From the Headmaster’s Study
We are delighted to welcome more pupils back to Wellesley this week, whilst also accommodating pupils who continue with Wellesley Online. This is a reminder to put into your diary our Virtual Speech Day. We will be encouraging you to share the link (that you will receive in advance of the event) with extended members of your family who may be interested in watching our Speech Day and seeing what the pupils have been up to throughout the year. Please note that in the final week of term, Wednesday will remain as a half day, as it has done throughout this term. Also, I would like to confirm that the end of term will be at 1300 on Thursday 2nd July, slightly later than is published in the calendar. The Wellesley Weather Watch tells me that we have a wonderful week of sunshine ahead, so I really do hope that you are able to enjoy it.
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 will be made available / accessible on Wednesday 1st July at a time to be confirmed (probably 5.30pm). 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 by Friday 26th June.
Cricket Tour
You will remember that our cricketers were fortunate enough to tour South Africa in February half term. Here is a video review of their tour, with thanks to James Heming for putting together the footage and sharing it with us.
Old Welleslian selected in the England cricket squad
We are delighted that Ollie Robinson (OW) has been included in England’s 30 man training squad for this Summer’s Test series against the West Indies. After leaving Wellesley, Ollie headed to the King’s School, Canterbury and through his performances for Sussex CCC, he has been selected into this squad. We hope that he follows in the illustrious footsteps of other Welleslians to represent England at cricket (Chris Cowdrey and Alex Loudon in more recent times).
https://www.ecb.co.uk/england/men/news/1683185/england-men-name-behind-closed-doors-training-group-ahead-of-first-test-against-west-indies
School Last week
Leavers’ Programme
Block 1 pupils continued with their programme of activities last week, kicking off with a percussion workshop with Mr Barnes. The majority of the week was dedicated to the Dragon’s Apprentice, a business planning project led by Miss Laurans and with workshops and tutorials given by Mrs McDermott, Mrs Rushworth (our marketing and communications manager), and Mr Martin on areas such as advertising strategy, persuasive language in pitches and multimedia presentations. They submitted pre-recorded pitches for their products to three “Dragons” over the weekend, who then grilled them on their business plans on Monday morning. We were proud to announce that the winning business team was made up of Tom Leonard, William Norton, Oscar Vaughan and Joe Dawson with their product, Holochess. Holochess is a hologram chess board system, controlled by mobile phones, that allows players to compete remotely while still being able to enjoy the 3D aspect of the game. Their pitch was very impressive and they had clearly worked hard on it.
The other teams did very well too, and the decision was not easy for our three Dragons. Special mention must go to Cameron, Harry and Raul’s team, who showed great organisational skills and commitment to the project. I believe they were close runners-up. Thank you to our wonderful Dragons for their time and business advice. Thanks also to the staff who offered workshops and tutorials, and well done to Miss Laurans for organising the entrepreneurs whilst still teaching and writing reports!
I wonder if we might see some of these products appear on the market in ten years’ time?
Story Telling
Every week pupils in Mr Longdon and Mr Waldie’s Bubble (Year 6 and Key Worker Children) have narrated and acted out a story book for the Pre-prep children.
Here is this week’s effort – it is well worth a watch!
Shooting Competition
Wellesley Haddon Dene came 6th in the Spring 2020 St Patrick’s Shield .22 rifle competition. Oscar Vaughan, our Captain scored an impressive 96/100 and Manuel Sanchez scored 94/100.
School This Week
Music on Monday
Music on Monday was provided by Max Miller (Block 4) who played ‘Demons’ by Imagine Dragons on the Piano. Well done, Max.
The Wellesley Voice
The Wellesley reporters have been busy researching and writing articles for the first ever all digital version of the Wellesley Voice. Not too long now until it is published…
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.
Wellington College – 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..
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.