I am absolutely not going to spend time in this week’s blog commenting on the weather. Whoops… I already have. Ok, it was hot, but school continued with a vengeance, and we achieved some great things. The slight problem I have with reporting on these things is that I have been banned from many areas of the school at certain times of the day and thus have been sitting on my own in the air-conditioned library, minding my own business. Bliss!
The Year 6s put on three incredible performances of High School Musical at the beginning of the week, bringing to a close a great deal of hard work. I attended both evening shows and was blown away by the creativity, the pupils’ ability to take direction and the originality behind this year’s show.
I was also impressed by the ‘pupils in black’, our trusted tech crew who picked up the complexities of the sound and lighting desks so quickly and with great efficiency. In the West End the lighting desk takes the lead from someone calling the show. They press the button when told to do so. In our show, Lucy and Aaliyah, not only had to press the buttons, but they also had to stay focused, without missing a beat, on the whole show to make sure the cues were all in time. They did this flawlessly throughout.
Another highlight for me was the use of the actors to change the set and move larger props whilst continuing to act. This is something you rarely see in children’s productions but something that happens seamlessly in professional shows. It is subtle and impressive.
One of our Year 3 parents, who supported with the install of the new sound desk, came to see the show and sent me an email that evening stating that he was, ‘blown away by the technical production [we] have achieved with children in Year 6!’
Another parent commented, ‘Wow! What a show! I don’t have the words right now to express how lucky these awesome kids are to have the support and encouragement to put on a show like that with such confidence and stage presence. Kudos to everyone involved.’ Whilst another stated, ‘… the show’s clever casting ensured so many children got to showcase some amazing talents.’
Thank you to Mr Mills Junior and the rest of the team for making my last show such a spectacle! And to cap it all off, my dad was able to come along to see it on the Tuesday. A perfect end to my career.
On Tuesday, the Year 4s headed off on their final trip of the year to Bhaktivedanta Manor – a Hindu temple – to support the work they have been doing in RE. Mrs Davies always talks about this trip with such enthusiasm, stating it is one the best trips she runs.
In conversation with Mrs McConnell Smith recently, I was amazed that she hasn’t ever been on a school trip. The nature of her job means she doesn’t have a great deal of time to venture out of the office, but I was sad that I hadn’t been able to make this work for her. What better trip to join than the Year 4 one to the temple. For the record, she absolutely loved it! She was so excited before she went and sent me regular updates throughout the trip, especially when she saw the cows!
The Year 5s on Tuesday enjoyed their Caribbean day. The weather mention at this moment is relevant, as we enjoyed near tropical conditions for the BBQ and festivities. I joined them for a few minutes – I was given permission to leave my office – to sample their mocktails and burger toppings.
Wednesday was a little hectic, with Mr Wathen visiting for his final transition day with me. There were a number of meetings arranged for him with a variety of stakeholders, as well as a meeting with his new SLT and then the staff in the air-conditioned Kahlo Class over lunch.
I managed to catch the end of the orchestra concert. When I say, ‘catch the end’, I mean, ‘walk in as it finished’, but they indulged me with one more tune so that my thanks at the end had a little more credibility. They were so good and to see Year 3s playing alongside Year 6s was inspiring. Thank you to the parents who were able to join the performance.
After school on Wednesday, I swapped badges again and put on my HGS trustee lanyard and went along to the Sports Awards’ celebration at the Girls’ School. I wasn’t able to get to the Year 7 and Year 8 part but did get to see the second session with the rest of the school. It was lovely to see so many former Whitehill pupils receive awards. Particularly inspiring was the guest speaker, Natalie Lawrence, a former HGS student and international triathlete who spoke with passion about the impact sport can have on a child’s life. And guess what – it wasn’t all about winning or worrying about what others are doing. She also paid tribute to her former teachers, Mrs Mills being one, who she acknowledges were the catalyst for her considerable sporting success.
On Thursday, the school took on a new look as we enjoyed transition day. Our Year 6 pupils were the little fish in their new big pools, whilst we were joined by our incoming Year 3s. Whilst the pupils spent time with their new teachers, I visited the classes to see how everyone was getting along. Everything appeared very positive and there were lots of smiling faces at lunchtime.
I wasn’t able to lead Achievers’ Assembly this week, and so Mrs Burniston held the reins for me. She presented a number of platinum awards to the Year 6s which contributed to Earth winning the House Cup. Class of the Week had to go to the two Year 6 classes for their incredible production, as well as everything else they are doing at the moment.
Mrs Burniston’s list to me sharing all that was celebrated was long. It included ice skating, chess, athletics, football, netball, swimming, dance, climbing, junior zookeeping and cheerleading.
Thank you to Alice (Year 4) who played the piano for us.
I am off outside soon to check everything is set for this evening’s summer social and then to enjoy my final Friends’ Association event. Please do come over and say ‘hi,’ or ‘bye’ if you fancy a chat.
Looking ahead to our last full week of the year, the diary doesn’t ease off.
On Monday, Year 6 are holding their annual Enterprise Day. A chance for all the other pupils to support their fundraising efforts and take part in some fun games and activities. I think I have been asked to bring in a change of clothes and so I suspect there is an opportunity to get me wet.
I do need to smarten up after lunch, however, as I am off for my final meeting with my Farmington Institute group. I think we have saved the best venue to last, as we will be meeting in the Tower of London. I don’t think I have ever received instructions to any conference or course that tells me to ‘gather at the Middle Drawbridge’. It all sounds very exciting.
On Tuesday we have our sports day. The field events take place in the morning and the track events in the afternoon, to which you have been invited. If you are coming to watch, please remember you will be sitting in the sun for a couple of hours. We will keep the pupils refreshed – lollies have been ordered – and they will have plenty to drink. Make sure they have suncream applied before school and they bring a hat.
Just to add to the fun on sports day, we have the Director of NASA, Dr Nicola Fox, paying the school a visit. You may have seen that she is in the country for a few days giving lectures and carrying out visits. Given her link with Whitehill and our Year 5 Space Week, she has found time to come and say ‘hi’ in person.
On Thursday, the Year 6s have their end of year swimming trip to look forward to before their leavers’ party on Friday evening.
In addition, at some point next week, we will also be burying the new time capsule, put together by the Junior Leadership Team, to be opened again in 2044, when the school is 75 years old!
See, it is a very busy final full week.
This week’s ‘and finally’ (something I haven’t included for a while) is the sharing of information related to some very generous pupils. I regularly celebrate individuals who have looked to take part in a sponsored event for charity and this week, I received news from three more. I said I would share their links with our community:
Ariana (Year 6) is taking part in a sponsored bike ride in support of Cats Protection.
Lara (Year 4) is taking part in a ‘big swim’ for Save the Children.
Autumn (Year 6) and her older brother, Leo (Year 7) are completing the Hitchin Swimming Club charity swim supporting the Lister Hospital.
I know they would all be very grateful for any support.
That is it for this week. One more blog to go next Friday.
Have a great weekend.
Best wishes,
Steve Mills
Headteacher
