Head’s Welcome – Mrs Owen, Head of Prep
This week I had the opportunity to spend a day out of school, travelling to Cambridge to meet with fellow IAPS Prep School Heads from across our district. It is always a useful opportunity to have time to discuss, reflect and share ideas with fellow educators from other schools.
The main event at the beginning of the week was the investiture of our Squirrels into the Scouting family. The adult leaders made their Scouting promise first, and then I had the privilege of investing 12 of our Reception pupils. They spoke clearly and made the promise in front of the whole Lower Prep who rewarded them with a huge round of applause after they received their neckerchief, certificate and badges.
The week ended with 5SA’s assembly all about British birds. We were treated to a plethora of bird jokes and bird facts, encouraged to read books with birds in the stories and also learnt why they are so important to our environment and ecosystems. We were also encouraged to take part in the Big Garden Birdwatch this weekend. If you would like to take part, follow this link: It’s Big Garden Birdwatch Weekend. Get counting!
I would love to hear from pupils next week who have joined in. Lower Prep pupils are doing the Birdwatch in school next week, having been busy making bird feeders this week to tempt as many birds into the school grounds as possible.
Whether you will be spending your time birdwatching, reading or being active, I wish you all an enjoyable weekend.
Nursery Update – Miss Hayley and Mrs Maher, Early Years Assistants
It has been a busy start to 2026 in nursery. We have started learning our phonics and have learnt the sounds ‘s’ and ‘a’, and it has been great fun seeing what objects the children have found beginning with those sounds.
It was a snowy return to school, and nursery enjoyed exploring the snow in the garden, catching it in our hands and making patterns in the fallen snow. We also went on a crispy wintery walk around the fields where the children caught lots of bubbles and looked for Jack Frost.
In PE, we’ve started learning how to play netball and working on our catching and throwing skills.
On Wednesday, we welcomed Carrie and addressed our emotions, including how they may affect us, such as butterflies in our tummies or feeling hot when nervous.
MFL Update – Christopher Owen, Head of MFL, Prep School
It has been a good year for language learning in the Prep School, and it continues to be a privilege to lead in both French and Spanish from Year 1 to 6.
I am often asked why the Languages programme within the Prep School follows the pattern that it does. As a general reminder to parents, the following currently takes place:
Years 1 and 2 have 30 minutes of Spanish per week.
Years 3 and 4 have 55 minutes of French per week.
Years 5 and 6 have two lessons of 55 minutes of Languages per week. ‘Michaelmas term’ is always a French term, thus allowing me to go a little bit further with this language. The other two terms are broken down into half-termly units of French and Spanish.
The above ensures that every pupil who has been through the school from Year 1 to Year 6 has had close to an equal amount of time learning both French and Spanish so that when they have to make the choice of either language in Year 7, they have all the necessary information and experience required to make their own well-informed decision. My senior school colleagues fully support this programme and feel it benefits them hugely when they reach Year 7.
Year 1 have made a great start to their Spanish learning journey. They join in well with songs and should hopefully be coming home with words for colours, animals, numbers and how to greet and say their name. Currently they are learning how to respond to the question “Tienes una mascota?”
Year 2 are showing real competency with some more challenging vocabulary and in particular were able to give detailed answers about which colours they like, dislike and which is their favourite.
Year 3 have shown great enthusiasm with the start of our French programme of study and will hopefully be walking around the house singing many songs or this past week talking about items in their pencil case.
Year 4 are currently still finishing ‘The Body – le corps’ topic and creating their own monsters. We will then do a very comprehensive study of French food and drink along with lots of conversational situations. Their highlight is always our French picnic in June.
Year 5 learnt about basic grammar before Christmas, managing to put together some silly sentences using a basic verb, noun and adjective with the correct agreement. They have just started a short introduction to a Spanish course. For some, this is brand new, but for others, it is a reminder of their time in Lower Prep or maybe even at their previous school.
