Willington News

Although it may feel like the end of term, having had Celebration Day in the penultimate week, with one more week still to go, there’s still plenty to look forward to.

But first, let’s reflect on what’s happened this week. Monday began with our annual ‘Meet the Teacher’ morning, as the children discovered who their new class/form teachers would be and, in some cases, met new classmates. It’s always an exciting time for everyone involved, and I’m sure that once we return in September, everything will settle back into place just as it should.

Year 3 enjoyed their trip to London Zoo on Tuesday, which was followed in the afternoon by our Year 2 transition event—it was lovely to see so many parents there. Year 1 visited Hobbledown Farm on Thursday, and Year 6 have been hard at work rehearsing for their production next week. Amidst all this, the governing body held their annual board meeting on Tuesday evening and continued to express their admiration for how the school is innovating and moving forward with exciting development plans.

Of course, the big day was Wednesday.

I always feel like I miss out on the show when I’m seated at the side of the stage, knowing the sound is so much better as it carries towards the stalls and the circle. That said, even from the side, the singing was absolutely fantastic. It’s wonderful to witness how much progress the children make each year. Hearing the three Head Boys reflect on their time at Willington was heart-warming. I’d completely forgotten that I began here the same year they started in Reception!

The finale, with the entire Prep School singing together, is always a joy to hear. I must thank Ms  Callaway for her efforts throughout the children’s school careers so far—what a talent she has. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did and are equally excited about the LEGO announcement at the end. Hopefully, you've had the chance to watch the video too.

I truly believe the new LEGO Room gives us a unique opportunity to develop the children’s skills in ways that will benefit them far beyond their time with us. Since settling on LEGO as our theme, I’ve been diving into so many articles and research papers on the educational benefits of LEGO play. I mentioned a few weeks ago the Professor of LEGO at Cambridge University—a title that speaks volumes about the power a simple block can have on a child’s development.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen such excitement when we made the announcement—especially in Pre-Prep, where the children went absolutely wild! And quite a few adults have asked if they can join in too! I really hope you’ll get involved in our LEGO drive over the coming weeks and months. Any pre-loved LEGO could benefit hundreds of children each week, so your donations would be deeply appreciated.

It was wonderful to see so many of our new families in school this morning for our Nursery and Reception 2025 Induction Morning. So many bright-eyed, excited children waited eagerly at the gates, ready for their first adventure in their new school. We can’t wait to welcome them all back in September.

For those attending tomorrow’s 140th Anniversary Ball—what a night it promises to be! I'm looking forward to an evening of great company and hope to catch up with many of you there.

And if you thought we’d be winding down in the final week of term—think again! Year 5 head off on Monday for their three-day residential, Year 6 will perform their production I'm an 11-Year-Old... Get Me Out of Here! on Wednesday evening, and Pre-Prep will be enjoying their Outdoor Learning Day on Thursday. Year 5 will also meet on Thursday after school for 11+ preparation, and on Friday morning, we’ll host our final Parent Coffee Morning of the year as a farewell and thank you.

I think we’ll all be in need of a well-earned rest by then! Until that time, enjoy your weekend and stay cool (by which I mean stay out of the sun, not necessarily channel your inner hipster). KB