Heathfield Newsletter

Dear Parents,

January is nearly over and we have enjoyed so many different activities over the two weeks since the last Newsletter. Clubs after School got going once again, and it has been particularly pleasing to see how many children have elected to take advantage of the range of outdoor activities: Mrs Battye’s Gardening Club is full, with ambitious plans afoot for the new planters in the dingle. Miss Stembridge’s Dingle Delvers have also enjoyed their time using the new facilities so generously provided by the PTA. Year 2 visited the very same area in their lesson time, where they have started on a mysterious quest following a startling find in the outdoor classroom.

We welcomed Old Rishworthian Matthew Taylor back for a visit last week. Matthew returned to take some photographs of what was happening around the School and we are very grateful to him for his time and expertise. We also welcomed Mr Mark Wright, our new ICT technician. Colleagues assured him that we would be keeping him busy during his time with us at Heathfield!

Mrs Wilby organised a trip to Wakefield for Years 5 and 6 to see a production of Romeo and Juliet by the renowned Shakespeare for Kids, a company which has been making Shakespeare’s most well know plays accessible for younger theatre-goers for many years. I was impressed by the way in which our children conducted themselves in the theatre, thoroughly enjoying the play whilst maintaining impeccable good manners.
Preparations for our own dramatic productions are moving on apace: I was very excited to see a part of the rehearsals for Year 3 and 4’s forthcoming play Gold Stars: Olympic Dreams – it promises to be enormous fun, with some superb music, and a rare chance to see vegetables dancing!

The PSHE topic for this part of the term is Going for Goals, so it has been great to learn a little bit more of the challenges and targets our children are setting for themselves – and also how they are planning to go about achieving those targets. In our sporting endeavours, Heathfield continues to be a force to be reckoned with, demonstrating that excellent facilities, expert coaching and a fighting spirit, taken together, will yield excellence. We are very keen to share our exciting vision with as many prospective parents as possible: I am sure that you will be aware that our next Open Afternoon is on Tuesday 6 March, from 1.15 p.m. to 6.30 p.m., and I would ask that you urge any friends, neighbours or relatives to take the time to visit us – either on the Open Afternoon or at any other time, by appointment through Mrs Battye. A little nearer the time, we will be sending the children home with some flyers and I would be delighted if you were able to find room for any advertising literature in homes or business premises, if appropriate.

Mr. Bouckley has been running the annual e-safety informational evenings for parents, a valuable opportunity to get an idea of the stringent safety measures in place for our children, and to understand some of the thinking behind our actions. At the same time, Mr Bouckley’s ICT lessons for parents introduce the concepts learned in lessons to the parental generation – any parents interested in joining are very welcome to contact Mr Bouckley for further details.

A representative from the police force called this week, part of our ongoing links with parts of the local community. As a part of a more general discussion, the officer mentioned that he had seen a number of vehicles parked on the pavements along Rishworth Mill Lane, and that he had spoken on Tuesday evening with some of those drivers. He warned that the owners of such vehicles risked a penalty for illegal parking, and he asked that we send out a copy of the leaflet describing the problems caused by parking on pavements.

I would also like to take this opportunity to remind parents that all children should have a water bottle, filled with fresh water each day – ‘drink to think’, as the slogan reminds us (although my understanding is that this strictly applies to water only!)

A. M. Wilkins

EMAILS
To let you know of any changes or events in school, at short notice, we can now send out bulk emails, please let Mrs Battye know the email address you would like us to use.

HOCKEY
On Friday 13th January Heathfield played a hockey mach against chapter House.
In the team was Maddy, Alice, Perdie, Josh, Harry, Archie, Lucy, Jennie and myself (Freya)
In the 1st 3rd of the game we managed to keep the ball at their goal, Alice and Harry worked very well as a team they had a few shots at the goal unfortunately they missed. However Alice found an opening and successfully scored. Chapter House then managed to shoot past us quickly and scored but Archie and Perdie did their very best to block the attackers. Lucy saved lots of goals she tried her very hardest.
In the last 3rd we were all very tired as it was a close game but we all stayed strong, with Jennie and Harry tackling strong, and Maddy, Perdie and Archie defending really well. With just a few minutes left, Alice again found a clearing and scored a smashing goal. However with 3 seconds left on the clock Chapter House fought back and scored making it 2-2.
The girl of the match is Alice for scoring the goals and Lucy for saving 15 goals!
I would like to thank Mrs Rose for organising the match and Mrs Bower for being the ref and for all the parents who came to support us.

PTA

The PTA Committee would like to thank parents and staff for their continued support.  We would particularly like to thank Mrs Sarah Jarvis of The Gate Films for the generous donation received last term.  This donation, together with other PTA funds, has now been used to purchase additional staging for the School Hall.  This term has also seen the completion of the outdoor learning area, which will hopefully be used by all the children as the weather improves!

Many items were discussed at the last PTA Meeting including appointing PTA Class Representatives, Ecotex collection, children's disco and uniform sales.  Full details will be sent home separately, together with a request for volunteers!

This year's Charity Ball will be held at Bertie's in Elland on Saturday 26th May.  Charity nomination forms have been sent out to parents this week and completed forms must be received by Thursday 9th February.  If you can help organise this year's event please contact a member of the PTA Committee.

The latest PTA -  its A Date Lottery winners are:-
November - Nick Dempsey
December - Fiona Stevens
January - Maxine Clarke- May.

PTA Dates for Your Diary

Friday 24th February - Ecotex Collection
Friday 23rd March - Rockin Ronnie's School Disco
Wednesday 28th March - New 2U Uniform Sale
Saturday 26th May - Charity Ball at Bertie's

Kay Baxter
PTA Chair

Diary Dates - February

Next newsletter Friday 10th February 2012