Apologies before you start. This week’s blog is long! Another week passes but one which saw me contemplate, for the first time, putting the heating back on in school. I then found my jumper and a coat and so can save a little bit more money until it gets really cold. Once the ‘big coat’ comes out, then I will consider giving the boiler run out.
Even though it has been colder in the mornings, it has been dry and that meant we could hold this term’s fire drill on Monday morning. I was so impressed with the way the pupils – especially the new Year 3s – conducted themselves during the evacuation and we had the building cleared and all pupils accounted for within three minutes. A visiting teacher remarked that she has never seen a school so silent throughout the practice. We’re good!
I received even more positive feedback this week about our pupils from a prospective parent I was showing round the school. Again, a Year 3 was singled out for their role as Aztec’s Class Rep with the visitor commenting, ‘I also just wanted to mention how wonderful your school reps were in the classrooms I visited. Cooper in year 3 in particular stood out as being so charming and informative, and just three weeks into his new school! Amazing.’ Well done Cooper and all the other Reps who were on duty on Tuesday.
Although not completely finished, our new library was opened to the pupils on Monday, with classes invited to visit and explore. It has been a wonderful project with Mrs Vernon working so hard to make it a focal point of the school. If you would like to come and see it for yourself, especially seeing it was primarily funded through Friends’ Association donations, Mrs Vernon will be in there after school today. Please do feel free to come in and try out my favourite part, the new sofa!
I had my first meeting with this year’s JLT this week. They appreciated the hot chocolate and biscuits, and we covered a lot in the time we had. Thomas’s honesty at the end with his admission that he couldn’t be trusted with the official notebook made me smile and so we will see who is the organised member of the team. They already have an engagement in the diary, and I have left with them with a couple of other decisions to make before we meet again.
I was invited to see what the pupils had been learning in Mr Sapsed’s dance club on Monday after school. It is a really popular extra-curricular activity and there were so many Year 3s. I really enjoyed the energy they showed and in particular Nancy (Year 3) who just ‘went for it’!
Lara (Year 4) was sent to me for a Headteacher’s Award this week with her geography work. It was exceptionally well presented and very thorough, something one might even have expected from a Year 6.
Others who received Headteacher’s Awards this week included a group of Year 4s from Kusama Class for their story predictions and illustrations based on their current class story. I also had Reya and Emmeline (Year 3) sent to me with some fantastic artwork and designs they will transfer to an actual pot over the coming weeks. I liked that fact that both girls referenced that the design they will use is the more difficult, but they wanted to challenge themselves. What a great attitude.
On visiting our new library this week, I got distracted by an email and so sat down on my sofa (as I have christened it). The peace and quiet didn’t last, however, as four Year 6s, Grace, Cecily, Indi, and Thomas can with some excellent extended writing. A group of Year 4s from Everest Class also found my hiding place with their English, also receiving Headteacher’s Awards.
Sporting fixtures got underway again this week with a friendly tag-rugby match against Purwell on Wednesday after school. I was able to pop over to Whitehill to watch some of the games and enjoyed seeing pupils represent the school for their first time. Scores weren’t important but the games were still competitive. I was impressed with Ronnie (Year 5) who made sure all his teammates felt included and who ensured he passed to every member of his team.
After school today, I am heading over to Priory School with Miss King as one of our football teams takes part in the early season rally. I am looking forward to seeing how the team get on in their first outing, after the success of last season’s team.
I do enjoy talking with pupils about things they have been getting up to out of school, especially when I get taught something new. Alyssa (Year 3) brought me her ballet medal after doing very well in a recent exam and, along with Mrs keeling, taught us how to do the ‘double curtsey’.
A few other Headteacher’s Awards went to some Year 3s from Aztec Class, for their Julian the Mouse illustrations, including Jas (above) and Emily M (below).
I wasn’t able to lead our Achievers’ Assembly on Friday morning for reasons I will go into in a moment. In my absence, Mrs McConnell Smith ran the show and presented Kahlo Class with Class of the Week and Earth with the House Cup.
She also celebrated Hattie’s (Year 3) Irish Dancing success – an activity we haven’t mentioned at Whitehill for a number of years. Bella (Year 6) was back at the front of the hall with more trophies from recent dog shows. Well done to everyone who was recognised in some way this week.
The reason for my absence was so that I could attend our Fiends’ Association AGM at Highbury. It was the end of an era, as we said goodbye to three regular committee members in Mrs Halpin, Mrs Grant, and Mrs Kealey. The success will continue, however, as others came forward to take the reins and we go into 2025/2026 with a strong committee.
One of the agenda items was looking back at last year and hearing from our treasurer. It gives me great pleasure to announce that with all of your support, the Friends’ Association raised just under £17,000 last year for the two schools which meant Mrs Adshead and I were presented with cheques for £8000 each. As already referenced, we will be investing this money and much of last year’s into our library project. I really can’t thank you enough for these funds which go into making our schools amazing learning environments for our pupils.
Straight after the meeting, I decided to pop into Highbury’s reception class to see some of Whitehill’s future pupils. I met Mrs Flanagan’s son; I saw Jenson’s (Year 4) sister and I also caught up with Mrs Locke. It was a lovely few minutes.
Looking ahead to next week, my diary starts to get very busy. I must admit, I have quite enjoyed this relatively quieter, and therefore productive, first few weeks.
Parents and carers will receive details on Monday morning as to how to book a consultation evening appointment which take place for all classes on Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st October.
Our friendly photographer returns on Wednesday to take this year’s class photographs and then later that day, our Year 6 sports leaders will begin their training with our Sports Partnership.
The girls have two football outings next week, with a friendly at St Francis on Wednesday after school and then their early season rally on Friday at Priory School.
On Thursday, I am out with Year 5s at the British Museum making use of the train to get into London again. I am looking forward to this trip as it has been some time since I last went. This visit does mean our Tag Rugby festival team will be made up of Year 6s only on this occasion, as they take part in a festival at Letchworth Rugby Club in the afternoon.
We also have our first visit of the year from our LA Adviser who is coming in on Friday morning to work with me and my leadership team.
That is all for another week. Have a great weekend.
Best wishes,
Steve Mills
Headteacher
Great blog! It’s so nice to be able to read what’s happening at Whitehill! Library looks amazing, sofa is very comfy and there’s so many little spots to read! Thank you for the beautiful pictures