Headmaster's Welcome
Headmaster's News, Friday 7th October, 2022
Oct 7, 2022
7th October 2022
Dear Parents
Thank you 4J and Mrs Jones for a fantastic Harvest Assembly last Friday. We learnt so much from you about how the Harvest festival originated, how it is celebrated around the world and how the food comes all the way from the farmers’ fields to our homes. You spoke with eloquence and confidence, setting a wonderful example to the rest of the school. Thank you also to our Infant and Reception classes for your beautiful singing of one of our Harvest Festival favourites: ‘Big Red Combine Harvester.’
Thank you to everyone for your kind food donations which were sent to SafeNet Preston and Bethany House. We also raised over £400 for Water Aid.
Chess
Chess Club continues to thrive on a Thursday with nearly 30 children attending. The first County Chess Congress will be held at Kirkham Grammar on 17th November. You only need to have basic skills to attend your first congress. It is a day of competition consisting of a series of matches at the chess player’s level with awards at the end of the day for each level of ability. I can highly recommend the day and, although it is a long day for parents (take a book!), you can really see the benefits for the children. My two boys certainly enjoyed attending when they were this age. For further information please see lancashirechess.uk.
Communication
My assembly this week focused on our PSHEE theme of the term, Communication. We focused on the importance of communication and how it is an important skill for making friendships, giving instructions, working as a team and completing tasks. We also talked to the children about who they could talk to if they were worried about anything. I then introduced a new initiative for this term: our Wellbeing Room. This is a place the children can ask to visit to talk to Mrs Jones (level 2 counselling skills) about anything. They can book a time with Mrs Jones in person or by posting a note into their classroom box or the one in the hallway.
Scholastic Book Fair
It was wonderful to see the Scholastic Book Fair make a return to Highfield this year and so lovely to see a real buzz about the books on sale as children, parents, grandparents and other relatives came along to have a look.
I'd just like to say the biggest thank you to everyone who bought a book as we managed to sell books to the value of £962.49 which means that the school commission will be an amazing £473.26. This will be spent on new books for our school library so that all the children can enjoy them. Thank you! Mrs Haythornthwaite
Open Morning
Next Thursday will be the first School Open Morning of the year for prospective parents. It will run from 9am-12noon and visitors will be given a guided tour of the school by our Year 6 pupils. It is a morning our Year 6 students really enjoy and they learn valuable communication skills as they talk about their school, the activities available to them, their weekly routine and what makes Highfield unique. With a number of our Year 6 attending Highfield since they were 6 months old, they certainly have the knowledge and experience to be very informative guides. If you know any friends, work colleagues or neighbours who may be interested, please pass on the time and date. Thank you.
Grammar School Examinations
Congratulations to all our children who sat the Grammar School exams who have now received their results. You all did incredibly well and should be proud of your achievement. Well done! All our Year 6 children continue to work hard and have made an excellent start to the year. The passage below is just one example of the level of work achieved in the last couple of weeks.
The Storm by Ayesha 6P
The rain lashed down onto the beach, drenching it with ice-cold water. Where the gold sand used to be, lay oozing mud, created by the pelting rain. As it came down from the angry skies, rain obscured the horizon. A petrifying wind howled, terrifying the lost souls out at sea. It raged angrily. Dashing across the waves, it shoved everything out of its way.
Standing there bravely, was the lighthouse. Its light shone as far as it could, trying to guide ships through the storm. Its beam illuminated the rocks, aided by flashes of lightning every few seconds. As the lightning flashed again, it illuminated the crashing sea. Then, as it flashed again, a low rumble of thunder accompanied the flash. The rumble reverberated around the beach. Through the gloom another deafening boom.
Creative Writing in Year 5
I joined Year 5 last week in Highfield Haven as they visited the woodland to find inspiration for their creative writing in class. It was a beautiful autumn day and the children were treated to the sounds and sights of autumn. Mrs Haythornthwaite encouraged the children to look for all the signs of autumn around them and to listen to the different sounds. The children shared descriptive words about the scene in which they were sitting and really started to build an image of an autumn day in a woodland. All the children picked up leaves to study, feeling the texture and observing the intricate detail. They took them back to class to stimulate and inspire their writing. Below are just two examples of the work they completed.
