From the Headmaster’s Study
As was highlighted in our “excellent” ISI inspection report, one of the strengths of Wellesley Haddon Dene is the broad range of senior schools to which our pupils progress, depending on the individual passions of each Welleslian. This week alone we have pupils from Block 3, 2 and 1 physically visiting schools (following careful safety restrictions put in place by the host schools) for various tests, interviews and “experience” days. We wish these pupils well at Downe House, Harrow and Tonbridge and hope more than anything that they enjoy the experience.
Another strength of our school is the brilliant Old Welleslian (OW) community – indeed, I mentioned last term that we modestly boast of 4 OWs proudly being appointed Head of School at their respective senior schools this year. The importance of remaining connected with former pupils was emphasised again on Friday of last week as we welcomed back Chris Cowdrey OW – a former cricket captain of Wellesley Haddon Dene, Tonbridge School, Kent CCC and England. The trees in between the squash courts and the beautifully re-roofed cricket pavilion were in fact planted over 40 years ago by Sir Colin Baron Cowdrey of Tonbridge (Chris’s father) as his three sons graduated from Wellesley Haddon Dene – there is a plaque at the foot of the trees to acknowledge this kind gesture. Unfortunately, due to distancing and restrictions on visitors, Chris was not able to meet with many pupils but he commented on the significant developments since he left and on the incredibly happy and warm feel of his old school. He thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to reminisce and it was a pleasure to welcome him back.
Gavin Franklin
Future events
Pre-prep teacher conferences
Following latest guidance, Pre-prep parent conferences will take place virtually. Mrs Brown, Mrs Reed and Mrs Hodges will be available from 4pm to 6pm on Thursday 15th October. Class teachers will be able to feed back to parents, from meetings they have had with subject specialists.
Please book a time through the school portal. Once booked you will be sent a Google invitation to join the meeting.
Covid-19
Symptoms and Testing Information
Public Health England has asked us to share this letter with parents, which explains when a child requires a coronavirus (COVID-19) test and what the symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are.
ISC Coronavirus Parent Survey 2020
The ISC is collating data regarding the provision of education during last term’s lockdown. Please click here if you would like to complete the survey. Please note, the closing date is Monday 12th October.
Important information regarding pupil absence due to illness
If your child is off school due to illness, we will send you the following standard email as a matter of good practice in the current climate. We thank all families for their ongoing diligence and support as we look to do all that we can to protect those within our community:
“Thank you for your communication and for letting us know.
Please ensure that if your son / daughter is displaying / has displayed any symptoms of Covid-19 – high temperature, persistent or new cough or change or loss of sense of smell / taste – that you arrange for a test and await a clear negative result before returning them to school. Please do keep us informed.
For any pupil who has been absent from school through illness, we will be conducting a temperature check on their return. If your child is in the pre-prep, this will be undertaken at Junior House. If your child is in the middle or senior school, we ask that you drop them at the school office on their return so that their temperature can be checked by our school nurse.
Thank you for your assistance and understanding.”
School Last week
Sunday Outing
On Sunday the full boarders were treated to a fun filled afternoon of ten pin bowling with Monsieur Latteur and Mr Martin – much enjoyment was had by all.
News from the Pre-Prep
Children in Pre-prep have enjoyed their first nights flexi-boarding in the new revamped boarding house; there is now a queue of hopefuls waiting to experience Mrs Spencer’s hot chocolate and marshmallows.
Our new raised beds have arrived in the Early Years garden, (thanks to the Wellesley Fix-it team) and we are looking forward to filling them with soil and planting some vegetables.
The youngest children enjoyed Beach School this week, the tide was high and the waves were crashing in. All the children were encouraged to find something special to bring back to school to put in our Beach School cabinet of curiosity, which we will add to each week.
Harvest Festival
It was fantastic to welcome Richard Oliver from the Salvation Army in Margate. He retold the story of the feeding of the five thousand and emphasised to the children the importance of sharing. We are so grateful to everyone who made up a parcel of food, there was a magnificent array in the Old Hall on Friday morning and Richard explained to the children that this would be distributed to vulnerable people in Margate. Thank you to Mrs Spencer for masterminding our harvest song and to Stan and Suri for reading a poem and Malo for his prayer. Thank you too, all those parents who were able to log in to watch the Harvest assembly virtually, it was really kind of Jonathan Mount to organise this for us.
School This Week
Team of the Week
Team of the Week is awarded to JL (Year 4) for their superb mark reading achievements. They will be rewarded with squash and cookies with Mr and Mrs Franklin during Monday’s break time, in the Headmaster’s study. Well done, JL.
Ampleforth College National Junior History Competition
We are delighted to announce recognition of some of our Wellesley Haddon Dene pupils in this 2019 competition. With more than 170 entries from all over the country, we are proud to say that in the year 7 category, Archie Butterfill was “highly commended”; and in the year 5 category, Max Miller was “highly commended” and George Carter was “runner up” in the overall year group competition. These boys were rewarded with certificates and a mention in the Headmaster’s Assembly. Well done Archie, Max and Georgie.
Honey Day
Today pupils will be taking part in Wellesley Haddon Dene’s first Honey day. Throughout the day they will be working with Mr Waldie and Mr Shaddick visiting the bee hives, collecting the frames and processing the honey. They will be spinning the frames to extract the honey and putting the honey into jars before labelling the jars with our winning designs. Over the next few months we hope to use the wax to create a number of items and gifts for you to purchase. Details to follow.
We are delighted to announce that we will be producing jars of “Wellesley” honey this term. All pupils were encouraged to design the label for these jars. Congratulations go to Amelia Rowe for her winning front label design and Bonnie Dong for her back label design. Highly commended in their year groups were Gigi Goncalves (Nursery), Florian Gadd-Young (JR), Auben Shaddick (JH), Joel Goncalves and Ralph Wainman (JL), Luna Sarafoglou (Block 4), Thomas Manchip and Grace Flowers (Block 3), Gracie Lawton, Margot Grand, Matthew McBride, Thomas Solley and Alina Kheidorova (Block 2), George Long, Scarlett Newman-Cousins and Mercedes Rubio (Block 1).
School Council
The School Council, with a new group of councillors, will convene for its first (socially distanced) meeting of the school year on Friday in the Old Hall during Morning Break.
Block 1 Study Skills
Ms. Moosuddee will meet with Block 1 for their initial session about Study Skills. They will discuss ways in which we can prepare ourselves to be better learners, and talk about how we learn and remember things and what tools we can use to help improve memory. At the end of the session Ms Moosuddee will be showing pupils how to do a Body Scan and will look at techniques to use to stay calm and focused.
Website Galleries
Our website galleries have been updated, please click here to view.
Music
We are very excited to announce our first podcast episode is available below. This week we asked Reuben & Scarlett, from Block 1, how it feels to be back and their lives during lockdown. Click below to listen
Senior School News
Benenden is hosting a series of online Prospective Parent Open Mornings, please click here for dates and further information.
Canford School is holding a virtual Open Day on Saturday 10th October. Starting at 10am, please click here for further information.
Menu
This week the kitchen will be serving Menu 2
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.