Headmaster’s Welcome – Simon Hawkes, Headmaster
Dear Parents and Guardians,
This morning’s grey and somewhat autumnal tones were lifted by some welcome splashes of colour in the form of yellow accessories worn by pupils and staff as part of our Wellbeing Team’s awareness drive for World Mental Health Day. This year’s theme centres around access to emergency mental health services, and pupils of all ages have benefitted from assemblies on this topic throughout the week.
It almost goes without saying, but there really is a huge amount going on in school in the run-up to half term. Right now, Year 9 are benefitting from the valuable experience of the annual Battlefields trip, and others are preparing for art trips to London, Year 12 peer mentor training, and of course the San Francisco trip over half term. A flick through my diary for next week also throws up some other highlights worth noting: the Duke of Edinburgh and Endeavour Awards evening, the first Teatime Musical Recital of the year, and of course the Inter-House Rugby and Hockey competitions. It’s a packed school calendar, but this is as it should be – a week full of opportunities ready to be grasped.
Many thanks to those of you who have already volunteered to join us next Wednesday at 5.00 pm to contribute to the process of reviewing and updating Wellingborough School’s mission, vision, and values. This is an important first step in crystallising our plan for the future of our wonderful school, so gathering a wide range of views is essential. Staff have already undertaken the same process during two extremely valuable and engaging sessions this week, and pupils will also have their say through their representatives before the half-term break.
If you would like to take part but have not yet signed up, you click here to do so.
SLT Update – Richard Spiby, Deputy Head (Operations)
Dear Parents,
Three wonderful recent events have once again demonstrated just how impressive our students can be in taking responsibility and making things happen. The Prep Open Day was only a couple of weeks ago, and I remember looking at the Year 6 Prefects and marvelling at their enthusiasm and confidence in engaging with prospective parents and answering any number of questions.
Last Saturday, it was the Senior School’s Open Day, and once again, to see students from Years 9-13 meet, guide and engage with parents and prospective pupils was simply humbling. On top of that we had musicians singing and playing as well as drama students performing monologues.
This week Wellingborough School hosted a Year 2 Football Festival with lots of local primary schools coming to take part. The senior school top footballers were brilliant in giving the Year 2 pupils a great afternoon of sport and fun.
It is often said that the best advert for any school is the pupils themselves, and that was certainly true on all three of these occasions. But it is worth us taking a minute to ask, why are our pupils so impressive? I firmly believe it is because they feel part of something bigger, somewhere where they feel they belong and where they can be themselves. This, I think, breeds confidence and self-belief and allows them to develop into the wonderful young people they are, ready to seize the opportunities that arise.
PSHCE Update – Fiona Burgess
As we begin a new school year, we ensure all PSHCE lessons follow very clear principles for a safe and effective classroom.
Responsibility, resilience and respect, three key school values, are explored through the ground rules set in our classrooms to ensure respectful and effective learning. As pupils progress through the school, they do express their feelings openly in class.
This week in Year 7 Miss Livingstone enjoyed a lovely talk with all the girls about the Girls on Board programme, and Chelsea, our wellbeing manager, gained many useful insights from the boys. This will progress into lessons based on resilience in the coming weeks.
In Year 8 pupils have been discussing their use of social media and its impact on health. Perhaps some will switch off their phones and bake a cake or make you a cup of tea at home now!
In Year 9 the focus is on economic wellbeing. Lively discussions have taken place around a board game which teaches pupils to understand key terms, such as credit, debit, tax and the cost of loans. The aim of the game is not to be bankrupt by the end of the game by making wise financial decisions!
In Year 10 we are discussing health and how to assess risk as well as signposting for support. We have started to look at drugs and alcohol education. They have impressed their teachers by showing their ability to question and evaluate real-life scenarios.
Head of Careers, Miss Hunt, has now met all Year 11 pupils in the PSHCE lessons. All pupils are writing their CVs, searching careers and asking for help to make the best choice for them at 16+.
In Sixth Form we are challenging them to think critically about the issues in the news. They will be developing their skills to research, present and see life from different perspectives. This term, Year 12 are also meeting the Head of Careers and seeking support looking ahead to work experience next year. Year 13 are ensuring car and road safety knowledge is uppermost in their minds as winter approaches, and many are learning or have passed their test. They will also be looking at signposting for services for health and wellbeing for life beyond school.
To read more about establishing a safe teaching and learning environment, click here.
Chemistry Update – Michael Mitchell, Head of Combined Science
Year 9 have started the GCSE course by focusing on particle theory, including learning and using the key vocabulary needed to accurately describe the behaviour of atoms and molecules. They will learn about the structure of atoms and the periodic table next half-term and then study ionic bonding and group one before their first exams in the final two lessons before the February half-term holiday.
