HENRY OLONGA

On Wednesday we were delighted to play host to Henry Olonga, the well-known former Zimbabwean international cricketer and emerging tenor.  During the day Henry talked to the Sixth Form about politics and cricket, coached some of the Lower School boys and sang with the Year 3 children in the Junior School.  In the evening,  Henry entertained a packed audience in the School Chapel with moving music and song – much of which had been composed with his close friend, Bruce Izzett, who accompanied him on piano.  He and Bruce have been friends since their early days in Zimbabwe and it was clearly a delight to be performing their work together again and in such beautiful surroundings.

HOCKEY TOUR TO BARBADOS

15 of our senior girls headed off to Barbados at half term for what has now become a regular hockey tour destination.

The girls played some outstanding hockey and won four of the five matches against local teams which included the island’s U17 development squad.  The matches were interspersed with sailing and snorkelling off the beautiful beaches and safari rides around the island which gave the girls some insight into local history and culture.

In order to keep costs down, fund raising for the tour by the girls had been going on throughout the year, encouraged by Mrs Bazley and many of the parents.  A race night, bag packing at local supermarkets and a weekly teachers’ lottery were just some of the money-making activities.

SCIENCE VISIT - FLYING JELLY BABIES

Year 5 children from Wellesley Park Primary School spent a fascinating time in our chemistry labs this week watching Dr Galley carry out experiments with gases.  Watching from a safe distance and suitably protected, the boys and girls listened to loud explosions and saw lids fly off treacle tins as Dr Galley explained the force of gas and its many uses in today’s world.   The bit they enjoyed the most was when Dr Galley placed a jelly baby in potassium chlorate and turned it into a purple rocket that shot out of the test tube!

U15s progress to the next round of the Daily Mail Cup.

With injuries to flanker James Messenger and scrum-half Charlie Holder, the U15s approached their 4th round game with Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis determined to ensure they gave their injured colleagues an opportunity to fight for their positions in the next round! Putting in a very strong performance on a sloping, sodden pitch they secured an excellent 33-0 victory.They now face a tough fixture against Sherborne away in a fortnight's time.

The most improved player was lock-forward Zack Bellekom whose form continues to develop and the three U14 players, Jacob Amadi, Robin Fieldhouse and Oliver Winter contibuted strongly to the succcess of the team.

DAILY MAIL CUP

WELLINGTON SCHOOL       19                        TAUNTON SCHOOL                            0

In a close fought encounter in front of an enthusiastic home crowd, Wellington U15 A, captained by Ben Stanyard (Lights), were cheered to a 19-0 victory over Taunton School.  They now progress to the next round of the Daily Mail Cup. 

Man of the Match was Jacob Amadi (Lights) who was playing up a year.

Sealyham Experience

For the second year in succession, the entire Year 6 year group at Wellington School was taken on a four day visit to Sealyham in Pembrokeshire just three weeks after the boys and girls had joined the School.  Whilst a number of Year 6 pupils move up from the Junior School and know each other already, there is each year a significant intake of boys and girls from other local schools.  Organised by Mr Pearce, the purpose of the visit is primarily team-building for the children but it also aims to promote the interaction between Lower School teachers and the new pupils.

This is an exciting residential visit and involves a huge number of outdoor activities (often involving copious quantities of mud!) such as climbing, kayaking, surfing, sailing and orienteering as well as many team building challenges.

Year 7 Medieval Experience

Last year it was the Romans, this year it was the Medieval period that was chosen for the Year 7 cross-curricular project.  Spread over three days, the project involved studying Medieval times in a much broader manner than confining it to History lessons.  Physics, Home Economics, Chemistry, Games, Art and Home Economics were just some of the subjects that were covered.  In Design Technology, the Year 7 pupils made compasses based on the medieval discovery of the magnetic qualities of metal while in Music, there was a demonstration of medieval instruments and a hands-on session of medieval dancing.  The project also involved a visit to Chepstow Castle and a spectacular falconry display.

