Headmaster's Comments
Christmas Concerts and Services
Over the last few days both the Chapel and Young Voices Choirs have been busy performing with adult choirs. The Chapel Choir performed with Wellingborough Singers, a choral choir, at their concert on Saturday and last night the Young Voices Choir were part of a high-energy concert that included Wellingborough Community Gospel Choir and the Vindablues Band.
Christmas can start as early as September if you were to follow the lead of some large department stores but at Wellingborough School it does not truly begin until the ‘Nine Lessons and Carols’ service. This year’s service was spectacular with the ever growing Chapel Choir in excellent voice, a beautifully sung solo by Tommy Martin (Y7) and Andy Kershaw’s brass ensemble adding that little bit extra.
Snow White and the Seven Teachers
This year’s staff panto, written and directed by Ms Machin, was an event not to be missed. It included all the usual fun for audience participation; hissing the villain, arrghing the beautiful princess and hurrahing the hero. Thank you to all the staff for giving us such an entertaining afternoon.
Achievements
Daisy-mai Crossman (Y6) achieved two silver medals for 200 metre breaststroke and 200 metre backstroke and a bronze medal for 800 metre freestyle at the Corby Swimming Gala.
Lauren Mason (Y8) achieved a Merit in Grade 2 piano.
MiniMoBros
Congratulations to William Heath (Y8) and his team of MiniMoBros who raised £10,155 to date for Movember 2015 becoming leaders of the Northampton Saints team, the rugby premiership, top 10 in UK and the highest earning student worldwide. Over 2014 and 2015 William has raised nearly £20,000. Congratulations.
Signage
I hope that you have noticed the new signage at our Jubilee Gates, along with the directional site and field maps that have been installed in the car park area. Thanks go to Claire Mitchell, Ian Gallacher and the Marketing Committee for their work in ensuring that this signage has finally been put in place. Thanks particularly to the Wellingborough Prep School Parent Association for generously funding the directional fields signage, which is located adjacent to Astro 1.
Sports Report
Please see below the Final Assembly sports report from Mr Irvine which, for the first time, was written in poetry style.
And Finally…
Over the years I have written around 450 newsletters and this will be my final one. Claire and I thank the whole of the Wellingborough School Community for their support over the years and the many kind comments over the last few weeks. We have had a wonderful 11½ years, made many friends and will leave with great memories of a very special school.
That just leaves us to wish you a happy and peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Mr Mitchell
WPSA Disco
Last night the Prep School Hall was filled with 250 very excited children for the annual WPSA Christmas discos. The music as always, was pumping and the children demonstrated some amazing dance moves, a special mention to the Year 8 boys for their great routine. The tuck shop was inundated from the start and proved to be as popular as ever. The photo booth was bigger and better than ever before, with many wonderful costumes and props. A big thank you to Clare Heath, who snapped over 500 photos over the two discos. The photos taken on the evening will be put to music and included on a DVD available to all pupils who were in attendance. If you would like to download or purchase the photographs themselves, please email your child’s name and form to Clareheath@me.com. You will receive a link to a page on the “photo box" website and the password so that the photographs are available to you. Thank you also, to the many parent and teacher volunteers, whose help was very much appreciated.
Mrs Cunningham
Sports Report - Michaelmas 2015
Back in September, I’d never have guessed
To feel so proud or be so impressed
By the sport I’ve witnessed so far this year
Which deserves rounds of applause and more than three cheers.
From hockey to rugby, girls’ sport to boys’
We’ve made such a big impact and plenty of noise!
The level of commitment, determination and grit
Is shared by all who wear Wellingborough School kit.
Let’s start with hockey, and the girls that do shine,
With fire and aggression; it’s our U9.
Their zeal and determination does hold the limelight;
Reaching the semi-final was a definite highlight.
Now the U10 team have united as a whole
In an excellent season scoring their twenty-third goal.
And in matches they achieved this during only their eighth,
Snatching the trophy away from St Faith’s.
The U11 girls stormed to success in their games
With dynamic goalkeeping in the form of Tilly James.
Their success against Swanbourne was a performance to witness;
Showing excellent teamwork and increased levels of fitness.
Now onto the seniors and the fifth and sixth teams
Where plentiful practice shows you can achieve dreams:
Developing tactical awareness and personal skill
Resulted in a win against Oakham and hard work fulfilled.
The third and fourth team squads are much improved;
Enjoyment and enthusiasm have lifted the mood.
The third team girls, usually quiet as a mouse
Shot to victory against Winchester House.
The second team squad has been determined and assertive
Going from strength to strength by being stealthy and furtive.
Their success this term has been a precise operation
Thanks to their supportive nature and team cooperation.
And lastly, the first team whose rising ambition
Under Imogen Smith has shown an impressive transition.
Though the National Finals were narrowly missed,
The 2015 title against Bedford was ticked off the list!
We move on to rugby with crouch, set and binds,
And begin with the success of our U9s.
They rucked, they scrummaged, they fought and mauled
And secured impressive wins against Bedford and Spratton Hall.
Qualifying for the National School Finals, taking place in the spring,
They’ve risen from warriors to As and can now truly sing.
U10 and 11 warriors with confidence did begin,
And by maintaining their spirit achieved forty-point wins.
The U10 A team with commitment did enrich
Their gameplay, beating Bromsgrove, on a full-sized pitch.
The U11As travelled to Wellington causing quite a stir,
But at the start, other schools had no idea who we were.
In play we stayed positive and our style was thorough;
We left with our opponents chanting Well-ing-borough!
And finally we come to our senior fifteens
Where the boys have been hardworking, committed and keen.
The Sixths have remained strong and work hard when they train;
Whether it’s a mild evening practice, or a weekend of rain.
The Fifths remained unbeaten for most of the term;
Playing with passion, making other schools squirm.
The Third and Fourth sides have had a very strong season,
With wins against The Dragon School being just one reason.
The Second team have risen and stolen the glory,
Success against Bedford is just part of the story.
Winning such challenging fixtures left us all in dismay;
Who’d have thought such success from a team led by Mr Gray?
And so to the First team with fast, free open play,
Their technique has been outstanding, improving day by day.
Defeating tricky opponents woke us all up;
Just like Wales beating England at the Rugby World Cup!
From pop pass to gut pass these players switched well
Which earned them a rare smile from Mr Mitchell!
This term, you’ll agree, our players have soared
And in a moment it’ll be time to hand out the awards.
All that remains from me is to finish this verse,
Of a poem more infinite than the entire universe!
Pupils this term you have been truly divine,
A big congratulations from me, Mr Irvine.
Mr Irvine
Head of Sport