From the Heads
We are delighted to report that our Year 8 pupils achieved 100% success with their Common Entrance exams. The tremendous results (to a number of the county and country’s top Senior Schools including: The King’s School Canterbury, Wellington College, Sevenoaks, Oundle, Godolphin and Sedbergh) were shared with the pupils on Friday afternoon of last week, much to the relief of our Year 8 pupils who had just returned from their action-packed camping trip to Dorset! This set of results, alongside our tremendous success with the Kent Test, not only highlights the quality and commitment of our teaching staff and pastoral leaders, but also of the work that the pupils put in in the build up to their exams, and indeed throughout their time at our school. Congratulations to them all – they all have exciting journeys ahead.
Mr Gavin Franklin and Mrs Jo Parpworth
School Last Week
Pre Prep Swimming Gala (Years 2 and 3)
Our Year 2 and Year 3 pupils demonstrated their fantastic swimming ability in the pool on Thursday afternoon in two year-group galas. Without fail, the children performed quite brilliantly, and were a credit to themselves. Aside from superb swimming, top sportsmanship was also demonstrated. It was an afternoon of great fun, competition and participation and our congratulations go to all swimmers and our thanks go to Mrs Crompton, Mrs Dyer and Mrs Girdler for leading the event and to Mrs Murray, Mrs Nicholas and Mrs Jefferies for their work in the scorers’ corner!
Year 8 Leavers’ Trip to Dorset
The year 8s enjoyed an action packed week in Dorset for their leavers’ trip. Having departed early on Monday morning, they arrived at Rockley in Poole and took part in a range of activities from stand up paddleboarding, to raft building, to abseiling, to axe throwing (at targets … not each other) and much, much more. A further highlight was a full day excursion to Dorset Water Park. Much fun was had by all and our thanks go to Mr Hallam and Mrs Laurans-Ryder for leading the trip.
School This Week
Parents Festival of Cricket (Year 5 – Year 8)
Thank you very much to those of you who have signed up to this cricketing extravaganza on Saturday. Year 5 & 6 parents should arrive at school (with their children) from 9am, ready to start the matches at 9.30am.
Year 7 & 8 matches begin at 1.30pm, so we suggest arrival by 1pm, which should give ample time for warm ups and team talks before the first ball is bowled.
Thank you for supporting the event – the children are very much looking forward to it.
Year 8 Leavers
Our Year 8 leavers are working on their businesses for the Dragon’s Den competition next week! Watch this space for the announcement of the winner…
Years 3 & 4 Residential Trip – Carroty Wood, Tonbridge
We waved goodbye to some of the pupils in Year 3 and 4 this morning as they are set to begin their three day adventure at Carroty Wood. During this 3 day residential trip, the children will enjoy a range of outward bound activities which will strengthen their communication and teamwork skills. We have no doubts that they will benefit greatly from learning outside the classroom in the glorious sunshine. Thank you to Mrs Crompton, Ms Jefferies and Mr Pullman for accompanying the children on this trip – we look forward to receiving some updates over the next few days.
National Boarding Week
This week is National Boarding Week, which is celebrated all over the UK by schools who are members of the Boarding Schools Association. We are taking part in the Summer Solstice Big Boarding Campout on Wednesday 21st June. We will be setting up camp on the school field, and will enjoy a late evening swim, some marshmallow toasting around the firepit and some campfire fun before sleeping under the stars.
Kent Schools’ Golf Championships
We wish our golf team all the best in this annual competition, which takes place at Canterbury Golf Club, kindly organised by The King’s School, Canterbury. We are sending 6 pairs (12 golfers) who will participate in the foursome competition (in pairs, playing alternate shots).
Author Visit: Ciaran Murtagh Years 4, 5 & 6
We are very excited to be welcoming Finn Murtagh’s father into school this week to talk to Years 4, 5 and 6 about his job with Black Sheep Comedy and how he became a writer for television. He will also hold a writing workshop with Year 5.
Year 6 Trip to the Beach
On Friday, Mrs Parpworth will be taking the children on a reward trip to the beach to acknowledge the importance of these last few weeks. She looks forward to spending quality time with the children and building some lasting memories.
Art Trip to Turner Contemporary
On Thursday a group of senior students that have demonstrated a keen interest in Art and Design will be visiting the Beatriz Milhazes exhibition at Turner Contemporary in Margate.
