Our second short week after what I hope was an enjoyable long weekend for you all. I think the timing was perfect, especially as we enter December and we have our run-up to the Christmas break. There is certainly plenty to fit in – just ask the Year 3 team!
I spent much of Tuesday (thinking it was Monday) in my office on calls and catching up with paperwork. Sadly, it did mean that I wasn’t able to attend either of the Year 5 or Year 6 workshops we had taking place.
Year 5s enjoyed a session on satellites which included a fascinating activity using Lego. Their space week seems to have become a space month but has really deepened the pupils understanding of this wonderful topic. The word ‘enrichment’ has featured on several occasions in my recent blogs and so I will spare you the reference again, but you know what I mean. Thank you to Dr Abunjaileh and his colleague for supporting our curriculum and especially for my 3D printed astronauts!
The other workshop I missed was the Year 6 session with Phase. It was another informative session for our two classes and as always, we thank them for all the support they give pupils not just at Whitehill but at schools across Hitchin.
Making the most of the weather, Year 4s headed out again as part of their history work and I received some amazing feedback from Mrs Williams and Everest Class about a chance encounter with a resident of a cottage near the railway. She came out and spent a good amount of time chatting about the history of the local area. As always, the pupils were attentive and appreciative.
Our Year 5 Mighty Mediators have completed their training and will shortly be available at break and lunch to support pupils who are experiencing some challenges within friendship groups and want some support. I was impressed when I saw some of the training sessions and have no doubt that they will be amazing in supporting their peers.
I tried to visit a few classes on Wednesday afternoon to see what the pupils were getting up to. I continue to be banned from the hall by the Year 3s and so still have no idea what I have issued tickets for but am looking forward to seeing it in a week’s time.
I saw some amazing maths in both Year 6 classes with data handling the topic. The precision of construction and the accuracy of the interpretation of the data was very impressive. I also saw the Year 6s begin their electric vehicle construction and hope that they used similar precision when cutting their pieces of wood. Measure twice, cut once is the best advice I could give and so we shall see what they end up with.
We had a group of lower school dancers out representing the school on Wednesday afternoon. I chatted to them upon their return, and all appeared to have a smile on their face but rightly unimpressed with the dance moves I tried to show them as they came back into school.
I often get to visit other schools and there are several indicators for me as to whether the school I have entered is a great school. Firstly, it is how someone is greeted by the admin team at the front office and secondly, it is whether or not the school sings. I have already mentioned the numerous choirs we have practising at the moment but this week, I popped into singing assembly. I can proudly state that we must be a great school as we tick the ‘front of house’ welcome and the singing under the watchful eyes of Mrs Jarman and Mrs Wells on Thursday morning was lovely.
With no Achievers’ Assembly last week, it was a celebration of ‘Class of the Two Weeks’ and the cup was presented to Aztec Class. Fire won the House Cup with the points collected over the last eight days.
Our music was provided by Lottie and Jude (Year 6) who played the guitar and Phoebe (Year 6) who sang for us.
I will be heading up to Highbury in a few minutes to show support for the all the hard work our wonderful Friends’ Association into the Christmas Fair. One of our many choirs will also be performing under the watchful eye of Mrs Burniston. Thank you in advance for your support.
We have another choir out representing the school on Sunday and I will be there with them as they join Stevenage Singers for their annual festive concert.
Looking further ahead, on Monday morning our House and Sports Captains will be leading House assemblies. It is an opportunity to reflect upon their term’s successes and also put plans into place to try and prevent winning the House Cup every week! Well, three of the Houses will be doing this.
We have two visits from HGS Sports Leaders, to work with our Year 6s on Tuesday and our Year 5s on Thursday.
Anthony Glenn is in school on Wednesday to entertain the pupils (and staff) with a festive story before we set up the dining room for this year’s Christmas lunch.
On Thursday, we have a group of poets heading out with Mrs Vernon and Mrs Winter to share some festive cheer. Then, on Friday morning, we have the moment we have all been waiting for, the Year 3s first public performance as all the rehearsals come to an end and they perform to the rest of the school.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Best wishes,
Steve Mills
Headteacher
