Headmaster's Welcome
Headmaster's News, Friday 21st October, 2022
Oct 21, 2022
21st October 2022
Dear Parents
On Saturday, four teenagers broke onto the school site and set fire to our Nursery School. The news has shocked the whole school community and left us reeling as we come to terms with such senseless waste and destruction. However, in true Highfield spirit, the school and wider community have sprung into action to make the best of this terrible situation. As I write this, teachers are moving out of their classrooms and creating new spaces within school to accommodate our Nursery within the main building; site staff are working tirelessly to make it possible; and pupils and parents (past and present) have brought in toys and books and offered their comfort and support throughout the week. The reaction from our school community and the people of Preston has been quite incredible. One particular moment, I think, will stay with me forever: at the end of the school day, a former pupil walked up to me clutching his savings, and, with a quiet determination, thrust them into my hands telling me that he wanted me to have it for the Nursery. It was a gesture that was characteristic of the kindness of this boy, who has only just moved onto his secondary school, and I was really touched that he had returned to us in our moment of crisis with a genuine desire to help.
Plans for Nursery
After half term, our Nursery will take up their permanent base for this year in the classrooms along the Pre-School corridor. The demolition of our nursery building is set to take place during the half term holiday. Once this is done, we will start to plan the new nursery site and we will keep you informed of developments.
Thank you!
Thank you to everyone who helped us to re-open on Monday after the events of the weekend. I would particularly like to thank the Fire Service, the Preston Police and Mrs Cottom, Mrs Elstone, Miss Halstead, Miss Catherall and Mr Forrest who all worked through the weekend to ensure we could open school and nursery on Monday.
Monday’s Assembly
The week started with an assembly during which the children were given the chance to ask questions about what had happened over the weekend. The assembly finished with a resounding rendition of the school song, Shine Out, reminding the children that ‘tomorrow will be brighter’ and that together we can make a difference. The children were given more time to ask questions in class and, with their usual resilience, were soon going about their week as if nothing had changed. However, if your child does still have concerns or questions about the fire, please do let us know.
Year 3 Assembly
Thank you, Year 3, for your assembly on Black History Month today. We all learnt so much about how Rosa Parks’ actions in 1955 changed the course of history, and about Mary Seacole’s incredible work during the Crimean War. It was a very interesting assembly with a very important message which I know will lead to further discussions in lessons and at home. I was also very impressed with Year 3’s stage presence and delivery in front of the whole school. Thank you to Mr Drake and well done, Year 3!
Celebration Assembly
Last Friday, was our first Celebration Assembly of the year. It was fascinating to see how our talented pupils are being recognised for their achievements across such a wide range of activities. It also gave the children a chance to talk to their peers about their life and interests outside school. Thank you, Mrs Prince, for organising this assembly.
Grammar School Success
Congratulations to our Year 6 pupils on their Grammar School success with 100% pass rate! This is an amazing achievement considering the incredibly competitive nature of the Grammar School Exams.
6P has continued to work hard this week. Here are a couple of examples of their poetry inspired by Joseph Coelho and his MORERAPS poems. Each line is formed by following this format:
Metaphor
Onomatopoeia
Rhyme
Emotion
Repetition
Alliteration
Personification
Simile
Lion by Tejas – 6P
The lion is a vile machine gun.
They growl and howl wildly.
Pads are in pain by hunting again.
Happily and violently, they take down small animals.
Great king lion, great king lion, great king lion!
Ferocious, fearless, foes!
The lion talks briskly as it commands.
Its colossal body is as strong as iron.
Hockey by Aibhlin – 6P
The attackers are a fierce lion ready to kill.
Tweet goes the umpire’s whistle.
The goalie makes a dive when the TV is live.
I cry as the ball hits my head.
We scored, We scored, We scored!
Great, gigantic, goalie.
The ball screams nervously!
The stick is as strong as an ox.
Girls’ Football and Netball
On Wednesday, all the girls from Years 5 and 6 were involved in sporting fixtures. Some travelled over to our friends at Rossall to play netball, while others hosted our friends from St Maria Goretti School to play football. A great afternoon of sport was had by all, and it was an excellent way to round off the first half term of sporting fixtures. It was lovely to see the girls return from Rossall, eager to know how their friends had got on at football and vice versa with the netball. Well done to all the girls this half term; we are excited about our Hockey and Cross-Country seasons which start after the holidays. Mrs Botton
ISA Football Tournament
It was a very busy week for the boys last week with fixtures taking place over three weeks. The pick of the matches was our Year 4 boys who did exceptionally well in the ISA Football Tournament at The Grange School. Their teamwork and positioning improved massively throughout the day and eventually resulted in them winning the Bowl Final 5-1. Congratulations to all the boys on a fantastic performance!
School Pick-Up
Please could parents make sure that the school is always kept up to date with the named people who may collect your child from school. If children are going home with other parents or others not on your list, for whatever reason, please let the School Office know before collection time. Thank you.
Term Dates
The term dates for the next academic year are now available.
Merit Awards 14.10.22
RB: Muhammad 1W: Isabella 2E: Yusuf
3D: Billy 4J: Eliza 4M: Shomi 5H: Ahmed 5M: Grace 6P: Aibhlin
Merit Awards 21.10.22
RB: Amelia 1W: Sofia 2E: Rayyan
3D: The Whole Class 4J: Arthur 4M: Yusef 5H: Melissa 5M: Daisy 6P: Tejas
Yours sincerely
J M Duke
Headmaster
