Wellington - the week ahead

Monday 18th September until Sunday 24th September

General Events

Firstly we hope that you like the new format of the newsletter - a format that is much more in line with the new design of our website. If you have any comments about either please do send them on to Roger Auger.

At the start of this week, on Sunday 17th September, it is the Talbot whose parents are invited to the evening chapel service. The Talbot have chosen to support as their charity in Chapel this week, The World Cancer Research Fund, which is dedicated to saving lives by funding cancer research and providing education programmes that expand our understanding of the importance of our food and lifestyle choices in the cancer process.

On Tuesday 19th September, Roger Bootle, the well known London economist and head of the consultancy "Capital Economics", will be addressing the Economics Society at 4:30 p.m. in the Driver Lecture Room. Mr. Bootle was formerly Chief Economist for the HSBC Group and now acts as Economic Advisor to Deloitte's and to the House of Commons Treasury Committee. He will be giving a short talk on his book "Money for Nothing" followed by an opportunity to answer questions from the audience. Parents are more than welcome to attend but are asked  to contact Bart Wielanga to reserve a place.

On Thursday 21st September at  6:00 pm in the Theatre, there is an unique opportunity to come and watch and listen to Richard Noble (OBE, Challenger, Entrepreneur, Record Breaker, Motivational Speaker) give a presentation with unique video and sound effects on the Thrust 2 programme which brought the World Land Speed Record back to Britain. His talk is entitled "Teamwork, the World Land Speed Record & The Amazing Story of Thrust SSC Team". He conceived, planned and executed the project to build a 30,000 HP 650mph car from a zero cash base. He drove the car Thrust 2 at over 600mph 11 times and to a peak speed of 650.88 mph and setting a new World Land Speed record on Nevada's Black Rock Desert. This was followed in September of 1997 when a speed of 714mph was recorded and then most significantly on October 13th 1997, again on the sands of the Nevada Desert, he broke the Sound Barrier on land at 764 mph!  Finally in 1999, he launched a new high-speed venture, a five-seater executive plane.  For all his achievements, he was given amongst other awards the OBE, the RAC Diamond Jubilee Trophy, the John Cobb Memorial Trophy, the Sir Malcolm Campbell Trophy and the Sir Henry Segrave Trophy. Don't miss this opportunity to come and listen to a great Innovator. Please e-mail Tarla Woolhouse if you wish to reserve a place.

Fresh from their sell-out concerts in Edinburgh, pluck , "the world's most musically challenged string trio", will be visiting Wellington College on Friday 22nd September. This is a unique opportunity to see them and it is the first time they have appeared in the Berkshire area. pluck was formed by violinist Adrian Garratt in 2002, with Jon Regan (viola) and Sian Kadafachi (cello). All three are trained classical musicians and as pluck, they take their classical skills into cabaret, comedy, and theatre with some incredible results. Wherever they go in the UK or abroad, they receive unanimous critical acclaim. They will be presenting a show to prep school musicians and third form Wellington pupils at 4:30 p.m. and then at 8:00 p.m. in the Theatre they will present their show "Musical Arson" . It promises to be a very entertaining evening and an ideal way to round off the week. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show are £10 each (£5 for school-age children) and are available from Reception  (01344 444000) or the Music School  (01344 444201).

On Sunday 24th September, it is the Blucher whose parents are warmly  invited to the evening chapel service and the preacher is the HM of the Blucher - Mark Boobbyer.

Sunday 24th September, in a change from the printed calendar, the WCA  are hosting a Drinks and Canapés party for parents of pupils new to the school in Great School from 7:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. It is an ideal chance to meet your son's or daughter's tutor and HM. All new parents should have received an invite in the post and are asked to reply to Tarla Woolhouse.

Sports events

On Tuesday 19th September the squash team travel to Harrow whilst on Thursday 21st September, the golf team play Tonbridge at Wellington and the rackets team travel to Charterhouse.

On Saturday 23rd September the girls' hockey teams play Cranleigh, with the 1st XI away and the rugby teams take on St. Paul's with the 1st XV being at home. Also on  that day, the shooting team compete in the Lane Shield. Parents are reminded that until the Exeat, there will be tea for all parents supporting any of the Saturday matches in the Master's Lodge if it is dry. If the weather is wet, then the tea will be in Old Hall.

On a positive note, at the Berkshire county U17 netball trials this week Abbie Dorling (third form) made it into the Berkshire squad - she is 4 years young for this age group - and Helena Hansford has been asked to train in the county satellite squad.

This  link will take you to the Wellington intranet where details of rugby sports' fixtures (team lists, pitch details, etc) can be found. For girls' hockey click here To keep overall track on how the teams are doing click for rugby and for girls' hockey

From Friday 22nd September until Sunday24th September Wellington College C.C.F., represented by James Robinson, Chris Fraser and Charlie Esse, will be competing in the C.C.F. National Regatta at Portsmouth. Sailing in Bosun and Pico dinghies they will compete against schools from all over Britain. We wish them every success. Competitive sailing is now available at Wellington on an all year round basis. Arrangements have been made with Burghfield Sailing Club to participate in their regular club racing on Sundays.