As the year draws to a close, the Reception children have celebrated a successful first term with a wonderful Christmas party and lots of yuletide crafts. Bedecked in their favourite Christmas jumpers and with their tummy’s filled with a sumptuous Christmas lunch, an excitable group of four and five-year-olds got into the mood of the season with a twist on traditional party games. They enthusiastically played ‘musical snowmen’, ‘Reindeer, reindeer, Rudolph’ and ‘Santa says’, followed by plenty of opportunities to show off their very best dance moves to some favourite festive tunes. As the children began to tire, spirits were quickly lifted with the arrival of a very special visitor. With a “ho ho ho” and a wave of his hand, Father Christmas and his elf said their goodbyes to the delighted children, but not before handing out presents to all of the excited children. What a fabulous end to the term for a group of children who have embraced not only the magic of Christmas but all that pre-prep has to offer.

Georgie Hunter, Head of Reception

What an amazing and busy end of term it’s been for Year 1! The children have had a wonderful time preparing for Christmas; throwing themselves into all the associated fun and joyous festive activities that our lovely school has to offer. And the excited boys and girls really outdid themselves in the Year 1 Christmas performance in the theatre. They diligently learnt their lines, projected their voices and sang their hearts out in front of their appreciative mums and dads. We were all extremely proud of them and they should all be extremely proud of themselves. The Year 1 team wish you all a happy and safe holiday and look forward to welcoming you all back in January for the start of the Spring Term.

Rachael Berry, Year 1 Class Teacher

After much preparation, fine tuning of festive songs and last minute stage-hand support, the Year 2 children performed their incredible musical Christmas production of ‘Hey Ewe!’ The theatre was absolutely packed and the audience were out of their seats prancing, jitterbugging and boogying to the children’s take on Gospel Blues. All the children sang beautifully, looked outstanding in their festive costumes, and those that wanted to have speaking parts did so clearly and fluently. While the story was unfolding magically, a few tears of pride and joy from the watching mums and dads could be seen glistening in the production spotlights. All the Year 2 staff, Mrs O’Brien and Mrs Hall, who supported the children with their music, were so proud and pleased that the end of the Autumn Term could finish on such a high. The children have worked tirelessly this term but are already excited at the prospect of blasting off and exploring the depths of space in the new year when they launch into their next celestial topic, ‘Up, Up and Away’. Merry Christmas to all from the Year 2 team.

Charlie Millsom, Head of Year 2

There was huge excitement on Tuesday afternoon as Year 3 put the final touches to their symbolic Christingles before heading up to the chapel dressed in their full and smartest school uniform. The weather was cold and frosty and provided the perfect backdrop to a magical evening. As always, the children have been working really hard in their music lessons to learn all the tricky words and songs (including one in Spanish), and this was evident in their high-quality and well-polished performance. The children read clearly, spoke out confidently, and sang like the angels they are! It has to be said that this year’s Christingle was one of the absolute best and it brought a festive tear of joy to the eyes of many a parent and teacher. Mrs Baber was fulsome in her praise of the children; thanking them and the wonderful Mrs Hall for a sparkling performance, congratulating them especially on the joy that was evident in their beautiful singing. The Year 3 team would like to wish everyone glad tidings and a well-earned Christmas holiday, and we look forward to seeing everyone in 2023!

Steph Turner, Year 3 Class Teacher

This term has been a busy, action-packed one for Year 5. The term began with an outstanding stage performance based on hit musical Mary Poppins, followed by a fabulous trip to London to see the real thing, while on the sports pitches and courts, there have been an astonishing 62 matches involving the U10s! The Year 5 children have also risen to the challenge of increased prep, moving around the school, meeting new teachers, and generally negotiating the ups and downs of friendships. I’m so proud of everything that the children have achieved this term and I know that they will continue to mature and thrive next term. In the meantime, all that’s left is to wish the children a wonderful Christmas holiday.

Viv Liddell, Head of Year 5

Much like the robust ice of late, Year 6 have been indestructible in their pursuit of success this Autumn Term. With powerful performances in their appropriately-titled play ‘Growing Up’, admirable approaches to the ISEB pre-tests and a thousand other challenges along the way, each and every child has found a time to shimmer and shine. As we now close in on Christmas and its festivities, 6FT has also been sure to consider those less fortunate than us – donating toys to the Salvation Army’s Christmas Present Appeal. This generosity of spirit has been a joy to witness. With this kindness, their steely determination and a wealth of other opportunities, I feel the Spring Term may just be the best yet. I wish them all a wonderful Christmas holiday and endless luck as their Highfield journey continues.

Flora Aubrey-Thomas, Head of Year 6

What a remarkable term and an outstanding start to life in Year 7. It doesn’t seem that long ago that our academic year began in warmer weather and full of excitement and opportunity for all. We welcomed nine new pupils and four new form tutors into the group and really started with a bang! Changes to lessons and prep didn’t slow the children down and the opportunity to play sport with Year 8 pupils allowed the children to realise quickly that they are now in the senior part of Highfield and Brookham. Groups and individuals have had brilliant successes over the course of this term, from concerts and tournaments to girls and boys earning their place in the Chapel Choir. LAMDA and music exams, as well as further ISEB pre-tests, have also come and gone, with the children working incredibly hard to prepare and performing well when the time came. Year 7 have also tightened their bonds, welcoming new faces with open arms and hearts and taking advantage of all that school has to offer. Their work to support others in the community has been wonderful too. From weekly visits to Year 3 at Brookham to organising charitable events such as the Winter Woolly Project and Children in Need activities, this group of children have led by example and been a delight to see blossom over the past 13 weeks. They have also been competitive, with events such as the form Christmas decoration competition being hotly contested and, unsurprisingly, dominated by the mighty 7JF. With the end of term comes the sadness that we say goodbye to a few of our number. We thank Alvaro F, Ignacio GC and Carlota R for all they have brought to the school and hope they stay in touch when they return home. The community spirit and joy of the Christmas carol services also generates great excitement for what lies ahead. On the return to school in January, Year 7’s thoughts will undoubtedly turn to their production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest at G Live in Guildford and the exciting trip to Scotland in the summer. For now, though, Year 7 have the chance to recharge and reflect on what has been an excellent term before starting all over again in the new year. Well done, Year 7; I hope you all have a magical Christmas break.

James Figgis, Head of Year 7

As Year 8 tick off the first term of their final year, it is a good opportunity to reflect on what a fabulous term they have had; with highlights in the classroom, on the sports’ field and throughout the arts. Boarding is proving popular and the children are making the most of everything on offer upstairs and down. The French trip was a huge hit in October. It was a pleasure to take them all away for a week and Year 8 really made it a fun few days. I was so impressed by their maturity in understanding and appreciating the magnitude of some of the sights they visited to commemorate the D-Day landings in 1944. Shortly after getting back from France, the process for applying for the honour of being heads of school began. And we were overwhelmed by the number of applications, which reflected a huge enthusiasm for and love of their school. The pupils were brimming with ideas of what a leadership team might look like and it was one of the most difficult selection processes we have ever had to deal with. Whether successful in their bids or not, it has been a delight this term to see how Year 8 have supported their younger peers and offered help to staff around the school, all in an effort to boost this wonderful community. Year 8 also led a beautiful Remembrance service in November and have been fabulous in chapel on Sunday evenings too. And how lovely it was that after a slightly depleted service last year, we were able to see the term out with a rousing carol service. I have little doubt there is a huge amount more to come from this wonderful year group. I hope they all have a good rest, and the tutors and I look forward to welcoming them back in 2023.

Jo Longshaw, Head of Year 8