What a fabulous day yesterday was as we celebrated the world of books together. I applaud the imaginative and creative way in which characters were brought to life. The parade in the morning was a real highlight. 
Congratulations to all. A day like yesterday gives us the opportunity to reflect on how fortunate we are to take delight in the pleasure of reading. At Prep School age, children begin a lifelong relationship with the printed word and, with your and our help, grow into adults who can read easily and frequently. I, dressed as Calamity Jane, especially enjoyed hearing Year 4 pupils take delight in sharing their well-presented book reviews with me. Another thing that caught my imagination was the ‘6 Word Book Challenge’ set by Mr Medhurst our librarian.
Here are a few submissions:
- Once upon a time….. the end
- Suddenly, I fell, the room darkened.
- Crunch. “The biscuits are poisoned Dad!”
- I saw his teeth and ran…
If you would like to join the competition, send your entries to prep-office@wellingboroughschool.org.
Open Day
Tomorrow, we open our doors to prospective families to visit our School. Our visitors will be able to see first-hand the types of activities our pupils are engaged in every day. Please encourage friends and families who you think might be interested.
WPSA Night at the Races - Cancelled
It is with regret that the WPSA committee has decided to cancel the Race Night on the 10th March. One of the purposes of the WPSA is to arrange events which contribute socially to the School Community as well as to raise funds that advance the education of the pupils of the School. They are keen to hear from you about the type of events you would like them to organise. Whether they are parent social events or activities at the weekend for the children or adult and children combined events. If you have any suggestions, please email the Chair, Emma Redfern, at WPSA@wellingboroughschool.org.
Finally…
Congratulations to all Prep School pupils who performed in the Rock, Pop and Blues Concert last week. It was simply marvellous watching youngsters from Year 4 upwards creating and performing magical music together. Also well done to 6JP for their assembly this morning.
Have a restful weekend.
Mrs Sue Knox
Headmistress
Chapel
Chapel this week happened early on Wednesday to make way for World Book Day on Thursday. In the spirit of that event, we explored the idea that fiction may not be historically or scientifically true, but if we understand its imaginative language we will find that it communicates truth in its own way, according to its way of using language. We thought in particular about how a book like "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" can communicate different types of truth, once its language is "decoded."
Here is a sample of some of the highlights of the Prep School's curriculum from this week including reports from Miss Kingstone,
Anglo-Saxon Day
Year 4 enjoyed stepping back in time on Monday as the hall was transformed into an Anglo-Saxon village. The children got into the spirit of the day by dressing in suitable costume. During the morning they enjoyed many Anglo-Saxon crafts such as making clay pots, ink, illuminated lettering, candles and runes. Some children also paid a visit to the medicine man and made dinner for the villagers. Shields and bows provided an opportunity to learn how to fight for King Alfred's army and create a shield wall which was enjoyed by all. In the afternoon the children enjoyed practising their historical identification skills during an archaeological dig but the highlight was the making of pewter necklaces from the moulds created by some of the children. Thank you to the parents who assisted us during the day - your help is always gratefully received.
Windows into Learning: Year 4 English
On Wednesday 16 Year 4 parents joined us to work with their children on some English activities in the library. The afternoon started with a short presentation showing a curriculum summary; the assessment process and how active learning or cross curricular links are used to engage the children and give purpose to their writing. Later, comprehension, spelling and spag.com were amongst the activities on offer. It was a really super afternoon, with the pupils thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to work with their parents in a relaxed environment. Thank you to all those who attended making it so worthwhile, as well as encouraging and supporting your children in their learning at school. For those not able to attend please click here to view the PowerPoint presentation.
Mrs Owen
Deputy Head - Curriculum
Affirming Children
It is easier to build up a child than repair an adult. Choose your words wisely! How?
- I think you’re awesome!
- You did a great job!
- You make me smile.
- That was a really kind thing to do.
- Well done for working so hard!
- I love being your (parent, grandparent, aunt etc)
- I saw you being kind to your little brother/sister
- I believe in you.
- I am so proud of your achievements in…art/drama/sport etc
- You can do it!
Affirming words from Mums and Dads are like light switches. Speak a word of affirmation at the right moment in a child’s life and it’s like lighting up a whole roomful of possibilities.
