Headmaster’s Welcome – Simon Hawkes, Headmaster
I thoroughly enjoyed the Prep School Christingle service yesterday, and with Saturday evening’s much anticipated Christmas Concert at All Hallows being closely followed by Sunday’s Advent service with Garne’s and Nevill, Christmas themed festivities are now firmly on the agenda here in School. If you aren’t a Garne’s or Nevill parent and would still like to enjoy our lovely chapel at this special time of year, be sure to come along to the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols at 4.00 pm next Sunday, 7th December.
Whilst this time of year offers ample opportunity for fun, (and it’s right that we take advantage of that) it’s also a crucially important time from an academic perspective, with many of our pupils gearing up for GCSE or A level exams this year. We will, of course, be enjoying Christmas Lunch and the (now traditional) opportunity to wear questionable jumpers for charity, but we will also be making the most of every lesson and teaching opportunity right up until the end of term.
With that in mind, we plan for all our celebratory community events to take place on the final morning of term on 12th December, with term not finishing until 12.30 pm. This is the only day without lessons, but we do expect all pupils in school and the morning is packed with the School Carol Service at URC in Wellingborough followed by end of term assemblies in school. The programme offers opportunities for meaningful community reflection and one or two fun surprises for the pupils – all will be revealed!
Best wishes.
Sociology Update – Nigel Corrigan, Head of Sociology
I could not start the first Sociology newsletter this academic year without giving a huge nod and applause to the recent USA West Coast trip, which took place in the October half term. What a superb and thoroughly enjoyable time we all had – all 37 of us, pupils from years 10-13. We have secured many a long-life memory with all pupils lucky enough to have experienced the sights and sounds of San Francisco, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada. To be able to investigate and explore the awe and wonderment and thrills of historical places like Alcatraz and to be immersed in the Grand Canyon, as well as see and experience Fisherman’s Wharf, whale watching in the bay and the sights, sounds and smells of Las Vegas Boulevard, will stay with me and our pupils for a very long time. Exploring Silicon Valley and Stanford University was also a true highlight. Huge thanks must go to Mrs Woodard, Mr Whitmore and Miss Kemp, who were outstanding trip team players.
Our next educational visit will be at the start of the Lent term. This will be the 3rd joint sociology and psychology trip to London to visit The Royal Courts of Justice and The Old Bailey Law Courts as part of our curriculum links to the study of crime and deviance. It is always an exciting one to experience firsthand, the live criminal cases that our pupils often get to see, bringing the subject alive and far more substantial than an everyday classroom or a textbook can hope to achieve.
In the summer months of 2025, it felt superb to congratulate all students and send our best wishes to two of our A Level students from the 2025 sociology cohort, as they took up undergraduate study at Bath and Durham universities to read Social Sciences. It’s always rewarding to witness students continue their academic pursuits in the world of the social sciences at university level.
Our two new groups in the year 12 cohort have got off to a flying start this term, heavily analysing whether families and households today are broadly diverse in nature and structure or are still framed and fabricated around a mum and dad who are married and have 1-2 children. Postmodern sociologists challenge the alleged status quo of what may well be normalised and are a key perspective for students challenging standard norms and socialisation processes. In their learning about our education unit, pupils are focusing on ethnicity and educational achievement, looking at theories and the impact of culture and material deprivation. They have looked at the implications and wider impact of teacher labelling and the extent and value of parental support with educational success.
Year 13 continue with their fact-finding investigations and evaluations as to whether the uprising of religious fundamentalism around the world is in fact a response to discontent in an emerging globalised world. Has the level of uncertainty, generally, and that feeling of being frayed and fragmented, driven people back to routine and traditionalism? Whilst in crime and deviance, pupils have explored crime and globalisation, green crimes and money laundering, to name but a few topics in this unit. What is always great to observe is that our pupils are always keen to progress and strive to be a better version of themselves, especially as mock exams hang in the near future and university applications and offers are slowly but surely coming in.
Exciting Times Ahead in DT – Sean Egan, Head of Design Technology
The Design Technology department is buzzing with energy as we embrace a new chapter in our journey. This term marks the successful launch of the GCSE Engineering course, and we are thrilled to report that pupils are fully engaged in a wide range of knowledge and skill development tasks. Ranging from getting to grips with 3D CAD and understanding how material properties impact engineered solutions to assembling electronic circuits. Their enthusiasm and commitment are setting a fantastic tone for the future of the subject.
