Headmaster's Welcome

Headmaster's News, Friday 31st January, 2020

Jan 31, 2020

School News

2E Assembly
Congratulations to 2E who performed an excellent work assembly this morning about Preston during the Victorian times. It was fascinating to hear about the history of Preston during this time. We learnt that between 1819 and 1837 the number of mills increased from 12 to 40, employing hundreds of men, women and children too! We met Jon Watson who built a mill in Penwortham in 1785. Half of his work force was under 18 with many under the age of 12! The children worked six days a week, from 6 o’clock in the morning to 8 at night. We were also told about the working conditions for children and how they improved during Victoria‘s reign with the 1833 Factory Act. It was not until the time of Queen Victoria’s death that children had to stay at school until the age of 12. The children in 2E have certainly found the subject fascinating, especially comparing their own lives to those of children from Victorian times and realising just how lucky they are! Thank you 2E and Ms Eccles for an excellent assembly.

3M Assembly
Thank you also to 3M for their work assembly last Friday about our Artist and Composer of the term. I was very impressed by their knowledge, and the work they had completed in such a short period of time. We listened to a number of Beethoven’s compositions and 3M explained how his style of music was unique and changed over time. It was amazing to hear that even though Beethoven started to lose his hearing in his twenties, he still managed to compose some of his most famous symphonies. 3M’s biography of Beethoven finished with a very accomplished performance of Ode to Joy by Aibhlin on the piano. 3M then turned their attention to the work of Leonardo Da Vinci. This included testing Da Vinci’s theory of the Vitruvian Man (‘The length of a man’s outspread arms is equal to his height’) and drawing sketches of Da Vinci’s inventions using charcoal. The subject had evidently really captured their imagination and I know that 3M’s assembly has inspired other members of the school to find out more about Beethoven and Da Vinci. Thank you 3M and Mrs Morrice. 

Year 4 Trip to a Hindu Temple by Hugo
On Monday 27th January, 4D travelled to a Hindu Temple in Preston. Firstly, we went into the majestic hallway which was huge. We had to take our shoes off as a sign of respect. Then, we all entered another large hall which was used for praying. There were some beautiful statues and pictures which we looked at and learned from. After that, we did some meditation which was very relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable. To do this we sat down and focused our breathing.

Out and About: Interviewing Year 6
I have been interviewing Year 6 pupils over the last couple of weeks in preparation for their interviews with secondary schools. I have been incredibly impressed by their composure and how natural they are when asked a series of questions in a slightly pressurised situation. They have been relaxed and have spoken with confidence about their experiences at Highfield Priory and what they are looking forward to at their new school. It is also interesting to hear what has stood out for them during their time at Highfield. They enjoyed reminiscing about their dramatic performances, Manor Adventure, Art lessons and even activities they took part in in their early years. It is lovely to witness the breadth of their experience at Highfield and how much they have enjoyed it. They were also not fazed when asked more difficult questions about current affairs or how a picture made them feel. I was very proud as their Headteacher, listening to them and helping them to prepare for the next big step in their lives. I know that they will be great ambassadors for Highfield Priory School as they attend their interviews and move on to their secondary schools. Good luck to all our Year 6 who are sitting Entrance Examinations and taking interviews at the moment.

Reception Trip to Imagine That
Earlier this month, Reception children visited Imagine That in Liverpool. They had a fun-packed day including activities such as making slime, painting fridge magnets and making bath bombs. The children really enjoyed the role-play areas: they made pizzas in the pizza restaurant; did a shop in the supermarket using a real cash register; and pretended to be vets caring for the toy animals. The dressing-up area was very popular and they were able to dance on a mini stage. The children found the Science show very entertaining, especially when the volcano erupted and wet the teachers! The children were very well behaved and we are all now looking forward to another trip. Mrs Bennett

Nursery News

This week the Nursery children got their wellies and splash suits on and enjoyed jumping in the puddles on the Junior playground. We have also enjoyed making fruit kebabs. The children developed their hand and eye co-ordination by cutting the fruit independently and then threading them onto the skewers. The children have also been very busy with their woodwork skills this week, with the support of Miss Travis, playing parachute games and enjoying dance with Miss Burns.

