From the Heads
Christmas is finally upon us, and the children have had a brilliant last few weeks in the run up to the end of term. We’ve had a bonanza of activities which have cast festive cheer far and wide across the school. Our little ones delivered a truly spectacular Nativity performance and we, alongside parents, smiled throughout. Pre-Prep sang their hearts out at the Christmas concert and we marvelled at their confidence to stand on stage and perform so boldly. Throughout the week, we’ve had standout performances from our choir, which have been requested by popular demand.
Thank you to the kitchen team for cooking such a hearty Pre-Prep Christmas lunch. Dressed in Christmas jumpers, the children and staff enjoyed a delicious banquet with all the traditional trimmings. I am sure you will agree, the children’s handmade Christmas hats which were worn to lunch were wonderful.
Christmas is a time for giving. During this term we have raised a staggering £1050 for charity. Thank you to everyone for taking part and supporting important causes such as ‘Jeans for Genes’, ‘Children in Need’ and ‘Young Minds’. We have made a significant difference to the lives of others.
All children have now completed their end of term assessments and progress reports will be available for all via the parent portal at the end of term. We do hope that you find them useful and please do not hesitate to contact your class teacher should you have any questions.
As this year draws to a close, we want to thank everyone in the community for their unwavering support. We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year and hope that all your dreams and aspirations are realised in 2023. We look forward to welcoming day children back to Wellesley Haddon Dene on Tuesday 10th January and boarders on the evening of Monday 9th January.
Mr Gavin Franklin and Mrs Jo Parpworth
School Last Week
Hindleap Assembly
On Tuesday morning, Year 6 shared their residential trip experiences with us highlighting many of the activities and challenges they encountered along the way. They delivered an excellent presentation which was very informative and encouraging for those children who are due to attend in the future. What is clear is that they had so much fun with their friends, getting muddy and building skills beyond those learned in the classroom. They tested their comfort zones and strengthened their abilities to be independent. We thank Mrs Crompton and Ms Elliott for taking the children to Hindleap, providing nurture and support.
School Choir
We would like to say a big thank you to Mrs Spencer and her gifted choir for performing at several festive events last week. It was a truly stunning set of performances and everyone who came to listen said they were blown away by their talents. They certainly injected a huge dose of Christmas spirit across the school, so much so we have had requests for CD/downloads for continued enjoyment at home. Well done to everyone who was involved.
Pre-Prep Nativity Play
Our little stars shined brightly last week as they took to the stage to perform their Nativity play. We were blown away by the confidence, smiles and talent shown by the children. The only tears shed were from the proud parents in the audience. We are so proud of our youngsters for delivering a play which evoked so much emotion from all who watched. Thank you to the Early Years team for all the hard work which went on behind the scenes and for the site team for building the stage backdrop.
Carol Service
On Thursday, Years 1 to 3 delivered a festive ensemble of songs, poetry, dance and even a 70 second pantomime! The children were truly magnificent and we certainly left feeling in the Christmas spirit. To perform with such confidence and clarity at such young ages is to be commended. Thank you to our Year 6 leaders Ana, Olivia, Rose and Joshua for narrating the performance. Thank you to Mrs Golding and Mr Redwood for organising the event.
PFA Social Christmas Wreath Event
Last Thursday saw our first Christmas Wreath making at Wellesley Haddon Dene. Beautiful wreaths were made, mulled wine was drunk and merriment was had by all. It was great fun and has really made us think about some more creative projects/events that we could do within the school to enable us to spend time with one another adults and children alike. We would like to thank Mrs Dilkes, Mrs Uden and Mrs Halton for organising the event.
Children’s Christmas Fair
On Friday, we held the WHD Christmas Fair organised by the children in Year 4 upwards and their form tutors. Several fun games were organised such as ‘knock an elf off a shelf’, ‘splat the snowman’ and ‘shove a ha’penny. We are really proud of the children in Year 7 and 8 who looked after our pre-prep children as they took part in these traditional, festive games. The feedback we received from the children was superb and much fun was had by all. Thank you to all who organised; it truly was a brilliant end to a fun-filled week.
The Boarders’ Festive Weekend
The 9th and 10th December was the final weekend of the term and the boarders celebrated in style with a fun-packed festive weekend.
Kicking off with a wintery campfire, with hotdogs, chips, hot chocolate and marshmallows to toast, the children wrapped up warm and enjoyed seeing the outside terrace adorned with Christmas lights and the sounds of favourite Christmas tunes. Everyone headed inside to get ready for bed and bring their duvets to the TV rooms to choose a night in front of the England game or Home Alone.
After a good night’s sleep and a full cooked breakfast, we headed to the EM Forster theatre to see the Christmas pantomime, Beauty and the Beast. Hilarity ensued as two of our pupils were invited to the stage to perform a rendition of “Do Your Ears Hang Low?”. We finished the weekend with some shopping at Westwood Cross on the way home, followed by Chef Nick’s legendary Sunday roast! What more could we ask for?
School This Week
Mark Reading
The third marks of term have been given and the final standings will be announced in assembly on Wednesday.
Special mention goes to the following pupils who have achieved the highest set of marks for their year: Pearl Dunbar-Brunton, Clara Montgomery, Mabel Dunbar-Brunton, Freya Ralph, Grace Flowers, Teegan Pretzlik and Max Miller.
The most improved pupils in each year group were Henry Harper, Stan Shoring, Ellis Keogh, Harriet Brooks and Thomas Manchip.
The highest scoring tutor group was Mdme Laurans 8.2.
