18 June 2021 Newsletter 127
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Dear Parents and Guardians
Last weekend, we were given a taste of what is to come –the reopening of the world, and the restarting of our wider School events. I am sure that everyone who joined us for the matches last weekend, both rounders and polo, shared the joy that was the enthusiasm of the girls and the shared experience of the parents. Alongside the trips, the Form V BBQ and all the other activities over the weekend, it was such a celebration of everything Heathfield.
The assessments that the girls have been sitting over the past week have demonstrated their grit and positivity, their attitude. They have done so well, and their independence and engagement in the process will help prepare them as they move forward in their education. For me, it’s not about the result in any one exam, but rather the approach shown by each individual and practising the process. The revision, the exams, and dealing with and learning from the results. Equally, the Upper VI and Form V have been brilliantly engaged in preparation for their next steps.
We are so disappointed that changes to the planned events have been necessary, but we are keen to still celebrate all that the girls have achieved whilst adhering to the new restrictions. I hope that you enjoy sharing our celebrations, albeit online, and I am very much looking forward to when we are able to be together again in person.
Best wishes
Sarah Wilson
Sixth Form Programme
The Upper Sixth returned after half term to continue academic lessons, exploring topics beyond the syllabus and other areas of interest in their subjects. They enjoyed two speakers during the week; Jo Baldwin talking about University Finance and Jo Chavasse about Entrepreneurship and positive attitude. Both speakers certainly left a mark on their audience. An in-house cooking competition tested their cookery skills in the evening.
Perhaps the highlight of the week was the rounders match against the staff, a hard-fought battle where the Upper Sixth shone with superior fielding skills and came away deserving winners. Staff have been practising ever since, ready for a rematch. When not in lessons, the pupils have been enjoying the glorious sunshine and making the most of their last days at Heathfield.
Mr Jeremy Hart, Assistant Head (Sixth Form)
This morning, the Upper Sixth leavers gave a beautiful performance of Flying Free in St Mary’s Theatre to the whole School, with some year groups in the audience and others online. Their leavers video was screened and received with great hilarity! At lunchtime, the girls were treated to a special lunch laid up in the Library with key members of staff. It will be hard to say goodbye to them all this afternoon, but we look forward to seeing them back at Heathfield on 2 July for Prize Giving.
Mr Jeremy Hart, Assistant Head (Sixth Form)
Transformation of the Sixth Form – the new space
As part of our 120th anniversary celebrations, Heathfield launched the vision to transform the Sixth Form with the introduction of an inspirational Sixth Form Programme, housed in a new, purpose-designed building. The new Sixth Form Centre will: provide purpose-designed learning, collaboration and social spaces; include four additional A level tutorial and breakout rooms, two mentoring spaces and a well-being suite; create two much needed, flexible presentation spaces.
To fulfil our commitment to transform the Sixth Form by September 2022, last week the Headmistress, Bursar, Chair of Building sub-committee and the School’s architects met with the short-listed contractors to discuss their tender proposals. It is with great pleasure I can announce, on behalf of Council, we have instructed Francis Construction to build our new Sixth Form Centre. They plan on breaking ground on site over the summer holiday.
We have most of the funding secured to build the structure and we continue to fundraise to cover the interior and fit out to ensure the highest educational effect for your daughters.
For an update on the Sixth Form vision, please contact Emma Boryer (development@heathfieldschool.net).
Tom Cross Brown, Chair of Governors
Competition: ‘Literacy in Art’
The most recent Literacy in Art competition invited students to write a poem inspired by the painting ‘Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose’ by John Singer Sargent. We received a record number of entries for the competition programme and Mrs Southern of the English department was enlisted to help with the judging. Students engaged well with the challenge and a range of poetry styles were submitted including blank verse, rhyming poems and some haikus. As usual, the standard of entries was high, and the range of interpretations of the painting was varied and exciting.
Congratulations to Tamara (LVI) for her winning poem, which imaginatively shared her descriptive and evocative interpretations of the image from an unusual view point.
First Place: Tamara (LVI)
Second Place: Mia (Form III)
Third Place: Ava (Form III)
Highly Commended: Allegra (Form III) Amelia (Form III) Fernanda (Form II)
Miss Helen Smith, Teacher of Art
Royal Mail ‘Heroes’ Stamp Design Competition
We are delighted to announce that students in Forms I - III have taken part in the Royal Mail's Heroes Stamp Design Competition, honouring the heroes of the coronavirus pandemic. We asked students to think about who their hero or heroes were, and to then design a colourful stamp based on them using paint, colouring pencil or digital media.
