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Dear Parents and Guardians

St Nicholas’ Stalls heralded the start of our festive season and, while not yet advent, I cannot help but love the excitement that the season brings. Attending the GSA Conference for Heads this week provided me with an opportunity for reflection on all that we do and why we do it. My lasting takeaway from the event, during which we focused on everything from sustainability and ecoanxiety to inclusion and the future of assessment, was the empowering opportunity for our students to use their voice. Girls being the voice for positive change.

We encourage and celebrate Heathfield students to use their voice, and it is crucial that they each form their own opinions based on understanding and facts (not what they have seen as a snippet on social media). This is not new to us, and indeed was a feature of my thanks following our recent Question Time. The power of listening and processing alongside the ability to make yourself heard.

So, watch this space for the development of those opportunities, and be ready to continue those informed discussions with your daughters at home. We need to continue discussing and debating sensitive topics, respecting differing opinions; Heathfield’s current students are tomorrow’s leaders.

It is not for us to pass the baton now, but to equip them with the skills and understanding they will need to lead tomorrow None are more important than collaboration, communication, and integrity. These skills are no longer ‘nice to haves’ but essential in all areas of society, and our young women are ideally placed to lead the change.

Best wishes

Ms Sarah Wilson Headmistress

St Nicholas’ Stalls

On Saturday 20 November we held our annual charity fundraiser St Nicholas’ Stalls. Weeks of preparation by Heads of Houses and pupils culminated in House Stalls bursting with goodies to sell on the day.

Thank you to everyone who donated raffle and tombola prizes. The Heathfield Parents’ Association led by Mrs Monckton, organised an extremely popular Champagne and Cake Stall. Heathfield Governor and old girl Mrs Tulk-Hart hosted the Fellowship Stall with fascinating books from the Heathfield archives as well as a popular raffle.

Over thirty external stall holders including Heathfield old girls sold lovely gifts including Christmas cookies, clothing, crystals, books, jewellery, gin, tapas, candles, skincare, handbags, Christmas wreaths and decorations and much more. The Art department staff also sold magnificent pieces of their own work.

All monies raised will go to the four House charities chosen by the girls:

Austen – NHS charities together

De Valois – Robbie’s Rehab

Seacole – Pan’s PANDAS

Somerville – Helen & Douglas House

Ms Elizabeth Massey, Marketing and Events Assistant

Award Winning Theatre & Film Director

On 17 November, we had the pleasure of welcoming award-winning theatre and film director, Sean Mathias, to dine with us.

Sean is known for directing highly acclaimed theatre productions all over the world, from the West End and Broadway to Los Angeles and Sydney. Sean won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Director in 1992 and the Prix de la Jeunesse at the Cannes film festival for his film Bent, starring Sir Ian McKellan amongst many other established actors. Sean has just finished the summer season at the Theatre Royal in Windsor with Hamlet and The Cherry Orchard. Sean is in the studio editing the film of Hamlet.

The Drama Scholars were invited to this informal dinner, and Sean brought his Assistant Director, Sophie Drake. This gave the students an opportunity to speak to someone at the beginning of her career, as well as having the privilege to hear from such an incredibly talented and influential director.

Our next Careers and Outreach event is The Making of Lapland, by the founders of Lapland UK, Mike and Alison Battle, at 7.30pm on 1 December. All parents are welcome to attend.

Mrs Rushi Millns, Director of Careers and Outreach

Geography and Science Trip to Kew Gardens

On 18 November, Form II set off on a combined Science and Geography trip to Kew Gardens. They arrived with a good understanding of tropical rainforests particularly their characteristics, location, climate, and the layered structure of the vegetation. The focus of the trip was to investigate rainforest ecosystems, which they have been studying this term.

Form II used equipment to compare the climate and soil moisture inside and outside the rainforest (greenhouse) and then had a guided tour of the Palm House looking at the oldest pot plant in the world, learning about disease fighting plants and some of the most endangered species of plants, many of which are extinct in the wild. The students were fascinated to see bananas and pineapples growing. Later, they visited the other glass houses to compare the tropical ecosystems with those of drier environments.

Miss Caitlin McSwiggan, Head of House (Seacole) Teacher of Geography, History & Photography

Music Showcase

Our Friday Evening Showcase opened with the Orchestra playing Danserye by Tielman Susato, arranged by Nicholas Hare, followed by Zoe’s (Form II) Un Poco Allegro by C P E Bach, capturing the delicate mood of this wonderful piece.

ABBA have recently been in the spotlight with their new album, so the Choir performed their own tribute with Dancing Queen. Sophie (Form I) kept the mood bright with her rendition of Singing in the Rain, before the Wind Ensemble played Lisa Portus’ arrangement of the touching Eleanor Rigby by Beatles composers, Paul McCartney and John Lennon.

Sonya (Form V) delighted us with her Cradle Song, No. 3 from Suite of the Zhuang People’s Village by Ni Hongjin while Lexi (Upper Sixth) gave a very expressive performance of When we were Young by Adele.

In true Heathfield fashion, the Band with Bella (Form V) on vocals and Katie (Form V) as her backing singer, had us Dancing in the Street to this well-known Motown classic by William Stevenson, arranged by Miss Kong. It was wonderful to be able to welcome parents and students to one of our showcase concerts once again.

Mrs Julie Dance, Director of Music

Photography / Geography Competition

This year’s competition theme was A Sense of Place and we were delighted by the high quality and number of fabulous entries. At the presentation assembly, the whole school enjoyed seeing all the entries and the winners received prizes including cameras, books, and the prestigious Photography-Geography competition badge.

