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.

An Inspirational Leavers Service

On a very sunny Saturday at the end of June 2018, Heritage School gathered together at Panton Hall with a wonderful cohort of eighteen Y11 pupils, their families, friends and teachers, to celebrate finishing one chapter of their education and to encourage and envision them as they step into the next stage of their lives.
Headgirl, Rachel Stratfold, gave a heartfelt and moving address of her time at Heritage, appreciating the many ways in which she felt she had grown and matured in her studies and as a person. Headboy, Arjun Sanghera in his winsome and thoughtful speech, had the gathered audience ‘eating out of his hand’. Both paid tributes to their peers in a generous and delightful way.
Mr and Mrs Fletcher gave tributes to each of the graduating pupils and their teachers and after a rousing rendition of the song ‘You Raise me Up’ by the Leavers, Mr Fletcher finished with a talk. He presented a picture of life as a journey and the need for a ‘map’ or world view to help negotiate the many directions and narratives that could confront, confuse and knock them off course in trying to pursue ‘the good life’. In this context he commended the Christian world view as leading to a rich, ethical and flourishing life.
A wonderful tea back in the school playground, with pupils, parents and grandparents, teachers and some 2016 graduates and new prefect team serving the refreshments and array of delicious cakes, gave a happy opportunity for all to mingle.
The evening finished with a meal and dance in Panton Hall, the Leavers dressed to impress and ready to take their place in the world! Mr Fletcher too, was nattily dressed in black tie for rounds of roulette and blackjack while Mr Appleyard demonstrated his out-of-school persona as an awesome DJ!
Congratulations and every success to all for the future.

Highlights of Year 4’s Camp

One of the highlights of Year 4 is the much anticipated annual overnight camp which takes place in June. This year we arrived at the beautiful tree-filled site at Abington in gloriously sunny weather, and the children quickly got to grips with erecting their tents. The afternoon was spent learning wood crafting skills, some basic orienteering and map reading, as well as the ever popular fire-lighting activity! After some enjoyable wide-games, the children cooked their supper over the campfire and sang songs before snuggling into their sleeping bags. For many of the children, this was their first night ‘under canvas’ and everyone slept remarkably well. The children returned home after a hearty breakfast the following morning, very much looking forward to their longer camp in the Peak District next year.

Silver DofE Expedition Completed

Before leaving Heritage, Y11 set off for their Silver D ofE expedition in Shropshire and the weather looked perfect for walking.  There was absolutely no forecast of any rain.  In fact, they actually suffered from rather too much sun which was quite a trial during the three days with their heavy rucksacks.  Not deterred, the groups carried on in remarkable spirits, some even finding that local farmers were more than happy for them to knock on the door to refill their water bottles.  (A wise move, rather than becoming dehydrated.)  Each of the three groups followed their pre-planned routes through the beautiful and hilly countryside of Shropshire, navigating their way successfully to their campsite for the next night’s rest.  The gorgeous sunny evenings were just right for camping and there were many reports of some excellent nights’ sleep.  Everyone finished in high spirits and some groups were even able to run from Wales to England and back again at the end of their expedition!  Well done to all who took part.

Pupils were then required to make a short presentation about their expedition during Senior Assembly, to complete and sign off their qualifying expedition.