Michaelmas 2021
Senior School
Newsletter
Michaelmas Term 2021
Newsletter University and Apprenticeship Fair Making the most of opportunities
available to them, considering what courses they wanted to pursue and what types of campus they would like to be based at. I was really impressed with how well organised the event was and how welcoming the University was too, but most of all I was proud of the way our students conducted themselves. What a promising impression they have made so far and what a welcome addition to our Sixth Form and the School!
Art Scholar
We took the whole of Year 12 to Northampton University for the University and Apprenticeship fair. After arriving nice and early and checking in with their QR codes our students soon disappeared to be found exploring the different stands, gathering information and exploring opportunities whilst amassing quite a freebee collection. Our students booked themselves onto the guided tours as for many this was their first visit to a University and they took full advantage of it. It got the students thinking about the options
“For me art is a way to relax but also to focus. It needs time and effort and sometimes patience. Over the lockdown I spent a lot of time on the internet and social media and I saw lots of people drawing and painting planets. I did some research and found an interesting method that I wanted to try. I used spray paints and cut out masks to create the planets and added some splatters of white paint to create stars. It didn’t work the first few times but as I practised it improved and didn’t look like a total mess! It showed me that even though sometimes it’s frustrating you have to be patient with projects and it will eventually pay off and you can create something you're proud of.” Sam (Year 10, Cripps’)
Michaelmas Term 2021
Podcast Update
Art & Photography News
Find us on Spotify
I think we can all agree that Lockdown was a huge challenge for everyone in so many different ways, so we have enjoyed our September return to another 'new normal' as it has enabled our students full access to resources and spaces which had been off limits during Covid restrictions. Having said that, the Art department were delighted with the engagement of Wellingborough pupils where the overwhelming majority consistently rose to the challenge of different ways of working. As a department, we planned around the obstacles and worked extremely hard to come up with new and exciting projects that adapted to home and limited school environments and took into consideration the rules in place. After all it is difficult to continue with a Photography architecture project when you can only leave the house for one hour a day on foot!
We were pleased this term to launch our podcast, tine in to listen here
htps:/open.spotify.com/show/2Szso3xPSAVBwqW0ecgGYP?si=01e09ebf 40b9
We would like to thank all the parents for their support, good humour, and tolerance as I know lots of kitchens and dining rooms became painting and photography studios and I have seen the splatters of red paint and dye on at least one ceiling! Current year 10 families were extremely good sports with so many joining in with dressing up and recreating famous paintings. We enjoyed meeting lots of you on screen or when you were collecting materials and media from us. Mrs Hennessy Head of Art & Photography
Episodes:
1. A Walk through our 425 years With Neil Lyon 2. Catch up with the Headmaster
Project Chrysalis, COVID-19 & remote Learning. Catch up on the last year at Wellingborough with the Headmaster, Andrew Holman.
3. My Journey Through Wellingborough School With Joe Ramsden
Dan (13GA)
The Wellingborough
CLUB
The Wellingborough CLUB stands for Culture, Language, Understanding and Behaviour. The CLUB is a student lead, collaborative project between the Inclusivity Group, Pride Soc and the prefect body. The 5-week CLUB plan was implemented in the first term with each week surrounding a different topic. The aim of this project was to create and deliver age-appropriate assemblies followed by a set of scenarios where students could apply what they have learnt from the presentations into discussion-based activities. The specific topics we chose to cover were Feminism, Sexual Harassment, Racism, Body Shaming and Workplace Discrimination.
Inclusivity Group and Pride Soc. We were conscious we were speaking about sensitive topics and for this reason we had different presentations depending on what year group the student is in. For example, the Year 8 assembly focuses on students understanding the basic terminology of the subject such as learning about simple terms like "self-esteem" by learning in small steps it allows any misconceptions to be resolved. Whereas an Upper Sixth assembly will cover the basic terminology as well as looking at related news stories. The focus is on the application of our knowledge. For instance, in the Workplace Discrimination topic we looked at how factors such as sexuality, age, gender and race play a role in the workplace and what an employer can do to prevent discrimination, by understanding the laws that are put in place. In addition to the presentations, we felt it was necessary to create scenario-based activities to allow students to consolidate their knowledge in their smaller form groups.
