Headmaster's Welcome

Headmaster's Weekly News, Friday 12th October, 2018

Oct 12, 2018

12 October 2018

Dear Parents

5M Topic Assembly
Thank you 5M for your Topic Assembly this morning all about what you have been studying in class. We heard a brief summary of each subject, including ICT, where you have been learning about computer components, French, where you have been learning how to greet each other and the names for different subjects and Music, where you have even written your own song lyrics. You have certainly had a very busy half term and it has been lovely to share it with you. Thank you 5M and thank you Miss Macklam for organising this Assembly.

School Charities
On Monday, it was the School Charities Assembly. Each class had selected a charity, which they had researched and discussed before it was introduced to the whole school. The Year 6 pupils were responsible for collecting the class votes. The charity with the most votes was Make A Wish which will be the school charity for this year.

Family and Individual Photographs
It was lovely to see all the pupils looking extra smart for the photographs on Tuesday. It gave me an opportunity to see every child from 18 months up to Year 6. They were all very excited and the younger children did particularly well in an unfamiliar situation. All the children really looked after each other and checked each other to see ties were straight, socks were pulled up and shirts were tucked in. I also enjoyed watching the very warm welcome that our siblings gave to each other. Big beaming smiles, eyes twinkling and big hugs, with the older siblings really looking after their younger brothers and sisters. It really emphasised the lovely family atmosphere we have here at Highfield.

Year 1 Trip to ‘Bring Yer Wellies’ by Anoushka, Raj, Scarlett and Samira
We went to Bring Yer Wellies.We went on a coach.
We went in the greenhouse. We planted spearmint and peppermint.
We saw lettuce and grapes. We saw some fish.
We played pooh sticks and had a boat race.
Then we built a tent and it was brilliant. Then we went back to school.
It sounds like a very interesting trip which was packed with enjoyable activities. Well done, Year One! (Photographs on our Facebook page)

Out and About with Year 6
I visited a Year 6 creative writing lesson this week. Abdullah told me they were writing a descriptive piece of writing about a cliff top. The children told me that they were also focusing on using specific punctuation. Abigail said she was currently using a semi-colon. Eryk said he was working on parenthesis and trying to use the passive voice. The children had also been given a bank of words to help them to extend their vocabulary. Hannah said that she found these helpful to make her writing more interesting and descriptive. The children were really absorbed in the activity, working independently and trying really hard to create some very impressive writing. I have included two examples below.

View from a Cliff Top
The sun gracefully shone down on to the sandy beach. As I looked up, it brightly shone into my eyes. It was like a big, golden ball. The clouds were as soft as a fluffy pillow. They were like dancers swaying in the sky. The clouds were being slept on by the seagulls. Over to my left, the lighthouse was standing on the cliffs; the beach was shimmering in the sun. The lighthouse was ready to switch on its light to guide the boats to safety. Over in the sea, the waves swayed happily from side to side. The dolphins were like shimmering diamonds leaping out of the turquoise blue sea – they were like gymnasts doing a somersault. The sea, which was as clear as glass, shone in the distance. Just in front, a boat was floating in the sea; it was just about to set off. The wind peacefully blew on my face while the sea was shimmering in the sun. By Holly

On a beautiful sunny day, dolphins were leaping in the sea; clouds were drifting away as the sunset came into view. This sunset was like an artist’s painting: it was a blast of colours in the sky. From the cliff, I could just make out the waves splashing against the rocks! The sky was blocked by the night clouds. They were as fluffy and white as a blanket. A red and white lighthouse stood up straight by the sea. In the distance, the waves splashed upon it. The sand was battered by the waves while seagulls swooped merrily in the sky. Hungry seagulls scavenged for leftovers. Boats sailed peacefully through the water – collecting fish for tea. Pebbly rocks were being bathed by the waves as the tide came in. The rocks, which were pale brown, stood high in the sea. Down below me, the waves were crashing like an Olympic runner heading towards the finish. The crystal-clear sea made a shushing sound as it brought the tide in. The clouds sailed away as the night was drawn in. Is this a beach that you’d like to visit?
By Abigail

Coffee Morning
Thank you to everyone who attended our Coffee Morning today. It was great to see so many parents, especially our new parents to the school. If you were unable to attend this Coffee Morning, we are hoping to have another one next term.

HPPTA News
Our PTA met on Monday morning to discuss forthcoming events and it was great to welcome some Reception parents to the meeting. The two main events this term are the Winter Fayre on Friday 30th November and a late Halloween party on Friday 9th November. We are busy preparing both events and would be very grateful if you could donate any Halloween treats for the Halloween party, chocolate treats for the Winter Fayre chocolate tombola or any bottles, biscuits, boxes of chocolates to make prize hampers up for the raffle at the Winter Fayre. You are always welcome to come along to meetings but if you aren’t able to attend and would like to offer to help in other ways please speak to Ms Eccles, 2E.

Our U11 and U10 Netballers travel to Sedbergh
The U10 team played first and got off to a brilliant start, taking the lead after only a couple of minutes. Highfield continued to dominate throughout the match maintaining possession of the ball and showing some great passing, moving and defending all across the court. The final score was 8-2 to Highfield and player of the match was Nandini.
The U11 team were next up and, like their younger counterparts, they dominated from the first whistle, scoring 3 goals in the first 5 minutes. The whole team worked together, moving into space and putting into practice all the things they had learned at netball club. The defence held strong and prevented the Sedbergh team from entering the circle, passing the ball consistently down the court to the shooters who were on top form. The final score was 8-0 to Highfield and player of the match was Eva.
A special mention must also go to our Netball Captain, Sasha, who has made an excellent start to her captaincy, encouraging her team, leading great warm ups and helping our younger netballers to improve. Well done Sasha!

Under 11s Football v Goosnargh
The boys started very well, closing down the opposition and forcing them to make mistakes. We were then able to counter-attack quickly and created a number of chances. The pressure from Highfield forced Goosnargh to take a long range shot which found the back of the net. The boys continued to work hard but were unable to get back on terms. As they tired, Goosnargh managed to gain more space in the final third and converted more opportunities to win the game. The Highfield boys should be commended for their work ethic and commitment right up to the final whistle. Well done, boys!

Merit Awards
RB: Khadijah RH: Zarlala 1D: Esme 1W: Ali 2E: Hanna
3J: Leo 3M: Bethan 4D: Tim 4S: Fatimah-Zahra 5M: The Whole Class 6H: Hannah
6P: Joshua
Monitors of the week: Aditya and Isabelle
High 5 Award: Ibraheem 4S

Thought for the Week
Our attitude towards life determines life’s attitude towards us. John Mitchell

Yours sincerely

J M Duke
Headmaster