Headmaster's Welcome
Headmaster's News, Friday 31st January, 2025
Jan 31, 2025
31st January 2025
Dear Parents
Y4 Trip to Hindu Temple
Last Tuesday, the Year 4 students embarked on an enriching educational visit to the Gujarat Hindu Society Temple in Preston. Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by Reyansh’s mum, who guided us through the temple and provided insightful explanations about its traditions, activities, and intricate décor. We learned about all the classes available to temple members, including Indian dance, which sounded wonderful. Additionally, we learned about key religious customs, such as the importance of removing our shoes as a gesture of respect. The children listened eagerly as Reyansh’s mother explained the significance of the temple bell, the various shrines, the sacred offerings and the Hindu gods worshipped in Hinduism. She also introduced us to different Hindu festivals and celebrations, which we found especially intriguing. After our tour, the students asked questions about everything they had learnt and seen. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Reyansh’s mum for being an exceptional guide and for giving up her time to make our visit so informative and memorable.
Chinese New Year
Last week we enjoyed a visit from the Confucius Institute at Lancaster University who spent time with every class. They taught us how to greet each other in Chinese and we also learnt about Chinese New Year and how it is celebrated. 2024 was the Year of the Dragon and the children loved discovering the characteristics of someone born in the Year of the Dragon. Our Reception class made a breath-taking Chinese dragon which they paraded throughout the entire school. 2025 is the Year of the Snake and celebrations began this week. The Snake symbolises intelligence, mystery, and renewal. The children loved their visit and we would like to thank everyone who made our celebration of Chinese New Year so special, especially the staff from Lancaster University!
News from Nursery
We got our chefs hats on in Nursery last week as we made some delicious pizzas! After pouring and spreading our sauce, and then adding some tasty toppings, it was time for the all-important taste test! Thumbs-up all round for our Young Masterchefs! We have also loved spending time in our library. We really value early literacy in our setting. Children’s brains experience the most growth in their first 5 years, when their brains are most responsive to their environment. Stimulation from reading books, playing, talking, and singing with others serves an important neurological function, enhancing children’s cognitive, physical, social and emotional growth.
Chess
The Chess team travelled to Westholme last week to play in a friendly competition. It was an excellent opportunity for our children to play in a competitive match against another school. It was also lovely to have pupils from Year 3 to Year 6 taking part. They all did incredibly well, winning lots of matches against different opponents, but also showing resilience in defeat along the way. I was very impressed with the progress they have made as many of them have just started to take up chess seriously. It was also good practice for the Chess Congress at the weekend, with a number of our players being on the verge of being selected for the County Team! We look forward to a rematch at Highfield later in the year.
Nursery and Preschool Opening
Today has been a very memorable day in the Highfield calendar with the Lord- Lieutenant of Lancashire formally opening our new Nursery building: The Barn. There will be lots of pictures posted on our social media pages over the coming days and a full write-up in the next newsletter.
Joint Retirement Announcement
After 38 years and 35 years respectively, Helen Haythornthwaite and Andrea Macklam, who have been team-teaching a Year 6 class this year, will be retiring at the end of the Summer. We are announcing this today to give many of their former children, parents and staff, who will be attending tonight’s Alumni event, the opportunity to celebrate their outstanding careers with them, and to reminisce on the many happy memories with these outstanding teachers over the years. They have both dedicated their professional careers to Highfield and have had an impact on so many children’s lives, many of whom will be returning this evening. Highfeld Priory School will be forever grateful for their years of service. We will look forward to commemorating and celebrating their time at Highfield more formally at the end of the academic year.
Sports
Hockey
The Year 5 & 6 Hockey team was in action on Wednesday as we hosted our friends from Rossall School. The girls were excited to play! The match was very even for the first half with both teams finding it difficult to beat the defence and goalkeepers. In the second half, Rossall came out strong and managed to score two goals in quick succession. This did not stop the Highfield team and Lilia scored a great goal to make the score 2-1 with 5 minutes remaining. Some excellent tackling and passing meant, in the dying seconds, Highfield had the ball in the Rossall circle and got a shot away. Unfortunately, it hit the post just as the whistle went. Well done on a great, and much improved, performance girls!
Rugby
All the Year 5 and Year 6 boys played Rugby against Rossall this week. They played three matches simultaneously which gave all the boys an opportunity to take part. The boys showed a lot of tenacity and commitment, making plenty of tackles and running into contact with confidence. The teams also scored a lot of tries! We now need to focus on retaining the ball in contact situations. I am sure that the boys, after a session this week at Grasshoppers, will improve in this area against St. Mary’s Hall, Stonyhurst, next week.
Cross Country
A team of cross-country runners from Years 4-6 travelled to Scarisbrick Hall this week to take part in the ISA Cross Country. There were 28 schools taking part with over 150 children in each race. The children showed a lot of strength and resilience in muddy and damp conditions which included a big ditch! I was very proud to watch them give it everything, all the way to the finish. Our top three finishers were: Henry (Y4) 20th, Edward (Y4) 26, Ahmad(Y6) 40th. Congratulations to all the runners who took part.
Netball
Well played to all the girls in Year 5 and 6 who played in the Netball matches against AKS. With a total of 3 matches, all the teams were tested with some very good marking. We had to work very hard in defence and, despite struggling to get the ball to our shooter, when we did, we shot with amazing accuracy. Well done girls, a very well-deserved victory!
Merits
Merit Awards 24.01.25
RB: Mahika 1W: Adiva 2E: Ibrahim 3R: Isabella
4J: Hana 5M: Sanketh 6HM: Ahmad 6P: James
Merit Awards 31.01.25
RB: Tabitha 1W: Jaylen 2E: Heba 3R: Adam
4J: Umar 5M: Lailah 6HM: Yusra 6P: Joshua
Yours sincerely
J M Duke
Headmaster