We have received positive feedback from both students and staff expressing how helpful it has been to explore these different subjects. A successful part of the plan was how each week focussed on a different topic; this created a strong sense of community throughout the school. This was highlighted when the school Chaplin We as students feel it is important that we have a basic understanding of current affairs in the media spoke about the CLUB topic in his weekly chapel and many of the topics included in the CLUB often service, this was a great addition as it allowed students to see the matter from a different perspective. appear in the news. This understanding ensures Additionally, the Headmaster mentioned what the that in the future we are better prepared to have CLUB topic was in his weekly assembly which further useful discussions, as well as handling different informed the students and staff of what was coming situations correctly. More specifically, at the end up that week. of the last trinity term, the story involving Sarah Everard was prominent in the media, students in Moving forward we are looking to provide students the senior school, particularly in the sixth form, showed an interest in having conversations about with top-up sessions throughout the year. This may consist of a workshop where each station has a what occurred and why it happened. However, we different focus or activity. As the new prefect body take felt that some people found these conversations over, the CLUB project will be shown to them; from this more difficult to have than others due to a lack of knowledge on certain topics. The CLUB plan allows they can develop it further using their new ideas. students to explore topics such as Feminism and Aside from learning about the different subjects within Body Shaming in a safe environment while the CLUB plan, it also created a unique opportunity for building a secure understanding. the students leading the project to develop their Firstly, we created the material for the communication skills and their public speaking presentations, this required extensive research in abilities. small groups of prefects as well as help from teachers and partnering groups such as the
Michaelmas Term 2021
Libby (13NE) Libby (13NE) From a pupil perspective: Ella (13NE): I am in my final year of studying A level Art and I have nearly reached the end of my current project. One of the best aspects of studying Art at A level is the amount of independence you are given. Owing to the class sizes being small, my teachers can stretch me and take the time to understand the direction I want my project to go in. It is brilliant to be back in the classroom, making use of the amazing facilities again, after a period of online learning. When we had to stay home over the lockdown, my teachers were really supportive, having weekly Teams calls where I would showcase my newest work and receive feedback on how to improve and in what direction to take my project.
House Hockey
Nevill put on a valiant performance in House Hockey with the Seniors winning their competition and the Inters & Juniors both coming second; everyone put in a huge effort and proudly represented the House!
Y13 Medicine Interview Preparation Afternoon Lead by The Medic Portal written by Walter Elekijma and Ali-Asgar Sadikot
'On the 30th of November, aspiring medics including ourselves attended a valuable training session led by The Medic Portal. The afternoon was full of tips regarding MMIs (Multiple Mini Interviews), the most common interview technique adopted by medical schools across the UK. We were CDNG VQ TGƔGEV QP YJ[ YG YCPVGF VQ DGEQOG medics, times where we had shown leadership and how a professional doctor must act. The session was led by Dana Mahdi from Kings College London on behalf of The Medic Portal. She was enthusiastic and was able to offer informed suggestions because she had undergone the process herself. She was charismatic and perfectly demonstrated the extreme reactions that actors may exhibit during the breaking bad news station.
We were also able to individually engage with Ms Mahdi in interview practice where each student could act out a potential station that may be involved in future interviews. The tasks ranged from general interview questions such as “Why would you like to do medicine?”, to a problem-solving task where you are asked to select 3 professions from a list best suited to survive on a desert island. After attending the session and receiving an interview tips notebook, it was clear that the session could not have come at a better time for us; Year 13 prospective medics have sent their UCAS applications in and are hopefully awaiting invitations to interview. '
Michaelmas Term 2021
Rugby Report First Aid Winners As part of the Regional Air Squadron Trophy (RAST) there is First Aid competition; four cadets must triage and then treat 2-3 casualties, contact the emergency services and do a handover to a paramedic, all in 10 minutes.
