Headmaster's Welcome
Headmaster's News, Friday 8th March, 2024
Mar 8, 2024
8th March 2024
Dear Parents
Celebration Assembly
Our children enjoyed celebrating their achievements during their Celebration Assembly. It was wonderful to see how our talented pupils are being recognised for their achievements in such a wide range of activities across the county. Everyone was smiling and excited to share each other’s interests outside school and stories about their achievements. It was lovely to watch the pride emanating from them, not just for their own achievements, but for their peers’ as well. A big thank you to Mrs Prince for organising this assembly.
World Book Day
This week saw our annual World Book Day, with children and staff dressed as a wide range of characters from their favourite books. It was a real celebration of literature. It was great to see the children telling each other about the characters they were dressed as and finding out more about the books they come from. I hope it will inspire our children to pick up a book and learn about a new character they have seen today.
Mastermind Final
As part of our World Book Day, we hosted our annual World Book Day Junior Mastermind Final. Our Year 6 children begin reading books for this competition when they join Year 6 in September. They then take part in two rounds of questions in the weeks prior to the final. Our finalists today were: Penny, Aamir, Imogen, Shriya and Eloise. They all impressed the audience with their rapid answers and created an intense atmosphere as everyone waited to see who would answer the most questions correctly. After two rounds of questions, our congratulations go to this year's winner: Penny with 28 points and no passes! We are very proud of all our finalists whose group photo will join the Mastermind 'Wall of Fame'.
Y4 Trip to the Gujarat Hindu Society
Last Wednesday, Year 4 travelled to the Gujarat Hindu Society in Preston. Whilst there, Mohini told everyone about the Gujarati lessons she does, and Nitya and Krisha even treated the class to a performance of the Bharatanatyam dance they have been learning! They were then taken through to see the shrines to the different gods and the group guide told us all about each one. He showed them the bell people ring when they enter the room and pointed out some of the gods on the amazing ceiling paintings. To finish with, everyone learnt how to do some meditation which was very relaxing!
Sssshhhh! Mother’s Day Shop!
Thank you to all the parents who helped with the Mother’s Day shop today. The children really deliberated over their choices, and I know that all our mums will be happy with the decisions that they made. I hope all our mums have a fantastic day and are looked after by their thoughtful children.
Open Day
It is our Open Day this month: Sunday 17th March. If anyone is able to support us by sharing leaflets within your community or businesses, please contact the School Office. Year 5 and 6 children will be needed to provide tours on the day, and Year 4 children will be demonstrating some of the lessons and activities that take place during the school week. The children always enjoy this experience and take away valuable skills which strongly support their work in HPSED. Please could all children who are attending, return their slip to the School Office this week. If you know anyone who would be interested in joining our community, please pass on this date. If they are unable to make it, they are welcome to contact the School Office and book a tour on a weekday. As always, thank you for your ongoing support. It is greatly appreciated.
Staff Update
It was Miss Fenton’s Wedding Day on Thursday! She will return to school on Monday as Mrs Hughes. The weather was perfect and she had a fantastic day. We look forward to welcoming Mrs Hughes back on Monday.
Sports News
ISA Cross Country National Finals
Amelie represented the North ISA Team in the U9 age group at the ISA Cross Country National Finals this weekend. She powered through the toughness of the race, working hard to push forward and finish as best she could. She enjoyed the experience and made everyone at Highfield proud with an amazing performance. Well done, Amelie!
Preston Schools Swimming Gala
Our swimming team, made up of swimmers from Y4-Y6, swam in the Preston Schools Swimming Gala at Westview. Scarlett, Shomi and Anoushka qualified for the individual finals. Scarlett came 2nd in front crawl and 3rd in back stroke. Shomi came 3rd in front crawl and 2nd in backstroke. Anoushka came 4th in the breast stroke final. In the medley relay, Highfield came 2nd and in the freestyle relay we came 3rd. Well done to the whole team, who came 2nd overall, for their great determination and teamwork.
Beech House Swimming Gala
Nineteen children competed in the Beech House Swimming Competition today. We will publish the results on Facebook and in our next Newsletter.
Imogen’s Swimming Competition
Good Luck to Imogen who is taking part in the National Artistic Swimming Competition in Crawley this weekend.
ISA Netball Tournament
The team left Highfield very early on Thursday morning to travel to Hulme Hall School in Stockport. We played 5 matches in the group stages against some very talented teams, including Lady Barn and Alderley Edge Girls. Our team beat Forest Park by 7 goals, conceding none, with another win achieved against The Grange. After some wonderful performances, we finished 3rd in a very skilled group, narrowly missing out on the next stage of the competition. Well played to all the girls who showed great determination and commitment throughout the tournament; they were wonderful representatives of Highfield Priory School.
Netball V SHM
Well done to all the Year 4 girls who represented Highfield Priory against SMH last week. Despite the challenging weather, the fixture went ahead in the sports hall. The girls played so well and led with early goals from Isabella and the final goal from Krisha. This performance demonstrated all the hard work and dedication they have been putting into practice, resulting in a convincing win. We led in all 4 quarters, winning 5-1 overall. Well done girls!
Rugby V Rossall
Last week all the boys in Year 5 and 6 were given the opportunity to play rugby against Rossall School. It was our first outing on the grass and the conditions were excellent, staying dry and not too cold. We played three games which were all very competitive with tries being scored regularly at both ends. The boys showed excellent commitment and determination throughout. The opposition referees also commented on the progress the Highfield players made throughout the afternoon. I was very pleased with the overall performance and the children certainly deserved their refreshments afterwards. Thank you to Rossall for hosting us. We now look forward to playing against AKS next week.
Football V SMH
On Tuesday, all the boys in Year 4 were in action against St Mary’s Hall, Stonyhurst. The boys had been looking forward to this fixture since the letters went out the previous week and were all very excited. They took this enthusiasm and energy into their games, defending well and putting a lot of pressure on the opponents. As they settled down, the attacking play started to flow as well, with the boys scoring a number of excellent goals. At the final whistle, Highfield and St Mary’s had won one game each, honours even and a successful end to a very enjoyable afternoon.
Please note that the U8 Football Tournament due to be held on 15th March has been postponed. Once a new date has been confirmed, we will send an update.
Merit Awards 01.03.24
RB: Adiva 1W: Daniel 2E: Isabella 3D: Oliver
4J: Alaylah 5A: Arthur 5M: Summer 6H: Aathushan
6P: Deniz
Merit Awards 08.03.24
RB: Ettan 1W: Robert 2E: Olivia 3D: Nissi
4J: Abdulla 5A: Harriet 5M: Zarlala 6H: Aamir
6P: Johnny
Yours sincerely
J M Duke
Headmaster
