HALLFIELD
ISSUE 14 SUMMER 2026
INSIDE THIS ISSUE HALLFIELD MUSIC IN FULL SWING FUN TIMES BEYOND HALLFIELD UNFORGETTABLE RESIDENTIAL DAYS CELEBRATING PUPIL SUCCESS
Happy | Inspiring | Purposeful WWW.HALLFIELDSCHOOL.CO.UK
WELCOME
From the Head Master Dear Parents, Welcome to the latest edition of Hallfield Focus. This term has been a busy one, with our pupils enjoying a wide range of opportunities, experiences, and achievements across the school and beyond Hallfield. With another school year coming to an end, we are one step closer to celebrating Hallfield’s 150th anniversary - a significant milestone in the history of our wonderful school. As we look ahead to this special occasion, it is a perfect time to reflect on the traditions, values, and community that have shaped Hallfield over the years. This edition celebrates the many successes and memorable moments from the term, from sporting achievements and musical performances to inspiring learning experiences and pupil accomplishments. I hope you enjoy reading about the enthusiasm, creativity, and curiosity that continue to make Hallfield such a special place. Thank you, as always, for your continued support to Hallfield.
Keith Morrow Head Master
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LEADERSHIP
MEET OUR HEAD CHILDREN
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e are excited to introduce our incredible leaders who will be role models to our pupils and guide our school this year:
Head of Seniors: Deven Deputy Head of Seniors: Willa Head Boy: Krish Head Girl: Amber Deputy Head Boy: Roshan Deputy Head Girl: Florence These pupils have been chosen for their leadership and motivation for making a difference at Hallfield. We can’t wait to see the amazing things they will achieve in the new academic year.
WHAT OUR PUPILS SAY
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t Hallfield, we believe in nurturing the whole child. Our approach combines academic excellence with opportunities in music, art, sport, and a wide range of enrichment experiences, helping every pupil discover their strengths and passions. By providing a balanced education that develops confidence, creativity, resilience, and character, we prepare our pupils not only for their next steps, but also for life beyond the bell.
periences, filled with new ex en be ve ha s ar that have helped “These ye table memories et rg fo un d an , portant parts of challenges ne of the most im O y. da to am I d building shape who ing new friends an ak m en be s ha y this journe .” tions with others — Tabetha stronger connec “I will truly miss so much: my friends, m y teachers, and the kindness of the wh ole community. It ha s been such an important part of m y life. As I move on , I will carry these memories with me. Although I will be lea ving Hallfield, Hallfield will never leave m e.” — Raihan
nture, growing s almost ten-year adve thi ed joy en ly tru ve “I ha become.” I never thought I would l gir a o int t an inf an – Mahi from
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SPECIAL FEATURES
25TH YEAR AS A HEAD Twenty-Five Years On: A Head Master’s Reflection Mr Keith Morrow, Head Master
This summer marks a rather significant milestone for me, though I confess it took someone pointing out the maths before I quite believed it myself. In September 2001, at the age of 30, I walked into my first headship at Great Ponton Church of England School in Lincolnshire, utterly convinced I knew what I was doing and, in hindsight, rather charmingly unaware of how much I still had to learn. As we close this summer term, I complete twenty-five years as a headteacher, across four schools; two primary headships in the maintained sector and two headships in the independent sector, the second of which brings me to you, at Hallfield. I am now the longest-serving Head at Hallfield since 1988, which is a source of enormous pride, and a responsibility I do not take lightly. It also feels rather fitting that this milestone should fall in the same term as our third ISI inspection here. The formal report will be published in the autumn, so I must be circumspect, but I can say that I left our inspection days feeling genuinely optimistic about what the inspectors saw across both the Nursery and the main school. Just as pleasing is the confirmation that we have the green light to continue our expansion through to 16+ and GCSEs, a natural and exciting next chapter for Hallfield. So, what has changed in twenty-five years? A great deal, and yet, reassuringly, some things not at all.
The rise of the inbox Technology is the most obvious shift. In my first headship, communication with parents meant letters home in book bags, and the occasional handwritten note I would sit and reply to properly, with a cup of tea and time to think. Today, technology has transformed how our pupils learn and how our teachers teach, opening up possibilities that simply did not exist a generation ago. But it has changed how schools and parents communicate too, and if I am honest, the volume of emails and WhatsApp messages now arriving at any hour of the day or night is the one development I view with mixed feelings. The instinct to reply instantly is strong, but instant is not always the same as considered, and I still believe the best responses, to parents and to pupils, are the thoughtful ones, even if they take a little longer to arrive.
