It was certainly a warm start to the week. Having considered the forecast, I was pleased with our decision to offer PE kits as a uniform option to the pupils. Additional gazebos were erected too, to provide additional shade and I have to admit, I had several conversations in the airconditioned library in order to cool down.
Following on from the Year 2s at Highbury finding out which of Mr Denney and Miss Smith would be teaching them, our transition process is in full swing. Both Year 3 teachers have visited Highbury to talk with their current teachers and Mrs McConnell Smith. Some pupils have visited Whitehill on Friday and Monday afternoon. We have also had our two transition visits where pupils and parents are able to walk round a quieter school and take a few photographs.
The next time they will visit is on July 10th when we have our whole school transition days with Year 6s heading off to pastures new and everyone else spending the day with their new class teachers who were announced to them on Friday.
As I am sure you have worked out just by looking at how old and haggard I can appear, I have been teaching for quite some time. During the transition tour on Monday, however, the day came where a pupil was able to say to me, ‘You taught my dad.’ Moves between schools have so far meant I have been able to avoid such a conversation (unlike my wife at HGS who must be close to ‘You taught my grandmother!’) but the time has arrived. I am now officially old!
Having been forced to taste some of the individual ingredients for the Year 3 cocktails the other week, I popped into both classes on Monday afternoon to see the finished drinks. They did sound lovely, although I do have to question the inclusion of a shot of tomato juice in Monty’s cocktail. He reassured me it was delicious, but I have my doubts. I stole a few pomegranate seeds to nibble on before leaving.
Tuesday was a day spent largely in meetings although I did end the day in a really interesting group discussion in relation to a national parent survey looking at attitudes towards education. I can’t wait to see more outcomes once the data has been interrogated further.
Wednesday brought some relief to the intense heat of the previous days and it was probably perfect for the Year 6s who ran their enterprise day. There would be a few Year 6s who spent their day being soaked who may have preferred the sun but for the majority, it allowed the event to go ahead comfortably, outside.
I have had several comments from other staff members who felt this was probably one of the best enterprise days in terms of the way the pupils worked together, organised their stalls and ran the day. I would agree.
A huge thank you to all the other staff and pupils from Years 3, 4 and 5 who came and supported the event which saw the Year 6 pupils raise over £900 including three groups who each raised over £100 on their individual stall. Another example of amazing #TeamWhitehill support.
As well as enterprise day, we had our group of Year 4 dancers perform at HGS’s gym and dance display on Wednesday afternoon and they were supported by the Year 5s who went along to support the event. Once again, they did so well and clearly enjoyed themselves with this project.
Our Year 5s were back at HGS on Thursday morning working with the art department. Mrs Bailey, who we all know loves her art, said it was a great morning and being able to see some of our former pupils’ work on display as part of an A Level project was wonderful.
Thursday was busy. ‘What day isn’t?’ I hear you ask.
Thursday was particularly busy with some logistical obstacles to overcome. I was on a three-hour online safeguarding update in the morning which Mrs Burniston had the pleasure of in the afternoon. We had our additional consultation meetings across the afternoon whilst at the same time enjoying a wonderful singing concert in the hall. After school, I was back in front of a screen for another online meeting.
Did it all work? Of course. It usually does.
The concert featuring Miss McConnell Smith’s singing students was lovely. To see the progress made by pupils who performed last year was so good and there was the added benefit of a number of my favourite show tunes. Thank you to all of the family and friends who came along to support. It was a perfect afternoon highlighting all benefits of learning music.
There was no Achievers’ Assembly on Friday as we had the pleasure of the Year 6 production dress rehearsal. This was the first opportunity I have had to see any of the show – as you know, I get banned from rehearsals. It was such good fun, and I know for sure that the family and friends who are coming to see it next week are in for a real treat. You will get no spoilers from me in this blog.
Throughout the afternoon on Friday, I have been checking on the preparations for our summer social which I am heading out to shortly. A huge thanks to the Friends’ Association for their time and effort in advance for making this event a success each year and especially this year for making the weather perfect!
Looking forward to the penultimate full week of the year, we have the main three performances of Beauty and the Beast to look forward to. I will definitely be there for all three.
Year 4s are out on a trip to the Hindu temple on Tuesday and then the theme for Year 5s on Wednesday is a taste of the Caribbean.
Thursday is transition day. Our Year 6s will become secondary school pupils for a day and we will welcome the Year 2s to Whitehill to spend the day as Year 3s. Our other pupils will also all spend the majority of the day with the new class teachers.
The other exciting project for me next week, on Friday and Saturday, is the new carpet in our library. Get this down and we can start making it look like a library gain.
I hope to see some of you at our summer social but if you are unable to make it, have a lovely weekend.
Best wishes,
Steve Mills
Headteacher
