From the Headmaster

Spring 1 2016

Oxbridge OffersFive pupils from Wellington School have received Oxbridge offers.

Charlie Pemberton has an offer from Cambridge University for Classics and four pupils have received offers from Oxford University for a diverse range of courses.

Catherine Bridges has received an offer for Classics at Oxford, William Langdon has an offer for Biological Sciences at Oxford, Kieran Wachsmuth has an offer for Physics at Oxford and Lydia Buckingham has an offer for Mathematics at Merton College, Oxford.

Congratulations to these students but also to all our Sixth Formers, who have recieved offers from their chosen universities.

I hope that you will enjoy reading this Newsletter, which can only give a flavour of all that is going on at School. This is not the place for a full blown rebuttal of last weekend's headlines about the supposed crisis in independent education, but even a quick glance at the last few weeks at Wellington is a reminder of all that the independent sector has to offer. Whether it be Oxbridge places, a major Careers Fair, group sessions with Year 13 on revision technique, success at the Philosothon, beautiful singing by the choir in Chapel, CCF and Outdoor Education braving the elements, drama performances, PHSE lectures and an Internet Safety day, the Passmore Mathematics lecture, trialling Rugby by weight, Biology Olympiad success....

I could go on, but on the academic, co-curricular and pastoral fronts, we are striving to provide the best possible education and I am grateful for the feedback given by parents at the recent Forum. I will write a separate piece on recent scrutiny of independent education, but will just refer to one fact here, which is that 517,113 pupils were recorded in independent schools in January, the highest number since 1974. Speaking for Wellington, I am grateful for the ongoing support and sacrifices made by parents to send their sons and daughters here.

After Half Term, I am putting a revised set of Aims before the Governors, which I hope will chime with the values and expectations of the community. We are also developing plans to re-lay the AstroTurf, improve the Library and study facilities and an extension to the current Cafe to make it a more versatile space.

We are currently recruiting Subject Leaders in PE and Drama to facilitate both subjects at A-Level next year and there will be a few staff changes which I will be able to update you all on by the end of term.

I hope that you all have a restful and enjoyable Half Term.

News | from Wellington School

ACADEMIC

Sixth Former trains with British Maths Olympiad Squad

Lydia Buckingham in Year 13 has secured a place in the British Maths Olympiad squad which has been training in Hungary over the New Year.

Last November, Lydia sat the British Mathematical Olympiad, a 3½ hour exam containing six complex and involved mathematical problems for which full written solutions are

required. Competing against one thousand of the country’s best young mathematicians, her result placed her in the top twenty British students.

Her nine day visit to the training camp, which was held near Budapest, involved a range of problem solving activities and was attended by both the British and Hungarian squads. Each day, Lydia worked on her skills for between 8 and 9 hours, but there was still a little time to visit Budapest and experience some Hungarian culture and the snowy conditions.

Lydia has been competing in UK Maths Challenges and Olympiads for the past seven years and has accumulated an amazing 10 gold challenge certificates, 7 Olympiad distinction awards and 4 medals for exceptional achievement.

Passmore Memorial Maths LecturePupils, parents and the Wellington School community were treated to an exciting lecture by Professor Alan Champneys of Bristol University.

Alan is Professor of Applied Non-linear Mathematics at the University of Bristol, where he has been a lecturer since 1993.

The lecture entitled ‘Rock, Rattle & Slide; why Mathematics is important to Engineering’ held the audience captivated for over an hour. Sixth Form Mathematics students and scholars were introduced to the ‘Two-ball bounce problem’, one of Professor Champneys latest papers, one of over 200 he has seen published during his career.

This was the 26th Passmore Memorial lecture. The Memorial lecture was set up by the parents of Old Wellingtonian and keen mathematician, Tom Passmore, who died shortly after leaving Wellington School.

Professor Brian Foster, Professor of Experimental Physics at Balliol College, Oxford and Jack Liebeck, Professor of Violin at the Royal Academy of Music amazed students with an exciting mix of science and music.

Professor Foster discussed Einstein’s theories of Special and General Relativity and his influence on the development of the atomic bomb while Jack Liebeck provided a beautiful musical backdrop with pieces from Bach, Mozart and Einstein’s close friend and violinist Fritz Kreisler.

