This week, a group of our students embarked on an unforgettable journey to London to visit Parliament. From start to finish, the trip was filled with excitement, discovery, and learning, leaving the children with cherished memories that will last a lifetime.
The adventure began with an eagerly anticipated train journey to the capital. The children were thrilled by the experience, chatting excitedly as they watched the countryside transform into the bustling cityscape of London. On arrival, they navigated the Underground like seasoned travellers, experiencing the thrill of one of the world's most famous transport systems.
Emerging from the tube, they took a scenic walk through Green Park, soaking in the fresh air and admiring the beauty of the trees and flowers. The sight of Buckingham Palace in the distance sparked a wave of excitement, and they eagerly listened to facts about the iconic royal residence. 
Next, they made their way down The Mall to Trafalgar Square, where they admired Nelson’s Column and the stunning fountains. A walk down Whitehall followed, past the historic Horse Guards and the Prime Minister’s residence at Downing Street. The grandeur and significance of these locations made a lasting impression on the children, giving them a deeper appreciation of the nation’s history and leadership.
Lunchtime provided a well-earned break, as the children enjoyed their packed lunches in a beautiful park setting. They took the opportunity to relax, discuss what they had seen so far, and recharge for the highlight of the day—Parliament.
Arriving at the magnificent Palace of Westminster, the students were awestruck by its grandeur and history. Their guided tour took them through the impressive halls and chambers, where they learned about the history of the building, its role in shaping the country, and the daily workings of government. A particularly special moment was visiting the House of Commons, where they had the rare opportunity to witness a live debate. Watching the Lord Chancellor, Shabana Mahmood, discuss policing legislation gave them a real insight into how laws are made and debated in the UK.
The excitement continued with a workshop designed to deepen their understanding of Parliament’s role in democracy. Engaging and interactive, the session helped the children appreciate the importance of their voices and how they can play a role in shaping the future. This hands-on learning experience was a favourite among many of the students, who left the session feeling inspired.
As the day drew to a close, the children navigated the Underground once more, heading back to King’s Cross. A delicious treat awaited them—McDonald’s! As they sat together, enjoying their meals, they reminisced about the incredible experiences of the day, sharing their favourite moments and fun facts they had learned.
The journey home was filled with tired but happy chatter, as the children reflected on their incredible day. They had been a true credit to the school throughout the trip, displaying excellent behaviour, curiosity, and enthusiasm at every stage. Their respect and engagement during the tour and workshop made teachers and staff immensely proud.
This trip to Parliament was more than just an educational visit; it was an experience that created core memories for each child. It ignited their interest in democracy, history, and the workings of the country, inspiring some to dream of future roles in government. It was truly a day to remember, and one that will stay with them for years to come.

Then in the afternoon the whole school sat down and enjoyed a cosy reading session. Some children even brought blankets and pillows! All the children enjoyed a glass of chocolate milk and settled down with their favourite book! 

Please enjoy some more photos of our children looking fabulous in their outfits!

This week, the children of Wellgate have been busy putting their budding scientific skills to the test as part of our British Science Week celebrations! Each year group took part in a different experiment, allowing the children to explore, observe, and question the world around them.

In Nursery, the children created underwater fireworks and discussed the colours and the density of water. The language they were using to describe what they saw was phenomenal! 

Foundation 2 children explored bouncy bubbles, observing how they formed and behaved. Why not ask your child if they managed to bounce a bubble.

Year 1 and 2 have explored colour wheels, carefully adding drops of water to watch the vibrant colours blend and swirl together like magic. The children were fascinated by the way the colours spread, creating beautiful patterns that seemed to dance across the paper. They have also loved making gloop — a curious substance that flows like a liquid but can be grabbed like a solid. They eagerly explored its strange consistency, delighting in how it slipped through their fingers one moment and clumped together the next.

Our Year 3 scientists investigated why low-adhesive pen allowed their drawn fish to float. With great excitement, they observed how the ink detached from the surface and danced across the water, making their fish appear to swim!

Year 4 explored the functions of organs within the digestive system. They discovered how interesting and gruesome our digestive systems can be. They created amazing triangular jigsaw to show their learning. 

