Head’s Welcome – Mrs Owen, Head of Prep
This week kicked off in great style with the Prep Christmas Concert. The Upper Prep Hall was full, with an appreciative audience, and the performers did an outstanding job. With pupils ranging in age from Year 1 to Year 6, there was so much to enjoy, whether that was soloists, ensembles, instrumentalists, or vocalists. Thank you very much to all the pupils for the enjoyable afternoon they gave us, and a big thank you to all the music staff who put together such a successful concert.
If the concert was an opportunity to highlight some of our musicians, Thursday’s Christingle service was an opportunity for the whole Prep School to show the fruits of their singing practices with Mr Owen over the past few weeks, as we joined together to fill the Chapel with song – the pupils know I love it when they sing so well!
As I write this, we are looking forward to the Lower Prep Christmas Activity Day, including a visit from Andy the Elf, who will be delivering the Christmas tree. I can’t wait to see it gradually get decorated with the children’s creations throughout the day.
Soon, we will be able to enjoy the Nursery & Reception and then Years 3 & 4 productions. I know that they have been practicing hard, and we can’t wait to see them all on stage next week.
Hedgehogs Update – Louise Gillard, Teacher of Year 1
The Hedgehogs have had a wonderful few weeks filled with exciting learning!
English:
The children have been working really hard in phonics. We have been learning about split digraphs and revisiting key terminology such as digraphs, trigraphs, phonemes, and graphemes. The children are becoming much more confident in recognising sounds and using them in their reading and writing.
Maths:
In Maths, we have been focusing on addition and subtraction. The children have learnt how to use the part–whole model to help them understand number relationships and have explored fact families to see how numbers link together. They are becoming much more confident with practical resources and mental strategies.
IPC:
As part of our “Understanding Special Times” topic, we learnt about Guy Fawkes and the importance of Bonfire Night. The children enjoyed sequencing the events and writing a Bonfire Night poem using their senses to describe the sights and sounds. We marked Remembrance Day by talking about why we wear poppies and thinking about people who help keep us safe. In our “Who am I?” topic, we explored the countries of the UK, where we live in the world, and the surrounding seas and continents. The children enjoyed looking at maps and a globe to locate different places.
Design Technology:
In DT, the children designed and made their own picture frames using a range of different materials. They planned their designs carefully and showed great creativity when putting them together.
Well done, Hedgehogs!
Music Exam Success – Liz Burleigh, Music School Administrator
Results are just in from this week’s ABRSM music exam session and there is much to celebrate:
- Oliver – Grade 2 Piano – Merit
- Sophie – Initial Grade Piano – Distinction
- Rebecca – Grade 3 Singing – Merit
- Jessica – Grade 1 Piano – Merit
- Lucie – Grade 1 Singing – Merit
- Elizabeth – Grade 1 Singing – Pass
- Oscar – Grade 1 Trumpet – Merit
- Beatrix – Grade 2 Singing – Pass
Congratulations to all our candidates!
Helping Children Grow Kindness and Stay Safe Online and In Games
As children grow, they’re learning how to handle big feelings, make friends and find their place in the world – both in real life and online. Along the way, they will make mistakes, and sometimes their words or actions may hurt others without meaning to.
As children grow, technology becomes a big part of their world – from sharing funny clips with friends to exploring creative online games. While these activities can be fun and sociable, it’s important for parents to understand age ratings and why they exist.
Read the full safeguarding newsletter for this month here.
Key Calendared Events for the Next Two Weeks
Monday 1st December
- Nursery-Year 2 visit from Father Christmas
Tuesday 2nd December
- Nursery-Reception Christmas Production (Parents invited) (09:30)
Wednesday 3rd December
- Club Sport – Year 3 & 4 Rugby & Hockey (Parents welcome to spectate) (10:55)
- Club Sport – Year 5 & 6 Rugby & Hockey (Parents welcome to spectate) (14:05)
- Nursery-Reception Christmas Production (Parents invited) (14:45)
Thursday 4th December
- Years 3 and 4 Drama Production (Parents invited) (16:00)
Friday 5th December
- Years 3, 4, 5 & 6 Team Photographs
- Years 3 and 4 Drama Production (Parents invited) (16:00)
- Last day of Prep Co-Curricular Activities (ASC/Late Prep as normal)
Monday 8th December
- Years 3-6 Non-Uniform Day for Clubs reaching the Penthouse (not a charity event)
- Years 3-6 Christmas Activities Day (Off-timetable)
- Prep School Christmas Fayre (Parents invited) inc. Charity Chocolate Tombola (15:45-17:15)
Tuesday 9th December
- Year 5 Drama Performance – Myths and Legends (Parents invited) (15:00)
Thursday 11th December
- Christmas Jumper Day
- Nursery-Year 2 Carol Service (Parents invited) (09:15)
- Year 1 – Year 6 Christmas Pantomime (13:00)
Friday 12th December
- Years 3-6 Carol Service (Parents invited) (11:00)
- TERM ENDS (Prep 12:00, Snr 12:30)
To view the most up-to-date calendar information, please log onto Firefly – click here.
Online Christmas Hamper Raffle 2025! – WSSPA and WPSA Committee
The Wellingborough Senior School Parent Association (WSSPA) and the Prep School Parent Association (WPSA) are excited to invite you to take part in the online Christmas Hamper Raffle 2025!
There are 10 luxury hampers available to win from brands including Fortnum & Mason, The British Hamper Company, The Homemade Christmas Co. and more.
Tickets are £5 each, or you can buy 5 tickets for £20. All funds raised will go towards providing various “extras” for the senior school and prep school pupils. The raffle will close at 10pm on 9th December, so buy your tickets now!
To enter click HERE.
All prizes must be collected from Wellingborough School reception by 1200 on 12 December 2025.
Be in it to win it!! Thank you for your continued support.
Requests for Absence – Guy Erskine-Naylor, Deputy Head
Last-minute appointments: To ensure staff are notified promptly, please email reception@wellingboroughschool.org so the message can be passed to the appropriate members of staff. We cannot guarantee that Form Tutors will see the messages.
Illness or scheduled appointments: Please email absence@wellingboroughschool.org, or call Reception on 01933 222427 (select the absence option) before 08:30 on each day of absence.
Exceptional leave requests: For absences of a full day or more, please contact the Head of Prep’s PA at tb@wellingboroughschool.org as far in advance as possible for review.
Last day of Prep Co-Curricular Activities – Guy Erskine-Naylor, Deputy Head
Please note that this term’s final Prep School Co-Curricular Activities will take place on Friday 5th December.
Stay Connected
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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/