Pupil Achievements
Special mention to Toby Heath who has received a ‘Blue Peter Badge’ for amazing fundraising.
Mrs Petrie
Deputy Head – Pastoral
Spring Concert - 7.00pm Tuesday 14th March, Castle Theatre
The Spring Concert is a celebration of music-making in the Prep and Senior Schools. Tickets are now on sale at the Castle Theatre box office (www.castletheatre.co.uk / 01933 270007). With over 100 performers taking part, this promises to be a popular concert, so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Wellingborough Rotary Music Festival
The Wellingborough Rotary Music Festival begins tonight. Pupils who have entered for solo classes should have received programme information from the festival organisers. Please remember to take along a copy of your music for the adjudicator on the day. The Brass Group will be competing in an ensemble class on Monday 6th March at 5.40pm in the Drama Studio at Wollaston School. Parents should make their own travel arrangements to get pupils to Wollaston School by 5.15pm, to allow time for the musicians to warm up. The class, including adjudication, is expected to finish by about 6.15pm, when pupils will be free to go home. Good luck to all competitors!
Congratulations
A big 'well done' to Tanaka Jalathge, who played violin with the Northamptonshire Country Training Strings Orchestra last weekend, at their Spring Festival of Music at the Spinney Theatre in Northampton.
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
Extra-Curricular Achievements
Isabelle Thomas (Y7) (and Duke) competed in the British Showjumping ‘Just for Schools’ classes at The College of West Anglia on Saturday. They came 2nd in the 80cm and 1st in the 90cm. They then entered the unaffiliated 95cm class where they also came 1st.
Keira Stoute (Y7) won all her showjumping classes
on Sunday at Glebe Farm. She won the 70cm on Bella and came 2nd on Archie, won the 80cm on Archie and came 2nd on Bella, only jumped Archie in the 90cm and came first. She also got the fastest and 2nd fastest time of the day on Archie and then Bella, beating the adults too.
Charley Knight (Y7) competed in the Milton Keynes Drama festival and achieved three fir
st places and a second place in her different categories.
Lili Howe (Y6) was awarded two Classical trophies and selected to perform in the Special Gala at the recent Milton Keynes Festival of Dance.
Sports Fixtures Week Commencing 6th March 2017
Monday 6th March
U13A & U12A IAPS Netball Tournament @ Uppingham – 1000 start
Tuesday 7th March
Prep 1st VII Northampton Saints Rugby Sevens Tournament @ Saints training ground – 11:30 start
Wednesday 8th March
Football 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th XI v King’s Ely – Away – 2.45 KO
Football U11A & B, U10A & B v King’s Ely – Home – 2.30 KO
Netball U13A, B & C v Oundle – Home – 2.30 start
Netball U12A, B & C v Oundle – Away – 2.30 start
Netball U11A & B, U10A & B v Stamford Juniors – Away – 2.30 KO
Thursday 9th March
U9A v Laxton Juniors Football Tournament – Away – 1430 KO
U9A v Laxton Juniors Netball Tournament – Away – 1430 start
Saturday 11th March
U10A v Berkhamsted Football Tournament – Away – 1000 start
U10A v Thornton College Netball Tournament – Away – 1400 start
U11A & U13A v Millfield Rugby 7s Tournament – Away – 1230 start
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 6th March - Albania
Tuesday 7th March - Cameroon
Wednesday 8th March - Tunisia
Thursday 9th March - Singapore
Friday 10th March - Suriname
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
Easter Art Camp
Monday, 10th April to Thursday, 13th April
For more details of what is on offer and to book a place click here.
Mrs Hennessy
Camp Leader
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.
Lecture at the University of Northampton
Parents and pupils studying politics, photography or history may be interested in a one hour talk ‘What next for the people of Syria, and how does the media shape our understanding and perspective?’ being held at the University of Northampton, Park Campus (close to Boughton) on Tuesday 14th March at 7.15pm. Presenters include Will Wintercross a photo journalist from the Telegraph who will be talking through his experiences of reporting from Aleppo as well as esteemed speakers from the University and The Red Cross, who will be providing another firsthand view of the human cost of conflict in the region. For more information click here.
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.