Meanwhile, Year 5 explored chemical reactions by creating different exploding volcanoes. The children experimented with varying amounts of vinegar and bicarbonate of soda to create dramatic eruptions, learning how chemical reactions release gases that powerfully burst from their volcano models.

Finally, Year 6 investigated electricity and magnetism. They built circuits using wires, bulbs, and batteries, exploring how electricity flows and what materials conduct or insulate electricity. They also tested the power of magnets, discovering how magnetic forces could attract or repel objects in fascinating ways.

It was wonderful to see the children working collaboratively, asking thoughtful questions, and showing curiosity throughout the week. British Science Week has provided an excellent opportunity for children across the school to engage with practical science and develop their observational skills.
We are incredibly proud of all our young scientists at Wellgate and look forward to seeing their curiosity continue to grow!

​Today, we had the pleasure of welcoming Dan Jarvis MP, into our school! He helped us wrap up Careers Week by sharing insights about his job and the important work he does as a Member of Parliament.
Our children were full of fantastic questions and we’re so grateful for the time he took to answer them. A huge thank you to Dan for inspiring our pupils and making their learning experience even more exciting!

We had such a lovely morning launching our Careers Week. Lots of important visitors came to Wellgate to inspire the children. The children found out lots of interesting facts. Thank you to everyone that came to support the morning. 

Today, we said goodbye and good luck to Mrs Shaw who has worked at Wellgate for 25 years. Mrs Shaw is well known by many staff and pupils (both past and present) for the important roles she has had in the school. 
Mrs Shaw was one of our SMSAs which meant that she's supported the children with cutting and eating their dinner, ensuring that the dining halls were kept clean and supporting the children outside when they were playing. She was also one of our amazing cleaners which meant that she came back to school every evening to ensure that the building was ready for the pupils and staff each morning.
Mrs Shaw, thank you for all of your hard work - we hope you know how much you have been appreciated over the last 25 years.

We also said a huge thank you to Mrs Smith who has worked at Wellgate for 25 years - this is such a huge achievement. Thankfully for both the staff and pupils at Wellgate, Mrs Smith isn't ready to leave us just yet!
Mrs Smith works as both an SMSA and a Teaching Assistant which means that she touches the lives of many pupils and staff on a daily basis. Mrs Smith is an absolute asset to the Wellgate Team - she is one of the most dedicated, hardworking and knowledgeable members of staff around. She always goes over and above to ensure the best possible outcomes for pupils including attending the Robinwood residential each year. 
Mrs Smith, thank you for everything - we appreciate everything you do so much and we're so happy that you're not going anywhere :-).

Today, the children in Foundation Stage and Key Stage One were delighted by a magical visit from Santa Claus himself! With a twinkle in his eye and a hearty “Ho, ho, ho,” Santa spread holiday cheer as he greeted each child.
The children were thrilled to share their Christmas wishes and receive a special gift from Santa’s sack. The joy and excitement on their faces made the moment truly unforgettable.
Thank you, Santa, for bringing so much festive magic to our school today! 🎅✨

This festive season, our Year 3 and 4 pupils wowed their loved ones when they put on a number of spectacular performances. 
They sang their hearts out and played the bells harmoniously as they told the Christmas story in their own unique way.
Take a look at them in their festive costumes in the photos below.

Our whole school enjoyed a visit from Tommy from Bright Bites.  He spent time with everyone from Nursery to Year 6.  He reminded us that we need to brush our teeth for two minutes, twice a day and visit the dentist twice a year.

As usual, our children wowed our visitor with their super listening and shared their knowledge about oral health.  Every child in school tool home a toothbrush and some toothpaste.  Let's keep our smiles shiny and clean.

​Key Stage One have had a wonderful time this week performing their show ‘Lights, Camel, Action!’ It had all the glitz, glamour and funky moves you could wish for.
Our Voiceover boomed her voice all over the hall to introduce each fantastic dance act and the celebrity judges: Anton DuDonkey, Shirley Myrrh-las and that mean old Caesar Revel Horwood.
The performance had it all from Line dancing townsfolk to Ballet dancing angels, Funky Camels to Disco Stars, Innkeepers who could Tango better than anyone we have ever seen on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and let’s not forget the Hand Jive at the end that got us all dancing!
Well done to all the children in Year 1 and Year 2 for their hard work.
We hope you enjoyed the performances as much as we did!