Year 5s headed out to Bayfordbury Observatory on day one of their space-themed curriculum week as a change to the usual trip to Leicester. The Year 5 teaching team made the decision to freshen up the visits for this week and picked a couple more local visits providing more learning opportunities for the pupils.
It was the perfect decision too, as the feedback upon their return was so positive. The pupils I spoke to wanted to share with me the facts they had learned and tested me on my knowledge. I also received feedback from parents on Monday evening (which is always lovely) stating how their children hadn’t stopped talking about the trip and all they had learned. I imagine we can book a return visit already.
The remainder of the week for the Year 5s continued to provide further space-themed delights, including a VR session on Tuesday morning which saw pupils venture into space themselves. I paused in the hall during a tour I was giving to watch the faces of the pupils having a go. It was fantastic to see.
I was summoned to the classrooms a few times over the course of the week to see the work they were doing and was impressed every time with the focus and engagement in the lesson. As one of my visitors remarked, the ‘behaviour for learning’ and teamwork was great. I agree.
In my absence on Thursday and Friday, the amazing opportunities continued. Thanks to Thomas B (Year 5) who emailed her, we had a zoom call with Dr Nicola Fox, NASA’s Associate Administrator for their Science Mission Directorate. I even slipped out of my meeting in Birmingham to join this and am so glad I did. It was a truly inspirational call and I was so proud of the Year 5s and the questions they asked.. They also had a STEM Ambassador come and talk with them and in a couple of hours, the year group will be returning for the infamous ‘space night’. More about this next week and on our social media page but as I draft this blog, dare I say the weather forecast actually looks quite reasonble… that will be a first!
Looking back at other newsworthy events from the week, the Year 3s continue to balance their regular work with practising for their play. The dress rehearsal, which they perform to the whole school, is two weeks today and I have no doubt, it will be ready. For those of you with children in Year 3, you will have received a link from me on Monday so that you can request tickets. When we get a little closer to the main event, I will send home the tickets.
I saw some amazing journalistic writing from Year 5 pupils in Apollo Class this week, where they were writing about the first moon landing. I was five days old when the Eagle touched down on the surface of the moon to which the pupils responded with comments along the lines of, ‘Aren’t you old!’
Occasionally, I have to reference the fact that I feel I have spent too much time in my office over the course of the week and certainly, the first three days of this week, was just like that. The fact I am now writing and publishing this blog from an Avanti West Coast train on my way back from two days in Brimingham might have had something to do with it. My two days on NAHT duty have again been very interesting, with content relating to Ofsted, wellbeing and pay progression for teachers on the agenda. Assuming there are no problems with my trains, I will be at the space night on time.
I had to laugh this week when one of the regular readers of this blog commented to Mr Mills Jnr and to me (the day after) that they didn’t feel netball got enough coverage. To redress the balance, I thought I would give it a paragraph today even though we have reached the mid-season break and the weather has not really been conducive to the sport. We have had no netball matches this week but I can promise I will do my very best to attend the first one after the break which I believe is on Wednesday 29th January. (I will await further comment on Monday)
Sport we have had however, has included handball and the first round of a national football competition for our girls’ team. The hanball was particularly successful with our two teams playing against each other in the final having both had a 100% record to that point. It was Miss King and Mr Ciepiela’s team who triumphed in the end with some amazing teamwork. Well done to both teams for bringing another trophy back to school. Judging by the photos I saw, the girls had a fun night under lights, despite not progressing through to the next round.
Tuesday morning was a bit of a shock. When I got up it was just wet, but as I left for work around 6.45am it was snowing. Fortunately, the roads were fine and the only negative was the wet break and wet lunch we had to endure. I will write to all families soon to remind them of the protocols for seriously bad weather but fortunately, on this occasion, they weren’t needed.
We welcomed back Mr Lord on Wednesday afternoon after his time off on paternity leave with his wife and their new baby, Finley. I wonder if he managed to keep his eyes open the whole time. Whenever we have a staff member off for a course or as we have had this term, jury service and pat leave, it is lovely that the pupils continue to be taught by staff members they know. It is very rare indeed and a USP for Whitehill that I have the staff available to move around and ensure continuity for the pupils’ learning. On this occasion, a huge thanks go to Mrs Burniston, Mrs Jarman and of course Mrs Wells for stepping in.
Mrs Burniston was on Achievers’ Assembly duty for me again this week. Fire won the House Cup; Lamarr won the Wombles and Wilde won Class of the Week.
We also celebrated Freddie R’s (Year 5) report from Luton Town which highlighted many of his footballing strengths. In addition, Willow (Year 6) showed her Rookie Lifeguard award with Lewis (Year 3) sharing his swimming award. Mrs Burniston also made sure we celebrated some TTRS and Lexia superstars.
Next week is a slightly shorter week as we are closed for INSET on Friday. On Tuesday, the Year 5s are out again for one more space-related visit and on Thursday we have a non-uniform day for all pupils to support the Friends’ Association Christmas event. Details have been shared in relation to this. The only other thing to share at this point is that a letter drafted by the consortium of Hitchin schools is being sent out in relation to the current discussions around smart phones. Given the fact that I am away from my desk, I will be sharing this on Monday but I wanted you to be aware in case you hear from friends with children in other Hitchin schools.
You will be pleased to know that my train is on time and so I hope to be with the Year 5s as close to the start of their space night as possible. Fingers crossed!
Have a great weekend.
Best wishes,
Steve Mills
Headteacher
