Headmaster’s Welcome – Simon Hawkes, Headmaster
Dear Parents and Guardians,
The themes for today’s letter are phones, kindness, and school events, although sadly I haven’t yet worked out a way to stitch the three together into one seamless narrative for your reading enjoyment.
Firstly, phones – as promised, we will shortly move into the next phase of looking at this issue. Please keep your eye out next week for an email with a link to a parent survey designed to help us gather information about parental approaches to family device management and opinions about the current state of play in School. Pupils will also be asked to complete a similar survey. We know you (parents) hold a range of views, so we hope for a good rate of return, and look forward to reading your responses.
Secondly, kindness – my theme for a Year 9 and 10 Assembly this week was kindness, and the talk included some discussion about the reasons we often don’t realise the extent of the impact we have on the people we interact with every day. Pleasingly, I was able to refer to two very specific recent examples of Wellingborough pupils who have demonstrated great kindness and empathy and made a real difference to the world around them as a result. Pupils can expect me to continue speaking on this theme in the coming weeks.
And finally – School events. With only four weeks left until the Christmas break, we are entering the season during which parents might reasonably expect invitations to things taking place in School. If I haven’t yet had the pleasure of meeting you, and you find yourself at a Concert, DofE Evening, Sixth Form Options Evening etc, please do come and introduce yourself and take the opportunity to tell me how your son or daughter is getting on this term.
Pupil Voice: William Walker: Comments on Arduis Fire – Year 12 Pupil
During the final two days of the first Michaelmas half-term, I, alongside a further 15 senior cadets, had the opportunity to take part in the Arduis Fire Exercise. This included leaving school on the 16th, camping overnight in a shelter that we set up ourselves until the 17th, and returning to school that afternoon. During our time at the Yardley Chase, both the Army and Marines squads were able to fully complete a night stalk, which allowed us to use personal radio systems, which added to the realism of our objective. Within this we gathered information and took the techniques learnt during our Wednesday sessions to ensure we made the most of the patrol. The following morning, we took part in a stalk and a full blank section attack; this was a first for many of the cadets and was a clear shift from the lessons we have done during our time in the CCF. The section attacks success, putting merit to the effort put in by the cadets in practices and highlighting the quality of both teaching and cadets themselves. I found the exercise a great chance for us to test what we have learnt as well as further the leadership skills we have developed whilst in the CCF. I was impressed by all who attended, and the group cohesion resembles exactly what we are as a CCF. The Year 11s within the Marines group massively stepped up and proved their capabilities. The Arduis Fire exercise was a brilliant opportunity for all and was great to test exactly what we have been learning, with the added equipment helping to prepare us for further competitions that we represent The School in, such as the Pringle Trophy for the Marines and Combat Cadet for the Army.
Parker Steyne’s House Update – George Houghton, Parker Steyne’s Housemaster
Whilst the beginning of the new academic year seems like a distant memory, there has been much positivity to report on from Parker Steyne’s. The House has a slightly different feel about this year with the addition of year 8 into the physical house building, and these pupils have settled in brilliantly under the watchful eye of the year 13s, with whom they share a day room. In fact, nothing has given me more joy this year than walking in at a break or lunchtime and seeing a year 8 pupil being given help with a piece of homework by one of their year 13 counterparts; what great role models we are lucky to have in Parker Steyne’s at the top end of the House!
We also welcomed Mr Piper, Mr Barker & Mr Yip to the House as tutors of years 8, 10 and 12, respectively, and all three staff members have already built up a fantastic rapport with their tutees; hopefully you were able to chat with them and put faces to names at the pastoral drop-in evening back in September.
The House and School charity for this year was chosen, and we are proud to be raising funds for ‘Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis’, a charity that is particularly close to us as a House, as we support two of our own who have firsthand experience of this debilitating illness. We look forward to raising significant funds through our main House fundraising event in the Lent term – more to follow in due course!