Last weekend our rugby teams achieved our best set of results so far this term, with 7 wins and 1 draw from our eight matches against King Edward's Stratford. Both our U12 teams won their games by one score, as did our U13As, and our U14B boys battled hard to secure a nail biting draw 5-5 against a big and strong opposition. Our U15A team continued their development with 22-17 win away from home, and Mr Dean was particularly impressed by our composure under pressure during the final minutes of the game. Our U17 team proved too strong for the opposition, and again scored in excess of 50 points with many players crossing the line to score. Our 1st XV played extremely well to beat a determined KES side 24-5, with three excellent tries being scored out wide. Head of Rugby, Mr Williams, said 'Our three tries were a result of some impressive physical dominance around the ruck area.' Well done to all boys who played on a wet, windy and muddy Saturday morning.
The scenario on the day involved some amputated fingers, an open fracture of the forearm and a bystander in shock who also had angina problems. This was the first time any of the girls had competed in a First Aid competition and to their surprise and delight they came in first place! Congratulations to Aanya (Y12 - leader), Tanaka (Y13), Liv (Y10) and Grace (Y10). They are all looking forward to competing at the Cadet National First Aid Competition in October.
Michaelmas Term 2021
International Pentathlon
Congratulations to Ed 12Ga for his superb performance last weekend at the SIAB Schools International Pentathlon in Glasgow. Ed achieved 4 out of 5 PBs - 8.73sec for the 60m hurdles, 13.18m for shot put, 24.08sec for the 200m, 2min 12sec for the 800m and jumped 6.00m in long jump. He scored 3313 points to place him 6th in the UK and help his team along to win gold, beating the 20-year-old previous team record by over 1000 points. What a phenomenal achievement well done!
Afternoon Tea with the Headmaster Moving school for Year 7 can be quite challenging, even when there isn’t a global pandemic to contend with! Our pupils celebrated their first term at Wellingborough with a well earned afternoon tea with Mr Holman.
SIXTH FORM CENTRE The Sixth Form Centre is taking shape and it is exciting to watch it progress. Its completion in 2022 is much anticipated!
Scan Here to see the Sixth Form Centre Film
Michaelmas Term 2021
Geography Trip The Geography Department kicked off the new school year with a much-needed fieldtrip! It had been a long time coming due to Covid postponing our plans from last year. The Year 11 and 12 Geographers spent the day in the glorious sunshine wading in Burbage Brook in the Peak District. The students were collecting data on a variety of river characteristics to see how they change with distance downstream. The pupils worked really well in their groups and despite a few of them getting submerged, we rounded off the day with a well-deserved ice cream. The Geography Department are hopeful that we will be able to go on more fieldtrips this year, so watch this space.
The Year 7s have been developing their map skills in Geography and have been busy creating 3D topographic models out of cardboard to show changes in height and shape of the land. Each pupil's work was unique and showed a variety of landforms.
Michaelmas Term 2021
Black History Month & National Poetry Day Competition
Week 9 update
Last term, the English Department teamed with the Inclusivity Club to host a competition to celebrate National Poetry Day (7th October) and Black History Month (October). The task was to write a poem entitled: ‘Identity’. We had a number of entries that radiated creative flair and imagination and we were particularly impressed at the excellent level of writing. The winner and runner up will be announced in each year group’s Headmaster’s assembly over the forthcoming weeks. Well done to everybody that entered – all poems were brilliant and extremely difficult to choose from!
Celebrating Diwali; a floodlit Hockey match; the return of our Fireworks display: last week certainly saw number of illuminating events and it was fantastic to see how well the students supported these events. Andrew Holman Headmaster
Cupcake Day
Christmas Cup Cake Day was a huge hit with pupils and staff, what better way to get into the festive season! The oohhh's and the arrrgghhs were as delightful as the cakes.
For more information, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated Admissions Team on 01933 222427 or admissions@wellingboroughschool.org. Further details, and the dates for key admissions events and deadlines, can be found on our website at https://www.wellingboroughschool.org/ Wellingborough School