Headmaster's Welcome
Headmaster's News, Friday 21st June, 2024
Jun 21, 2024
21st June 2024
Dear Parents
The Portico Sadie Massey Award
Established in 2015, the PSM Awards aim to encourage a life-long love of reading and writing in young people, with competitions for children aged 7-18. Out of 506 entries, coming from Madrid to Newcastle and everywhere in between, we are immensely proud to tell you that a member of our Highfield community won. Well done, Aidan! With his submission of ‘The Chronicles of a Leaf’, he blew the judges away as he followed a leaf on its magical journey through the seasons.
Link - Portico Sadie Massey Awards — The Portico Library
Link - Portico Sadie Massey Awards - News — The Portico Library
Year 4 Trip to Brockholes by Ali
I went to Brockholes for a school trip. It was the best school trip I have ever had at Highfield. The first activity was fire lighting. Our leader, Catherine, explained how to hold the flint and steel safely, and then we had a few practice goes. The activity after that was den building. It was really fun. We decorated the den by going off into the forest and collecting flowers, sticky-weed and anything we could find. We carried them back to the den and then laid it out carefully to look nice. It looked fabulous! The next activity was orienteering. Each group was given 2 compasses, 2 maps and 1 sheet of paper on how to use a compass. On the way we saw a hare! At first, we thought it was a deer, but when I looked at it up close with my binoculars, it was a small brown thing. Everyone wanted to borrow my binoculars to take a closer look, even Mrs Jones! We said a big ‘THANK YOU’ as we waved Catherine off. It was a brilliant school trip! - Written by Ali, 4J
Year 1 Trip to Skipton Castle
Last week, the Year 1 children went to Skipton Castle as part of their History topic on Castles. The children enjoyed looking around the castle and learning about the lives of people who lived there. They learnt about how the servants put rope across the bed frame and put the blankets over with arrow slits. They also found out how the cooks roasted an animal on a spit over a fire! They then went in the dungeon where the guide turned the light off to let the children see what it must have been like in there in the olden days. It was a fun day out!
Year 2 Trip to Blackpool Zoo
Last Tuesday, Year 2 visited Blackpool Zoo, linking with our Geography topic, Safari. We really enjoyed seeing all the animals. The tigers were up and ready for their breakfast; I think they thought we were it! They entertained the children by walking very close to the windows we were watching through, giving a great up-close experience. A gibbon entertained everyone by sitting at the top of its climbing area making funny noises, which the children said sounded like an ambulance. We loved the sealion show. The two sealions giving the demonstration were very good and seemed to be really enjoying themselves entertaining the crowd. The baby orangutang was a delight to see too. The children all had a booklet of tasks to complete which included looking at the continents the animals came from. The children were very well behaved and had a great time!
Year 6 Trip to Leighton Hall by Aamir
Our visit to Leighton Hall was tremendous. When we arrived, we were introduced to our humorous and knowledgeable tour guide: Pam. She was like a human computer because she knew absolutely everything about Leighton Hall. We entered to see the interior of Leighton Hall. Pam told us about the history of the hall and how it looked half like a castle and half like a church. We entered the dining room where we learnt about how the Gillow family had invented many items of furniture - including the telescopic table which was in the room! Pam wanted to set the scene in this room by lighting the candles and it definitely did. We soon moved up the 'flying' staircase where there were animals' heads on the walls. We learnt about bells being rung for different rooms - to call servants - and saw one of the smallest books in the world in the withdrawing room. - Written by Aamir, 6H
Reception Father’s Day Breakfast
Last week, our Reception class had a very special breakfast with their fathers where they enjoyed toasted crumpets. The dining room was overflowing with laughter as the smell of fresh crumpets and coffee filled the halls. It was lovely to see everyone enjoying each other’s company on such a beautiful morning.
Musical Assembly
This was the final Musical Assembly of the year and there were over thirty children playing; the most performers we have ever had! There were pupils playing from both the Infants and the Juniors and some children were playing for the very first time, but sadly, some of our children were playing for the very last time at Highfield. There were many solo performances, but we also had several duets. There was a wide range of instruments being played and we are very grateful to our music teachers for all their help and guidance throughout the year. The children have been working very hard to prepare for this event, practising for several weeks and months, to achieve the high standard we witnessed in Assembly. Everyone enjoyed the morning and we are very proud of all our musicians. Thank you to everyone who took part, our enthusiastic audience and Miss Macklam for organising this event.
Whole School French Assembly
After working hard all year, each class was able to demonstrate everything they have learnt in their French Lessons. Performing a song around the subjects they have been studying, the children stood confidently in front of the whole school as they sang in French! We even enjoyed a final song that the whole school joined in for, including Mr Duke! Well done everyone.
HPPTA Father’s Day Shop
Thank you to the PTA, staff and all parents who helped make the Father’s Day Shop such a success. With hundreds of gifts organised, children were able to select a range of presents to put in their gift bags and take home ahead of Father’s Day.