Year 7 Drama

The Year 7 play The Pier was rehearsed over just two days with pupils specialising in dance, art and puppetry, lighting, sound or acting.  The aim of the two day workshop was for the new Year 7 year group to meet and interact with each other and to produce a show for their parents.  A jaded pier in a seaside town was the setting for the play that focused on two families and their approach to the family holiday.  Drama Teacher Mrs Borrow commented ‘The Year 7s are an immensely creative and imaginative year group and their teamwork ensured a confident and exuberant performance’.  Evidently the boys and girls thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  Henry Beckley wrote afterwards ‘Despite only a short rehearsal time, the performance went remarkably well and the Year 7 technicians did a great job.  The audience really appreciated the show and roared with laughter at the Can-Can dancing French waiter.  The musical theatre, led by Miss Tomsett, was amazing’

Local student amongst top ten in country

Charlotte Pangraz (Price’s) was amongst the top ten students for German AS according to Edexcel, the UK’s largest awarding body.  Charlotte achieved one of the highest overall marks out of 3398 candidates.

Jerry Jarvis, Edexcel’s Managing Director, said “This is a tremendous achievement and testament to the hard work students put into preparing for their exams.  We send our congratulation to Charlotte.”

Sam Sherwin memorial trophy

In a fitting tribute to Sam Sherwin who left Wellington School in 2006, it was the School’s 1st XV that won the Sam Sherwin memorial trophy at Wellington Rugby Club on Sunday in a match against Wellington RFC Colts.  A popular Wellington student,

Sam died suddenly last summer after completing his first year at Birmingham University.   The memorial trophy was given by Sam’s parents.

New Science Magazine Click here

A group of budding scientists in Year 11 at Wellington School have brought out the first edition of a half-termly Science magazine.  Entitled ‘Quark’, the publication originated with a challenge from Head of Physics, Mr Hill, to Year 11 to produce a newsletter which covered up to date topics that other students, and indeed a broader audience, would find interesting.  The Editorial team of Jasmine Wark, Hamish Beath, Samuel Lavington and Toby Smith have produced an impressive, thought-provoking magazine which covers topics ranging from global warming to stem cell research.  The magazine is on the website in the extra-curricular menu. 

Uniformed Public Services Distinctions

No fewer than 15 Upper Sixth Formers have received distinctions in their Level 2 BTEC course which is recognised as the equivalent to 4 A*s at GCSE level.  The syllabus includes the roles of the armed services, applying for a job (including preparing a CV and attending a mock interview), fitness and health, leadership and instruction, adventurous activities, navigation, first aid, carrying out expeditions and water-based skills.  All are examined both practically and through question papers.  The BTEC course is taken in addition to the students’ A level courses and provides an internationally respected qualification which emphasises leadership, teamwork, communications, problem solving and fitness.

Mr Shaw, who oversees the course at Wellington School, said he was delighted with this year’s outstanding results. 

Mr Shaw is also responsible for our involvement in the National Indoor Climbing Achievement Scheme which promotes climbing development and accredits individual achievement on artificial climbing structures.  The Scheme can be used as a starting point for people wishing to take up climbing and mountaineering by training and assessing candidates in their personal climbing, belaying,  equipment use and safety issues.

Wellington School is one of only two schools nationally which has been approved as an Awarding Centre.

The intrepid Mr Shaw!

British Water-Skiing Champion

Thirteen year old Toby Duggan from Woolavington, (Richards Year 9) won the national U14 water-skiing championships which took place two weeks ago at Stone, in Essex.  Toby won the U12 national championships last year and claims a scarey top speed of 85mph on flat water.  This year, however, the course was hampered by 6 foot waves and his winning speed over the 35 minute course was a much safer 30mph.  Toby has been waterskiing since he was seven and last year also won the U12 section in the American championships held in San Diego.

National CCF Champion

The national CCF Royal Navy regatta took place last weekend in Portsmouth harbour.  Wellington School sent a team which included Cadet Leading Seaman Aleksander Sedgwick-Wilde (L6 Richards) , and Cadet Able Seamen Samuel McDermott (Year 11 Oak) and Damian Fieldhouse (Year 11 Oak).  Twenty nine schools from all over the British Isles took part and after six gruelling races, Alex was awarded the cup and shield as the winner of the Pico class.  Commanding Officer the Revd. Hellier said “This is the first time in Wellington School’s RN section’s 31 year history that we have produced a national CCF champion.  Alex is to be congratulated on his fine achievement.” 

The  CCF  RN section  sails each week at Wimbleball reservoir.

Aleksander Sedgwick-Wilde forges ahead in his Pico dinghy

All three cadets at the conclusion of the CCF National Regatta at the Royal Naval Sailing Centre, Portsmouth.

Paralympic fencing

Our fencers took part last week in an event at Haygrove School in Bridgwater to celebrate the Paralympic Games handover on behalf of Team Somerset.  Arranged by Somerset County Council, this was one of hundreds of events happening across UK schools and involved 45 special educational needs and disabled students.

