This week saw the launch of our very own story writing competition, which saw pupils write their own book in just one day.
The ‘Write a Book in a Day’ competition aims to bring school children together to create their own book. The competition, organised by us, was opened to local school children, with teams of up to 10 pupils from 10 local schools taking part in the contest.
The competition gives teams just 10 hours to plan, write, illustrate and bind a book. Each team is given unique story features and words that they must include in their project, with the aim of encouraging children to think creatively. The winning team will be named next month, with all entries being printed and donated to the Children's Ward at Northampton General Hospital.
Our pupils compiled their entry this Tuesday with a team of Year 5 and 6 pupils and a team of Year 7 and 8 pupils each creating a book which they titled: Cloudy Eyes and The Plan! The day saw the library become the pupils’ own publishing company, with teams working together to brainstorm ideas, allocate roles and structure their story. WABIAD is unique in that it allows children to come together and produce something from their own hard work and imagination. The competition provided the perfect platform for them to unleash their creativity and as one pupil commented at the end of the day: "that was the best day of the whole year!". If you would like to read the books, they can be borrowed from the school library.
I am looking forward to celebrating the hard work of all of our pupils next Friday at the special Prize Giving Ceremony. We hope that many of you will be able to join us at the celebration where we also thank our Year 8 pupils and announce the new Club Captains and Head Boy and Head Girl for the next academic year. The ceremony will commence at 10am in the marquee on the School Grounds. As you are aware, we have limited parking available on site, therefore we respectfully request that you park in one of the nearby public car parks for this occasion. Pupils will go back to class following the ceremony.
Huge thanks to the WPSA for the fantastic Family Fun Evening last week. It certainly was a truly memorable evening and I would like to acknowledge the army of volunteers who made it so successful. A very early "hold the date" for the next WPSA event which will be a "Ferret Race" evening on Friday, 13th October. This will be a first for the Prep School and will be a night to remember, I'm sure!
Mrs Sue Knox
Headmistress
This week I have been really pleased to see a number of our pupils using their initiative to branch out on their own. Firstly, a couple of our Year 6 pupils made good progress with their Fiver Challenge companies. Matthew Dobson sought permission from the Pre Prep to be a sole seller on Monday and his stall looked wonderful in the sunshine. He had tailored his bookmark and bag tag product to his market and made some good sales. On Tuesday, Thomas Ross seized the o
pportunity to speak to Year 7 parents at the Ardèche presentation to promote the sale of his sleeping bags liners. He presented confidently in front of a large audience and promoted the benefits of one of his handmade products for the summer nights in France. He too received a good number of orders for his product.
I have been pleased to hear about pupils taking part enthusiastically in the 30 Days Wild challenge. Milly Thomson in Year 4 made her own rose perfume and Findlay Hammett got up close with a hermit crab. There is one more week of the challenge left, I would love to hear of more things that pupils have been doing in the great outdoors!
Finally, all our Year 6 pupils are preparing to sell their products at the Enterprise break on Tuesday 27th June. I wish them all luck and would like to remind pupils in all other year groups to bring in money to spend at the stalls in the playground at morning break.
Year 4 Trip to Glebe Farm
On Tuesday, 20th June, Year 4 visited Glebe organic farm in Woodford. Despite the searing temperature, students had a great experience and learnt lots about UK farming. They were able to discover what happens on an organic farm and also learnt about some of the wildlife and habitats found on these farms. They learnt about the importance of hedgerows, and carried out a scavenger hunt of which the most interesting find was a spider’s nest! The children also learnt about soil, through some very messy hands on investigating! We continued our work on wheat farming in the UK, and the children were able to mill their own flour and explore a range of products which this is used in. The day finished with the ever popular tractor ride and a look at some of the Roman and WWII artefacts which have been uncovered on the farm. Many thanks to Wendy at Glebe Farm and to the Wellingborough staff that attended and ensured the trip was a success.
Year 7 & Art Artist Workshop
On Thursday, 22nd June, we welcomed sculpture and artist Michelle Reader to work with a selection of Year 7 and 8 promising art pupils and scholars. Michelle works with recycled materials to create the most amazing sculptures. Most of her work is commissioned and she showed the pupils images of the
sculptures she has made for the Chelsea flower show, Nottingham Council and a shopping centre to name a few. She brought in her sculpture of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall which was made for the food commissary and made out of old food packaging, a wheel from a wheelie bin, old knives and forks and old cafe menus. Pupils started their own bust, made from recycled materials they had collected, and will continue to work on them until the end of term.