The year began in typical fashion with House singing – this year we put together a ‘mash-up’ rendition of ‘Old Town Road’ and ‘Timber’, mixed by our very own ‘DJ Rendall’!! Dressed in cowboy attire, we gave it our best but unfortunately were unplaced (again…!!). We have also had House Rugby this term, with years 9 & 10 narrowly being pipped to the title in the inters competition. Peer mentoring sessions have already begun with our year 12 pupils taking the lead, welcoming year 7 into House for pastoral sessions, with year 8 also working closely with their elder counterparts. Head of House Thomas R has initiated our first House table tennis tournament for many a year, providing much entertainment for the masses at break and lunchtimes, and, as I write this article, year 11 are busy with mock GCSE examinations, and nearly all of year 13 have submitted their UCAS applications for the next stages of their academic journeys. Lastly, year 9 were fortunate enough to experience the annual battlefields trip in the last half of term (see picture), and we were proudly represented at the wreath-laying ceremony with both Aaron P and Romeo B laying poppy wreaths at the poignant services.
There is much to look forward to as Christmas approaches, and I hope to be able to report on even more success in House competitions in the next update as well as unveil our charity plans for 2025-26!
Drama Update – Rebecca Lamberton, Head of Drama
Students have been extremely busy in drama recently, both in the classroom and with co-curricular activities.
Years 10 and 11 recently enjoyed a trip to Nottingham to see an excellent production of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ starring Richard Coyle. This was a wonderful theatre experience; the students benefitted immensely from watching a play that used a variety of theatre techniques. Part of their written GCSE exam is writing a review of live theatre, and this was certainly a great introduction to this task. The next planned trip is in Lent Term when we will be watching ‘The Woman in Black’. The students are very much looking forward to this; it also promises to be a superb production.
The Lower Sixth A level class have been working hard on both their written exam texts and their BEA devising piece. For their written exam, they have been mainly focusing on Timberlake Wertenbaker’s ‘Our Country’s Good’, which is an excellent, but challenging, modern drama that explores the redemptive power of theatre.
Sixth Form Play
Rehearsals are now underway for the Sixth Form production: Agatha Christie’s classic thriller And Then There Were None. This gripping murder mystery promises suspense, intrigue and unexpected twists as ten strangers find themselves stranded on a remote island with a deadly secret.
Our talented cast includes:
- Rogers – Rowan
- Mrs Rogers – Amy
- Fred Narracott – Larissa
- Vera Claythorne – Lily
- Philip Lombard – Jamie
- William Blore – Alfie
- General Mackenzie – Gabriel
- Anthony Marston – Jude
- Emily Brent – Chloe
- Sir Lawrence Wargrave – Opulence
- Dr Armstrong – Hugo
Stay tuned for performance dates in March and ticket details – this is one you won’t want to miss!
Maths Update – Katie Conroy, Head of Maths
Senior Team Maths Competition
This week four of our strongest mathematicians were picked to represent Wellingborough School in a local Senior Team Mathematics Competition. This was held in Cambridge, with schools coming from as far as London to compete. Our team of Abigail Gamble, Samuel Richardson, Ian Fernandes and Cameron Charles ably represented us through three very challenging rounds against tough competition. We were very good in the group round and shuttle competition but were let down by a weaker performance in the cross-number round. The team nominated Abigail Gamble as the MVP.
Well done for their strong effort overall and an excellent competition in total.
Mathematics Competition for Girls
Earlier this term three of our excellent sixth form mathematicians took part in the UKMT Mathematics. Juanita Otchere and Lauren Reeves both received Certificates of Merit for their contribution, and Abigal Gamble received a Certificate of Merit for taking part in the Mathematical Olympiad for Girls. A truly excellent result, with all the girls who entered the competition receiving a merit. Well done to all three girls.
Senior Maths Competition
The Senior Maths Challenge is open to all sixth form mathematicians, and Y11 are invited to enter if they choose. We had sixteen pupils enter this year, during a very busy term. With over 80% of our entrants receiving certificates, it was a very successful competition for Wellingborough School.
