What do Heritage Parents think about the ‘Screen Free Challenge’?

While the use of smart phones in schools continues to be hotly debated up and down the country, the challenge of Heritage’s ‘Screen Free Week’ last term, gave many the chance to review their use of screens at home.

Around 1/3 of Heritage families told the School Office that they took the Screen Free Challenge – there may have been more. Feedback was varied, some found it impossible, others found it harder than in previous years, some faced opposition from their children and other families were thankful for it. We have shown below a handful of testimonies.

(1) ‘For me, it was a real change. I would love to simply throw away my phone and laptop for good (if the world allowed it!) They take my attention away from the children – who really feel it and don’t like it. So, to be able to tell friends that I was having a screen free week and wouldn’t be replying to non-urgent emails, was very freeing. (Although, some of my friends didn’t like it!)’

(2) ‘We found we rediscovered the library, which we had got out of the habit of visiting. When our daughter received homework … we would have usually used the internet to answer this. It was fun to go to the library again, I checked out a few books and read beyond the homework references. Certainly a lot gained from not just looking the answers up on the internet.’

(3) ‘All in all, a slightly tougher screen free week than previously, if I’m honest! (Admittedly, we relented with the football and a couple of other things over the weekend.) An observation was that I worked harder midweek, than when not on screen free week… keeping going with jobs seemed easier than reading…’

(4) ‘The screen free week was more challenging than expected. Having said that, we managed to have some quality family time playing Monopoly & various other games. I would like to say thanks to all the speakers who gave such enlightening teaching during the Parent Information & Discussion Evening. It was an eye opener.’

(5) ‘Screen Free… was good! I deleted facebook on my phone and was more present at breakfast time and the end of the day… We found cbeebies radio (on bbc radio iplayer app) and youtube famous five audio books, helpful… and I read books to the boys at the dinner table! We are thankful for the week to rethink our patterns and habits!’

(6) ‘Our boys love to come home on a Friday and watch their favourite programmes after their swimming lesson, but last week they were delighted to make giant ice-cream sundaes and construct an enormous den in their bedroom instead!’

Appointment of our New Head Girl and Head Boy

Appointing a new Head Girl and Boy at Heritage is a great pleasure, both for the school and the two pupils who have succeeded in the selection process. This year our new Head Girl is Amy Robson and our Head Boy is William Buchanan. Leah Monmont and Anthony Austin will assist them as our two prefects.

The process began before Easter when all our Year 10 students were invited to apply to become a prefect and / or Head Girl / Boy. Judging by their letters, all those who applied took this very seriously. It was particularly gratifying that they emphasised their personal qualities rather than their academic, sporting or artistic achievements. At Heritage character matters more than brilliance and the desire to serve the school shone through these letters.

The day for the interviews arrived in mid May and all the applicants were quizzed about their letters and their priorities. A particular feature this year were the many extra-curricular activities that they hoped to support and initiate in their final year at the school. If you thought Heritage already offered a very rich cultural environment, our students have lots of creative ideas about how to improve on it.

However, the decision in the end came down to, not which club we liked the sound of, but who persuaded us that they had the commitment and resilience to become a leader in the school. Their past record of service to community was, of course, relevant here, as was the evidence that they shared the school’s values. All the teachers were invited to comment confidentially on each of the candidates beforehand, so their observations too were taken into account.

The role of Head Girl and Boy is not just a public one – addressing the parents on our Open Mornings, for example – but also to be approachable by all the Senior students. They will chair our Student Council meetings and liaise between the student body and the school management team. In this, we believe, Amy and William will do an excellent job, ably assisted by Leah and Anthony.

A few words from William and Amy

William : ‘I am very excited with this new opportunity of being Head Boy. There are so many great things that I love about Heritage, and now I have been given a role to help provide what I loved so much to others. Heritage has had a huge hand in shaping the person I am today, for example my attitude towards others, diligence when working and building strong friendships. I hope to maintain the encouraging atmosphere here and be an inspiring role model to those aspiring to better themselves. Along with the rest of the Head/Prefect team I want to help provide new and exciting opportunities to other students at new clubs that we are planning. Having been at the school for almost eleven years now I feel that I really understand the school’s mentality as good as anyone else. This place has inspired me, helped me grow and taught me so much both about the world around me and myself. However, there will always be room for improvement, so I will remain vigilant in trying to keep this school as good as it can be.’

Amy : ‘I was delighted to be selected for the position of Head Girl commencing September 2018. I have been at the school for seven years. Being at Heritage has given me a love for learning as well as confidence in myself and I have made many valuable friendships. I hope I can be a positive role model for other students.

Part of my role as Head Girl is to co-run the school council. We will communicate regularly with staff and the pupils to ensure that each students voice is heard. As Head Girl, I also get the opportunity of public speaking, which is a new skill that I am excited to develop. I am excited to be starting a running club for seniors and a wide games club for juniors. I look forward to getting to know students from other years even better and to being an ambassador for the school in the year ahead.’

Success for Junior Maths Challenge Entrants!

On 26th April 2018, 27 pupils from Year 7 & 8 took part in the annual UKMT Junior Maths Challenge. The challenge consists of a 1 hour multiple choice paper, comprising tricky maths problems and puzzles. It is the UK’s most popular mathematics competition with over 300 000 students taking part each year. Bronze, Silver and Gold certificates are awarded to those in the top 40% in the ratio 3:2:1. This equates to approximately: Bronze – top 40%, Silver – top 13% and Gold- top 7% of all entrants.

Our pupils scored very highly, with 11 achieving a Bronze, 2 Silver and 2 Gold certificates. Emma and William deserve a special mention for being placed in the top 3% and thus qualifying for the Junior Mathematical Kangeroo, a similar but tougher follow-on paper. Both scored very highly in this, and William even achieved a Merit certificate, awarded to the top 25% scores in the Kangeroo.

A very impressive set of results. Congratulations everyone!

Mr Appleyard

A successful first year of Heritage After School Club

All the testimonies conclude that Heritage’s After School Club has been enormous fun and a great success. Miss Cage has struck just the right balance, allowing the LP children to relax and enjoy their Monday and Friday afternoon’s off from school, with a huge variety of fun, creative and where possible outdoor activities.
Miss Cage would like to thank Bethany and Bryony for making the afternoons run so well and Janet Bell, for all her help and support in keeping the garden safe and a nice place to play.
She very much looks forward to welcoming a new intake of children in September for another great year.

The Season of Mini Class Recitals

Mini class recitals take place towards the end of each term. The intention behind them is to give all pupils the chance to perform to a small and friendly audience, regardless of ability or confidence level. It is great to see pupils who have never had music lessons, perform on an instrument they have been learning in class, for example, the ukulele or the recorder. It is also brilliant to hear pupils perform songs they have written themselves. And of course, it is wonderful to see students who do learn an instrument flourish and grow in their musicianship over the terms.

This term, each of the junior classes performed as a class, as well the usual solo performances. Year 3 performed ‘The Chicken Cluck Waddle’ on the recorders, and Years 4,5 and 6 performed songs from the musical ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’ by Andrew Lloyd Webber; a musical they have enjoyed learning this term.