This is some sample text. You are using CKEditor.
21 October 2022
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we reach the end of the first term, I have been reflecting on what has been an incredibly busy and encouraging start to the year. It has been my absolute privilege to get to know so many of our young people doing brilliant things. The standard of performance in the Year 11 shows at the Tacchi-Morris Centre and the recent ‘Finding Amy’ performance from our sixth formers in The Space were the highest I have seen in any school. It has been fantastic to see the numbers of students returning to extra-curricular sport, following such disruption from Covid in previous years. The pride and professionalism of our Year 11 prefects and Year 7 tour guides during recent open evenings and open mornings were a credit to the school and to you as their parents and carers. All this, on top of a term full of commitment and energy devoted to learning in lessons!
Attendance Matters
I would like to take this opportunity to remind all families of the vital importance of excellent school attendance. An attendance rate of even 90% still represents one day off per fortnight, and below 90% attendance constitutes ‘persistent absence’. Please do contact us if you are struggling to ensure your child attends school regularly. We are here to help.
I would also like to remind all families that, from Monday 31 October 2022, the school gates will close at 8:55am in the morning. After this time, students will need to sign in late at student reception.
Student Uniform
Thank you for your continued support in upholding our uniform standards. The large majority of Heathfield students wear their uniform with pride and look very smart. If necessary, please take the opportunity this half term to organise any uniform items that your child might lack. In particular, I would like to remind all families that trainers are not allowed at Heathfield; please ensure your child is wearing formal, black polishable school shoes when we return at the start of term. As we can expect the weather to be increasingly cold and damp, please also ensure your child has a suitable outdoor coat. Students are not allowed to wear hoodies in school.
Mobile Phone Policy for Students
As you are already aware, Heathfield is a mobile-free school for students. The benefits of a mobile phone ban to school culture, student conduct and safety are well established and understood. If your child brings their phone to school, please do ensure they know that it must be switched off and put into their bag before they come on to site. Mobile phones will be confiscated if seen and returned at the end of the day. If a student refuses to hand in their phone, we will contact parents to collect the phone from their child. Please also ensure that your child understands that taking care of their phone is their own responsibility.
If you are accustomed to contacting your child during the day, via their mobile phone, please can I respectfully ask that you do not continue to do so from the start of term 2. In the event of an emergency, please contact the school’s main reception who will collect your child from their lesson so that you can speak to them.
My final Friday video assembly was on the topic of mobile phones. Parents and carers can view the assembly video here: Friday assembly 14.10.22
Zen Den Arrangements
If your child currently accesses our Zen Den SEMH support provision you may know that Mrs Kelly will be absent for a large part of term 2. We will therefore be speaking to the students affected about interim arrangements until her return.
Staff Thank Yous
At the end of term, we said goodbye to two long serving members of staff. Mrs Bowler is leaving our support-to-learn team to start a new job in hospital education. Mr Husband leaves our senior leadership team to start a new job at EDF energy. We thank them both for all their hard work and commitment over many years.
I would like to wish you and your families a restful and relaxing half-term break. We look forward to seeing all our students again, on Monday 31 October 2022.
Warm regards,
Mrs Hannah Jones
Headteacher