Category Winners:

Form I Maysa

Form II Camilla

Form III Róisín

Form IV Lottie

Form V Tessa

Lower Sixth Lucy

Upper Sixth Sienna

Overall Form I– III winner Esme

Overall Form IV – V winner Bella

Overall LVI – UVI Zahra

Headmistress’s choice - Allegra D

Most geographically interesting - Ava

Most photographically challenging - Sasha

Closest to the theme - Kokoro

One that made us smile - Georgia

Staff winners: 1st Mrs Oakley, 2nd Dr Stobart, 3rd Mrs Halcrow

House winners: 1st Somerville, 2ndAusten, 3rd Seacole, 4th De Valois

Mrs Lesley Worrall, Head of Year Form I and Subject Leader of Geography

Heathfield Scholars

I joined Heathfield in Form I and was awarded the 11+ Drama and Academic scholarships. Before joining Heathfield, I had been on movie sets as an extra for Bridget Jones’ Baby and Tarzan. I enjoyed the excitement of being part of a movie but had not had the confidence to audition for speaking roles. This changed when I joined Heathfield; whilst in Form I, I started to act alongside A Level Drama students for their assessed performance. I have also taken part in the Shakespeare for Schools competition. Currently, I am playing Lucas in Heathfield’s production of The Addams Family which will be performed next year.

I enjoy all my GCSE subjects, but I have become increasingly interested in Maths and Science during my time at Heathfield and I am studying for an additional GCSE in Further Maths. I plan to study A Level Biology, Chemistry and Maths and would like to study Medicine at university.

Taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award introduced me to the Kissing it Better charity and I have continued working with the charity in my free time.

I represent Heathfield in lacrosse and netball and in my free time I enjoy reading books of all genres and playing music. I play the violin, saxophone, clarinet and piano and take part in weekly rehearsals with the school Band and Orchestra.

I have had a fantastic range of experiences since joining Heathfield, but the greatest gift the school has given me is self-confidence. I suffered from stage fright before joining the school, but now I am confident taking part in Assemblies, reading in Chapel, speaking in public and performing on stage.

Sarah, Form IV

New Competition - LibrARTy

The first half of the Michaelmas term saw the return of the Literacy in Art competition in a slightly different format; a collaboration between the Library and Art Department to create LibrARTy. The competition invited students to create a scaled down 3-D model for an installation, inspired by the poem The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe. The extraordinarily high standard of artwork exemplified innovation through interpretation and analysis. Students thoroughly engaged with the task.

Congratulations to Amber in Form III for her incredibly detailed model. Amber’s prize included a gift pack of art materials and a commissioned sketchbook, journal and bookmarks based on The Raven.

First: Amber, Form III

Second: Posy, Form II

Third: Esme, Form III

Highly Commended: Annabelle Form II, Annabel Form III, Jasmine Form IV, Lilly Form III, Orla Form III, Precious Form III.

Miss Helen Smith, Teacher of Art and Mr Nathan Lobo, Librarian

Falmouth School of Art: Alumna Update

Mrs Feilen, Director of Creative Development, was delighted to visit Florence WingfieldDigby, a recent alum, in Falmouth on 19 November.

After achieving Grade A in her A Level Art & Design, Florence was accepted straight to degree for BA Textiles at Falmouth School of Art. Currently studying in her first year, Florence shared with Mrs Feilen that she was thrilled with her choice of course and university, citing the small community, outstanding facilities, and excellent tutors as a key component for her happiness.

During her first three months, Florence has explored an impressive range of techniques and processes and discovered that she has an affinity for weaving and experimental stitch, which she expects to specialise in next term.

At Heathfield, student progression and points of transition are carefully considered, and we are incredibly proud that Florence is not only pursuing a creative degree in which she can thrive but continues as part of a community where she can flourish. Mrs Eve Feilen, Director of Creative Development and Deputy DSL

Sport

Over the past fortnight we have taken part in 34 fixtures in Swimming, Lacrosse and Netball. Our

students have been a credit to themselves and the school, showing dedication to practices and representing the school well in competitive matches.

Stand out performances have been the U15A Lacrosse team vs Claremont, U16 Netball team vs Bohunt and our mixed swim team at St George’s gala. Well done to all who have taken part. We have several further fixtures before the end of term and events this weekend includes House Cross Country, Netball vs St Benedict's and Lacrosse vs Marlborough.

We wish our equestrian teams the best of luck in their NSEA show jumping tomorrow and the SUPA polo on Sunday.

Mrs Carys Ratcliffe, Director of Sport and Head of House (Austen)

Weekend 13 - 14 November

After a busy week of assessments, all Year groups were rewarded with a fun-filled weekend of activities to let off some steam. Pupils were challenged to a brilliant badminton match on Saturday afternoon and Sixth Form enjoyed some time out in Ascot. Later in the evening Brontë House snuggled down in duvets and pyjamas for a movie night, while Wantage

pupils headed off to St Mary’s Theatre for a social with the boys from Eton. This included a delicious supper and an escape room activity with prizes for the winning team.

On Sunday, following Chapel, all Year groups worked together to prepare posters for St Nicholas’ Stalls. Forms I and II completed a graffiti workshop and created art pieces which they took home to decorate their bedrooms with. Forms III and IV took part in an exciting game of laser tag in the dark and tried out some awesome axe throwing. Form V enjoyed the opportunity to grab a coffee with friends at the Oracle in Reading. Everyone enjoyed a peaceful weekend with a well-earned break from assessments and revision.

Miss Paige Corcoran, Deputy Housemistress Brontë