Senior Weekly News – Michaelmas Week 2

Head’s Welcome – Mr Hawkes, Headmaster

With one full week of term under our belt, I can now say with confidence that we’re very much ‘in the swing’ – every class will have met every teacher, fixtures begin tomorrow, clubs and activities are winding up, and conversation has moved from updates on summer fun to anticipation of what’s to come throughout Michaelmas. We’ve even had some autumnal weather thrown in to help with the transition.

I’ll be using my precious assembly time in the coming weeks to encourage the pupils to look outward and to be aware of the fresh and weighty responsibility many more of them now hold as possible voters in our next General Election. You’ll be aware that the voting age will be lowered to 16 and that in the (possibly unlikely) event that the election doesn’t take place until 2029, almost every pupil in the senior school will be able to cast a ballot. It has always been important for schools and parents to help young people develop open-mindedness, critical thinking skills, and a curiosity about the world around them. This is now more important than ever, as they prepare to take on the Responsibility (one of those vital 3 Rs) to contribute to society’s great decision-making process.

A personal highlight of this week has been hearing little snippets of next week’s ‘House Singing’ as I’ve passed open windows and doors. I’ve been told more about this annual event than any other, so I’m expecting entertainment, high-quality singing, and impressive levels of traditional House spirit. I’m sure the event won’t disappoint!

Finally, back to the theme of responsibility. I’ve been pleased and impressed to see that for the most part Wellingborough pupils are good at taking responsibility for their mobile phone use around school. However, I am aware that there are is a range of different opinions on mobile phone policy amongst the wider school community and will therefore be starting the process of gathering those views and deciding whether any adjustment is required. More to follow in due course.

Good luck to all those representing the school in fixtures tomorrow. I will be out and about on the home match sidelines, so please do come and say hello.

Engineering the Future – Dexter, Year 11 Academic Scholar, Shares His National Grid Experience

I was invited by the SmallPeice Trust to attend a sponsored residential course at the National Grid Training Centre in Nottingham for a week during the summer holidays. The purpose was to learn about engineering in the energy sector, boosting my knowledge about the energy supply industry and learning how energy is made affordable, reliable, and sustainable for Net Zero using drones for monitoring and tackling other real-world challenges.

I explored energy through hands-on activities and demonstrations led by National Grid training staff, experienced life as a National Grid Engineering apprentice, and gained invaluable team building, communication and relationship building skills.

One of the highlights of the week was a tour inside an active use substation of a power plant. During the tour we viewed the specialist equipment inside, which allows the voltage of electricity to be transformed.

Our final challenge was the “big project”: with a fictional £1 million budget, we built a mini power line from a wind turbine to a supplier shed. I was assigned the management role, overseeing the project and coordinating subsections. We estimated a cost of £800,000, bargained with a farmer for land and river crossing, planned and built pylons, and used rewiring skills to transmit power. It worked, and the supplier shed received power. The project sharpened my problem solving, critical thinking and creativity skills and was very enjoyable.

In summary, the course was an invaluable experience. I learned so much about engineering and the National Grid whilst enjoying a taste of independent living and creating new friendships with like-minded peers.

To read more about Dexter’s summer residential, click HERE.

A Vibrant Afternoon for a Worthy Cause

In true Wellingborough tradition, on the first day of term, the Senior School, along with staff, took part in their annual charity colour run. This year, raising money for Pulmonary Fibrosis. Romeo, a year 9 pupil, has written a short piece on the charity and why it is so close to his heart.

“Pulmonary Fibrosis is a lung disease which my mum and other people have. It is something that holds you back from reaching your goals in life, like being able to run a marathon or just general daily activities. The three main symptoms that occur when having pulmonary fibrosis are shortness of breath, persistent cough and fatigue. Shortness of breath initially occurs with exercise, but as the disease progresses, it becomes harder for the patient to do daily activities like getting dressed or something as simple as walking up the stairs. Persistent cough is practically coughing loads more than someone without this disease; patients can sometimes cough up to 200 times a day. This is also caused by low oxygen levels for the patient. Finally, fatigue is probably the worst out of the three bands that this lung disease can consist of. I know this, as pretty much every day my mum suffers with all of this, and as a child it is quite scary. Earlier on this year, my brother and I did a run to support this charity, raising nearly £1000.There is no cure for this disease, and it can only be maintained by tablets and oxygen and is a terminal illness.”