Award winners:
Award winners:
| Gold | |
| Olivia | Best in School |
| Silver | |
| Dexter | Best in Y11 |
| Samuel | |
| Ian | Best in Y12 |
| Abigail | |
| Nicholas | |
| William | |
| Bronze | |
| Charlie | |
| William | |
| Cameron | |
| Joshua | |
| Alfie | |
| Henry |
A massive congratulations to all who took part.
Careers Weekly
This week’s careers newsletter spotlights “Post-16 Options”. Helping pupils gain a better understanding of all the different options after they finish their GCSEs.
Rugby Results – Lester Williams, Head of Rugby
Friday 7th November V Princethorpe:
· 1st XV lost 0-33
Saturday 8th November:
· 2nd XV lost 10-54
· U15A lost 26-39
· U14A won 14-7
· U13A lost 0-50
· U12A lost 10-55
A tough set this weekend!
Hockey Results – George Houghton, Teacher of PE and Games
The weekend’s hockey fixtures got off to a bang on Friday evening with our ‘Friday Night Lights’ spectacle! The 1st XI faced off against King’s Ely, knowing it would be a tough and close contest following a 1-1 draw earlier in the season. Whilst it wasn’t a classic encounter, with both sides cancelling each other out for large parts of the game, the squad battled hard, and midway through the second half a fantastic short corner strike from captain Annabel D (13Ma) was all that separated the two sides come the final whistle! Thank you to all of those who provided such fantastic, partisan support throughout the evening; the players and I thoroughly appreciated your support!
The following morning we played our traditional block of fixtures against Kimbolton School, and the astroturfs were heaving from 8:45am with large numbers of parental support for both teams. Our junior teams provided some thrilling hockey for those fortunate enough to witness it, especially our U12A’s, who bounced back from 0-2 down to win 4-3! In the later matches at home, our U14As also dominated their opposition with a fantastic 4-0 victory, with Elise P (9Wy) scoring a hat trick in a fine team performance that should set this squad up nicely for their U14 T2 Midland’s Finals in Nottingham, taking place today!
Hockey Result v King’s School, Ely
- 1st XI won 1-0
- 2nd XI lost 5-0
- 3rd XI lost 6-2
- U15A lost 8-4
- U14A won 4-0
- U14/U15B lost 1-3
- U13A lost 2-3
- U13B lost 1-7
- U12A won 4-3
- U12B lost 0-3
Hockey Results v Kimbolton School
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 more about keeping young people safe in our latest safeguarding newsletter here.
WSSPA Thank You
Wellingborough Senior School Parents Association (WSSPA) would like to thank parents, pupils, friends and OWs who supported us at Friday Night Lights last week. Selling a selection of hot drinks, including mulled wine, beer and gin & tonic, we raised a fantastic sum of £274!
WSSPA raises money to donate to the Houses and Year 7 Group area for ‘extras’ chosen by the pupils to enhance their House or Year Group areas.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Sixth Form Open Evening – Next Thursday!
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.
Introducing the Young Artist Show
One of our Year 13 pupils, Olivia, has organised an exciting art exhibition and competition for pupils in Years 7 to 13 from local schools. The event invites young artists to showcase their creativity across a variety of mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography and digital design.
To enter, pupils should submit a photograph of their artwork by Sunday, 16th November, to exhibition@wellingboroughschool.org.
Read more about our Young Artist Show below:
Senior Christmas Concert
We are excited to be holding our annual Senior Christmas Concert at All Hallows Church this year, on Saturday 29th November at 6.30pm. All our larger music ensembles will be performing (including Orchestra, Concert Band, String Group, Big Band, Blues Band and Senior Choir). There will be afternoon rehearsals for performers, beginning at 3.30pm, but parents will be sent more details nearer the time. In the meantime, please save the date!
If you aren’t currently a parent at Wellingborough School, please RSVP your space to admissions@wellingboroughschool.org
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 here.
