A Foreword From Mrs Parpworth
In our last full week of term, a buzz of excitement is spreading across the school as we prepare for our Christmas festivities. We are very much looking forward to the Early Years Nativity, Christmas Celebration performance for Years 1 to 3, Christmas Jumper Day and the children’s Christmas Fair later this week. Christmas is such a special time to be at school, sharing the magic and joy within the community. We hope you can join us for the children’s performances on Thursday where you can enjoy a mince pie or two.
Our seniors headed off to Paris on Saturday with Madame Ryder and Mrs Spencer. An ideal opportunity to practise their French speaking skills, this trip is set to be one they will remember for the rest of their lives. We look forward to hearing about all the fun they have experienced when they return tomorrow.
We hope you have a wonderful week ahead.
Mrs Jo Parpworth
School Last Week
School Exams Week
Well done to all our pupils who sat their end of term assessments last week. They approached the tests with high spirits, confidence and positivity. We look forward to sharing the outcome of these tests with you in their end of term report which will be published on the portal in just over a week’s time.
Reception Christmas Outing
Reception had an amazing time on their Christmas trip to Manor House Forest School at Quex. The whole day was really well planned and was an excellent adventure! We arrived to a welcome play in the snow and then joined Santa on his sleigh. The children were engrossed and excited straightaway and loved posing for a photo.
The children then explored the beautiful location whilst on a Christmas Treasure Trail looking for Christmas characters. They had great fun running in search of the Gingerbread Man, toy soldiers and angels. Reception then had to employ our school value of teamwork coming together to answer some Christmas quiz questions.
We then met the Forest School animals and got to pet them. The children particularly liked the duck named Smoothie! Then there was the excitement of an escaped pig that was eating all of the goat’s food! What a greedy pig!
Reception loved sitting around the campfire, toasting marshmallows and drinking hot chocolate. They were extremely pleased to meet the big man himself, Father Christmas. He certainly was a jolly chap and he gave them all an early gift. The children were extremely happy with this! They also got to decorate wooden discs to hang on their own Christmas trees and made a table decoration too. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day with lots of opportunities for outdoor learning and play!
Year 3 London Theatre Trip
Year 3 had the most wonderful time in London last week where they were treated to a performance of The Lion King at The Lyceum Theatre. On the way, they took the opportunity for a pitstop at Covent Garden where they viewed the Christmas decorations and watched some street artist performances. The children’s behaviour was exemplary throughout and members of the public commented on how well mannered they were. Thank you to Ms Jefferies, staff and parent helpers for making this trip possible and helping so many memories to be made.
It’s Beginning To Feel A Lot Like Christmas At WHD!
Our Christmas trees went up this week and we want to express our thanks to Mrs Halton and Mrs Dilkes for their time and efforts in dressing the tree in the Old Hall. They produced some beautiful glass baubles adorned with our school values, ribbon wrapped pencil decorations and branded crackers. They even went to the effort of sourcing a Mrs Parpworth fairy for the top of the tree! The choir teamed up to decorate the tree in our dining hall and it has really added to the festive atmosphere around the school.
Year 2 Class Assembly
Year 2 treated us to an epic re-enactment of The Great Fire of London during their assembly on Friday. Donned with professional costumes and attire from the 1600’s, the children entertained us with their performance containing many interesting facts about this historical event. Sadly, the naughty elves had tampered with the technology that day so the Year 2s were without music for their songs. They didn’t let this faze them and they continued with courage and resilience, singing without the backing tracks and amazing us all.
Year 2 will be re-playing the assembly this Friday at 9.00am in the Old Hall where they will be accompanied by Mr Redwood on the piano! We do hope you can join us.
Senior Paris Trip
Bon voyage to our senior students who are spending the next few days in chilly Paris. They will get to experience a full range of Christmas festivities whilst absorbing the French culture and practising their speaking and listening skills. They are especially excited to visit the Eiffel Tower and Disney Land. Keep posted on our social media channels for updates.
School This Week
Year 1 and 2 Christmas Adventure to Quex Park – Monday 4th December
Reception had a wonderful time at Quex Park last week and we are excited for Year 1 and 2 who will have the opportunity to enjoy outdoor festive activities today. They will enjoy time in the forest school, have arts and crafts time and will meet Father Christmas.
Pre-Prep Nativity Performance – Thursday 7th December
Being one of most looked forward to events in the school calendar, we cannot wait to welcome our Nursery and Reception parents to WHD’s Nativity performance on Thursday at 9.30am. Please make your way to the Old Hall after drop off where refreshments will be served from 9.00am onwards.