Learning from the best, everywhere
One constant throughout my career has been the habit of looking outward. Serving first as an OFSTED inspector and, for over a decade now, as an ISI Reporting Inspector and Team Inspector, has taken me into hundreds of schools up and down the country. Every single visit teaches me something, a clever piece of timetabling, a fresh approach to pastoral care, a better way of welcoming new families. I have never stopped comparing Hallfield against the very best I see elsewhere, and I never intend to. Standing still is not something schools, or Heads, can afford to do.
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SPECIAL FEATURES
The team around me
A quarter century of change
None of what Hallfield has achieved in recent years has been down to me alone. I have had the privilege of appointing every member of our current Senior Leadership Team, and I could not be prouder of the expertise, energy, and shared sense of purpose they bring each day.
Beyond technology, the whole landscape of education has shifted in ways worth pausing on. Safeguarding, once a fairly slim section of the staff handbook, now rightly sits at the very heart of every decision a school makes.
However, schools are defined not only by their leaders, but by every member of staff who walks through the gates each morning. Our outstanding teachers inspire, challenge, and nurture our children with unwavering dedication, while our support staff, pastoral teams, administrative colleagues, estates and operations staff all play an essential role in creating the exceptional environment that our pupils experience every day. Their commitment, professionalism and genuine care for our children are what make Hallfield such a special place. I am equally grateful to our Governors, whose wisdom, challenge and trust have given us the confidence to be ambitious, whether that has meant investing £6 million in our site, introducing Hallfield Seniors, or now extending our provision through to GCSEs. Great schools are never built by one person. They are built by talented people united by a shared vision, working together every day for the benefit of the children in their care. I firmly believe Hallfield has one of the strongest, most dedicated teams I have had the privilege to work alongside.
The one thing that never changes
Wellbeing and mental health, barely discussed in staffrooms in 2001, are now understood as being as important as academic outcomes, not a distraction from them. Early Years provision has professionalised beyond recognition, and parental expectations of partnership, rather than simple information-giving, have transformed how good schools operate. And the independent sector itself has become markedly more competitive and more accountable, which, on balance, I think has made all of us better at what we do.
Family always This career has been a family affair in more ways than one. My sons, Jacob and Alex, were pupils of mine at two of my schools, an experience I would not trade for anything, even the inevitable moments of having to be Dad and Head Master in the same breath. My wife, Anna, worked alongside me at every school where I have held a headship, until her recent, wellearned retirement, and I could not have done any of this without her. These days, it is Ginny, our labradoodle, who accompanies me into school most days instead, and I suspect she has become nearly as well known around Hallfield as I have.
If there is a single constant across four schools and twenty-five years, it is this: I still love working with children. Whatever else fills a Head’s diary, be it inspections, budgets or building projects, it is the pupils who motivate me every single day, and being around them keeps me seeing the world afresh, through their eyes rather than my own. I have always loved residentials, and all the cocurricular enrichment that surrounds them, because it is often on a hillside, in a tent, or on a stage that you see a child’s character shine brightest. For all the talk one sometimes hears of a decline in young people’s behaviour or outlook, I have simply not seen it in my own schools. Quite the opposite. I remain an eternal optimist about the young people of tomorrow, and it is genuinely exciting to see our older Hallfield pupils now finding their feet as confident, capable young adults in our Seniors.
Looking ahead My longest headship before Hallfield was at The Elms, where I stayed for eleven happy years. I fully intend for my time at Hallfield to exceed that, though I will stop short of promising another twenty-five years of headship! What I can promise is that, given my time again, I would choose exactly the same path: teaching, and then headship, without a moment’s hesitation. Here’s to the next chapter for Hallfield, and to all of us who are part of writing it.
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PUPIL ACHIEVEMENTS
LEAMINGTON SPA MUSIC FESTIVAL
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ur young pianists demonstrated remarkable musicality, confidence and dedication, earning enthusiastic applause from the audience and high praise from the adjudicators.
RESULTS Congratulations to our prize winners: Haze and Travis (Year 1), Marcus (Year 2), and Edward (Year 6). The adjudicators commended our children for their expressive performances, technical excellence and musical maturity, describing them as stylish, engaging and full of character.
BOYS SHINE AT NORTHFIELD FESTIVAL OF MUSIC
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n May, Declan and Arthur performed at the Northfield Festival of Music & Speech and received Honours Level certificates.
