Sports Days

We are pleased that we were able to hold our Sports Days at the Leys’ outdoor sports facilities this year. Although this annual event had not yet returned to normal (Infants, Juniors, and Seniors competed on separate days, and the customary whole-school picnic was notably absent), parents were happily able to spectate this year, within their class bubbles. Older pupils provided support and helped to record the results for each event — Year 6 with Infants, Year 9 supporting Juniors, and Year 11s for Seniors — allowing an opportunity for interaction between age groups that everyone has been missing this past year.

Infant events included running, relay races, bouncing, jumping and throwing. Juniors competed in races of different length, as well as athletic events like the shot put and long jump. Seniors participated in running races, shot put, javelin, high jump, long jump, discus and javelin. Pupils were divided into teams competing for the top spot in each event, but despite the spirit of competition, good fun and festivity prevailed.

The final results are below. Mrs Eastwood writes, ‘Congratulations Red Team, but well done to everybody for amazing effort across all three sports days!’

Red Team Blue Team Green Team Yellow Team
Infants 624.4
Second		 624.6
First		 599.7
Third		 597.7
Fourth
Juniors 243
First		 183
Third		 181
Fourth		 195
Second
Seniors 220
Third		 230
Second		 241
First		 194
Fourth
Total 1087.4
First		 1037.6
Second		 1021.7
Third		 986.7
Fourth

Back to Camp

We think it is so important for pupils to get outdoors and engage with the real world  that each year our school fees include a school camp for  every pupil from Year 4 and up. Although we had to put these experiences on hold over the past several months,  this term we were able to offer a Senior Camp thanks to the extraordinary efforts and enthusiasm of our staff and parents.

During the last week of term, Seniors went to Patteson Lodge Centre in Coltishall near Wroxham in Norfolk, where they spent their days on a series of hikes, canoeing, raft building, bridge building, climbing and abseiling. Years 9, 10 and 11 had the opportunity to complete a DofE Expedition.

These experiences encourage pupils to be confident campers and to enjoy the outdoors. But just as importantly, relationships are strengthened by spending time with one another and undertaking challenges together in a new setting. Pupils are able to stretch themselves personally and have the opportunity to exercise leadership. This type of risk taking helps young people develop confidence that carries over into other areas of life as well.

Thanks to the staff and parents who made it all happen; Mr Appleyard,  Mr Atkinson, Mr Bell, Mr Burden, Mr Hulett, Mrs Lowe, Dr Martin, Mrs Pluke, Mrs Scarlata, and Mrs Strachan. Special thanks to Mrs Wren and her catering team – Dr Hadeler, Mrs van Wyk and Miss Bell – for feeding everyone. And of course, for the tireless efforts of Mr Fletcher from start to finish.

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.