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Welcome to Heathfield Highlights, a newsletter which captures the main highlights from the term. This newsletter now sits alongside our new e-newsletter, Inside Heathfield, which is sent to parents every two weeks to inform them about everything the girls have been getting involved with during the week.

The Lent Term 2013 has certainly been action packed and has offered girls a diverse range of activities, lectures, fundraising opportunities and House events to get involved with alongside their academic, spiritual and boarding lives.

As always it is a joy to see the Heathfield community flourishing and continually busy.

Lent Term has definitely been one to remember, with a wide range of events from House Drama and Music to Founder’s Day. Girls have taken part in the French Exchange, a Fashion Show, Lacrosse Nationals and House Swimming. This term might have been short, but there have been plenty of highlights.

Academically the term started with Form V – Form UVI taking public examinations. There was also a literary conference, which the upper school attended and heard very interesting and motivating stories from authors Lawrence Kormornic and Tessa Harris about their experiences in the writing world.

The House captains have been working tirelessly this term, starting off with a very competitive House swimming competition. Congratulations go to Austen House who were the overall winners. With many rehearsals and persistent encouragement from the House captains, each House performed to a high standard in the House Drama and Music resulting in a truly unforgettable evening, where many girls gave hilarious and exceptional performances both theatrically and musically. Congratulations go to Seacole who won the trophy.

Lastly, our third annual Founder’s Day was exciting and definitely one to remember.

A message from Mrs Heywood

Mrs Jo Heywood Headmistress

Head Girl’s Overview

Ingrid, Head Girl

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Heathfield’s third annual Founder’s Day was yet another memorable day for the school. After the girls had attended morning classes they enjoyed a light lunch before listening to an inspiring talk from Major Kate Philp from Walking with the Wounded (the school charity for 2012/2013). Once Kate had spoken the girls had the opportunity to ask questions and there were so many that the girls ended up congregating in Mrs Heywood’s office to make sure every question was answered. The school then enjoyed a high tea in their Houses before attending a reflective service in Chapel which gave thanks for the school’s founder, Miss Eleanor Wyatt. After Chapel the girls enjoyed a feast tea before heading to St Mary’s Theatre where they danced the night away at a live gig with a live band - Beatjunkie.

Miss Lloyd Marketing Manager

Emmy, Torie and Agatha with guest speaker Kate Philp

15th April 2013 – 5.30pm – Forms I – III return

6.30pm – Forms IV – UVI return

20th-21st April 2013 – Closed Weekend

3rd-6th May 2013 – Exeat Weekend

24th May-2nd June 2013 – Half Term

22nd-23rd June 2013 – Closed Weekend

29th June 2013 – Parents’ Day, Leavers’ Service and End of Term

Key Dates for Summer Term 2013*

*Please see school calendar for more details of other events

Founder’s Day2013

Form I at the live gig

Form V girls enjoy high tea

The residential photography trip to gather photo-shoots and research for the examination unit was a great success. It seems that whilst organising accommodation and travel, we also ordered blue skies and fairly warm weather! Girls found primary research at The Tate, St Ives, gained cultural influences at the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture museum, completed three personal topic photo-shoots in Newquay, Truro and St Ives, and learnt how to use camera filters at sunset and take pictures at night, experimenting with exposure at Perranporth beach where we were staying. The owners of our hotel were so impressed with the quality of work produced that they offered our girls a chance to publish images of Cornwall on their website. A competition was arranged and everyone entered. Watch this space for more news of this! I can honestly say that it was a pleasure to lead such a successful trip with such a fantastic group of girls and I think that this is the first time that I have been met with cries of ‘we don’t want to go home!’ It has been so successful that I wouldn’t change a thing for future trips. However, next time I take a group to Cornwall I think I will check tide times first so we can actually walk the length of Newquay beach!

Miss White Teacher in Charge of Photography, Deputy Head of House – Austen

UVI and LVI photography students in Cornwall

Photo by Tilly (LVI)

On a cold winter’s evening on 11th February 2013, Heathfield’s school choir performed a choral evensong at Salisbury Cathedral – one of the finest medieval cathedrals in Britain. After an hour’s journey, we were warmly welcomed with a guided tour of the cathedral where we had the opportunity to view the world’s oldest working clock and one of the most celebrated documents in English history, the Magna Carta. At 5.30pm, the girls processed elegantly to the choir stalls and when they began to sing, their angelic voices were coloured by the echoes produced by the structure of the tall building. The Music department was very thankful to all the parents who came along to support the girls during this magnificent occasion.

