A Legacy of Loyalty: Honouring Our Staff at Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys

At Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys, our success is built on more than just academic achievement, it is built on people. Behind every lesson, every milestone, and every student success story is a team of dedicated staff, many of whom have devoted a decade or more to the school and its mission.

A School with Deep Roots

Founded in 1912, Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys has been a cornerstone of education in Thamesmead for over a century. Throughout its history, the school has evolved with the times, but one thing has remained constant: the loyalty and passion of its staff.

Staff Who Stay, Shape, and Inspire

A significant number of our staff have been with the school for 10, 15, even 20+ years, contributing not only to academic excellence but also to the school’s unique culture of care, consistency, and community. These long-serving team members include teachers, pastoral leads, support staff, and senior leaders, many of whom began their careers here and chose to stay because of the school’s values and vision.

Impact Beyond the Classroom

Long-serving staff bring consistency, experience, and valuable mentorship that support both students and newer colleagues. Their presence reinforces the school’s culture, ensures continuity, and helps uphold high standards year after year.

Celebrating Our Team

From classroom teachers to office administrators, every staff member has played a vital role in shaping the lives of thousands of young people. Their dedication is the heartbeat of our school and we are proud to celebrate them.

Careers at Sea and Beyond: Inspiring Talk from the Royal Navy

Our Sixth Form students were fortunate to welcome representatives from the Royal Navy for an engaging careers talk.

Year 12 and 13 had the opportunity to learn about the wide range of career pathways available within the Navy, as well as the extensive support offered to young people. From biomedical science and submarine engineering to aircraft maintenance and beyond, the session opened our students’ eyes to the exciting and diverse opportunities that could lie ahead.

Behind the Scenes

Yesterday morning, we held a photoshoot at school featuring some of our outstanding Year 12 and 13 students at Woolwich Polytechnic Sixth Form. Their enthusiasm and personalities truly shone through, and we are so excited to share the final images with you very soon.

Stay tuned for a glimpse into the vibrant spirit of our Sixth Form community.

Lighting Up Our Community: Celebrating Diwali Together

At PolyMAT, we understand how important it is to support and celebrate the rich cultural traditions of our diverse community. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is a time of joy, reflection and togetherness. Diwali is one of the most important and widely celebrated festivals in India and across South Asian communities around the world.

How Diwali Is Celebrated:

• Lighting diyas (oil lamps) and candles
• Decorating homes with rangoli (colourful patterns made with powders or flowers)
• Sharing sweets and festive meals
• Wearing new clothes
• Visiting temples and offering prayers
• Fireworks and community gatherings
• Exchanging gifts and spending time with loved ones

To everyone in our school community celebrating Diwali, we wish you a wonderful time filled with light, love and laughter.

Looking to join in the celebrations? Here are some free and local Diwali events happening in London:

Diwali at Greenwich Peninsula

• Peninsula Square, SE10
• Saturday 18 October, 2pm–7pm
• Garba dancing, Dhol drummers, Bollywood DJ sets, lantern-making workshops and a glowing evening procession.
• Free entry – just turn up!

Illuminate: Diwali at the National Maritime Museum

• Saturday 25 October | 10am–5pm
• National Maritime Museum, Romney Road, London SE10 9NF
• Free Entry

Diwali at Marble Hill House, Twickenham

• Marble Hill House, TW1 2NL
• Saturday 18 October, 2pm–7pm
• Illuminations, Dhol drumming, Bhangra and Bollywood dance workshops, and a puppet parade.
• Free entry

Let’s celebrate the light within us and around us.
Happy Diwali from all of us at PolyMAT.

Dear Parents/Carers,

Breast Cancer Now - Wear it Pink is a charity event that Woolwich Polytechnic School for Boys have supported over the years, it is a charity close to our hearts as we have had several colleagues who have benefitted directly from their support.

This year we will be holding our special day on Friday 7th November 2025, staff and students can wear something pink to school with a suggested donation £1. Students should hand in their £1 donation to Ms Hawgood in the Library when they enter school. Students will still need to wear their normal school uniform (blazer, trousers, school shoes etc) but are able to wear an item such as:

• Pink socks
• Pink tie
• Pink shirt
• Pink ribbon
• Pink scarf
• Pink accessories

We will be sharing information with students throughout the week so that they understand how important it is for us to take part and support this cause.

In addition to the ‘Wear it pink’ event we are also holding our very own ‘Staff Poly Bake Off’, staff will be asked to submit their entry of a homemade dessert to Learning Support before school. These bakes will be judged before break by three judges with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places up for grabs. We will then be holding a bake sale of these delicious desserts at breaktime for students and staff to purchase. Students will need to bring cash with them if they want to purchase any items from the bake sale.

We will be sharing our activities and photos on the school website and social media platforms. We hope that you will support us in our promotion of such an important charity.

Please speak to Mrs Hawgood for more information. 

As part of their enrichment in product design and art, Year 12 and 13 students recently visited IKEA Greenwich for a tailored educational experience exploring the brand’s design ethos and workplace culture.

The trip offered students a unique opportunity to engage with IKEA’s sustainable design principles, democratic design philosophy, and customer-centric innovation. Through guided tours and interactive sessions, students gained valuable insights into how IKEA balances functionality, affordability, and aesthetics – providing real-world inspiration for their coursework. The visit also included conversations with staff about career pathways and the collaborative, inclusive environment that defines working at IKEA. It was a rewarding experience that brought design theory to life and sparked fresh ideas for future projects.