Declan received recognition in the U9 category while Arthur was the winner of the Grade 6 Piano Category. Congratulations, boys!
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HEATHER’S MUSICAL EXCELLENCE
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huge congratulations to Heather in Year 5, who has achieved a Distinction in her ABRSM Grade 8 Piano examination. Achieving Grade 8 is an outstanding accomplishment at any age, making Heather’s success very impressive. Her dedication, discipline, and countless hours of practice have clearly paid off, and we are incredibly proud of her exceptional musical achievement. Well done, Heather!
PUPIL ACHIEVEMENTS
SWEET TREAT FOR GOLD CARD WINNERS
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he gold card winners enjoyed a welldeserved treat as an ice cream van rolled into Hallfield! With the sunshine making it the perfect day for a cool treat, pupils celebrated their hard work, positive attitude and excellent behaviour with a delicious ice cream.
IYLA DRAWING FOR DISCOVERY
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yla in Year 1 took part in the British Science Week Poster Competition. Working with her classmates and Mrs Davis, she created a poster exploring the theme “What makes children’s lives positive and happy?” In recognition of her hard work and dedication, Iyla was awarded a CREST Discovery Award. Her contribution will also form part of a national research project led by the British Science Association and Northumbria University. Well done, Iyla!
INTERNATIONAL STEM SUCCESS FOR ALEX
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ongratulations to Alex, who proudly represented both the United Kingdom and Hallfield School at the International STEM Olympiad Grand Finals in Rome.
Following months of dedicated preparation, Alex brought home a Gold in Mathematics, Silver in Science, and Bronze in the AI Prompt Engineering Challenge in the Grade 3 (ages 9–10) category among children from 58 countries. Well done, Alex!
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PUPIL ACHIEVEMENTS
KES MATHS CHALLENGE
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allfield were lucky enough to have two teams of four for the grand final of the KES and KEHS Maths Challenge in April. All the children showed a superb attitude to all the challenges and workshops they experienced, showing superb teamwork, communication skills and resilience.
MATH BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
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ur mathematicians put their problem-solving skills to the test this term by taking part in both the Primary Maths Challenge and the Junior Maths Challenge. It was wonderful to see so many children embracing the opportunity to tackle some seriously tricky questions. Regardless of the results, every participant should be proud of having the confidence to challenge themselves and represent the school so positively.
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SPECIAL EVENTS
SPEECH AND PRIZE GIVING DAY 2026
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n June, we gathered in the Great Hall at the University of Birmingham for Speech Day. This brought our school community together to celebrate another successful year and recognise the many achievements of our children at Hallfield. The ceremony featured beautiful performances from our pupils. We were also delighted to welcome guest speaker Serena Patel, who shared an inspiring address, encouraging our children to embrace curiosity, resilience, and the opportunities ahead. Congratulations to all our prize winners!
READ THE FULL BLOG POST TO SEE ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS!
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SPECIAL EVENTS
SPEAKING WITH CONFIDENCE
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locution is one of Hallfield’s flagship events, taking place every two years. The Elocution Final was a wonderful celebration of confidence and expression, with pupils delivering their pieces clearly and confidently in front of their peers and parents. We were honoured to be joined by Mr Swanwick, Second Master of KES, as the guest adjudicator. Congratulations to the winners, and well done to all who took part!
STEP INTO THE VIKING WORLD
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rom hands-on activities and teamwork challenges to exploring Viking traditions and culture, Year 4 embraced every opportunity to bring their learning to life on Viking Day. Their creativity, curiosity, and enthusiasm made for a fantastic day of historical discovery.
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SPECIAL EVENTS
HALLFIELD INSIGHTS WITH SERENA PATEL
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n June, Serena shared her journey to becoming a leading children’s author, spoke about her experiences of ADHD, and encouraged pupils to embrace their unique strengths. The evening concluded with an engaging Q&A session. We thank Serena for such an inspiring visit and look forward to seeing Anisha’s adventures on screen in the future.
MOVE UP DAY
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ove Up Day gave pupils the opportunity to spend time in their new classrooms, meet their teachers, and get a first glimpse of what next year would look like. It was a valuable chance to build confidence and ask questions, ensuring everyone is excited and well prepared for the year ahead.
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SPECIAL EVENTS
PRE-PREP SPORTS DAY
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ur youngest pupils enjoyed a fantastic Pre-Prep Sports Day, filled with energy, excitement, and plenty of smiles. From obstacle courses to flat races, every child embraced the challenges with enthusiasm and determination, cheered on by classmates, staff, and families.
