We have reached the end of another busy half term with time now to relax and unwind. For our year 7 and 8 pupils, opportunity for some final consolidation of learning but, also, a time to spend doing things they enjoy. Over half term, our Equestrian team will have the opportunity to ride for the School in our own event. Supporters are most welcome to attend which will be held at the College Equestrian Centre in Keysoe.
When we return to school, we will be straight into action with a number of events:
- Year 4 Windows into Learning with a focus on Science – 7th June
- WPSA meeting and AGM – 7th June at 8pm. All welcome - please do join us
- Family Fun Evening – 16th June at 4.15pm - 8pm
- Non-uniform day (wear something red) raising money for our chosen Charity - the British Heart Foundation – 16th June
Additionally, we are looking forward to hosting all of the new pupils who are joining us in September for their Orientation Days and some great activities with Year 3 as they prepare their exciting transition to Year 4.
Have a super break.
Mrs Sue Knox
Headmistress
This week I enjoyed a learning walk around the School with Mrs Barnhurst, Senior School Deputy Head Curriculum, where we looked at the similarities and differences between Year 8 and 9 in terms of organisation, equipment, movement between lessons and use of technology. It was really interesting to see how things work in the two year groups and it will help us with ensuring a smooth transition to the Senior School in September for our current Year 8 pupils. In addition, we have been making the most of the summer weather and a number of classes moved their lessons outside (in the shade!). My Year 5 and 6 Life Skills pupils enjoyed the opportunity to carry out their studies in the fresh air and their behaviour and attitude to learning was excellent. Mr Hargreaves also took the opportunity to perform some open air theatre with his Drama classes.
Here is a sample of some of the highlights of the Prep School's curriculum from this week including reports from Miss Simmons and Mrs Drye:
Year 4 Windows in to Learning – Science
On Wednesday 7th June 2.30pm - 4.05pm, there will be an opportunity to partner your child in a variety of short Science investigations and to find out about the different scientific skills we have been developing this year and how Progress Grids can inform learning and expectations. Details of how to book have been sent by Clarion.
‘This is the Place’
The recent tragedy in Manchester touched all our hearts. Mrs Drye listened to the whole of Tony Walsh’s poem, ‘This is the Place’ on YouTube and transcribed it for Years 5-8, who then studied it (or will be studying it!) in English lessons, where they discussed the issues involved in the content and the surrounding event, including British values.
Identifying a text’s historical and cultural context and understanding how it influences authors’ work is a crucial skill. Recognising the power of performance poetry in a nation’s or community’s time of need is also important. The pupils all study poetry this term and will be writing their own poems for the annual competition. Thinking about possible themes, topical ideas and finding sources for inspiration is one area to focus on: often it is a form of catharsis; maybe they wish to protest about something; perhaps they wish to recall a lovely moment or place in their lives. There are a million different things to write about and ways of expressing those ideas.
How to capture life or ideas in words is also a theme being looked at by Year 8 pupils who are studying poems concerned with the creative process, from Shakespeare’s ‘Sonnet 17’, poetry by Larking and Ted Hughes, to Sujata Bhatt’s ‘The Writer’.
Mrs Owen
Deputy Head - Curriculum
Tips to help your child understand scary events
After events such as the Manchester Arena attack, it can be hard for children to understand what is happening in the world – and why. Click here to read an article published in First News, the weekly newspaper for children ‘Tips to help you understand scary events’.
Bushcraft
During the last week of the term, Year 8 are on a residential trip in Oxford with 'The Bushcraft Company.' Parents attended a presentation on Tuesday evening which explained what their children will experience during this adventure. The activities they will be taking part in are both exciting and educational. Whether they are cooking river trout over an open fire, building shelters to sleep in, making their own fires, or learning how to navigate through dense woodland, the outdoor adventures are as real as you can get and an experience, they will never forget. We are all looking forward to the trip.
Bears Club Challenge
During this week’s Club meetings, Bears challenge was to build the tallest tower with marshmallows and spaghetti.
Summer Uniform
Reminder that pupils should all be wearing summer uniform when we return from the half term break, i.e. short sleeved white shirts, white ankle socks for girls. On very hot days’ pupils will be permitted to remove their blazer as directed by teaching staff. Pupils must wear blazers to assembly and Chapel.
Healthy Recipe
Please click here for this week’s healthy recipe for frozen fruit skewers with chocolate drizzle.
Mrs Petrie
Deputy Head - Pastoral
WPSA AGM
The WPSA AGM will be held on Wednesday, 7th June, at 8pm in the School Library. The WPSA needs new members (Mums and Dads!) so please come along to the meeting. Meetings are usually held once per school term and last for an hour. The next event being organised is the Christmas Disco, a highlight for the children, and helpers will be welcome.
