From the Headmaster’s Study
I hope that you and your children enjoyed the half term week. I took great pride in reflecting on the efforts of many within our community from the 1st half of this term and thoroughly enjoyed watching the “art expo” that Mr Parfitt has shared (see below), along with the “Get Wellesley Fit” half term challenge set by Mr Longdon. I know that a number of people have uploaded their physical activity – no matter how rigorous (or not in my case!) that may have been…
We wait with great anticipation for the Government’s announcement this evening with regards to school re-openings and will be in touch with all of our parents when we have had the opportunity to take in the information and proposed way forward. It goes without saying that we are looking forward to the time when we can welcome all pupils back to Wellelsey safely.
Gavin Franklin
Wellesley Online
Our teaching staff have worked hard to produce this reader friendly guide to our remote teaching and learning programme. The booklet contains several valuable hyperlinks for your information. Click on the image to view.
announcements
Parent Info – e-safety
We have added a page to our website to help with managing e-safety at home. Click here to view.
JL Parent/Teacher Meetings
On Wednesday 3rd March we will be holding the JL parent/teacher meetings. Starting at 2pm, parents/guardians will be invited to book their appointments via the parent portal. Once appointments have been booked, an appointment schedule will be sent to parents/guardians which will also include the necessary links to join the meetings. Prior to next Wednesday, if you have any questions, please contact Mrs Baird via hmsecretary@wellesleyhouse.net.
Please note that the Block 1 meetings will take place after the mock exams (2nd – 5th March).
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 Last Week
News from Pre-Prep
Last week the nursery and key worker children enjoyed tasting a range of Chinese food to mark Chinese new year. There were some very enthusiastic noodle eaters! Over half term children have been sending their pictures of pancake making for Shrove Tuesday.
This week we welcome Mrs Jasmin Chiaramello to our Pre-prep staff team. Jasmin will be working with our youngest nursery children and we offer her a warm Wellesley welcome!
We are very excited that this week all the Pre-prep children will have the chance to have an online meet with the author and illustrator Steve Antony. Steve will be reading his story, ‘The Queen’s Hat’ and will also answer the children’s questions. The following week we will be marking World Book Day. Our theme this year is, ‘Once upon a time’ and the children can dress up as a character from a fairy tale. Lots of Wellesley staff have kindly agreed to record themselves reading their favourite tales for the Pre-prep children.
Thank you to all families who have sent in pictures and evidence of activities they have completed over half term. If you haven’t already, please remember to return your 20 life skills challenge sheet so prizes can be awarded. The Pre-prep teachers are very much hoping everyone learnt how to do up shoelaces so they will no longer need to tie up the laces on muddy football boots!
School This Week
Study Skills
On Thursday 25th February Ms Moosuddee will be leading a Study Skills session for Block 1 pupils via a Google Meet. This is a great opportunity for your child to go through any questions they may have about revising and Ms Moosuddee will be going through strategies they can adopt to get the best out of their revision time. Please remind your Block 1 children to tune in to the Meet at 11.20am.
Lockdown Activities
Atom Learning has rolled-out a programme of supplementary learning workshops, available on-line. Aimed at children aged 7 to 11, subjects cover English, maths, reasoning and even creative writing, please click here for further information.
OW News
We are always pleased to receive news from OWs and were delighted to hear that following his studies at The King’s School, Canterbury, Kevin Wu has received an offer from Queen’s, Cambridge to read Natural Sciences. Our congratulations go to Kevin on his superb achievement.
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.
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 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.