A Foreword From Mrs Parpworth
What a whirlwind of a week we have had!
Just after 9am on Monday morning of last week, we received a call that we were to be inspected by ISI! This was to be my third ISI inspection in three years (2022 at Haddon Dene and 2023 at WHD for our material change following the merger). As Wellesley hadn’t been inspected since 2019, we were due a routine visit and so we welcomed the inspectors through our doors on Tuesday morning. They stayed with us until Thursday evening and left having shared many positives about various aspects of the school, the children and staff.
I am filled with pride by the conduct of our children and professionalism of our staff during the inspection. I am extremely grateful to all our families who took the time to provide feedback about their views and thoughts. The inspectors said that it was clear that everyone in our community felt passionately about our school and we look forward to sharing the many positives in the report with you once it is published in due course.
Please do not forget to join us in the sports hall on Friday at 3.30pm for our Eco Swap Shop. There are some fantastic books, clothing and bargains to be had so let’s join together to support our aim to be a leading school in sustainability.
Have a great week everyone!
Mrs Jo Parpworth
School Last Week
Burn’s Night
Thank you to our amazing catering team and Mrs Spencer for organising an evening of fantastic food and entertainment. We enjoyed a hearty feast of haggis, neeps and tatties followed by Scottish shortbread with Tate, in Year 8, addressing the haggis in his finest Scottish accent. Later that evening we set to an ensemble of Scottish dancing which everyone fully immersed themselves in. No wonder Burn’s Night is a firm favourite on the calendar!
Year 3 Trip to Wildwood
Year Three enjoyed an intriguing and informative trip to Wildwood on Friday where they had the opportunity to get up close and personal with a variety of skeletons both human (not real!) and animal. The workshop leader gave an interesting talk on animal classification looking at different species such as mammals, reptiles, fish, birds and amphibians. The children looked at various skulls and decided whether they were an omnivore, a carnivore or a herbivore. Later, they ventured out into the fresh air to visit some of the animal enclosures to see various species and their young – focusing on their habitats. Of course a trip to Wildwood wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the play park. Thank you to Ms Jefferies for organising such an enriching experience.
RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch
Thank you to Mrs Sabin-Dawson and the members of our local RSPB Society for organising a birdwatching workshop after school on Friday. It was a huge success with many families joining us to learn more about the art of Birdwatching in the run up to last weekend’s Big Garden Birdwatch. We will present 6 cuddly birds on Friday to Pre-Prep winners of the bird identification competition.
What species did you spot this weekend?
School This Week
RSPB Assembly – Tuesday 30th January
Following on from RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch, Bird Wise Kent will come in to do an assembly for Years 4 – 8.
Eco Swap Shop – Friday 2nd February
Join us on Friday from 3.30pm where we will be running a ‘Swap Shop’ in the Sports Hall. There’s still time to donate (we’re especially in need of books). Please come along and pick up some bargains. Salt of the Earth will be there with a pop up shop too (don’t forget your refill containers) as well as plenty of teas, coffees and cakes on offer. Thank you for helping us to care for the planet and we look forward to seeing you there.
Year 6 Ski Trip – Sunday 4th February
Eighteen children are looking forward to jetting off to Claviere in Italy for a week’s skiing experience. During their time they will enjoy time on the slopes as well as taking part in nightly activities. It is set to be a trip of a lifetime!
Future Events
Year 1 Trip to Powell Cotton Museum – Monday 5th February
Year one is looking forward to stepping back in time to explore the Museum’s animal dioramas and see the different habitats that Percy experienced and spot some of the incredible animals that he encountered.
Internet Safety Day – 6th February
We will be running some special assemblies and activities in class to educate our children on the importance of keeping safe online
Pre-Prep School Show – Thursday 8th February
For parents in Little Denes through to Year 2, please save the date of the pre-prep school show in your diaries. More details to follow.
NHS Mental Health Roadshow – Friday 9th February
On Friday, we are welcoming mental health professionals from the NHS who will be running a ‘self-esteem machine roadshow’. They will be working with children from KS1 and 2 focussing on wellbeing and how to stay mentally strong.
Half term begins – Friday 9th February
This will begin at 3.30pm for all children. Please note that we will not run an after-school provision on that day.
