Highlight
Summary
During activity week, students were given the chance to explore the world.
Whether it was going to places like Budapest or staying in School to participate in marketing or other activities, students have had the ability to express themselves in different ways.
Students throughout the whole school were given the choice to go on trips - the beautiful city of Budapest, the rural areas of the Isle of Wight or the spectacular zoos within England.
During this time, the student marketing team have worked hard to compile this newsletter as their chosen activity for the week.
Prep School
Prep School GALLERY
Senior School
Senior School
YEAR 12
YEAR 10
Outdoor Learning, Biodiversity, DofE, Volunteering
Year 3
Prep pupils have embarked on a creative journey with DT and Art workshops. The Year 3 students had lots of fun creating zentangle flower pots made out of wood There was an abundance of creative and fun floral designs, inspired from a range of patterns; some their own, some taken from inspirational sources They were both colourful and detailed.
The Year 3 students did Maypole dancing on Wednesday, and the performance was brilliant The co-ordination was superb and the teachers were very supportive The children were fast learners and were adding new tricks every time.
Outdoor Learning
The Year 3 outdoor learners did a lot of work on Monday First, they took group aerial photos, where the pupils posed creatively and the picture was taken from above
They also participated in the creation of colourful whittling sticks, by painting it in the colours of the rainbow They also toasted bread, which was made by Sixth Formers, around a campfire.
Year 3 had a fabulous trip to Stanwick Lakes. The day started with a mini-beast hunt where the damp moist conditions meant that the children found and caught frogs, newts, toads, spiders and moths! After this, the children spent hours on the adventure course where some flew over the obstacles without a care in the world, whilst others quietly challenged themselves to scale the climbing wall or scramble over the high wall After a lazy lunch, much fun was to be had in the play park! The fun started with an innocent puddle at the bottom of the slide and ended with everyone having a ball in the water play area and digging in the sodden sand! The children had a blast and declared it 'the best trip ever'!Mrs McDougall
Year 4
In this year’s activity week, the Year 4 students have been making clay models with Mrs Roberts, the Prep School Art teacher She has taught them how to make frog pinch pots. It is evident that they have been making a lot of progress Year 3 also did this with hedgehog pinch pots
To make any sort of pinch pot, you get a piece of clay and pinch around the edge to make a pot (a technique the Year 4 pupils seem to be understanding very quickly) With this technique you can make a lot of different items like jewellery and cups to drink from
On Monday, the Year 4 pupils attended a poetry workshop about trees with Miss Allen They talked about how trees contribute to our ecosystem They looked at 3 trees: Monkey Puzzle, Silver Birch and Horse Chestnut They gathered brilliant adjectives about the trees to use in their poems later. Afterwards, they looked at the features of a poem; they read a poem (called Ode to an Oak), and created their own ode to trees.
In DT, the Year 4 pupils were creating signs for the outdoor learning centre and garden They created their signs on 2D design (a useful platform for designing), used the laser cutter and decorated them with many different colours of paint So far, Year 4 have experienced pottery, poetry and design and technology: a very creative week! According to many pupils, it has been very fun and interesting and they are also learning lots When asked about designs, Lucy said: “We're going to use bees, butterflies and lots of flowers to make it very colourful.”
Year 4
The biodiversity group have been busy bees! They have had a campfire and completed a scavenger hunt We interviewed Mrs Arimoro, who said that she particularly enjoyed watching the Year 10's leading the shelter building and the Year 12's having a competition over sawing wooden pallets.
We had an interview with Mrs Stevens, and she told us all about the different activities the Year 4 pupils had been doing throughout the day These ranged from building shelters (one of their favourites) to the Spider Web (their other favourite) to a scavenger hunt She told us that all the pupils had enjoyed their time in the great outdoors. By the time we were leaving, the group had gathered around the campfire to roast sweet bread above the fire, something they all seemed to be very excited about
The reporters arrived at the campfire when the Year 4's were just finishing some tree decorations and the Year 10 and 12's were finishing a campfire that they were making. In a short interview with a student named Katie, we found how the older years had been helping the younger students with activities like painting and even competing against them in a game called ‘Spider Web’. This is a team-building exercise in which everyone had to help each other to get over their teammates through holes in a 'spider’s web' made of string
On Wednesday, Year 4 enjoyed a fun packed day out at Mini Meadows Farm Every child was given a bucket of food, in colour coded cups to ensure that the right feed was given to the correct animals. The pupils were able enter the rabbit and guinea pig enclosures and get up close to the animals. The piglets were a definite favourite! After all the food had been distributed, lots of fun was had on the outdoor and indoor play areas
Year 5
Year 5 pupils did a lot of exercise as they walked 30 minutes to the beautiful Irchester Country Park. They played cricket and other games as well such as running about in the park. Everyone agreed that they had a great time
In the afternoon, they had cycling proficiency with Mr Holman, in which after completing some worksheets bout safety, they cycled a circuit around the school and did safety checks on their bikes
In the DT centre, the pupils made bird boxes with Mr Egan. They worked on them piece by piece, and at the end of the day, they all had finished their nesting box They screwed the wood together with nails and a screwdriver after carefully measuring the individual pieces. The bird houses will be placed in various positions around the school site
Our News reporters quickly dropped by to see Year 5 on their first aid course They were intensely interested and enjoyed learning things such as how to use a defibrillator and how to check if someone is still alive before using one.
