity to use practical geographical skills, such as map reading and compass directions, to familiarise themselves with the layout of the school. Students worked in groups, which encouraged them to interact with other members of their form group and hopefully make some new friends!

U13 Girls Football ESFA Cup

hazelwick — 2026-09-29 09:03:25 UTC

The U13 girls had their first English School’s cup match, playing away to Hayes School in Bromley.

After a long journey, the girls were excited to get themselves on the pitch and playing. A tough start for Hazelwick, conceding a goal within the first five minutes. Our team were not however, dropping their heads anytime soon. Coming back with a punch, Liv scored a superb goal, shortly followed by a second for her. The pace of the goal scoring did not slow, with Ava getting us our third all within the first half. With two minutes to go until half time, Hayes managed to get a goal back with half time finishing at 3-2.

As quickly as the second half commenced, our fourth goal was scored by Liv, bagging herself a superb hat trick! After a few near misses from the opposition, Emily managed to secure us the win, getting us our fifth and final goal, with a full-time score of 5-2. The girls worked exceptionally hard, with Rosie, Emily and Arabella all playing their first game of Football at Hazelwick School. With confidence in their ability and their tenacity to hold off the opposition, the girls worked tirelessly to the very end of the game and are through to the next round of the competition where they will face Orleans Park School.

Well done and good luck!

Miss Calthorpe