I trust last week’s Bank Holiday was an enjoyable one. I was in Harrogate for work for four days, travelling back (on a very crowded train) on Sunday and so the extra day was most welcome.
We come to the end of a key week for our Year 6 pupils as they have now covered and revised the English and Maths content in Key Stage 2. From Monday next week, they will sit their SATs tests – four days of exams which the pupils are all certainly ready to take and no doubt do very well in. Of course, we wish them all the very best and more importantly, look forward to them starting each day with the infamous ‘SATs breakfast’ each day.
On Tuesday this week, Mr Wells and Miss Smith were joined by their link maths governor to have a look around the school (at maths being taught) and also to catch up with some pupils through a pupil voice. This followed on from our local authority adviser’s visit the other week – also looking at maths – after which he reported that, ‘Children receive a high quality of maths throughout the school. This is evidenced by a comprehensive maths curriculum, consistently strong teaching and learning practices… and above national average end of Key Stage outcomes…’ I think we can be very proud of this.
I have tried to be outside during lunchtime as much as possible recently, to get some fresh air, but more importantly, to see what the pupils enjoy doing. I have also been encouraged to try a whole host of different gymnastics skills by some Year 4 and Year 5 pupils and am rapidly running out of excuses as to why it is probably best I skip the offer. At 55, I am not designed to go upside down (although Mrs Bradshaw did a very impressive handstand)!
With 45 school days left in this academic year, I am now busy working on arrangements for September. A topic of much conversation at the moment, is which classes pupils will move to and which teacher they will have. We do transition very well at Whitehill and although pupils will have to wait until 27th June to find this information out, staff will soon begin a series of meetings and discussions preparing for next year’s cohorts. Exciting times!
Whilst reflecting upon staffing for September, I should probably now confirm one of the worst kept secrets and that is the departure of the amazing Miss Gooderham at the end of the term. Some pupils however will not be saying ‘bye,’ rather ‘see you soon,’ as Miss G is moving to Hitchin Girls’ School (on a free transfer) to complete her teacher training. You know how much we do with HGS and so I have no doubt we will very much see her back at Whitehill quite often.
I enjoyed reading Luis’s (Year 4) diary extract based on the story The Iron Man which his class is reading at the moment. He used the story well and clearly had a good understanding of the imagery created. He definitely deserved his Headteacher’s Award, as did Edie (Year 6) who also brought me some writing using Alice in Wonderland as her inspiration.
Wednesday lunchtime was different. I lost my lanyard and sunglasses to Freya (Year 4) who took over my job, much to Luna’s amusement, and I became Freya. I am not quite sure what she got up to as me, but I do wonder if I need to check how many house points were handed out. I also spent some time watching the upper school athletics practice as they get ready for a competition later in the term.
Walking around the school on Wednesday afternoon, I went from recorders in Year 3 to flutes in Year 5 via a rounders skills session being taught by Mr Lord. Year 6 were looking at canopic jars in preparation for making their own in the coming days.
Our cricket team took part in their first league match this week at Wymondley and I am pleased to report that they started the season with a win. Some great all-round play resulted in a 26-run victory.
I was out of school on Thursday but did return on Friday morning to be able to lead our weekly celebratory assembly. The regular awards were handed out as follows: Voyager won the Wombles; Earth regained the House Cup and Apollo won Class of the Week. It was a great week for Year 5.
The music for the pupils at the start was provided by Dimitris and Oliver (Year 6) who played a duet on drums and guitar. Nevaeh (Year 5) sang for us at the end. Both were very impressive.
We also celebrated some running and football medals as well as reflecting upon Thananika’s (Year 3) recent trip to Paris. I hope Madame Skinner was proud of me trying out my French!
Looking ahead to next week, as already mentioned, SATs will occupy four of the mornings for our Year 6 staff and pupils. With the weather looking good, it does mean that the pupils can enjoy some fresh air and fun after each of their tests, as well as chatting about the residential to Devon which they will be heading off to the week after.
Year 5s have Phase in on Tuesday afternoon to work with them and on Thursday, all of our lower school pupils will be heading up to Hitchin Girls’ School for a sports festival.
I have governors on Thursday evening whilst the rest of my family head off for the opening night of Just for One Day in the West End. I didn’t time that well. And on Friday, I have a local headteachers’ consortium meeting.
That brings us to the end of another week. Have an enjoyable weekend and I hope our Year 6s can chill a little.
Best wishes,
Steve Mills
Headteacher
Milly C will be soooooooooo pleased to see Miss G again 🥰
Bien sûr! Bravo, Monsieur Mills!