Oxford University Professor delivers Einstein’s Universe Lecture

Pupils triumph in Philosophy Competition

Sixth Former trains with British Maths Olympiad Squad

Sixth Formers excel in British Biology Olympaid

The Wellington School Philosophy Team came first at a National Philosothon.

Philosothon is a seriously academic philosophy competition judged by leading professors and lecturers in philosophy. The idea is new to the UK and was born in Australia in 2007.

The third ever National Philosothon was held at King’s College, Taunton with a large number of participating schools from around the country.

The team, which spanned Year 9 to Year 13, consisted of Hamish Hunter, Lucas Thwaites, Lizzie Fanshawe, Georgie Simms, Edmund Tallach, Isabel Colman, Kieran Maye, Lucy Hemming, Freddie Renyard, Sophie Bennett and Ed Wilson.

The team were given a number of philosophical questions which they had to discuss whilst being judged by teams of eminent philosophers. The Wellington team were judged by Professor Spicer, Lecturer in Philosophy from Bristol University, to be the best team there has ever been – a worthy accolade! Philosothons encourage students to investigate complex philosophical and ethical questions. In the process of preparing and participating in Philosothons, students have the opportunity to develop higher order thinking and communication skills.

Three Sixth Form pupils are amongst the top Biologists in the Country.

The Sixth Formers competed in the British Biology Olympiad, which is run by the Royal Society for Biology and achieved spectacular results.

Will Langdon achieved a Gold Medal – one of only 6.6% of students in the UK to do so, George Ruell achieved a Silver Medal and Alex Piper achieved a highly commended.

The British Biology Olympiad challenges and stimulates students with an interest in biology to expand and extend their talents. In offering a wider syllabus than A level, it allows students to demonstrate their knowledge and to be suitably rewarded and publicly recognised by the award of certificates.

The top winning students are offered the opportunity of attending an award ceremony in London. The top students reaching gold medal standard can go on to the second round and from this, 16 progress to the final of the British Biology Olympiad.

Four finalists will be selected to represent the UK at the 2016 final in Vietnam.

www.wellington-school.org.uk

MUSIC AND DRAMA

Charity Jazz Concert

A wonderful evening of jazz put together by Charlotte Galley in Year 12 raised funds for School charities. Bel Canto, B Vox and GirlForce 9 were among the performers who wowed parents and friends of the School in what was a brilliant showcase of musical talent.

Year 8 pupil stars in The Railway ChildrenDaniel Fowler, Year 8, appeared on stage at the Warehouse Theatre in Ilminster.

During the Christmas holidays, Daniel was cast in the lead boy role of Peter, in The Railway Children - A Musical, based on the book of the same name by E. Nesbit.

Taunton Festival of the Arts Success

Wellington musicians entertain local primary school pupils

Wellington School Choral Society perform Walton’s Henry V

The Wellington School Choral Society will perform Walton’s Henry V on Sunday 6th March at 7.30pm in the Princess Royal Sports Complex.

This will be a gala concert with full orchestra and will feature music by Stanford and Parry and will be narrated by Jeremy James Taylor OBE. Tickets are

available from the School Box Office boxoffice@wellington-school.org.uk or 01823 668850.

Musicians from across the year groups walked up to Wellesley Park Primary School in Wellington and played a variety of instruments as part of the pupils’ assembly.

Wellesley Park pupils listened intently to each of the pieces and enjoyed it so much that the Headteacher, Mrs Clarke, is already keen to arrange another visit from Wellington School musicians.

Congratulations to all our musicians who had another successful year at the Taunton Festival of the Arts.

Sixth Former, Charlie Pemberton, won first place in four categories. Vocal Solo, 18 years and under for which she was awarded the Linda Marshall Cole Trophy, The Mary Anning Cup was awarded for the category 18 years and under sacred solo, the Quintin Blackely Trophy

and British Art Song (1870-). While Lower Sixth Student, Sophie Bennett, came second in the vocal solo British Art Song category.