Suncream
Please can we ensure children bring suncream into school as the weather is forecast to be very sunny over the next few weeks.
Classes for September
Reception Mrs Bennett (Miss Halstead will be responsible for the class on Wednesday)
RB - 1W Mrs Wilson (Mrs Davidson will be responsible for the class on Friday)
1W - 2E Ms Eccles
2E – 3R Miss Ryan
3D - 4J Mrs Jones (Mrs Davidson will be responsible for the class on Thursday)
4J - 5A Mrs Morrice
5M - 6P Mrs Prince (Mrs Street will be responsible for the class on Wednesday)
5A - 6HM Mrs Haythornthwaite (Monday, Tuesday), Miss Macklam (Wednesday-Friday)
Curriculum Evenings
These are extremely important events that Parents should attend if they can:
- Year 6 Curriculum Evening (for current Year 5) Tues 25th June at 6pm
- Reception Curriculum Evening (for Sept Reception Class) Tues 9th July at 6.10pm
- Pre-School Curriculum Evening (for Sept Pre-School Class) Tues 9th July at 6pm
- Year 1 Curriculum Evening (for current Reception Class) Tues 16th July at 6pm
We also have a move up afternoon on Thurs 11th July where children can spend time in their new classrooms.
Sports News
Chess V OLSE
Last week we hosted Our Lady and St Edward’s Catholic Primary School for our return chess match. Over twenty children from Year 3 upwards participated against each other in a number of games. We also had a surprise for our higher ability players who had to compete against a fourteen-year-old girl from Westholme School. Her challenge was to play eight players simultaneously (See pictures on Facebook). Incredibly, she won seven out of the eight games only narrowly losing to Raj. A special mention should also go to Isabelle and Umar who had to play two matches at the same time due to Highfield having more players. It was a very successful event with all the children gaining so much from the experience. Thank you to Mr and Mrs Greenwood for organising the event. Tomorrow, Highfield will be hosting a Lancashire Chess Coaching Session. We hope that this will become a termly event and a great opportunity for our pupils to improve their game.
Junior Sports Afternoon
Last Wednesday, we enjoyed a fun filled afternoon outside for our Junior Sports Day. All of the Juniors represented their Houses, taking part in hurdle races, sprints, middle distance races, javelin, sack races, relay races and the new obstacle race! It was lovely to see the children supporting their teammates, even showing off signs they made in class! The parents watched proudly as every single child participated in the afternoon. Pendle finished in 1st place with Fylde and Bowland in joint 2nd place. Fylde then won the Tug of War, which the children loved taking part in! Thank you to all the parents who came to support as well as all the staff who helped to create such a wonderful day for the children. A huge thank you to all the Juniors who showed great team spirit and made us all proud!
ISA Rounders
Last week, our year 6 girls enjoyed their last ISA Rounders tournament representing Highfield. They started the tournament with brilliant style and creative play, narrowly losing to the eventual winners by ½ a rounder. We demonstrated great batting and fielding in the remaining matches, showing all the skills they have learnt over the years. Alongside their skill, the girls showed true team spirit, cheering and supporting each other, truly making Highfield proud, finishing 4th overall. Well done girls, in your final rounders tournament.
Netball Championships
On Tuesday 18th June, we played in the Betty Huggon Memorial Netball Tournament. We played against Cottam, Queens Drive, Sherwood, St. Claire’s, St Peter’s and St Laurance’s. In the group stages, our team scored 26 goals and conceded only 1! Our team played so well that we made it to the semi-finals round where we beat St Francis and Broughton, leading us to the final. After enjoying our final netball tournament together at Highfield, we brought home the 1st place shield! - Written by the Year 6 Netball Team
Kwik Cricket V Sedbergh Prep
Last week, a mix of year 5 and 6 students travelled to Sedbergh Prep to compete in 2 kwik cricket matches. This was the first opportunity for most of the players to play in a competitive match, using the skills they have learnt in cricket club. The sun was shining, with some impressive batting and fielding performances. Despite narrowly missing out on a win, the boys and girls showed great determination and team spirit, representing Highfield to a high standard. Well done everyone, we look forward to seeing your progress develop in future matches.
ISA Kwik Cricket Tournament
Congratulations to all the pupils who played in the ISA Cricket Tournament on Wednesday. The children really improved their performance throughout the afternoon in all aspects of the game. One of the highlights of the afternoon was Samira taking a hat-trick with the ball; a feat only achieved by one other pupil in the last fifteen years. Highfield won three games out of five and finished third overall. An excellent achievement, well done!
Merit Awards 14.06.24
RB: Nora 1W: Whole Class 2E: Aurelio 3D: Oliver
4J: Chad 5A: Yusra 5M: Esmail 6H: Whole Class
6P: Whole Class
Merit Awards 21.06.24
RB: Oscar 1W: Daniel 2E: Vivaan 3D: Liyaana
4J: George 5A: Lilia 5M: Khadijah 6H: Esme
6P: Shreya
Yours sincerely
J M Duke
Headmaster
