A huge welcome back to Westbourne School to all our pupils and an especially warm welcome to those who have joined us for the first time.
It has been a tremendous start to the term and we would like to congratulate all our pupils for their enthusiasm, acceptance of the social distancing measures and excellent early commitment to studies – great work Westbourne!
For our international community, the term started two weeks early, with a pre-sessional ‘quarantine camp’ at Kilve Court in Somerset, featured below. As part of our #SafeSchool return, it also provided a unique experience for our student body impacted by travel restrictions.
With the full school now back in session – a huge welcome back everybody – we missed you!
With challenges to international travel this summer and the need for quarantine for most countries, our international students spent their first two weeks in the UK surrounded by the Somerset countryside in the rather fabulous outdoor pursuits centre at Kilve Court.
An academic timetable of Maths, English and Spanish lessons, followed by outdoor pursuits gave plenty of opportunities for pupils to bond – particularly whilst overcoming their fear of heights!
Although not your normal return to school this year the camp was a unique start filled with the things we hold dear at Westbourne; friendships and laughter.
Special thanks to Boarding Parent, Ms Janette, HomeStay Parent, Ms Humphries and our teaching team, Ms Armstrong, Ms Yates, Mrs Barber, Mr Morrison and Mrs Brazier for their support.
A very warm welcome to our IB Class of 2022. Amongst their ranks include many of our former Year 11’s who despite the challenges of the covid exam season achieved an impressive 100% A*-C grades, with 60% of grades being A*. Joined by new students from across the UK, Europe and Asia, the cohort has already got off to a strong start.
Having had the opportunity to start elements of the IB course online prior to joining, thanks to the dedication of our IB Coordinator & GCSE Coordinator, Ms Phillips & Mrs Barber, this week has been focused on uniting the group in person.
In the classroom for the first time, as well as classroom activities, what better way to bond than sending them all out on a local Penarth scavenger hunt…including finding a traditional red telephone box…rarer than you might think!
At the start of their Senior School journey, it has been a delight to welcome our new Year 6 students to the Hickman Road site alongside their new form tutor, Ms Armstrong.
An exciting week has been spent making new friends, immersing themselves in Michael Morpurgo’s ‘War Horse’ as well as getting to grips with the new #SafeSchool one-way system!
We’re thrilled that our entire Prep School, including Year 6 are able to be fully back in class this term and Mrs Chinnock has been ensuring that there is a world of excitement and opportunity in this year’s curriculum, including the introduction of FAB School – Forest And Beach School – more information will be forthcoming to parents shortly and we eagerly await updates from our intrepid Prep explorers throughout the term.
Meanwhile, our Early Years setting, with Mr Murray, have been creating colourful handprints and exploring poetry throughout the week. There has been a wealth of colour experimentation and discussion, as always the children have been bubbling with creativity and ideas.
A sample of their work is featured below, with a special mention to Libby, who has been awarded Star of the Week for her work.
Congratulations to year 3 for nailing their first maths lesson on place value. Good job all – great to see such happy faces!
Year 5 worked on successfully completing the STEM catapult challenge and showing creativity and out of the box thinking. Great job to everyone for the show of brilliant academic knowledge.
Mrs Allen favourite motto has been back in force – we have all enjoyed her skills and PE lessons online, however, nothing beats a Westbourne ‘live’ PE session and this week didn’t disappoint! There have been plenty of sessions across the year groups throughout the past week, however, Year 3 & 4’s interval training gets a special mention for the enthusiasm and energy on display all lesson long!
We have warmly welcomed lots of new starters across the Prep School this week and it has been wonderful to see the children settle in so well.
As our Reception class started their first-ever experience of school, they spent time with Year 1 making new friends, enjoying their time together and taking part in a variety of imaginative games designed to support creativity, imagination and bonding.
A huge welcome to Prep to our latest joiners – we’re delighted to have you as part of the Westbourne Community.
Many congratulations to this week’s Stars of the Week!
Early Years: ⭐ Libby Libby has had a great start to Westbourne Life! Libby has created a excellent hand print and poem this week. Libby is very creative and takes her time with her work. Well done Libby!
Year 2: ⭐Giulia – For showing excellent determination towards her school work.
Year 3: ⭐ Cadi Davies for her exceptional attitude to learning and her positivity which has grown exponentially since joining Westbourne at the start of term. Well done Cadi, what a fantastic addition to our Westbourne family you are!
Year 4: ⭐ Rania for smashing tables in an eye watering 2.16 minutes . With all of them correct !
Year 5:⭐ Johnny for amazing locational knowledge in our geography lesson
As we get back to school here in the UK, our Westbourne Sydney team are putting the finishing touches to the launch of our first international venture, Sydney IB College.
Launching in January 2021 the start of the Australian academic year, our cohort is nearly complete and we look forward to welcoming them to the Westbourne family in a few short months.
A STEM-focused, IB-only, co-ed sixth form, the College has recently caught the attention of the Sydney Morning Herald.