Cameron Forrest in Year 7 won the Rogers Cup for a vocal solo by a boy treble while Georgie Simms won the Stallard Trophy for her woodwind solo in the 14 years and under age group. Daniel Fowler in Year 8 also had an outstanding festival with a first in the vocal solo 12 years and under (Song from a musical show pre-1949), a second in the vocal solo 12 years and under (Song from a musical show after 1950) and a second in the vocal solo 12 years and under (Song not from a musical and not a folk song).

News | from Wellington School

SPORTYear 8 pupil excels at Rowing Champs

Edward Fuller in Year 8 finished fourth in the British Rowing Indoor Championships. He rowed a distance of 819 metres in three minutes.

Edward first got into his rowing around 18 months ago and now trains at Exeter Rowing Club where he attends for four sessions a week both indoor and out on the water.

What makes his achievements all the more commendable is the fact that he also bravely battles a medical condition that would make many an individual settle for an easier life. Edward suffers from severe Haemophilia, a condition which means that the blood cannot clot properly.

The British Rowing Indoor Championship is the world's biggest indoor rowing event attracting over 3,000 participants and is and Britain's biggest mass-participation indoor sporting event. Olympic rowing gold medalists Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent have won open titles at the event in the past.

Siblings qualify for Triathlon National ChampionshipsA brother and sister in the Senior and Prep School have qualified to attend the NFU Mutual Pony Club Triathlon Championships in Milton Keynes in March 2016.

Jarvis and Mimi Lumb, in Year 8 and Year 6 respectively, at Wellington School qualified this weekend. The siblings both finished first in the shooting discipline.

12 year old Jarvis, who has recently moved up to the Junior Section, which is for 14 years and under, achieved the highest score in shooting at the same time as achieving and excellent run covering 1500 metres and swam 8 lengths 13 metres in 3 minutes to win the overall event.

Evan Richards in Year 9 competed in the National Mens' and Junior Mens' Madison Championship Support Races. This race takes its name from the famous Madison Square Garden in New York. It is a version of the points race except that teams of two riders compete over a whopping 50km - 200 laps of the track!

Evan and his partner finished 2nd overall against the best Madison riders in the UK, which is fantastic as he is still only a first year Under 14!

Evan Richards placed 2nd in Cycling Event

Hickstead beckons for Young RiderEllen Cowling in Year 9 has beaten off immense competition and will compete at the famous Hickstead Course this year.

Having jumped a fast double clear in a huge class at Kings Sedgemoor Equestrian Centre and with less than a second between the top four horse and riders, Ellen Cowling (placed 4th) has qualified for the Sunshine Tour Eventer's Challenge Championships at the All England Jumping Course in Hickstead West Sussex in September.

Tennis player takes part in ranking eventWell done to Ben Wardell, who competed in his first external tournament.

The Year 7 pupil, who plays at Wellington Tennis Club played well in the Under 12s Ranking event, held in Taunton. He was very unfortunate to find himself on the wrong side of a 10-9 third set match tie break to a boy from Kent in the second round.

Competing away from his club and school will prove great experience for Ben and takes him one step closer to his goal of competing in the county championships in August.

In 5 months of teaching Judo on the curriculum at Wellington School, Sensei Nige has many pupils who have not only passed the first grade but also went on to successfully pass the second grade.

Congratulations are due to Edward Nuttall-Owen, Harry Nuttall-Owen, Charlie Hodgkinson, Natalia Gullidge-Jones and Jonty Millington.

Judo goes from strength to strength

Director of Sport calls for Bio Banding in Rugby

Many will have seen the coverage of Mr Jones’ concerns about the direction the sport of rugby is taking. An interesting match took place with Castle School, Taunton trialing Bio Banding. This system, used in New Zealand for some time, selects teams on size rather than age.

BBC Inside South West covered the initiative as did many local and national newspapers.

The BBC Inside Out South West piece can be seen again on the iplayer and starts at around 12 minutes into the programme.

U18 Area Cup FootballThe Wellington School 1st and 2nd Football XI played Taunton School in the Area Cup with great results.

