From the Headmaster’s Study
As the Michaelmas term 2020 draws to a close (with no sense of slowing down!) all that remains for me to say is THANK YOU to everyone within the Wellesley community. We have all faced challenges but the energy, progress and fulfillment that the pupils have displayed this term has been wonderful to see and I am sure you will join me in thanking our team of staff for all that they have done. Thank you also to you, the parents, for your support of our team throughout this term and we wish you a healthy and happy Christmas with your families.
Gavin Franklin
Future events
Friends of Wellesley Christmas Fair
For parents missing the opportunity to browse and order from the usual array of stalls, we are delighted to announce our first Wellesley Haddon Dene Christmas Gift Guide. Do please take a moment to look at the lovely gifts and treats … there is something for everyone.
Christmas Feast
The Christmas trees are now in place in the Dining room, Old Hall and Junior House and we are looking forward to the Christmas Feasts, where the pupils will enjoy a Festive banquet in the dining hall (with a speech from the Headmaster) followed by some games and Christmas music in the Old Hall.
The Middle school (JL, Block 4 and Block 3) will be enjoying their feast this evening (Monday 14th Dec). Collection will be at 7pm. Pick up for Block 1 and 2 will be as usual.
Block 1 and 2 will be enjoying their Christmas Feast tomorrow, (Tuesday 15th Dec). Again a reminder that day children should wear their best uniform; collection will be at 7pm. Pick up for the Middle School will be as usual.
Poetry recital preparations
Next term we will hold our annual Poetry Recital for those in JL and above. Early next term, the pupils will all perform their poem for the class. The best performances will then go through to the final round, where a winner will be picked by an external judge and their name inscribed on the Recital plaque (there is also a small prize).
It would be wonderful if you could manage to look at their poem with them over the holiday and help them to prepare their performance.
Final Assembly and Chapel
Final assemblies and chapels will be taking place for each bubble on the last day of term (Wednesday 16th Dec). All children from JL upwards should wear their best uniform.
End of Term arrangements
Pick up for JL upwards on Wednesday 16th December will be at 12.30pm on the school playing fields after the Middle and Senior school carol services.
School Last week
Michaelmas Art Exhibition 2020
It has been an incredibly productive time in the Art and Design studios this term. Although we haven’t been able to host a real exhibition we hope you enjoy this virtual one which showcases the broad curriculum and creative talents of Welleslians of all ages.
From Architecture to Surrealism, printmaking to plaster casting, students get to experience a diverse range of materials, techniques and ideas in both Art and Design Technology. Art history is also a key component of all lessons so that pupils are able to understand the work they make in class as part of a much wider cultural context. Below are a few of the topics covered by each year group from JR upwards:
JR: The World Around Us (Autumn) in Art and Material Studies (clay) in DT
JH: Expression and Colour in Art, Flying and Floating in DT
JL: Alternative Portraits in both Art and DT
Block 4: Surrealism in both Art and DT
Block 3: Pattern in Art and Perspective and Architecture in DT
Block 2: Abstraction in both Art and DT
Block 1: Natural Forms in Art and Design Challenges/Product Design in DT
As well as timetabled lessons many students opt to join one of the extra-curricular Art clubs for both Senior and Middle school. Creativity and curiosity are a very important part of learning at Wellesley Haddon Dene and we hope to share much more of the work we produce in the near future.
Have a great Christmas,
Mr Parfitt
Children’s Christmas Fair
Thank you to everyone for making the children’s Christmas Fair such fun. A huge thank you to the Friends of Wellesley for providing the prizes for each of the stalls and to all parents for your amazingly generous tombola donations. Thank you also to the tutors and their forms for the imaginative stalls that provided such great entertainment. The pupils loved the event and the Pre-prep will have the opportunity to enjoy the tombola (and remaining prizes) at their Christmas party this week.
Save The Children Christmas Jumper Day
A dazzling array of fabulous Christmas jumpers was on display last Thursday to raise money for Save the Children. From Mummy’s little pudding to sparkling reindeer, every bit of Christmas was covered. Thank you for your support.
Pre-prep dates for the diary:
Pre-prep christmas party: Tuesday 15th December (children may bring in party clothes to change in to)
End of term pick up on Wednesday 16th December from Junior House at 12pm
COVID-19
We thought that it would be valuable to share with parents our COVID-19 flow charts, which map out the necessary course of action, dependent on the situation for pupils and staff who are displaying COVID-19 symptoms in school.
Staff
Positive cases – children
Symptoms of COVID – children
School This Week
Monday Music
For the last Monday Music of term we were treated to some Adele – Rolling In The Deep…
After a very different type of term for the music department we really wanted to create something to show you how busy we have been. Our showcase presents talent from all ages and across the eclectic board of music. From Royal Blood to renaissance, Adele to arpeggios this really has it all…
Working closely with the peripatetic teachers we have curated a show which includes exam pieces, children’s own choice selections as well as ensembles which have been overseen by the fantastic staff we have here in the music department.
So sit back and enjoy the Wellesley Haddon Dene Winter Music Showcase 2020…
Thanet Foodbank
Mrs Hodges will be returning to volunteer at the Thanet food bank over the Christmas holidays so if you have any donations (cans and dried food etc), please leave it in the box outside the Junior House door. Donations of toys for the Salvation Army food bank are also welcomed. Any donations will be greatly received. Thank you in advance.
Mark Reading
The fourth and final marks of term have been given and the standings will be announced in the final assembly on Wednesday. Special mention goes to the following pupils who have achieved the highest set of marks for their year: Greta Grand, Joel Goncalves, Freya Ralph, Grace Flowers, William Franklin, Gracie Lawton and Bonnie Dong. The most improved pupils in each year group were Ralph Wainman, Luna Sarafoglou, Rio Goddard, Alejandra Novella and Summer Xu. The highest scoring tutor group was JL. Well done to everyone.
Lent Term
Boarders return to school at 6.30pm on the evening of Wednesday 13th January and day children return at 8.20am on Thursday 14th January. We wish you all a very happy Christmas and a peaceful new year.
Marshside Wreaths and Garlands
With Christmas fast approaching, if you would like to tick one job off the list, please head to Marshside Wreaths to order your handmade Christmas wreath and garland. Available from 1st December, bespoke door wreaths and garlands are individually handcrafted by one of Marshside’s qualified florists. Each one is different and fabulous darling! Prices start at £25 (small), £30 (medium) and £35 (large) and to place an order, please contact: awakeling442@gmail.com
Senior School News
Benenden is hosting a series of online Prospective Parent Open Mornings, please click here for dates and further information.
Wellington College very much hopes to be able to welcome visitors soon, however, in the interim please view their Virtual Visitors Day via this link.
The King’s School, Canterbury is holding a live virtual Open Morning on Saturday 6th March 2021 and you can register and request a Digital Information Pack by clicking here.
Eton College has introduced a 45-minute webcast that they hope will serve as some form of a virtual visit; it includes an interview with the Head Master, a tour of the school given by a Y9 boy, an explanation of our admissions process for parents, and a broader video about the school. These are broadcast at specific times via Zoom, and interested parties are asked to email admissions@etoncollege.org.uk in order to book into a webcast. Their prospectus has now been significantly condensed into what they hope is a rather more user-friendly document (and certainly more geared towards Y5 boys and their parents). Do let us know if you would like hard copies of the new version, which is also viewable at www.etoncollege.com/admissions/entry-to-eton.
Menu
This week the kitchen will be serving Menu 1
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.