Miss Kong Musician in Residence

Evensong at Salisbury Cathedral Heathfield’s Choir at Salisbury Cathedral

Cornwall Photography Trip

A celebration of our Graduates at the Lansdowne Club, MayfairOur first reception at the Lansdowne Club for Heathfield Old Girls was held on Thursday 7th February. It was a wonderful evening where we celebrated recent graduation success for Heathfield Old Girls who left the school between 2009 and 2012. Mrs Heywood, Mrs Ingram, Mrs Bramley and Mrs Mason were really delighted to see the girls again, now become young women of the world, working in a number of different industries including law, fashion and film. The girls were happy and confident and still extremely loyal and close to each other, perhaps even more so than on the day they left Heathfield. What a bond our girls have! We look forward to many similar receptions in the future.

Mrs Meeson Old Girls’ Coordinator and Teacher in Charge – History of Art

Class of 2008

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Ambition, inspiration and imagination: the keynotes for every performance and every interpretation. Pupils from Forms I, II and III represented their respective Houses during a memorable Poetry Declamation, providing their audience with an eclectic range of texts and stimulating profound reflection, as well as moments of warmth and laughter.

There were refreshing levels of confidence and understanding in the girls’ readings; learning by heart elicited a consistently vivid response. The winners in each year group delivered their poems with particular flair. In Form I, Victoria conjured an atmosphere of joy and exhilaration mirrored in the title of her choice: Forever Free. Amber illuminated the Form II round with her bold version of Something Told the Geese. In sharp contrast, Sophie from Form III gave an idiosyncratic and comic rendition of I Think I’m Related to Bigfoot.

All of the girls made a special contribution and we were fortunate in the richly rewarding contribution of the staff too. Our judge was a true inspiration. Generous in her praise and discerning in her judgements, former Head of English at Hurst Lodge, now examiner and musician, Sylvia Watts offered us all a delightful finale with an original song based on childhood memories of woodland close to Heathfield: an apt and evocative climax for an event filled with a sense of wonder.

Mr Grey Subject Leader – English

Poetry Declamation2013

Poetry Declamation winners, with judge Sylvia Watts

Heathfield Literary

Conference 2013The inaugural Heathfield Literary Conference

was challenging and uplifting. Despite their

contrasting styles and approaches, both

of our guest authors pursued common

themes: the constraints of working within a

fiercely competitive world, where publishers

might promise much, but deliver nothing,

counterbalanced by the boundless rewards of the

imagination when, finally, and, often unexpectedly,

success arrived.

Lawrence Kormornick is a lawyer and never dreamed of

writing a book. His career – and life – changed when he

sought to remedy a profound miscarriage of justice on

behalf of James Edmiston, a manufacturer erroneously

accused of selling weapons to Iraq. Lawrence described the

long and torturous process of clearing an innocent man’s

name. The obstacles were formidable and, at times, seemed

insurmountable. The machinery of government manipulation

was consistently oppressive. Nevertheless, great perseverance

led to great results. Against daunting opposition, his client

was eventually awarded compensation. Lawrence’s quietly

compelling narrative was enhanced by an exquisite reading

from Miss O’Connor; the book as a whole recreates

unbearable suspense and, ultimately, a moment of triumph.

Tessa Harris told a similarly inspiring tale. Her journey

towards publication was met with a stream of rejections.

Courage and confidence sustained Tessa in her own

extraordinary quest for recognition and achievement. She has

now received a contract inviting her to write six books. We

watched vivid trailers for the titles she has already completed.

It was obvious that her acclaimed novels contain plots full

of mystery, as well as sudden twists and turns. Although

her stories are based on historical characters, Tessa creates

her own unique narratives likened by one reviewer to the

television drama, “CSI.”

The pleasure the girls experienced throughout both talks was

rapidly reflected in their enthusiasm to purchase books from

both authors. A number of Form V-LVI students stayed for

supper with Lawrence and Tessa. Conversation flourished. We

look forward to more exhilarating events in the future.

Mr Grey Subject Leader – English

Form V girls with guest authors Lawrence Kormornick and Tessa Harris

Word of the Day was introduced quietly and somewhat mysteriously this term and is currently one of the major talking points of students moving around between lessons. Each morning a new word, along with its definition and origin, is written up on a whiteboard at the entrance to the teaching corridor. Our first word was loquacious (adj., to be overly chatty or talkative), which the students quickly identified as a good description of themselves some days. Another word, truculent, had a similar effect, though the students were not quite so keen to label themselves with it! The aim of the board is, primarily, to broaden the vocabulary of our students but in addition the words open the girls up to wonderful new concepts. The word of the day on Thursday 31st January, for example, was serendipity (chosen by Head of Chemistry, Dr Harden, with thanks); students loved the idea of this. Similarly, the problem of what would count as esoteric knowledge fascinated many of the girls (thanks to Mr Grey, Head of English).

