Dear Parents and Carers,
Phew! What a scorcher! It certainly has not been a normal week in school (or in Britain), but I have to commend the way that children and staff have all responded to the heat this week. As with the snow or ice that sometimes causes school closures, we at HB and within TEAM at large, will always try our best to keep the school open - provided it is safe to do so. All staff have been issued with a very clear and detailed Risk Assessment for the past few days that we have adhered to. The sole aim of this being to ensure that we can remain open safely. Usual timetables and ways of working have had to be adapted, but that's fine for a few days. Keeping school open safely is about learning for the children, but it is also about ensuring parents can get to work. The children have been kept as cool as possible and have been encouraged to drink lots and lots of water. They have been absolutely stoic - as have the staff. Thank you to everyone for helping us through this extreme heat.
School of Sanctuary Award
As part of the work, we have been doing about Refugee Week with Mrs Kennard, it was fantastic to hear of the amazing HB turn out at the Landmark last Saturday. Special mention goes to William T from Y5 who was brave enough to stand up in front of many people and perform a poem that he had written. Thanks also to Emilia and Evelyn, our other two Sanctuary Ambassadors. A full report is included by Mrs Kennard below.
Hats and Cream!
Even though the temperatures are dropping, our playgrounds are still proper sun-traps and get very warm at this time of year. Please make sure that your child comes to school with sun cream on and with a hat or cap.
Bikeability
With adaptions for the heat, the Year Sixes have all managed to take part in their Bikeability sessions this week. Many thanks to Carol who has instructed them and who has had to make plenty of adjustments as the week has gone on. Really well done to all of you for passing Level 1 and Level 2 in very tricky conditions.
Thank You!
It has been lovely to have an ex-HB pupil in school this week. Poppy has been in on work experience for the week and has been a real asset; getting stuck in and helping in all of the classes. Many thanks to you, Poppy - you have been a star!
EYFS
It was lovely to have Mrs Game back in school on Wednesday and to be able to begin planning for next academic year in EYFS. She has big plans for enhancing the wonderful outside spaces that we are lucky enough to have at the new site. It is super-important that children attending HB have the best possible start inside and outside the classroom and this is why we spend a significant amount of money on resourcing our provision. Watch this space for news on developments.
More Sporting Excellence
Many congratulations to Oscar who was awarded the Players' Player of the Year trophy at the annual award ceremony last weekend. Oscar said, "I felt proud and happy because my team mates voted for me!"
Collective Worship
This week's letter in our A to Z of wellbeing is 'W' for 'Wait'. We thought about what it feels like to wait for different life events - some great (birthdays, Christmases, arrival of friends or family) and some not so good (being in a dentist's waiting room!) and how the waiting makes us feel. We also thought about what it means to wait well. In the Easter Story we see Jesus waiting for a sad event that He knows is coming and yet He waits well, using his time to pray and plan for his disciples. Our prayer was: May you know that the God who waits for you, waits with you and will give you patience as you wait for him too. Amen.
Have a lovely (cooler) weekend,
Rob Norton
Head of School
