This last week has seen Christma
s festivities go into overdrive. There was a fine collection of Christmas jumpers on Thursday and for this privilege the pupils paid a pound. We raised over £300 for the British Heart Foundation. The staff also joined in and our own Mrs Billington won the best Christmas jumper award. The inaugural Club Dance competition was a fantastic way to start the day. Congratulations to Jaguars for their fine rendition of “Thriller”.
Following our Christmas
lunch, for which we must thank Elaine O’Sullivan and the Chartwells team, the pupils were treated to the staff rendition of “Sleeping Beauty”. It certainly won the approval of all those in the audience. Finally, the pupil disco, which was a lovely way to end an exciting day. The pupils had a hugely enjoyable time and my thanks to the WPSA for their superb orchestration.
Our Carol Service was a beautiful way to end an incredibly busy and action packed term. I would like to thank the Prep School staff for their energy, commitment and dedication to the pupils and School this term. I have watched many pupils grow in confidence in themselves and in their learning and, as a Headmistress, it gives me great pleasure to watch them sparkle and shine. Australian psychologist and author Steve Biddulph in his books says ‘spark’ helps every child get their roots deep down into who they are. “Children and young teenagers always have something inside them”, he writes. “An interest, enthusiasm, talent, or concern for service. If it’s supported, it gives them incredible motivation, joy and direction. That thing is their spark.” This term, many of our pupils have found their spark because they could.
I wish you and your family a joyful and peaceful Christmas and Happy New Year.
Mrs Knox
Headmistress
What Makes an Excellent Lesson?
The Michaelmas term has been a busy one in the classroom and I have been pleased to have had so many opportunities to see lessons in action across different subjects and year groups. As a staff, we have been focusing on ‘What Makes an Excellent Lesson?’ and, in the Lent term, we will be carrying out regular Learning Walks throughout the School. In addition, our two year appraisal cycle has started and is linked to continuous professional development for all staff in order to maintain a focus on best practice. One of my personal highlights of the term has been my regular ‘band of boys’ who attend touch typing club. They have already identified for themselves the potential benefits of this skill as they move through to the Senior School and beyond. It was extremely satisfying to see the progress they have made in a short amount of time – they were rightly proud of the speed and accuracy of their typing at the end of term, compared with their scores six weeks ago. We do have room for more pupils to join us in January, at 12.10pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Bedford ICT room.
Mrs Owen
Deputy Head - Curriculum
Charity Update
A huge thank you to all parents and pupils who have supported the charity events held during Michaelmas term. We are very pleased to announce that the total raised so far, including Christmas Jumper Day, is £1,353.62. This is a fantastic start to our fundraising efforts for the British Heart Foundation. Thank you for your support.
Mrs Ferguson
Charity Co-ordinator
Positive Parents Programme
The next session of the wellbeing support programme for parents is ‘Five keys to children’s success and happiness - inc healthy relationships’ on 16th January 2017. Click here for more details.
Mrs Petrie
Deputy Head - Pastoral
Music Achievements
Well done to all pupils who sat their ABRSM or Trinity music exam this term. The results are:
Rihana Ali - Grade 3 trombone, pass
Rihana Ali - Grade 3 piano, merit
Maia Ayadurai - Grade 1 singing, pass
Molly Barnes - Grade 4 singing, distinction
Sofia Drage - Grade 1 singing, pass
Isabella Haines - Grade 2 singing, merit
Pranav Hariharan - Grade 2 piano, distinction
Lili Howe - Grade 3 singing, merit
Fiona Kidd - Grade 4 singing, pass
Fiona Kidd - Grade 4 clarinet, distinction
Fiona Kidd - Grade 4 piano, distinction
George Leahy - Grade 3 trumpet, pass
Zsofia Libertiny - Grade 4 singing, pass
Zsofia Libertiny - Grade 4 clarinet, merit
Tommy Martin - Grade 4 singing, merit
Joe McKinley - Grade 2 guitar, merit
Alistair Moffat - Grade 3 trumpet, merit
Owain Osborne - Grade 1 saxophone, pass
Lucy Poole - Grade 1 singing, pass
Noah Poole - Grade 2 trumpet, pass
Ravi Rajani - Grade 1 trombone, pass
George Ross - Grade 3 trumpet, pass
Thomas Ross - Grade 1 trombone, pass
Maria Warren Thiemann - Grade 2 piano, merit
Maria Warren Thiemann - Grade 4 flute, merit
Pranav Hariharan performed at the Seasonal Soiree Concert for his Piano teacher at Spratton Hall Prep School.
Music Ensemble Photographs
Our music ensembles will be professionally photographed on Thursday 19th January. All instrumental players must remember to bring their instrument into School. A schedule for the day will be published at the beginning of next term.
Music School Parents' Evening
For parents of pupils who take individual music lessons at school, there will be an opportunity to talk to your child's teacher at our annual Music School parents' evening, on Tuesday 24th January from 5.30pm to 7.00pm. More details will be sent to parents in the New Year.
Wellingborough Rotary Music Festival 2017
The Wellingborough Rotary Music Festival will take place at various local schools between 3rd and 10th March 2017. Entries for solo and duet classes will not be made by School this year. If parents wish to enter their child for a solo or duet class, the prospectus and entry form can be found on the festival website, click here. Hard copies of the prospectus are also available from the Music Office. Completed forms and payment should be submitted directly to the festival organisers. The deadline for entries is Monday 23rd January.
Music Lesson Timetables
To view the timetables of individual lessons for the first week of Lent term, click here.
Mr Leutfeld
Head of Music
Sports Achievements
Isabelle Thomas (Y7), 
riding Duke, achieved 2nd place rosettes in the 80cm and 90cm showjumping and a 4th place rosette in the 70cm showjumping at the Arena UK competition.
Lottie Heaver (Y8) was called to play for the U16 County Girls Tennis Team in the 12 Counties event playing matches again Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hereford & Worcestershire taking a number of games to deuce.
PE Half Term Rotation
- Year 4: Girls start swimming, boys start gymnastics
- Year 5: Girls start swimming, boys start gymnastics
- Year 6: Girls start gymnastics, boys start swimming
Please note that yellow swimming hats must be worn, these can be purchased from the Prep Office priced at £1.
Games Rotation
- Year 7: Girls start football, boys start basketball, then after half term the boys move onto hockey and the girls begin basketball
- Year 8: Girls start football, boys start badminton, then after half term the boys move onto hockey and the girls begin badminton
Please note that shin pads are required for football and shin pads and gum shields are required for hockey.
Results
To view this week’s results please click here.
Thank you for your Support
The sports department would like to thank all parents for their continued support throughout the term. There have been lots of fixtures, tournaments and festivals and it has been great to see so many Wellingborough supporters turn out week in week out to support our teams. Have a lovely Christmas break and we look forward to seeing you in the New Year.
Mr Irvine
Head of Sport and Extra-Curricular
Information to parents
Please visit the parents’ login area on the website to view copies of letters sent by Clarioncall and weekly team sheets. If you do not know the login details please email prep-office@wellingboroughschool.org. Click here.