HPS Headlines

It was a pleasure to have so many of you join me for coffee and cake on Thursday morning. It was a pleasure to share our journey, reflecting on where we've been and where we're headed. Thank you for engaging with my account and for your insightful questions. I hope the answers provided reassurance about the incredible trajectory Homefield is on.

Among the various topics covered, a central message resonated: "The Prime Objective" - Boys come first. This is closely followed by prioritising staff well-being. These principles serve as the foundation for everything happening at Homefield and are consistently emphasised to our team. The safety and safeguarding of our boys stand as paramount within this Prime Directive.

I took the opportunity to dispel some myths, and I trust you found reassurance in my responses. Particularly noteworthy is the significant reduction in staff turnover. This year, only 6 or possibly 7 staff members are leaving, compared to 19 and 14 departures in the preceding two years, respectively.

What accounts for this sharp decline? Partly, it's attributable to our commitment to the Prime Objective. Our staff members are content, valued, and heard. They possess a deep understanding of your sons and consistently deliver exceptional lessons and experiences. Through investing in our staff and fostering distributed leadership, we've seen the collective benefit of many heads being better than one.

I also emphasized my "Open Door Policy" during our discussion. This policy is actively utilised by our staff, and I encourage you to do the same. I understand that schools aren't infallible; mistakes happen, misunderstandings arise, and children's perspectives sometimes have a unique angle. I'm here to address any concerns you may have, but I can only address them if they're brought to my attention.

I look forward to seeing you on the sidelines at cricket matches and a multitude of other events in the coming weeks.

Sam Naismith

Head

Art & DT: Well done to all the boys who are now coming to the finishing point in all their projects. There has been plenty of paint, sawdust, and ink thrown around the rooms recently. Parents should expect to see the following coming home to them soon: Handmade picture frames, Japanese bento boxes, handheld maze games, and oil paint portraits.

Computing: The boys have been coding in Scratch, Python, and 2code, creating podcasts and blogs, creating desktop publications, and exploring what makes smartphones smart.

English: Year 3 have been writing their own scripts using ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ as inspiration; they have been exploring different ways in which they can bring their characters to life. Year 4 have been continuing their exploration of varying types of poetry. Year 5 have been closely analyzing the themes and sub-themes presented in ‘The Girl of Ink and Stars’. Year 6 have developed their creative writing skills, applying a range of figurative language techniques in context. Year 7 are inching ever closer to solving Sherlock Holmes’ mystery of ‘The Speckled Band.’ Year 8 have been experimenting with different text types, including writing scripts for theatre or radio.

French: Lots of new skills being learnt across the Upper School this term! Year 6 are working their way through the tricky rules of the perfect tense, whilst Year 5 are perfecting their present tense verb conjugations. Year 7 are discussing the household chores they help with at home and the Year 8s are working towards their final speaking exam which takes place next week. Good luck boys and well done on your hard work so far!

Geography: In our Geography lessons, the boys have had lots of discussions focused upon environment and sustainability. Year 3 have been looking at their carbon footprint and discovering ways to reduce this. Year 4 have been focusing on tectonics and looking at the layers of the Earth! Year 5 have been reinforcing their knowledge of the water cycle and learning features of a river. Year 6 have been focusing on the coast and exploring how waves work! Year 7 are developing their existing knowledge of rivers with a focus on erosion, transportation, and deposition. Year 8 are revisiting tectonics and are working hard to prepare for their exams! A huge well done to all the boys who are not only working hard but are asking lots of thought-provoking questions about the topics they are exploring!

History: Year 8 are currently exploring the careers of English kings Edward I and Edward II, and how their attempts to conquer Scotland led to the Battle of Bannockburn. Year 7 have just commenced their studies of the English Civil wars, leading to a specific focus upon the Battle of Naseby. Year 5 have been creating Maya death masks which would have been made of jade (the second hardest stone) and the complex Maya calendar.

Maths: Lots of new mathematical skills being learnt across the Upper School over the last fortnight. Year 4 are learning how to calculate any angle within a regular polygon and apply this knowledge when calculating missing angles within composite shapes, whilst Year 5 are using formulae to calculate the area of an irregular quadrilateral. Year 6 are continuing to delve deeper into algebra and solve equations with two unknowns. Year 7 are exploring ratio, scale, and proportion and looking at ratio terms expressed in the form n:1 and vice versa. The Year 8s are working towards their final Common Entrance exams which take place after the half term. Good luck boys and well done on all your efforts and hard work so far!

P.E. & Games: As the sun began to shine this week so did the cricketing skills of Homefield boys. Year 3 played a super game against Aberdour with the Red team clear winners. Aarya was outstanding with the bat and Mikael bowled with pace and accuracy. The Blue team narrowly lost with some great play from Yohaan and Zain S. The Under 9 played on a very hot Thursday afternoon. The A team lost but bowled extremely well. The B team got a victory in style with Ted hitting 3 fours and a 6. The C team won by 50 runs with no wickets falling.

During the bank holiday, there was an outstanding individual sporting success as James from Year 4 won the IAPS Judo, an unprecedented result in such a high-level competition. More details will follow about James' victory.

The boys continue to compete in athletic medal events in PE in preparation for sports day and hopefully for future Olympic games!!

