From the Headmaster’s Study
What a fantastic week it was last week with the vast majority of our pupils back in situ at Wellesley and I commend everyone for the quick and smooth adjustment to school life. It was heartwarming to hear the laughter and buzz around the corridors, classrooms, boarding house and common rooms and to see all pupils active on the playing fields enjoying a mixture of netball, hockey, football, rounders and cricket, as well, of course, as each other’s company.
Gavin Franklin
announcements
Wellesley Haddon Dene cricket kit – Girls and Boys from JL upwards
With the Summer Term fast approaching and the return of school sports we wanted to remind those with children in JL upwards how to purchase the school cricket whites.
The kit comprises of a Wellesley Haddon Dene branded short sleeve match shirt, Wellesley Haddon Dene branded cricket whites (trousers) and a Wellesley Haddon Dene branded short-sleeved slipover. On colder days children would be welcome to wear a white skin in addition to the above.
All of the above items are available to buy online from the Wellesley Haddon Dene school shop, which can be accessed at Martin Berrill Sports. Delivery for all parents is free of charge if sent direct to school and will be sent home with day pupils for naming and trouser length alteration. These items are available to order now and please expect a 14 day turnaround.
Friends of Wellesley Quiz – Friday 19th March
We are very excited about our forthcoming online quiz this Friday 19th March. Thank you to everyone who has signed up. If you would still like to join in please email marketing@wellesleyhouse.net . A gentle reminder to those who have signed up that payment details for quiz tickets and raffle tickets are on the latest letter from the Friends of Wellesley here. We have some fabulous raffle prizes up for grabs so please email marketing@wellsleyhouse.net if you would like to purchase some tickets which are £1 each.
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
Positive cases – boarders
Symptoms of COVID – children
School Last Week
News From Pre-Prep
It has been fantastic to welcome old and new pupils to Junior House. Everyone has settled back so happily and enjoyed delicious lunches, cricket sessions (with a coaching appearance from the Headmaster), Forest School and fun filled after school club. In our first Pre-prep assembly of the term we looked at the origins of Mothering Sunday and I hope all Mums will appreciate the cards and goodies children have been making during the week!
Pre-prep set marks for this week: 1st Vikings, 2nd Danes, 3rd Saxons, 4th Romans.
Forthcoming dates for the Pre-prep diary:
Friday 19th March – Red nose day. We will be asking children to take part in a sponsored obstacle course during the day. Children will be receiving a sponsor form during this week. We will be selling red noses at the Pre-prep front door from Monday 8th March. The cost is £1.50 and you are welcome to add the payment to your bill or pay for the noses on the door.
Wednesday 24th March – Pre-prep easter egg hunt.
British Science Week
A variety of activities took place last week for British Science Week including engineering challenges, tower construction, raft building, wildlife conservation, designing futuristic classrooms, and experiments with density. The Pre-prep had fun designing robots and I am pleased to see so many budding scientists of the future. Thank you for everyone who entered the national poster competition; wishing you all the best of luck!
School This Week
Deputy Heads
Congratulations to Reuben Okotie and Mia Otley who have been appointed deputy heads of school for the Lent Term.
6 of the Best
This term’s belated Six of the Best is awarded to Gracie Lawton for her charming little acrylic painting of a pig. It is technically very well painted and Gracie has clearly put a huge amount of effort into it. As always choosing one piece of work is very difficult, but Mr Parfitt was keen to select something made during lockdown. Gracie’s painting was not set as a lesson, but painted entirely because it is something she loves to do. It is that extra effort, that enthusiasm which makes this modest painting so special. Mr Parfitt would also like to acknowledge Matthew McBride, Amelia Rowe, Margot and Greta Grand who did some terrific work during lockdown. He was spoilt for choice this term!
Wellesley Challenge
Wellesley ChallengeThe Middle School Final rounds of this year’s rather unusual Wellesley challenge took place on Friday afternoon, watched by all members of the Middle School. In the first match, Vikings met Danes for the 3rd/4th places. The match was neck and neck throughout the 20 minute match, but in the quick-fire final sequence, Danes pipped Vikings at the post. Well done to Heath and Reuben for Vikings and Grace for Danes for scoring so well for their sets.In the final itself, it was a similar story. Both teams were well matched throughout and scores were very close. Again it was in the final few minutes of the quick-fire round, that in this case Raf’s buzzer finger worked overtime and he led Romans to a good win.
Result:
1st Romans Raf Cable, Anaia Beckett and Barnaby Williams
2nd Saxons Will Franklin, Georgie Carter and Max Miller
3rd Danes Grace Flowers, Melody Flowers and Freya Ralph
4th Vikings Felix Butterfill, Reuben Carss and Heath Voisey-Stovell
Additional Lessons
Please note all additional Maths and English sessions will resume after the Easter holidays. If you would like your child to receive any additional sessions please contact Ms Moosuddee- AENCo
Menu
This week the kitchen will be serving Menu 2.
Senior School News
Eastbourne College has sent details of their newly released film and booklet on all things Eastbourne. With an ethos very similar to Wellesley, for further information, please contact admissions@eastbourne-college.co.uk.
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.
Eton College has introduced a 45-minute webcast which includes an interview with the Headmaster, a tour of the school given by a Y9 boy, an explanation of the admissions process for parents, and a broader video about the school. For further information, please contact admissions@etoncollege.org.uk in order to book into a webcast.
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.