PREP & SENIORS SPORTS DAY
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rep and Senior Sports Day was packed with determined competition, and fantastic House spirit. Pupils competed across a range of track and field events, pushing themselves to achieve personal bests and earn valuable House points. The standard was exceptionally high, with an incredible 17 school records broken throughout the day. Thank you for the effort, resilience, and sportsmanship from our children, making it a truly memorable occasion.
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SPORTS
SPORTS
IAPS SQUASH SUCCESS
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eorge, Jasper, Ishaan P, Saif and Amaan represented the school at the prestigious IAPS Squash Finals. This elite national tournament brought together some of the strongest young squash players from IAPS schools to compete against one another.
IAPS TABLE TENNIS CHALLENGE
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shaan P and and George performed admirably against strong opposition. Ishaan narrowly missed progressing to the knockout stages after a series of closely contested group matches, while George advanced to the last 16, where he faced a particularly challenging opponent and was edged out in the final few points of a very competitive match.
TAKING ON THE REGION’S BEST
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oya, Alex and George enjoyed a fantastic weekend of junior squash at the Prince Philip Memorial Trophy in Kenilworth. Competing against some of the region’s strongest junior players, all three played brilliantly, helping their teams achieve impressive 2nd and 4th place finishes out of eight teams. We are very proud of them!
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SPORTS
BRITISH OPEN SQUASH CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026
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group of Prep pupils enjoyed an unforgettable visit to the British Open Squash Championships 2026, where they watched some of the world’s best players compete at the very highest level. Seeing elite athletes in action gave pupils a real insight into the speed, skill, and intensity of professional squash.
NO SUNSHINE NEEDED FOR CRICKET
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ith the rain outside, our Year 6 children took cricket indoors and brought the energy to our Multi-Purpose Hall instead. Pupils adapted brilliantly, developing their batting, bowling, and fielding skills while enjoying the challenge of indoor cricket. The weather may have changed the venue, but it certainly didn’t stop the fun!
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PERFORMING ARTS
PERFORMING ARTS
PRACTICALLY PERFECT
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ear 6 brought the magic of Mary Poppins to the stage in a truly outstanding production. With confident performances and memorable singing, the pupils captivated the audience from start to finish. As their final production for the year, the show was a celebration of their talent, hard work and teamwork. We are incredibly proud of every member of the cast and Mr Neale and Mrs Edgar for delivering such a wonderful performance!
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PERFORMING ARTS
YEAR 5 JSAX CONCERT
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he jSax programme introduces Year 5 pupils to the saxophone through wholeclass instrumental lessons, helping them develop musical skills, confidence, and teamwork. This term’s concert was a fantastic showcase of their progress, with pupils performing confidently to family and friends.
HALLFIELD MUSIC PROM
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ur Music Prom was a brilliant celebration of Hallfield’s musical talent, featuring a wonderful variety of genres, instruments and performances. From classical to contemporary pieces, pupils showcased their skills, confidence and enthusiasm.
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PERFORMING ARTS
AN AFTERNOON OF MUSIC
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talented pupils from Years 4 to 6 performed a wonderful selection of musical pieces across a variety of instruments. The Tea Time concert was a fantastic opportunity for the children to showcase the hard work, dedication and progress they have made in their musical learning.
BRINGING STORIES TO LIFE
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ur Year 2 pupils delighted family and friends with an impressive Drama Showcase that transported the audience into a magical world of pirates, mermaids and high-seas adventure. Well done Year 2!
THE SOUND OF SUMMER
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he Pre-Prep Summer Concert was a joyful celebration of music, confidence and creativity. Pupils delighted the audience with their enthusiastic performances, showcasing an impressive range of singing, movement and musical talent from such a young age.
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PERFORMING ARTS
SHOWCASING MUSICAL EXCELLENCE
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he Music Scholars’ Concert was a wonderful celebration of the exceptional musical talent at Hallfield. Families and staff were treated to an inspiring evening of performances, showcasing the dedication, skill and passion of our Music Scholars.
LAMDA SHOWCASE
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AMDA pupils surprised the Prep Good News Assembly to a wonderful showcase. Pupils performed dialogue extracts from Fantastic Mr Fox and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, demonstrating impressive confidence, characterisation and stage presence.
