This is one of these blogs which starts at the end of last week as on Friday, after last week’s summary had been posted, I ventured outside to watch two more football matches against William Ransom. It was warm, and both teams played well in what was probably the last fixtures this year, with the exception of the boys’ league final taking place this evening.
Well done to everyone who has represented the school this year and, as per my email to parents and carers on Monday, please would you have a look around to make sure you don’t have any of our school kit lying around. We are missing quite a bit!
Later on Friday evening, the Friends’ Association hosted a wine tasting evening as their latest social event. It was great fun and really interesting, thanks to our amazing host (and Highbury parent) Jamie from Hedley Wright Wines. Despite not being able to sample all that was on offer, I learned so much across the evening, including the name of that ‘dimple’ in the bottom of a wine bottle and why it’s there.
One of the main reasons I wasn’t able to participate in Friday’s entertainment was down to the London mini marathon we were participating in on Saturday morning, prior to that record breaking main race on Sunday. It was a wonderful morning, and I am pleased to say all our pupils completed their respective races. They were fantastic ambassadors for the school and I believe, very proud with the medals they all received.
As I shared with you last week, the day was capped off with a win for Manchester City under the sun at Wembley. The perfect weekend.
I have managed to attend the two sports competitions at the beginning of the week. On Monday, I headed over to William Ransom to watch our boys’ netball team finish second in their end of season rally, losing only the one game all evening. Particular ‘well done’ to the two Year 5 pupils, Sam, and Logan, who played a key part in the successful tournament.
On Tuesday, our girls’ football team took part in the final of the Wix Cup away, at Wilshere Dacre. As with the boys, a few weeks ago, it wasn’t to be with the result 2 – 0 to Wilshere Dacre. All the girls who have represented the school can feel particularly proud of their achievements this season. I have seen many of the games and been impressed every time. Bella’s (Year 6) long throw is particularly useful.
Over the course of the first two days this week, our Year 6 pupils had one final practice for their SATs. They did a couple of papers (not all of them) under the exam conditions and access arrangements they will encounter in just over a week. They did exceptionally well and I have no doubt will excel when they do them for real. The only thing missing from this final practice was the breakfast, but they needn’t worry as plans are in place to deliver this during SATs week, as always.
In the coming days, we are going to be adding another item to our uniform list. As with the cardigan, when Zoe (now Year 4) spoke to me during her transition visits, asking if we could have one, I have had a group of Year 5 pupils, Luna, Lara, Evie, and Willow, talking about the PE kit. They have been persuading me that a ‘skort’ option would be a great addition and so I have liaised with our suppliers. The girls have tried them out and feel it would be perfect. I will email parents more formally, but this will be a non-branded item and an option instead of the shorts.
On Wednesday afternoon, I enjoyed another music lesson with our Year 5s. Many of the pupils have made good progress since I last joined them with the flautists being particularly impressive.
Wednesday evening saw me supervise my last ever school disco. A huge thank you to the Friends again for organising this event which was hosted by ‘DJ Bailey’. It was clear that the pupils had a great time.
With the weather being particularly glorious on Thursday (as can be seen from the title photo – which Y3 borrowed my sunglasses?), we took the speaker out again to liven up the lunchtime and provide some musical entertainment for the pupils. Mr Mills Jnr was responsible for the playlist which appeared to go down very well. Year 5s were going for more choreographed routines whereas Year 6 and others went for the freestyle option.
Mrs Jarman assembled our latest piece of tech on Thursday following the delivery of our new digital drum kit. The kit was purchased thanks to a local council grant and some hard work on the part of the Friends’ Association. It will hopefully make for a more harmonious creative arts studio when piano lessons and drum lessons take place at the same time. It also looks really cool!
Achievers was fun as always on Friday morning. The Class of the Week trophy went to Mayan and Earth won the House Cup.
Music this week was provided by Thayalan (Year 6) who played the flute and then Orla, Lillian and Julia (Year 6) who sang a slightly adapted version of Popular from Wicked directed at our Year 3s.
We presented a couple of gymnastics award to Zoe and Eloise (Year 4) and celebrated our four Year 5 mathematicians who took part in a really tough competition at Kingshott on Thursday afternoon.
The majority of Friday was spent with Mr Wathen the incoming headteacher and I really couldn’t have been prouder of the school. The pupils were incredible and made him feel very welcome. I take the behaviour and attitude of the pupils personally and they were all awesome. Thank you!
Looking ahead to next week, the diary actually looks a little quieter. Of course, we have a Bank Holiday to enjoy on Monday and so have a four-day week. I am out of the office on Tuesday afternoon but other than that, I appear to have some time to get on.
Cricket features a couple of times with a match against Samuel Lucas on Tuesday evening and then a cricket enrichment day at school on Thursday. The other sports event is a lower school golf competition on Friday after school.
Good luck to our boys’ football team as they head off in a few minutes to play their league final against Samuel Lucas and what will be, for some, their last ever football match for Whitehill. Fingers crossed for a win.
And finally… Good luck to Eloise (Year 4) and some of her Kusama Class colleagues who are running the golden mile as part of Hitchin’s race weekend. They have decided to support Phase – one of the school’s chosen charities this year – and have been given special t-shirts to run in. If you are in Hitchin on Sunday, please make sure you cheer them on!
Have a wonderful (long) weekend.
Best wishes,
Steve Mills
Headteacher
