Frog in a Blog
As another busy and successful week draws to a close, I would like to take this opportune end of half term moment to thank everyone in the Whitehill community for the incredibly warm welcome and support I have received since joining the school. The weeks have flown by, and I continue to feel extremely fortunate to be part of such a caring, supportive and dedicated community. Pupils, staff, parents and governors have all played a part in helping me feel at home.
As we reach the end of our first half term together, it feels like a good opportunity to reflect on what has stood out most to me during these past few weeks. Quite simply, Whitehill is a very special place. Every morning, pupils arrive with smiles on their faces and cheerful greetings, while parents are always willing to stop for a quick chat. I remember visiting Whitehill for the first time last December and sensing that there was something unique about the atmosphere here. Several months later, that feeling is stronger than ever. Whitehill truly feels like one large family, united by a shared commitment to helping every child thrive.
Today, we were delighted to welcome back two former pupils, Seb and William, who brought in a ceramic frog they had purchased themselves to place beside our pond. It was a thoughtful and generous gesture, and a lovely reminder of the lasting connection many children feel to Whitehill long after they leave. The frog has now settled happily into its new home, overlooking all the activity around the pond. Thank you, boys. It was a wonderful surprise and a very kind thing to do.
The week began with our parent consultation evenings, and it was fantastic to see so many families attending. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and these conversations are such an important part of the partnership between home and school. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our staff. Whether preparing for consultations, planning engaging lessons or supporting pupils each day, their commitment, professionalism and willingness to go above and beyond ensure that Whitehill remains a fantastic place for children to learn, grow and succeed.
As always, the week has been packed with opportunities for learning, and despite what has been a long and busy half term, our pupils have continued to impress with their enthusiasm, resilience and positive attitudes. They have immersed themselves fully in their learning and represented the school brilliantly.
Year 3 have acquitted themselves exceptionally well this half term. I have been delighted by their determination and the enthusiasm they bring to every lesson. They have enjoyed visits to Wymondley Woods and Hitchin, representing the school impeccably throughout. This week, they have been writing autobiographies in a calm, focused and thoughtful manner. I am excited to see how much they continue to grow this year because they have made a superb start.
Year 4 have been tackling correspondence problems in Mathematics, demonstrating impressive reasoning skills and perseverance when solving complex challenges. These are valuable skills that will serve them well in future years. They have also been learning about teeth and even made their own toothpaste. I had the dubious privilege of trying some of their creations when curiosity got the better of me! I continue to be impressed by the high standard of work across Year 4 and the pride pupils take in the presentation of their learning. The engagement and enthusiasm in both Everest and Kusama classes are always a pleasure to see.
Should Colgate be worried?
Year 5 have completed their work on The Highwayman by producing newspaper reports that showcased an excellent range of vocabulary appropriate to the period. The resulting pieces of writing have been imaginative, engaging and wonderfully evocative of the time. It has been a pleasure to read the finished reports and see how effectively pupils have applied their learning.
Year 6 have been focusing on polygons in Mathematics to ensure their understanding is secure and fully embedded. In Science, they have been investigating bird beak adaptations and the relationship between different beaks and food sources, using chickpeas and soaked marshmallows to simulate various diets. Every time I visit Wilde and Kahlo classes, I am struck by the excellent engagement, positivity and determination to succeed that pupils demonstrate.
Talking of Kahlo Class, as I write this blog, my office is surrounded by an array of delicious cakes! The class has worked incredibly hard planning their Halloween Bake Sale, from designing posters and advertising the event to baking the treats themselves. It has been a mammoth operation and a fantastic example of teamwork and enterprise. Resisting the temptation to sample the cakes before the sale has been no easy task, but like everyone else, I shall have to wait until they go on sale later today!
A selection of the amazing cakes made by year 6
We rounded off the week with another wonderful Achievers’ Assembly, celebrating the many successes and accomplishments of our pupils. We enjoyed fantastic musical performances, with Roland and Ted welcoming us into the hall and Willow and Edie providing a beautiful send-off at the end of the assembly. Congratulations to Voyager Class, our Class of the Week, for a fabulous week of learning, and well done to Air House, who will proudly hold the House Cup over the half-term break.
As we head into the holiday, I hope everyone has the opportunity to rest, recharge and enjoy some quality time with family and friends. Thank you once again for your continued support of Whitehill Junior School. I wish you all a happy, restful and enjoyable half term, and I look forward to welcoming everyone back for another exciting half term (and Christmas run up!) after the break.
