Issuu

28 May 2021 Newsletter 126

View this email in your browser

Dear Parents and Guardians

With what feels like lightning speed, we have reached half term. To say that the girls have made the most of their time is an understatement! From rehearsing and refining their performances for Parents’ Day, to participating in House competitions from sporting to the literary, seeing the girls throwing themselves into all aspects of school life is fantastic. And that’s not including the 300 lessons, the huge array of co-curricular activities, zorbing, rugby training, campfires and the plethora of other weekend activities, alongside the trips that have happened since the start of term!

Form V and the UVI have been outstanding in their approach and focus throughout their assessments and, working with our dedicated staff, can be very proud of all they have achieved. Their maturity and dedication have been excellent examples to the wider school. Joyously, we have also enjoyed the start of our whole school occasions once again. Founder’s Day was such a celebration, because everyone was involved. Everyone got into the spirit of the day. That palpable sense of belonging is so powerful.

One of our greatest strengths at Heathfield is kindness. At the same time as I appreciate the music that the girls play in Chapel, or hearing them read, I can also see the faces of the year group watching their friend. Supporting her and willing her on. Congratulating her at the end.

Every single one of the girls has achieved so much this half term and I thank them for their contributions. As restrictions (hopefully) continue to ease, I look forward with excitement to the prospect of being able to share even more with you as parents and guardians in person after half term.

Wishing you a restful break.

Best wishes

Sarah Wilson

Rotary Young Photographer Competition 2021

The Rotary Club of Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI) hosts an annual Young Photographer competition with Local, District and National stages and four age groups. This year's theme Wild Nature was presented to our current Form IV Photography students to interpret in any way that they felt encompassed the topic. They each submitted a portfolio of three images.

The quality of images taken by Heathfield students has once again astounded the judges and one set of images stood out. We are very proud to announce that GCSE Photography student Anya has been declared the overall winner of the Senior Portfolio Category.

Miss Karen White, Subject Leader of Photography and Head of Seacole House

A Level Psychology – Attachment Theory

Lower Sixth A Level Psychology students are studying the topic of attachment and were given babies, in the form of an empty eggshell, to look after. Students were asked to name them and carry them around with them or get them a ‘babysitter’ (a trusted person) if they were doing an activity where they could not carry them.

Heathfield staff were asked to check in on how they were doing to ensure everyone took the role seriously. The babies had to be cared for and kept intact for four days. At the end of their caring time, students were asked to complete a write up to include elements of their learning from the attachment topics and photographs of them in their daily lives.

Although somewhat sceptical at the start, students fully embraced the project and decorated their eggs with faces and even made carry cots for them out of plastic cups. All eggs remained intact and appeared well cared for by the end of the week.

Mrs

Rachel Oakley, Teacher in Charge of Psychology

Whole School Debate

On Wednesday, the Careers and Outreach Department held the first whole School Debate. Students voted for the debate to be that This house believes that students should be allowed to wear whatever jewellery they like following on from topics raised at the Speaker’s Corner earlier this year.

The House was represented by Scarlett (Form II), Emily and Joy (Form III) and Imaan (Form IV), with the Opposition represented by Liv, Orla and Roisin (Form II) and Martha and Naysa (Form III). The debate was introduced and chaired by Poppy (LVI) while Arielle (LVI) made sure the speakers kept to time. After a hard-fought debate, with well-presented arguments from both sides, the House came out victorious after an audience vote.

Both the House and Opposition were captained by Lower Sixth students, with the House being supported by Auriel and Claudia and the Opposition by Louise and Roxy. Several students also took part in the preparations of the arguments with a view to participating on future occasions, including Victoire (Form I), Sushi (Form II), and Lexi, Maya, MJ, and Sienna (LVI), who all asked incisive and insightful questions on the night.

Mrs Millns organised this event to give the students the opportunity to develop public speaking and debating skills with the next opportunity being the Heathfield Question Time in November 2021. The Speaker programme will also recommence in the Michaelmas term. Heathfield Careers and Outreach

Heathfield Book Festival

This term marked the inaugural Heathfield Book Festival, a week celebrating the library featuring many different events for students to take part, win merits and other prizes.

Assembly on Monday got the week off to a flying start. We talked about the importance of libraries beyond reading fiction and launched the Great QR Code Hunt. Thirty QR codes have been hidden around the School which direct students to a specific word in a book in the library. All thirty codes are needed to crack the message by mid-June to win a prize.

An extremely popular lunchtime Kahoot quiz in the Library on Wednesday saw Orla, Form II claim first place.

On the Thursday, festival stalls in the library included fun psychology experiments with Miss Oakley, how to run a business with Ms Kendall, French drama with Ms Gallet and crosswords, bookmark designing and wordsearch fun.

On Friday we held our termly Book Fair, which offers girls the chance to purchase the latest titles in Young Adult literature. The students thoroughly enjoyed being able to peruse through all the books since this was the first time for over a year that Primary Books, our local bookseller, has been able to come in.

Coming up in the world of the Heathfield School Library is an exciting collaboration with the Art department, so watch this space!

Mr Nathan Lobo, Librarian and Careers Administrator

Transforming the Sixth Form today for tomorrow’s leaders

Leadership made the world what it is today. It moves us individually. It has changed the way we lived during the current crisis. When we think of leadership we tend to think of politicians, generals, CEOs, headteachers. However, leadership is not about the position someone holds, it is about relationships, values and direction. As our world changes, your daughter will need the framework and skills to adapt and to drive change. More than ever, the world needs leaders who have the confidence to ensure that change is intentional, positive and meaningful.