Year 1 -3 Christmas Celebration Performance – Thursday 7th December
We are very excited to welcome you to our festive programme of song, dance and poetry at our Christmas Service for Years 1 – 3 at 2.15pm. The children will take centre stage and will have their time to shine, filling our hearts with festive cheer. Please make your way to the Old Hall where refreshments will be served from 2pm.
Christmas Jumper Day – Friday 8th December
All children are invited to wear non-school uniform with a Christmas jumper.
Pre-Prep Christmas Lunch & Christmas Fair
We will provide a full Christmas banquet style lunch for our pre-prep children followed by a Christmas Fair and games in the afternoon from 1.30pm onwards (run by the children for the children). We thank our PFA for their support and involvement.
Save Minster Marshes
Some of you may already have heard about the National Grid’s application for planning permission to build an electrical converter station (the size of 22 football pitches) on Minster marshes for their project Sea Link. The rich biodiversity of Minster Marshes is a testament to its ecological significance. It’s not just a marsh; it’s a sanctuary for diverse flora and fauna, including rare and endangered species (e.g. beavers, water voles, peregrine falcons, turtle doves, ravens, various owls, frogs, newts, herons and many extremely vulnerable migrating birds) From vibrant birdlife to elusive aquatic creatures, every inhabitant plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological equilibrium. Saving Minster Marshes isn’t just an environmental obligation; it’s a promise to safeguard the delicate web of life that calls this pristine landscape home.
The fate of the marshes will be determined by the Planning Inspectorate (PINs) at a formal Examination and we have until the 18th of December to complete a feedback form to be considered as part of the process.
Project Overview: https://www.nationalgrid.com/electricity-transmission/document/150926/download
If you would like to sign the online petition the link is here:
If you are able to put up a Save Minster Marshes poster or would like any more information about the campaign to save the marshes then see Mrs SD or email her (ksd@wellesleyhaddondene.co.uk).
Future Events
Panto Trip Years 1 to 8 – Monday 11th December
We are looking forward to a trip to the Sarah Thorne Theatre where the children will enjoy the morning watching a pantomime performance of ‘Sleeping Beauty’. The children will need a snack and drink to take with them for intermission.
Christmas Feast Y4 to 8 – Tuesday 12th December
Our infamous Christmas Feast will be held in the evening for Years 4 to 8 followed by parlour games in the Old Hall afterwards (5.15pm to 7pm).
Christmas Carol Service – Wednesday 13th December
Join us in the chapel at 11.30am for our traditional Christmas Service involving Years 4 – 8.
Term Ends – Wednesday 13th December at 12.30pm
Adult Art Classes (Spring Term)
Mr Parfitt is excited to be launching a series of adult evening classes designed to hone skills in various art forms. This is a great opportunity to develop a love of art, learn more about artists of interest and socialise with like-minded people. Please see this leaflet for more information.
Reminders
School Uniform Shop
We have a range of preloved uniform items available in our uniform shop. Please contact Liz Dilkes, Chair of the PFA, to arrange an appointment.
Correct Kit
Please ensure that children arrive at school with the correct kit. During the colder months, children should ideally have base layers and a hoodie. Please remember that shin pads are a necessity for hockey, football and rugby. Gum shields are a necessity for hockey and rugby. All children should be coming to school with a coat. We recommend plenty of layers in this colder weather.
School Values Awards
School values for pre-preps were paused last week as there was no assembly due to exams.
Seniors
Year 4 | Theo Hempstead – Kindness – Showing exceptional support and kindness towards a peer who needed help. Hugo Pettit – for showing courage and pushing himself to do his best in lessons. |
Year 5 | Fraser Manning – for showing resilience by making a greatly improved effort to increase his industry in most of his lessons. |
Year 6 | Paula Arsuaga-Reano – Kindness – showing kindness towards her poorly friend. |
Seniors | Wilbur Henry – politeness, helpfulness during the play and across the school, working hard. |
Team of the Week:
6K for their industry.
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
Wednesday
Football v Junior King’s School: U11 A Boys (h) 1.30pm start
Hockey v Junior King’s School: U11 A Girls (a) 1.45pm start
Hockey v Junior King’s School: U11 B Girls (a) 1.45pm start
Hockey v Junior King’s School: U13 A Girls (a) 1.45pm start
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
Football v Northbourne Park: U11 A Boys (h) | Won 6-3 |
Football v Northbourne Park: U11 B Boys (h) | Lost 0-7 |
Hockey v St Edmund’s: U13 A Girls (a) | Lost 1-8 |
Football v Newington: U11 A Boys (a) | Lost 0-8 |
Squash v King’s Canterbury: U13 A Boys (a) | Drew 4-4 |
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