Monday started with the first showing of Whitehill’s entry for the Christmas ‘Number 1’, in my assembly. Last week, pupils who have singing lessons with Miss McConnell Smith – and I didn’t realise how many there were – got creative and recorded their version of Sparkle and Shine. Miss McConnell Smith then cut together the video and we were able to give it its premiere, getting the week off to a great start.
As a thank you for the work they have done this term and in anticipation of the work they will continue to do moving forward, my Senior Leadership Team took out the four members of our Junior Leadership Team for a spot of lunch on Monday. They were lovely company, and I think enjoyed the food they ordered. I say that, as at least they got the food they ordered. For some reason, my lunch didn’t come out of the kitchen and so I ended up with a cheese and ham sandwich! Not that I am moaning (too much), of course, although even then it still didn’t come with the much spoken about, waffle fries!
Pupils had to work a little harder on Tuesday morning for my random advent calendar. They had to tell me their best cracker joke and the class who was represented the best by its pupils earned a reward. It was actually Apollo Class who came up trumps, closely followed by Voyager. Year 5 continue to impress!
Year 6 were joined by Mr Derrett, a science teacher from Hitchin Girls’ School, on Tuesday. He regularly visits Whitehill in order to deliver some interactive lessons which enrich our curriculum offer. This particular lesson was all about electrons and electricity and included work on static electricity which is always great fun. It is a busy time of the year for all teachers and so we are grateful for him giving up his morning to work with our pupils.
I made the return visit that afternoon as a trustee of HGS to support their staff Christmas lunch organised by their Leadership Team. It was a lovely touch, and it was probably one of the only times I would actually get to sit down with my wife and have a meal together this month!
My visits to classes on Wednesday gave me the opportunity to see pupils being creative and also enjoying a bit of Christmas fun. I have to admit that I was slightly disappointed that there were no ‘cheesy balls’ on offer and that the Pringles had all gone in Year 3 and Year 4, but I did get to see Leo and Seb (Year 4) playing Othello. I remember playing this as a child myself and would love to have given Leo a game. Perhaps we can make it happen after Christmas.
A visit to the music rooms (our ‘creative arts studio’) on Wednesday afternoon meant I could see the wonderful work two of our music teachers, Miss McConnell Smith and Miss Chapman, had done to give it a bit of a tidy and a sort out. We need a skip now to get rid of some of the rubbish we had accumulated in there and I have tasked Mr Waluk with giving it a lick of paint. I keep adding to his ‘to do’ list!
Well done to Indi and Poppy (Year 5) this week who went out carol singing on Tuesday evening to raise money for Cancer Research UK. This was their initiative in memory of Indi’s late grandfather, and I am delighted to report that they raised over £120. Well done girls, we are very proud of you.
Two more advent promises were honoured on Thursday with Orville choosing that day for ‘cakes for the class’ and Albie (Year 6) having hot chocolate with four of his friends. It was also the last whole school morning event with all remaining treats being hidden around the school site (inside and out) with pupils invited to find them whilst remembering that ‘sharing is caring’. Thomas N (Year 5) was a wonderful example of this as he offered Miss Gooderham sweets that he had found. I was very impressed by this.
We waved goodbye to a Year 6 pupil on Thursday afternoon as he heads off to pastures new. We wish him all the very best and look forward to hearing how he gets on in his new school. As soon as we return, we will be welcoming another two pupils to Whitehill. One will be joining Aztec Class in Year 3 and the other Lamarr Class in Year 4. I know the pupils in these respective classes will do their very best in making our new students feel very welcome.
It was standing room only at St Mary’s for our Christmas assembly. Thank you to all who came to join in and show your support. I was so impressed with the readers and our choir and I think it set us up for a lovely Christmas break. Many thanks to Mrs Jarman for putting the whole thing together.
Before ending for the term, can I thank you for the good wishes, the cards and gifts we have received in school this week. I know I speak for all when I say they are all very much appreciated. I would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and all the very best for 2025.
Have a wonderful break and I will see you back in school on Monday 6th January ready for the first day of the spring term.
Best wishes,
Steve Mills
Headteacher
