From the Headmaster’s Study

There is no sense of term slowing down to a finish at Wellesley and this week alone, the pupils will be busy in a variety of ways. Some of the middle school and senior pupils will be reviewing exams, with all being encouraged to take feedback on board with an open mind and a desire to learn from their experiences of last week; the pre-prep pupils are busy preparing for their nativity show, about which there is great excitement; JL and above have the Christmas fair to look forward to on Saturday morning and we have the further entertainment of the Christmas Feast(s), pre-prep party and end of term assemblies and carol services still to come next week. Please do make a note of the various internal events that are taking place as outlined in this edition of the Wellesley Weekly.

Gavin Franklin

JDRM Gavin Portraits-2

Future events

Friends of Wellesley Christmas Fair
For parents missing the opportunity to browse and order from the usual array of stalls, we are delighted to announce our first Wellesley Haddon Dene Christmas Gift Guide. Do please take a moment to look at the lovely gifts and treats … there is something for everyone. 

Children’s Christmas Fair – Saturday 12th December

Although a little different to last year, we are very pleased to be able to confirm that we will be holding a pupil only Christmas Fair on Saturday 12th December for pupils in JL upwards. The children will be designing their own stalls in their tutor groups and will set up on the day for each of the bubbles to try and win prizes. The ever popular Tombola will also be there.
Donations to the Christmas Fair Tombola would be gratefully received and can be left with the school office. Items in the past have included toys, craft activities, games, books, stationery, soft toys, chocolate and sweets or anything that you can think of that the children might like to win! 

Save The Children Christmas Jumper Day
We will be having a school Christmas Jumper Day on Thursday 10th 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.

Christmas Feast
The Christmas trees are now in place in the Dining room and Old Hall and we are looking forward to the Christmas Feasts, where the pupils will enjoy a Festive banquet in the dining hall (with a speech from the Headmaster) followed by some games and Christmas music in the Old Hall.
The Middle school (JL, Block 4 and Block 3) will be enjoying their feast next Monday evening (14th Dec). A reminder that day children should wear their best uniform that day; collection will be at 7pm. Pick up for Block 1 and 2 will be as usual.
Block 1 and 2 will be enjoying their Christmas Feast next Tuesday evening (15th Dec). Again a reminder that day children should wear their best uniform that day; collection will be at 7pm. Pick up for the Middle School will be as usual.

Final Assembly and Chapel
Final assemblies and chapels will be taking place for each bubble on the last day of term (Wednesday 16th Dec). All children from JL upwards should wear their best uniform.

End of Term arrangements
Pick up for JL upwards on Wednesday 16th December will be at 12.30pm on the school playing fields after the Middle and Senior school carol services.

School Last week

Team of the Week

This week’s ‘Team of the Week’ is the Middle School choir for their commitment throughout the term.
They will be rewarded with cookies and squash with the Headmaster during a morning break this week.

Pre-prep dates for the diary:

Festive jumper day: Thursday 10th December (children can wear home clothes with a festive jumper)

Nativity live streamed to parents: Friday 11th December 9am
Pre-prep christmas party: Tuesday 15th December (children may bring in party clothes to change in to)

End of term pick up on Wednesday 16th December from Junior House at 12pm

COVID-19

We thought that it would be valuable to share with parents our COVID-19 flow charts, which map out the necessary course of action, dependent on the situation for pupils and staff who are displaying COVID-19 symptoms in school.
Staff
Positive cases – children
Symptoms of COVID – children

School This Week

Monday Music

This week we are getting into the Christmas spirit with some Elton John – Step Into Christmas performed by one of the youngest drummers in the school.

 

Thanet Foodbank

Mrs Hodges will be returning to volunteer at the Thanet food bank over the Christmas holidays so if you have any donations (cans and dried food etc), please leave it in the box outside the Junior House door. Donations of toys for the Salvation Army food bank are also welcomed. Any donations will be greatly received. Thank you in advance.

Additional Support

We are able to offer bespoke 1:1 additional subject support for subjects such as English, Maths and French. All our peripatetic teachers are highly specialist in their subject fields, and can tailor the support whilst liaising closely with subject tutors. The 1/2 hr sessions can involve reinforcing skills being learned in class, discussing and re-visiting problems that may have occurred in lessons and provide opportunities for exam practice whilst building pupil confidence.
If you would like your child to receive any additional support, please contact Head of AEN Ms AH Moosuddee who will be happy to arrange this for you.

Lent Term

Boarders return to school at 6.30pm on the evening of Wednesday 13th January and day children return at 8.20am on Thursday 14th January. We wish you all a very happy Christmas and a peaceful new year.

Marshside Wreaths and Garlands

With Christmas fast approaching, if you would like to tick one job off the list, please head to Marshside Wreaths to order your handmade Christmas wreath and garland. Available from 1st December, bespoke door wreaths and garlands are individually handcrafted by one of Marshside’s qualified florists. Each one is different and fabulous darling! Prices start at £25 (small), £30 (medium) and £35 (large) and to place an order, please contact: awakeling442@gmail.com

Senior School News

Benenden is hosting a series of online Prospective Parent Open Mornings, please click here for dates and further information.

Wellington College very much hopes to be able to welcome visitors soon, however, in the interim please view their Virtual Visitors Day via this link.

The King’s School, Canterbury is holding a live virtual Open Morning on Saturday 6th March 2021 and you can register and request a Digital Information Pack by clicking here.

Eton College has introduced a 45-minute webcast that they hope will serve as some form of a virtual visit; it includes an interview with the Head Master, a tour of the school given by a Y9 boy, an explanation of our admissions process for parents, and a broader video about the school. These are broadcast at specific times via Zoom, and interested parties are asked to email admissions@etoncollege.org.uk in order to book into a webcast. Their prospectus has now been significantly condensed into what they hope is a rather more user-friendly document (and certainly more geared towards Y5 boys and their parents). Do let us know if you would like hard copies of the new version, which is also viewable at www.etoncollege.com/admissions/entry-to-eton.

 

 

Menu

This week the kitchen will be serving Menu 3

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.

No fixtures

On Social Media