Head’s Welcome – Mrs Owen, Head of Prep
There is always a debate in schools about communication – how much is too much, how much is not enough? Whilst weekly newsletters and Firefly messages are part of our normal process, it is always lovely to have the opportunity to speak directly to parents. This week we held our first coffee morning of the year for parents and our Senior Leadership Team which was very well attended. With a chance to have a longer conversation than a quick catch up at drop off, it was lovely to hear many of the positive thoughts that parents have about the School, as well as some really useful constructive feedback about aspects we might need to look at adapting. I would like to thank all the parents who were able to attend on Wednesday, and we look forward to meeting all those who have signed up for the second coffee morning on Monday next week.
As I write this newsletter article, our Open Day for prospective families has not yet happened, but as you read this newsletter, it will have finished! I know that our Year 6 pupil guides will do an amazing job of showing how proud they are of our school and I would like to thank the group of Year 7 pupils who are helping us out with their expertise gained from doing the job last year when they were in the Prep School, as we have a good number of families coming for tours this morning.
Although Open Day is important, perhaps the Lower Prep pupils would tell you that the biggest event of the week was our visit from Northants Fire Service on Wednesday when the whole of Lower Prep were able to speak to the firefighters, see the equipment they use and ask lots of questions about the fire engine. As you might expect, there was a lot of excitement when we got to listen to the siren and see the flashing lights!
Prep Maths Update – Rachel Cheney, Acting Head of Maths
Maths has got off to a fantastic start this year, with all pupils eager to learn and improve their skills and knowledge. All year groups have been focusing on number and place value, revising the basics and rebuilding the blocks that are the foundation of all maths topics. All pupils have also begun completing a mental maths quiz every week. This is proving to be a great success and is really helping everyone with confidence and ability in this area. Well done to all.
Year 3 have risen to the challenges of Upper Prep brilliantly and are thoroughly enjoying having new teachers for maths and learning in new ways. It has been great to hear how much progress they are already making. Year 4 are also working hard and are again rising to the challenge of higher expectations this year. We have already started linking Maths with their IPC topic of ‘Chocolate’, by completing a survey of favourite types of chocolate and creating tally charts and bar charts of the results.
Year 5 and 6 are continuing with IPC Maths this year, with one lesson a week linking with their topic. Year 5 are currently studying ‘Time Tunnel’, a history topic all about chronology. Within their Maths lessons, they have therefore been learning all about timelines; BC and AD, how to calculate time periods and working out when certain events happened. This has enabled them to consolidate their learning from other subjects, as well as provide an opportunity to apply their number skills to relevant problem solving.
Year 6’s IPC topic this term is ‘Build A Village’. This is all about different types and examples of settlements. We have therefore looked at populations of cities around the world, ordering, comparing and graph drawing with large numbers. The pupils are really enjoying making links between Maths and their other subjects, we look forward to seeing how we can link maths into other IPC topics next term.
Year 2 Update – Katharine Wood, Teacher of Year 2
Year 2 have started their year with a bang! We have been so busy learning new routines, tackling new topics and getting to grips with being “upstairs.” We have been so proud of the children over the last four weeks. They have taken all the changes in their stride and have been so enthusiastic, happy and ready to try new things. We have enjoyed starting our topic on holidays and the seaside. We have started with investigating where we have been on holiday and what we likes to do there. Our initial knowledge harvest threw up some brilliant ideas including getting a tan, having a rest and exploring a new place.
We then moved onto thinking about Seaside Holidays in Victorian times. On Tuesday we had a visit from Craig from History off the Page which brought the Victorian Seaside and pier to our hall. In the morning we made some fantastic crafts including souvenir shell boxes and mugs, we explored old cameras and looked at photographs from the time, learnt about the money used and different entertainments you would have found.
