It was an early start on Monday as we waved goodbye to the Year 6 pupils who were heading down to Devon for their residential. Having done their very best last week in their SATs, they were in for a week of adventure, fun and hopefully the chance to chill and ‘tick’ another activity off the Year 6 ‘to do’ list.
I touched base with the team regularly and like many of you, followed with interest on our social media.
The feedback I received daily highlighted just how good the change in centre was, especially for the activities. The photos of the pupils on the high ropes course or trying to balance on that giant ball in the pool were stunning. A common theme throughout all the photos was the smiling faces on the pupils who were clearly having a blast.
The Year 6s weren’t our only cohort out this week, and on Wednesday morning I waved off (a touch of déjà vu) our Year 4s as they headed to Norfolk for their three days of adventure and fun. I was impressed with Kai’s preparedness for the journey as he took his seat on the coach and pulled down his eye mask so he could sleep. Photographic evidence later in the morning proved that it worked.
Again, the feedback from the teachers was lovely and once the pupils worked out how to make their beds, they were fully immersed in their activities.
It is only right that I take a moment to thank the staff who gave up their time to facilitate these two residentials. I am very lucky to work alongside an incredible team who work tirelessly for the benefit of the pupils. Whilst I know they won’t get much of a break over half term, as it is report writing season, I do hope they do find some time to rest and spend it with their families.
I was outside on Monday lunchtime chatting to and watching the majority of pupils getting on, being sociable, and enjoying the warm weather. I was invited to watch some Year 4s present a talent show featuring singing, dancing and gymnastics and at one point encouraged to have a dance-off with Violett (Year 4). Those who know Violett realise that this would have been a very silly idea on my part!
Tuesday was more of a day where I ‘worked from the car.’ I had several meetings to attend throughout the day and for a change, they were all in person. I drove to work three times across a 12-hour day and am satisfied that it could have been classified as a successful day.
When the school is quieter, as it was from around 9.30am on Wednesday, you would think I would get so much done. In truth, it is often the opposite. Last week was all about submitting the budget and as you can imagine, it isn’t the easiest set of figures to make work. This week, I have started to put next year’s calendar together; Mrs Flanagan and I have looked to get all the stationery ordered for September and more importantly, I have played football with some of the Year 5s.
It started on Wednesday lunchtime when I just couldn’t resist joining Grace’s team. I say ‘Grace’s team’ but in reality, it appeared to be Grace v the rest. For that reason, I had to give her a hand. With Mrs Gooderham recruited too, to play in goal (I can see where Miss G gets her talent from) and then Samuel joining halfway through the match, I am pleased to report, having played ‘total football’, we beat ‘The Rest’ 4 – 3.
To play this match in the heat, 45 minutes before welcoming Voyager Class parents in for their assembly might have been a mistake, but a quick wash and a couple of cold drinks later, I was ready to go.
This class assembly, by Voyager, including Mr Lord and Mrs Wells was stunning. It can be very easy to get carried away with the superlatives when talking about Whitehill and everything the pupils get up to, but their assembly was simply outstanding. An inspirational way of sharing with parents what the pupils get up to as a class and what they have been learning about this year. It really highlighted, as I said to the parents, just what progress these pupils have made since joining Whitehill.
Talking of amazing assemblies, we had two in three days thanks to Apollo’s fabulous version of the Adventures of Odysseus on Friday morning. Like Voyager’s assembly, this performance was incredible. Again, I was blown away by the quality and the sense of fun. I can say already that next year’s Year 6 production could be epic! The team are in for a treat.
As one parent who emailed me straight after said, ‘You can clearly see so much growth and development in the whole class since the start of their time at Whitehill and the strengths of the children as individuals and their characters were really showcased today.’
On Thursday, our Year 5 hockey team represented Whitehill in the Regional Finals, with the school having won the district round. Mrs Wells and Mr Wells, (but not our Mr Wells) looked after the team and I was able to pop over in between break and lunch to catch one of their games. Given the majority of the other teams were all Year 6 pupils, they played so well, and the quality of the hockey was impressive.
Thursday lunchtime saw a resumption of our football match. Grace (Year 5) was at the hockey but Bella, Samuel, Esme and I did her proud and continued the winning run.
In the absence of an Achievers’ Assembly on Friday, and with half term next week, it is only right to give a shout out in this blog to Isaac (Year 5) who put his love of baking to great use and applied for this year’s Junior Bake-off competition. He did so well, beating thousands of entries to get to penultimate phase of the competition. A huge congratulations to Isaac and a plea now that we should perhaps get to sample some of his ‘signature bakes’.
In the coming hours we will welcome back our Year 4 and Year 6 pupils from their respective residentials and then I can switch the ‘out of office’ sign on and we can all enjoy a week off.
We return on Tuesday 3rd June, with the Monday being an INSET day. On Tuesday we have a cricket competition to take part in with the girls’ competition happening two days later, on Thursday.
On Wednesday, we have our day of interhouse rounders, netball and rapid-fire cricket which should be an exciting day.
At the end of the week, we have some pupils taking part in skateboarding workshops across the day and in school I will be welcoming in and showing our school off to two very influential people in the education world. I can’t wait to tour the classes and sit down and reflect upon what we think makes a quality primary education with the Assistant General Secretary of the NAHT and a partner of the research company, Public First.
Have a great week off and I will see you all on the 3rd.
Best wishes,
Steve Mills
Headteacher
PS. Year 6s – 35½ school days left!
