From the Headmaster’s Study

We were delighted to welcome some pupils back to Wellesley on Monday morning. All of our returning pupils are based in Junior House (when not making the most of the grounds outside!) and we have prepared our facility to ensure all social distancing and hygiene can be factored in (a copy of our risk assessment is available for all to view on our website. This is a live (and fairly extensive!) document and contains some valuable information, so we do encourage all parents to read it – thank you. We very much look forward to welcoming more year groups back in due course, when permitted to do so.
Many of you will have fond memories of last year’s Speech Day and the inspiring words that we heard from our guest speaker. I took time in my virtual Assembly this morning to share with our pupils and staff the wonderful news of Old Welleslian, Georgina Harland, being appointed as chef de mission for Team GB in preparation for the Winter Olympics in Beijing 2022. You can read about her appointment here. In my Assembly, aside from highlighting Georgina’s success as an elite athlete herself, it was an opportunity to share with our community that Georgina becomes the first woman in British Olympics history to hold this position – testament to her determination, skill and hard work. We are all extremely proud to have Georgie as an Old Welleslian and we can all draw inspiration from her success and determination. Team GB could not be in safer hands.

Gavin Franklin

 

JDRM Gavin Portraits-2

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.

School Last week

Boarders’ Quiz Evening

Before half term, the boarders were all invited by Mrs Spencer and Mr Nichol to take part in a short “pub” quiz once the school day had ended on Thursday 21st May. It was a Battle of the Boarding Houses as the boys were pitted against the girls of the Orchard. Snacks were compulsory, with one quizzer tucking into strawberries dipped in chocolate mousse during the proceedings.
With questions ranging from Disney movie trivia, to how long Mr and Mrs Nichol have worked at Wellesley, the two rounds saw mixed results for the teams and eventually the boys finished victorious with one point over the girls. They will receive their prize as soon as we are able to be together again.
We saw commendable leadership on the girls’ team from Margot Grand and excellent teamwork from the boys, including an appearance from Barnaby Carter’s dog! It was a fun social event and we look forward, perhaps, to some of the girls being able to beat the boys in one of the leavers’ quiz challenges later this month.

Percussion Lesson

Mr Barnes produced this typically brilliant and inspiring video to encourage our pupils and families to try at home – do please have a go!

Wellesley Workout

Mr Longdon, with the help of some familiar faces, has put together an exercise video to help families prepare themselves physically for life after lockdown! Do take time to watch and have a go at some of the exercises, but please do not attempt anything too strenuous… Please click here to watch and enjoy!

Mental Health Awareness Week


I am both delighted and inspired by the amazing acts of kindness that so many of our pupils and wider community have demonstrated over the last few weeks. You are all a credit to your families and school and I am sure you’ll agree, it feels as lovely to be kind as it does to be the recipient of any act of kindness. Keep up the great work. If you would like to set a personal challenge, you may find this website useful, where you’ll be able to print off a month of Kindness Calendar for June!

School This Week

Common Entrance

As I type, the vast majority of our Block 1 (Year 8) pupils are heads down in their final moments of preparation and revision for their Common Entrance examinations, which begin on Tuesday, in the unprecedented situation of the papers being sat in the pupil’s home, invigilated by parents (and thank you to all parents for helping with this). Before the examinations begin, our congratulations go to our spirited Block 1 pupils, who have coped with the onset of online learning so admirably. So much has been debated about the future of Common Entrance and indeed, the value of terminal assessment, such as these. No matter what the opinion on this, and there are valid arguments on both sides, there are inevitable positives to the experiences of preparing for and sitting tests and exams, for example, the ability for an individual to “manage” their emotions, expectations and feelings throughout a period of “pressure”. Building character and resilience have always been (and will always be) an essential part of our aims here at Wellesley Haddon Dene. In the meantime, we wish all of our Block 1 pupils the very best for their exams and hope that they grow and learn as a result of the process.

Music on Monday

Music on Monday was provided by Suri Lear (JB) who played “Waterfall” on the violin. Well done, Suri. Also, Ms Greig played “Somewhere over the Rainbow” on the piano. 

Ebook by Bradfield teacher with proceeds going to NHS – features sports superstars!

The Head of Bradfield Sixth Form: Phil Clegg, and Old Bradfieldian: Laura Hutchinson, have written a charming illustrated children’s ebook featuring global sporting superstars:
· Jordan Henderson, Jack Wilshere and Danny Welbeck from football
· Joe Root, Mark Wood and Danni Wyatt from cricket and
· George Kruis, Tom Curry and Anthony Watson from rugby.
As the book is written for children aged 4-9, we thought you would like to know about it and hopefully promote it to your pupils and parents given it is for a wonderful cause.
The ebook launched on Amazon this week and only costs £3.99
100% of the proceeds are going to the NHS.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nightingales-Song-Phil-Clegg-ebook/dp/B088C414TQ

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:

The King’s School, Canterbury – the first digital Open Morning is scheduled for Saturday 13th June.

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.

Eastbourne College is holding a virtual Open Morning on Saturday 6th 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.

All fixtures cancelled.

On Social Media