I am very proud to say that Word of the Day has already taken on a life of its own: when no words appeared one weekend, two A Level students took it upon themselves to update accordingly and so the words antediluvian and visceral have now been added to our student body’s increasingly large and unusual vocabulary. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? Rumour has it that somewhere there’s a list but, with requests being sent through every day by students and staff alike, the original list may never be needed again.

Miss Sass Subject Leader – Religious Studies

Heathfield’s

There was romance in the air on 14th February, with our combined House Drama and Music competition having a love theme. Each House was given a famous love film to adapt and perform, with live music to set the scene.

Somerville was up first with their adaptation of Moulin Rouge, based on an LA street dance scene. Their highly amusing play had excellent dance moves and the best actress of the night was awarded to Alexis (Form LVI), who played the main character of Charlie Crumble.

Next up was Austen, who bravely adapted Romeo and Juliet to Rupert and Julie. Set at an Eton/Heathfield social, the story was well transposed onto the modern theme. With the whole auditorium dancing to a remix of Taylor Swift’s Love Story, Austen were commended on their use of the whole space, with Phoebe (Form III), playing Julie, clambering up through the audience searching for her Rupert.

De Valois entertained us with their version of Love Actually, with Seacole closing the night with Titanic. Each House had a cast made up of girls from Forms I to LVI, with musicians playing live to accompany the action. A selection of girls performed to the audience whilst adjudicator Miss Emma Munro-Wilson (Heathfield 1994 – 1997) decided on the overall winning House: Seacole.

Janet Form LVI

House Drama and Music

Winning House Seacole with Old Girl Emma Munro-Wilson

Seacole’s winning performance

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At the beginning of the Michaelmas Term Heathfield girls decided to support Walking with the Wounded as the school charity for academic year 2012/2013. During the Lent Term the school has listened to two motivating and inspirational talks given by members of Walking with the Wounded.

During Founder’s Day 2013, Major Kate Philp explained her inspiring life story. Kate described her army career in The Royal Artillery and how she worked her way up to become a Major. She then went on to tell us how she dealt with adversity when her army vehicle was blown up by an IED and despite the loss of her leg how she continues to live life to the full. Kate explained how she had remained in the army and has undertaken charity work for services charities. Kate then informed us that she was one of six people left in the final selection process for Walking with the Wounded’s South Pole challenge. At the end of the talk Kate was presented with a cheque for Walking with the Wounded and Mrs Heywood presented Kate with a blue bow, a special award normally given at Heathfield to a girl who has demonstrated ‘selflessness of self ’.

On 28th February, Ed Parker, co-founder of Walking with the Wounded and Guy Disney, an injured serviceman, spoke to parents, girls and staff at Heathfield. The pair explained more about the charity and also described Walking with the Wounded’s first challenge – a trek to the North Pole – a challenge which the team were told was impossible, but they managed to reach the North Pole in a quicker time than uninjured civilians. Ed and Guy then answered a wide range of questions from the audience, responding in a relaxed and humorous manner. Money raised from Forms I and II’s sponsored swim last term was presented to Walking with the Wounded.

The talks given by Walking with the Wounded have certainly been thought-provoking and have really highlighted the wonderful cause that Heathfield is supporting. We wish Kate and Guy the best of luck with the selection process for the South Pole challenge alongside Ed Parker.

Miss Lloyd Marketing Manager

School Charity –

What is Up in Chapel?The school held its usual service of ashing on Wednesday 13th February to mark the beginning of Lent. There was, however, something highly unusual in the chapel – a giant bunch of brightly coloured balloons suspended from the bottom of a cross. This bizarre addition to the Chapel is intended to remind us of the Pixar film Up where, by tying balloons to a house, Carl and Russell go on an iconic journey, floating Up into the atmosphere. Lent and Easter are also a journey; it is not just about giving something Up but a spiritual journey, where we travel with Christ through his passion, death and resurrection, learning and growing in hope, faith and love as we go.

Up was the key theme for our Lenten reflections for this year with titles including: ‘What is Up?’, encouraging self-reflection, ‘Making Up’, fostering good relationships and ‘Stepping Up’, being more proactive about our faith. So back to our original question: What is Up in Chapel? The answer would have to be plenty!

