Sparking a Lifelong Passion for the Outdoors

A Message from Mr Jason Fletcher, Headmaster

School camps are a defining feature of Heritage and, for many of our pupils, are among the most cherished memories from their time here. There is something magical about sitting around a campfire or sleeping out under canvas in some of the most beautiful places in the country. Camps are an annual fixture for all of our pupils from Year 4 to Year 10. At camp, there is a unique opportunity for us to get to know each other better in a fresh and fun context, which makes a huge contribution to the quality of relationships in the community. As pupils encounter new challenges they also grow in confidence, and this carries over into other areas of life.

But, perhaps most importantly, all of this happens in the great outdoors. Much has been written in recent years about how young people are losing touch with nature, and as a result are missing out on the wonder, joy, refreshment, and insight that it – and real-world adventures – offers us.

As Charlotte Mason observed, children who have ‘a love of Nature… will enrich their lives with pure interests, absorbing pursuits, health, and good humour.’ It is our hope that our camps will help to spark in our pupils a lifelong passion for the outdoors, and also that they will initiate a relationship with special parts of this remarkable island. I like to imagine pupils going back as adults to some of the places we have visited for recreation and inspiration, no matter what their future path. 

We depend upon, and are grateful for, the staff and parent volunteers who help make our Junior and Senior Camps possible. Also, special thanks is due to our Educational Visits Coordinator, Meg Lowe, whose support is so significant to the smooth and safe operation of all of our school trips.  If you are interested in becoming involved next year, please watch out for requests for parent volunteers!

Junior Camps: Having Fun and Exploring Wildlife

Year 4 Camp

In Year 4, pupils are introduced to school camps with a local one night away. This year, the class spent a beautiful June evening camping out at Abington Woods Campsite. The experience gave them an opportunity to work as a team, pitch a tent, and eat and sleep out of doors. During the day, they enjoyed a variety of activities with their classmates and teachers — including orienteering, firefighting and a scavenger hunt. Later, they sat out around the campfire; the perfect way to end the day, made even more enjoyable with the obligatory roasting of marshmallows. The aim is to have lots of fun and to help prepare the pupils for the outdoor programme in later years; and this year’s experience accomplished exactly that. Thanks to Mrs Bracegirdle, Mr Buchanan, Mrs Eldridge, Mr and Mrs Fletcher, Mr Seth Fletcher, and Mrs Watkins for helping to make the Year 4 camp so memorable. 

View more photos of Year 4 Camp

Year 5 and 6 Camp

During the last week of the school term, Years 5 and 6 joined together for a three-night camp in Norfolk. During the days the campers enjoyed some excellent sailing,  geocaching, a coastal hike, a river walk, and a visit to Horsey Beach to see some seals. They also explored the wildlife and habitats of the Norfolk Broads (including pond dipping and an invertebrate survey), and paid a visit to the nature reserve and St Benet’s Abbey. In the evenings, there was plenty of free time for the nightly wide  games, eating al fresco meals prepared by Mrs Bruins, and just spending time outside together. The camp was possible as always thanks to the tireless efforts of our staff and volunteers: Mr Bayley, Mrs Bracegirdle, Mrs Bruins, Mr Buchanan,  Mrs Eldridge, Mr Fletcher, Mrs Parkinson, Mr Pitcher, and Miss Rogers. More photos will be posted on our website photo galleries during the summer holidays. 

View more photos of Year 5 and 6 Camp

Senior Council Hoveraid Fundraiser

This week the Senior School Student Council held a traditional non-uniform day fundraiser to benefit Hoveraid (uk.hoveraid.org), a charity that uses hovercraft to bring aid to remote places with no easy access to medical care or clean water. To raise some additional funds, the council members prepared cheese toasties for their fellow pupils to be enjoyed at break for a 50p donation. The Seniors thoroughly enjoyed their toasties and the fundraiser yielded £142.11. Overseeing it all was Dr Martin, who has run the Senior Council for many years. His guidance will be greatly missed when he retires at the end of this term. Big thanks to Year 7 pupil Charlotte, who photographed the event.

2022 Sports Days

Once again, our annual Sports Days gave pupils the chance to test the athletic skills that they have been building in PE lessons throughout the term. Infants and Juniors participated in events including Shot Put, Nerf Ball Throw, Long Jump, and of course the always lively races and relays. The return of the traditional family picnic afterward gave members of our community a welcome opportunity to spend some relaxed time together in the beautiful weather.  A separate Sports Day was held for Seniors the following week, and featured the Shot Put, High Jump, Long Jump, Discus and Javelin. Races for each year group were held throughout the morning and the event ended with an exciting 4x100m relay. Thank you to all of the pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9 who helped to run the Infant and Junior sports day, and the Year 11s who assisted with the Senior Sports Day. The final results are shown below, but regardless of the final numbers, all of our young athletes should be commended for giving their best effort to score points for their house. Note that the results from Sports Day have been added to our ‘House Shield’ table, which includes all of the inter-house competitions played throughout the school year. Each house received  25 points for winning a competition, 15 points for second place, 10 for third and 5 for fourth. The final results yielded a victory for the Blue team as overall champions (514 points), followed by Red (394), Green (366) and Yellow (320). Scroll down for the full House Shield table, as well as our Sports Day photo galleries.

