From the Headmaster’s Study
You may remember that last year we launched our INSPIRE lecture series – a series of talks delivered by members of our community (staff, parents, friends of Wellesley) to our pupils with the aim of deepening their knowledge and broadening their horizons.
On Thursday morning last week, we were delighted to welcome Mr Ben Pullen – a former Wellesley parent – who returned to deliver an INSPIRE lecture entitled “24 hours of Reality: Truth in Action” to pupils in Block 4 and above in the Old Hall. Over 2000 lectures and talks took place all around the globe (in Asia, Africa, America, Australasia and Europe) during a 24 hour period to promote a greater understanding of our environment and the impact of climate change. We were so privileged to be part of “The Climate Reality Project”. Mr Pullen was so impressed by the engagement and knowledge of our pupils throughout the lecture and the subsequent Q&A session. Further information can be found here.
Gavin Franklin
Dates for the diary
Save The Children Christmas Jumper Day
We will be having a school Christmas Jumper Day on Monday 9th December to raise money for Save the Children. Children are allowed to wear their home clothes to school on this day with a festive jumper or top. £1 will be added to the school bill for those that would like to take part.
School Last Week
Recent Reviews
Muddy Stilettos – Click here to read an excellent review of Wellesley written by the editor of Muddy Stilettos website who recently visited the school. The site is aimed at people moving out of London to Kent, and the review captures the essence of the school.
STOP PRESS: Wellesley Haddon Dene – top 50 cricketing prep schools
The Cricketer has published its Schools’ Guide 2020, featuring the top 100 senior and the top 50 prep schools in a bumper 124-page supplement. Wellesley Haddon Dene are delighted to have been included. It follows an exhaustive process, which saw a record number of schools submit entries to be included in the guide. All entries were judged against an extensive set of criteria, with the chosen schools having outstanding facilities, fixture programmes and coaching.
The Cricketer magazine editor Simon Hughes said: “The Schools Guide is, as ever, a fantastic publication that celebrates schools cricket and gives deserved praise to all those teachers and coaches who put in the hard work to develop our future club, county and international cricketers. Having watched many schools matches this summer I am pleased to report that the standard of cricket programmes and the level of passion for the game is as high as ever. Schools cricket has certainly benefited from this incredible year for the sport. Congratulations to all of the schools included and I look forward to hearing about all of your future successes.”
To visit The Cricketer website, please click HERE. Click here to order your copy of the magazine.
Friends of Wellesley Christmas Fair
Thank you to everyone who came to the Christmas Fair and for all those that helped whether behind the scenes or at a stall; it was hugely appreciated. It was brilliant to see the children having so much fun playing at each other’s stalls in Junior House and the choir added to the festive feel with their carol singing by the piano. The Old Hall was buzzing with Christmas shoppers at the wonderful variety of stalls on offer. It was a great day. Thank you also to Father Christmas for coming such a long way to see us!
Primary Maths Challenge
All of Block 3 and 4 took part in the Primary Maths Challenge on Friday 15th November. Well done to all who were recognised in Assembly, but a special mention to Alexander Long, Lilia Hunter and Stanislav Shatokhin who gained a Gold certificate. Raf Cable achieved the highest score in Block 4 and Stanislav Shatokhin in Block 3.
Mindful assembly
Last Tuesday, Ms Moosuddee led a whole school assembly about Mindfulness. We listened to some calming music and she talked us through a Body Scan reflection. We were taught how to practise mindful breathing using the Starfish Technique. We ended the session by thinking about positive energy and wrote down some positive affirmations about ourselves in preparation for exam week!
Study Skills
Last week Ms Moosuddee spoke to the Block 2s about Study Skills and together they focused on how to prepare best for exams and staying calm and mindful in the process. They looked at revision tips, how to develop better memory and Ms Moosuddee showed pupils some exercises which will help the brain to stay focused and on task.
Kent Netball
Congratulations to our captain of hockey, Amelia Lawton, for her selection into the Kent County netball squad.
Shooting
The captain of Shooting was appointed in Headmaster’s Assembly, congratulations to Oscar Vaughan. Amelia Lawton, Joe Dawson and William Norton were also awarded their colours. Well done to all.
School This Week
Team of the Week
This week we have two ‘Teams of the Week’. Well done to those involved in the Informal Concert and everyone who performed at the Stagecoach presentations. Congratulations also to the Chapel choir for their performance at Goodnestone Christmas Fair, and indeed, all of their stunning performances this term. They will all be rewarded with cookies and squash in the Headmaster’s drawing room during break one morning this week.
Monday Music
This week’s music was provided by Max Miller who played ‘Agincourt’ by Hammond on the piano. Well done, Max.
Swimming
Well done to those pupils from JB to Block 1 who were awarded Swimming certificates and badges in Monday’s assembly.
‘Finian’s Rainbow’ on DVD and USB drives
Copies of the play should be ready for delivery this week. If you have yet to order you still can by clicking here. The password to enter the Wellesley section is in the Weekly email from the office.
Middle School Play
Auditions are under way for the Middle School play, ‘What a Knight!’. Rehearsals will take place throughout next term before the performances at the end of term.
Form Plays
Saturday evening will see the annual theatrical extravaganza of the form plays. Scripts are being refined and rehearsals taking place in readiness for what is always a highly entertaining evening for the children and staff. The pick-up time for day children and weekly boarders from JL upwards will be at around 8.00pm.
Sunday Outing
The Sunday outing this weekend is to the pantomime at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury. We wish the boarders an enjoyable afternoon watching ‘Mother Goose’.
Menu
This week the kitchen will be serving Menu 3.
Matches last Week
Squash v King’s, Canterbury: 1st V | Lost 8-4 |
Hockey v Dover College: U13 A | Won 5-1 |
Hockey v Dover College: U13 B | Won 9-0 |
Hockey v Dover College: U9 | Won 4-2 |
Soccer v Dover College: 1st XI | Won 7-1 |
Soccer v Dover College: 2nd IX | Won 3-1 |
| Soccer v Dover College: Colts A | Drew 0-0 |
| Soccer v Dover College: Colts B | Won 1-0 |
| Soccer v Northbourne: U9 | Won 3-0 |
| Hockey v Northbourne: U13A | Won 8-3 |
| Hockey v St Lawrence College: U13 B | Won 9-0 |
| Rugby v King’s Rochester: U13 | Won 6-3 |
| Rugby v Ashford: U13 | Lost 3-6 |
| Rugby v JKS: U10 | Lost 3-4 |
| Rugby v JKS: U11 | Won 6-4 |
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 2nd December
3pm Hockey v St Lawrence College: U13 (a) Upper pitch
Wednesday 4th December
1.45pm Rugby v JKS: U13 (a)
Rugby v St Lawrence: U11 (a)