To read more about our charity colour run, click HERE.

LAMDA Results – A Message from Mr Scott Benest, Director of the Co-Curriculum

In the summer term of last year, we had a number of students take Verse and Prose, Acting and Speaking in Public exams through the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA). I am delighted to share the results with our school community. The lessons are a fabulous way to explore these areas in drama in a one-to-one setting. Lessons are available for Years 2-11. Each subject carries its own benefits and skill set, such as confidence in speaking to an audience, script exploration and understanding poetry and prose and the techniques to perform. If you would like to register for a class or find out any more about the classes in school, please contact Mrs Gemma Seaford on gemmalc25@hotmail.co.uk.

To read more about Wellingborough School’s LAMDA summer results, click HERE.

Psychology Department Update – Carlie Woodard, Head of Psychology

As the new school year begins, the Psychology Department is already full of energy and curiosity. We’re thrilled to welcome back our students and introduce Miss James, our new Psychology teacher. She brings a wealth of experience and a passion for clinical psychology, which she’s sharing with our Year 13 students as part of their Paper 2 studies.

Year 13 are also exploring Child Psychology, a topic that encourages empathy and critical thinking as they examine developmental milestones and what happens when these aren’t met. Our students are engaging brilliantly with these complex ideas.
Meanwhile, Year 12 have been introduced to social psychology, including the infamous Milgram shock experiment. This has sparked lively debates around obedience, authority, and the ethics of psychological research. Ethics, in fact, has become a central theme in their discussions and is an essential foundation for any budding psychologist.

Looking ahead, some of us are eagerly anticipating our October half-term trip to San Francisco. From exploring the historic Alcatraz Island to stepping onto the prestigious grounds of Stanford University, it promises to be an unforgettable adventure filled with learning, discovery, and inspiration.

European Day of Languages 2025 – Matthew Watson, Head of Modern Foreign Languages

Across Europe on the 26th September, millions of people celebrated the European Day of Languages, now in its 25th year, such is the success of the. Event that began in 2001, organised by the Council of Europe and European Union. The day is a celebration of plurilingualism and linguistic diversity across Europe, recognising not just native languages but also any language that is now spoken in the continent.

In assembly this week I talked about the event but also shared part of my story and the reasons why I fell in love with studying languages.

Growing up, my family didn’t have many holidays abroad, but I was always curious about foreign travel. In fact, I was 7 before we travelled abroad for the first time, when we went to France. I was in awe of how everything looked similar but different at the same time. Normal things like street signs or the supermarket intrigued me – that and the fact that everyone spoke a different language and not everyone spoke English.

The trip piqued my curiosity, but it would be a few more years before we went abroad again, on that occasion to France and Spain. In an era where there was no Duolingo and the teachers still used chalk on the board, there were few opportunities to explore a language and its culture the way we do now.

This is where the Eurovision Song Contest came in. At the time, countries almost always sang in their mother tongue, and I loved it. I’m not saying the music was always to my taste, but there is something about someone putting themselves on stage, in front a tv audience of millions and sharing their language and their culture that really intrigued me. As such, it has been a regular fixture in my life for the past 30 years. Friends come and go, but the Eurovision Song Contest remains a constant.

In the assembly, I shared a few of my favourite songs from this year’s contest in Basel, Switzerland. We watched the German entry, called “Baller”, which I believe translates as “to shoot”, in this case “for the stars”. Next, we had the Spanish entry, with “Esa diva”, meaning “That diva”. Finally, I showed the Netherlands entry which uses a clever mix of French and English in the song “C’est la vie”, meaning “That’s life”.

