Headmaster's Welcome
Headmaster's News - 15th January 2016
Jan 15, 2016
15 January 2016
Dear Parents
This has been our first full week back after the Christmas break and it has been great to see all the children busy with a variety of curriculum lessons as well as an ever-increasing range of activities. Our Year 3 Running Club started as well as our junior girls’ football on the all-weather pitch; and our junior cricketers are getting in some early preparation for the cricket season. Rehearsals for ‘Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations’ are well underway and costumes are being prepared. Year Four also had their second outing in the ISA Football Cup.
Out and About with Year 1 –On the Hot Spot!
Last Friday afternoon, I was asked to visit Year 1 so they could ask me a few questions on their RE topic about Leadership. It had been a very busy week so I was looking forward to visiting them and being with the children. However, as I stepped through the door it felt like I was entering a press conference with 28 eager faces all with their questions poised! They even had a special red cushion saying ‘Hot Spot’! I started to get a bit hot under the collar…not really knowing what I was expecting at 2.15pm on a Friday afternoon. I was hoping for Story Time! Neelesh stood up and very politely welcomed me, lulling me into a false sense of security before the grilling began!
Every child asked me a question which they had prepared earlier. They ranged from what different jobs I did each day, to what time I started and finished work and what I enjoyed most about my job. It was very interesting to hear what they wanted to know about my role in the school and many of the questions were very insightful for children of the age of just five and six. I have been interviewed a number of times over the years and I felt that these children from Year 1 gained a better understanding of my role in just forty minutes than anyone had previously. Thank you Year 1, the Hot Spot was not as daunting as it had first looked. It was actually a wonderful end to another busy and successful week at Highfield.
Student Council
The first Student Council Meeting of the term took place on Wednesday and I started by welcoming our new student councillors:
6H Finntan and William 5H: Fatimah 5M: Oliver 4D: Ameya 4S: Ahmed 3J: Francesca
3M: Aditi 2M: Brooke 1D: Evie 1W: Genevieve
I then discussed their role which is to be the voice for their class. The pupils of the school get the best overall picture of the school and it is important that they have a chance to feed back any problems or issues that they see on a day-to-day basis. They also come up with new ideas, keep their class informed of any upcoming events and follow up on discussions or points from meetings with Mr Forrest, Mrs McGrath and some class teachers. Last term, the Student Council was responsible for organising our choice of School Charity, our Children in Need Day and a Food Survey amongst other things. Our new councillors got off to a very positive start with many already having points to raise. These, as always, were very varied with some excellent suggestions as well as some amusing ones. Oliver, in Year 5, said that his class suggested that each class should have an equipment monitor and there have also been some issues with children reserving equipment. In 3M, Aditi suggested a range of different activities we could offer. As always the meeting was very interesting and always keeps me on my toes. I look forward now to next Wednesday break time and our next student council meeting and what questions I might be asked!
3J News
I am delighted to announce that Mr and Mrs Jones are expecting their second child and their baby is due midway through the summer term. To maintain continuity, the plan is for Mrs O’Shea and Mrs Hill to continue to teach 3M until the end of the summer term and Mrs Morrice, on her return from maternity leave, will teach 3J.
I know you will all join with me in congratulating Mr and Mrs Jones on this exciting news.
ISA Cup – Year Four
Well done to all the boys who travelled to Lady Barn School to play in the second round of the ISA Cup. Their level of effort and commitment was outstanding but unfortunately, on this occasion, we lost.
Mad Science-Wednesday
Pick up for Mad Science is at the bottom of the DT stairs outside the Reception Classroom for Years 1 and 2 and outside the School Office for Years 3 and above.
Internet Safety Talks
These will be held in the School Sports Hall next Thursday 21 January. There will be a parents’ session from 3.30- 4.30pm and from 6-7pm. Child care will be provided in the homework room and afterschool room for the first session. Please can you let Mrs McIlwaine know which session you would like to attend. The session will highlight the dangers and also help us to create a safer environment for the children at home and school. Please do take the time to come along as the internet is ever-changing and it is important to stay informed to keep our children protected.
Open Day
Our Open Day will be on Sunday 13 March. If you have a property or fence in a prominent position or by a junction and are happy for us to use it for a banner please let the Office know. Please could you also let any friends or family know of the date so that they can place it in their diary. We will need as many pupils as possible from Years 4, 5 and 6 on the day for activities and tours. They really enjoy this role, celebrating the success of the school and are very proud to show parents around. It is also a very important learning experience for the children which we have now built into our HPSED programme.
Nursery Places
We currently have only a few places left in Nursery and places are starting to fill up quickly for September. If any parents, of children in school, require a place for a younger child could you call at the Office as soon as possible. It would also be sensible to do this before we start advertising our Open Day.
Advertising in The Highfeldian
There are a few pages available in this year’s Highfeldian for parents who would like to advertise their company. The cost of an A4 colour page is £140.
Please send any enquiries via the school office to Mrs Haythornthwaite. Thank you!
HPPTA News
Tickets are selling well for our Cabaret and Dining Extravaganza on Saturday 6 February at Ferraris in Longridge, with an amazing show led by our very own Mr Murray.
If you've already received your tickets, please pay in full as soon as possible by cash or cheque (cheques to be made payable to HPPTA).
Tickets are still available to buy. Individual tickets are priced at £39 per person. If you would like to sit with friends/family we have tables of 6 or 10 available (tables of 10 can be bought at the reduced rate of £350 for 10 people). If you would like a table, please ask in the office for a table request form - please complete and return to the office with payment a.s.a.p.
Last day for purchasing tickets and payment is Friday 29 January, 3.30pm.
Many thanks for your support.
PTA Film Night
There will be a Children’s' Film Night on Friday 29 January 5-7pm. The cost is £5 per child, including drink and popcorn.
Wellies and Winter Clothes Request
A number of Highfield parents, along with the Preston Faith Forum, are planning a third trip to deliver aid to refugees in Calais and Dunkirk. The group would be grateful for any donations of children’s and adult’s paired wellington boots, hats, scarves and waterproof coats/trousers. These can be used items (good condition) or new.
The trip will take place during February half term. Please drop off any donated items before Friday 12 February (last day of term) and leave outside the PTA cupboard for collection. Thank you very much for your contributions.
New Governor –Mr John Wood
I was delighted to be able to show our new Governor for Education around the school on Monday. He spent the afternoon with us and visited many of the classes. He was very impressed with the children and the school and is glad to be a part of our team. Mr Wood recently retired as Head of Dixie Grammar in Leicestershire and was also a former Deputy Head at Kirkham Grammar School. He is currently Vice Chairman of the Independent Schools’ Association.
Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations –Tickets on sale now!
The Year 4 production of 'Ernie's Incredible Illucinations', accompanied by Miss Burns' dancers, is taking place at The Charter Theatre on Thursday 4 February at 6:30pm.
Tickets are available from The Charter Theatre Box Office. http://www.prestonguildhall.com/events/view/294
Merit Awards
RD: Frank RF: Sophie 1D: Diya 1W: Oliver 2M: Khadija
3J: Daisy 3M: Asiyah 4D: Nathaniel 4S: Ahmed 5H: Charlie 5M: Oliver 6H: Harry
Monitors: Finntan and Dev
Thought for the week
Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence. Helen Keller
Yours sincerely
J M Duke
Headmaster
