Prep Weekly News – Michaelmas Week 2

Head’s Welcome – Mrs Owen, Head of Prep

It seems hard to believe that we are already officially at the end of Week 2 of the term! I have been so proud of the way in which the children have returned to school, and it has been lovely to welcome so many new faces too. Thank you to our Year 6 pupil leaders who did a super job looking after the new pupils on our welcome afternoon just before term started.

The weather has been kinder to us on some days than others, and it feels now as if we are definitely edging into autumn. The Lower Prep pupils, in particular, have enjoyed collecting conkers, and I can only apologise for the huge number of them that are available around the site – I know what it’s like to have a child come home with pockets full!

I spoke to the Upper Prep in assembly about the school’s 3 R’s – Respect, Responsibility and Resilience – along with our core value of kindness. It is these that will help guide us all through the school year, and staff will be looking out for examples of the pupils demonstrating these values as part of our school community. My assembly had a particular focus on resilience this week, and it was really pleasing to see the pupils’ understanding of what it is and why it is important. We will all come up against challenges, but the way we deal with them can inevitably make a difference to what happens afterwards.

I hope everyone has a well-deserved rest over the weekend, ready for co-curricular activities starting on Monday.

Welcome Back – Alistair Palfrey, Prep Head of Sport

Seeing all the children back in school this week has been truly inspiring, they’ve embraced their PE and Games lessons demonstrating respect, responsibility and resilience!

Our Upper Prep children have thrown themselves into rugby and hockey training with incredible determination. Despite the wet weather, they’ve shown outstanding resilience and enthusiasm as they master new skills. In PE, Year 5 and 6 have made a brilliant start to their swimming lessons this term, while Year 3 and 4 have embraced their gymnastics and health-related fitness units with energy and a real love of learning.

Meanwhile, our Lower Prep children have been busy learning their fundamental movement skills in PE. In games lessons, they have loved getting stuck into their very first unit of work – rugby!

Just a gentle reminder about PE and Games kit. Please make sure your child has the correct kit in school each day so they’re ready to participate in their PE and Games lessons. It’s also really helpful if all items are clearly named, as it makes it so much easier to reunite any games tops or tracksuit bottoms with their owners!

Looking ahead, our upper prep sports practices will be starting next week. These 75-minute sessions are a great way for children to get some extra training time each week and are especially valuable once we begin playing matches against other schools. If you haven’t done so already, now’s the perfect time to get your child signed up. Please click on the link to sign up for Michaelmas term sports practices: http://www.wellingboroughschoolsports.org/

We’re really looking forward to an exciting term of sport ahead and can’t wait to see the children continue to develop their skill, confidence, and teamwork!

Welcome to Reception – Katie Mason, Reception Teacher and Early Years Lead

The children in Reception have all settled in really well and the adults have been really impressed with how they have adapted to their new setting. We have had lots of fun getting to know each other and learning all about what the daily routines are. The children have walked up to lunch, asked for their lunches and carried their trays to the tables. They have all tried lots of new things and we have been really pleased with how well they have all eaten. So far, we have explored the classroom areas, been to a number of assemblies, started to learn some letter sounds in phonics, introduced some elements of the Kinetic Letters handwriting scheme and even changed for PE and had our first lesson. Snack has also been a big part of our day, and the children have used their skills to make sandwiches or cut and spread. Once again, we have been really impressed with how well they have listened and carried out the instructions. It has been non-stop, and we know that some of the children have been really tired by story time, but it has all been magical! The children have been busy working together and collaborating as a new team which has been lovely to see.

Mrs Mason, Miss Herbert, Miss Pentalow and Mrs Hill are all really proud of what the children have achieved so far. We can’t wait to see how the children flourish as their learning journey in Reception continues.

Safeguarding Update

As we begin a new school year, it’s normal for children (and parents!) to feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. Establishing consistent daily
routines can make a big difference to your child’s emotional well-being and sense of security. Routines help children feel safe, supported and ready to learn – all of which are central to safeguarding their mental and emotional health.

Why routines matter
Routines create structure and predictability, helping children manage transitions, reduce anxiety and build independence. A well-supported child is more confident, calm and able to thrive – both at school and at home.

To read the full safeguarding newsletter for this week, click HERE.

Macmillan Coffee Morning – Carlie Woodard, Housemistress of Nevill

Key Calendared Events for the next two weeks

Monday 15th September

• Co-Curricular Activities & Prep Ensemble Rehearsals Commence

Tuesday 16th September

• Year 5 trip to Chester House – Entry Point
• Friday 19th September
• Year 6 trip to Hockerton Housing Project

Wednesday 24th September

• Nursery-Year 6 Parents – Morning Coffee with SLT Team (08:30)

Thursday 25th September

• New Year 4, 5 and 6 pupils meet the Head of Prep (10:35)
• WPSA Committee Meeting Online (19:30)

Friday 26th September

• Prep School Open Morning

To view the most up-to-date calendar information, please log onto Firefly – click HERE.

Please log onto the Sports Calendar for up-to-date timings, team sheets and all other weekday fixtures information – 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.

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