The Sunday Times Top 100 Independent Prep Schools in England: Fifth equal in England and First in the North West.
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Nov 17, 2017
17 November 2017
Dear Parents
Highfield Priory School wins National Award for Excellence
We were thrilled to be named as the winner of the Junior and Prep School Award for Academic Excellence and Innovation at the ISA Awards, last Friday. We have enjoyed a long reputation at Highfield for academic excellence but the focus of this award was a celebration of everything that we are doing outside the classroom and how, in building a child’s confidence in Sport, Art, Music, the Performing Arts and within the community, we are instilling in our children a self-belief that drives a child forward to even greater academic success. There are 440 schools within the ISA across the country and this was the only Award for Academic Excellence at Preparatory and Junior School level.
It is my belief that we won this award for the children’s work hard and play hard approach to school life. They face each day with enthusiasm, big smiles on their faces and an aim-high attitude in all things, supported by a caring community of staff, children and parents. Their academic and extra-curricular achievements are astounding year on year. As Aristotle said, ‘Excellence is not an act but a habit’.
5D Topic Assembly
Thank you 5D for your excellent Topic Assembly this morning all about the Tudors. I was very impressed to learn that the whole script had been written by you with facts on the rise of the Tudors, Tudor monarchs, Tudor homes and Tudor lifestyles. You have definitely learnt a great deal this term and the fact that you wrote your own script has helped you to remember the information and present it clearly to the rest of the school. Well done, 5D!
Our Visit to the World Museum by Ellie and Zain (6H)
On Monday, Year 6 went to the World Museum to learn more about the topics we are studying in history and science. We saw a lady called Laura who told us all we could want to know about a selection of insects. She showed us a praying mantis, a tarantula, scorpions and a millipede: some of us loved seeing these but others were rather scared! We also had an ancient Egyptian workshop, led by the comical Tony where we were able to handle real artefacts dating back thousands of years. Our favourite part of the day was when the praying mantis crawled up Laura’s back while she was telling us all about it. We all had a fantastic experience here and would love to go again!
Coffee Morning
It was lovely to see so many people at the Coffee Morning on Thursday. It was a wonderful opportunity for parents across the school and staff to meet and socialise in a relaxed atmosphere. We hope to have another Coffee Morning next term which will be advertised in the school calendar. A big thank you to Mr McGrath for providing a superb spread for everyone to enjoy.
Winter Fayre
As I write this our PTA are working hard to create a wonderful Winter Fayre for us all. I know the children are really looking forward to it and there has been a lot of excited chatter about how they are going to spend their money! Thank you to the PTA for all their creativity, hard work and wonderful support for Highfield. We do appreciate it and we are looking forward to the Fayre! Thank you!
Scholastic Book Fair
Please support the book fair which will be held in the Dining Room from Thursday 23-Tuesday 28 November from 3.10-4pm. Thank you!
Children in Need
The school supported Children in Need today, with a wide range of fancy dress across the year groups. I will let you know next week how much we raised for the charity.
Under 9s ISA Football v Scarisbrick Hall
The boys took part in a very exciting match which, after extra time, was 4-4. Both teams showed excellent commitment and a high level of skills. We finally lost on sudden death penalties! The boys were full of the experience, chattering away on their long journey back to school. Thank you to Mr Turner and Mr Forrest for taking and supporting the boys.
Sedbergh Rugby Tournament
Congratulations to all the boys who attended the Sedbergh rugby tournament on Wednesday. There were eleven schools taking part. The boys did incredibly well, with many of them playing in their first competitive tournament. They all demonstrated tenacity in defence and good ball skills in attack with many tries being scored. The under 11s won two, drew one and lost two. The under 10s came close in many games, winning their last game against Sedbergh 4-3! They showed lots of promise for the Rugby season which begins next term.
Stonyhurst Cross-Country
Fourteen under 11 runners competed in the Stonyhurst Cross-Country on Thursday. All the children did incredibly well on a grueling, undulating course. There were over 130 runners in some of the races, with schools attending from all over the North West. The top three boys were Alfie, James and Joshua A and the top three girls were Sophie, Grace W-Y and Danya. Congratulations to all the runners who took part.
Under 11s Hockey v Rossall School by Lilland
On Thursday, the Hockey club played their first match against Rossall. Both teams played very well but sadly lost both games. Whether it was attacking, defending or being goal-keeper, everyone played so hard and that is all we could have ever asked for. Well done girls!
Independent Schools’ Regional Swimming Gala
Good luck to all our swimmers who are attending the ISA Regional Gala in Macclesfield tomorrow.
Rock FM Mission Christmas Appeal
If you would like to take part in the Rock FM appeal please drop-off your gifts in the school office and we will deliver them for you to Rock FM. Gifts are needed for all ages but there was a shortage for the older children (7+) last year. Please do NOT wrap your gifts. Many thanks for your support.
Contact Details
Please could all parents keep us updated of any change to your address, contact numbers and emergency contact numbers. Thank you.
Car Park
Please could I remind you to think ‘Safety First’ when entering the school site. I know people are dealing with busy lives and work pressures at the beginning and the end of the day but we must take care, stick to the speed limit (10mph) and keep our children safe. Thank you.
Merit Awards
RD: Aamir RJ: Wei Ann 1W: Ayesha 2D: Eliza 2E: Hiba
3H: Sully 3M: Danial 4S: Bomi 5D: The Whole Class 5M: Beth 6H: Evie 6P: Alfie
Monitors of the week: Hanin and Madeleine
Thought for the Week
Life is a great big canvas; throw all the paint you can at it. Danny Kaye
Yours sincerely
J M Duke
Headmaster