Pottery Workshops – 20th & 22nd February
On Tuesday 20th February and Thursday 22nd February we will be hosting pottery workshops for all of the children from Reception to Year 6. They are being run by Mrs Fay Kelly, who will also be starting an after-school pottery club in the Summer Term. To cover the costs of these workshops a small charge of £4 will need to be paid via school money by Friday 16th February.
Winter Wander for Wildlife – Saturday 24th February
On Saturday the 24th of February, we will be encouraging the families of pupils in Year 6 and below to participate in a Winter Wander at Pegwell Bay Nature Reserve to encourage families to enjoy the outdoors during the winter months and raise money for the World Wildlife Fund and Kent Wildlife Trust. Bird Wise, RSPB and Kent Wildlife Trust will be present to help families to spot and identify wildlife. The idea is to meet at 11.30am at Pegwell, and for them to do two circuits around the Nature Reserve (which is 5km).
We hope that everyone gets behind this important cause and starts fundraising for their sponsored walk. The funds will be going to two charities and you can start to raise funds for either:
WHD Challenge Final – Thursday 29th February
Who will be crowned champions of this prestigious general knowledge quiz? We look forward to this nail biting final!
Free Book Giveaway – Thursday 29th February
Westgate Bookshop will be giving away free books on this day in the run up to World Book Day.
Senior School Open Day – Saturday 2nd March
We are opening our doors to prospective families in Year 7 and 8.
Year 8 Mock exams begin 4th March
Year 8 will complete a range of CE or scholarship exams in the Old Hall.
Mother’s Day Gift Room – Tuesday 5th March
The PFA are holding a gift room between 9am-11am on Tuesday 5th March. Children can purchase up to 3 gifts which will be posted on School Money at a cost of £5 each.
Please complete this form to indicate how many gifts your child will purchase.
World Book Day (Little Denes to Year 2) – Thursday 7th March
Children are welcomed to dress up as their favourite book character for the day. There will be a range of fun activities happening that day for the children.
Year 2 and 3 Trip to the Houses of Parliament – Friday 8th March
This is an exciting trip for our youngsters to witness inside one of the world’s most famous buildings and find out about the work of the UK Parliament.
Exeat Weekend – Friday 8th March – Sunday 10th March
Parent Consultation Evenings – begin 11th March
Please see your individual Class Dojo pages for more information.
Science Fair – Wednesday 13th March
We are looking forward to celebrating Science Week beginning on Monday 11th March. We will be holding a range of cross-curricular activities around the theme of ‘Time’. On Wednesday 13th March we will be holding a Science Fair in the Old Hall, parents are most welcome to attend so please save this date in your diaries. We will be issuing a project brief to the children where they will be guided to research and develop a science project/experiment of their choice to showcase at the fair. We are also looking forward to taking the senior pupils to the Natural History Museum on Tuesday 12th March for a ‘Mission to Mars’ workshop.
Elocution Cup – Thursday 14th March
For parents in Year 1 to Year 8, please save this date. There will be three sessions in the Old Hall:
Year 1 & 2 – 9am
Year 3 & 4 – 10.30am
Year 5 to 8 – 6.15pm
Comic Relief – Friday 15th March
We will be supporting this important charity by wearing non-school uniform in exchange for a voluntary £2 donation.
Year 3 and 4 Show – Friday 15th March
Please note that this date has changed from the 8th March. We have changed the format of our Junior show this year, breaking it down into 2 smaller shows for Year 3 & 4 and then later in the year for 5 & 6. We have taken this decision so that every child is able to embrace a larger part and so will have a better opportunity to shine on the stage. 2.30pm-3.30pm. More details to follow.
Music Soiree – Friday 15th March
We are looking forward to an evening of entertainment, providing our students in Years 4 – 8 with a platform to showcase their talents, starting at 6pm. Please save the date for your diaries with more information to follow.
Denne Hill Cross Country – Saturday 16th March
This event is aimed at children in Years 4 and upwards, however children in Pre-Prep are very welcome to come along and run the course. Cakes and refreshments will be served afterwards.
Lenten Service – Tuesday 19th March
Please join us for our special service between 4-5pm in the Chapel.
Term ends – Wednesday 20th March
Please note that term ends at 12pm and there will be no after school provision on this day.
Easter Fair – Wednesday 20th March
On the last day of term, we will hold our annual Easter Fair with lots of fun and refreshments on offer. The Easter Bonnet parade will take place in school time at 11.30am on the school field. Once term has finished at 12pm, the Fair will begin with an Easter egg hunt, daffodil picking and games. More details to follow.
