From the Headmaster’s Study
As I type, the vast majority of our Block 1 (Year 8) pupils are in the Old Hall heads down in Common Entrance papers, which will subsequently be marked by the Senior School to which they are (hopefully) destined. So much has been debated about the future of Common Entrance and indeed (as the majority of the rest of our school prepare for internal exams next week), 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 pupils the very best for their exams and hope that they grow and learn as a result of the process.
Gavin Franklin
Notices
Additional Fixture
The Colts A cricket team will playing their Summers Cup semi-final against New Beacon on Thursday at Wellesley, with a 3.00 p.m. start. However, their fixture on Wednesday against Dover College has been cancelled.
School Last Week
Half-Term Sports and Activities Week
The sports and activities week during half-term was a great success. Mr Longdon, with the help at various times of Miss Wallace, Mr Waldie, Mr Franklin, Mr Matthews, Mr Tonkiss and Mr Fagg organised a range of activities including Cricket, Crafting, Tennis, Arts & Crafts, Swimming, Boxing and Beach School.
Block 3 Trip to France
On the Tuesday before the half-term break, Block 3 left school very early to spend the day in France. They carried out a survey in French at a shopping centre outside Boulogne, and then visited Nausicaa, the National Sea Centre, before returning on the ferry to complete a long but productive day.
Governors’ Day
On Wednesday we welcomed the members of the school’s Governing Body for their annual Governors’ Day at Wellesley. In addition to their meeting, they toured the school and joined the children for lunch.
School Council
The School Council held its second meeting of the term on Friday during Morning Break, during which we made preparations for the cake sale that is being held on Monday 17th June.
School This Week
Common Entrance
Block 1 pupils begin the Common Entrance examinations on Tuesday, and we wish them every success with their papers. The examinations finish on Friday and the Leavers’ Activity Programme then commences with a trip to the beach in the afternoon followed by a barbecue. On Saturday they will travel to Le Lac Mimizan near Bordeaux in France, accompanied by Mr Longdon, Miss Wallace and Mr Waldie, for a programme of water sports and other activities that continues until next Friday. We wish them a most enjoyable trip. Further details can be seen on the Le Lac Mimizan website.
Chapel
Our next Saturday chapel service is this coming Saturday 8th June, at 12.10 p.m., and we look forward in particular to hearing the Wellesley Haddon Dene Junior Choir, who are singing in their first chapel service. Parents and families are warmly invited to attend and we will be serving soup and sandwiches in the library after the service.
Six of the Best
The final ‘Six of the Best’ for this year consists of two surreal portraits by Lilia Hunter. One is a drawing inspired by John Stezaker, and the other is a mono-print using the drawing as a starting point. They will hang in the Headmaster’s study for the second half of term.
Team of the Week
This week’s ‘Team of the Week’ are the Colts A cricket team, for their impressive first half of the term culminating in their progress to the semi-finals of the Summers Cup. They will be rewarded with cookies and squash in the Headmaster’s drawing room during a morning break.
Sunday Activities
The boarders will remain in school this Sunday for a selection of activities. We also look forward to welcoming various Old Welleslians, headed by Archie Hammond, who are taking part in the annual BOFs v Shepway Stragglers cricket match.
Team Photographs
Team photographs will now be taken on Monday, having been postponed before half-term. The procedure for ordering photographs will be e-mailed to parents when the photographs are ready to be viewed and purchased.
Menu
This week the kitchen will be serving Menu 3.
Matches Last Week
Monday 20th May
Tennis v Simon Langton: U13 Boys – won 5 – 1
Cricket v St Lawrence: U13 A Girls – won
Cricket v St Lawrence: U13 B Girls – won
Tuesday 21st May
Tennis v Dane Court: U13 Girls – won 5 – 1
Wednesday 22nd May
Rounders v Dover College: U13 – won
Cricket v Sutton Valence: 1st XI – won by 10 wickets
Cricket v Sutton Valence: 2nd XI – lost by 5 wickets
Cricket v Kent College J.S.: Colts A – won
Cricket v Lorenden: Colts B 1 – lost
Cricket v Lorenden: Colts B 2 – won
Cricket v Northbourne Park: U9 A – lost by 10 runs
Cricket v Northbourne Park: U9 B – lost by 14 runs
Thursday 23rd May
Cricket v Lorenden: U9 A & B (h) – cancelled
Live Cricket Scores
We are now using a live scoring system for some of our cricket matches. You can follow the action ball by ball by downloading the “Play-Cricket Live” app. Please use the links or scan the QR code. Once you have installed the app, search for “Wellesley Haddon Dene”, and any upcoming matches that are being live scored will appear.
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.
Wednesday 5th June
Cricket v St Lawrence & Northbourne Park: U11 Girls (a) (Note: At St Lawrence)
Cricket v Junior King’s: U12 (h)
Cricket v Dover College: Colts A (h) (Note: Cancelled)
Cricket v Spring Grove: Colts B (a)
Thursday 6th June
Summers Cup Cricket v New Beacon: Colts A (h) (Note: 3.00 p.m. start)
Saturday 8th June
Rounders v Northbourne Park: U11 (a)
Cricket v Ashford: Colts A (a)
Sunday 9th June
BOFs v Shepway Stragglers
Monday 10th June
Cricket v Junior King’s: U9 (a)