News from the Sports Field

Under 11s Netball v SMH

Our U11 Netball team travelled to SMH on Wednesday to take part in a festival alongside teams from 4 other schools. The girls worked really well as a team with some lovely passing down the court. Our shooters took some time to get used to the higher posts but eventually settled and scored some great goals. The defence made some brilliant interceptions, allowing our centre court players to gain possession of the ball and creating some fantastic passages of play. Well done to all 7 girls who played 4 games in a row with very little rest. What a great afternoon of Netball!

Year 4 Hockey v Rossall
Our Year 4 girls were very excited to play in their first hockey match of the term on Wednesday. They have been working hard at practice over the last few weeks, learning about the different positions and their jobs on the pitch. This really showed as they dominated the first half of the game with some superb tackling in defence and some brilliant passing and moving through the midfield and forwards. Rossall managed to break the deadlock shortly into the 2nd half however this only made the Highfield girls more determined and some brilliant teamwork lead to the equaliser. The game ended 1-1 with lots of positive things to take forward into the next match. Well done girls!

U11 Hockey
Our U11 team have also been working really hard in training, building confidence in their positions and working well as a team during practice. The game started at a fast pace with the Rossall attackers putting pressure on our defence. Some brilliant tackling and saves from our GK kept out many of the chances. Rossall were a strong opposition and managed to score a few goals in quick succession however our midfield kept working hard, gaining possession and creating some chances for our forwards. A change of team at half time meant we had some fresh legs and the Highfield girls came out even more determined. Isabelle made some superb saves to hold off the Rossall attackers. Well done to all 16 girls who represented Highfield, you were all fantastic!
Thank you to all parents who came to watch both matches, it was lovely to see so many of you despite the wind and rain! Mrs Botton

Rugby
The boys have been busy on the Rugby field in the last couple of weeks. A group of Year 6 boys travelled to St Mary’s Hall last week for a tournament and this week all the boys from Years 4-6 were invited to Rossall. It was great to see so many boys in action and really improving their technique and skills in a competitive environment. It will really help them to prepare for competitive sport at secondary school. The Year 6 boys are now looking forward to a couple of weeks of training before going back on the road after half-term. The Year 4 boys will be visiting St Mary’s Hall for a fixture next week. Thank you to the parents who helped with transport.

ISA Cross Country
On Wednesday 22 January, seven pupils took part in the Cross Country at Scarisbrick Hall. The course for Years 5 and 6 was 2000 metres and 1200 metres for Years 3 and 4. Out of more than 80 competitors, Frank came 14th and Sasha 15th. I would like to give a special mention to Zaidan in 3M who came 41st. Well done everyone and a big thank you to Mrs Duckett for helping with transport. Mrs Parsons.

Football Tournament
The Year 4 boys attended the Tulketh Tournament last week. They produced a fantastic series of performances and reached the quarter finals. The players are gradually becoming more accustomed to holding their positions and the tactic of playing Aaron in attacking midfield bought him more time to get his shots off. We are working on our patterns of play in training in advance of the next tournament in March. Well done, boys! Mr Turner

Merits and Awards

Week ending 24.1.20 RB: Krisha 1D: Shomi 1W: Haya 2E: Reuben 2J: Drew 3M: The Whole Class 4D: Frank 4S: Ayman 5H: Isa 5M: Haaris 6P: Hamza Monitor of the week: Inas
Week ending 31.1.20 RB: Amelie 1D: Brodie 1W: Harriet 2E: The Whole Class 2J: Lily 3M: Lyla 4D: The Whole Class 4S: The Whole class 5H: Diya 5M: Yaamini 6P: Bomi Monitor of the week: Inas High 5 Award: Neelesh

Reminders

Alice In Wonderland Rehearsals are fully under way and excitement is building for our upcoming performance of Alice In Wonderland. Tickets are available from the Office. Prices are £5.50 for children and £8.50 for adults.

Fact of the Fortnight

Camels gave humans the common cold.