Headmaster's Welcome

18 December 2015 

Dear Parents 

What an amazing term! So much to celebrate and be proud of. The children have aimed high once again reaching even greater heights. The school equalled its highest ever position of 14th in the country and 1st in the North West and Lancashire in The Sunday Times for its National Curriculum Test results. We received national recognition with an award from the Independent Schools’ Association for the work we do in HPSED and our excellent academic results. Our netballers remain unbeaten this season and our swimmers won four out of the six age group trophies at the Northern Independent Schools’ Gala. Our children are now also using our all-weather pitch on a daily basis. This is just a snapshot of this incredible term. I would like to congratulate all the children, staff and parents for this success. I hope you all enjoy a wonderful Christmas break with your families and the children return refreshed and ready for new challenges in the New Year. School will start back on Tuesday 5th January.  

Year 6 Go Carol Singing at Barton Grange by Rohan and Kairavi (6H) 

On Tuesday 15th December, Year 6 went carol singing to Barton Grange to raise money for our charities this year: Baby Beat and Derian House. In the first half we sang about twelve songs in front of an audience which included some very young children! The carol that appealed to the audience the most was ‘While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night’. During this carol a young toddler came and joined us.  

After a short break, we were determined to perform even better in the second half. We presented ‘Jingle Bells’ with the Year 6 girls accompanying the singing with bells; a little girl started dancing to the beat which made us all smile. Altogether we raised a well-deserved £66. Thank you to all the staff who helped to make this possible. 

Staff News 

Mrs McNeaney will be leaving at the end of this term after 12 years’ service to the school. I would like to thank her on behalf of the whole Highfield community for her hard work and commitment. 

Highfield Writers are Published! 

Congratulations to all our Year 2 children who have been selected to be published in a book called ‘Poetry Emotions’. This is a great honour and we are all very proud of their achievement. Well done! 

New Marketing Coordinator 

We are delighted to announce that Mrs Guthrie has been appointed as our new Marketing Coordinator and will start next term. I hope you will all join with me in welcoming her to our school staff. 

No Smoking on School Grounds 

Please could I remind all parents and visitors that there is a No Smoking Policy on the school site, including the car parks and grounds. Thank you.  

Junior Rugby and Hockey 

All Juniors will need a gum shield, towel and a plastic bag next term. We will be going out in most weather conditions. The boys are highly likely to get exceptionally muddy in matches and during training sessions away from school. My apologies in advance for the extra washing! 

Reports 

School reports have been included in the envelope with a short clarification for Key Stage 2 children.  

Bethany House 

Year 6 visited Bethany House Residential Home on Thursday to sing carols and to chat with the residents. The children sang beautifully and received a very warm welcome from the residents who joined in, tapping fingers and feet along to their favourite traditional carols. The children were then once more deep in conversation with the residents, discussing Christmas stories and their families. It was lovely to see the two generations together with both getting so much from the experience. The children were in high spirits and full of Christmas cheer on their return to school, just in time for their Christmas lunch! 

Christmas Lunch 

I would like to say a big thank you to Mr and Mrs McGrath and their team, not only for a fantastic Christmas lunch on Thursday which was enjoyed by the whole school community, but also for all the wonderful lunches they have provided this term.  

House Points Winners –Pendle! 

The House Points Trophy was won by Pendle who enjoyed a morning of board games on Thursday. Congratulations to Pendle House! 

Infant Nativity 

Wow! I was blown away by the Key Stage 1 and Reception Nativity this week, ‘Straw and Order’. The audience was treated to acting, dancing, singing and comedy from a group of very talented children. Year 2 and Year 1 delivered their lines very clearly and we had a number of very impressive solo and group songs. Reception, who looked fabulous in their costumes, sang beautifully and knew every word off by heart. I think what struck me the most was the confidence and enjoyment that was shown throughout the performance. They gave the impression that they were old hands at this and that performing in front of over 150 people was something they did every day. Incredible! Well done to all the children; thank you to Mr Murray for directing the performance; and thank you to all the Key Stage 1 and Reception staff for their support. Also, thank you to the PTA for helping with refreshments after both performances. 

HPPTA News 

A huge thank you to those who helped with refreshments after the nativity production this week. We'd like to especially thank Faatimah, Grace and Gabrielle from Year 4 and Olivia D from Year 5 for their help - we were very short of adult helpers and they stepped in willingly and confidently. 

Our AGM will be in the New Year, Thursday 7th January 8.30am in the dining room. Everyone is welcome. Finally we wish you all a happy and healthy Christmas break. HPPTA 

Thought for the Week 

Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so you shall become. Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be: your ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil. James Allen 

Yours sincerely 

J M Duke 

Headmaster