While we wait for the results from the national competition the Art Department have decided to award 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes for the most popular designs as voted for by Heathfield pupils and staff. With approximately 220 votes cast, we are delighted to announce the following winners.
First Place: Fernanda (Form II)
Second Place: Tilly (Form II)
Third Place: Selena (Form II)
The winners of this national competition will be notified by 30 September 2021.
Miss Juliette Losq, Teacher of Art
Leiths Wine Tasting
On Tuesday 8 June the Upper Sixth Leiths students attended a Zoom presentation on Tasting and Pairing Wine with Food, delivered by experienced speaker, Vivienne Franks, from Aspects of Wine Limited. She outlined where wine grapes are grown, how wine is made, the various styles of wine and how these can be successfully matched with different ingredients or dishes. Vivienne explained how to interpret the information on the bottle label and how to store and serve wine at its best.
Vivienne called tasting the wine ‘thinking drinking’ and enthusiastically led the students through the process of looking, then smelling and finally sipping. Foods representing the core tasting elements such as saltiness, sweetness, acidity and bitterness were then paired in complementary and contrasting ways with five different wines. This prompted the girls to discuss and ask numerous perceptive questions, further developing their appreciation of different wine styles and qualities, which could prove useful in any dining situation. The evening was most enjoyable, and Vivienne left us all much better informed and suitably enthused.
Mrs Margaret Blackburn, Subject Leader Cookery
Equestrian
A busy weekend for our Equestrian department. Saturday saw a fast and very exciting Polo match against Eton at Clover Polo. Whilst this resulted in a very narrow defeat for Heathfield, the riders played brilliantly. Well done to Georgia, Kiki and Minty. Showjumping on Sunday at Merrist Wood saw Georgia come first in the 90cm- 1m class on Cooley Convinced. Calia came fifth riding Cyril and sixth on Pumpernickel in the same class. Congratulations to all our talented Heathfield riders.
Mrs
Gill Glimmerveen, Equestrian Coordinator
It was extremely exciting to host our first fixture for over 15 months last Saturday. It was wonderful to see so many students taking part and enjoying themselves. All the girls played brilliantly, the staff were happy to be umpiring again, and the spectators were enjoying the games and the sunshine, not to mention the bacon butties after the game. A special well done to the following girls for receiving player of the match mentions; Alexa, Allegra, Amelia, Anya, Ava, Bea, Bella, Birdie, Diana, Ella, Evie, Francesca, Isabella, Jazzy, Martha, Mia, Orianna, Sasha and Tami.
On Wednesday we were very lucky to have Olympian, Jazz Carlin, coach a swimming session at our pool. Students who have shown commitment and effort in swimming were invited to take part. The session was enjoyed by all, and students were intrigued to listen to the stories and coaching tips of an Olympic athlete.
This week students have been preparing for Sports Day in their PE lessons, practising hurdles, javelin, long jump, sprinting and more. Although we have had to postpone Sports Day to 24 June due to the wet weather, we are all looking forward to a highly competitive event!
Miss Carys Willimott, Director of Sport & Deputy Head Austen House
Heathfield are looking forward to exhibiting at the ISS Summer Fair. If you would like to register for free tickets, please visit: https://schoolsshow.co.uk/school-tickets and use the code 'heathfield100'.
Weekend 12 – 13 June
Saturday began with a busy morning of Rounders fixtures for Forms I to IV whilst Form V were scaling heights and facing fears at Go Ape. In the afternoon girls went to a dry-ski slope and had great fun racing down in donuts. In the sunshine at Heathfield Wise-up Teambuilding organised problem-solving challenges and outdoor activities.
Form V celebrated the end of their exams and the end of the year with a delicious BBQ supper. An epic Rounders game between Wantage and Brontë was hard fought and later on in the evening, Form III played an energetic bingo game. Lower Sixth have been working extremely hard this weekend, as they are halfway through their exams Saturday evening, they all had time out to watch a movie and enjoy some snacks Upper Sixth have been busy making decisions regarding everything from work experience to help with university choices.
Sunday began with a special Chapel service which included the baptism of one of our students, a first for Father David at Heathfield. Lower Sixth were given a long lie in before recommencing their studies. Form V went on a shopping trip to the Oracle in Reading whilst the younger years made the most of the sunny weather on the School grounds. Brontë created beautiful art in celebration of Pride month followed by a fantastic water fight to cool down. Wantage took the opportunity to revise for assessments, and all their hard-work and dedication was rewarded with a fun game of Rounders.
Miss Carina Persson, Graduate Boarding Assistant