Year 10 began by exploring the rate of chemical reactions, a topic with lots of practical work, and are now focusing on covalent bonding, a more theoretical topic. After the half-term break, they will be introduced to organic chemistry, the study of carbon compounds, and then have their first exams in the final two lessons before the end of this term.
Year 11 started this year looking at advanced organic chemistry, learning about the esters commonly used as flavourings in food and the polymers used to make synthetic fabrics. They are currently learning about reversible reactions and equilibrium but are, of course, starting to prepare for the first mock exam shortly after the half-term holiday.
Year 12 have adjusted well to the increased demands of A Level study. They have focused on mole calculations with Dr Loak-Chrisp, including several core practicals, and have a test on this side of the course in the first week of the next half term. My lessons have been more theory-based, beginning with quantum mechanics to explain the behaviour of electrons in atoms and molecules, and then learning about the shapes of molecules and the forces between them. There is a test on these topics in the last lesson this half term.
Year 13 are tackling the final, challenging parts of the A Level course. They are continuing to develop their understanding of acid-base chemistry and pH by looking at buffers and have just started their synthesis of aspirin, using the techniques they have developed over the last year to make a common pharmaceutical.
I would like to remind all pupils to use the science library, located in S1, and to attend clinics whenever they have any questions about chemistry. These take place on Mondays after school in SC2, on Tuesday lunchtimes in SC1, on Wednesday lunchtimes in SC1, and on Friday lunchtimes in SC3. Help is available at other times by appointment. We also offer extension clubs for sixth formers on Tuesdays and Wednesdays after school in SC1. Each fortnight our new experiment club meets after school on Wednesday in SC1. We have tried the ‘elephant’s toothpaste’ experiment, and we will next be looking at the colourful flames used to make fireworks.
Finally, congratulations to the Year 13 pupils who were awarded their certificates for the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge in assembly this week. Well done to Aiden, Ayanna, and Dalitso, who achieved a copper award, and to Anish, Gabriel, Lucy, Obinna, Samuel, Sulaiman, Theo, and Thomas, who achieved a silver award, and to William, who achieved a gold award. The next competition will be the Chemistry Olympiad on the 28th of January.
Careers Weekly
October is Black History Month in the UK. This week’s spotlight features some Black role models and their careers.
Read this week’s Careers newsletter here.
Rugby Results – Lester Williams, Head of Rugby
Thursday 2nd October v Bishop Stopford
- U15A lost 19-12
Saturday 4th October v Spratton Hall
- U13A lost 60-10
- U12A won 30-45
Hockey Results – George Houghton, Teacher of PE and Games
Hockey Results v Leicester Grammar School this week:
- U12A won 2-4
- U12B lost 3-0
- U13A drew 2-2
- U13B lost 0-4
- U15A won 0-4
- 1st XI won 1-4
- 2nd XI lost 4-1
- 3rd XI drew 1-1
Whilst there were no Saturday matches to report on from last weekend due to Open Morning, it has been another very busy week on the AstroTurfs, with almost all age groups taking part in midweek hockey fixtures against Leicester Grammar School.
There have been some fantastic team and individual performances to be proud of, with so many of the matches being tightly fought contests. It is wonderful to report that in year 7, every girl has now had the opportunity to represent the school in a competitive match this half term; their first of many, we hope, for Wellingborough School!
Congratulations to all pupils who have represented the school so well this week, and good luck for all fixtures tomorrow against Bloxham School, traditionally some of our tougher matches of the season, which we can approach with real confidence!
Working Together to Keep Our Young People Safe – Safeguarding Update
Vaping has become increasingly common among teenagers, and many parents are understandably concerned. The rise in brightly packaged, sweet-flavoured disposable vapes has made them particularly appealing to young people, despite the health risks.
View more about how to keep young people safe in our safeguarding newsletter here.
Read the full safeguarding newsletter for this month here.
Sixth Form Open Evening – Discuss Ambitions and Options with Our Subject Experts
Starting at 6pm on Thursday, November 20th, we are hosting our annual 6th Form Open Evening. We strongly encourage all Year 11 pupils to come along and explore the opportunities open to them at A level with our subject experts
Please arrive at 5.45 for a 6pm start.
Booking is required for any pupil not already at Wellingborough School. To secure your place, click here.
WSSPA Christmas Wreath Making Evening – Book Your Spot Now!
Our Christmas wreath-making evening is coming up on Thursday, 27th November, at 7pm. Join us for getting in the Christmas spirit while making a wreath for your door.
For more information on our Wreath Making Evening, click here.
See below for examples of previous years:
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
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/
