Having been away from the school on NAHT business for Thursday and half of Friday last week, I was away from school again on Monday this week but for far more exciting reasons (no offence to my NAHT colleagues).
I managed to secure a tour of Parliament for our Junior Leadership Team – the four Year 6s who were democratically elected to the role back in September. It was an early and busy start for us, as we needed to get a train during the commuter rush, but the pupils were patient and sensible as we stood all the way to St Pancras.
After a brief pause there, we took the underground to Leicester Square so that we could enjoy a walk down Whitehall to arrive at Parliament and the security checks around 10.00am.
The tour we had was wonderful. We had a guide to ourselves and she showed us around the main areas, including the Commons and the Lords, explaining what our elected and selected representatives do. We even had a go at voting over a really important law, banning all flavours of ice-cream other than vanilla. You will be pleased to know that the “nos to the left” won.
After a spot of lunch in the café by Westminster Hall – where I bumped into a few of my NAHT colleagues who I have just referenced above – we went for a walk, visiting Horse Guards Parade, Embankment and the South Bank before getting a much quieter train back to Hitchin. It was a very enjoyable day, and I would love to make it something that the JLT get to do as a thank you, again next year. Let’s see what happens.
Getting back to school for the end of the day meant that I could watch some of the netball match against St Andrew’s. We enjoy lots of success as a school with sport and the pupils are very lucky to benefit from so many opportunities facilitated by the teaching team. This week’s game was really interesting to watch as we came up against a phenomenal opposition. Sometimes you have to acknowledge that the other team were simply better and applaud their standard of play. Monday was one such day. I am taking nothing away from our players who always give of their best and who have made so much progress, but I hope they will also agree that St Andrew’s were to be applauded.
In class this week pupils in all four year groups have been undertaking assessments. Certainly, in the mornings, it has been eerily quiet as the pupils concentrate and do their very best. For the Year 6s it is the time when they get to see what their SATs will be like in terms of access arrangements. They can now spend the next seven teaching weeks plugging any gaps and continuing with their topics. They also have the small matter of the end of year production to get their teeth into and on Tuesday, I walked into the first set of auditions.
I received a message from Year 5 on Wednesday afternoon seeing if I wanted to visit music and the flute lessons. I am glad I did as I got to hear them play two tunes as a group, one of which include some dance moves. I am in Year 5 next Wednesday afternoon during the same session and so I might even pick up a flute myself and join in.
I hadn’t been back in my office long when Year 6 invited me to go and see some of their artwork. They were encouraged to bring in some items from home and use these as a stimulus for some free art. There were three that really stood out from Wilde Class and these received Headteacher’s Awards. I also noticed some great work on our social media page from Kahlo Class.
I wanted to cheer on some of our lower school footballers after school on Wednesday, some of whom were representing Whitehill for the first time. I headed over to William Ransom and enjoyed two football matches played with a great attitude. Although I did spend quite a lot of the time chatting, I did keep an eye on the games and saw some great goals, resulting in two wins for Whitehill.
I was on taxi duty on Thursday morning as I transported Bella and Brooke (Year 5s) to the County Dance Festival. They were in charge of the music and of course, it was the first and probably only time my car would play some of their choices. They were word perfect as they sang along. I, on the other hand, hadn’t a clue!
I enjoyed the company of four Year 5s after break who were sent to show me their wonderful extended writing. Joseph, Hayley, Cecily and Kiraz definitely all deserved their Headteacher’s awards.
Due to some unforeseen circumstances, I wasn’t able to get to the performance of the dance in St Albans but saw the photographs and heard great feedback from Mrs Davies and Miss Smith as well as the parents online. I will now have to wait until they perform at Hitchin Girls’ School later in the year to finally get to see the dance.
Achievers’ Assembly was again another round of celebrations. Huge congratulations to Bella (Year 5) who was awarded a third and first place at Crufts last weekend. We are all very proud of the success she has at such a prestigious competition.
Earth won the House Cup this week with Wilde Class winning the Wombles. Class of the Week this week went to Apollo Class.
I am going to pop out now to watch some of the football match against Samuel Lucas – the team we will be playing in the Wix Cup final in a few weeks. Before I do, let’s have a look at the diary for next week.
Across the week we have our pupil progress meetings following this week’s assessments. Teachers get to chat with senior leads about the progress each child is making, prior to the consultation evenings in the last week of term. On that note the platform opens on Monday morning for you to be able to book your online appointment. A letter has been scheduled to come out, confirming the platform has opened.
There is a lower school football festival on Monday at William Ransom School and also on the football front we are hosting Our Lady and William Ransom on Wednesday. There is netball on Thursday against Highover at home and we end the week with a girls’ football match away at St Francis.
On Tuesday, our successful Rapid-Fire cricketers take part in the County Final over at Wodson Park.
Year 3s are visiting Hitchin library on Wednesday morning and we have a Roman workshop for our Year 4s on Friday which proved to be a great hit last year. A photograph from this still features on the home page of the website.
Finally, there are two Friends’ Association events next week. On Wednesday evening we have the school discos for the pupils and on Friday evening it is the adults’ turn as they are invited to a quiz night. I have no doubt I will be at both.
Have a great weekend.
Best wishes,
Steve Mills
Headteacher
