Where do I start? With an apology, perhaps, to the one person who told me she missed my blog last week, when circumstances meant I was just unable to a) get it written in time and b) get it published.
Seriously, I was disappointed in myself as it was the first Friday since becoming a Head where I hadn’t posted something for people to read, about the week in school. That being said, given the nature of last week and also this week, it did have the potential to be quite a boring blog. And before anyone else says it, ‘What’s new?’ I hear you ask. These last two weeks have seen me spend a fair bit of time in my office adding comments to school reports and writing a fair few ‘school documents’ that are required at this time of the year. Nothing that will fill a Friday update.
Transition has featured quite a bit at the moment for obvious reasons and the years of experience from those staff involved, whether here, at the local secondary schools, or at our feeder schools really come into play. This year, we have also made use of the support of our Emotional Mental Health Practitioner, Mia, who ran two workshops for parents last Tuesday, supporting them to support their children as they make the move from Year 2 to Year 3, or from Year 6 to Year 7. My short summary would be that it always works out in the end; trust the schools to do the right thing.
Last Tuesday (when the weather was a little cooler) we were joined by Highbury Year 2s for an opportunity to experience the school grounds and to see what a breaktime might look like when they join. Both Mr Denney and Miss Smith were on hand to make them feel very welcome and to start the process of becoming familiar faces.
At the same time the Year 2s were visiting, our Year 6 pupils were on a geography field trip. Although I was invited, I was unable to attend on this occasion. I did, however, take great delight in watching the reals that the Year 6 team uploaded later that day highlighting what they did in terms of a ‘river study’ and what they did in terms of some ‘fun in the sun’. Most importantly, both showed pupils engaged and happy.
Although ultimately interrupted by me having to rush off, I have enjoyed playing chess with Forrest (Year 3) again. We set up in my office as it was a little quieter than the dining room where most of Cookie Club were playing.
One of the benefits of popping into classrooms is getting to have a look at the pupils’ exercise books and to see what they have been working on. I was really impressed reading through Zico’s (Year 5) extended writing work when I was in covering his music lesson last week. Not only was the written work quality but I was able to flick through and see the amazing progress he has made across the year.
The other notable event last week was the impressive way our Year 6 Sports Leaders helped run a Sports Partnership festival for Key Stage 1 pupils. They led their activities superbly and as expected were a credit to the school. This is just one example of the many sporting successes we have had over course of the year which has seen us reaccredited with our School Games Platinum Award.
A huge ‘thank you’ to Mrs Jarman, Miss King and Mr Ciepiela for their work in submitting our evidence which sees us retain the highest level of award we can get for sport for the next two years.
This week, as already referenced, has followed a similar path to last week. I have been in and out of the office and although I have tried to be around as much as possible at break and at lunch, haven’t been able to see what the pupils have been doing in class.
I missed, for example, the Year 3 cocktail party which means I must have also missed the chance for Mr Denney to get me to blind-taste tomato juice – something he knows will generate one of those embarrassing photos of me.
The weather has been unprecedented this week and, just like when it snows, leaves headteachers with the unenviable task of deciding whether or not to disrupt the school day. Sitting beside a hospital bed in London on Wednesday where I was looking after my dad, and with the support of my leadership team, I made the decision to offer flexible pick up for Thursday and Friday.
I was only celebrating to myself the other week that I had managed to get to the end of my career without a ‘snow day’ in 2026. Zeus must have heard and ‘turned up the dial’ to ‘incinerate’. That will teach me.
Thank you for your support with this and in ensuring the two pick-ups on Thursday and Friday were largely plain sailing. I hope we can get to the end of the year with no other such challenges, and we can enjoy the remaining 18 school days.
I would like to thank the parents who, on different occasions, have kindly brought in drinks and ice-creams for the staff. They were very well received. As too were the ice-pops brought in for the pupils by our Friends’ Association.
On Friday afternoon, the pupils brought home their school reports, the letter informing pupils in Years 3, 4 and 5 who their new teachers will be and in the case of Year 4, their statutory times tables test score. The current class teachers have been meeting all week with members of the leadership team and the new class teacher, sharing information and putting in the foundations for a smooth new year.
Next week looks busy. Of course it does. What else would you expect?
Continuing with the transition theme, we have two evenings where next year’s Year 3s will be coming for a tour and an opportunity to meet their new teacher and the new Headteacher.
We have Phase visiting our Year 6s for the final time this year on Monday afternoon and on Tuesday, pupils who have singing lessons have their summer concert.
Boys heading off to HBS will be out on Wednesday afternoon at their new school, whilst our Year 5s will be heading up to HGS to watch the matinee of their Gym and Dance display. Our dancers will be performing at both evening shows on Wednesday and Thursday and of course, the Mills family… all four of us… will be in attendance at some point.
I am hoping the HGS Junior Choir are going to be visiting on Thursday morning to perform for the school. I just need to check plans haven’t been scuppered by the weather.
Year 5s have their Caribbean Day BBQ on Thursday. And on Friday, we have the Year 6 production dress rehearsal which is an opportunity for the rest of the school to watch the show. If that isn’t enough, we have the district athletics competition on Friday afternoon.
I love hot weather and so am reluctant to state that I hope it breaks soon. Of course, when you are in a school not equipped for these extreme temperatures, a few degrees cooler would be nicer.
Have a great weekend and I will try and spend a little more time being visible next week.
Best wishes,
Steve Mills
Headteacher
Hope Mr Mill Senior Senior is feeling brighter. It’s good to have your blog back!
Seconded. Best wishes.