From the Headmaster’s Study
We were delighted to welcome the pupils back this week – all of them seeming in excellent spirits, full of holiday stories. At our start of term staff meeting on Monday, I highlighted the excitement of the calendar year ahead and whilst planning and INSET days are essential, nothing provides staff with more energy and enthusiasm than the return of your children. Over the Christmas holiday, Claire and I had the opportunity to reflect on the considerable progress that we made as a school last term, in a number of areas, as we look to build on our outstanding provision. The superb carol service that so many of you attended was such a fitting way to conclude a fantastic Michaelmas term. We look forward to continuing this momentum and to providing your children with the best possible care and education. A real focus for 2020 is going to be on us promoting reading within our community and I begin the New Year by providing additional reading opportunities for our pupils in JL, Block 3 and Block 4 on a Friday morning after registration and before 1st lesson. For those parents who may be interested, this website provides some really useful ideas and recommendations for children. If you want further ideas on reading for your children at home, please do not hesitate to contact us. We wish you all a very happy and healthy 2020.
Gavin Franklin
School Last Week
Six of the best
Six of the best for this half term goes to Leo Xu (Block 2). It is a Cubist inspired abstract still life in mixed media. Mr Parfitt says “The whole of Block 2 have been a pleasure to work with so far this academic year. Their enthusiasm for Art and Design, their willingness to approach the subject with an open mind and their work ethic has made choosing a single piece very difficult. However, Leo has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to Art and Design since he started at Wellesley. He is already part of the Art Extension Group and Friday Art Club as well as making Art in his spare time. I’m really looking forward to seeing what he produces over the next two terms”. Well done, Leo.
Townsend Warner History Prize
Four pupils have taken the first paper for the Townsend Warner History Prize. This competition for prep school children began in 1886 and has been won five times by Wellesley pupils. Those who qualify from Paper 1, a general knowledge history paper consisting of 100 short questions from British and World history, will take Paper 2 later in the term.
Reverse Advent Calendar
Thank you to all Pre-prep parents, pupils and staff who donated food in our Reverse Advent Calendar during December. We collected a large amount of non-perishable goods and all the food has now been delivered to Thanet FoodLink and was very gratefully received.
Wellesley Challenge
The first round of the annual inter-set general knowledge quiz, the Wellesley Challenge, took place on Friday 10th January. The first match was tightly fought, with Vikings coming out the winners, scoring 290 points to Saxons 285. The second match was a bit more one sided. Danes scored a very healthy 210 points, but Romans romped home with an excellent 390 points. Romans will face Vikings in the final on the last Saturday of term and Saxons will face Danes for the 3rd/ 4th place play-off.
Chapel
In Chapel on Saturday, Mr Franklin addressed the school and focused on the bushfires that have been ravaging through Australia. He spoke not just of the effects of the fires, but of the reaction of the people – both in Australia and around the world – highlighting their determination and spirit to come together in the face of such adversity. We were also treated to a beautiful, unaccompanied rendition of Benjamin Britten’s anthem “A New Year Carol”. Well done to the choir.
Sunday Outing
The outing for the boarders this Sunday was to Dover Leisure Centre where they took part in inflatable fun in the pool and clip and climb.
School This Week
Coffee Morning
Do please join Mrs Franklin for her Coffee Morning in the Headmaster’s house (opposite the school office) after drop off this Friday 17th January. All are welcome and we look forward to seeing everyone who can make it.
Team of the Week
The winners of this week’s ‘Team of the Week’ are the 16 pupils who took part in the hard-fought Wellesley Challenge last Friday. They will be rewarded with cookies and squash in the Headmaster’s drawing room during a morning break.
Inspire Lecture: Mr N Duttson
As part of our Inspire Lecture programme we are looking forward to welcoming Mr Duttson on Friday evening. The Block 1 pupils will meet in the Headmaster’s house where they will learn more about diamonds and precious gems. After the presentation and Q&A session, pupils will be invited to stay for hot chocolate and cookies. Block 1 day pupils are also very much invited, please contact the office if you would like to come along.
Captain of Netball
Congratulations to Amelia Lawton, who has been announced as the captain of netball. We wish her and all the teams a successful season.
Scottish Dancing Rehearsals
Rehearsals take place on Tuesday 14th January in preparation for our Burns Night celebrations on Tuesday 21st January. The rehearsal for Block 3, Block 4 and JL is from 5.45 p.m. to 6.30 p.m., followed by Blocks 1 and 2 from 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. Please contact the office if you have any questions about these arrangements.
Middle School Play
Rehearsals for this year’s Middle School play, ‘What a Knight!’, have now begun. Rehearsals will take place mainly during the school day. We look forward to the performances at the end of term.
Friends of Wellesley
The Friends of Wellesley Quiz will be held on Friday 20th March at 7pm. Once again Jean Latteur and his team will host the evening, accompanied by delicious curry and fizz. Team tables can be organised for between 10-12 guests. Tickets are £20 per head. Please contact Belinda Wakeling, belindawakeling@hotmail.com , with your team name, details and money if you would like to take part.
Music Certificates
Congratulations Stas Shatokhin for passing his Grade 1 Piano and to Raf Cable for obtaining a merit in his Grade 1 piano with the Royal Associated Board of Music.
Sunday Outing
The outing for the boarders this Sunday will be to the cinema.
Menu
This week the kitchen will be serving Menu 2.
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.
Wednesday 15th January
Netball Dover College & SLC Triangular: U11 (a)
Rugby v Duke of York’s: U13 (a)
Rugby v St Lawrence and Ashford: U11 & U10 (a)
Saturday 18th January
Netball v Kent College: U13A (h)
Rugby v JKS: U13, U11 & U10 (h) – differs to printed calendar