HEATHFIELD NEWSLETTER ISSUE

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1 Telephone: HEATHFIELD NEWSLETTER ISSUE In this issue: Year 6 in Deep South Choir at Chapel Ed Tops the Charts Fencing News BMX Update Car park Plea Open Doors Olympic Gold Medallist Visits Birdwatching Y6 & Reception French buddies #marooneycooney Equine Pathways Notes from PTA Diamonds Gym Visit It has been another incredibly busy couple of weeks the Year 3 & 4 play Bring Him Home had its world premiere, Year Six went on tour to the Isle of Wight, Foundation Stage visited the horses of Equine Pathways...meanwhile individual Heathfielders (and ex-heathfielders!) have been making news as well whether that be as British champions in fencing, in national BMX rankings, or topping the music charts! Thank you to all members of the Heathfield community for your hard work towards making the term such a success in so many different ways and have a great Easter break!

2 Year 6 were very excited to be visiting the Isle of Wight for their residential, staying in a hotel in Sandown on the sunny southern coast of the Island and taking trips out to Alum Bay, a sweet factory, Queen Victoria s holiday home at Osborne, Dimbola House for fossil collecting on the beach, and loads more besides. The beach was right across the road from our hotel, so there were plenty of opportunities for digging, Canute-ing, kite-flying and all the fun of the seaside! There were games and competitions organised in the evenings including a hotly contested beetle drive!

3 Bodyboarding at the Surf centre was brilliant everyone had a go, and no-one got (too!) cold.

4 We visited the historic dockyards in Portsmouth, posing next to HMS Victory and going in to the amazing Mary Rose exhibition. We were also fortunate enough to come across these two members of the Royal family Princess Anne, who was visiting at the same time, and none other than King Henry VIII, who was pleased to pose with Heathfielders!

5 At Dimbola House, we found out what to look for when we went fossil hunting. At Osborne House, we found out about explorers of the Vistorian era. Not sure what Queen Victoria would have made of our visit but we hope that she would have been amused!

6 The sweet factory at Alum Bay was popular as was the chance to make some sandcastles, or just stroll along the promenade, or take part in some ten-pin bowling!

7 On the previous Sunday, members of the Heathfield Choir were at the School chapel to assist with the singing at the Eucharist service. It was a beautiful sunny day, and to hear the choir really raise the roof at the chapel brought a smile to everyone who was in the massive congregation. We can all be very proud of our choir, who also provided the leaders in prayers for the service. Today, Key Stages 1 and 2 were back at the Chapel for our traditional Easter service.

8 There was a considerable media buzz when ex- Heathfielder Ed Sheeran achieved the extraordinary feat of having nine tracks in the top ten at one time...and we are proud of the success of this old boy. We were even more delighted when one of the pictures accompanying a Daily Mail article about Ed showed him in his Heathfield uniform! The picture is reproduced here. Another HF worldbeater!

9 Mr. Lister, Alex s Dad, reports on some very exciting news from two major fencing competitions last weekend: The first was the Yorkshire Youth Championships where Seth collected a gold medal and shield for winning the Under 10s category. To make the competition more interesting, the Under 10s, Under 12s and Under 14s boys sabre heats were mixed together. This did not deter Seth who managed to beat a competitor from the Under 12s category. He left the competition happy, inheriting the trophy from Alex and becoming the new Under 10s Yorkshire Youth champion. Alex also met his objectives and claimed victory in the Under 12s, beating his opponent in the final a comfortable 10:0! He also managed to beat the competitors in the Under 14s group too. Both Heathfielders therefore had a good day winning both titles for the school. Not content with competing in Sheffield on the Saturday morning, Alex also competed at Moulsford Prep School Oxfordshire in the national Leon Paul Junior Series, in the Under 11s category, on Sunday morning. It was therefore a very busy and tiring weekend with 9 hours of driving involved across the two days. There were 18 competitors on the day, and Alex competed with cool determination, not losing any games, to reach the final. His opponent from London was a little unpredictable, but Alex also managed to beat him, 10:0 again, to take the gold for this national, securing himself a No 1 UK ranking so far for 2017 with 2 golds from 2 events. It was therefore something of a special achievement to compete and win 2 competitions, in 2 days, with 2 perfect scores. Is this a record? Keeping the trophy in the Heathfield family, the mantle of Yorkshire champion passes from one generation to the next. Congratulations to our young fencers!

10 Mr Warren (dad of James) writes about the opening of the BMX series of 2017 Last weekend saw the British BMX series open at the Manchester velodrome (where Year 3 and 4 visited last term). James had a difficult winter with a few nasty crashes which had dented his confidence but he showed some real grit and determination and had a really positive start to the series. Car Parking It has been mentioned that some drivers coming into the car park in the mornings are waiting in the entrance way for a space to become available. This can cause a significant tailback very quickly, so I would ask please that those who are dropping off in the morning consider: Parking by the swimming pool and walking up the path The series involves 6 weekends throughout the spring/summer, with a separate round on the Saturday and Sunday. Going around in the car park and coming back for a second look for spaces (the turnover of spaces is quite high) On the Saturday James won his B final (which placed his as 9th on the day) and on the Sunday he rode even better and made the A Final. He was a bit unlucky with someone falling right in front of him and he had to take evasive action but he still ended 7th on the day. Two very creditable results that will see him in 6th place nationally after the opening weekend. I attach a Youtube link that shows him winning his B Final on the Saturday. I am aware that there can be congestion in the mornings it is great that Heathfield is so popular, of course, but I would ask that all drivers exercise customary common-sense and consideration for others. Moving forward, there may be an option for the coming academic year which might alleviate some part of the problem but at the moment, I would ask for forbearance. v=4urpqnywedq Below: not the queue to get into Heathfield, but rather a jam described as the world s worst The next two rounds are in Birmingham on the 22nd and 23rd of April. Open Doors! Wednesday 19 April from We will be hosting an Open Doors for prospective parents on the afternoon / early evening of Wednesday 19 April if friends or neighbours might be interested in Heathfield, they are, of course, welcome at any time but can always be sure of a warm welcome at one of our Open Doors!

