Headmaster's Welcome
Headmaster's News - 2nd December 2016
Dec 2, 2016
Dear Parents
1D’s Assembly
Thank you 1D for your fantastic assembly this morning all about animals. We really did visit the Highfield Zoo where you shared facts about a range of animals from birds right through to amphibians. I enjoyed your telling of Brigitte Minne’s story in which the animals competed to see which animal had the best tail. Your final song, ‘Wag, Wag, Wag Your Tail’ was very entertaining! You all spoke with so much confidence and certainly looked like you were having lots of fun! Congratulations 1D and thank you Mrs Davidson for organising this assembly.
Staff News
I would like to advise of staffing changes within the Bursar’s Office at Highfield. It is with regret that I inform you that Mrs Alison Leigh has decided to move on from her position at the school at the end of this calendar year. Having worked full time for a number of years, Mrs Leigh is now looking for a better work/life balance by seeking part-time employment. During her time at the school, she has contributed greatly to our success and we will miss her influence and counsel. With immediate effect, Mrs Amanda Heywood has agreed to take over the new position of School Business Manager: a title which we feel reflects the changing nature of the current Bursar’s role. Mrs Heywood has extensive experience of working in School Finance, including a period as acting Bursar at Highfield in 2007/8. Mr Peter McElwee will be working with the school over the next few months to assist with the transition of responsibilities. He was previously Bursar at Lomond School in Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute.
I would like to thank Mrs Leigh for her contribution to the school and also wish Mrs Heywood every success in her new role.
Out and About With Year 6 - Art
I visited a Year 6 Art lesson on Tuesday. Isabel explained that they were copying ‘Starry Night’ by Van Gogh in the style of the pixilised squares and rectangles used by Adam Lister. Noah explained that they were only using horizontal and vertical lines. Zara added that they were not allowed to use diagonal lines and Charlie explained that they were allowed to use a ruler. He went on to show me his picture which was very detailed with a vast array of different shaped squares and rectangles representing the different colours and shapes in the picture. Fatimah and Faheema talked about the amount of colour they were allowed to use and that they had to approach it a section at a time. The children really had to focus on the detail to make sure that the different colours, shapes and scale were reflected in their representation of the picture. All the children were progressing very well and I was impressed by their awareness of perspective. Roan was starting by filling in the larger shapes before breaking down each original feature with the colours within. His picture was definitely going to show the depth and range of shades within the original picture. Miss Jewitt was moving around the room giving advice and support and encouraging the children. It was a very impressive atmosphere; every child was captivated by the task in hand. Thank you 6H. I look forward to seeing your masterpieces at the end of this term!
Thursday Coffee Morning
This will be next Thursday for all parents in the Highfield Community. Many of the teachers will be there and I hope as many parents as possible will be able to attend. Please can you let the office know if you will be attending so we can pass numbers to the kitchen.
Northern ISA Swimming Gala
On Saturday, eight pupils travelled to Macclesfield to represent Highfield at the Northern ISA Swimming Gala. All our swimmers acquitted themselves exceptionally well against 20 schools from across the north of the country. Four swimmers qualified for the Nationals with James winning the Under 11’s backstroke and front crawl; Oliver winning the backstroke, front crawl and butterfly; Zahara winning the breaststroke and Sophie winning the Under 11’s backstroke. The Highfield team also
won the overall trophies in the Under 11 Girls and Under 11 Boys. Congratulations to the whole team on a very successful afternoon.
Swimming Team: Oliver, Olivia, Zahara, Evie, Grace, Sophie James and Daniel.
Smart Watches (Christmas Presents)
A reminder from last year, as you are shopping for Christmas gifts, smart watches, activity trackers, Watchus and oversized watches are not allowed in school. They are a distraction in class and can be dangerous. Thank you for your understanding.
Hats and Gloves
Hats and gloves worn with school uniform must be plain (no logos) and in the school colours. School hats and gloves can be bought from the office or the school shop.
Lost Property
Unnamed lost property will be on display on Tuesday in the Sports Hall after school.
An expensive piece of jewellery has been found, please contact the office if you think it might belong to your child.
Highfield Supports Rock FM Mission Christmas
We are delighted to announce our support for the Rock FM ‘Cash for Kids’ campaign.
We are asking you to buy an extra present this Christmas that we can give to a disadvantaged local child to make their Christmas morning special. We need new and unwrapped gifts suitable for children and young people aged 0-18 years. Simply drop off the gifts at the school office and we will pass them over to Rock FM. Thank you for your support.
HPPTA
The HPPTA 2nd Annual Cabaret and Dining Extravaganza will be held on Saturday 11 March, 2017. Invitations will be sent home with your child. Tickets will be on sale in the school office from Monday 12 December - individual tickets £48, a table of 10 is £430.
If you would like to send a cheque into school with your child to buy tickets please make cheques payable to HPPTA. Alternatively, please buy tickets from the school office.
Many thanks for your support. The first Cabaret event was such a success we're sure you'll have a great and very memorable evening. HPPTA
Merit Awards
RD: Lyla 1D: The Whole Class 1W: Sophie 2F: Suleman 2M: Genevieve
3M: Stephen 4H: Adam 4S: Joshua D 5D: Grace 5M: Grace 6J: Isabelle 6H: Malaika
Monitor of the week: Fatimah
Thought for the Week
The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today. H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
Yours sincerely
J M Duke
Headmaster
