Headlines - 4July25 by Honywood School

HEADLINES 4th July 2025

James Saunders

OVERCOMING PERSONAL CHALLENGES

We always approach sports day with great anticipation and a touch of trepidation - well at least for the weather. Whilst the summer weather can be unpredictable, based on the current temp we were less worried. Thankfully today was great. Sports day takes a lot of organising behind the scenes as well as on the day. People often ask me if being a Headteacher is tough. I can honestly say that when you experience things such as Sports Day, when you get to see how talented our young people are; when you get to share in their challenges, talents, failures and success, it is the best job in the world. I hope that our learners have enjoyed competing for their Houses today in relays; netball; rounders; football; and a range of skill base challenges.

As we wrap up the week we are preparing to say farewell to our C7 learners who will be attending Caythorpe for their residential and C10 who are either travelling to Paris or Berlin, or completing work experience. That leaves just C8 and C9 in school for the week to complete an in school programme of enrichment. The week certainly looks jam packed with lots of enriching experiences that I hope will bring our learners together and create experiences that they will remember beyond Honywood. I am lucky enough to be going to Caythorpe with C7 and can’t wait to get stuck into the activities. I am pleased to see Laser Tag is still on offer.

No matter which activity or experience our learners are involved in, either in school or far away, each one will support them to think, reflect and overcome personal challenges. Overcoming life’s challenges is an important part of building character. Our approach to building cultural and social capital in all our learners is designed to do this. These character building challenges come in many forms - such as leaving home, communicating in another language or embracing the challenges of adulthood. I am sure that these experiences will help to build resilience to face

the everyday challenges that school and life often presents. Challenges like: balancing workload; revising for exams; taking exams; making friends; talking to a class; leading peers and supporting friends. Keep an eye on Facebook to follow the many exploits of the week - it’s going to be a busy one.

With luck I will still be intact at the end of the week and can return to the final week as Headteacher. In the meantime, should there be any school matters that you need assistance with, Mr Munro will be on hand in school.

In light of most staff and learners being out of the building next week we will not issue the Headlines at the end of the week. Therefore, there will be one final Headlines on Friday 18th July.

I wish you all a lovely weekend.

LEARNER LEADERSHIP

James Saunders

We recently launched the recruitment process to C10 for our next Learner Leadership Team. After facing the difficult task of evaluating their applications and shortlisting them for interview the candidates spent face to face with an interview panel of Mr Caygill, Mr Briggs and Mrs Bansropun. This impressive team of learners went through a gruelling interview process that would rival most teacher interviews. They all rose to the challenge and did an exceptional job. They spoke with clarity, confidence and conviction - a real credit.

The standard again this year is exceptional and I would like to congratulate the successful C10s. I am looking forward to seeing how our school will benefit from their work over the following year.

Congratulations to Sophie Balneaves (10 VSp/CKh)

Frances Rassell (10 PBi) Callum Rider (10 VSp/CKh)

Matilda Moxham (10ASa/TPa)

Prom 2025 A Night to Remember

Players: Archie Hopkins, Edward Jones, Oscar Reece, Mohammed Malek, Zach Burgess, Zachary Lote, Oliver Warwick, Oliver Eastall, Noah Everitt, Ted Berry, Dougie Hopkins, Erina McSweeney, George Doyle, Hugo Handley Miles

To get over the disappointment of having the game against Hedingham School cancelled because of the weather, the school squad took part in a training game organised by Mr Steven Hopkins and helpers at the Earls Colne field of Coggeshall Cricket Club. A competitive training match was arranged and all learners took part in an exciting game. It was a new experience for some learners who have never played on a proper cricket pitch before. The training was useful to help develop knowledge, skills and confidence as well as social interaction and teamwork. Our learners thoroughly embraced this chance and very much enjoyed the experience. A big thank you to Coggeshall Cricket Club for giving our learners the opportunity to play on the pitch and supplying them with refreshments.

Mr Walters

MORE RESULTS FROM DISTRICT ATHLETICS

Cohort 8/9 Girls

Frankie Woodward 2nd place C8/9 girls Shot Putt

Phoebe Fairbairn 1st place C8/9 girls Javelin

An excellent achievement for both learners.

I would also like to congratulate the 3rd place athletes:

Cohort 7

Zach Bishop - 200m

Ethan Yerby - 800m

Oscar Galvin - Discus

Bea King - Hurdles

Neive Dyson - Long Jump

Cohort8/9

Edie Grounds - 300m

Cohort 10/11

Nathan Humphreys - Long Jump

On Monday 14th & Tuesday 15th July, please bring any books you would like to donate to the fair during LS5 – (consider which books other learners in the school would enjoy). Please bring them to the library

On Wednesday 16th July at lunch time, you have the opportunity to come and select any book(s) (free of charge!) that you would like to take home and read over the summer! Hopefully if the weather is nice, we will have the fair outside on the school field.