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
BROTHERS PLAYING FOR THE ELDERLY
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n April, Anthony and James performed for the residents at Homesmith House. Our boys visited and performed a selection of beautiful pieces, which were thoroughly enjoyed by all.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
ELYSSA MAKING AN IMPACT
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ur Year 5 pupil Elyssa has kindly volunteered her time to continue raising funds to support children with special educational needs at Victoria School. The Year 5 girls also joined her in this initiative, helping to make a positive difference through their time and efforts.
LITTLE FUNDRAISER, BIG HEART
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avani in Year 1 ran a Hook-a-Duck game stall to raise funds at the PSA Festival. She wanted to raise money for Allergy UK because they help children like her with allergies. From a young age, she wants more people to learn about allergies and how important it is to keep everyone safe.
MEGNA & DIA HIKING FOR GOOD CAUSE
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egna and Dia in Pre-Prep recently completed a charity hike at Kinder Scout in the Peak District in support of Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Despite warm weather, the girls showed great determination and resilience as they took on a challenging route and completed approximately 8 km. They have raised an amazing £720.71 for the charity. A fantastic achievement, well done!
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HALLFIELD FIRST
HALLFIELD HALLFIELDFIRST FIRST – WHAT’S NEW?
ACTIVE PLAY, HAPPY DAYS
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aks had a fantastic time in the soft play area, climbing, crawling, balancing, and exploring with confidence. There were plenty of smiles, laughter, and opportunities to build confidence through fun and adventure.
EXPLORE WITH YOUR HANDS
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hrough imaginative play and hands-on discovery, Beeches developed their curiosity while engaging their senses in a calm and stimulating environment in the sensory room. Designed to support our youngest children, the sensory room offers a dedicated space for exploration, relaxation and sensory development, where children can learn and play at their own pace.
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HALLFIELD PRE-PREP
PRE-PREP – WHAT’S NEW?
FEEL THE BEAT
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OB had a fantastic time during their music lesson as they explored the exciting rhythms of samba music. Using drums, they created vibrant rhythms and worked together to bring the music to life. The classroom was filled with music, laughter, and enthusiasm as everyone joined in.
MUD KITCHEN CLUB
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ud Kitchen club has been an enjoyable experience for Foundation and Reception. The children have had the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors as they dig, take part in imaginative play using familiar kitchen utensils such as a microwave, kettle and toaster and have been making food using mud, water and other resources nature has to offer.
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PRE-PREP – WHAT’S NEW?
RECEPTION VISITING CBSO
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eception enjoyed a wonderful trip to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) and took part in arts and crafts activities, creating feather dusters and colourful animal masks before enjoying a special performance. One of the highlights of the day was the opportunity to try a range of musical instruments, including trombones, trumpets and even a violin, which the children were incredibly eager and excited to explore.
PREP FOR PREP
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o prepare our Year 2 pupils for Prep, they experienced new subjects such as Design and Technology, Science, Drama and Computing. The children had a lot of fun creating personalised name tags, giving presentations and learning about scientific reactions. They also developed creativity and lots of practical skills along the way.
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PRE-PREP – WHAT’S NEW?
TINY PALAEONTOLOGISTS AT WORK
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SP have been fascinated with fossils. They have been exploring the different items in the tray, using the magnifying glasses to closely examine the markings as well as talking about where they have come from. They also enjoyed looking at the shark teeth and even a tooth from the dinosaur ‘Mosasaur’.
SUNFLOWER IN THE MAKING
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SP have been learning about the different parts of a flower while creating a beautiful sunflower display using tissue paper and glue.
ALL FOR A GOOD SMILE
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efore the end of Summer Term, Reception enjoyed a Dental Hygiene workshop led by Saloni and Nayana (Old Hallfiedians). They learnt how to keep their teeth clean and healthy, and explored which foods may be good and bad for their teeth.
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PREP – WHAT’S NEW?
PREP PODCASTERS
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rep children had an enrichment session with Mrs Raffermati in the radio room to learn how to use the equipment and everything about podcasting.
YEAR 4 OUTDOOR LEARNING
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his term, Year 4 enjoyed a fantastic outdoor classroom session in the sunshine. They spent time exploring the woods and flowers, taking their learning outside and engaging with nature.
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hat a fantastic opportunity—who knows, we may have some future CBSO members in our midst!
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PREP – WHAT’S NEW?
