Headmaster's Welcome

13 January 2017 

Dear Parents 

Welcome back! I hope you have all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas break. The children were certainly excited on their return, talking about what they had been doing from holidays abroad to time spent with family and also receiving some exciting presents. The children have already been busy this week working hard in class, rehearsing for the Wizard of Oz and taking part in sporting fixtures. 

Out and About in Nursery 

I visited our 2+ Nursery on a bright but blustery Wednesday morning. I settled down and watched Nathan, Scarlett, Sienna D and Sienna M eating their breakfast before a busy and fun packed day ahead. Sienna, Arthur and Violet obviously thought I was missing out and brought me toy biscuits, cakes and toast! Arthur then explained that he, Nathanael and Leo were firemen with special silver shiny tape placed specifically on different parts of their body. Leo then shouted out with his pretend microphone that there was a fire in the kitchen! The three of them rushed off at top speed to deal with the problem. Hugo was starting his day listening to a book in the quiet corner with Miss Dad. He was asking questions and pointing at the pictures, taking in every word, before he rushed off to join Maeve in the soft play area. Maeve was balancing carefully across a bridge before jumping off the end and then excitedly running round to complete the challenge again. I joined Scarlett and Nathan who were playing with the measuring cylinders. Scarlett gave me a cylinder so that I could join in and we filled up the biggest cylinder together. Annabelle raced up excitedly and told me that Father Christmas had come last night down the chimney and left lots of presents in the kitchen before she dashed off to take part in another activity! Eliza and Leo were playing in the kitchen very contentedly with Miss Smart, sharing toys and cooking a feast for later in the day.  

It was lovely to see the children so active and happy to be together and with their nursery nurses, going from one activity to another and getting fully involved and excited.  I look forward to returning to watch and join in more activities later this term. 

Hockey v Oakhill College 

On a very windy all-weather pitch, our hockey team played their first match of the year against Oakhill College. All the girls who attend the after-school hockey club played in the match. Highfield started off very quickly scoring early on with a goal from Katie. The team showed excellent control when dribbling and good accurate passing in open play. Bebe made some good saves as it was her first time in goal in a match. The team now need to work on sending the ball wide in defence and working on the first touch of the ball. 

The final score was 6-2 to Highfield, the Highfield goals were scored by Katie and Olivia D. Well done to all the girls who played. Our next hockey match is 25th January. 

Team-Building 

The last day of the Autumn term saw Years Five and Six take part in a very festive team-building afternoon. The activities ranged from sewing a stocking and filling it with sweets which they then had to balance across the room on a spoon, to wrapping presents with one hand, to turning a pupil into a snowman! The pupils’ team work really improved throughout the afternoon, taking it in turns, supporting each other and taking on leadership roles. Their success was really demonstrated in the last activity of the afternoon which was to create a Christmas decoration in a game called ‘Invention Convention’. The final creations were very impressive in just ten minutes. Rudolph and his sleigh, Christmas trees, we even had a flag on the North Pole! It was a great way to end the term and the children left the Sports Hall buzzing with all the activities they had taken part in. Thank you to Mrs Jones for organising the day. 

Hats and Gloves 

Hats and gloves worn with school uniform must be plain (no logos) and in the school colours. School hats and gloves can be bought from the office or the school shop. 

Class Assemblies 

4S- 20 January    4H-27 January    1W- 3 February    2F-10 February 

2M-3 March         1D-10 March        5M-17 March       3M-24 March 

Merit Awards 

RD: Luca  1D: Anoush  1W: Joshua  2F: Amritha  2M: Zorain 

3M: Alex  4H: Adam  4S: Omar  5D: Alexandra  5M: Daniel  6H: Thomas  6J: Ahmed 

Thought for the Week 

The New Year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals. Melody Beattie 

Yours sincerely 

J M Duke 

Headmaster