Headmaster's Welcome
Headmaster's News, Friday 16th May, 2025
May 16, 2025
16th May 2025
Dear Parents
Preschool Trip to Spring Farm
This week, some of our Preschool children visited Spring Farm in the glorious sunshine! They helped Miss Burns to make up the bottles of milk for the lambs and they even fed the lambs themselves! Did you know that sheep have very good memories, and can even problem solve? We learnt lots of interesting things and had so much fun; thank you, Miss Burns!
NCTs
Well done to all of our Year 6 pupils who have worked very hard and have now completed their NCTs tests. After a long week, we hope you all enjoy a happy and restful weekend, you deserve it! Thank you to all our staff who have helped to support them during this crucial time.
Y5 Trip to Jodrell Bank
We had a wonderful day at Jodrell Bank learning about our science topic on earth and space. One of the highlights of the day was the Space Dome, where we found out about the different planets in our solar system and looked at constellations. We will be posting the pictures on Facebook and Instagram soon!
Y4 Assembly
As it is Mental Health Awareness Week, our Year 4 class centred their class assembly around ‘Community’ which is this year’s focal point. It was lovely to hear the children telling us about the communities they are a part of, as well as the range of emotions they can feel each and every day. They shared with us what they do to look after their mental health and to help themselves feel better. Thank you, Year 4!
Artist and Composer of the Term
This term, the children will be exploring the art of Alma Thomas and the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Please could you support and encourage their interest in these artists from home.
Sports
Chess vs Westholme
We welcomed Westholme to Highfield last week to play in a friendly chess tournament. The majority of the children managed to play a couple of games so they were able to try out different openings and tactics. There were lots of close games, with some taking up to thirty minutes to complete! It was wonderful to witness the progress that they have all made under the guidance of our chess coach, Mr. Greenwood. We look forward to a return match after half-term.
ISA Athletics
24 pupils from Years 3, 4 and 5 travelled to the Etihad Stadium for the ISA Athletics Competition. For some children, it was the first time they have run on an athletics track. In Year 3, Elliot came 2nd and Eugene came in 3rd in the 60m heats. Ayesha also came 3rd in her 60m heat. In Year 4, Yusef came 2nd in his 60m heat. In Year 5, Amelie placed 2nd in her 75m heat. Isabella won the Y5 Girls Vortex event with a throw of 27 metres. The Year 3 boys Relay team (Adam, Eugene, Abdullah and Elliot) qualified for the finals after coming 1st in their heat. Well done to all our athletes and thank you to the parents who came along to suport the Highfield team!
Staffing News
I would like to congratulate Mrs Botton who has accepted a position as a full-time PE teacher at Rossall School, starting this September. Mrs Botton has been with Highfield for seven years, initially covering Mrs Parsons’ maternity leave and later working as a part-time PE teacher. She has been the driving force behind our hockey and girls' football programmes and we will all miss her. We wish her every success in her new school.
I am also pleased to announce the appointments of Ms Wakefield and Mrs Harrison.
Ms Wakefield has accepted the role of Junior Teacher, starting in September. She brings with her 16 years of experience, across two primary schools, and she has held leadership roles in Key Stage 2, as well as departmentally in English and Games. Prior to becoming a teacher, Ms Wakefield was the Deputy Director of an international Scout centre that welcomed over 10,000 guests annually. She is also a graduate of the University of Oxford. Ms Wakefield is a very keen rower and is Vice Captain of Windermere Rowing Club.
Mrs Harrison has accepted the role of Music Coordinator at Highfield. She has extensive experience working with both primary and secondary age groups and has served as Head of Music and Head of Performing Arts at two secondary schools. A skilled violinist and pianist, she performs with several string quartets and regularly supports public performances across the North West. Mrs Harrison is a graduate of the University of Manchester and the Royal Northern College of Music, and currently serves as the Orchestral Lead of the Preston Symphony Orchestra. She has already begun teaching piano lessons to Highfield pupils on Fridays.
I look forward to welcoming both members of staff in September and I am excited to witness their contributions to the continuous provision of excellence and enrichment at Highfield.
Merits
Merit Awards 09.05.25
RB: Jacob 1W: Eloise 2E: Robert 3R: Aurelio
4J: Evelyne 5M: Sanketh 6HM: Adam 6P: James
Merit Awards 16.05.25
RB: Abdulrahman 1W: Nora 2E: Clara 3R: Freya
4J: The Whole Class 5M: Ralph 6HM: The Whole Class 6P: The Whole Class
Yours sincerely
J M Duke
Headmaster
Key Dates:
Wed 21st May - Infants Sports Morning 10am – 11.30am (Parents are invited to attend)
Wed 11th June - Reception Father’s Day Breakfast 7.45am (Fathers are invited to attend)
Wed 18th June – Junior Sports Day 1pm (Parents are invited to attend)
Fri 20th June – Musical Assembly (Parents of musicians are invited to attend)
Mon 23rd June – Whole school photo 9am
Tues 24th June – NEW Reception Class Curriculum Evening 6pm
Thurs 26th June – Preschool sports morning 9am – 10am (Parents are invited to attend)
Sun 29th June – Summer Fayre 12pm – 3pm
Tues 1st July – NEW Year 6 Curriculum Evening 6pm
Fri 4th July – Year 6 Leavers Assembly 8.30am (Parents are invited to attend)
Wed 9th July – Year 6 and Choir Performance 2pm (Parents are invited to attend)
Thurs 10th July – Year 6 and Choir Performance 6pm (Parents are invited to attend)
Fri 11th July – Reception Class Assembly (Reception parents are invited to attend)
Wed 16th July – Prize Giving 2pm (Year 6 parents are invited to attend)