READY STEADY COOK CLUB
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s one of the most popular after school clubs, our little chefs had a fantastic time creating their very own muffin pizzas! There was plenty of laughter and excitement as they watched the mozzarella melt, bubble, and turn beautifully golden. Judging by their enthusiasm, we’re not sure these delicious creations made it all the way home before being enjoyed!
HOW DO PLANTS DRINK?
FEEL THE VIBRATIONS
ear 3 have been exploring the different parts of plants and their functions in Science. This term, they focused on stems, setting up an observational enquiry using celery to investigate how water is transported around a plant!
ear 4 have been exploring the science of sound through practical experiments. Using simple materials such as spoons and string, pupils investigated how sound travels through solids and discovered the important role vibrations play.
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PREP – WHAT’S NEW?
YEAR 6 SPLASH OUT!
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ear 6 celebrated the end of their Prep School journey with a fun-filled farewell, complete with a much-anticipated water fight!
Laughter, smiles and plenty of soaking made for a memorable way to celebrate the friendships and memories made during their time at Hallfield. We will miss you!
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!
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een film enthusiasts had the opportunity to take part in a Film Day experience at Shrewsbury School. Pupils involved themselves thoroughly in a range of activities such as fight choreography, editing and shooting a film with a short deadline. Each child was part of a team producing a short film which enabled everyone to develop their collaborative and leadership skills. They received support from actor Chris Mahir who has been involved in many productions including a fight sequence with Tom Cruise in the latest Mission Impossible film.
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SENIORS – WHAT’S NEW?
INTRODUCING THE HALLFIELD SENIORS BAND
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he Hallfield Seniors Band made their debut in a Good News Assembly, led by Mr Hewer. Their first performance showcased their enthusiasm, teamwork, and growing confidence as musicians. We look forward to hearing more from this exciting new ensemble.
SENIORS – WHAT’S NEW?
READING BUDDIES
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eniors have been spending time with our Reception children as part of our Reading Buddies programme. It was wonderful to see friendships developing across the year groups, embodying the caring and supportive community that makes Hallfield so special.
SENIORS SPEAK
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eniors Speak continues to give pupils the opportunity to develop their confidence and presentation skills each term. This term, Kayra shared his knowledge of football stadiums around the world, while Jai took us on a journey through Greek Mythology. The boys demonstrated excellent research, presentation skills and enthusiasm for their topics as well as giving them practice ahead of their GCSE Speaking and Listening exam.
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SCHOOL TRIPS
FOUNDATION VISITED ASH END FARM
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oundation enjoyed a visit to Ash End Farm as part of their learning. The children had a wonderful time exploring the farm and learning about a variety of animals up close.
RECEPTION FUN AT CONKERS
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eception enjoyed a fantastic trip to Conkers, where they learned about the lives and habitats of native minibeasts. Led by a Conkers Ranger, the children took part in an exciting bug hunt and discovered a variety of creatures in their natural environment. They also explored how to create their own minibeast habitats, making for a fun and handson learning experience.
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SCHOOL TRIPS
YEAR 1 DISCOVERING THE WILD
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ear 1 enjoyed a fantastic day at West Midlands Safari Park, where they experienced some exciting close encounters with animals under the guidance of Educators. The children were fascinated to see a variety of species up close and learned more about their habitats, diets and behaviours. The visit provided a memorable hands-on learning experience and plenty of opportunities to marvel at the wonders of the animal kingdom.
YEAR 3 EXPLORING SIKHISM
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s part of their Religious Education studies on Sikhism, Year 3 enjoyed a visit to the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick. Guided by an expert educator, the children explored the Gurdwara, visited the Prayer Room, and learned about the foundations of Sikhism and the history of this important place of worship.
YEAR 6 & 8’S JOURNEY THROUGH ISLAMIC HERITAGE
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s part of the RE curriculum, Year 6 and Year 8 pupils visited the Birmingham Islamic Exhibition Centre.
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RESIDENTIALS
FIRST OVERNIGHT ADVENTURE
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ur Year 2 pupils embarked on their very first residential trip. They had an exciting overnight stay at Gulliver’s Kingdom in Matlock Bath. At just 6–7 years old, this is a significant milestone, filled with fun and personal growth. They had a great time with friends on cable cars, theme park rides and enjoying the play areas. We hope you didn’t miss home too much guys!
ADVENTURE AT BOUNDLESS
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rom grass sledging and blindfold teamwork challenges to problem-solving activities and learning how to build a campfire, Year 3 children embraced experiences designed to develop teamwork, resilience and confidence, while encouraging them to push beyond their comfort zones. The campfire was a particular highlight, especially with the marshmallows!