Reminders
Please ensure that you have labelled every item of your child’s school uniform. Any lost property will be kept for 2 weeks. After that time, any unlabelled items will be given to the second hand uniform shop for resale.
We issued a letter On Dojo this week regarding the anticipated VAT application to school fees – please take time to read this carefully.
Holiday Club links
School Values Awards
Pre-Prep
Reception | James Gutierrez for being a kind friend and trying really hard to be more resilient when he finds something hard. |
Year 1 | Monty Cracknell has been working very hard in all of his lessons, but especially phonics and writing. Monty has used his imagination to create some lovely bits of writing and shows his enthusiasm every day. Diruksha Thivakar for stepping up in her classwork and being such a lovely and respectful member of the class. Diruksha takes time to make sure her manners are exemplary and she has shown more pride in her work. |
Year 2 | Roland Dilkes- At Christmas, Roly set a goal with his mum that he would read more at home, he is now reading everyday at home with this his confidence has increased massively and he is making accelerated progress! Felicity O’Dell- Fi has shown a great deal of enthusiasm towards our new maths topic, multiplication. She is really focussed in lessons and in her practical work. Remy Watson for his positive attitude in class. He has really stepped up and is putting his hand up, offering answers and suggestions in discussions. Fabulous class participation. Max Harper for his resilience and determination to succeed. He is working really hard, especially in maths, and is rightly proud of the efforts he is making. |
Year 3 | Marlo Montilla – Marlo has settled in so well this week. He has a wealth of knowledge that he is ready to share with the class and was so keen to finish a piece of writing, he chose to work through some of his lunch break (wet break) to finish it! Freddie Spencer – Freddie is just a joy to have in the class! He is always so polite, helpful and positive and always has a cheery remark to make. Plus he always pours me water at lunchtime! |
Seniors
Year 4 | Isabella Perks – For always having a positive attitude to everything she faces and all challenges and for ALWAYS having a smile on her face and being happy. |
Year 5 | Aisha Adeyemi – for showing amazing resilience and giving her full participation in the Burns Night dancing. Hector Halton – resilience and courage – playing full contact rugby with U11s at the Spring Grove festival. |
Year 6 | Ethan Wei and Yoyo Tang- courage in settling into a new school. Theo Eberlin – Always showing respect and kindness to others. Sam Kane – Superb skills and courage demonstrated in his rugby at the Spring Grove festival. Gian Tarr – excellent courage and listening skills demonstrated at the Spring Grove festival. |
Seniors | Wilbur Henry who completed 11 Latin scholarship papers over the Christmas break and passed all of them with flying colours. He is showing courage and resilience and determination to succeed in all he does. Freddie Loudon and Wibur Henry for demonstrating the hard work and courage needed to go for a sports scholarship. |
Team of the Week:
6E & 6K for showing resilience and perseverance in the face of complex new Latin grammar – tackling it with focus and extraordinary concentration – meaning that they got an enormous amount of work done in the lessons last week.
The whole school deserves praise for getting through the Inspection!
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
Monday
Hockey v St Lawrence U13 A Boys (h) 3.15pm
Wednesday
Hockey v St Edmund’s U11 A Boys (a)
Hockey v St Edmund’s U11 B Boys (a)
Netball v Dover College U13 A Girls (a)
Netball v St Lawrence U11 A Girls (h)
Netball v St Lawrence U11 B Girls (h)
Netball v Northbourne Park U9 A Girls (a)
Netball v Northbourne Park U9 B Girls (a)
Thursday
Netball v St Lawrence U9 A Girls (h)
Friday
Netball v ISA Tournament U11 A Girls (h)
Saturday
Rugby v Northbourne Park U13 A Boys (a)
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
Hockey v St Edmund’s U13 A Boys (a) | Lost 1-2 Won 2-0 Lost 0-4 |
Spring Grove Rugby Festival U11 A Boys (a) |
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Netball v Northbourne Park U13 A Girls (h) | Lost 10 – 13 |
Netball v St Lawrence U11 A Girls (a) | Lost 2-4 |
Netball v St Lawrence U11 B Girls (a) | Won 8-2 |
Netball v St Lawrence U9 A Girls (a) | Lost 1-2 |
Netball v St Lawrence U9 B Girls (a) | Lost 0-2 |