The day involved a variety of activities including a wheelchair basketball session, a game of boccia and a wheelchair fencing demonstration given by  coach, Mr Felletar and Sixth Form boarders Natalia Davey and Jenny McGeever (Beech).

Congratulations to the Art Department!

The Headmaster was delighted to receive this week not one, not two but three letters from EdExcel to say that individual Wellington students were amongst the top ten nationally who achieved the highest overall marks in AS level Art and Design in the summer exams.   There were a total of 6290 entries so to have no fewer than three students in this top group is a tremendous tribute both to the students’ creative talent and to the Art Department itself.

Sylvia Christie took the exam in Year 12 and has now left for a GAP year while Georgina Lanfranchi and Alexandra Seddon are working towards their A2 exams next summer.

Alexandra’s coursework included a fabric book inspired by The Odyssey and a drawing of her sister while Georgina specialised in film making and photography and produced, amongst other work, a DVD on the theme of ‘links and connections’ that will shortly be available on this website. Alexandra (Fox’s) hopes to make a career in fashion design while Georgina (Beech) would like to study film and theatre at university.

Head of Art Mrs Renfrew commented:  “ We are very proud of all of our A level students in the Art Department at Wellington, but these three girls pushed the boundaries in their AS work, and deserve to be recognised for their outstanding success in the summer examinations.  They have set the standard and our aim is to enable all of our students to reach for the stars!”

To this end Wellington’s Art Department is undergoing considerable changes, including redecoration, reorganisation and a new curriculum.  Mrs Renfrew added “The appointment of an artist in residence, Miss Pruden, will no doubt help to inspire and refresh both students and staff.”

Part of the new look Art Department will be on show for our Open Morning on Saturday 27 September.

A Level Results 2008

Our A level students celebrated some excellent results this year, improving on all previous performances with 47% of the marks scoring A grades. 25 out of the 86 candidates gained 3, 4 or 5 A grades. 

The Headmaster was delighted: ‘this is a fine achievement for them and testimony to their hard work and determination and the dedication of an outstanding group of teachers.  However, we are just as proud of all those students who may not have achieved the highest grades yet still met their own personal bests.’

Overall, 71% of the papers gained A or B grades. Particular mention must go to Russell Brookes who achieved 5 A grades and a B grade. A genuine all-rounder, he achieved A grades in, English Literature, Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Spanish and a B in Religious Studies which he studied during lunch times and study periods. Congratulations also go to Peter Le Neve Foster who achieved 5 A grades and to Sylvia Christie, Laura Clapham, Sarah Clarkson, Robert Courtney, Vera Fan, Jeremy Gilmour-White, Alys Metcalf, Charles Reid, James Shaw, Aegis Zhang, Arthur Vize and Anna Zok who each achieved 4 A grades.

En Lynn Kwo (Beech), who has been a boarder for five years and is only 16, managed to achieve three straight A grades and the top Scholarship grade in the hardest of the Cambridge extension (STEP) papers in only one year of study. She leaves us to take up a place at Cambridge to read Mathematics- a remarkable achievement.

The Headmaster added: ‘We must remember that whilst the focus at this time of year is inevitably on grades, education goes far beyond examination results. The mark of a truly good sixth form is the development of those personal qualities that cannot be measured and come from opportunities for leadership, sport, music, drama, charity and the fostering of community. All those who leave this year should be as proud of what they will take with them as a result of their contributions, successes and failures, as they are with their results.’

GCSE results 2008

One week after celebrating the School’s best ever performance at A level with an outstanding  47% A grades,  our GCSE pupils heard that they had similarly achieved an excellent  48% of marks at A* and A.  No fewer than 29 members of Year 11 gained at least 9 A*s and As.

Michael Choi, Joe Cooper and Alex Hamilton were the top performers, with 11 *A’s and 1A each, closely followed by Alexandra Ashcroft, Charlotte Dobson and Emma Moyse, with 9 *As and 3 As.

The Headmaster congratulated the students who had worked very hard, especially in the final months: ‘most of them take 10 subjects and to sustain high performance across such breadth is an achievement indeed.’

Martin Reader added that ‘the 2008 results have been awaited with more than usual anticipation as this is the first year that our pupils have been entered for the more demanding International GCSE papers (IGCSE’s) in maths and all the sciences. Results in these subjects have fully justified this move and the pupils not only have good grades but are also far more prepared for A Levels, should they wish to continue with those disciplines.’

