From the Headmaster’s Study
Pupil voice, taking responsibility and demonstrating independence is a real strength of Wellesley and we were delighted to hear from a number of our pupils this morning in Assembly. Aside from listening to one of our talented Block 1 pupils on the guitar, a range of pupils from JL (year 4) to Block 1 (year 8) had written and read out various reports from activities that they were involved in last week. Aside from some of these being highly informative (and in some cases entertaining!) for the audience, it is the range of emotions that are experienced by standing up in front of your peers and teaching staff that is such a positive learning experience.
We are also in the senior school visits and interview season and over the past couple of weeks (and the upcoming couple of weeks), Welleslians from Year 5 up to Year 8 have visited Brighton College, Sedbergh, Tonbridge, Wellington, Harrow, King’s Canterbury, St Edmund’s, Abingdon, St Lawrence College, Dover, Magdalen College School, Sevenoaks, Eastbourne and Tring. We feel proud to be able to support families with their own aspirations to such a broad range of senior schools.
With regards to the amalgamation of Haddon Dene with Wellesley, I am conscious that parents have many questions – some of which I have been able to answer verbally and some of which I cannot yet answer in great detail – and in the interest of transparency, I include an FAQ document based on questions that have come my way from Wellesley families. There will still be information that Alpha and I cannot yet answer as plans continue to be formulated, but I hope that this document provides some valuable information. I will be adding to it over the coming weeks.
Gavin Franklin
School Last Week
News from Pre-prep
Thank you to everyone who supported our harvest assembly. It was so lovely to see so many families and to feel what a strong community we are. We were delighted to welcome Jacqueline from the Salvation Army who spoke about the essence of the movement and thanked everyone for the magnificent array of food parcels. Another super week for the U9 footballers who competed brilliantly at Ashford Prep showing courage, teamwork, enjoyment and respect. We marked World Poetry Day with some weather poems. Danes continue to lead with the most good marks. Laurie is top of the individual leaderboard with Theo, Florian and George tied at a very close second.
We are delighted that Kate Carrington has confirmed that ballet will begin after half term. This will run from 1pm – 1.45pm on a Thursday afternoon. Please let Mrs Brown know if you would like your child to join this group and you haven’t yet confirmed.
A reminder that online parents’ evenings will run on Monday 18th and Tuesday 19th October from 4- 6pm. You will receive a portal notification to book your slots.
Music certificates
We are delighted to announce the following music exam results:
Arthur Huang (Block 2), Violin – Grade 4
Clara Montgomery (JL), Piano – Grade 2
Melody Flowers (Block 3), Violin – Grade 1
Georgie Carter (Block 2), Trumpet – Grade 1
Luna Sarafoglou (Block 3), Violin – Grade 1
Ralph Wainman (Block 4), Violin – Grade 1
Bruno Wainman (Block 4), Violin – Grade 1
Many pupils achieved a distinction in their examinations and our congratulations go to everyone for their achievements, commitment and hard work. Well done.
IAPS Cross Country @ Schools at Somerhill
On Thursday 10 pupils from Wellesley Haddon Dene travelled to Schools at Somerhill near Tonbridge to compete in the IAPS cross-country event. The weather was good but the notorious hills, as well as the water jump were still present. All of the pupils represented the school well and supported one another admirably. Particular mention must go to Caterina who finished 26th with her ever present smile. Well done to all of the competitors for what was a great day out. Please click here to enjoy a pupil account of the day.
Informal Concert
We were delighted to host our first informal concert of the new academic year in the Music School during Tuesday break. We had a range of performers from JH up to Block 1 with piano, guitar, trumpet, violin, sax, cello and harp all on display. It was a wonderful gathering – very well supported – and we congratulate all performers.
Various sports reports
Please find below some match reports, written by our pupils and shared verbally in the Headmaster’s Assembly by our pupils. We hope that you enjoy reading them – we clearly have some budding sports’ journalists in our school! Thank you to Algie and Reuben (JL), Greta (JL) and Georgie (Block 2) for writing these over the weekend.
