The Return of School Trips

As museums, parks and other places of interest opened up to school groups again, we have been delighted to resume our school trips — a valuable part of our Enrichment programme. Every Wednesday or Friday afternoon is an open slot in the weekly timetable for pupils in Upper Prep to Year 8, during which time pupils experience a range of outings in Cambridge and beyond, along with unique in-school activities. Here are some of the places that our pupils visited during the final weeks of school:

  • Upper Prep: Anglesey Abbey
  • Year 2: Great St Mary’s Church
  • Years 3 and 4: Clip & Climb
  • Year 5: National Space Centre
  • Year 6: Thetford Forest
  • Year 7: American Cemetery
  • Year 8: Wicken Fen

Thanks to all of the tremendous effort by staff and others to make sure these events could happen safely. We look forward to more when school resumes in the fall!

Introducing the Seniors Leadership Team

Congratulations to the new Year 11 Leadership Team: Head Boy Freddie and Head Girl Alix, and Prefects Catherine, Isabel, Kit and Nathaniel. They are already off to a great start with their much appreciated help at the Year 11 Leavers’ Reception.

Typical contributions of the leadership team to the school include being ambassadors for the school at key school events, being involved in assemblies, helping run clubs, undertaking routine duties, having special areas of responsibility such as for sports kit or for the science lab, building links with Infant and Junior pupils, planning leavers events, and more, depending upon their strengths, interests and the needs of the school.

A Fond Farewell to our Leavers

As our Year 11 Leavers prepared for the next step of their educational journey, we took some opportunities to celebrate their Heritage education, and to cement some  elements from their time here that we hope they will carry with them for a lifetime of learning.

During this past week, Year 11 pupils participated in The Big Picture Course — a programme that helps our Leavers draw together the threads of their education at Heritage, to discuss overarching ideas and questions, and to consider some of the big ideas that shape our culture. In keeping with the school’s ethos, Christian perspectives were discussed but the goal was ultimately to encourage pupils to think critically and question things philosophically for themselves. Led by Mr Fletcher and Dr Martin, the course always ends by watching and then discussing a film that says something interesting about our culture. This year it was The Truman Show, a film about the artificiality of television and the way it affects our perception of reality.

On Saturday, Leavers concluded their time at Heritage with a Leavers’ Service, featuring a musical performance by Year 11 pupil Amy C on the flute, accompanied by Mrs Lowe. Speeches were made by Head Boy Maxwell and Head Girl Holly, followed by encouragements from Mr Fletcher and a prayer led by Mr Burden. Mr Hulett, as always, concluded the time with a delightful photo slideshow. The service was followed by a reception with family members, and then the Leavers celebrated their final moments together as Heritage pupils with a festive evening party in Panton Hall, complete with Mr Appleyard DJing.

We are sad to say goodbye to our class of 2021, but we hope that each of them will stay connected with us as alumni. We are eager to hear about all that they will go on and do after their time with us.

Heritage Parents Get Training on Anxiety and Change for Young People

Last Tuesday, 30 Heritage families joined a training session on ‘Supporting Young People with Anxiety and Change’ hosted by NESSie, a charity whose mission is to improve the mental and emotional health of children and young people. The organisation was established in 2015 in response to an overwhelming need for emotional support in schools. They offer Art, Drama, Play and music therapy as well as counselling, parent support and family therapy.

NESSie’s Founder and CEO Rachel Lambie and Lead Trainer Viv Ofstedahl led parents through a course that aimed to help them better understand anxiety and how Covid has affected it, to explore ways of supporting a child with anxiety, and to expand their understanding of why our children struggle.

During the session, parents heard about signs of mental distress and the things that might cause it, particularly after lockdown. The presenters emphasised the importance of reassuring young people that anxiety is normal, it’s no one’s fault and can’t be resolved overnight. To empower children, parents and other supporters can educate them about what is happening in their brains when they feel anxious (known as psycho-education),  and help them to build resilience by setting goals and gently encouraging risk taking.

The evening ended with some helpful tools and strategies to help young people deal with and talk through their fears. Parents then had the opportunity to ask questions, and a helpful reference document was provided after the talk.

Thank you very much to Rachel and Viv for an informative and valuable session.

Please note that NESSie relies on donations to run this programme. If you would like to make a donation, please go to the event page and click the ‘Donate’ button. For more information or counselling support contact sblackford@nessieined.com.

For more information:

Nessieined.com

twitter.com/NESSieinEd

facebook.com/NESSieinEd

A Visit to the American Cemetery

Year 8 spent a full and memorable afternoon last Thursday at the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial, dedicated to American soldiers who died during the Second World War. It is the only American cemetery in the United Kingdom and lies on 30.5 acres that were donated by the University of Cambridge to America for its creation.

During their visit, pupils learned what life was like for an American soldier in WWII, created a gravestone rubbing for one of the 3,800 soldiers buried there and learned about his personal story. They also dressed the grave of an unknown soldier and spent some time reading some of the 5,127 names listed on the Wall of the Missing.

Thanks so much to our hosts for an educational and enriching time.