As the Lower Sixth students consider school leadership appointments, our new leadership programme will give them the confidence to call themselves leaders; to know what effective leadership looks like; and will develop the tools to start leading. On completion of this programme, Heathfield students will have the ability to:

understand personal impact and to develop a personal leadership brand.

go beyond comfort zones to work positively with others, solve problems and influence results.

collaborate with others effectively to accomplish work SMARTer.

possess a range of techniques to lead others whether addressing everyday issues or leading with confidence in a crisis.

This programme has been designed and will be delivered by a practitioner with 17 years’ experience of the privileges and challenges of leading people of different cultures, in different situations. Mrs Boryer passionately believes anyone can lead, but the world needs leaders that have the values, skills and confidence to change their world for the better.

Mr Jeremy Hart, Assistant Head (Sixth Form)

Prep School Introduction to Lacrosse

This term we held three Introduction to Lacrosse events for local Prep Schools and welcomed Year 5 girls from Eton End School, St George’s Windsor Castle and St Piran’s. The sessions were led by Miss Reynolds, herself a former England Lacrosse player and Umpire. Girls were taught basic ball skills including scooping, passing, catching, cradling and shooting. Lacrosse is a very physical sport and requires an understanding of checking and dodging techniques. Girls had great fun practicing and mastering these skills which will help to give them a more rewarding playing experience in the future.

A delicious afternoon tea was served in the Sports Pavilion, and everyone left with happy smiles and goody bags.

Ms Anna Morgan, Director of Marketing and Admissions

Sport

In the week commencing Monday 17 May Heathfield Sport launched Touch Rugby week. All students in Forms I-IV learnt basic skills in their PE lessons in preparation for the interHouse Touch Rugby tournament on Saturday morning. The tournament was a huge success, and it was great to see so many students enjoying a new sport with friends and representing their House.

We also welcomed England and Harlequin players Sarah Beckett and Shaunagh Brown, who delivered a fantastic Rugby masterclass on Friday afternoon. The session was well attended by students from all year groups who were full of enthusiasm and excitement!

To conclude Rugby Week, several students attended a taster session at Maidenhead Rugby Club on Sunday, with coaching from England World Cup and Grand Slam Scrum Half Leanne Riley.

It is fair to say several Heathfield students have caught Rugby fever and hope to start training at a local club soon!

Miss Carys Willimott, Director of Sport & Deputy Head Austen House

To register for your free tickets, please visit: https://schoolsshow.co.uk/school-tickets and use the code 'heathfield100'.

Weekend 15 - 16 May

After Saturday Sport and lunch, girls in both Brontë House and Wantage House participated in an Art Workshop. Later they headed to St Mary’s Theatre to meet a speaker from Guide Dogs UK and a lovely golden Labrador called Lassie. Even the girls who are known to fear dogs were brave enough to pet her. The evening ended with a movie night and snacks.

On Sunday Brontë girls visited Thorpe Park Aqua Lake where they were kitted out in wetsuits and had a go making their way across a giant inflatable obstacle course on the lake. Wantage House Form IV took part in a self-defence class, whilst Form III had the opportunity to take a walk into Ascot. Thankfully, staff were on hand to rescue them in the minibus when they got caught in an unfortunate downpour!

Upper Sixth girls rested after a busy week completing their A Level courses and relaxed with their friends. Lower Sixth celebrated birthdays with a little shopping, and then in the evening making pizza.

Miss Lisa Jones, Teacher of Science and Deputy Head of House Somerville

Weekend 22 - 23 May

Another fun-filled, action-packed weekend at Heathfield, started with Zorbing for Forms I to V on Saturday afternoon. The girls loved every minute, initially acting as human ten-pin bowling balls before racing against each other between inflatables on the field.

A Brontë House Scavenger Hunt proved highly competitive and energetic. The girls had to solve clues and take photos of their team at each location. Prizes were awarded for the teams with the quickest correct answers and the most interesting photos. Wantage House demonstrated their creative skills in jewellery making and clay modelling.

The highlight of the day was the evening campfire, made possible by a timely improvement in the weather and a beautiful sunset. Traditional marshmallow toasting, informal rounders, singing and dancing to their favourite music and general chatter and laughter provided a wonderful and memorable end to the day.

Lower Sixth enjoyed a new cinematic experience as the film Notting Hill was projected onto the ceiling of the Sports Hall whilst the girls lay on the high jump mats, wrapped in duvets.

Sunday began with a Chapel service; Chloe and Laura (Form I) read beautifully, and Chloe also played violin.

Form II went to Maidenhead RFC to have a taster session with Leanne Riley, England World Cup and Grand Slam scrumhalf. Form III girls attended lacrosse training with Berkshire Bears who train on Heathfield pitches. Forms IV and V visited Ascot in the afternoon for shopping, sampling Starbucks’ wares and a general change of scene, whilst Form III enjoyed making and eating chocolate brownies.

During the afternoon, girls were encouraged to participate in an inter-House sculpturemaking competition, entitled 99 Challenge the task being to commemorate the life of the late HRH Prince Philip.

Mrs Janet Liepa, Deputy Housemistress, Wantage