Year 6 have shown real maturity this year. In Michaelmas term, we learnt about how to describe their town and later discussed school subjects and clothes. They too have seen a return to Spanish this term, and shortly we will be embarking on a study of Spanish weather to help support their climate IPC topic.
I am also in the midst of arranging our exciting Y6 trip to France, when we hope to visit lots of sites, including a local market, snail farm and small aquarium, and learn how to make chocolate.
Also, a reminder to all parents that Languagenut is available for Years 4-6, who have their own log in. Please contact me if you would like a reminder. I will also be introducing it to Year 3 after half-term.
Thank you to all parents for their support with your child’s language journey, especially when you make them speak it on holiday.
Working Together to Keep Young People Safe
Many children are talking about ‘Brainrot’ games on Roblox—a term that refers to a group of viral, user-created experiences inspired by the online ‘brainrot’ meme. As a parent or carer, it’s helpful to understand what these games are, why they’re popular, and how you can help your child play safely.
This month’s newsletter addresses concerns around ‘Brainrot’ games and provides guidance for parents on how to respond to child-on-parent violence situations.
Read the full safeguarding newsletter for this month here.
Key Calendared Events for the Next Two Weeks
Wednesday 28th January
- WPSA Committee Meeting (19:30-21:00)
Friday 30th January
- 6CP Assembly (Parents invited) (08:25-08:45)
Tuesday 3rd February
- Years 1-6 Charity Cake Sale (Cakes donated by Charity Committee and Year 5)
- Year 3 Sponsored Water Walk (14:25-15:25)
Friday 6th February
- 6RC Assembly (Parents invited) (08:25-08:45)
To view the most up-to-date calendar information, please log onto Firefly – click here.
Junior Star Easter Camp – Book Now!
Join us at Wellingborough School this Easter for an action-packed holiday camp that your kids will love!
- Mon 30th March – Thu 2nd April 2026
- Children in Reception to Year 6.
- £40 per day, with a 5% sibling discount and an additional 5% early booking discount if you book before half term.
Click here for more information.
To book your place, click here.
Safeguarding Message: Frozen Water
Frozen lakes and rivers might look beautiful, but they’re extremely dangerous. People lose their lives every year when they venture onto the ice or attempt to rescue others. Recently, there has been a rise in incidents regarding young people getting into difficulty in ponds and lakes after going onto the ice.
The poster below includes safety details that will help you stay safe around these areas and what you should do if you do see someone fall.
Whole School Open Day – Book Now
Join us on Saturday, 7th March, from 9am, to explore Wellingborough Prep, Senior and Sixth Form.
You will be able to meet with our specialist subject teachers and explore our facilities and nurturing environment. While gaining a better understanding of what makes a Wellingborough education so special.
Click here for more information and to book your place.
Love to Learn – Nursery and Reception Stay and Play
Join us on Friday, 13th February, 9:30 to 10:30am, for fun and engaging activities designed to spark curiosity and creativity, while you experience our warm and nurturing Early Years environment.
Our Stay and Play sessions are for Nursery and Reception-aged children (aged 2+) and their parent or guardian.
Come meet our dedicated team and explore how Wellingborough School provides the ideal start to your child’s learning journey.
Click here to book your place.
Informal Coffee Mornings/Afternoons with Mr Hawkes – Year 6 pupils
An opportunity for current Year 6 pupils and their families to speak directly to Mr Hawkes, and other senior members of staff, about their queries towards transitioning to Senior School.
Please see below the upcoming dates for different year groups:
- Wednesday 4th February 2026, 8:30am – 9:30am
- Wednesday 4th March 2026, 8:30am – 9:30am
- Wednesday 18th March 2026, 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Click here to RSVP your place.
Stay Connected
To see more of what’s happening at Wellingborough School, follow us on social media here.
You can also explore upcoming events and activities on our Events Page here.
Wellingborough School Business Directory
Please find the Business Directory at the following link: https://wellingboroughschool.org/community/business-directory/
