Willingtonian Autumn 2023/Spring 2024 - Issue 1

Willingtonian

M A R C H 2 0 2 4 A U T U M N / S P R I N G 2 0 2 3 / 2 4

Message from the Head

The start of the new academic year sees the arrival of our youngest children taking their first steps to a Willington childhood, and it's wonderful to see their confidence blossom as the term progresses At the topendoftheschool,ourYear6pupilsweretakingpartinourAccelerateLearningprogrammeensuring anoptimalperformanceatthe11+examslaterintheterm Onthenextpageyoucanseetheoutcomeof theirhardworkandendeavours,whichistestament,Ibelieve,toouruniqueapproachtoeducation

Education constantly evolves, and staying abreast of new trends and methods is crucial My participation inconferenceslikeDisruptEDunderscoresourdedicationtoinnovativeeducation We'reattentivetoshifts, suchasLatymerUpper'sGCSEreduction,tokeepourcurriculumcurrentandengaging

We are also attentive to the needs of our families and this year we introduced our morning bus service from Raynes Park, as well as our dedicated holiday enrichment exclusively for all children in Nursery to Year 2 The option of a 50-week a year provision is the solution to many problems facing the modern parent.

Finally,amidstthechangingpoliticallandscapeanddiscussionsaboutindependentschools' andLabour’s potential levy of VAT on fees, we have assured our families of our unwavering commitment to financial prudence and transparency. Meetings with figures like Julie Robinson and Councillor Paul Kohler reflect ourproactivestanceinnavigatingthesetimes

Please enjoy the following pages of magazine, relaunched to celebrate the arrival of our co-ed classes in theprepschool

Headmaster March 2024

26 pupils

79 offers 11 scholarships

St Paul’s - King’s

- Latymer Upper - Dulwich College - Kingston Grammar - HamptonWhitgift - Trinity - Emanuel - St John’s - Reed’s - Epsom College - Wallington County GrammarHalliford - Claremont Fan - Cedars - Kingswood House - The Hall - Kew House - Box Hill - Ewell Castle Harrodian - Fulham School

Julie Robinson CEO ISC First Day of Term Cllr Paul Kohler Year 6 - 11+ College

Trailblazer Tales

My First Term in the Prep School by Heather

- our first girl to be registered in 2020

In the prep school you get to know fun and exciting things. I have been on the first ever netball fixture and the school’s number one rule is always have fun. Once a week we go to see Mrs Henery to do some fun activities with the other girls like loom bands and chess. I was also chosen to show new parents around for open morning with some other prep children. I have been on two trips to Painshill and the AELTC. I also go to art and sewing club. I can’t wait for next term.

Music

Music for Youth - Proms @ Royal Albert Hall

By Alex, Tom and Marcus, Music Prefects

On Tuesday 14th of November, Chamber Choir, Woodwind Ensemble and Orchestra went on an enlightening trip to the Royal Albert Hall We left school at 11:20 and took the tube to the theatre whilst desperately trying to not get soaked We ate our packed lunches then we started rehearsals It was amazing being part of one massive Orchestra There were so many of us! From singers to guitarists to even bassoonists We also had miniature breaks to listen to other people perform There were rappers, rock bands and even Irish tap dancers! We worked really hard in our practices with our very nice conductor (Damien) We sang three songs called Thank You Note Prelude Part 1 Thank You Note Prelude Part 2 and In Tune as the finale

We went to the Science Museum to have our dinner and then at 17:45 we returned to the theatre All the people started piling in and took their seats Then the concert started We were the main show but a lot of other people performed We did our acts very well, but our favourite part was the finale For the finale act, buckets of confetti tipped over into the air and when the final note was done, sizzlers sizzled into the air and the crowd went into a round of applause and a deafening roar echoed round the hall

MusicalTrips&Performances

RoyalAlbertHall

KCSOrchestralAfternoon

AutumnMusicRecital

ChristmasCarolService

StJohn’sMusicMakingDay

EpsomCollegeStringsDay

Every pupil in the prep school demonstrated their sporting prowess across swimming, netball, football, hockey, rugby and cross country. In football, we fielded an impressive 20 teams, with our U11A 5-a-side team proudly securing 3rd place at the ISFA Football Tournament The swim squad made a notable splash at the London Swimming Association gala at Dulwich College, showcasing their skills and dedication Our Year 3 girls shone in netball and hockey, participating in several fixtures with commendable teamwork Finally, our cross country squads, consisting of five teams, showed remarkable endurance at two meets We’re keeping our eye on the preprep with some strong talent coming through, honing skills during PE lessons and leaving their mark on house fixtures at the games fields.