When our reporters went to the Art classroom in the Robinson Centre, they were greeted with lots of excited Year 5 pupils and Mrs Mitchell tol pupils were making snails from clay, taki from pictures and a s snails They used a te ‘coiling’ to make the s carved decorations in all thoroughly en opportunity of creat
Year 6
“Archery tag was my favourite and the vertical challenge obstacle course was really fun” -Oscar
“I really enjoyed it and recommend it for lots of fun ”
‘It was a great experience, I did like going to PGL as this weeks residential”-Alice
‘One bit of advice I would recommend, is to have your friends with you and make sure you all have fun and support each other”Alice
not sink, and honed their skills in archery, aiming for bullseyes.
Team-building exercises brought everyone closer, fostering camaraderie and cooperation. The trip was a fantastic time, creating lasting memories and strengthening bonds among the year group. Well done to all.
Prep Sports Day
The Prep School Sports Day started with a parade with each Club raring to go, every student took part, with each club sporting their house colours, with their flags and mascots held high. The Upper Prep pupils started with the 200m races, Bears winning the first race In many races, first place and particularly second place were in fierce contention In the first Year 5 200m race, less than a second separated first and second place, with Panthers winning ahead of Tigers. There were also relay and shuttle races They were very energetic, exciting and full of twists and turns In the Lower Prep races, everyone tried their best and some races had extremely close photo finishes There were sprints, beanbag and bag in the hoop races and the races showed that lots of practise and effort were put into the preparation It was very tight between houses, being anyone's victory The staff were extremely hospitable and kind to the students Most importantly, the parents were so supportive and enthusiastic, supporting and cheering everyone.
At the beginning of the event the pupils from each club - Tigers, Lions, Bears, Panthers, Jaguars and Wolves, walked around the track in a parade to show the diversity of each club
The day's first events were the Prep School 200m with each year having two races per year (except Year 6 who did three) from Years 3 - 6 each race had on contestant from each club Over in pre-prep they were doing bean on a bat (tennis racket) races, there as no actual formality with everyone having multiple goes at so many things and 7 different races per year, they also did 50m sprints and relays
Back in the Prep School they had been doing 100m sprint and relay races, in a short interview with long standing science teacher of the senior school we discovered Mrs Ferguson said that Bears had been doing the best out of everyone All the parents seemed to be enjoying the experience
Year 7
Year 7 were delighted that the sun and warm weather welcomed them for the day at the Legoland theme park in Windsor
“ Students were keen to embrace the thrill of the parks newest ride 'Speedway' And what a superb and ecstatic roller coaster it was We were splashed on the Pirate Falls, we watched the acrobatic pirate show and neighed our way round the Mia's horse riding adventure The sun shone and we were sad to leave!”Mr Corrigan
“Year 7 students had a blast at LEGOLAND Windsor! They were thrilled by "The Dragon" rollercoaster, which took them on an exciting journey past mythical LEGO creatures and castles "Ninjago the Ride" allowed for competition shooting for high scores in the interactive 4D adventure Over at the Minifigure Speedway, students had a great time on the racing rollercoaster, and the Hydra's Challenge added a fun water twist with its spinning boats It's been a day full of fun, laughter and lots of sun!” - Mr Medley
“Year 7 had their first trip of the week to the Science Museum There, they were able to view many exhibits and fill in their 'explore' worksheets for different galleries From Energy to Medicine, Engineering and Technology and of course Space plus many more they were able to find how we have evolved our technology in many different areas The interactive section of 'Who am I ' proved to be a hit with students working through questions to address what makes us, us? Could we replace our physical bodies with mechanical instruments and become bionic? Would we want to?
