Headmaster's Welcome
Headmaster's News, Friday 19th November, 2021
Nov 19, 2021
19 November 2021
Dear Parents
Year 5 Assembly
Thank you, Year 5, for an excellent assembly this morning about The Tudors. You transported us back in time to tell us about many of the main characters and events during this period. I was really impressed with the quality of your acting and performance. It was clear to see how much you have enjoyed studying The Tudors. The assembly finished with an enthusiastic rendition of a song from Horrible Histories about Henry VIII which we all loved. Thank you for informing and entertaining us this morning, Year 5 and Mr Drake. Mrs Prince
Children in Need
A big thank you to all our children, parents and staff for supporting Children in Need today.
It was wonderful to see the children in their outfits. The school has been filled with colour and fun all day! We have raised over £195 for a wonderful cause.
M and M Productions are back!
The children were very excited about the return of M and M Productions and their performance of ‘A Christmas Carol’. The children loved interacting with the actors, singing, dancing and answering questions. They were also impressed with the special effects as one of the actors seemed to appear from nowhere in a chair! The children were singing the songs, re-telling the jokes and recounting their favourite parts to each other throughout the day. Thank you to M and M Productions and to Mrs Jones for organising their visit.
Music Assembly
Last Friday, we had our first musical assembly of the year. This was a very exciting event as it was the first time that the children have been able to play in front of a live audience in nearly two years. Firstly, the children played to their parents and our Year 6 class, and after that, our musicians had the opportunity to perform in front of the rest of the school. It was a delightful morning where the children were able to showcase their musical talent. The majority of our musicians played the piano and, for some of them, it was the first time that they have played in public. Imogen sang ‘Maybe’ from the musical ‘Annie’ – a song that she had performed in a theatre production in the summer holidays, where she played the lead role.
We look forward to more musical assemblies this year, where our woodwind, brass and guitar players will also take part, now that our peripatetic music teachers have joined us once again in school. Thank you to all our musicians for a wonderful morning’s entertainment. Miss Macklam
Pre-School News
For PE this week, Pre-School had a special visitor- Mr Drake! He came to Pre-School to share his love of animals and the way they move in a fun-filled PE lesson. The children all had the chance to share their favourite animals with the class, showing how they move around. We all found this very funny and soon turned these moves into a game. We had to roll onto our backs, climb a tree and even hop around from place to place. Pre-School had a fantastic time and can't wait to show everyone at home the different animal moves we learnt. Mr Drake's favourite was the clucking chicken who liked to tidy up at the end of the lesson!
Staff News
Mrs Heywood, our School Business Manager, retires this week after five years of service to Highfield Priory School. I would like to thank her on behalf of the whole school community for all her hard work and commitment to Highfield. She helped to guide the school through Covid-19 and our last School Inspection and she leaves the school in a very strong and stable position. Our best wishes go with her for a very happy retirement.
Under 11s ISA Cup - Football
Last Wednesday, the Under 11 boys played in the first round of the ISA Cup against Greenbank School. The match started at a fast pace with both sides trying to get a foothold in the game. Highfield started to gain more possession in midfield which led to really good passages of play with players linking up to create opportunities on goal. After a number of chances, Highfield managed to score two goals just before half-time. In the second half, we strengthened our defence with all the players working hard to get back. This stopped any real threat from Greenbank and, with the clock running down, we managed to score a third goal to win the game. Well done to all the boys! We now look forward to seeing who we will be playing in the next round of the Cup.
Under 9s Football v St. Mary’s Hall, Stonyhurst
Our Under 9s took part in their first competitive game of the season on Tuesday. The boys had been incredibly excited in the build-up to the match, discussing tactics and arrangements with days still to go. They took this energy, enthusiasm and preparation into the match and set a blistering pace in the first game, covering lots of ground in defence and attack. They dominated the midfield and, after a number of strong runs, they managed to score the only goal of the match. In the next two games, the boys competed really well and put up a strong defence but unfortunately lost both games. Thank you to SMH for making it an enjoyable afternoon and we look forward to a return fixture later in the year.
Under 11s v St. Mary’s Hall, Stonyhurst
The Under 11s were in action again on Wednesday with all the boys taking part in Years 5 and 6. They have shown excellent progress since the start of term with a high work rate and good teamwork. The overall score after three games was 6-4 to Highfield. Well done to all the boys who took part.
Cross-Country
Our Year 5 and 6 cross-country runners travelled to SMH on Thursday to take part in the annual cross-country. The course was a difficult one with lots of hills, dips and muddy terrain, however, the Highfield runners, as always, were superb. The girls’ race was first and all of them completed a solid race, showing lots of grit and determination right to the finish line. The boys’ team followed suit with an excellent race from everyone. They even saved some energy for a sprint finish at the end. Well done, everyone! Mrs Botton
Year 4 Netball v SMH
All the year 4 girls played in a netball match v SMH. The girls dominated from the start scoring the first goal, with some excellent shooting from our shooters. The marking in defence was brilliant and SMH struggled to get the ball into their third. Highfield connected some brilliant passes together and the movement up the court was outstanding. Overall Highfield won 4-1. Well done to all the girls. Mrs Parsons
Under 11 Girls Hockey
Our U11 Hockey team travelled to SMH on Wednesday for their final Hockey match of 2021. It was a fast-paced match on a much bigger pitch than our girls are used to, however, Highfield dominated from the start. There were lots of great tackles from our defensive players - Jaya, Sophie, Haya and Georgia - with some great moving into space and receiving off the ball from Lyla and Diya in Midfield, with Aibhlin having some great shots on goal up front. It was Highfield who took the lead with goals from Aibhlin and Diya. Eliza made some super saves in goal to keep the score at 2-1 at half time. Highfield went into the second half with great enthusiasm and scored an early goal. The final score was 3-2 to Highfield with Diya being voted player of the match by the SMH team. Well done girls! Mrs Botton
Swimming Success
During the half-term break, Naina, Y5, competed in the Regional Swimming Gala in Macclesfied. She came 2nd in butterfly and backstroke and 1st in breaststroke. She has now qualified to swim at the Olympic Pool in London. Congratulations Naina on your achievement in the Regionals and good luck in London on 28 November.
School Survey
It will be the last opportunity to complete the school survey this weekend. I would like to thank the 26 parents who have already completed the survey. Please could I encourage as many parents as possible to complete it. The Senior Management team and Governors would like to reflect on the outcomes of the survey and plan for the future and we would like to hear from the majority of parents for this to be an effective process.
Merit Awards 12.11.21
RB: George 1W: Sara Bibi 2E: Sanketh
3J: Yusef 3M: Lilia 4H: Aamir 4M: Ahmed 5D: Ayesha 6P: Frank
Merit Awards 19.11.21
RB: Abdallah 1W: Liyaana 2E: Lailah
3J: Alfie 3M: Aryana 4H: Ariana 4M: Rajdeep 5D: The Whole Class 6P: Joshua
Yours sincerely
J M Duke
Headmaster
