Well done to our Year 6s who have this week completed their SATs. In the future, they probably won’t remember much about the actual tests, or what the subject of the reading comprehension was, but they will remember just how much food they managed to consume as part of the now infamous ‘SATs breakfasts.’ I don’t think we have had to send out for more food after the second day before; it was certainly very well received.
Anyway, they are done now and on Monday, the pupils will embark upon their residential to Devon for what will be, I am sure, an amazing week. I can’t wait to see what they get up to and will certainly be keeping an eye on our social media pages.
Whilst reflecting upon the SATs, I will say thank you to the other staff and pupils who have helped in many different ways. The other pupils’ main responsibility was to keep as quiet as they could whilst the tests were happening, and they most certainly did. Perhaps I should tell certain pupils / classes that the Year 6s are sitting tests every day.
The weather this week has (on the whole) been glorious and so I have made the most of it by venturing outside as much as possible at break and lunch times as well as watching a bit of the PE being taught.
For the past few weeks, a small group of Year 5s have been making a ‘bug hotel’ on the edge of the playground. They have had great fun and been so imaginative that they insisted I had a guided tour on Tuesday. I really do enjoy seeing creativity on this level and more importantly collaboration of the highest order.
A Year 3 rounders (style) lesson was a must at the beginning of the week, especially as I saw there was the opportunity to use a tennis racket. I tested Jenson’s catching ability by launching the ball as high as I could and was quite content with my half-rounder.
I am extremely fortunate in my job that I do get to go out and about, collaborating with other headteachers and seeing other schools in action. It is actually something that teachers don’t do enough of as part of their job, although time always seems to be at a premium. On Tuesday afternoon, it was really interesting to have a chat with the head of a school I have not been in since I left in July 2013, William Ransom. It was a very informative couple of hours made even more special by the fact I got to see Zoe’s (Year 3) mum teaching the Djembe Drums to a year four class as part of her work with Herts Music Service.
One of the lessons I try to get involved with each year is the making of the Year 3 ocarinas in clay. On Wednesday this week, both Mayan and Aztec Class started the process, but a meeting meant that I couldn’t join in. I did visit later in the day, and it was clear that my support wasn’t needed as the pupils had all done really well. Only time will tell how many will be able to make a sound, but in terms of visuals, it was a resounding success. And in addition, my clothes remained clean!
There was another athletics practice on Wednesday lunchtime and my attention was drawn to sprints. Lucas (Year 4) had been invited to join in and compete against some very quick pupils from upper school and more than held his own, winning several of his races. I have no doubt his name will feature on a few team sheets moving forward.
The Iron Man is always a great stimulus for Year 4 and their artwork this week caught my eye when I visited Lamarr Class. They way they used the Chris Mould original we have in the classroom was very impressive.
There was a slightly earlier lunch time for lower school on Thursday as they needed to head up to HGS to participate in an afternoon of sporting fun and games organised by their sports leaders. Once lunch duty was over for the remainder of the school which included, for me, an impromptu ‘cricket net’ with William (Year 6), I headed up to watch what the pupils were getting up to.
It was very easy to locate them as I could hear the laughter and enthusiasm from the car park. There were a whole range of skills on display, and it was very well organised. It also gave four mums, who happen to work at HGS, the opportunity to see their children in action which was very sweet.
On Thursday evening, whilst my family were all at the opening night of a favourite musical of mine in the West End (I am not bitter), I was at governors approving the school budget. It was actually a productive evening and to celebrate another successful year, we headed into town straight after for some lovely Thai food.
With SATs out of the way, we were able to celebrate this along with many other awards in the only assembly we have had this week, our Achievers’ celebration.
The regular awards were handed out as follows: Fire won the House Cup; Apollo won the Wombles and Year 6 shared Class of the Week for obvious reasons.
There will be no assembly next Friday as half of the school will be on their residentials and so we handed out this half term’s Sports Values Awards. Well done to Alice, Max (Year 3), Noah, Lucas (Year 4), Joseph (Year 5) and Joni (Year 6) for all their hard work and wonderful attitude in their PE lessons.
Other sporting successes included Katie (Year 5) who shared her Hitchin Belles trophy; Leo (Year 6) who represented North Herts in the primary schools’ swimming gala last weekend; Brielle (Year 3) for her grade eight ice skating success, where we were also treated to a demonstration of a ‘teapot’ which I have now challenged staff to replicate (no chance!) and Lottie (Year 5) who took part in a whole host of exciting activities last weekend with her fellow Scouting Association friends.
In addition to this, I had the pleasure to present our first two Platinum Awards of the year to Nevaeh and Georgia (Year 5). They are two very deserving individuals and were presented with a certificate and a special medal.
Music was provided by Ayla (Year 4) who played her violin and Poppy (Year 6) who sang for us.
Straight after assembly, I was out at a Headteacher’s consortium meeting with other Hitchin Heads where budgets featured high on the agenda.
Can you believe that next week is the last week before half term? Time has certainly flown by over the last four weeks. Looking at the diary, the key events must be the Year 6 residential from Monday through to Friday and the Year 4 residential from Wednesday through to Friday.
I am looking forward to watching both Year 5 class assemblies. Voyager Class has theirs on Wednesday afternoon, with Apollo showcasing their hard work to parents on Friday morning.
In between these, we have a Year 5 hockey team taking part in the county finals on Thursday. Despite the Year 6s being unavailable due to being in Devon, the Year 5s will prove to be a very strong team and I have no doubt will equip themselves admirably.
Year 3 are back at HGS on Wednesday afternoon for another multisport festival.
That is everything for this week. A highly productive week and a week which provides another massive ‘tick’ in the list of things Year 6s have to do before they leave. Not long now!
Have a great weekend. I wonder if I can pick up a ticket to that show I referenced earlier.
Best wishes,
Steve Mills
Headteacher
