From the Headmaster’s Study
It is a real delight to welcome back (physically) our pupils and staff and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to wave or speak with a huge number of our parents either yesterday evening or this morning at drop off (please accept my apologies if I missed you). We have missed you all! All of that said, it is completely natural that there will have been a mixture of emotions for many of our returning pupils (and staff and parents). With apologies for the cricketing analogy but … I liken the feeling of preparing to return fully to school as one similar to the feelings experienced whilst waiting to go out to bat – a blend of nerves, anticipation and excitement. And of course, once you have “faced that first ball”, the anticipation and nerves disappear as business as usual takes over… Anyway, whether that resonates with you or not, it’s great to have you all back and we look forward to a fun and action packed week!
On an aside, on International Women’s Day, can I please direct you to our hugely popular and respected Head of Science’s brilliant video celebrating Science week? Miss Wallace is just one of many inspirational role models we have at Wellesley.
Gavin Franklin
announcements
Wellesley Haddon Dene cricket kit – Girls and Boys from JL upwards
With the Summer Term fast approaching and the return of school sports we wanted to remind those with children in JL upwards how to purchase the school cricket whites.
The kit comprises of a Wellesley Haddon Dene branded short sleeve match shirt, Wellesley Haddon Dene branded cricket whites (trousers) and a Wellesley Haddon Dene branded short-sleeved slipover. On colder days children would be welcome to wear a white skin in addition to the above.
All of the above items are available to buy online from the Wellesley Haddon Dene school shop, which can be accessed at Martin Berrill Sports. Delivery for all parents is free of charge if sent direct to school and will be sent home with day pupils for naming and trouser length alteration. These items are available to order now and please expect a 14 day turnaround.
Parent Info – e-safety
We have added a page to our website to help with managing e-safety at home. Click here to view.
Friends of Wellesley Quiz – Friday 19th March
We are very excited about our forthcoming online quiz on Friday 19th March. Thank you to everyone who has signed up. If you would still like to join in please email marketing@wellesleyhouse.net . A gentle reminder to those who have signed up that payment details for quiz tickets and raffle tickets are on the latest letter from the Friends of Wellesley here. We have some fabulous raffle prizes up for grabs so please email marketing@wellsleyhouse.net if you would like to purchase some tickets which are £1 each.
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 Last Week
World Book Day
This was an enormously successful day. We had some fabulous book character costumes present, both in school and online, and the pupils participated in lots of different activities, including scavenger hunts, book making, book token designing, recording themselves reading a favourite book to share with others, and much more. Many thanks to all of the support from parents, it was wonderful to see the children celebrating the world of books with such enthusiasm.
Reading
For World Book Day, our staff recorded themselves reading some of their favourite children’s books. We have collated these recordings on a playlist on YouTube, so you and your child(ren) can enjoy them at your leisure.
Forthcoming dates for the Pre-prep diary:
Friday 19th March – Red nose day. We will be asking children to take part in a sponsored obstacle course during the day. Children will be receiving a sponsor form during this week. We will be selling red noses at the Pre-prep front door from Monday 8th March. The cost is £1.50 and you are welcome to add the payment to your bill or pay for the noses on the door.
Wednesday 24th March – Pre-prep easter egg hunt.
School This Week
British Science Week
British Science Week takes place between the 5th-14th March this year and celebrates the theme ‘Innovating for the Future’. Wellesley pupils can look forward to taking part in a variety of activities in their science lessons as well as some exciting competitions this week.
Block 1 Parent/Teacher Meetings
On Saturday 13th March we will be holding the Block 1 parent/teacher meetings. Held in the morning, parents/guardians will be invited to book their remote appointments via the parent portal. Once appointments have been booked, an appointment schedule will be sent to parents/guardians which will also include the necessary links to join the meetings. Prior to Saturday, if you have any questions, please contact Mrs Baird via hmsecretary@wellesleyhouse.net.
Additional Lessons
Please note all additional Maths and English sessions will resume after the Easter holidays. If you would like your child to receive any additional sessions please contact Ms Moosuddee- AENCo
Menu
This week the kitchen will be serving Menu 1.
Senior School News
On Saturday 13th March, Tonbridge School will be welcoming prospective parents to it’s Virtual Open Morning. The session starts at 9.30am and for further information and registration details, please click here.
Sevenoaks School will be hosting an Open Morning on Saturday 13th March. Please click here for further information and to register for the event.
Eastbourne College has sent details of their newly released film and booklet on all things Eastbourne. With an ethos very similar to Wellesley, for further information, please contact admissions@eastbourne-college.co.uk.
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.
Eton College has introduced a 45-minute webcast which includes an interview with the Headmaster, a tour of the school given by a Y9 boy, an explanation of the admissions process for parents, and a broader video about the school. For further information, please contact admissions@etoncollege.org.uk in order to book into a webcast.
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.