From the Headmaster’s Study
Throughout the period of school closure, we have closely been following government guidance and advice – which is dynamic and continues to evolve. We have been delighted to provide education and supervision for Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 pupils at school since the 1st June and our staff continue to do their best to provide a stimulating and engaging remote programme for other year groups.
With some recent changes to Government wording and guidance, we are now exploring the possibility of a wider re-opening of Wellesley Haddon Dene (for more year groups than Reception, Year 1 and Year 6) and are planning for this possibility, with the health and safety of the Wellesley community at the forefront of our minds. We are still awaiting authorisation and confirmation that we can welcome back year groups outside of Reception, Year 1 and Year 6, but in the meantime, I will be emailing a brief survey for parents to complete, to ascertain your thoughts on whether – if it was possible – your child would return to school from Monday 22nd June for the final week and a half of term. Further information will follow in my email.
Please understand that this wider opening is not definite as we await formal authorisation to enable us to do so and any return to school will be based on the same thorough (dynamic) risk assessment that I have shared with you previously.
Gavin Franklin
Digital Open Day
We have put together a Digital Open Day Pack for prospective parents. It includes a video introduction to the school, a link to our virtual prospectus and an invitation to a virtual meeting with our Headmaster. If you know anyone who may be interested in the school, please ask them to email: admissions@wellesleyhouse.net.
Virtual Speech Day
Sadly, we will be unable to meet physically as a full school community by the end of this term, so we are currently putting together a Virtual Speech Day that all families (and extended families) will be able to enjoy and access together at the end of term. It is very important to us that our Leavers and pupils can be recognised in this way. Finer details are to follow, but the Virtual Speech Day is likely to be made available / accessible on Wednesday 1st July at a time to be confirmed. The idea will be for pupils, siblings and parents to watch the (pre-recorded) Speech Day at the same time as other families from the luxury of their own homes. More information will follow.
Whole School Photograph
We would like to try to put together a virtual whole school photograph. If you would like to take part please take a head and shoulders portrait of your child. They should be in best uniform if possible, or normal uniform for pre-prep, in front of a plain background. Please send your photos to dcs@wellesleyhouse.net.
School Last week
Leavers’ Programme
Block 1 pupils began their post CE programme last week, kicking off with a British Sign Language (BSL) workshop given by Mr Shaddick, one of our Pre Prep parents. They learned about the mechanics of hearing, why some people are deaf and how they go about their daily lives. They also learned the BSL alphabet and were able to wish Mola Etan a “Happy Birthday” in sign language, as he was celebrating becoming a teenager that day. We are so grateful to Mr Shaddick for sharing his expertise with us as a BSL interpreter.
The pupils also completed an Emoji Challenge – a live team game which saw them having to decipher film and nursery rhyme titles that were written only using Emojis. Some entertaining answers were put forward, but in the end it was Harry Heming, Tom Leonard and Amelia Lawton that finished victorious, and those three can expect a small prize in the post soon!
On top of this they have enjoyed learning their Leavers’ Song remotely, have been working on a video project, took part in a live sugarcraft workshop and competed in the Leavers’ Bake Off. Here is a video of showing some of the bakes created by the Block 1 pupils.
We would also like to say thank you to Mrs Wainman for her wonderful Introduction to Mandarin Chinese on Friday. It was so fascinating learning about this language and how the characters and words are formed.
More to come this week for Block 1, as they enjoy a live percussion workshop and the Dragon’s Appentice project. Well done to all the pupils who have been getting fully involved in the activities on offer. We have been so impressed with your good spirit and enthusiasm so far.
History – Norse Myths
This week, Block 4 have been studying the Norse Myths. This topic is a favourite for many of them and Georgie Carter in particular. Georgie put together his own presentation and taught a lesson online during a live meet with his peers. The stories were entertaining and provided a fascinating look into the culture of the Vikings. The work inspired others in the class to get creative and some of the work is featured.
School This Week
Music on Monday
Music on Monday was provided by Polly Reed (JH) who played ‘Merrily’ on the Flute. Well done, Polly.
Thanet Schools Art Festival
Every year, Wellesley Haddon Dene enters the Thanet Schools Art Festival exhibition. This is an open event and attracts around fifty schools from the area with hundreds of students taking part in an exhibition. Last year over 40,000 people attended the event with two of our students winning awards for their work. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic the event has not been able to culminate in an exhibition this year; however, The Rotary Club in collaboration with The Margate School have created an online version of this fabulous event. This year, we entered work by eleven students that attend either the Monday Art Club, Reception or Friday Art Club. The event had three themes depending on the age of the student: Flowers, Birds and Insects, Picasso Style Portraits or Metamorphosis. Please follow the instructions below to view the work and well done to everyone involved.
- Click on link https://www.themargateschool.com
- Click on ‘TMS Cloud Gallery’ on the top of the home page.
- Type in password: TMS2020
- Click on schools to view work
- Click on painting for name of entrant.
Additional Information and Events
Social Media
As we cannot see you in person at the moment, we want you to be aware of much of the fun activity that is taking place within our community. A snapshot of this is communicated through our social media channels facebook, twitter and instagram. Do please follow us and share these links with your families should you wish and we hope that you enjoy some of the footage and information!
Billings and Edmonds – Uniform
The school uniform supplier, Billings and Edmonds is currently offering the following promotions:
10% discount on all online orders placed before 30th June 2020.
5% discount on all online orders placed during July 2020.
Items can be returned (for a refund or exchange) for a period of 6 months after the purchase date (please refer to their website for full Ts and Cs).
For a limited period only, free delivery to a UK address is offered.
If you are planning to visit the Chiswick store (please note this is the only branch to stock Wellesley Haddon Dene uniform), an online appointment system is being launched later this month. You must make an appointment prior to visiting and please click here to book or contact the store on 020 8742 0201. For further details, please visit their website.
Senior School Virtual Open Days
Parents with children in Year 4 upwards may be interested in accessing the following virtual Senior School Open Mornings:
Harrow School – is hosting weekly live Q&A sessions. Dr Sie, Registrar will be virtually meeting with prospective parents each Tuesday afternoon. The sessions start at 2pm and last for half an hour. No need to register, please just click here.
Sevenoaks School – Mrs Arabella Stuart, Director of Admissions, is hosting online presentations every Wednesday at 1pm (UK time).
Tonbridge is offering virtual tours with online Meet the Headmaster sessions where you will hear from Mr James Priory and have the opportunity to ask questions. Please visit their website for booking information.
Earlier this month, Wellington College held its first Virtual Visitors Day. Mr Ed Venables, Director of Admissions is available for daily question and answer sessions. Further Virtual Visitor Days are being scheduled – please see their website for further details..
Benenden School is hosting a live video Open Morning on Tuesday 16th June.
Please visit the appropriate website and ensure you book in advance to avoid disappointment.
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.