Even with so much to see and do, I'm sure the big hit was the shop! We were all 'museum-ed out' by the end of the day with so much to look at and experience” - Mrs Varney
“My time at Guliver’s land was had so much fun on the rollercoaster, I would like to give a big thank you to all the teachers that made this happen” -Ridley
“Gulliver’s land was really fun because I rode on lots of rollercoasters and the food was really good The rides were really massive” - Jude
“Whipsnade zoo was an enjoyable experience Seeing all sorts of animals from across the world was interesting”-Luca
“I really enjoyed sleeping over at Gulliver’s land because it was my first time having a sleep over with my friends, which was really fun” -Gerry
Year 8
On Wednesday, the Year 8 students went to Blackgang Chine, a theme park in the Isle of Wight. The students had a fabulous time going on all of the rides There were cool things in the park like statues of dinosaurs. Later, they went bowling and had lots of fun
“We had a busy and well organised trip, all thanks to our leader Mr Watson We had many activities including, a trip to Osborn House where we learnt lots about Queen Victoria and her family lifestyle on Monday On Tuesday, we visited the Needles landmark attraction, while having a lovely talk on a boat all about the landmark; we were so lucky to be provided with tickets for rides and games Wednesday, we went to the Black Gang Chyne Theme Park We had lovely weather and had an exciting time going on all the rides We watched the Netherland vs England match - an amazing outcome for England! On Thursday, we visited the Isle Of White Zoo and Animal Sanctuary, where we had a talk about all of the animals and where they were rescued from Overall, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the trip We participated in lots of new experiences and are all so lucky to be given the opportunity to go on the Isle Of White Year 8 trip ” -
On Monday, Year 8 students went to the Isle of Wight After a coach ride and a ferry, they arrived at around 2 o'clock and immediately went to Osborne House, which is a wonderful country house/museum. It was the summer house of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert They looked around and inside; there were many amazing paintings and statues Outside the house, the grounds were spectacular The house was massive, and the gardens were too, covered with flowers, fountains and balconies. Afterwards, they checked in to the hotel, had dinner and played evening games
On Tuesday, the Year 8 students visited a quaint model Victorian town The village was very interesting, and accurate, filled with information about Victorian life In the afternoon, they travelled west and saw the Needles on a boat trip. It was very cool and everyone had a great time.
Harriet Plater
Year 9
“The trip has challenged me but it has been very rewarding.” - Phoebe Wesley
“I really enjoyed caving – it was very difficult, but you just have to challenge yourself ” - Molly Shelton
“Worry is tomorrow’s problem ” - Isabelle Willis
Year 9 visited How Stean Gorge and took the plunge with an exhilarating session of abseiling and descending down rocky cliffs under the guidance of expert instructors
“I’m really proud I faced my fear of spiders to do caving just try and enjoy yourself!” - Freya Arnold
“When doing the team building activities, we started slowly and were more like individuals However, as time progressed we started becoming a team and completing challenges with ease A highlight was when my team hoisted me off the floor and I had to walk around a circle of rope at waist level which was held by them Challenging but great fun as a whole.”- Dexter Pettican
“Courage isn’t being confident or doing something that others are scared of, but doing something that you are scared of and succeeding anyway. For example, this week I went climbing and as I am afraid of heights, this was terrifying, I did it and it felt proud Brilliant trip – would recommend!” - Zachary Portsmouth
“During the activities I noticed the resilience of the students and their responsibility in communicating and supporting each other They have really challenged themselves and worked outside of their comfort zone ”Mr Hughes
Year 10
“Tigers are cute!” – Martha
“Shocked that teachers went on the rides ” – Ian
“The green ride was great.” – Rafferty
“Dragon Fury and the Jumanji ride were really good” – Sasha, Mirae and Oliver Jem
As well as visiting Hardwick Hall, Year 10 students also visited London Zoo They saw many interesting animals such as; tigers, lizards, monkeys, flamingos, penguins, tortoises, red river hogs and many more. They had lots of fun - despite the rain - and were all fascinated by the amazing wildlife. Afterwards, they travelled to Chessington World of Adventures for an overnight stay.
Year 12
Year 12 visited beautiful Budapest. They had a morning guided tour of Buda and Pest, experiencing Hungarian culture and learning about the city’s history They then visited the Széchenyi thermal baths which provided both a fun and relaxing retreat from the heat The students were spoilt with such idyllic surroundings.
re greeted by group of lovely staff at the Hotel Benzcur and shown to our homely rooms. The next day, we visited multiple impressive landmarks On day 3, we ventured out to tour around a nuclear plant, which left us in awe as we witnessed just how massive the plant was.”
- Lawson and Jack
Duke of Edinburgh Silver
“The expedition was fun but it was a lot of effort, requiring mental determination, however, it was worth it overall The Silver was both challenging and fun to complete alongside my friends The sense of achievement is great and rewarding when completed. One thing that I have learnt is the ability to be self sufficient and organised as well as the importance of planning ahead of time ”
“Eat, sleep, walk, walk a bit more, repeat ”
“It was an adventure It is not for the weak hearted It was a good experience and it improved our teamwork ”
The Duke of Edinburgh is a program to get students outside and on amazing adventures in the great outdoors It promotes vital qualities such as determination and hard workqualities that every young person should aspire to have. It also encourages team-work and voluntary work The weather wasn’t particularly kind to our students, but they showed grit and resilience!