Sport

“The summit is what drives us, but the climb itself is what matters.”

Conrad Anker

A Playground in the Vertical: Willington’s own Everest

Imagine a school buzzing with children scaling colourful cliffs, conquering fears, and cheering each other on. Climbing walls aren't just fun, they're fitness factories! They build strength, balance, and coordination, turning childhoods into an adventure. But the benefits climb higher: confidence soars with each challenge mastered, teamwork blossoms as friends support climbers, and problemsolving skills sharpen with every route. It's more than a wall, it's a launchpad for future champions, both physically and mentally.

Thanks to POW we installed two new auto-belays this term, and plans are in place to add a further three to the wall Who wouldn't want that in their school?

“The only one who can tell you “you can’t win” is you and you don’t have to listen.”

JESSICA ENNIS

“A trophy carries dust. Memories last forever.”

MARY LOU RETTON

Athletics

Badminton

Basketball

Chess

Climbing

Cricket

Dance

Dodgeball

Handball

Hockey

Football

Netball

Outdoor Ed

Rugby

Table Tennis

Tennis

Trips

Claremont Park

Ranmore Common

Wisley Gardens

Hampton Court

The Discovery Centre

Wimbledon Common

Imperial War Museum

Wimbledon Tennis Museum

Hatchlands Park

Winkworth Arboretum

Painshill Park

Richmond Park

Science Museum

Chartwell

Battersea Zoo

Thames Explorer

STEM

STEM starts in the nursery, where our young learners began exploring how things work, laying the foundation for a lifetime of curiosity and learning. In reception, children were introduced to space, while pre-prep pupils explored the life cycle and basic principles of forces In the prep school, topics like electricity and magnetism became central themes. Reception discovered computing lessons, while Year 1 started their touch typing journey Year 2 upwards continued to enhance their coding skills, in their weekly specialist lesson. As Year 6 prepared for their 11+ exams, pupils made the most of the additional maths support from our unique accelerate scheme

Community

The year started with a series of parent workshops on topics ranging from Literacy and Maths to Language Skills and Behaviour Tips, providing practical support for our parents Our Remembrance Day assembly paid respect to Willington alumni who served in the Great War, and the Wimbledon Guild were grateful recipients of our Harvest Festival donations Welcoming the wider Willington community, we hosted Grandparents day for proud grandchildren to showcase their school and hardwork.

The Parents of Willington (POW) contributed significantly through their Halloween goody bag sale, Fireworks Night and the Christmas Fair. While the eco-committee arranged a Christmas jumper swap day

We observed important awareness days, including YoungMinds and Safer Internet Day, as well as key cultural dates such as Thanksgiving, Diwali and Burns Night. The spring half-term concluded with a school council-led fundraising day, where pupils dressed as animals to support WWF, demonstrating our commitment to conservation.

Issue 27 | 234

POW

Greg Armfield - WWF

WWF Charity Day

ART

“Every child is an artist; the problem is staying an artist when you grow up”

Pablo Picasso

Drama

Willington Prep

We are committed to creating an exceptional childhood experience in a supportive atmosphere, guided by our school values of honesty, respect, kindness, and humility.

Empowering each child to unlock their innate talents and abilities across all facets of life, our comprehensive approach embraces academic, creative, and sporting accomplishments while fostering self-confidence and happiness in every child We aim to prepare them for a bright future, offering an excellent foundation for lifelong learning and success, and instilling these essential values that will serve them well throughout their lives