From the Headmaster’s Study
Thank you all for your wonderful support during Speech and Sports weekend which concluded with a meaningful and poignant Leavers’ Chapel service yesterday evening. All weekend, we were blessed with the weather and our pupils conducted themselves superbly. The performances on stage and on the athletics track were astonishing but I was most impressed by the tremendous support that all of the pupils (and staff) gave to each other. I meant everything that I said in the Sports Hall on Saturday morning – I could not be more proud to lead this community. Thank you for your feedback of the weekend and for your tremendous support of our team.
Gavin Franklin
School Last Week
Speech Day and Sports Weekend
Congratulations to all the prize winners and thank you for all the support from parents. Speech and Sports Day went very well and was enjoyed by families and staff alike on the hottest day of the year. We would particularly like to thank the guest speaker, Old Welleslian and Modern Pentathlon Olympic medallist Georgina Harland, who is GB Deputy Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020. She spoke about the competition in Athens in 2004, with the help of several members of the school kitted out for the various events. She then talked about having a dream and the determination and courage needed to achieve it.
On the athletics field, particular mention should be made of Toni Alaka, who broke the school record for the 300 metres, and Gigi Dunbar Johnson, who equalled the previous record in the same race.
On Sunday the traditional parents’ cricket match took place. The boys just prevailed over their fathers and other family members in a high-scoring contest.
The art work on display over the weekend demonstrated the ability and imagination that the children possess, and the weekend came to a close with the evening chapel service. The choir demonstrated again how talented they are with their beautiful singing, and we thank The Reverend Tim Novis, Senior Chaplain of Marlborough College, for his address in which he talked about the Indian water-bearer in the story of ‘The Cracked Pot’ to emphasise that we all have imperfections, but that perceived weaknesses can in fact be strengths.
Leavers’ Activity Programme
Mrs Spencer’s programme of activities for the leavers continued on Monday with an outing to SOAR Trampoline Park in Gillingham in the morning and then a trip to the Palace Cinema in Broadstairs in the afternoon for a private showing of ‘The Kid Who Would Be King. On Wednesday they walked from Ramsgate to Broadstairs and on Thursday morning they accompanied Mr Longdon and his helpers for a ‘Beach Fun Morning’. This was followed on Thursday afternoon with ‘The Gaming Vault’.
Junior Choir
The Junior Choir combined with St Mildred’s Primary School for a choral workshop on Monday afternoon, finishing with a short recital. Thank you to Mrs Spencer for organising this event.
Tennis
Congratulations to the girls’ tennis team, who performed extremely well in the county play-offs of the Kent League Under 13 Girls Division 2 on Tuesday at Polo Farm. Competing against five other teams, they won four of their matches to finish in 2nd place. Team: Ella Yu, Mia Otley, Ines Vaes Somolinos, April Ma and Gigi Dunbar Johnson.
Set Shout
The Set Shout took place on Tuesday, with rehearsals concentrated into the morning and the competition taking place in the afternoon. The standard was excellent, with Vikings deemed as winners for their performance of S Club 7’s ‘Reach’. Vikings will be heard singing their song at the End of Term Concert.
Block 3 Camping
The Block 3 children were away from school from Wednesday until Friday for the annual camping trip we particularly thank Mr and Mrs Long who hosted the campers. They were set the tasks of erecting their own tents and gathering fire wood, so that the evenings could be spent around the camp-fire, singing songs and telling ghost stories. They also had a farm visit which included picking strawberries and a tour round the orchards and packing house. Thank you to Mr Kearns, Miss Wallace and Mme Laurans for running the trip.
School This Week
Team of the Week
The final ‘Team of the Week’ for this year is the grounds and maintenance staff for their tireless efforts throughout the year.
Art
On Monday, Mr Parfitt will be running an all-day art workshop. Ten of our Block 1 pupils will working alongside thirty Year 6 pupils and two staff from Holy Trinity School in Ramsgate.
Athletics
Good luck to Toni Alaka, Gigi Dunbar Johnson, Amelia Lawton and William Norton, who are taking part in the National Prep Schools Athletics Championships in Birmingham on Monday. Toni will compete in the 200 metres and triple jump, Gigi runs in the hurdles and 100 metres, Amelia takes part in the shot put, while William will be going for honours in the long jump.
Cricket Quadrangular
The 1st XI conclude their season on Monday with a very early start for the annual Quadrangular tournament, which takes place this year at Ludgrove School. The weather forecast is promising and we look forward to an excellent day’s cricket. The other schools that take part are Cheam and Elstree, and the first match is scheduled to begin at 10.30 a.m.
Leavers’ Activity Programme
The final activities for the leavers take place across the week. On Monday, those not involved in cricket, athletics or the Art workshop will be taking part in a coastal walk from St Margaret’s at Cliffe to Sandwich. On Tuesday evening some of last year’s leavers will be talking about their own experience of the transition from Prep School to Public School. The traditional Leavers’ Dinner takes place on Wednesday evening and the week, and their time at Wellesley, draws to a conclusion with lunch accompanied by parents and staff on Thursday, following their performance of the Leavers’ Song at the End of Term Concert.
Block 4 Trip to France
Members of Block 4 depart early on Tuesday morning to spend the day in Calais with Mr Latteur and Mme Laurans. Bon voyage!
Swimming Sports
The annual Swimming Sports will take place on Wednesday morning. The early start will allow the winners of the Set Competition for the whole year to celebrate with a barbecue at lunchtime. When not themselves swimming, competitors will be supporting (noisily) from poolside. All parents are very welcome to spectate. Races begin at 10.00 am.
End of Term
The final event of the school year for most of the children is the End of Term Concert, which takes place on Thursday in the Sports Hall, starting at 11.00 am. All parents are very welcome to attend. Term ends at 12.30pm on Thursday for all except Block 1 who have their Leavers’ Lunch.
Menu
This week the kitchen will be serving Menu 1.
Matches Last Week
Wednesday 26th June
Cricket v Chatham & Clarendon GS: 1st XI – won by 6 wickets
Cricket v Dover College: U9 A – won by 19 runs
Cricket v Dover College: U9 B – lost by 12 runs
Thursday 27th June
Cricket v Spring Grove: U9 A – won by 19 runs
Cricket v Spring Grove: U9 B – lost by 20 runs
Friday 28th June
Cricket v Sunningdale: 1st XI – lost by 3 wickets
Sunday 30th June
Cricket v Fathers: 1st XI – won by 1 wicket
Live Cricket Scores
We are now using a live scoring system for some of our cricket matches. You can follow the action ball by ball by downloading the “Play-Cricket Live” app. Please use the links or scan the QR code. Once you have installed the app, search for “Wellesley Haddon Dene”, and any upcoming matches that are being live scored will appear.
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.
Monday 1st July
Cricket Quadrangular at Ludgrove: 1st X1 (a) (Note: 10.30 a.m. start)
Wednesday 3rd July
Swimming Sports (Note: 10.00 a.m. start)