Willington News

There are busy weeks, and then there are BUSY weeks! This one has been a whirlwind of both dramatic and musical performances, learning activities both inside and outside of school, and many visitors keen to discover what our children have been up to. Please bear with me if this newsletter extends a bit longer than usual.

The week began quietly with a full dress rehearsal for Year 4's production, a couple of prospective parents' meetings, and then a quick trip up to King's College to meet with Dr Cotton, the Head. It was delightful to be shown around by former pupils, Lucas and Seojon, who sang the praises of their new school. For those considering future schools, especially those nearing the top of the school, please feel free to contact me  for more information. I then  ventured out to visit Claremont Fan School in Esher. Mr Brierley, the Headmaster, gave me a tour discussing senior school admissions, their restructuring, and future plans which promise exciting developments. Monday also saw the pre prep parents’ evening take place and I hope this was useful to you.

Tuesday marked the debut of the Year 4’s production, ‘Pantastic’, attended by many. For those who were there, I'm sure you'll agree it was absolutely spectacular! The standard of singing and acting from such young children was impressive. Full marks to Miss Beadle and Miss Nijhuis  for orchestrating the show, and of course, Ms Callaway for her musical accompaniment—more on music later.

Also, this week, the Nursery had a fantastic outing to the Wetlands Centre in Barnes, while Year 5 explored Newlands Corner in the Surrey Hills. Both groups returned exhilarated, albeit a bit weary from their adventures. Year 5 also tackled lessons on financial literacy—a vital skill, considering the difficulties many adults face due to a lack of financial know-how. Starting this education early can help avoid such issues later on.

Our school governors visited us midweek. They toured the school, observed lessons, and engaged with the children during their stay, culminating in a full board meeting. It’s beneficial for our children to engage with governors, helping both sides gain insights. One very interested child enquired ‘are you from the government?’ I can’t imagine a member of the government would be so brave to visit us.

A meeting with the class reps and POW on Thursday explored ways to move forward as a community. Discussing the Parents’ of Willington, we recognised the need for a reset to make participation less burdensome while still engaging effectively. It’s uplifting to see so many volunteers stepping forward, especially for upcoming events like the 140 Year Anniversary Party. POW is  very much what makes being part of the Willington community so special. School communities are bound together by such bodies and your involvement in them can make lifelong friendships for your children. 

Looking ahead, when you scroll down the page there’s information about the cultural trip to Barcelona in Easter 2026 and our inaugural Willington Golf Day on June 7. For those of you who have not attended the golf day before, it is very relaxed and is not as competitive as you may think. You do not need to have a handicap or be a specific level of golfer, rather just a willingness to join in and a sense of humour when you lose six balls in the water! 

The highlight of the week was undoubtedly the Spring Concerts held at Trinity Church. The children's progression in music was visible, and their joy in performing was palpable. A heartfelt thank you to all the music staff and Ms Callaway for orchestrating such a magical musical journey.

Next week is way more manageable, only the Arts Festival for three days, followed by a Music Festival and a day of House activities, including the Rubik’s cube competition. Do make sure you check ‘The Week Ahead’ for your child’s year to see any key changes to the usual routine. And yes, we are then off to Italy on the school skiing trip right after!

 Here’s to a restful weekend and hopefully some pleasant weather. Enjoy! KB

Willingtonian - Issue 3