Summer trips, tours and expeditions

INDIA

Mrs Christie organised and led a three week expedition to Northern India for twenty five Year 10 – Year 12 students in July and August.  The main purpose of the trip was to help build two classrooms in a school that Mrs Christie had founded in 1998 when she was living in India.  As well as providing much needed manual help, the group had provided 1000 breeze blocks and 3 tonnes of sand through money raised packing bags at Tesco in Tiverton.  But it wasn’t all hard work.  The intrepid travellers undertook a strenuous but breathtakingly beautiful 12 day trek near the Tibetan border, part of which was at an altitude of over 5000 metres.  The Taj Mahal, a journey on the famous Indian rail network and some wonderful bargain hunting were also included in this memorable trip.

CCF

As in most holidays, all sections were busy over the summer.  Both army and naval sections went to camp, while the Reverend Hellier took a group sailing for a week.  And for those who take pleasure in sore feet, marching and singing at the same time and very little sleep, there was the annual international 100 mile Nijmegen Marches in Holland.  Dr Lungley and Mrs Christie (who evidently spent very little time at home this summer!) joined the Wellington contingent who were part of the winning team in the cadet section – no mean feat with so many thousands taking part.  Michael Brennan (Richards Upper Sixth) had the honour of taking part in the opening ceremony.

DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARDS – GOLD AND SILVER

29 Gold expeditioners headed off to the Brecon Beacons for a hugely successful trek.  However the dreadful, worst-ever summer weather led to the silver expedition being pulled off the Quantocks in what Mr Bird described as ‘atrocious conditions’.  To continue would have been foolhardy and the wise decision to cut short the expedition was made unanimously by those in charge, much to the disappointment of those taking part but much to the relief of anxious parents.

RUGBY

Mr Anderson, Mr Leonard and Mr Arnold organised a successful rugby tour to Scotland for five days.  The 1st XV played a number of matches including one against the Scottish U18 champions of last year – Stirling County – who they beat 14-12.  Highlight of the tour was meeting Jim Telfer who was in charge of two British Lions tours.

PAST PUPIL ACHIEVEMENTS

The Balchin twins, Peter and Mark, who left Oak in the summer, raised £2500 for asthma research by cycling all the way from John O’Groats to Lands End.  An amazing achievement for two fifteen-year olds, not just to physically undertake the trip (over 1000 miles) but to organise every aspect of the logistics and the fund-raising.  As you can see, a number of keen cyclists amongst the teachers joined Peter and Mark for the final day.

A group of past pupils walked the South West Coast Path in memory of their friend Sam Sherwin (Hardwick 2006) who died very suddenly last year after his first year at Birmingham University.  Luke Smith, Ben Davies, Nat Smith, Ben Nuttall, Chris Timmis and Hamish Rudram raised over £12,500 for the NSPCC, a charity that Sam had supported.  The boys had talked of doing the walk with Sam so it was a fitting tribute that they undertook the 630 mile walk in his memory.

SENIOR MUSIC PLAYS THE EDEN PROJECT

Music dominated the Eden Project in Cornwall recently when the entire senior music department took over the Mediterranean Dome for the day.

Some of our talented youngsters busked between showers, while others played in the dome, with their music able to be heard throughout the huge outside quarry attraction.  Music ranged from classical to modern, and from the full school Concert Band to Girl Force Nine, who wowed visitors with their lively repertoire.

Wellington School is the first school to have attempted this scale of entertainment solo and was judged a great success by Eden who have invited the school to return.

The Headmaster was among the visitors during the afternoon and was delighted with the performances.  “It was a great success. Their remarkable playing was stunning in such a remarkable setting.”

COME AND PLAY DAY

Junk percussion at the music department’s recent ‘Come and Play Day’ meant just that.  More than 100 children played and presented a musical item playing car bonnets, buckets, bicycle pumps, roasting tins, saucepans, wooden spoons, scrubbing brushes, metal toilet roll holders and empty plastic water bottles!

The surprisingly musical cacophony was worked on during part of the day and then played during a concert at the end of the day for an enthusiastic audience of parents and teachers.  The junk percussion piece was specially composed by Miss Tomsettt and led by percussion teacher Phil Craig.

All musical children joining the school this September had been invited to play alongside current Lower School musicians taking part in workshops led by the music department’s specialist staff.  Groups ranged from a concert band and a string orchestra to a percussion ensemble and a classical guitar group.

Director of Music, Andrew Trewhella said, “It was an exciting and exhausting day with some very impressive music making.”