U9 hockey v Dover College
2nd IX football v Dover College
U9 boys’ football Ashford festival
School This Week
Team of the Week
The ‘Team of the Week’ is announced at each Monday’s assembly. Congratulations to the performers from the Informal Concert: Stanislav Shatokhin, Hector Hulme (Block 1), Georgie Carter, Teegan Pretzlik, Raf Cable (Block 2), Kaspar Lear, Platon Shatokhin, Pip Viner (Block 3), Rose Symington-Mills, Joel Goncalves (Block 4), Laurence Symington-Mills (JH). They will be rewarded with cookies and juice with the Headmaster in the library during a break time this week.
Music
In the Headmaster’s Assembly, we were treated to Stanislav Shatokhin (Block 1) on the guitar who played “Funky Juan”. Very well done, Stas – everyone loved listening to your skilful and cool performance.
Mark Reading
For new parents, Mark Readings take place every 3 – 4 weeks where the pupils from JL to Block 1 receive marks from their teachers for their levels of effort and industry in lessons and with preps.
The first marks of term have been given and the standings (taking into consideration all industry and good and bad marks) are as follows:
1st | Danes |
2nd | Vikings |
3rd | Romans |
4th | Saxons |
Special mention goes to the following pupils who have achieved the highest set of marks for their year: Clara Montgomery (JL), Lottie Southorn and Rose Symington-Mills (Block 4), Freya Ralph (Block 3), Grace Flowers (Block 2) and Margot Grand and Anita Kheidorova (Block 1).
The highest performing form group (on average) was JL – congratulations to JL.
Year 6 to Dover Castle
On Tuesday 12th October, Block 3 will be travelling to Dover Castle for the morning. Children should come to school in the normal uniform, but be prepared for bad weather. We will be departing after the morning chapel and we will be returning after lunch. The children will be available for collection at the normal time.
School Council
The School Council met during Friday break in the library with newly elected representatives from each year group. The topic of conversation was far-reaching from pizza at lunch to use of the swimming pool and boarders’ evening activities. The Council will also be deciding upon charities to support throughout this academic year
Boarders’ weekend activities
On Sunday, our boarders enjoyed a trip to Clip and Climb at Dover Leisure Centre. It was the perfect activity for combining fun with being active whilst the weather was a bit wet. The children took it very seriously, and challenged themselves to be the fastest to climb up the highest wall. One of the borders managed an incredible 11-second climb (the national record being 2 seconds). Sunday evening was also very emotional as our international contingent watched the League of Nations’ final between Spain and France. No need to say, they slept well that night!
OW Golf Day at Royal St George’s
We are very much looking forward to welcoming 16 Old Welleslians to our annual OW golf day on Sunday at the world famous links in Sandwich. The players will enjoy (a famous RSG) lunch before participating in a stableford foursomes competition. Hugo Loudon and Andrew Cox will be trying to defend their title.
Menu
This week the kitchen will be serving Menu 3.
Senior School News
Tonbridge
This term, Tonbridge School has a range of dates where families can attend an Open Morning. Please click here for further information.
Benenden
Benenden is hosting a series of Open Days throughout the Michaelmas term and for further information please click here.
Matches This Week
Monday 11th October
Hockey Festival: U11 (a) 1:30pm
Wednesday 13th October
Soccer v St Edmund’s: 1st XI and 2nd IX (a)
Soccer v Dover College: Colts A (h)
Hockey v Northbourne: U9 (h)
Hockey v Dover College: U13A&B (a)
Saturday 16th October
Soccer 1st XI & 2nd IX Soccer v JKS (h)
Soccer Colts A, B and C v JKS (a)
Hockey v JKS U13 A, B & U11: venue tbc
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 email you each Tuesday morning with information regarding the recommended pick up time from Wellesley.
Matches Last Week
Fixture | Result |
Ashford Tournament: Colts A | Plate Runners Up |
Soccer v Dover College: 1st XI | Lost 4:2 |
Soccer v Dover College: 2nd XI | Won 6:2 |
Hockey v Northbourne: U11A | Drew 2:2 |
Hockey v Dover College: U9 | Won 3:0 |
Soccer: Ashford School Tournament: U9 | Plate semi finalists |
Hockey v Northbourne: U13A | Won 4:1 |
Hockey v Northbourne: U13B | Lost 4:2 |
Soccer v Northbourne: Colts A | Lost 2:3 |
Soccer v Northbourne: Colts B | Won 4:2 |