From the Heads
As we come to the end of a busy and fulfilling first half of term, we would like to thank everyone for their efforts at this time. The pupils have been superb, embracing all of the wonderful opportunities and making such impressive progress and positive contributions to our school, nearly always with a smile on their faces! The way in which many of our children have not only coped, but flourished, with some changes has been especially heartening, and we thank all parents for your support of Wellesley Haddon Dene.
Our final thank you is to our team of staff for their supreme efforts since the start of the academic year. Their commitment and passion to your children is quite simply outstanding. We wish you and your families a wonderful half term together.
Mr Gavin Franklin and Mrs Jo Parpworth
Safety Notices
This is a polite reminder to parents that if you are walking to school each day that you enter and exit using the correct paths to avoid oncoming traffic at the exit. Thank you.
It is also a polite reminder that parents must not enter our school buildings without signing in at the office first. Naturally, this is for safeguarding purposes. If children have forgotten uniform items or bags (which can happen!), these can be dropped at reception and we will ensure these reach your child. Thank you.
Social Media
If you would like to follow us on social media, please see the pages below, where you can keep up to date with day to day events at Wellesley Haddon Dene.
School Last Week
Wear it Yellow – Supporting Mental Health
On Monday 10th October, the Wellesley Haddon Dene community turned yellow in support of Mental Health Day by “wearing it yellow” as part of a non uniform day. Thank you to everyone who was able to donate to such a worthy charity. We raised £200 for this important cause which will enable other schools to access mental health specialists.
Pre-Prep Values Awards
Congratulations to the following children who were presented with a School Values Award last week:
Year 1 – Herb for his brilliant focus, imagination and progress in literacy and for always celebrating his friends’ achievements. Ivy Johnson for always being engaged during the lesson introductions and always trying hard with her work, never giving up. Pixie Jarman for continuing to show great courage and resilience with her arm injury and being ready to learn in every lesson.
Year 2 – Emilia Foster for showing KINDNESS and RESPECT to her peers in both the classroom and grounds. Aziza Foster-Troy for demonstrating good TEAMWORK during class discussions and RESPECT when listening to the opinions of others.
Year 3 – Georgie Crompton for the resilience he has shown trying to improve his handwriting until it is the best it can be. Theo Hempstead for kindness. Theo always takes the time and trouble to ensure everyone is okay and for being a great ‘reminder ‘ when Mrs Jefferies forgets things!
Year 8 to Paris…
Early on Saturday morning, 15th October, our Year 8 pupils set sail for France for their much anticipated 4-day trip to Paris. At the time of writing, aside from a ferry ride across the Channel in glorious sunshine, the children have enjoyed visits to Montmartre, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe and Versailles Palace. Later today, they will also admire the Eiffel Tower from their boat cruise on the Seine before stopping at Disneyland on their way home! We thank the staff (Madame Laurans, Mr Hallam and Mrs Spencer) very much for providing the children with this fantastic educational (and fun) opportunity.
Year 5 Science Trip
Our Year 5 pupils had an inspirational (and fun) visit to Discovery Planet, Ramsgate last Thursday, where they all learned how to become a CSI inspector! In Head’s Assembly, Theo E gave an engaging and informative account of their day, also displaying the cross curricular links between science and English with his superbly written report.
School This Week
Monday Music and Trinity Music Certificates
We were treated to a violin masterclass by Rose Symington-Mills (Year 6) in Monday’s Assembly. Rose played Gigue by Bach on the violin, quite beautifully. Rose was then presented with her Grade 3 (with distinction) Trinity Music School certificate for the harp. Laurie Symington-Mills was presented with his Grade 5 (with merit) Trinity Music School certificate for the cello. Very well done Rose and Laurie for this extraordinary achievement.
Year 3 & 4 Trip to Canterbury
Our year 3 & 4 children head to the Roman Museum in Canterbury on Monday for a school trip. Aside from the holistic benefits that come from school trips, this also links closely with their history curriculum. We thank Mrs Satish, Mrs Jefferies, Mr Pullman and Miss Power for organising and leading the children on the trip.
Honey Harvest Day
As you may know, we are fortunate to keep our own bees in our WellBEEing garden adjacent to the shooting range on our playing fields. On Tuesday, some of our children will participate in the honey harvesting process, supported by our team of staff and the expertise of a WHD parent who gives so freely and generously of his time. The raw material is to be extracted from the hives, filtered through a centrifuge machine, and then separated into jars. The pupils will have the chance to assist in each stage of the harvest to gain an invaluable first hand experience of beekeeping. It’s sticky work, but lots of fun! We very much hope to be able to provide some WHD honey at our Christmas Fair – an unbeatable stocking filler!
Half Term – Wednesday Afternoon
Half term begins at 3.30pm on Wednesday for all children. Parking will be tight, so we suggest families with children in Year 4 – 8, please do park through the barrier should you need to (and drive carefully). Thank you.
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, it is the U7 footballers for representing our school with great pride and conduct at their first competitive fixtures on Thursday last week (and for playing so well). Very well done to them all.
No After School Club on Wednesday
As a result of the half term beginning at 3.30pm this Wednesday, there will be no after school club – thank you.
School Calendar
Please click here and scroll through for the most up to date calendar of events for the term.
Future Events
Friends of WHD Bonfire Night
Please see the advertised flyer here with details of our Bonfire Night, taking place on the playing fields of Wellesley Haddon Dene. We hope that many parents / family members can join us and we thank the Friends of WHD for their sterling organisational efforts with this.
Friends of WHD Festive Wreath Making
Please see the advertised flyer here with details of our Festive Wreath making evening, taking place in the Old Hall on Thursday 8th December. With thanks to the friends of WHD for organising this opportunity.
Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion have asked if we can support them in selling poppies (and other RBL merchandise) within our community in the weeks leading up to Armistice Day. The children may bring a donation into school and choose from the RBL boxes something that they can wear during this period of Remembrance. Pre-prep donations and boxes are in Junior House and Yrs 4-8 can make their donations outside the school office. There will be a school only Remembrance service on Friday 11th November at 11am and a Remembrance Chapel service for year 4 to year 8 pupils, which all parents are warmly invited to in the Ridgeway Chapel/Old Hall at 4pm.
Matches This Week
Wednesday 19th October
Football v Kent College: U11A (h) 2.15pm start
Football v Kent College: U11B (h) 2.15pm start
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