Head’s Welcome – Mrs Owen, Head of Prep
There has been such a wide range of wonderful activities happening this week for Prep School pupils that, at times, it has felt that we were going straight from one event into the next!
Tuesday was the Swimming Gala for all Upper Prep pupils. I would like to congratulate the children on their swimming and the competitive spirit that flowed through the Club competition, with Tigers coming out as eventual winners after the lead changed several times during the afternoon. Thank you to the staff team, led by Mr Palfrey, for all the organisation before the day and at the Gala itself. Thank you also to all the parents who came to support and managed to survive the intense heat in the spectator area!
Parents of Lower Prep pupils have had a couple of opportunities to come into school this week. First, with the Nursery to Year 2 Parents’ Evenings, and then, this morning, our Reception class held their open classroom event with some wonderful singing, activities and even a competition for the adults. Thank you to Mrs Mason, Miss Herbert and Miss Pentelow for all their hard work in preparing for today.
Year 1 spent a lovely day at Abington Park Museum, participating in a toy workshop; the staff enjoyed it so much, they might extend the length of the visit for next year. Year 5 also had a great time at Foxton Locks on their trip linked to the IPC topic of ‘Go with the Flow’. The knowledgeable guides ensured that the pupils were able to ask plenty of questions and consequently learnt a lot.
Finally, we had the hotly anticipated Upper Prep discos. First it was the turn of Years 3 and 4, followed later in the evening by Years 5 and 6. There was plenty of dancing, singing and sweet eating, and we all managed not to get blown away in the high winds at drop-off afterwards! Thank you so much to the staff who helped supervise and, in particular, to all the WPSA Committee members and parent helpers who set up the Hall, manned the stalls and made it such a fun event for all the children.
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, ready for all the excitement of next week’s Year 2 play, ‘The Bee Musical’.
Hedgehogs Update – Louise Gillard, Teacher of Year 1
Before half term, the children performed their play, The Gingerbread Man, to the Lower Prep and their families. They did an absolutely fantastic job, and we were incredibly proud of them all. The children worked very hard learning their lines, practising their actions, and remembering when to come on and off the stage. On the day of the performances, they spoke clearly and confidently and really brought the story to life. It was wonderful to see how much they enjoyed performing and how supportive they were of one another.
Since returning to school, we have started our new topic, The Magic Toymaker, and the children have already shown lots of enthusiasm and curiosity. To begin the topic, the children talked about their favourite toys and shared why they are special to them. They explained how they like to play with them and what makes them fun. The children then used their ideas to write sentences describing their toys, remembering to include finger spaces, capital letters, and full stops.
We also enjoyed an exciting visit to Abington Park Museum, where the children had the opportunity to explore toys from the past. They learned that many older toys were made from materials such as wood, metal or fabric and were often much simpler than the toys we have today. The children enjoyed comparing these toys with the ones they play with now and were very interested to see how toys have changed over time.
While we were at the museum, the children also took part in a fun activity searching for hidden toys around the building. This encouraged them to look carefully at the displays and explore the different rooms. They showed great enthusiasm and teamwork as they searched for each hidden object.
Over the next few weeks, we will be creating our own class museum, where the children will help to display and talk about different toys. They will have the opportunity to share their knowledge about toys from the past and present.
The children are also very excited to begin designing and making their own puppet theatres based on a traditional tale. They will be using their creativity and design skills to build their theatres and then use puppets to retell a story.
It has been a fantastic start to our new topic, and we are looking forward to lots more creative learning ahead!
Computing Update – Rachel Cheney, Head of Commuting
Year 3
Year 3 Computing continues to link closely with their IPC topics. During Lent 1, Year 3 pupils studied the topic ‘On Tap’, focusing on water. In Computing lessons, pupils used their developing Computing skills to create explanatory texts about water use and the water cycle and posters promoting water conservation. Year 3 are now studying Gateways to the World, learning all about travel and different countries. In Computing, pupils have been learning the basics of Microsoft PowerPoint and are now working together to create a class presentation about airports and all the different stages of flying to another country.
Year 4
During Lent 1, Year 4 studied the topic of Explorers and Adventurers. In Computing, they learnt the basics of animation, including technical skills such as onion skinning. They then chose one of the explorers they had leant about and created an animation of them. The pupils really enjoyed this topic and produced some fabulous animations. This half term, Year 4 are studying The Iron Man as part of their IPC topic of Material World. In Computing, they are working on their coding skills and will be treated to a STEM robotics workshop as their exit point on 24th March. Pupils will work together to build an Iron Man robot before coding it to move and speak. Pupils will further develop their coding skills and collaborative skills and have lots of fun.
Year 5
In Computing lessons, Year 5 have been learning how to input and sort data in Microsoft Excel, as well as the more advanced but necessary skills to be used with Word. Pupils are linking with their IPC topic of Go With the Flow and combining skills from other subjects to create digital fact files. Year 5 pupils will also have a Lego robotics workshop at the end of term. Pupils will build cars and program them to follow specific routes. They will work with their peers to develop all STEM skills as well as tackle lots of problem-solving.
