Headmaster's Welcome
Headmaster's News - 10th July 2015
Jul 10, 2015
10 July 2015
Dear Parents
Highfield’s NCT Results for Year 6
We received our Year 6 National Curriculum Test results this week from the external examiners.
Our Year Six Class achieved 100% Level 4 in Maths and English.
In English, 90% achieved Level 5 in English Comprehension.
100% of pupils achieved Level 5 in Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar and 4 pupils achieved Level 6.
In Maths, 86% achieved Level 5 in Maths and 7 children achieved a Level 6.
This is the second highest set of results the school has achieved in the last thirteen years and the most Level 6 passes - the standard of a 14 year old - the school has ever achieved.
Congratulations to all the children and staff!
School Bake-Off
The annual School Bake-Off will be held on Monday. This has been a very popular event in previous years with the children really enjoying baking with their parents over the weekend before bringing in their creation to be judged at school on the Monday. Children are invited to bring in a maximum of £2 to spend on cakes on Monday. All proceeds go to our School Charities for this year, The Space Centre and Derian House. Happy baking!
Summer Fair
Thank you to all those who attended our Summer Fair on Sunday. It was lovely to see so many people there, including many ex-pupils. The children really enjoyed the day, participating in many different musical, dancing or sporting activities as well as having fun on all the attractions and visiting the many stalls. Thank you to our PTA for their organisation of this event and for working so tirelessly throughout the day. The initial sum raised was an amazing £2200 which will go towards funds for the all-weather pitch. Thank you!
New Appointment
Mrs Parsons starts her Maternity Leave at the start of September. We interviewed a strong field of candidates for this post earlier in the term and have appointed Miss McShane. She is a qualified PE teacher who has previously taught at Barnard Castle and Newcastle High School. She has played at county level in a number of sports and football for Newcastle Football Club. We look forward to welcoming her to Highfield.
The All-Weather Pitch is coming!
The new all-weather pitch project will start next Thursday. It should take approximately ten weeks, however, this is dependent on the weather. There will be a number of trucks coming on and off site in the first few weeks while the groundwork is being completed so if you are coming in to school for Holiday Club or Nursery, please take care. The project will continue into the autumn term and there will be some disruption at the start and end of the day. I will update you with any change to arrangements in August, once the project is well under way.
Frankie and Me
What a fantastic performance and a brilliant finale to our dramatic performances this year. Our Year Six class took centre stage, acting with poise and confidence and singing beautifully too! The arrangement of music was very impressive and our soloists were supported by our wonderful Junior Choir who sang their hearts out throughout the performances. Congratulations to everyone involved and a big thank you to the parents who helped with the costumes and make-up, especially Mrs Merridew. I would also like to thank our PTA who helped with teas, coffees and refreshments and, of course, a big thank you to Mrs Jones and Miss Macklam, our directors, and Miss Burns for her choreography. It was a truly memorable evening.
Year 2 Visit to Brockholes by Darcey, Joshua D and Ayesha
2M and 2W went to Brockholes on Wednesday. At Brockholes our teacher Tim talked to us about habitats. After that, we went pond dipping and caught a lot of water animals. It was fun! Then we played a game called true or false so Tim could refresh our memory about what we had learnt. We then had our lunch and went to the shop. After lunch, we went looking for animals and mini-beasts. Finally, we went to the park and it was amazing. Mr. Murray pushed us really high on the circular swing and we all screamed! We then went home on the bus. We all had a great day.
Experimenting with Musical Instruments
Our Year 4 children have been trying out a variety of instruments with our individual music teachers over the last few weeks; this has included woodwind, brass, piano and music technology. The children have thoroughly enjoyed learning about these instruments and trying out each one. Thank you to all our teachers who have made these sessions possible.
Leavers' Party
The Year 6s enjoyed a night of dancing, football and bouncing up and down an inflatable slide on Friday! The weather was kind which really allowed the children to let off some steam before stopping for some much needed refreshment of pizza and chips. Thank you to Mrs Merridew for organising a very successful and highly enjoyable evening.
Thought for the Week
Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance. (Samuel Johnson)
Yours sincerely
JM Duke
Headmaster