11 Last week, Heathfield pupils from the hockey club attended a very special lecture and masterclass from Rio Gold medal winner Nicola White. Nicola was one of the youngest members of the team at London 2012, and made her senior international debut for England against Germany in 2009, a match in which she scored. Since then she has gone on to medal success at the Olympic Games (bronze and gold), World Cup, Champions Trophy, European Championships and Commonwealth Games. The former Loughborough College Sport Science student is also a talented musician and can play the piano to Grade 6!When not playing hockey or practising the piano, she says she likes shopping for shoes! Of course, everyone wanted to get a look at the Olympic Gold medal!

12 Lots of wild animals live in the dingle including a surprising variety of birds. As part of their flight project work, Year 2 have been learning about identifying different birds using pictures and keys. Last week, they took advantage of the unseasonably lovely weather to get outdoors, identify some birds using their scientific knowledge and then use maths skills to collate the information. Eagle-eyed eyed Year 2, using all their skills to find, identify and record some of the many varieties of birds in our dingle

13 Year 6 children prepared some books in their French lessons, with the aim of using their books to help Reception learn some French vocabulary and, of course, the best way to learn something is often to have to explain it yourself to someone else! When the time came, Reception children were very excited to host their Year 6 buddies,. They seemed to love the books as well!

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16 Newsflash from Heathfield Air and Space Administration: brave Major Cooney has been left behind on the surface of Mars! How did it happen? Who is to blame? Most importantly...how do you express your interest through social media? The Year 3 and 4 Production Bring Him Home answered all these questions and more!

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18 When Major Cooney was left on Mars, it was up to the lab-rats at HA- SA (that s Heathfield Air and Space Administration) to come up with a way to rescue him. With the whole world watching and waiting, the key to the rescue comes when Major Cooney and his team remember their old School motto Deeds Not Words, and spring into action to save the day! Even President Trump made a surprise appearance!

19 The Heathfield Nursery was very fortunate last week to be able to visit Equine Pathways to meet some of the very special horses who provide equine therapy. The children were able to lead the horses, help with grooming, and, of course, do some riding as well. Equine Pathways is a wonderful charity, providing free therapy for adults and children with a range of mental health and other issues. Further information at:

20 A note from the PTA... Another term has flown and Easter is upon us. The PTA have been busy planning, whilst also serving drinks, assisting at school events and decorating chapel for the Easter service, to name but a few tasks! Next term we are very much looking forward to hosting the following: We start with a school disco and some magic on the first Friday back, 21st April. Any help in the kitchen would be very welcomed! We then have afternoon tea and trying our skills at flower arranging in the Dining Hall on Friday 5th May (if anybody has any unwanted tea cups and saucers they would like to donate they would be very appreciated). Monday 15th May The Yorkshire Air Ambulance will be in school to talk to the children in assembly with a bun sale at morning break. ( Let the Heathfield bake-off commence!) - more details to follow. Finally and this is our big one The Summer Ball on 9th June. (Raffle and auction prizes would be gratefully received). We do hope you are able to join us at all or any of these events. The PTA welcome any help and new fund raising ideas. We really do have a wonderful school and it's rewarding seeing the school and children benefit from what the PTA provide which is why I would like to thank everybody for your continued support and wish you all a very Happy Easter Holiday! R B

21 The PTA is keen to invite parents and carers, new and old to send in contact details to keep families up-to-date with details of upcoming events and minutes of meetings. Heathfield PTA meet on the first Thursday of the month in the dining hall from 0845 fresh ideas and new faces always very welcome. Here are some dates for your diaries, including both children s and grown-ups events: A Disco for the children is coming up on 21 April with games and magic included! On 5 May there will be an opportunity for afternoon tea followed by a flower arranging event (this one is for the grown-ups!) The Heathfield PTA Ball will be held at The Arches at Dean Clough in Halifax this is always a terrific event and any help with any aspect of the event would be very welcome indeed. We also need raffle prizes, items for auction and sponsors. The charity supported this year will be the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the event is sponsored by Louise Woollard Financial. Together with the School, we will be continuing to support Calderdale SmartMove, and there is a box outside of Mrs Battye s office for any donations. Heathfield has the support of wonderful families, and everyone in the Heathfield community is automatically a part of the PTA, with all and any help very gratefully received. Over recent years, the PTA have financed a wide range of equipment and activities to the benefit of all children in the School. The PTA is now engaged in fund-raising towards exciting developments in outdoor learning, aiming to ensure that our unique site and heritage is used to the best possible effect throughout the School. Please contact: Mrs Rosie Booth via the School Office

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23 Mrs Smith writes about the trip to Diamonds Gym this week: Y3/4/5 children were coached by GB gymnast Ed who put them through their paces then they all had a lot of fun vaulting,tumbling, hanging, and leaping! A wonderful afternoon was had by all. Above: The Diamonds Gym visitors Left: A balance beam conundrum!

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