Uncategorized | Heritage

Get Ready for Screen Free Week

A Message from Headmaster Jason Fletcher

During the third week of June, we will be holding our Heritage Screen Free Week. It is usually an annual event, which had to be set aside for the past two years, but one which is now more necessary than ever, given the way the pandemic has affected our lives. Now that life is returning to something more like normal, we are pleased to be resuming the tradition once again.

The idea is that from 8am on Monday morning the 13th of June until 8am on Monday the 20th of June, families commit to not using their televisions, computers, video game consoles, tablets and smartphones. It is intended to be a total ‘digital detox’. (We accept that use of phones and computers may be necessary for work and essential communications by adults; pupils should not have access to their smartphone, if they have one.)

This idea will seem alarming —even impossible—to many of us because our devices are so deeply embedded into our lives. There is no denying they are useful. The problem is that they are captivating. They can stop us from giving our whole attention to the things that are right in front of us, or prevent our children from ever feeling bored (a necessary condition for creativity), or disconnect us from those closest to us while relentlessly beckoning us with electronic messages from many others. And digital entertainments are displacing so many enriching activities.

Screen Free Week is an opportunity for us each to pause and examine whether technology has too big a role in our lives. Can we live happily without screens?

We are eager to hear about your experience of Screen Free Week. What impact does it have upon your family and your children? What books did you read? What places did you explore? What projects did you start, or finish? What interesting conversations did you have? I would love for you to start thinking about Screen Free Week with a sense of anticipation, even liberation! It’s only a week, but maybe it will lead to changes that last longer.

Queen’s Jubilee Portrait Competition

As part of the school’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations before the half-term break, an art competition was held for Infants and Juniors to submit a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. The winning entries were announced during this Monday’s assembly. Congratulations to Ella (UP), who had the top portrait for Infants and Anna G (Y4), whose portrait was selected for Juniors. Each will receive a copy of the newly published DK book, Queen Elizabeth: A Platinum Jubilee Celebration.

The following pupils were also commended for their excellent artistic representations of the Queen, and received a commemorative Platinum Jubilee bookmark during the assembly.

Lower Prep: Lexie and Lydia M
Upper Prep: Donald, James, Mila, Donald, Tomasz
Year 2: Esther and Phoebe
Year 3: Alice, Dom, Jamie, Jessica, Olivia, and Toby
Year 4: Anna M, Hanna, Hannah, and Jane
Year 6: Izzy

A full gallery of the portraits is included below.

Senior Camp: Return to Normality

By Mr Jonathon Bell, Former Heritage Parent/Volunteer

The Senior school spent the week before the half-term break at the fabulous Bragger’s Wood scout campsite in the New Forest surrounded by rhododendron bushes in full flower, baby ponies and other wildlife. And what a tremendous relief it was to be back to normal after two years of having our camp routine affected to one degree or another by the pandemic.

Hopefully by now parents will have been regaled with stories of cooking pizza from scratch in a wood fired oven, crab fishing (including record catches of 108 crabs by the Year 9s), cycling, hiking, and watersports. They may even have taught the parents the odd song about Pirates or Yellow Birds.

The camp is an essential part of your child’s education. In five days friendships strengthen, resilience and good humour grow, and seeds of interest in new activities are sown. Through participation in the DofE children develop things to put on their curriculum vitae in the future which will strengthen their applications for both University and future employment. And most importantly, we all have a great time.The thing that makes the camp special though, is the fact that whilst we use specialist providers for the adventurous activities the bulk of the programme is delivered by staff and volunteer parents. Huge thanks go to Mrs Atkinson, Mr Bayley, Mr Bell, Mrs Bruce, Mr Buchanan, Mr Burden, Mr Fletcher, Mr Seth Fletcher, Mrs Hulett, Mr Hulett, Mrs Lowe, Mr Pitcher, Miss Rogers, and Mrs Scarlata. Please let us know if you want to be involved next year!

View our Senior Camp photo gallery

Year 9 Trip to Westminster

Yesterday, Year 9 took an exciting trip to London to find out about the history, heritage and work of the UK Parliament. During their visit, they toured Westminster Hall, St Stephen’s Hall, the Central Lobby and the House of Commons.

The group were also able to meet Daniel Zeichner, the Labour MP for Cambridge (pictured here). Four of the pupils readily took up the invitation to quiz him on Labour policies.

What a valuable experience and educational day for our pupils!

Alumni’s Triathlon Triumph

On 15th May, 2021 Heritage leaver Maxwell Buchanan completed his first 70.3 triathlon at the Outlaw Half Nottingham. He finished the grueling 1.2M swim, 56M bike, and 13.1M run in just over 5 hours, placing him 3rd in his age group and in the top 20% of men who competed. He was the youngest competitor in the event.

Maxwell raced in memory of his his friend David Juckes, who passed away from a rare form of lymphoma last year, and through his participation raised £650 for Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group. Congratulations to Maxwell for his strong performance, his hard work and his dedication to a worthy cause