The only place to start this week’ s blog is where I left last week’s and that is with the two sporting events which were about to take place on Friday afternoon.
Our two lower school, rapid-fire cricket teams had a very successful afternoon, displaying amazing determination and great skill. The blue team made it all the way to the final and won by 4 runs teaching our current men’s national white-ball team a thing or two on the way. A huge well done to all involved. The team will now take their place at the county finals later in the term.
In between phone calls, I was able to watch quite a bit of the Wix Cup semi-final football match against St Ippolyts. Admittedly, I did miss two of Whitehill’s goals and so was mightily relieved when Mr Lord said that we were winning 2-1 as I met him on the field having left at half time losing 1-0. I did see Joseph’s goal towards the end which gave us breathing space and a place in the final against Samuel Lucas.
Having originally thought I wouldn’t be able to make it to St Chris on Saturday evening for the Recycled Fashion Show, logistics worked in my favour, and I was able to visit to see the pupils and staff as they waiting for the results of the judging and the awards ceremony. The pupils did look amazing in their costumes, and it was clear that under the guidance of Mrs Bailey, Mrs Davies, Mrs Lomas and miss Smith, they had worked so hard to get to the point of parading on the catwalk. Well done to everyone who took part and thank you to the parents who came along to support.
We have had quite a few weekend events this term and so it is worth sharing my appreciation again to all the staff who regularly give up time to provide opportunities for pupils to broaden their experiences.
Occasionally, I have weeks where other engagements take me away from my office and the school building. This week is a good example, with commitments on Monday meaning I wasn’t in school until around midday and then two days of NAHT national executive on Thursday and Friday. That being said, I was in regular contact with school and kept up to date with what was going on.
Having been in later, I did have to leave around 4.00pm on Monday as I happened to secure a ticket to see Much Ado About Nothing in London. That was the fifth Shakespeare play of the year; aren’t I becoming cultured. This did mean I wasn’t able to see most of the netball match against Weston but did receive the lovely report from Mrs Bryan detailing another win.
Pupils arriving at breakfast club on Tuesday were greeted with freshly made pancakes if they wanted them courtesy of Mrs Wells and Mimi who were running the session. The smell was lovely, and the pupils certainly enjoyed them.
Year 5s, including a new member of Voyager Class, Lucy, took part in this year’s K’Nex challenge on Tuesday under the watchful eye and supervision of STEM Ambassador, Mrs Neighbour. I did pop down and see the constructions in both sessions and was very impressed with the teamwork and also the imagination. Well done to Arthur and Daniel from Voyager and Amelia and Brady from Apollo whose creations were deemed ‘best in show’ and will now be put forward to the main, inter-school competition.
I met with our JLT for a catch-up and hot chocolate (for them) this week to talk through arrangements for next Monday. As a treat for the work they do, we have arranged for them to have a tour of Parliament and so we needed to arrange train times and logistics. Fingers crossed for another nice day, and we can see a little of the Southbank at the same time.
I had a meeting with a Highbury governor on Wednesday morning for a chat about Whitehill which included a tour of the classes. It was lovely to be able to talk about our ethos and to then see it in practice as we chatted to the pupils. It gave me something to reference at Whitehill governors on Wednesday evening.
A meeting with the Director of Education after school meant I wasn’t able to get out to watch all of the football match on Wednesday, although an early finish to the meeting resulted in me watching quite a bit. Both games finished in a 1-1 draw. Thank you to those who came along to support, including grandparents from High Wycombe who came to see a match for the first time. It was lovely to meet them.
Despite my absence, we still ran our Achievers’ Assembly and therefore was still able to award the three regular prizes. Orville won Class of the Week; Fire won the House Cup and the Wombles headed to Kahlo Class.
We also celebrated the winners of last week’s poetry slam final. It was very close-run thing and it was interesting to watch the results come in from the staff. I am delighted to announce that the year group winners were as follows: Jessa (Year 3), Ellis and Ivy (Year 4), Georgia (Year 5) and Avleen and Joni (Year 6). From this shortlist, after another round of voting, Georgia was confirmed as the overall winner and this year’s recipient of the John Gohorry Cup. Well done to everyone who had a go and made this year’s competition something different and something fun.
Mrs Burniston sent me a detailed (and exceptionally long) report of all the other awards and certificates we celebrated, some of which were new to a school assembly. Olivia (Year 3) jumps with real horses but also is talented on hobby horses, for example. Well done to Yael (Year 3) and Chloe (Year 6) for their trampolining success with the former being complimented by Mrs McConnell Smith for her beautifully pointed toes (evidenced in the photo she brought along).
Looking ahead to next week, my diary is a little quieter but there is still plenty to keep me occupied.
On Monday, I am off to London with my SLT and the JLT for a tour of Parliament. It is a treat for the work they do as elected ambassadors and will hopefully give them an insight into another form of leadership.
On Thursday, our dancers are at the County Dance Festival in St Albans. There is a rehearsal in the morning and then a matinee and evening performance, to which I have a ticket and hope to attend. I haven’t seen one rehearsal and so am very much looking forward to it.
On the sporting front, we have netball against St Andrew’s as well as football matches against William Ransom and Samuel Lucas. There is also a lower school badminton festival for some of our pupils.
That is it for another week. A week in which the Year 6 pupils found out which secondary school they have been allocated. The end of the year is going to come around so quickly!
Have a lovey weekend.
Best wishes,
Steve Mills
Headteacher
