Headmaster's Welcome
Headmaster's News, Friday 31st of March, 2023
Mar 31, 2023
31st March 2023
Dear Parents
5M Assembly
As I drove to school last week, the sun was rising and there were rows of daffodils, standing proud, announcing Spring. The week ended, to my delight, with our Year 5 assembly all about Spring! They began by reciting a poem together which was a lovely way to start as it really emphasised the joy and beauty of Spring. They then told us how Spring is marked across the world before acting out the Greek myth of Echo and Narcissus. One of my favourite parts of the assembly was when the children read their Signs of Spring poetry and prose, inspired by their walk around the school grounds. It is amazing how much you packed into your assembly. You certainly have been busy in the last few weeks of term! Thank you 5M, and Miss Macklam for organising the assembly.
Easter Egg Raffle
The excitement has been building all week as the pile of Easter Eggs has grown in the Office. I think we have had more visits to the Office than ever before with plenty of children taking extra time and care when handing over their register! I know many had mentally selected their egg before the first ticket was drawn yesterday. As the raffle approached, I could hear the tickets rustling as I went round the classrooms and many children were checking their numbers on the way to the Sports Hall. It was lovely to see the children jump up with delight as they won and make their way straight to their chosen egg. The final draw was this morning and Naina was the lucky winner of the big egg. A huge thank you to Ms Eccles for organising the raffle.
Staff News
Mrs Carroll-Atkinson has left Highfield to move to Cleethorpes to care for her mother. Mrs Carroll-Atkinson has worked at Highfield since 2017 and has provided excellent care and support to children across the school. She will be missed by the whole school community and I would like to wish her the best of luck with her move.
Delancey Chess Challenge
The Delancey Chess Challenge Mega Finals and online competitions have now opened. These are run all over the country including in Manchester on 27th and 28th May at Cheadle Hulme School. The competition is suitable for anyone in Years 5 or 6 who is a competent player or anyone who has played on the top six boards in Chess Club. I can highly recommend the competitions and many children have taken part from Highfield in the past. (https://www.delanceyukschoolschesschallenge.com/megafinals-2023/)
U11 SMH Hockey Tournament
Our U11 hockey team was in action at the SMH tournament last week for their last fixture of the season, and wow, what a way to finish! The girls played a very tough Kirkham side to begin with and exhibited some amazing hockey skills, winning 1-0. The girls then went from strength-to-strength, beating SMH 3-0, Westholme 5-0 and Rossall 1-0 to finish top of the group! The tournament went to a straight final where we came up against a very strong SMH A team. The match was fairly even for the first half, with the girls working well together as a team, however, SMH managed to score 3 goals in quick succession before the final whistle! Highfield finished in silver medal position out of 10 teams - an amazing achievement after their hard work this year. Well done girls!
U11 Girls’ Football - Preston Schools’ Knockout
Our girls football team reached the semi-finals of the Preston Schools’ Cup last week. After some convincing wins in the previous rounds, Highfield knew this round would be tough as we faced a very experienced St Peter’s School. The match started fairly evenly, the Highfield defence standing strong and linking well into midfield. Unfortunately, just before half time, St Peter’s scored to make it 1-0. As the second half got underway, the heavens opened and St Peter’s scored 3 goals in quick succession, leaving the final score 4-0. The opposition complimented the Highfield girls on their play, saying it was the toughest game they’d had all season! Well done girls on a super achievement!
Year 4 Rugby
The boys in Year 4 were out on Tuesday and Wednesday this week for their first competitive games of the term. They enjoyed the ISA Rugby Festival at Scarisbrick on Tuesday and, despite the cold and damp conditions, they didn’t let the weather spoil their enthusiasm or the level of energy they put into each match. Their commitment really paid off, scoring lots of tries and improving in every area of their game. They all really enjoyed the festival and it set them up for their afternoon at Rossall the next day.
After a long and lively minibus journey to Rossall, the boys managed to save enough energy to play very fast-paced 40 minute games on two large pitches. They kept their shape throughout the games, with one progressing to contact for the last 15 minutes. It was a very successful afternoon with all the boys showing a lot of promise for next year. Keep watching the game and make sure you all turn up to training next year!
Preston Schools’ Cross Country Championships
Well done to the 7 children who ran in the Preston Schools’ Cross Country Championship on Wednesday. In the girls’ race Aibhlin came an incredible 1st out of over 80 runners and Wei Ann came 4th. In the boys’ race Zaidan came 7th. These were great results and the whole team showed great determination and also were fantastic cheering each other on. Well done!
National Success
Congratulations to Imogen, 5H, who won a bronze medal at the weekend for her duet at the National Artistic Swimming Competition in Gloucester.
Summer Uniform
Children should return to school in their summer uniform next term. The key changes for all children including Nursery are: boys to wear grey shorts (not cargo style). Girls to wear their summer dress (light blue and white striped, available from Monkhouse) with white ankle socks or white tights. If children want to wear a summer hat outside, it must be a school hat. Named bottle of suntan lotion. No sunglasses.
Merit Awards 24.3.23
RB: Heba 1W: Aurelio 2E: Oliver
3D: Lailah 4J: Harriet F 4M: Nathan 5H: Anoushka 5M: The Whole Class 6P: Naina
Merit Awards 31.3.23
RB: Yahya 1W: Niralya 2E: Nissi
3D: Chad 4J: Zaynah 4M: Shomi 5H: Imogen 5M: Lily 6P: Reuben
I hope you all have a lovely Easter and I look forward to seeing you all on Monday 17th April.
Yours sincerely
J M Duke
Headmaster
