They say the best football teams always win the league (of course, I am discounting the current Premier League campaign) and I am delighted to report that last Friday evening, our boys’ football team won their league final to win this year’s competition outright. A fantastic league campaign and final last match saw them beat three-times-in-a-row-champions, Samuel Lucas 2 – 1 to lift the trophy for the first time.
It has been an amazing year with the team just missing out in a number of cup competitions but their form across the whole season thoroughly deserved this final achievement. Well done to everyone who has represented the school in football this year and of course to Mr Ciepiela and Miss King for their hard work. You can see how proud Mr Ciepiela is, in the photographs kindly provided by my chief correspondent, Mrs Richards, who was on duty for me one more time.
Last Sunday, Eloise (Year 4) and her Kusama classmates took part in the Hitchin Golden Mile. Eloise decided she would run in support of our school’s chosen charity, Phase, and before she knew it, she had some willing volunteers to keep her company. Well done to all who took part and of course to everyone who has sponsored them. Phase are extremely grateful for the amazing amount of money raised.
Also running in the event were several older pupils – past and present – who were running for times. Katie and Freddie (Year 6s) won their age-group competition with Leo (now Year 9) and Connor (now Year 7) winning theirs. Kieran finished second behind his brother with another very impressive time.
I hope you all enjoyed the bank holiday weekend. The staff have spent the remainder of the week wondering what day it actually is and arriving at Friday a little quicker than they expected.
As I suggested at the end of last week’s blog, the diary was relatively (and unusually) quiet for Whitehill. It did give me the opportunity to catch up and get ahead whilst earmarking the events I want to get involved with.
I was out of school for most of Tuesday, working from London, but did manage to cover the playground duty before school to catch up with a few pupils and parents to hear about what pupils had been getting up to. For me, as you might have expected, it was a couple of shows; one old and one new.
On Wednesday afternoon, I offered to join Year 5s for music again. I had another wonderful afternoon seeing both clarinet and flute lessons. Ronnie was the star in the clarinet lessons and Gabi the star in the flute lessons. There were, of course, many, many pupils who worked hard and have clearly made lots of progress.
On Thursday, pupils in Year 4, 5 and 6 enjoyed a cricket taster session courtesy of Miss King’s connections with Hertfordshire County Cricket. We had an external coach come in and spend time with the six classes, looking at aspects of batting and fielding through a series of activities. Despite it not being the best cricket weather, the pupils had fun and got involved.
With the week feeling relatively quiet, I had to think about what else to include in this week’s blog. Despite my dad advising me not to think too hard and keep the blog short, with our proximity to the two residentials, I reflected on how many residentials I have actually been on and to where.
I’ve stayed in two different Butlins camps with Year 6s from Luton; I have stayed in Little Canada on the Isle of Wight with three different schools, taking the current Year 9s there for my last Whitehill trip in 2023. I have also spent many a residential in Snowdonia on a very different type of trip but equally as enjoyable. And, as Mr Denney reminded me, one and half trips to Overstrand with Year 4s.
I received the itinerary for this year’s trip to Devon on Tuesday and I can’t wait. In terms of activities for the pupils, my last ever residential has the potential to be the best yet. I will let you know!
There was much excitement on Thursday as the Year 6s were presented with their leavers’ hoodies. I hope they enjoy wearing them – should they wish to – for the remainder of the year.
Our Achievers’ Assembly on Friday morning saw Apollo win Class of the Week and Earth win the House Cup.
We certainly had an eclectic mix for our live music this week. Ellis (Year 5) ensured pupils entered the hall at the start of assembly marching along to two pieces from Star Wars. Daisy sang a beautiful song at the end of the assembly, from Paddington the Musical. One of the only shows in London I am yet to see. After hearing Daisy sing so well, I have to get a ticket!
Well done to Samuel (Year 6) who shared his Player of the Season trophy he won with his Hitchin Rugby Club team.
The key diary entry for next week is of course the Year 6 SATs. The pupils are all so prepared and will be brilliant. There appears to be very little stress – exactly as it should be – and more chat about the breakfasts they will get each day.
My main activity next week is finalising this year’s budget and then presenting it to the governors. Without doubt this is the hardest task a headteacher does across the year, particularly given the constant tightening of central purse strings, year on year. That being said, we will be fine. Let’s hope they don’t prove to be ‘famous last words.’
There is one sporting event next week, with a girls’ cricket match against Purwell next Thursday.
Many of you will, by now, have heard the very sad news relating to a family member of our Whitehill School community from last weekend. In relation to this, I have offered to share Hitchin Rugby Club’s ‘Go Fund Me’ page. Everyone at Whitehill is thinking about the family at this difficult time.
That’s it from me. I will see you bright and early on Monday, where hopefully, a Year 6 will offer me some toast!
Have a great weekend.
Best wishes,
Steve Mills
Headteacher
