Year 8 Play 'Treasure Island'
What a wonderful performance 
of Treasure Island we were treated to last night! This highly entertaining adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic novel finds young Jim Hawkins as he discovers a treasure map in a dead pirate's sea-chest. Jim is led on an expedition across the ocean to recover a fortune in plundered gold. I would like to commend our Year 8 pupils on an outstanding performance. Mr Hargreaves, director extraordinaire, is also to be congratulated. As one member of the audience commented: “the Year 8 plays are always a highlight of the year for me” and another “I am amazed at how the Hall was transformed into a ship for the night”. Bravo to all cast and crew. A superb production.
Young Voices
Good luck to the 60 pupils who are performing at the Young Voices Concert tonight. 5,000 children will be singing together and nothing can prepare you for the sound of thousands of children singing in harmony. Young Voices combines the power of singing together as one, with accompaniment from a wide range of musicians and artists, to create an amazing performance. Thank you to Mr Leutfeld for preparing them so beautifully. Enjoy!
Staff
Finally, it is with a heavy heart, that I advise that Mr Lee Irvine and Mr Steve Groom will be leaving us at the end of this academic year in July. Mr Irvine has been offered a promotional position as Director of Sport at the newly opened Rugby School in Thailand and Mr Groom will be retiring. We look forward, later in the year, to thanking them for their outstanding contribution to the school.
Mrs Sue Knox
Headmistress
Positive Parents Programme
The next session of the wellbeing support programme for parents is ‘Encouraging children and young people to accept themselves no matter what’ on 1st February. Click here for more details.
Internet Safety: Understanding Terms and Conditions
Many of us ignore what is written in the terms and conditions of the internet and software services that we use on a daily basis. This is a gross misjudgement, but who has time to do that and don't we trust those companies to look after our data properly. The Children's Commissioner published a report recently called 'Growing Up Digital'. The report makes interesting reading, but one aspect particularly caught media attention. Around half of 8-15 year olds use Instagram. The 'Growing Up Digital' report authors asked legal firm, Schillings, to look over the 17 pages of Instagram's Terms and Conditions, written at a level that could only be understood by a graduate. Schillings own lawyers simplified the T&Cs to help children (and the rest of us probably) understand what they mean. Here are two of the reader-friendly clauses:
- "Officially you own any original pictures and videos you post, but we are allowed to use them, and we can let others use them as well, anywhere around the world. Other people might pay us to use them and we will not pay you for that." (or put more simply, we can sell the stuff you upload without asking you or paying you.)
- "We might send you adverts connected to your interests which we are monitoring. You cannot stop us doing this and it will not always be obvious that it is an advert." (or put more simply, we can send you stuff and you won't know it’s an advert.)
We all have a right to know about this, and children need educating about it.
London Marathon
In April of this year, Mrs McDougall will be setting out to achieve a long term goal of running the London Marathon whilst raising money for Phab Kids. This is a charity which sends disabled children and those with complex needs on residential trips, enabling them to experience and enjoy greater independence and freedom. Through taking part in a range of fun and challenging activities the children are able to build confidence, independence and self-esteem whilst breaking down barriers and building friendships. If you would like to sponsor Mrs McDougall please click here. In addition, as part of the fundraising effort, on Friday, 10th February, we will be having a Crazy Hair Day, where the children can come to school sporting some mad hair styles (no hair dye please) and make a donation of £1. We will also be having a cake sale on the same day and would welcome any cake donations
Mrs Petrie
Deputy Head - Pastoral
Chapel Choir
The next two engagements for Chapel Choir this term are:
- Civic Service this Sunday, 29th January at 11.00am. Choristers should arrive by 10.00am for a short rehearsal. The service should finish by 12.00pm.
- Prep School Evensong, Thursday 9th February at 4.30pm. Choristers should go straight to Chapel after school. The service will finish by 5.30pm.
Strings and Guitars Recital
Our next music recital is on Monday 6th February at 4.30pm in the Recital Room, and will feature strings and guitar players from Prep and Senior Schools. Pupils who take lessons on a stringed instrument outside school are welcome to perform - please see Mr Leutfeld as soon as possible.
Rock Pop & Blues
Our annual Rock Pop & Blues concert is on Monday 27th February at 7.30pm in the Senior School Hall. This is an informal concert featuring individual and band performances from Prep and Senior schools. Any Prep School pupils who would like to take part should collect an entry form from the Music Department, which needs to be completed and returned by Monday 6th February.
Music Lesson Timetables
To view next week’s timetables of individual lessons, which are also displayed just inside the main entrance to the music department, click here.