Haniyah 5H
The sky was as blue as a cornflower on this beautiful Autumn morning. Fluffy white clouds sailed smoothly up above. As bright as a sunflower, the sun shone on the trees below. Leaves of all colours of crimson, amber, gold and a dark brown were falling. Green frosty grass was shining with ice and, even if it was chilly as a cold breeze, everything was so bright and beautiful. Golden leaves shone in the bright sun and amber leaves were swaying playfully in the wind. Trees were losing multi-coloured leaves which landed on the beautiful soil on the ground. Frost craftily nipped at our fingers.
Deniz 5H
Multi-coloured leaves were swaying in the wind as some twirled from the trees to the damp ground like pivoting dancers. The wind was playfully ruffling my hair. Autumn days make me so excited, I feel like a young child again. The birds were flying away so majestically they’re like planes gliding through the sky. Ants were scurrying away so fast they’re like racing cars. Squirrels were gathering acorns as quick as a flash.
Artist and Composer of the Term
The artist of the term is Mondrian and the composer of the term is Handel. They will both be introduced to the children over the coming weeks in assemblies and class time. Your support from home in this area would be greatly appreciated.
Netball v SMH
A group of Years 5 and 6 girls played in a netball match v SMH on Wednesday 28th. The first match was fast paced with SMH scoring a quick goal. Highfield came back to level with a goal with some brilliant movement and passing in the centre third. Highfield made some accurate passing to the shooters but the ball just wouldn’t go in the net. Highfield suffered some injuries and had to make three team changes but, unfortunately, SMH were too strong for us on this occasion.
In the second match, Highfield showed determination and all the girls showed good movement off the ball. The marking was strong, putting SMH under pressure, but again we struggled to get the ball in the net. After the matches had finished, it was lovely to see all the girls from both schools getting to know each other whilst having refreshments.
Every girl and boy in Years 5 and 6 has now played in a competitive sports match against another school. It has been lovely to see all the children representing Highfield in a fixture this term.
Under 11s Football
Last week was a busy week with the WePlay Football Tournament and matches against Oakhill School. All the boys were competitive in the matches, demonstrating an excellent work rate and improved techniques since the start of term. The boys are all working incredibly hard to support each other which is improving their individual and team performance in each game. Their commitment and passion were evident this week when extremely heavy downpours during games just spurred them on to even greater efforts. We all came in wet through but with big smiles on our faces and ready to go again next week!
Netball v Sedbergh
On Wednesday, all our Years 5 and 6 girls played in a netball match against Sedbergh School. It was pouring down with rain so all four matches had to be played inside the sports hall. It was a great afternoon of netball with the Highfield girls showcasing the skills they have been practising this term. The matches were closely fought and it was lovely to see all the girls watching and supporting their follow team mates. Thank you to all the parents who came to support. Mrs Botton
Preston Schools’ Knockout Competition
On Thursday our U11 girls’ football team played in the first round of the competition against Blessed Sacrament school. The girls started strongly, dominating play and putting the defence under pressure. A great pass from Georgia in defence, through to Lyla and Lily led to Highfield’s first goal from a great strike by Aibhlin. This was the start of many more goals to come, next was Lyla followed by Lily and Hanna and finally after some great tackles by Alayna and Scarlett, the ball found Lyla who beat several defenders to slot home Highfield’s 5th goal just before half time. The opposition came back strongly but the Highfield defence remained disciplined. Samira came close to scoring along with some of the other girls however the opposition goalkeeper had a great game and just prevented us scoring again!
A super team performance sees them progress into the next round! Well done girls.
Sporting Success
Congratulations to Aibhlin who has been selected for the Lancashire Under 13s County Development Squad for Hockey; Lyla who has been selected for Preston City Girls’ Football Team; and former Head Boy, Matthew Wright, who has been selected for the Ireland Under 18s squad to play in the Six Nations against Italy in Rome. Well done! We are very proud of you!
Merit Awards 30.9.22
RB: Muhammad Yusuf 1W: Evie 2E: Emily
3D: Chad 4J: The Whole Class 4M: Brodie 5H: Anoushka 5M: Alayna 6P: Lola
Merit Awards 7.10.22
RB: Benjamin 1W: Adam 2E: Erin
3D: AbuBakr 4J: Harriet M 4M: Summer 5H: Imogen 5M: Shriya 6P: Ayesha
Yours sincerely
J M Duke
Headmaster