2022 Sports Day Results
Red Team Yellow Team Green Team Blue Team
Infants 649

Second

 564

Fourth

 710

First

 597

Third
Juniors 222

Third

 220

Fourth

 296

First

 257

Second
Seniors 400

Second

 376

Fourth

 395

Third

 421

First

Infants and Juniors
Sports Day
Gallery

Senior Sports Day
Photo Gallery

2021/22 House Shield Results
Activity Red Yellow Green Blue
Yr7/8 Water Polo 10 20 5 20
Yr 9-11 Basketball 25 10 5 15
Yr7/8 Basketball 20 10 5 20
Yr 7/8 Benchball (Oct) 25 15 5 10
Yr 9-11 Capture Flag 12.5 5 12.5 25
Yr 9-11 Hockey 10 15 5 25
Yr 7/8 Swimming Gala 15 10 5 25
Yr 9-11 Water Polo 10 15 25 5
Yr 7/8 Hockey 7.5 7.5 15 25
Yr 7/8 Benchball (Feb) 20 7.5 20 7.5
Yr 9-11 Benchball 5 10 15 25
Yr 9-11 Netball 25 5 15 10
Yr 9-11 Badminton 15 5 25 10
Yr 7/8 Benchball (Mar) 12.5 12.5 5 25
Yr 5 Swimming Gala 10 25 15 5
Yr 6 Swimming Gala 5 12.5 25 12.5
Yr 7/8 Trampolining 12.5 12.5 5 25
Yr 7/8 Badminton 10 25 5 15
Yr 7/8 Squash 25 7.5 15 7.5
Yr 9-11 Squash 16.5 5 16.5 16.5
Yr 9-11 Trampolining 7.5 7.5 15 25
Yr 7/8 Netball 15 5 10 25
Yr 7/8 Touch Rugby 7.5 20 7.5 20
Yr 9-11 Touch Rugby 7.5 7.5 15 25
Yr 3 Swimming Gala 10 25 5 15
Yr 4 Swimming Gala 15 5 10 25
Infant Sports Day 15 5 25 10
Junior Sports Day 10 5 25 15
Senior Sports Day 15 5 10 25
TOTAL 394 320 366.5 514

A Joyous Summer Fete

Not even rain could dampen the spirits of those who attended the HCA Summer Fete, held on Saturday the 18th of June. From the Buskers Corner to Face Painting to Welly Wanging, there was plenty for all ages to do, see and enjoy. A special highlight was the dog show, with prizes being given for the best dressed, lookie-likey, waggiest tail, and best in show. Stiff competition took place on the Welly Wanging field, with Year 6 pupil Ore Ofe throwing a welly an amazing distance of 26.6 meters. Flagging energy was revived with delicious hot dogs from the BBQ and regular sugar infusions were readily available in the form of candy floss, ice cream, cakes, and sweets. But perhaps the most exciting moment of the day came with the opportunity to throw a sponge at Mr Fletcher; an activity that generated plenty of competitors, and which he endured with characteristic good humour. (Be sure to check out the gallery of images below.) The day raised an impressive £2,259, which will go toward the purchase of a new piano in Panton Hall. Thank you to Vicky Grebe, Ellie Stoneley, Rachel Bruins, Donal Lafferty and all of the HCA committee members, parents, and other members of our community who contributed their time and talents to create a wonderful experience for all. Special thanks to Cecilia and Tom Amies and family, who supplied the beautiful setting and did so much to ensure comfort and safety for everyone. And finally, thank you also to the following vendors who contributed goods for the silent auction:

Bread and Meat Cambridge Tour Guides The Raptor Foundation Cambridge Science Centre SUP Cambridge Millside Canoe Hire Emboracum Baroque Orchestra Clip n Climb Stem & Glory, Cambridge Jack’s Gelato Clayton Hotel, Cambridge Cambridge Fudge Kitchen Xtreme 360 Trampoline Park The Heavenly Cake Company Experience Days (https://www.experiencedays.co.uk/charity-scheme) Terrible Tours Cook

Oliver Cromwell House, Ely

Shepreth Wildlife Park

Leech & Sons Butcher

Burwash Larder

Doppelganger Burger

Kettle Leaf Artisan Tea

Cryptx Escape Rooms

LiquidSkillz at Lake Ashmore, Hemingford Grey

The Wine Rooms, Cambridge

The Jockey Club, Newmarket Racecourse

Martha Rosie Bakes (https://www.martharosiebakes.co.uk/)

Silver Oak Coffee, Ely

Rupert Brooke, Grantchester

The Retreats Spa, Burwash Manor

Oak Bistro

Salon 262 (Mill Road)

HCA Summer Fete Photo Gallery