From the Headmaster’s Study
Last week saw our pupils engaged in a plethora of activities in addition to their usual curriculum experiences. Aside from our usual sporting and activity programme, it was very special to be able to welcome families back into our Ridgeway Chapel and the Old Hall for our Harvest Festival service on Saturday and it was a pleasure to welcome Mr Rob Harrison from the King’s School, Canterbury for his first trip to Wellesley. Also, our Block 3 pupils thoroughly enjoyed their day of interview skills and practice with Oppidan education, where they had the opportunity to learn new skills and to have a mock interview with a member of staff from Oppidan. Every Monday morning at Head’s Assembly, I take great pride in reviewing the previous week’s events (many of which you can read about in this edition of the Weekly) and sharing with our community the tremendous efforts of all our pupils.
Gavin Franklin
School Last Week
News from Pre-prep
It has been another busy week in Junior House. The U9 footballers enjoyed their trips to Spring Grove and Northbourne Park. As the weather begins to turn quite autumnal, the Early Years children wrapped up to explore the Wellesley grounds looking for signs of the change in season. They have produced some super Autumn pictures using leaves they collected. Golden stars were awarded to Tilda, Theo and Laurie for their kindness and courage whilst at school. Danes are still in the lead with the most good marks, whilst Laurie and Teddy jointly top the individual leaderboard.
This week we are looking forward to welcoming parents to our Harvest Festival at 8.40am on Wednesday morning. Tea and coffee will be served in the Old Hall from 8am. Thank you to all families who have generously donated harvest boxes.
Harvest Festival
We were delighted to welcome Mr Robert Harrison, Head of Shells (Lower School) and incoming Housemaster of Tradescant at The King’s School Canterbury who spoke to us all at our Harvest Festival Service on Saturday. Mr Harrison gave an engaging and meaningful address, encouraging us to be grateful for all that we have. We were delighted to welcome a number of parents, grandparents and siblings for the first time in over 18 months – it was a wonderful turnout. The congregation enjoyed some typical Harvest hymns and two readings by Stas and Hector from Block 1 and were treated to a masterpiece from Mrs Spencer’s Choir who sang The Lord of Harvest quite beautifully. The retiring collection was in support of 40tude – a charity that supports a cure for colon cancer. This is particularly close to the hearts of Wellesley, as it is the charity that Mr Jonathan Mount (former Deputy Head and a hugely popular figure within the Wellesley community) is supporting and our thoughts and prayers are with Jonathan at this most challenging of times.
Mrs Franklin, Mr Spencer and some JL pupils will deliver the huge number of Harvest boxes that have been so kindly donated by members of our community to the Salvation Army in Margate. Thank you to everyone who was able to support the Service or who provided Harvest goods.
School This Week
Team of the Week
The ‘Team of the Week’ is announced at each Monday’s assembly.
Well done to the U9 footballers for their brilliant efforts at Northbourne Park and Spring Grove last week. For some players this was their first experience of competitive matches.
They will be rewarded with cookies and juice with the Headmaster in the library during a break time this week.
Music
This week we are really pleased to welcome back our Informal Concert. This will take place in the Music School at morning break time on Tuesday and is open to all pupils to participate. Staff and pupils are also invited to come and watch.
Shapira Cup success
Our footballers successfully won the Plate competition at the Shapira Cup last week. One of the players, Alexander Long Long (Block 1) has written this report for your enjoyment / information. Well done, boys (and Xandy).
Activities
Dance – Unfortunately, we did not receive enough interest from parents regarding dance sessions for the middle and senior school and so we will not be able to start these. We are currently still trying to arrange Ballet sessions in the pre-prep.
Year 6 to Dover Castle
On Tuesday 12th October, Block 3 will be travelling to Dover Castle for the morning. Children should come to school in the normal uniform, but be prepared for bad weather. We will be departing after the morning chapel and we will be returning after lunch. The children will be available for collection at the normal time.
National Poetry Day
National Poetry Day is a UK-wide celebration of poetry, taking place on 7th October 2021, and the theme this year is Choice.
Pupils throughout the school will be enjoying the delights of a variety of poems in their English classes this week to celebrate the wonderful world of poetry.
Block 1 study skills session
Good Study Skills are known to be vital to successful learning. Over the course of the year, all pupils will have opportunities to put into practice key study skills, including such topics as note making, mind mapping, revision skills and many more. Ms Moosuddee will lead these sessions and pupils will use both practical and computer based resources as they begin to consider what makes them successful learners.
Boarders’ weekend activities
On Sunday, our boarders enjoyed a walk into Broadstairs with Mrs Spencer, Mr Hallam and Mr and Mrs Franklin to experience the annual Broadstairs Food Festival – many sampled the delicious culinary delights on offer. In the afternoon, then enjoyed a trip to the cinema with Miss Wallace and Mr Martin to watch the new James Bond film.
Scientists of the Month
Miss Wallace and Mr Waldie are pleased to announce the ‘scientists of the month’ for September. This year we are awarding a monthly prize to the best junior and senior scientist, to open up the field to some of our budding scientists in the Middle School. This month we are delighted to award the best senior scientist to Mirabel Poulson for her brilliant start to her science career at Wellesley. She always asks interesting questions and never fails to give of her best in lessons. Well done, Mirabel! The best junior scientist is awarded to Reuben Young Gadd. Reuben received the award for his excellent attitude towards learning, his super knowledge of states of matter and his creative ideas during our STEM engineering challenge. Well done, Reuben!
Menu
This week the kitchen will be serving Menu 2.
Senior School News
Tonbridge
This term, Tonbridge School has a range of dates where families can attend an Open Morning. Please click here for further information.
Canford
For further information regarding Canford’s Open Day on 9th October please click here.
Benenden
Benenden is hosting a series of Open Days throughout the Michaelmas term and for further information please click here.
You are warmly invited to join Eastbourne College’s Open Morning on 9th October. For further information, please click here.
King’s Rochester
King’s Rochester is now open for tours and you are invited to book an appointment at one of their Open Mornings. For further information, please click here.
Matches This Week
Wednesday 6th October
Ashford Tournament: Colts A 1:30
Soccer v Dover College: 1st XI and 2nd XI (a)
Hockey v Northbourne: U11A & B (h)
Hockey v Dover College: U9 venue tbc
Thursday 7th October
Soccer: Ashford School Tournament: U9
IAPS Cross Country @ Schools at Somerhill
Saturday 9th October
Hockey v Northbourne: U13A & B (a)
Soccer v Northbourne: Colts A, B & C (h)
Please always refer to the website calendar as it is the most up-to-date place to check for fixture changes and locations.
If your child has been selected for a fixture, we will email you each Tuesday morning with information regarding the recommended pick up time from Wellesley.
Matches Last Week
Fixture | Result |
Soccer v Kent College: Colts A | Lost 7:1 |
Soccer v Kent College: Colts B | Lost 4:2 |
Soccer v Kent College: Colts C | Lost 3:0 |
1st VI Shapira Cup @ JKS | Plate Winners |
Soccer v Northbourne: U9A | Won 4:2 |
Soccer v Northbourne: U9B | Won 3:0 |
U11 Colts A Football Tournament v Spring Grove | 3rd Place |
U9 Soccer v Spring Grove Tournament | 3rd in group |
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