Litter Angels’ poster competition
At the start of term all students in year five entered the annual ‘Litter Angels’ poster competition. As part of a campaign to raise awareness of the harm litter causes to our streets, wildlife and coastal ecosystems.
Last week a letter arrived from the House of Commons to inform us that Clara Montgomery’s entry had been selected as our school winner and will now be entered into a second competition to pick an overall winner from amongst all the participating schools in Thanet! In the new year MP’s Craig Mackinlay and Sir Roger Gale will host a special event where Clara will receive her school winners prize and an announcement will be made to reveal the overall winner for 2022/23. The winning design will be made into a large poster which will be displayed around Thanet.
Pre-prep Christmas Lunch & Party
Thank you to the catering team for providing such a tasty Christmas banquet for our Pre-Prep children today. They had turkey and all the festive trimmings, followed by Christmas tree cakes with sprinkles. Much fun was had by all.
Year 2 & 3: Outing to Reindeer Farm
Years 2 and 3 are set to enjoy a day out meeting reindeers and other furry friends at the farm this week. Rumour has it that Father Christmas may be making a surprise appearance?
Christmas Feast and Party (Year 4 to 8) – Tuesday 13th December
On Tuesday 13th December pupils in Year 4 to 8 will enjoy a formal Christmas Feast in the dining hall at 5.15pm followed by some games and Christmas music in the Old Hall. Pupils in Years 4, 5 and 6 should be collected from the Cold Corridor at 6.30pm and day pupils in Years 7 and 8 should please be collected at 7pm from the Cold Corridor. Please note, there will be no after school bus run home on Tuesday evening.
Pupils in Years 4 to 8 should come to school in Best uniform on Tuesday.
So that we have a clear understanding of numbers for catering and supervision reasons, please can parents of all day children for Years 4 – 8, complete this form – thank you.
Carol Service – Wednesday 14th December
On Wednesday 14th December, we look forward to seeing parents here in Chapel for the Carol Service, which starts at 11.30 am. The service of 9 lessons and carols will be followed by optional coffee and mince pies in the Dining Room. So that the necessary catering arrangements can be made, please complete this short google form. Thank you.
On Wednesday 14th December, pupils in Years 4 to 8 should come to school in Best uniform.
End of Term – Wednesday 14th December
On the last day of term, all pupils should please be collected at 12.30pm. Those in Years 4 to 8 will be free to leave with parents following the service of 9 lessons and carols. Children in Pre-prep should be collected from their usual pick-up point at 12.30pm.
Boarders’ luggage will be available for collection from the area behind the dining room.
Pre-Prep Values Awards
| Reception | Ewan – for trying his best this week and an excellent performance in Nativity. Monty – for showing kindness to his friends, always working in a team and helping everyone. |
| Year 1 | Arabella – for her spectacular singing and performance in our Christmas concert. Harper Donnell – for continuing to show respect, kindness and resilience throughout every day of school. She works incredibly hard and I have been impressed with Harper’s writing in particular lately. Ivy Johnson – for working very hard in her reading and is very switched on when it comes to our class input. Ivy listens well and always contributes to our discussions with well thought out. |
| Year 2 | Margot Owen for her progress in reading. She has made a huge effort to read with more volume and projection. She has a deeper understanding of the texts and is reading with accuracy and some expression. Raf Shoring for working really hard in class and is always keen to help his peers. He is generous and will always share his possessions or tuck money if he sees some are without. |
| Year 3 | Amelia Hilyard for being brave, ‘facing any fear and doing it anyway’ and her confidence in being the candle bearer. Teddy Lawson for working really hard on his times tables and always thinking of others. |
Values Awards
| Year 4 | Sammy Franklin. He has worked very hard to improve his handwriting. His perseverance deserves this week’s Value award. |
| Year 5 | Sophie Spencer for her kindness to others, always being willing to help her peers. Conrad Baybars for consistently demonstrating the WHD values. |
| Year 6 | Francesca Forrest for her determination and resilience in everything she does. She works hard and demonstrates all the WHD values and is a great role model to her peers. |
| Year 7 | Pip Viner wins the year 7 value award for his supportive kindness towards his peers, his good humour and willingness to try new things. |
| Year 8 | Max Miller has earned the value award due to his positive attitude towards all things Wellesley Haddon Dene. He works hard and respects his peers, putting himself forward to be at his best. |
Team of the Week
Each week, a group of pupils is invited to meet with Mr and Mrs Franklin in the library at break time to enjoy some squash and snacks prepared by the catering team. This week, for their sensational performance on Saturday afternoon, it is the senior girls’ hockey team – very well done.
School Calendar
Please click here and scroll through for the most up to date calendar of events for the term.
Matches This Week
2.15pm start unless otherwise stated
No matches this week
Please always refer to the website calendar as it is the most up-to-date place to check for fixture changes and locations.
If your child has been selected for a fixture, we will communicate with you prior to the fixture with information regarding the recommended pick up time from Wellesley HD.
Matches Last Week
Squash v King’s Canterbury: 1st VI | Won 7-5 |
Hockey v St Edmund’s: U13 A Girls | Lost 2-1 |
Hockey v St Edmund’s: U13 B Girls | Lost 4-0 |
Football v St Edmund’s: U11 A Boys | Drew 2-2 |
Football v St Edmund’s: U11 B Boys | Won 3 – 1 |
Football v St Edmund’s: U11 C Boys | Won 4-1 |
Hockey v Northbourne Park: U11 A Girls | Won 2-1 |
Hockey v Northbourne Park: U11 B Girls | Lost 2-0 |
Rugby v SLC: U13 A Boys | Drew 2-2 |
Hockey v Dover College: U13 A Girls | Won 7-0 |