From the Headmaster’s Study

A number of our Block 1 pupils have been away at scholarship or assessment days over the past two weeks. These can be daunting and nerve-racking experiences for any 13 year old, however, I remain so impressed by the courage and determination that they demonstrate in accepting these challenges head on. We are proud of them all for their efforts.
I was asked recently to write an article for a schools’ magazine on a specified subject loosely based around how best to support your child fulfilling their potential. Should any of you be interested in reading the article, it can be found here.

Gavin Franklin

 

JDRM Gavin Portraits-2

Upcoming Events

NEXT STEPS: THE BOARDING OPTION

A chance to discover how modern independent schools
prepare young people to be the next business leaders
Saturday 21 March, 10.30am
Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York’s HQ,
King’s Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 4RY
Info and booking: www.benenden.school/next 

Easter cricket course

After the huge success of last year’s course, we are delighted to announce the dates for our Easter Cricket course – Monday 20th April and Tuesday 21st April 2020. This follows the news that Wellesley has been recognised by the internationally renowned magazine, “The Cricketer”, as one of the top 50 cricket playing prep schools in the UK. The full article can be downloaded here. The course is for boys and girls of all levels, aged between 6 and 13, and will be led by Wellesley’s team of qualified and experienced coaches. Please click here for full details on the course.  The booking form can be found by clicking here.

The Friends of Wellesley Quiz

The Friends of Wellesley Quiz will be held on Friday 20th March at 7pm. Once again Jean Latteur and his team will host the evening, accompanied by delicious curry and fizz. Team tables can be organised for between 10-12 guests. Tickets are £20 per head. Please contact Belinda Wakeling, belindawakeling@hotmail.com, with your team name, details and money if you would like to take part.

School Last Week

General Knowledge

The annual SATIPS General Knowledge Challenge took place last week. 10 children from the Senior and Middle Schools answered 100 demanding General Knowledge questions in this nationwide competition. The results should be with us before the end of term.

Squash v Parents

Although the overall score was a 5 – 7 loss, it was a match of two halves. The first round of matches against respective parents was lost by the boys 1 – 5, but the second round of matches was won 4 – 2. Many thanks to the parents and friends for playing and well done to the boys, who once again represented the school well and gave their all in what were often some very tough matches. The matches were good practice for the next two matches, this week and next, in which they will be playing older and often much stronger and faster children.
Thank you to the following for playing: Billy Miles, Edward Norton, Mr Dhesi, Mr Heming, Mr Brown and Mr Franklin

Welcome Miss Archibald

On Friday, we welcomed the arrival of our second gappy from Australia, Miss Arabella Archibald. A lover of music, sport and dogs(!), we wish her a happy time here; she is already proving very popular with the pupils.

Sunday Outing

The boarders went to the cinema on Sunday for an afternoon enjoying “Dolittle”. Thank you to Mr Waldie for organising the trip and to Mrs Spencer for accompanying them.

School This Week

JL & Block 4 Parent/Teacher Meetings

This week there will be a Parent/Teacher meeting for JL & Block 4. The meeting takes place on Saturday morning at 11.45 am in the Old Hall.

Team Photos

Team photos take place this Wednesday, not next week as it appears on the printed calendar.

Poetry Recitation Competition

The Poetry Recitation Competition takes place this coming Friday with a 6 pm start. We look forward to welcoming our adjudicator, Anthony Lyons, who is the Head of English at the King’s School, Canterbury. Competition to qualify has been very fierce: we congratulate those who have reached the final and wish them good luck. All parents are welcome to attend and there will be refreshments in the Library at the end of the recitation.

Team of the Week

The winners of this week’s ‘Team of the Week’ are the boys’ Foster Cup rugby team after winning the Plate competition. They will enjoy cookies and squash in the Headmaster’s drawing room at a break time this week. Well done, boys.

Scientist of the Month

Well done to Platon Shatokhin, who was announced by Miss Wallace in Monday’s assembly as Scientist of the Month for January.

Netball Colours

Congratulations to captain Amelia Lawton and Katie Baird who were awarded their colours for netball in this morning’s assembly.

Music on Monday

Music on Monday was provided by Mr Barnes going out of his comfort zone behind the kit and playing a Traditional Spanish piece on guitar!

Scholarships

Further Scholarship assessments are taking place this week, with children travelling to their senior schools to compete for art, sport, drama and academic awards. We wish each of the candidates success.

Sunday Outing

The boarders will be travelling to Gillingham on Sunday for an adrenaline-filled trip to the Soar Trampoline Park.

Everest in the Alps Ski Touring Challenge

Described as the toughest four days on skis, current Wellesley parents, Colin and Camilla Norton will be joining illustrious team members who have completed this monumental ascent and face the height of Everest for the ultimate winter endurance challenge. Fighting their way up 2200m vertical per day for four consecutive days they will be driven onward by the desire to raise funds for the Silas Pullen Fund and the Everest Centre, both of which work to raise awareness, fund and carry out research to find cures for brain tumours. Please click here for further information.

Menu

This week the kitchen will be serving Menu 2.

Matches Last Week

 

Wednesday 29th January

 

Foster Cup: U13 

Won the plate

Netball v Northbourne: U13A 

Won 15-14

Netball v St Faith’s: U11

Lost 0-20

Rugby Festival v Northbourne: U11 

Drew 1, lost 3

Thursday 30th January

 

Netball v St Faith’s: U9 

Lost 1-7

Saturday 1st February

 

Rugby Fledgling Festival Ashford: U9/U8 

Awarded ‘Played in the spirit of the game’

Squash v Parents

Lost 5-7

Netball v JKS: U13A 

Won 10-7

 

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.

 

 

Tuesday 4th February

 

Squash v St Lawrence: 1st V (a)

(Note: 2.45 pm start)

Wednesday 5th February

 

Netball v Northbourne: U11 (h)

 

Netball v Dover College: U9 (a)

 

Netball v St Lawrence: U13A (h)

 

Rugby Milner Cup at Junior King’s: U11 (a)

(Note: 2.00 pm start)

Rugby v Dover College: U13 (a)

 

Saturday 8th February

 

Netball v Duke of York: U13 (h)

(Note: 2.00 pm start)

Rugby v Northbourne: U11 (h)

 

Rugby v Northbourne: U13 (a)

 

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