READ THE FULL BLOG POST TO SEE ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS!
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READ THE FULL BLOG POST TO SEE ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS!
RESIDENTIALS
YEAR 4 CRANEDALE ADVENTURES
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ear 4 had a fantastic time at Cranedale, taking part in a range of outdoor learning experiences. From fieldwork and environmental studies to exploring local landscapes, they developed their teamwork, resilience and curiosity throughout the visit. It was a memorable trip filled with hands-on learning and new experiences. READ THE FULL BLOG POST TO SEE ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS!
PUSHING BOUNDARIES AT ULLSWATER
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ear 5 spent a whole week at Ullswater taking part in a variety of exciting adventure activities. They experienced a jog and dip, rowed across Ullswater, and climbed Place Fell, a popular 657-metre Wainwright mountain in the English Lake District. The children also enjoyed a gorge scramble and a gorge walk, challenging themselves in new and exciting environments. Throughout the week, they showed lots of resilience and determination, supporting one another and persevering through every challenge.
READ THE FULL BLOG POST TO SEE ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS!
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RESIDENTIALS
LA GRANDE AVENTURE – A FRENCH ADVENTURE TO REMEMBER!
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ur year 6, 7 and 8 linguists enjoyed a truly memorable week of language learning and cultural immersion during La Grande Aventure in the beautiful Haute-Picardie region of France this May. Based at the magnificent Château de Warsy, the children embraced every opportunity to develop their French in authentic, real-life situations while experiencing the rich culture and history of northern France.
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READ THE FULL BLOG POST TO SEE ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS!
RESIDENTIALS
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ach day, pupils recorded their experiences in a French diary, helping to strengthen their writing skills, while also using spoken French with increasing confidence throughout the trip. One of the highlights was a visit to the bustling indoor market in Amiens, where every child successfully purchased their own lunch using French – a wonderful test of their communication skills and independence. The itinerary also included an unforgettable day exploring Paris, where pupils soaked up the atmosphere of one of Europe’s most iconic capitals. A contrasting but equally powerful experience came during their visit to the First World War battlefields and the fascinating underground Musée de la Somme in Albert, where history was brought vividly to life.
Throughout the week, our pupils represented Hallfield with exemplary manners, enthusiasm and maturity. They were warmly praised wherever they went and proved to be outstanding ambassadors for the school. Bravo à tous! Mrs Wright La Grande Aventure Trip Lead
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HALLFIELD CHALLENGE
HALLFIELD CHALLENGE WINNERS
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t has been another successful year for The Hallfield Challenge, with pupils embracing a wide range of exciting activities and experiences throughout the year. From developing new skills to stepping outside their comfort zones, the Challenge encouraged determination, resilience and a willingness to try something new.
TOGETHER WE GO FURTHER
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n June, pupils, parents, and staff took part in the annual Hallfield Challenge Walk, setting off from the Lickey Hills for a day of adventure, teamwork, and determination. Tackling challenging terrain and woodland trails, pupils showed impressive resilience while supporting one another throughout the journey.
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COMMUNITY
CHESS
HALLFIELD SCHOOL CHESS SUMMER TERM 2026 IAPS Online Team Finals – U13 Champions Hallfield qualified for both the U9 and U13 IAPS Online Team Chess Championship Finals. One hour of blitz chess would decide the titles, and our players performed superbly throughout. Our U9 team finished as close runners-up after a hardfought competition, while our U13 team were crowned IAPS U13 Team Champions. Congratulations to James, Aariyan, Alex T and Declan in the U9 team, and to Krish, Anthony, Zain and Jasper, who won the U13 title.
British Primary Team Challenge Hallfield qualified from the regional stages as one of the top 20 U11 schools in the country. The National Finals were held at the University of Nottingham and included many of the strongest chess schools in Britain, including our regular rivals King’s College, St Paul’s and Westminster. Our team of Krish, Handuo, Jasper and Aariyan faced five rounds of very tough opposition and finished an excellent 4th in Britain, behind only St Paul’s, King’s and one other school, while finishing ahead of Westminster. It was another solid performance from a very capable team.
