Dear Year 5,
We made it! It has been the toughest, strangest, most challenging year that I think we have ever and will ever have in our time in school. If somebody had told me in September that we would end up spending four months at home then I would not have believed them! New words like ‘lockdown’, ‘social distancing’, and ‘Google Meet’ have become part of our new language. We have adapted to new ways of socialising and learning, and we have missed those who we normally see regularly. Those of you at home have missed those who have been in school, and vice-versa. You have coped tremendously well with very difficult circumstances and you have a lot to be proud about.
I feel like this year has flown by- it doesn’t seem like two minutes ago since you came through the doors of Highfield Middle School for the very first time. It has been like a rollercoaster for us all this year and to spend your first year in a new school under these circumstances has been challenging. I feel sad that we did not get to finish Year 5 together and I know that your Year 5 teachers also feel the same way. However, I am so excited to see how you will all grow and flourish in Year 6 and beyond.
You are a fantastic year group- committed, friendly, hard-working, supportive, funny, and confident. I would like to thank you on behalf of the Year 5 teachers and myself for everything that you have put into this year. You have tried hard, worked even harder, grasped new opportunities, made new friends, become more mature and confident, and kept us all very entertained. You have all well and truly become ‘Highfielders’.
Year 6 lies ahead and I have already told Miss Gibbs (Head of Year 6) all about you. Your new form teachers are looking forward to welcoming you back in September and I hope that you feel ready for the new opportunities and challenges that Year 6 will bring. A chance to continue showing us what you can do and impress the Year 6 teachers as much as you have impressed us. Information about your new Year 6 teachers was sent home yesterday and you will spend two full days with them in September where you will get to know them and they will get to know you. Don’t forget that the Year 5 teachers are still here too and we love it when you still come and say hello.
I have asked your Year 5 teachers to write you a final message before we finish for the summer holidays.
5RbM- Mr Mills:
If someone had said to me in September that by April, I would be calling some of you at home and asking you how many keepy-uppies you had been able to do, or whether you had been getting on with your brothers and sisters, I would have said you were bonkers! But here we are, and I am writing you a paragraph about our end of year, instead of standing in front of you in A1, telling you what an amazing class you have been. When you first started this academic year, I was so impressed with your attitude, effort and desire to do well and show me what you could do. There were some great friendships being made, and our two new starters settled in fantastically well too. What I was also enjoyed was the fun we had. My favourite moment of the year was definitely mummifying Matthew! You have been a wonderful form class, I hope you have a great summer holiday and I can’t wait to see you all in September.
5GP- Mrs Platt:
I hope you are all well. I just wanted to say 'Happy Holidays' to you all - I hope you have a safe, relaxing summer. It has been a really strange school year and it feels like ages since we last saw each other. Well done for working so hard over the last few months at home – I have really enjoyed seeing what you have been up to and getting little updates from you all over the lockdown period. I am really looking forward to seeing you all in September as Year 6 students and can't wait to be teaching you again really soon!
5GP- Mrs Gibson:
What a year you’ve had to start your Highfield adventures. I’ve missed you over the last few months but I’ve loved finding out what you’ve been up to through telephone calls we’ve had or emails you’ve sent. More recently, I’ve been keeping up to date with the Facebook page - I’ve been in school more which has meant I can’t call you as often. I’m so proud of how you have all adapted to learning from home and the resilience you’ve shown in really tricky circumstances. I know you will all be fabulous in Year 6 and you will work hard to fulfil your potential. Have a fabulous summer break filled with sunshine (hopefully), family and friends.
5CB- Mrs Bell:
I can't believe we are at the end of Year 5 already, and I know it's not been the year we had planned, but all the same I've thoroughly enjoyed being your form teacher. I'm so proud of everything you have achieved together, and I hope you remember what we always valued in 5CB - trying your hardest, being kind and supporting each other. Hopefully you've enjoyed your time in 5CB as much as I did - I wish you all the best in Year 6, I have full confidence you will be absolutely fantastic! Mrs Bell.
5SM- Mrs Moore:
5SM, what a year it has been! There is no doubt that this year has been a challenge but you have more than risen to that challenge and shown the positive, determined and thoughtful Highfielders you are! I really wish we could have completed the year together; in the way we had planned to but seeing how you have adapted to this change has made me immensely proud of you all. Every single one of you is special, full of potential and interesting. Remember to continue to respect and look out for one another. Thank you for being in my form class and allowing me to be a part of your journey at Highfield - I can’t wait to see where it takes you! Be proud and have an amazing summer, you all definitely deserve it!
So now it’s time for you to enjoy the holidays, switch off from school for a while, recharge your batteries, and look forward to what lies ahead in September. We all hope that you have a great break.
Thank you for being brilliant and good luck for Year 6.
Kind regards,
Mr S Rutherford-Orrock
Head of Year 5