Usually, by the time I report on the Year 3 production, the school Christmas lunch and the visit of Anthony Glenn, we have only a couple of days to go. Not this year however, as we still have a week of this term left (with plenty left to do).
The Year 3 production was another huge success. Despite last minute stresses prior to the matinee on Monday when the glitter ball forgot how to rotate, meaning Mr Denney had a stressful few minutes up and down the ladder, the pupils did very well indeed across all three shows. Thank you to the Year 3 teaching team for all their hard work in putting the show on and to the pupils themselves who learned lines and took direction.
Whilst every pupil deserves the credit for all their hard work, I would like to give a couple of special mentions. Jemima’s little wink at the end of her scene as Astrid was always impeccably timed. Ted’s dancing as elderly Senilius reminded me of Dick van Dyke who incidentally turns 99 today. And of course, Lucas and Harry as Mr and Mr Ho could grace the stage of any Netflix makeover show. They were ‘fab-u-lous!’
Thank you also to the parents and other relatives who attended and supported our Junior Leadership Team’s chosen charities (Prostate Cancer UK and Headway Hertfordshire) by contributing to the collections at the end of each show. In total, we have raised £200 to start this year’s charity collection off.
I received some lovely comments from parents and relatives who came to see the show and I do share these with the staff. “I would like to give the highest praise to the staff and children for a truly magical event. The joy on their faces was a real treasure.” was one such comment.
“Seeing how [our daughter’s] confidence has grown under your care and encouragement, and through the many opportunities that you have given her is really remarkable.” is another.
On Tuesday, we received the amazing news that Joshua (Year 6) has had his entry into the BBC 550 Word story writing competition shortlisted for the next round. This is an incredible achievement, and I can’t recall a pupil getting through that first round in previous years. We are very proud of him.
Wednesday was a day of festivity. First thing, we were joined by Anthony Glenn, a regular at Whitehill, to perform Oliver Twist for the pupils. His one-man (and many pupil) shows are always great fun and well-received by the school. We pay for his visit via the funds raised by our Friends’ Association.
Several members of staff, who have seen many of his shows, commented as I did that this was probably one of the best we have seen. All the pupils who were selected to participate were amazing and really entered into the spirit of the play. A special mention must go to Connor (Year 6) who was chosen to play the lead role and then his twin, Kieran, who Mrs Vernon manufactured to play the role of the Artful Dodger, much to Anthony Glenn’s surprise when he realised!
As soon as we said goodbye to Anthony, we switched our attention to setting up the dining room for Christmas lunch. It is a real team effort with all staff getting involved during the four sittings to serve juice or gravy and generally wait on the pupils. Thank you to Mrs Stokes and her team who served over 230 dinners for us even though one of the HCL managers decided to pay a visit.
I could have done with a snooze during the afternoon, but instead decided to join Mrs Bailey and Apollo Class for a spot of sewing. I am so glad I did too, as they were awesome and such fun to be with. We practised blanket stitch (with various degrees of success from ‘absolutely awesome’ to ‘Freddie R’ – by his own admission) in preparation for them making their space-themed cushions. I enjoyed myself so much, I returned on Thursday to do a bit more and am pleased to announce that the afore mentioned pupil did particularly well with his constellation design and stitching! Go Freddie!
Over the last few days, our Friends’ Association have been very busy with a range of different activities. You may have seen them accompanying Santa and his elves around the local roads spreading some festive cheer. This resulted in around £825 being raised. Incredible!
We had the annual Christmas Fair at Highbury last Friday evening and combined with the raffle, an amazing £2400 profit was returned on this project. A further £140 was raised with an impromptu drink sale at the Year 3 production and as I reported previously, over £500 has been raised through the Asda rewards scheme. I am extremely grateful to the Friends’ committee for all their hard work and of course all of you who support their projects. I guarantee that all of the money raised and given to Whitehill each year, goes towards projects which will enhance the learning opportunities of our pupils.
Despite all the festivity, pupils have been continuing to learn, and I chatted to Kit (Year 6) this week and presented him with a Headteacher’s award for his independent writing.
On Thursday, we said farewell to Mr Pollard. Mr Pollard has been a supporter and regular helper at Whitehill for as long as I can remember. His grandchildren came to Whitehill a decade ago and he has continued to come in and help. He listens to readers for us and was a regular additional adult helping with our swimming lessons for lower school pupils. He has decided that he needs to retire (again) and so on Thursday, we presented him with gifts and clapped and cheered as he left the building for the last time. For the record, Henry (Year 3) was his last ever pupil he heard read.
Mr Wells and Miss Smith ran an Interhouse TT Rockstars competition on Thursday. The pupils volunteered to represent their Houses within their year groups and then the combined scores led to Water House being crowned winners.
Achievers’ Assembly returned on Friday for the first time since 22nd November and so there was plenty to celebrate.
The regular awards were handed out as follows: Mayan won the Wombles; Fire won the House Cup and Apollo won Class of the Week.
As we are close to the end of term, we also presented our Wall of Fame certificates to three pupils in each class: one for English, one for maths and one for science. Their photos will be displayed near to the hall, together with the reason they were selected by their class teachers. Well done to all who received an award this time around.
Other awards handed out were our half-termly sports awards. Each award recognises one of the Schools Games Values and this time around they were given to Imogen (Year 3), Oliver (Year 4), Liam and Mimi (Year 5), Sophia and Joshua (Year 6).
Looking ahead to the final week of the term and the calendar year, I am pleased (relieved) to report that the week looks relatively quiet. A chance for a few days of calm before the Christmas break,
The Senior Leadership Team are taking the Junior Leadership Team out for a spot of lunch on Monday to say thank you for their work so far. We have HGS in on Tuesday to work with Year 6 pupils on an electricity workshop which is always great fun.
Other than that, the main event will be our Christmas assembly being held at St Mary’s Church on Friday starting at 9.30am. Parents are invited to join us with doors to the church opening at 9.10am. I hope you will be able to come along.
Have a great weekend.
Best wishes,
Steve Mills
Headteacher