After lunch we took a steam train to the pier to enjoy an afternoon of seaside fun and games. The children were either a stall holder or eager customer. Armed with a purse each full of old pennies we set off to find out how to have fun on the pier. We were able to buy souvenir trinkets, have a go on Hook a duck and try our hand at roll a penny. We also had our photograph taken, had some delicious fish and chips and even had our fortune told.
At the end of the day we were treated to our very own Punch and Judy show. It was such a wonderful day and the children have learnt so much about a Day at the Victorian Seaside. As one of the children said, “It was the best day of my life!”
Prep Rugby and Hockey Results – Alistair Palfrey, Teacher of PE & Games and Prep Head of Sport
Our U11 and U10 rugby and hockey teams played their first block of matches this week. There were some excellent team performances in what proved to be very competitive fixtures. A special well done to all the pupils who made their debuts and congratulations to everyone who represented the school with such resilience, respect, and responsibility.
Rugby Results
- U11A lost 7-10 vs Bedford Modern
- U11A lost 3-6 vs Bedford Greenacre
- U11B lost 7-9 to Bedford Modern
- U11B lost 3-7 to Bedford Greenacre
- U10A lost 3-4 to Bedford Modern
- U10A lost 2-6 to MK Prep
Hockey Results
- U11A lost 2-3 vs Bedford Modern
- U11A won 6-1 vs Bedford Greenacre
- U11B drew 0-0 vs Bedford Modern
- U11B won 8-0 vs Bedford Greenacre
Next up…
On Wednesday 1st October the Rugby teams travel to Spratton whilst the Hockey teams are at home, hosting Spratton and Quinton House. All 14:30 starts, please come to support our teams!
Safeguarding Update
As the new school year gets underway, many families find it helpful to re-establish routines around sleep, screen time, curfews and home life. While the summer holidays are a chance to relax, the return to structure can be a welcome reset – not just for learning, but for your child’s overall wellbeing and safety.
Why routines matter for well-being
Routines offer young people a sense of stability, predictability and control, all of which are important for good mental health, particularly during the teenage years. Adolescence is a time of rapid change, emotionally and physically. Having regular daily habits can help reduce anxiety, improve focus and create a stronger sense of security.
Read the full safeguarding newsletter for this month HERE.
Key Calendar Events for the Next Two Weeks
Monday 29th September
- Nursery-Year 6 Parents – Morning Coffee with SLT Team (08:30 09:00)
Tuesday 30th September
- Year 3 Pupils’ Afternoon Tea with the Head of Prep
Tuesday 7th October
- Reception to Year 11 Flu Vaccine
- Year 2 Football Festival with local schools
- Nursery-Year 2 Form Tutor Parents’ Evening
- Years 3-6 Form Tutor Pastoral Parents’ Evening
Thursday 9th October
- Nursery-Year 2 Form Tutor Parents’ Evening
- Years 3-6 Form Tutor Pastoral Parents’ Evening
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.
WPSA Prep Christmas Card Design Project
Children should have been coming home with their beautiful Christmas card designs complete with order forms. Theses designs can be turned into a variety of different items, cards, gift tags, mugs are just a few. Please follow the instructions included and return to school by Friday 3rd October.
Thank you for your support, any questions please contact wpsa@wellingboroughschool.org
Sporty Scholars Camp at Wellingborough School – Book Now!
Sporty Scholars will be running a multi-activity and sport camp here at Wellingborough School from Monday 27th October until Friday 31st October. This camp is for children aged 4-14.
For more information, click HERE.
To book your place please visit: Sporty Scholars at Wellingborough School
October Tech Camps Are On – Join the Adventure – Book Now!
Next Thing Education’s Tech Camps are bursting with creativity, hands-on learning, and fun — plus children take home a STEM invention every day!
The October half term Tech & STEM Camp will run from Monday 27th to Friday 31st October at Wellingborough School and is open to children aged 5–11.
For more information, click HERE.
To book your place, please visit: Wellingborough School Tech & STEM Camp.
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/