“For anyone wanting to do D of E, here's some advice: Prepare for bad weather and harsh conditions, pack lots of spare socks, bring snacks and make sure your bag fits well. Bring layers and make sure you are doing it with friends, I enjoyed it because I had fun with my friends”
Why should you do D of E?
'You learn new techniques
It is hard work and takes careful planning Goes on your CV More fun than lessons
Enhances your ability to be self sufficient and plan' What should people know about silver D of E?
'You need to plan for all occasions' Why should people do it?
'It is a good life experience creating memories with friends'
Duke of Edinburgh Gold
"DofE gold is an experience you will never forget for a lifetime, whether its the weather conditions or the mountains you have to climb, it is truly an enjoyable experience!" - Honor
"It brings you close with people you wouldn't usually spend time with, which is quite unique, and it allows you to learn a lot about yourself and your abilities"Ishika
"Even though in the moment you may question why you are doing it, afterwards when you have finished, you have no regrets because it is truly a rewarding experience" -
Ishika
CCF
The 9 strong CCF team arrived at Camp on Sunday evening. They settled in and began activities on Monday morning at 7am, a bit earlier than most of them were used to
On Wednesday the section built a raft and went kayaking and canoeing. Harrison and Wilf getting a bit wetter than expected! In the afternoon the group went zip-lining and wire climbing. Rowan managed to be the only cadet all afternoon who successfully completed the Deadman’s jump- which is as scary as it sounds. On the final day we are in the ranges firing at a 25m range and having a go at laser clay shooting. It was very exhausting but everyone has learnt new skills and had fun.
The first day was spent honing skills with weapons and then revision of Fieldcraft. They set camp in the woods for the night sleeping under their bashes (homemade tents using string and tarpaulin). They had a challenging night and morning as the weather was terrible and they got soaked in torrential rain However, the whole section was brilliant and showed lots of enthusiasm in the morning exercise to capture the rebel leader Mighty Mack and his army!
Other Activities
In the Outdoor Learning area, the Year 10 and Year 12 students took part in biodiversity activities. They completed a range of activities that included rainbow spray painting tyres for planting beds, cutting and fastening pallets to create planters, painting signs for the new construction site and gardening area, along with supervising the younger outdoor learners with the campfire and the bread toasting.
Other Activities
What inspired you to do litter picking today? - Mrs Roberts -
“There is a group called the Wellingborough Womblers who do litter picking all across Wellingborough and I decided that I could make a change to the planet. The Wellingborough Womblers really help the community and the environment and I believe that Wellingborough School can set an example of helping the environment.”
Litter picking is an awesome way to clean up our surroundings and protect the environment It involves picking up rubbish from public places like parks and streets It's a great way to make a positive impact and keep our communities clean and beautiful Wombles are fictional creatures who love to tidy up and recycle They're all about promoting environmental awareness and taking care of the planet My experience overall has been great being a Wellingborough Womble You have to be very resilient especially with smells My take home message is never try to anticipate what you will find What shocked me is litter picking really isn’t as bad as you might think it is Some things are disgusting that you find but when you look past it, it is a pleasant experience
The litter picking group gathered an extraordinary 10 bags of litter in just one morning!
They went from the Embankment Café and back, picking up litter all morning. They were even thanked by the Deputy Mayor of Wellingborough, Vivian Anderson!
Marketing Team
A special thanks to the supervising teachers: Mrs Pehlay, Mrs Honey, Miss Mistry, Mrs Hayes, Miss Byrom
Chief Editors: Abyaan and Samuel
Sub-editors: Carwyn
Journalists: Levi, Carwyn and Samuel
Photographers: Niam, Ariyan and Levi
Designers: Jack, Ashley and Arjan
Social Media Producers: Lily, Victoria, Ariyan, Noah, Arjan, Noor and Isla.
A special thank you to Jackie Cliffe for all of her help in briefing and supporting the marketing team.
In Marketing, many students and teachers have been hard at work. After an initial briefing from Jackie Cliffe, the School’s Marketing Manager, Mrs Pehlay, Miss Mistry, Mrs Honey and Mrs Hayes gathered editors, journalists, photographers, designers and social media creators to create the Activity Week Newsletter in 3 days
Everybody worked together tirelessly and coherently, travelling all around the School, taking notes, photos and conducting interviews It was a challenge, collating so much information, but we did it Well done to everybody, and thank you to everyone out on trips for sending through your content and pictures!
8th - 12th July 2024