Headteacher Weekly Bulletin 13.07.18

Good afternoon.

I’ve fallen a bit behind today, with very good reason, so will have to type my reflections on this past week extra fast.  What’s more, it’s the Year 11 Prom this evening so I will have to get out my ‘glad rags’ pretty soon and spruce myself up for the big event.

Former Deputy Headteacher Brian Higson (1980-1994) popped in today for a chat and a tour of the School, having missed the Afternoon Tea for former staff and students back in April.  What a lovely guy and so many stories to regale.  Brian sends his best wishes to anyone who remembers him from his Wellington days.

I mentioned last Friday that the pace of school life seems to be picking up towards the end of the year rather than slowing.  On Monday alone, by way of example, we hosted Mental Health Fist Aid training, a ‘Bastille Day’ celebration for 60 local Year 4 and 5 pupils, 39 students were in Germany on a school trip, 13 Year 11 and 12 students attended a Physics day at AGSB, the A level Geographers headed for Blencathra and Mr Fenwick took a group of students to the Nightingale Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital (home of Prevent Breast Cancer) to wave off Chris and Gabs, a truly inspirational couple who were setting off on a 7-year round the world cycling adventure to raise money for Prevent (Gabs having recovered from breast cancer herself).  Wow!

The rest of the week carried on in pretty much the same vein with rewards trips, a Maths challenge, Year 9 Sports Leaders helping out at Cloverlea and, today, Year 7 Project-in-a-Day day and Year 9 out on ‘Take Your Child to Work’ day. 

I’ve not had chance to read through any additions to Latest News (assuming colleagues have had a moment to write something given the hectic nature of the week) but I very much look forward to learning more about some of the above over the weekend. 

We have just begun the third cycle of Year 12 students embarking on the EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) journey and having met the group on Wednesday, I am confident that they will match the high standards of previous years.  The project is a valuable supplement to one’s A level studies but is not without its challenges.  Judging by the proposed project titles and the enthusiasm of the students on Wednesday, there is no doubt they will rise to these challenges.  I wish them well with their research over the summer. 

Everything is now in place for next week’s Wellyfest, our last big fundraiser of the year, thanks to the (yet again) huge efforts of Mrs Copeland.  The Bouncy Castle, Bucking Bronco, stalls, music, ice cream van, stocks (for sponge the teacher) and lots more besides are all good to go for next Thursday; we just need the weather! I’m sure it’s going to be a fitting (almost) end to another brilliant year at Wellington.

Part of the day’s entertainment is a fabulous evening of drama and music in the Adshead Hall.  We do have some genuinely brilliant current and former students and other guests performing so please come along.  The drama starts at 6 followed by a short interval and the music begins at 7 o’clock. Tickets are £3.

You will be aware that we have been helping out the Friends of Pickering Lodge with some planting and tidying this year.  If anyone is at a loose end and would like to lend a hand, meet at the picnic benches at 10.30 tomorrow morning (only until midday).  All volunteers will be most welcome.

I’ve just had a 20-minute interlude whilst I nipped out to see the culmination of Mrs Hamlin’s and Mrs Simpson’s efforts with a group of Year 7s as part of their project-in-a-day; a showcase of scenes and songs from ‘Grease’.  My goodness, it was amazing how much they have managed to accomplish during the day, and what an array of talent.  It looks like the future of Wellington School musicals is secure for the foreseeable.

I hadn’t planned on returning from Pickering Lodge park tomorrow afternoon to watch England play in the 3rd / 4th place play-off but hey-ho the boys did us proud getting to the semi.  Still gutted about Wednesday though, so roll on Qatar 2022!  It was a great few weeks and I feel somewhat hollow now.  Nothing that a Prom and a farewell drink / boogie with Miss Tidbury and co (and maybe even Mr Manifould!) won’t cure later this evening.

Have a lovely weekend and I hope you can make it to the show next Thursday.

S Beeley