I have now handed the power over to the students to play the part of judges and to decide which of the three songs they would vote for as their winner in this mini Eurovision Song Contest. A task has been set on Firefly with links to videos and a poll.
We await their decision! I shall be sure to communicate the winner once the voting closes. I’m sure everyone simply can’t wait to find out.

Wishing everyone all the best and a very happy European Day of Languages!

Back making music – Ian Runnells, Director of Music

It is great to be back making music! Individual music lessons have started, the Chapel Choir has met for the first time, preparing already for Remembrance and Christmas, and song is heard throughout the school as pupils prepare for the Annual House Singing Competition, the first competitive House event of the year.

We have several pupils beginning their tuition on their chosen instrument; we welcome them to the department and hope their musical journey proves thoroughly fulfilling and enjoyable. Mr Runnells and Miss Thompson have explained to their classes that we are able to offer a trial lesson, free of charge, to any pupil interested in singing or instrument lessons. Please speak with us, or Mrs Burleigh to begin the conversation.

The Co-Curricular programme of events is available to view on Firefly (https://wellingboroughschool.fireflycloud.net/senior-school-1/co-curricularenrichment-list/music-ensembles), and we look forward to welcoming our chamber groups and larger ensembles to their first rehearsals, beginning on Friday 19th September, just as soon as House Singing is complete. Membership of groups is open to all, and we encourage everyone to take advantage of the daily opportunities to make music together. ‘The more the merrier’ is definitely a guiding principle!

Congratulations to all pupils who auditioned for county ensembles and were successful in securing a place in one or more groups. It is always good to hear of achievements outside of school, so please do continue to inform us of developments and successes.

It is rare for any pupil to achieve a diploma qualification whilst still at school, so mention must be made of William Baker’s success in his summer examination; he is now an Associate of the Royal College of Organists and is already studying for the Fellowship. He was also successful in his audition to join the renowned London-based ‘Rudolfus Choir’ and will be singing several live broadcasts over the next few months.

Thank you for your support and encouragement of all we do, and we look forward to another year of inspirational music-making.

Rugby – Lester Williams, Housemaster of Garne’s, Head of Rugby

Rugby Result – Saturday 30th August
Pre-Season match 1 versus Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet.
1st XV won 5-50
An excellent first performance for our 1st XV rugby side against QE Barnet, with all our boys playing extremely well. The team had been working hard on stretching the opposition defence across the pitch, which then led to so much space for our runners to break through making it difficult for them to stop us. Congratulations to all our debutants, and a massive thanks to all our parents for their support.

Rugby Result – Wednesday 10th September
V Kettering RFC
1st XV won 5-25
Our 1st XV rugby team won tonight against Kettering RFC to retain the ‘Richard Brookes Memorial’ trophy. This annual match is our most important of the year, and reminds us all of the core values of rugby as well as why we love the game so much. An incredible performance from the team!

Pastoral Report – Jill Livingstone, Deputy Head (Pastoral)

What a fantastic start to the new academic year! The school has come alive once again with laughter, colour, and energy as we welcomed back our pupils and gave a very warm hello to all our new joiners, both students and staff. We’re so thrilled to have you with us!

A special shout-out to our new Year 7s who have settled quickly into Fryer’s House and life in Senior School. The table tennis table has already become a hotspot of friendly competition and giggles—clearly a hit! No doubt their team building day at Box End Water Park will be the start of many friendships.

 

Meanwhile, our Year 8s have embraced their move into their Houses with real enthusiasm. The sound of singing is already echoing through the corridors as rehearsals ramp up for next Thursday’s House Singing competition —bring on the harmonies, outfits and House spirit!

And what better way to kick off the term than with a burst of colour? The Colour Run, on the very first day, was a whirlwind of vibrancy, fun, and a few shrieks. Pupils sprinted through clouds of colour with huge smiles, setting the tone for a year full of positivity.

Here’s to a brilliant term ahead.

To read more about our charity colour run, click HERE.

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.

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

Macmillan Coffee Morning – Carlie Woodard, Housemistress of Nevill

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.

Back to all news