Mr Leutfeld
Head of Music
Sports Fixtures Week Commencing 30th January 2017
Please note: There have been some slight changes to next week’s fixtures from our original draft on the School calendar. Check venues and timings carefully!
Monday 30th January
Football - Prep 1st XI v Quinton House – Home – 3.15pm start
Wednesday 1st February
Football - U11A & B v Broughton Manor – Home – 2.30pm KO
Football - U10A v Quinton House – Home - 2.30pm KO
Netball - U13A, C & U12A v SJCS – Home – 2.30pm start
Netball - U13B, U12B v SJCS – Home – 2.30pm start
Netball - U11A & C v SJCS – Away – 2.30pm start
Netball - U11B v SJCS – Away – 3.20pm start
Netball - U10B v Pitsford – Away – 2.30pm start
Thursday 2nd February
Football - U9 x 1 mixed team v Quinton House – Home – 2.30pm KO
Netball - U9 x 2 all mixed v Spratton Hall – Away – 3pm start
Friday 3rd February
Netball - U10-U13 IAPS Swimming Gala at Kimbolton School – 4.30pm Start (Please note: Kimbolton have informed us that due to limited pool space no parents will be able to watch the event. They do send their apologies in advance)
Saturday 4th February
Football - U10A & B v Witham Hall Football Tournament (A) 2pm KO
Netball - U10A & B v Witham Hall Netball Tournament (A) 2pm start
Sunday 5th February
U12A v Magdalen College, Oxford Rugby Sevens Tournament (A) 11am start
Equestrian
On Saturday 21st January our School Equestrian Team of Keira, Alice, and Izzy attended the Cedars Upper School NSEA Showjumping qualifiers at Bury Farm, Bucks. The 90cm class took place indoors and all our riders rode brilliantly achieving 5th place out of 13 teams. They were also the highest placed Northamptonshire team and qualified for the NSEA County Championships in April. Izzy and Duke also came 7th individually out of 78 riders. Sadly the 80cm was outdoors and following several days of freezing conditions, the ground was just too hard and so the team decided to withdraw. The organisers very kindly permitted Izzy to swap her 80cm entry for the 1m class which was indoors and although just out of the placings Izzy was the highest placed Northamptonshire rider qualifying her for the County Championships in the 1m class. Huge congratulations to everyone for doing so well at this popular event and we look forward to attending the County Championships which will take place on 21st April. Our thanks as always, also to our parents for their time and support in enabling the School to be represented.
Sports Achievements
Etienne Maughan (Y7) competed at her first indoor athletics event last weekend which was held at Lee Valley Indoor Stadium. There were 71 competitors competing in the race, which meant 10 heats. Etienne ran 8.36 in the heats and 8.33 in the final, which placed her in 4th place. Etienne’s time then placed her 6th overall in the country at U13 level, for the indoor season so far. This is a fantastic start to her indoor season and we, at Wellingborough School, wish her the very best.
Three Year 6 girls passed their ISTD grade two modern exam with Miss Viv School of Dance - Isabella Haines (distinction), Jemima Peel (merit) and Ellie Waters (merit).
Results
To view this week’s results please click here.
Mr Irvine
Head of Sport and Extra-Curricular
Country of the Day
To continually improve location knowledge in the Prep School, here is a daily challenge from 6LW. Your focus for each day is to locate the country on a map! If that is too easy, there are some extension questions too…
- Daily challenge:
Monday 30th January - Panama
Tuesday 31st January - Angola
Wednesday 1st February - Nepal
Thursday 2nd February – North Korea
Friday 3rd February - Slovakia - Extension questions:
1. What is the capital city of this country?
2. What does the flag look like?
3. How many people live in this country?
4. What are the most notable features of this country?
Dr Fordham
Head of Geography
Easter Sports Camp
Monday, 3rd-7th April
Lots of sport and lots of fun! Early Booking and Sibling Discounts available – don’t miss out! For more details and a booking form click here.
Mrs Petrie
Camp Leader
Car Park
Please can we remind parents who use the drop-off area to reduce the noise of music and use of hands free telephone calls from 3.30pm-4.15pm as this can be disruptive to the lessons that are still in progress. Please also be considerate where you park and switch off your engines when you are stationary.
Sainsbury’s Active Kids
Sainsbury's have launched their Active Kids vouchers scheme which runs through to 2nd May. We have been collecting vouchers for many years now and have exchanged them for a number of sports items for the pupils. Any donations will be greatly appreciated and these can be handed in to the Prep Office.
Information to parents
To view copies of letters sent by Clarioncall and weekly team sheets please click here to be redirected to Parents Login. If you do not know the login details please email prep-office@wellingboroughschool.org.