Both games proved high scoring with the Firsts coming away 3-1 winners and the Seconds also scoring three without conceding a goal. The next matches are against King’s College after Half Term.

www.wellington-school.org.uk

BOARDINGReady Steady Cook in Beech House

A delicious but competitive evening of cooking was great fun in Beech

Overside Boys bounce around at Trampoline ParkPupils in Overside boarding house travelled up to the largest trampoline park in the United Kingdom, AirHop in Bristol.

Boarders Football Team

Boarders from Willows and Lights, in smart Wellington kit, travelled over to Shebbear School in Devon for an U18 football match.

With teammates hailing from England, India, Russia, China and Hong Kong, it was an exciting mix of footballing styles.

Russian New Year Celebrations

In early January boarders from all four boarding houses enjoyed an evening together celebrating Russian New Year. A lovely evening of wonderful food from the brilliant Catering Department.

Boarders celebrate the Year of the Monkey

Pupils enjoyed a delicious meal for Chinese New YearChinese New Year entertainment was provided by our Chinese

students

News | from Wellington School

OUTDOOR EDUCATION

Pupil receives award from Prince Albert of Monaco

A Wellington School pupil has achieved an extraordinary accolade and rubbed shoulders with Royalty.

Jack Brodie, who is in Year 10, participated in the Outward Bound course last summer and was awarded his certificate by His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco at the famous Monaco Yacht Club.

He was the first participant in Outward Bound Monaco’s history to receive a scholarship to return to the Skills For Life course next summer.

Caving Expedition for Years 7 and 8 Pupils

Seven pupils from Year 7 and 8 set out to tackle a series of caves in Burrington Combe.

First up was Goatchurch Cavern. Challenges on the descent included the Giant’s Steps, Bloody Tight and the Coffin Lid. At the bottom, the fearsome Drainpipe waited. This twelve metre long, body sized tube tested everyone’s head for small spaces, but all succeeded in getting through (and back again). The ascent finished with a slippery climb up to the Tradesman’s Entrance.

The second cave was Sidcot Swallet. After some awkward twists and tight bits, and spectacular spiders, we reached the Tie Press. This famous squeeze was passed by all, and they spent time exploring the main chamber. The return trip proved more demanding, the climbs up between boulders pushing tired limbs.

Finally, we took a stroll into Aveline’s Hole, the site of the earliest known human cemetery in Britain.

All those who took part completed their Foundation Caver Award. The Wellington School Caving Achievement Scheme is a school initiative, its four levels designed to provide a framework for promoting participation and skills development in caving. It is being studied by the British Caving Association as they prepare a national proficiency scheme.

Climbing at Chudleigh RocksEight pupils from Year 7 to12 went climbing at Chudleigh Rocks. Despite the weather forecast, there were only a couple of patches of drizzle and a patch of freezing wind. All climbed a few routes and completed a challenging free-hanging abseil. The seniors also learnt how to rig a climb, and how to abseil in emergency conditions.

www.wellington-school.org.uk

NEWS

Pupil leads teams out at Highbury

Cameron Forrest in Year 7 is a “Junior Gunner” and has supported Arsenal since the age of 6. As a junior member his name is in a draw every week and one lucky soul gets picked to be the teams mascot (out of 34,000) and Cameron was lucky enough to be chosen for the game against Newcastle on 2nd January. He had a fantastic day and the players and staff at Highbury could not of been more welcoming and interested.

Cameron got a private tour of the building including the diamond suite, he received his own dressing room and Arsenal kit. He met all the players from both teams off the buses, shook hands with them all including speaking with Arsene Wenger. He then had 15 minutes in the Arsenal dressing room with all the players.

He spoke to the players whilst they prepared for their match. He was interviewed on the stadium big screen by a commentator and then was delighted to experience warming up on the hallowed pitch kicking a ball with players and the Arsenal Mascot “Gunnersauraus”.

He then led the Arsenal team out with the captain Per Mertesacker. Cameron was even featured on Match of the Day!

Author speaks at Rayban SocietyThe Raban Society was delighted to welcome acclaimed author Louise Douglas to speak at a recent meeting. Louise thoroughly enjoyed talking about her latest novel, meeting the students and answering their questions. Afterwards, Louise donated a copy of her novel 'The Secret by The Lake' to the school library.