Parent Testimonials
We would be really grateful to any parents who are willing to write a short testimonial recommending our school so that prospective parents may benefit from reading these when researching our new website (due to be published in the next few weeks). The majority of our registrations come from word or mouth so we would really appreciate your time on this. Written format or short videos would be really beneficial. If willing, please send these to headmistress@wellesleyhaddondene.co.uk. It may also be a good time to remind all parents that we offer a £500 Friends & Family loyalty bonus for new registrations based on recommendations (both the existing and new family will each receive £500).
Parent Suggestion Box
We are proud of our school community and the inclusive nature in which we value everyone’s voice. Having listened to some of our parents, we felt it would be useful to provide an additional platform for the sharing of ideas. We are fully committed to the continual improvement of our school and your ideas would be greatly appreciated. It is really important that this platform isn’t used to air any worries or concerns as these should continue to be addressed in 1:1 meetings with appropriate staff or via Dojo. We will review this virtual suggestion box throughout the school year and will give feedback on any improvement ideas we have been able to implement via our newsletter.
You can access the suggestion box here.
Mr Boyne’s Channel Swim
I am attempting to swim across the English channel next month in a team of 5 with hopes to raise funds for Aspire, a charity who supports those with spinal cord injuries.
Having competed at the highest level for a world #1 ranked hockey team, I thought this challenge would be a doddle…. How wrong I was! I have been pushed into hypothermia, self doubt and severe fatigue in my attempts to be ready for the swim next month. Unfortunately, we are now down to 5 as a member withdrew due to his severe reaction to the cold water training. There’s a clear reason that more people have climbed Mt Everest than do this swim! We will be navigating through the busiest shipping lane in the world avoiding tankers, ferries, and all that they drag along behind them.
If you are able to spare a pound or two, I am so close to reaching my target and would appreciate any help given!
Creative Writing Competition
Atom learning is launching the second annual Young Author Award to celebrate the generation’s upcoming young writers. With the chance to win incredible prizes (including a trip to Disneyland and free Chromebooks!)It’s time to pick up a pen and get ready for a summer celebration of creativity!
Click on this link to find out more.
Future Events
Wine Tasting Evening
We are delighted to invite you to a summer wine tasting in the gardens of Wellesley Haddon Dene run by No. 1 Oscar Road wine merchants. The event will take place on Tuesday 27th June at 6.30pm. Tickets are £40 which includes a welcome drink, tasting six wines, snacks and nibbles. There are 20 spaces available – to book your ticket and to find out more please visit: https://www.oscarroadwine.co.uk/products/summer-wine-tasting-in-the-gardens-of-wellseley-haddon-dene. We hope to see you there.
Speech Day and Sports Day (LD – Year 3) Friday 30th June
We are looking forward to inviting parents from Year 1 to Year 3 to our Speech Day/Prize Giving at 9am on the 30th June. At 10am, our Sports Day will start and parents from Little Denes through to Year 3 are invited to watch our little ones compete within their classes. Further information will follow but please ensure you have this date in your diaries.
Speech Day and Sports Day (Year 4 – 8) – Saturday 1st July
As highlighted in the calendar and through previous correspondence, Speech Day and Sports Day for all Year 4 to Year 8 pupils will take place on Saturday 1st July. This will be an all day event, with Speech Day (including some performances, prizes and speeches) taking place from 11am. This will be followed by picnic lunches for all families on our playing fields and Sports Day for all Year 4 to 8 pupils taking place in the afternoon. Further details will follow, but in the meantime, please do make sure that you have this date inked in your diaries.
School Calendar
Please click here and scroll through for the most up to date calendar of events for the term.
Matches This Week
2.00pm start unless otherwise stated
Tuesday, 20th June
Kent Prep Schools Golf Championship, Canterbury GC (Year 7 & 8)
Wednesday, 21st June
Rapid Cricket Yr1/2
Cricket v St Edmund’s: 2nd XI (a)
Cricket v Marlborough House: U11 A (h)
Cricket v Northbourne Park: Girls U11 A (a)
Cricket v Northbourne Park: Girls U11 B (a)
Cricket v St Edmund’s: 1st XI (h)
Thursday, 22nd June
Golf Tournament
Friday, 23rd June
Cricket v Aldro: 1st XI (h)
Saturday, 24th June
U11 cricket v Parents
1st XI, 2nd XI and U13 girls v Parents Cricket Match
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 communicate with you prior to the fixture with information regarding the recommended pick up time from Wellesley HD.
Matches Last Week
Cricket v Kent College: Girls U9 A | lost |
Cricket v Kent College: Girls U9 B | lost |
Cricket v Kent College 6’s: U11 A | 3rd in pool |
Cricket v Kent College: Girls U11 A | lost |
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