Mrs Owen
Deputy Head - Curriculum
New for September
Lessons in Music Production and Contemporary Guitar
We are excited to be able to offer individual lessons in two new areas from September:
- Music Technology - an introduction to the range of techniques and skills essential to modern music recording and composing. A possible first step to becoming a recording engineer or music producer.
- Contemporary Guitar - electric, acoustic and bass guitar lessons with a focus on current pop repertoire.
We expect these lessons to be popular and there will be limited availability. You can enrol before the summer holiday by contacting Liz Burleigh on eab@wellingboroughschool.org.
Fiddle Fiesta
Our 8th annual Fiddle Fiesta will take place on Monday 26th June in the Pre-Prep Hall. On the day of the event we are going to gather together every string player from the Pre-Prep, Prep and Senior Schools, to play as a single ensemble. We will also be joined by a visiting professional string quartet. Details of arrangements for the day have been emailed to parents of string players. Family and friends are warmly invited to come along to the concert at 2.15pm.
Windband Day
Our annual Windband Day will take place on Tuesday 27th June. During the School day our Prep and Senior School brass and wind ensembles will rehearse alongside a professional quintet, culminating in a massed performance at 4.30pm in Chapel. Details of arrangements for the day have been emailed to the parents of pupils who are involved. Family and friends are invited to come along to the final concert.
Song to learn for Prize Giving
I would like all Prep School pupils to learn 'Count on Me' by Bruno Mars, as they will be singing it at Prize Giving on 30th June. The pupils have lyrics sheets which have been handed out in class.
Ensemble Rehearsal Cancellations
Please note that there will be no Orchestra rehearsal on Thursday 29th June due to the Senior Leavers' Service. Music Tech Club will also be cancelled on Tuesday 27th June due to Windband Day.
Trinity Music Exam Results
Congratulations to the following pupils on their outstanding results from last week's Trinity music exams:
Lottie Heaver (Grade 2 Flute) - Distinction
Lili Howe (Grade 2 Flute) - Distinction
Rhianna Osborne (Grade 3 Flute ) - Merit
Thomas Ravest (Initial Grade Cello) - Distinction
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 26th June 2017
Wednesday 28th June
Boys' Cricket
2nd XI v Stoneygate – Home – 2.30 start
5th & 6th XI v Bedford Prep – Away – 2.30 start
Colts C & D v Stoneygate – Away – 2.30 start
Colts A & B v Stamford Juniors – Away – 2.30 start
Girls' Cricket
Fillies B v Stoneygate – Away – 2.30 start
U13/12C v Stoneygate – Home – 2.30 start
U13/12A, B & D v The Perse – Home – 2.30 start
U13/12E & F v The Perse – Away – 2.30 start
Boys' Open Tennis Tournament
On Thursday, 22nd June, 24 boys from Years 5 to 8 competed in the first Boys’ Open Singles Tennis Tournament. The standard of tennis played was extremely impressive and all boys played in good spirit and with excellent sportsmanship. Similar to the girls’ tournament last week, the boys were seeded initially and played an opening match. Depending on the results of the first two rounds all pupils then went into one of four pools. The ultimate aim was to make the Wimbledon draw.
In reverse order the results were:
The winner of the Australian open was Thomas Ross
The winner of the French open was Ethan Brazier
The winner of the US open was Harvey Williamson
The Wimbledon finalists were Harry Cadman, Jack Bates (Year 5) Alex Brunet-Huntingford, Vignesh Sudhkar, the runner up was Oliver Cadman and ... this year’s tennis champion was Henry Grayson.
Sports 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 26th June - Ireland
Tuesday 27th June - Senegal
Wednesday 28th June – South Korea
Thursday 29th June - Guatemala
Friday 30th June - India
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
Fundraising for Senior School Tour
As the tour fundraising committee start to raise funds for the 2018 Canada and USA tour, the first fundraising event will take place during the Family of School Day on Saturday 8th July, with a champagne raffle. We do need your help by way of donations of bottles of champagne and these can be donated any time between now and Friday, 7th July, and should be left at the Main Reception. Sixth Form pupils will be selling raffle tickets during the day and the draws will be made between events during the Prep School Sports Day. Thank you in advance for your support.
Tour Fundraising Committee
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.
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.