Year 6
During Lent 1, Year 6 studied the topic of Climate Control. Part of their exit point for this topic was to complete a Lego robotics workshop. During the workshop they built an electric car and a wind turbine, which they then coded in order to operate. Pupils had a wonderful time and were certainly challenged with both the building and coding aspects of the event. This half term, Year 6 are studying Moving People, a topic about migration groups across the world. In Computing, pupils are learning about stop-motion animation and are currently working with their peers to create animations of a specific group. They are really enjoying using the multimedia facilities in our new Gateway building. Pupils will then present their work in assembly at the end of term. Everyone is really looking forward to seeing their fantastic animations.
Prep School Charity Events: Supporting Animals in Need
Upper Prep Break the Rules Day, 17th March, for Animals in Need
All Upper Prep pupils have been given a Break the Rules Day card, outlining the rules that they can break (please see below) for a donation of 20p per rule (£2 if all rules are broken).
Lower Prep Topsy Turvey Day, 17th March, for Animals in Need
Tuesday, 17th March, is Nursery-Year 2 Topsy-Turvy Day to raise money for “Animals in Need”. Children are asked to donate £1 and in exchange can break up to five school rules for the day. The five rules are listed below:
- For the day you can bring fruit squash to drink.
- For the day you can bring any snacks to school (No Nuts).
- For the day you can wear any shoes or trainers to school.
- For the day you can wear any socks to school.
- For the day you can wear any coloured coat to school.
Lower Prep and Upper Prep Easter Egg Raffle
Tickets will be on sale for the charity Easter egg raffle from form teachers from Monday to Friday. Tickets are £1 each (maximum of five tickets per child can be purchased).
Thank you to those who have already brought in eggs to school. Please can all donations of Easter eggs be brought in by Monday 23rd March. The more eggs we have, the more prizes we can give out.
Working Together to Keep Young People Safe
This month’s newsletter explores how children can use YouTube and YouTube Kids safely, while also informing parents and carers about the potential risks to be aware of.
It also revisits a previous topic on AI, taking a closer look at the UK’s new law designed to protect children from indecent AI content.
Read the full safeguarding newsletter for this month here.
Key Calendared Events for the Next Two Weeks
Monday 16th March
- Governors visit to Prep School
- Spring Concert (19:00)
Tuesday 17th March
- Nursery-Year 2 Topsy Turvy Day for charity
- Years 3-6 Break the Rules Day for charity
- Year 2 Play ‘The Bee Musical’ – Performance (Parents invited) (14:00)
- 4CW Parents’ Evening – Form Tutor (16:30-19:30)
Wednesday 18th March
- Year 2 Play ‘The Bee Musical’ – Performance (Parents invited) (09:30)
Thursday 19th March
- Nursery trip to Mini Meadows
- Years 2-6 M&M Theatrical Productions – Alice in Wonderland
- Year 6 Parents’ Evening – Subject Teachers (16:30-19:30)
Friday 20th March
- 4CW Assembly (Parents invited) (08:25)
- Year 2 Visit to Cambridge Botanic Gardens
- Years 3-6 Team Photographs
- Last day of Prep School (Nursery-Year 6) Co-Curricular Activities
Monday 23rd March
- ABRSM Music Exams
- Co-curricular Activities Sign-Up
- Years 3-6 Non-Uniform Day for Clubs reaching the Penthouse (Clubs to be confirmed)
Tuesday 24th March
- ABRSM Music Exams
- Years 4-5 STEM Workshop
- Year 3 trip to Shuttleworth Museum
- Nursery Spring Hat Parade (Parents invited) (09:30-10:00)
Wednesday 25th March
- Years 5 & 6 Club Sport (14:30-16:10)
Thursday 26th March
- Nursery-Year 2 Easter Service (Parents invited) (09:15-09:45)
- Reception-Year 2 WPSA Easter Hunt
- Nursery-Year 6 Charity Easter Egg Raffle
- Years 3-6 Easter Service (Parents invited) (14:30-15:15)
Friday 27th March
- Term Ends (Prep 12:00, Snr 12:30)
To view the most up-to-date calendar information, please log onto Firefly – click here. https://www.wellingboroughschoolcalendar.org/week.aspx?ID=1171
Please log onto the Sports Calendar for up-to-date timings, team sheets and all other weekday fixtures information – click here. http://www.wellingboroughschoolsports.org/
Seedlings and Stories Stay and Play
Do you have children aged 2+ and are considering Nursery or Reception for them?
Join us on Wednesday, 18th March, 1:30 to 2:30pm, for fun and engaging activities designed to spark curiosity and creativity, while you experience our warm and nurturing Early Years environment.
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.
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.
Click here for more information.
To book your place, click here.
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/
