Headmaster's Welcome
Headmaster's Weekly News, Friday 20th October, 2017
Oct 20, 2017
20 October 2017
Dear Parents
It has been an incredibly busy and successful start to the year. The children have been excelling in so many areas this half term and this newsletter’s news is a real culmination of all the hard work by the children, staff and parents. I hope you all enjoy a fantastic half-term break and return refreshed and ready for an exciting second half!
Staff News
Mrs Morrice is expecting a baby, due later next term. I would like to give her our best wishes during her pregnancy. We will be looking to appoint a highly qualified teacher to cover Mrs Morrice’s maternity leave.
ISA Awards
I am delighted to announce that Highfield Priory School is a finalist, alongside two other schools, for the Junior Preparatory School Award for Academic Excellence and Innovation at the Independent Schools’ Association Awards in November. This is the only award solely for Junior Schools and there are 439 schools in the organisation. I will update you on our Facebook page and in our newsletter as soon as we have any news of our final position.
Grammar School News
An incredible 24 children passed the Grammar School examinations. Congratulations to all those children who took the examinations and to parents and staff for all their support and guidance. This is the highest amount of children passing the examinations on record.
French Breakfast
It was one of Year 5’s favourite days of the year on Wednesday: French Breakfast! Madame Morrice was waiting in a red and white striped top and beret, the dining room was decorated with French flags and French music was playing to set the atmosphere. The freshly baked smell of croissants, pains au chocolat and chocolat chaud was filtering across the dining room. The children came in with a ‘Bonjour!’ and ordered their breakfast in French. Their oral lessons have obviously paid off because I think they all got what they asked for! What a wonderful start to a Wednesday morning and after a big, ‘Merci Beaucoup!’ to Mr McGrath, they left with a spring in their step to start their first lesson. Thank you to Mrs Morrice and Mr McGrath for organising this highly enjoyable event.
Years 3 and 4 Football v St Mary’s Hall
All the boys in Years 3 and 4 were in action against St Mary’s Hall, Stonyhurst, on Tuesday. The boys were really excited to be playing in their first competitive match of the season. I was very impressed by their level of commitment and effort in both games. They demonstrated excellent teamwork in both matches, working really hard to get as many boys as possible behind the ball in defence. We won the first game 5-1 and lost the second 5-0.
Years 5 and 6 Football v Westholme
The boys played two games of five-a-side across the all-weather pitch. The games were very quick with all teams demonstrating excellent first-time touches and passing skills. We won one game 4-2 and lost the other game by 3 goals to 2. A big thank you to Mr Turner who has had a particularly busy week refereeing and organising all the matches.
Netball v AKS by Zahara
Two teams travelled to AKS on Wednesday to play Netball. Both teams competed well, showing good movement on the court. Sadly we didn’t play to the best of our ability and lost both games narrowly.
HPPTA News
The Winter Fayre is fast approaching and we are preparing games and organising stalls. It's going to be a great event. We have some fantastic stall holders joining us, for example: The Body Shop, Neal's Yard, homemade chutneys, handmade soaps and much more.
We would be grateful for donations of wrapping paper, Christmas decorations and any unwanted or unopened chocolates. See you on the 17th. Many thanks.
David Lloyd
David Lloyd are offering a free 5 day family pass for use at their Chorley health club. If you are interested please complete and return the colouring competition to them.
Merit Awards
RD: Toby RJ: Penny 1W: Hanna 2D: Muhammad 2E: Haya
3H: Anshi 3M: Jack 4S: Arjun 5D: Eryk 5M: Yawar 6H: James 6P: Ibrahim
Monitors of the week: Sophie E, Ellie and Grace W-Y
Thought for the Week
Put your heart, mind and soul into even your smallest acts. This is the secret to success. Swami Sivananda
Yours sincerely
J M Duke
Headmaster