National Primary School Chess Championship
Chess Awards Congratulations to Megna, who won the Year 3 Chess Scholarship. Our Players of the Year are Krish, Handuo and Jasper. All three have represented Hallfield with distinction throughout the years and have made a significant contribution to the success of our chess teams. This year we also say goodbye to Krish, who has been our number one player for the past two or three years. Before him, his brother Preesh held that position, so Hallfield has been fortunate to have had two outstanding brothers leading our teams for so long. Both boys have contributed greatly to the school’s success, and I would also like to thank their parents for all the support and encouragement they have given over the years. Mr Thomas Hallfield Chess Coach
The second national championship of the year took place at the Science Museum, London. Although temperatures outside were very high, the playing hall was fully airconditioned, providing excellent playing conditions. Hallfield qualified as one of the top ten schools in both the U9 and U11 competitions, making us one of only three schools in the country to qualify in both age groups. After nine hard-fought matches against many of the country’s strongest teams, Hallfield finished 4th in Britain in both competitions. Congratulations to our U9 team: Aariyan, Declan, Alex T, James, Alex R and Shray. Congratulations also to our U11 team: Krish, Handuo, Jasper, Anthony, Zain and Roshan.
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OLD HALLFIELDIANS
OLD HALLFIELDIANS
BACK TO WHERE IT BEGAN
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t was a pleasure to welcome Old Hallfieldians Simran and Sarah back to school before they begin the next exciting chapter of their journeys at university. They enjoyed a wonderful catch-up with Mrs Kirby and Mrs Florida-James, sharing memories of their time at Hallfield and their plans ahead. We wish them every success at university and look forward to hearing about their achievements.
THE CLASS OF 2025 RETURN
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t was wonderful to welcome back the Class of 2025 for their first reunion at Hallfield. Pupils quickly picked up where they left off - chatting, laughing and revisiting favourite places around the school. It was lovely to see how much the Class of 2025 have grown since leaving us, and we hope they enjoyed returning to Hallfield as much as we enjoyed welcoming them back.
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PSA
PARENT SOCIAL ASSOCIATION
IT HAS BEEN AN AMAZING YEAR
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ogether, we have enjoyed another fantastic year of bringing our Hallfield community together and creating special memories for our children and families.
We are already looking forward to another exciting year of bringing our Hallfield community together. Our calendar is as follows: Welcome Back Breakfast at Boston Tea Party Monday 7th September (8:30–10:30am)
Some of this year’s highlights included:
PSA Committee Meeting in the Prep Library Tuesday 8th September (5:00–6:00pm)
Our monthly Parent Breakfasts - a wonderful opportunity for parents to meet.
Halloween Party in the Prep Hall/Pre-Prep Hall Saturday 10th October (2:00–4:00pm)
Our Summer Festival - with over 400 tickets sold, the school grounds were filled with live music and dancing, face painting, children’s stalls, games, our amazing Bubbleologist, candy floss, popcorn and so much more. It was a truly memorable afternoon for Hallfield parents and children!
PSA Committee Meeting - Tuesday 13th October (5:00–6:00pm) PSA Committee Meeting - Tuesday 10th November (5:00–6:00pm) Wreath Making Workshop - Date TBC Loki Wine Tasting Evening - Thursday 3rd December (7:00–10.00pm) End of Term Breakfast at Boston Tea Party - Friday 11th December (8:30–10:15am)
The Casino Royale Ball, Wreath making workshop, Halloween Disco and Loki Wine Tasting Evening - each event was absolutely amazing and was full of unforgettable moments! None of these events would have been possible without the incredible support of our parents, staff, volunteers, sponsors and everyone who attended. Thank you for helping to make each event such a success!
Hallfield Ball (Subject to Confirmation) - Saturday 8th May 2027 (7:00pm–12:00am) We will be sharing further details and opening bookings for each event throughout the year so keep an eye on your inbox and our social media pages! The PSA is made up entirely of parent volunteers who are passionate about creating opportunities for families to come together whilst raising funds to enhance school life for all of our children. Every penny raised is reinvested into future events, activities and projects that benefit the children. If you have ever thought about getting involved, we would absolutely love to welcome you. Whether you can spare a little time or become a regular volunteer, every helping hand and every new idea makes a real difference. Please email us at hallfieldpsa@gmail.com or simply come and say hello at one of our events. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for event announcements, photographs and all the latest PSA news.
PSA INSTAGRAM
PSA FACEBOOK
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STAY IN TOUCH
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Hallfield School
www.hallfieldschool.co.uk For the latest information on upcoming events, check your iSams calendar.
Happy | Inspiring | Purposeful
48 Church Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 3SJ. Telephone: 0121 454 1496. Email: office@hallfieldschool.co.uk
www.hallfieldschool.co.uk