Fr. Tim Chaplain

Walking with the Wounded

Ash Wednesday Chapel Service

Kate Philp answering the girls’ questions

Ed Parker and Guy Disney with Heathfield’s Head Girls and Charities Prefect

A Little Less Conversation, A Little More Action, PleaseConfirmation classes took a completely new approach this year, becoming what can best be described as a ‘Christian Life Skills Course’. Instead of just focusing on the big questions such as evil, salvation and creation we also looked at the small and crucial skills essential to the Christian life such as how to choose a bible that is right for you, how to overcome times of spiritual difficulty, what to expect when you pray, how to love, forgive and serve. The classes, based around Bible readings, were prayerful and after each session prep was set. The classes taught how small daily challenges, designed to go beyond confirmation, could provide a faithful lifestyle change. You will be pleased to know that the very cornerstone of every confirmation class, an iced doughnut at the end of each session, still remained.

During the confirmation service Bishop John Bone asked our thirteen candidates ‘to affirm their faith‘ and there was a distinct sense that it truly was their faith. They had worked hard for it, to have ownership of it; they each had discovered separate struggles and persevered with them and God willing they now have the tools to maintain a rich relationship with Christ for the rest of their lives and beyond. We are immensely proud of them.

Please continue to pray for those recently confirmed, also our Roman Catholic students Tayiwo, Elinor and Antonia to be confirmed later this year, and Christy being confirmed in her own parish.

Fr. Tim Chaplain

Confirmation Candidates with Bishop John Bone, Fr Tim and the Chapel Prefects

Heathfield took eight girls to Flaine to compete in the British Schools’ Ski Championships during the last week of January. Despite the tough opposition from some GB skiers, Heathfield performed well in both the Giant Slalom and Slalom with all the girls’ times being added together to give Heathfield’s final scores. The B Team, consisting of Daisy (Form IV), Thea (Form III) and Emily S (Form V) finished in 39th place out of the competing 53 teams. The A team which included Lara (Form V), Farah (Form IV) and Emily R (Form V) finished 27th out of 53 schools. A special mention goes to Farah who was placed 36th in the U16 age group out of 113 skiers and a big thank you must go to Mrs Reeves, Mrs Holsgrove-Jones and reserves Phoebe (Form III) and Alys (Form V) for their continued support throughout the whole trip.

Ms Reynolds Director of Sport

British Schools’ Ski Championships

Congratulations to Heathfield’s U12 netball team who were named U12 Plate Winners at the South East Berkshire Netball Tournament. The girls played exceptionally well, beating seven out of the eight teams they played.

Miss Talbot Head of House – de Valois and Teacher of PE

South East Berkshire Netball Tournament Winners

Contact UsHeathfield School, London Road, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 8BQ

Telephone: +44 (0)1344 898 343 Fax: +44 (0)1344 890 689

Email: registrar@heathfieldschool.net

Website: www.heathfieldschool.net

@HeathfieldAscot

Heathfield School Ascot

Winning U12 netball team

The 1st lacrosse team found themselves in a tough group for the first day of matches with Caterham School and Lady Eleanor Holles School (eventual losing finalists) the second seeded teams in their section. The team put up a valiant fight but lost both these matches. The girls narrowly lost to North London Collegiate 3 – 4 in an extremely exciting game but drew with Rendcomb College 2 – 2 and beat neighbouring rivals St. George’s, Ascot 2 – 0 and Kings, Canterbury 6 – 2. This meant the team finished fourth in their group and qualified for the Division 2 play-off games (a division higher than last year). The second day of the tournament saw sixteen very tired players take to the field

again for another tough day of competition minus co-captain Octavia (Form UVI) who had badly injured her ankle the day before. The team lost four games but drew 2 – 2 with St James’ School and beat Loretto School 1 – 0. All the girls played extremely well and should be proud of their achievements, but a special mention must go to co-captain Emily (Form UVI) and Daisy (Form IV) for their goals and at the other end of the pitch, Tallulah (Form UVI) was outstanding in goal, often pulling off saves to keep the team in the game. Congratulations!

Ms Reynolds Director of Sport

Heathfield’s Ski Squad

Lunchtime Music ConcertOn 13th February 2013, girls in Forms I-III held a lunchtime concert in the Chapel. To open and conclude the concert the Form I and II choirs performed So Long, Farewell from the musical The Sound of Music and Consider Yourself from the musical Oliver. The audience enjoyed recitals from Amber (Form I), Jemima (Form II) and Clare (Form II) as well as performances on the trumpet from Ellie (Form II), Anoushka (Form II) on the Piano and Carol (Form II) on the Flute. It was also a joy to see the brass ensemble perform Prelude to the Te Deum by Marc-Antoine Charpentier. Heathfield’s lunchtime concerts take place once a term and are a fantastic opportunity for the girls to perform in front of an audience and allow both girls and staff in the audience to have a refined and cultured lunchtime.

Mrs Dance Director of MusicCarol playing Marche Militaire

National Schools’ Lacrosse