It was a busy week last week for Friends’ Association events and I concluded last week’s blog stating that I was about to support the quiz night. It was a wonderful evening, and the hall was heaving as parents and friends tried hard to take Liz Bannister seriously enough to be able to answer the questions. This proved challenging when she appeared dressed as a certain US president and then started handing out kazoos. You really had to be there!
A huge thank you to the team who put the quiz together, ran the bar and marked some very dodgy answers as well as all who came along to participate. I can already tell you that the evening raised just short of £1000 for our two schools. Amazing!
It was an early start for our four cross country runners as they headed to the Midlands for the national finals. Representing Hertfordshire (and of course Whitehill), Kieran and Connor in the Year 6 boys’ team finished second, with Katie and Garce in the Year 5 girls’ team finishing third. It was lovely that all four athletes received medals on this national stage.
Still reflecting on events that happened last weekend, it was wonderful to see so many Whitehill families and staff at the Lamex to cheer on Stevenage Women and of course our very own, Miss Gooderham. They don’t get to play at the home of Stevenage FC often and so when they do, it is important to get a good crowd to cheer them on. This was clearly the case, as the team won 2 – 0 and to cap off a great win, Miss G was awarded player of the match (and not just by her sponsors). Hopefully, she has inspired a future generation of girls to play at this level.
As a warning to my dad, this next paragraph is still not about the last five days in school!
As Stevenage Women were kicking off, Mrs Burniston, Miss McConnell Smith and 20 pupils were setting off to the Royal Albert Hall to take part in the Hertfordshire Schools’ Music festival. I was hoping to get along to the evening concert, but I couldn’t make it work and so had to rely on updates from the teachers.
It was a fantastic experience for all who took part and without doubt, they had an amazing time. When I think back to my school experiences (admittedly it was in black and white in those days) we never had the opportunity to do anything like this, but we have pupils who have now performed in two of the most amazing concert venues in the country.
It makes it all the more worthwhile when I arrived in school on Monday to an email stating that, ‘I have been a Whitehill parent for nearly four years and so have been able to get used to all the amazing opportunities the kids are offered. But even so, last week was exceptional… Everything I have listed needs people from Team Whitehill to go above and beyond and I wanted you to know how grateful we are as parents! Thank you and I hope this week might be a little quieter – although somehow, I doubt it.’
This type of communication is really appreciated, and I do share it with the team. I know how lucky I am to have such an exceptional team working with me and it is lovely to see it recognised by you too. Thank you.
So, let’s see if this week was quieter.
My assembly on Monday morning was most certainly in two parts. As pupils would reference it, the first was certainly a ‘Monday Moan.’ I do try not to, but occasionally I need to remind a few pupils of our school’s guiding principles and to point out the impact of not following them.
After this bit of guidance, however, we certainly had something that was far more enjoyable and certainly a shining example of our core purpose, profound individual growth. I had asked Violett (Year 4) to perform her latest musical theatre routine for us and it was another wonderful spectacle. This time it was a number form Seussical the Musical which was just incredible. I have made a little deal with her that when she debuts in the West End, I get a ticket.
I often wax lyrical about our library and the work that Mrs Vernon and Mrs Winter do to keep it looking good and well-resourced. This week, they set up and ran eight wonderful lessons promoting the library and reminding the pupils of the key skills they need to be able to use it effectively.
Each class worked in groups to solve clues and locate the answers in different books. These clues would then complete a story related to one of their year group topics. I visited the majority of the sessions and not just because I featured in each of the stories in some way.
It has been another busy week on the sporting front. At this time of the year, the winter sports are coming to an end and so there are rallies and cup finals to be played.
On Monday, we hosted the ‘A’ Team netball rally and competed against schools who we have played in the league over the course of the year. For those who regularly read these blogs, it will come as no surprise that St Andrew’s won, although the final was a very close affair I believe. Well done to all the pupils who took part in this competition and in all the other matches this season. We have the other rallies in the week after we return from the Easter break.
On Wednesday, the boys had their end of season football rally at Priory School. They played so well – perhaps some of the best football this season – and were unlucky to lose in the semi-final on penalties. Chatting to some of the pupils on Thursday, they too were very proud of the way they played.
The other ‘big’ football fixture kicks off in a couple of hours when we take on Samuel Lucas in the final of the Wix Cup. It is bound to be a very close and competitive match, with honours throughout the season being shared so far.
The assemblies (plural) on Wednesday morning were led by the Year 6 House and Sports Captains. It was a chance for the staff and pupils in each of our four Houses to get together and chat about their successes and what they would like to achieve in the final term. I had given the Year 6 ambassadors some statistics relating to the House Cup and House points which I have no doubt featured as a rallying cry.
Pupils were in their own clothes on Friday in support of this year’s Easter egg tombola. I was particularly impressed with the seven Year 5 girls who came in matching, monogrammed outfits! After a week off, we were back together in the morning for our Achievers’ Assembly. Whenever there is a week off, we have to work at top speed to cover everything we have missed.
The House Cup this week went to Fire. The Wombles are going to spend the last week of the term in Myan Class and Wilde won Class of the week.
We celebrated Thomas N (Year 5) who has been working hard out of school raising money for two very deserving charities, including one which the school supported when his older sister was on our JLT. He recently took part in his second Twilight 10k with Isla and his parents and within his group, raised a very impressive £6500.
There were plenty of sports reports to get through and some medals from external events including climbing, running, rugby, swimming, and football.
Looking ahead to next week and the final week of the Spring term, the diary continues to be packed.
On Monday afternoon, from 2.30pm, we have our open afternoon where parents can come and have a look at their children’s books and displays in advance of the consultation evenings taking place this week.
We have pupils out in both a hockey festival and also a competition all day Tuesday, with Mrs Wells and Mrs Bradshaw hoping for similar success to last year.
Lamarr Class have invited parents in for a class assembly on Tuesday morning – another lovely way to see the work the pupils have been doing.
There are interhouse events taking place all day on Wednesday with the football and boccia shields up for grabs. The other sporting event next week is the first cricket match of the season away at Purwell on Thursday after school.
We finish for Easter at 1.30pm on Friday 4th April for a well-deserved rest.
And finally, as they used to say on the news, one of our governors, Mrs Dorrell, was in school on Friday morning to chat with pupils, staff and to see the school in action. It was lovely to share the school’s work with her and I have just received the following feedback from her. ‘Just the most joyous day! I feel like I experienced every aspect of Whitehill life today – from Achievers’ Assembly, to a pupil voice about modern foreign languages at the school; two coffees and a gossip with Mr Mills; joining in the bell ringing for lunchtime and having a quick bop at the Friday Funtime Disco! Thanks so much for having me, sign me up for next week!’
That is it for now. Have a lovely weekend and I will see you on Monday where the weather forecast for the week looks lovely!
Best wishes,
Steve Mills
Headteacher