Inspirational visit from TeachFirst

Sixth Formers were inspired to consider teaching as a future career thanks to an amazing visit from TeachFirst. A packed room full of interested students learnt about the many advantages of training through TeachFirst.

Future guidance at Careers Convention

The School hosted a careers fair in February for our own pupils and students from Blundell’s, Queen’s, King’s and Taunton School.

It was a great chance for pupils to quiz representatives from a number of organisations, universities and training providers to help inform decisions in the near and more distant future.

All Year 11 attended the event and throughout the morning pupils from the Sixth Form and Year 10 also took their chance to discuss career options with delegates from law firms, accountants, The Hydrographic Office, apprenticeship providers, the Armed Forces, Debenhams and the NHS.

PHSE LecturesThis term’s PHSE lecture series has provided the opportunity to discuss some important issues. In January the talks focussed on both physical and mental health issues. Around national E-safety Day, pupils were given an insight into the pitfalls and dangers of the internet and some of the

consequences for us as individuals with the increased use of social media.

In early March students will hear from Peter Hall in a talk entitled ‘A wasted youth’. Peter spent 25 years escaping from life through addiction and has been in jail cells, rehabilitation clinics and had to be hospitalised for alcohol abuse. Peter’s story, though, is one of hope. He will share his experiences of addiction and relate them to issues he still encounters today after years of abuse.

News | from Wellington School

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OLD WELLINGTONIANS’ NEWS

A former student from Wellington School has been awarded an MBE in the 2016 New Year Honours List.

Paul Chubb, who left the School in 1969 (and was in Richards) has been awarded for services to career education and guidance.

Paul was until recently Executive Director of Careers England, and

still retains strong links with quality assurance of career education and guidance in schools through his role as Director for the Quality in Careers Standard.

Currently Chairman of Governors at The Dales School, Morton-on-Swale, Paul now lives in North Yorkshire.

Former pupil in New Years Honours List Alys Metcalf appears at Theatre Royal, BathFormer Wellington student Alys Metcalf will be starring in Reel Life - a show at the Ustinov Studio, as part of the Theatre Royal Bath season.

Alys's last show was recently voted as the theatre picks for 2015 by Guardian Readers.

Set on a secluded bank of the River Avon, Reel Life explores the delicate line between fact and fiction - and what happens to the course of our lives when that line is crossed.

Developed in association with St James Theatre London, Trowbridge Arts and partner charity CoppaFeel, this is the world premiere of a stirring new play ahead of its UK tour in 2017.

Tom Carson captains England

Tom Carson captained England to third place at the recent EuroHockey Indoor Championships in Portugal. The fomer member of Oak House scored two goals in one of the group matches against France.

Tom Moran in printFollowing on from his recent success at the New York Film Festival Tom Moran has released his second novel called A Debt to the Universe. It's the second in the Walton Cumberfield series.

The books follow the adventures of the UK’s best and only time-travelling detective.

The first in the series, Dinosaurs and Prime Numbers was published in 2012.

Special thank you to Will de Bolla - Oak 2005 - who responded to a request for OWs to assist with a new series of Career Spotlight talks. Will gave lots of very practical advice in terms of choosing courses and professions, and also shared his experiences of the many ups and downs which come along, as students move from Sixth Form, through university to the world of work. The

students (and teachers) lapped it up.

Will de Bolla returns for Careers Talk

Old Boy advises pupils at Careers ConventionAndy Barton - Willows 2003 - joined us for our Careers Convention. Thank you so much for taking the time out to speak to our pupils and other local pupils about careers in global design and consultancy for natural and built assets. Andy works for Arcadis, who have 300 offices in 70 countries around the world.

Wellington Foundation Golf DayWellington School is organising a Golf Day at Taunton & Pickeridge Golf Club on Friday 3rd June 2016 to celebrate 10 years of the Wellington School Foundation. The event will be held in association with and support from the Old Wellingtonians’ Association and will replace their golf day for 2016.

Entry Fee - £120 PER TEAM - fee includes bacon rolls and tea/coffee on arrival and 2 course evening meal with a substantial prize table.

For further information on the day and to book places please see the events section on the homepage of the School’s website, www.wellington-school.org.uk.