The introduction of GCSE Engineering is part of a new curriculum model designed to make full use of the outstanding facilities that will soon be available in the brand-new building. This forward-thinking approach ensures that our students will benefit from cutting-edge resources and spacious, purpose-built workshops and classrooms.
Since Design and Technology was first introduced at Wellingborough School by Mr Haste, when it became part of the National Curriculum, its home has been the Gent Centre. Moving from this familiar space to the new building represents a significant change and an exciting one! The prospect of delivering lessons in such a modern environment has everyone looking forward to the opportunities ahead.
The countdown to this transition is filled with anticipation. Our team is committed to ensuring that the move enhances learning experiences and inspires creativity for years to come.
Stay tuned for more updates as we prepare to open the doors to a new era of Design Technology at Wellingborough School!
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:
- Chiara – Grade 5 Singing for Musical Theatre – Pass
- Leo – Grade 2 Piano – Merit
- Anay – Grade 1 Piano – Merit
- Demir – Grade 2 Piano – Merit
- Kezia – Grade 5 Singing – Pass
- Loong – Grade 4 Piano – Pass
We are also delighted that the recent Trinity Grade 5 Saxophone exam result for pupil Dexter has been upgraded from Pass to Merit.
Congratulations to all our candidates!
Careers Weekly
There are almost 5.5 million small businesses in the UK. This week’s spotlight features information and advice on being entrepreneurial, self-employed, and setting up your own business.
Read this week’s Careers newsletter here.
Rugby Results – Lester Williams, Head of Rugby
Friday 21st November v Leicester Grammar School
- 1st XV won 31-12
Saturday 22nd November v Leicester Grammar & Spratton Hall
- U15 A won 50-7 v LGS
- U14A won 26-19 v LGS
- U13A won 26-19 v LGS
- U13A lost 0-35 v Spratton Hall
- U12A won 15-0 v LGS
- U12A drew 5-5 v Spratton Hall
Tuesday 25th November v King’s Ely
- 1st XV won 26-22
- 2nd XV won 35-5
Many thanks for everyone’s hard work in the cold and wet! – 1 more set of fixtures to go.
Hockey Results – George Houghton, Teacher of PE and Games
Last week we, frustratingly, lost our first weekend block of fixtures due to be played against King Henry VIII, because of the frozen temperatures that rendered the astroturf’s unplayable. Disappointingly, this also affected the additional 1st XI match, scheduled for Thursday 20th November against Northampton High School.
However, on Monday of this week we hosted an excellent triangular for our U12A and B teams against Bedford Greenacre and Bedford Modern. Despite the cold temperatures and the occasional drizzly shower, the girls performed superbly well against good opposition recording some positive results (below). It was also FANTASTIC to, once again, have every girl in year 7 available for selection – what brilliant progress they have all made this term!
This weekend the temperatures look set to be a little milder so, hopefully, all planned fixtures against Bablake School will take place but , as ever, please keep checking the @WboroSport X page and SOCS for any cancellation details if in any doubt.
Results v Bedford Greenacre & Bedford Modern
- U12A v BGI won 3-0
- U12B v BGI won 1-0
- U12A v BMS lost 0-4
- U12B v BMS drew 0-0
Helping Young People Think Critically and Stay Safe at Parties – Safeguarding Newsletter
Today’s young people are growing up in a world where news, opinions and videos appear instantly – often before they’ve had time to think them through. Social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and X (Twitter) are now where many children get their information about the world.
As children move through secondary school, their social life becomes a huge part of growing up. Parties, gatherings and sleepovers are where friendships deepen and independence grows, but they can also bring new challenges, especially when adults aren’t around.
Read the full safeguarding newsletter for this month here.
Senior Christmas Concert
We are excited to be holding our annual Senior Christmas Concert at All Hallows Church this Saturday (29th Nov) at 6.30pm. All our larger music ensembles – Orchestra, Concert Band, String Group, Big Band, Blues Band and Senior Choir – will be performing, together with a range of soloists. There will even be the opportunity for the audience to flex their singing muscles!
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 12:00 on 12 December 2025.
Be in it to win it!!
Thank you for your continued support.
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/