Mrs Redfern
Chair
Music Achievements
Well done to Krishna Lakkappa (6HC) who took part in the Northampton Festival of the Performing Arts Cello and Double Bass solo competition and was given a 'highly commended' award. He also played in the County Junior Orchestra at the Spinney Hill Theatre in Northampton.
Music Lesson Timetables
To view week commencing 5th June 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 5th June 2017
Wednesday 7th June
Boys' Cricket
1st, 2nd, 3rd XI v Swanbourne House – Away – 2.30 start
4th, Colts A, B & C v Swanbourne House – Away – 2.30 start
Girls' Cricket
U13/12A, B & C v Swanbourne House – Away – 2.30 start
Fillies A & B v Swanbourne House – Home – 2.30 start
Thursday 8th June
Cricket
U9A & B v Kimbolton – Home – 2.30 start
Rounders
U9A v Kimbolton – Home – 2.30 start
Friday 9th June
Boys' Cricket
1st XI v Thomas’s Clapham (touring team) – Home – 4.15 start
Athletics
U10 – U13 Athletics Championship at Bedford International Stadium – 10am start
Hockey Achievement
Congratulations to Will Middleton (Y7) and Orla Hunt (Y8) on their selection in to the East Midlands U13 Hockey squad. We wish them the very best of luck for their up and coming tournament.
Loughborough University Student Research
We have a Loughborough University student coming in to school after half term to speak to some of our pupils regarding some research for her dissertation which is based on understanding teenage girl’s engagement with physical activity in a mixed gendered space. In particular, Lydia will be looking at femininity and how they feel in the environment around them when there are boys present.
We would like to ask around half a dozen Year 7 & 8 girls who are currently playing cricket in a mixed sex environment to speak to Lydia to help her with her research. We will be sending out a parental consent form to some of the pupils selected and ask that if you are supportive of your daughter taking part in this research you sign and return the form to Mr Irvine at your earliest convenience.
This is due to take place during games lessons on Monday 5th June and Wednesday 7th June. Monday will involve the pupils speaking directly to Lydia and Wednesday will just be observations.
Achievements
Charley Knight (Y7) performed at the Northampton Drama Festival, entering 3 classes and gaining 2 first places and a 3rd place. She also won the best overall performance across three different sections for her solo acting.
OWs Cricket
O.W's batted first and scored 286 with the loss of just three wickets. Harrison Stoute (10 not out) and Rushabh put on 20 for the first wicket then Noah Bryant (8) and Angus McDougall added 27 in their 4 overs. Christian Evans scored an excellent unbeaten 21 in his partnership of 30 runs with Kevin Phillipose and Matthew Dobson and Jack Malton added an excellent 21 for the last partnership. The OW's bowling attack was far too strong for W. Haddon and Guilsborough and we restricted them to 205. Harrison Stoute was the outstanding bowler with 3 wickets for 1 run in 2 overs.
Mr Marriott
Spratton Athletics-2017
The athletics team competed in the final ‘Team’ event of the season yesterday at Spratton Hall, in a competition that continues to grow in strength and popularity. On what was a glorious evening of athletics the team as a whole performed extremely well, with the boys’ team finishing in 2nd place and the girls’ team finishing in 3rd place.
The first placings went to:
- Year 5: Jack Finn-Kelcey (Long Jump), Charlie Sales (200m and Ball Throw), Kiran Thakrar (Ball Throw).
- Year 6: Lucas Brazier (800m), Stella Grayson (Shot)
- Year 7: Will Middleton (800m), Polly Ross (Shot), Ben Sales, Will Middleton, Sam Cooke and Ethan Brazier (Boys Relay)
- Year 8: Millie Webb (300m) and Pippa Chadwick (High Jump)
The performances of the day go to:
- Polly Ross for smashing the Shot Putt competition by nearly a whole metre, and to Tom Kenney, Lawrence Leslie-Carter and Orla Hunt for their efforts during a hot and tiring 1500m.
Thank you and well done to all our athletes and parents, who enjoyed the scorching weather, and who tolerated another very late finish.
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 5th June - Serbia
Tuesday 6th June - Libya
Wednesday 7th June - Indonesia
Thursday 8th June - Mexico
Friday 9th June - Barbados
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
Star Summer Camp (17-21 July 2017)
Early booking and sibling discounts available - book early to avoid disappointment! For more information click here.
Arts Action Camp (24-28 July 2017)
Open to pupils in Years 3-13 - Book now to avoid disappointment as limited spaces. For more information click here.
Summer Drama Activities
A week of drama workshops in central Wellingborough, covering all drama skills, plus fun for ages 8 – 14. Week beginning 24th July to 29th July and 31st July to 5th August. 9am – 3pm, Monday to Friday, plus a Saturday evening performance. For more information and how to book 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.