Science: In the labs, Year 3 have been investigating soil permeability, Year 4 are continuing to learn about food and nutrition, Year 5 have been exploring the solar system and investigating the properties of materials, and Year 6 are still getting to grips with building and using electric circuits. Half of Year 7 have been learning about health and disease, and the other half about changes of state, and Year 8 are coming to the end of their reproduction unit by learning about selective breeding and cloning.

STEAM: The boys have been continuing the work on their projects, Year 1 are assembling their polytunnels, Year 2 continuing their crest awards, Year 3 their fairground project, Year 4 making computer games, Year 5 on their carousel, and Year 6 studying evolution.

TPR: Year 4 have continued looking closely at David Hume and his views on commerce.

Year 5 have continued looking closely at John Mill and his views on utilitarianism.

Year 3 and 6 have begun learning what theology is and considering some biblical stories.

Reception:

Renshan, For his creative ideas and use of imagination in our lessons. Ashwin, For great participation during carpet input and doing a wonderful lighthouse. Naksh, For working very hard in his literacy work and doing beautiful reading and Arib, For making a wonderful junk modelling lighthouse.

Year 1:

In 1H, Laurie for a fantastic effort when writing a character description and Gryffin for excellent concentration and participation in lessons when learning about castles!

In 1S, Michael for producing some great work this week, especially in English and Maths and Idris for his beautiful neat cursive writing. Keep it up, Idris!

Year 2:

In 2H, Alan for showing a great attitude towards his classwork and engaging with his lessons fantastically! Logan for showing a consistently positive attitude towards his learning and making insightful contributions in lessons.

In 2S, Tise for being helpful and going above and beyond to do kind things for others, and Zaid for fantastic effort in his work and always stretching himself to do his best!

Year 3:

William, John, Mikael and Dhruv in 3H and Rohan and Bhavnish in 3S for being amazing representatives of Homefield and demonstrating our values on the residential trip. Michael in 3H and Viyan in 3S for their diligence in completing work to a high standard in History.

Year 4:

Year 5:

In 5H, Hasan has worked really hard in French and Science so far this term and is putting his hand up often to contribute. He has also contributed well to School Council.

In 5P, Sulaiman raised over £2,500 for the Graham Leyton Trust who provide eyesight saving surgeries around Pakistan and just over £3,500 for the Islamic Relief Palestine appeal with his siblings by doing a sponsored walk/run.

In 5S, Lucas is settling into Homefield so well and is having so much enthusiasm in his lessons.

Year 6:

Alex in 6H achieved 100% in the recent Junior Mathematical Challenge and is one of only 2 boys in the school to progress straight to the Olympiad.

Yusuf in 6H always works hard in English and was a charming tour guide on Open Morning.

In 6P, Adam has shown maturity and progress in his attitude towards his learning since coming back this term.

Year 7:

Ashar has been an outstanding role model to the Lower School when carrying out his Librarian duties. He has interacted with them, read stories to them and is generally building a great relationship with our younger boys

Great work from Oliver in Year 6, with his hand-cut maze game!

Year 5 Cricket:

The A team played their first-ever hard ball game and performed amazingly. Cumnor scored 98 runs, but James and Sulamain's excellent bowling stood out. Elijah also contributed with 16 runs, but Homefield lost with a final score of 83 all out. The B team lost, scoring 241 in response to Cumnor's 261. Yusuf was our player of the match. The C team scored 229 runs against Cumnor's 246, with Samuel delivering some excellent bowling. The D team achieved a draw, with both teams scoring 230 runs.

U11's Homefield vs Chinthurst

"Huge congratulations goes out to all boys who participated in the Junior Mathematical 2024 Challenge. The results are in and our boys performed incredibly well achieving 68 results in either bronze, silver or gold. A new record for Homefield. 18 boys scored way above the threshold for the bonus round and will progress onto the Junior Kangaroo. An outstanding performance by Hanchen and Alex who both achieved a perfect score and will therefore sit the Olympiad Challenge on the 11th of June. On behalf of the Maths department at Homefield, we are all incredibly proud of your achievements. Boys, you are all role models and ambassadors for mathematics and a huge thank you goes out to your dedication for the subject. Well done boys!" -Ms Nanasi

Well done to all three teams from boys in Years 5 and 6 who represented Homefield in the first round of the Maths Quiz on Friday the 3rd of May. Over 440 teams competed in this national challenge and I am delighted to announce that all 3 teams qualified to compete in the semi-finals. Overall, our boys placed joint 5th, 12th and 17th. A tremendous achievement. Well done boys!

On the 4th May, Oliver in Year 6, took part in the Delaney Surrey Under 11 Megafinal competition and came 2nd! Having won 4 and drawn 2 games, ending the day with no losses!

Moral and ethical leadership in education is a crucial element that shapes the character and effectiveness of educational institutions. Leaders at Homefield accept the responsibility of not only imparting knowledge but also instilling values and ethics in both boys and staff. This type of leadership is rooted in principles that prioritise the well-being and development of individuals and society as a whole. Such leadership goes beyond administrative tasks and academic goals, placing a strong emphasis on values, integrity, and social responsibility.

By maintaining transparency, leaders seek to build trust and credibility, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and respected. This openness extends to decision-making processes, ensuring that decisions are fair, just, and guided by ethical principles.

Integrity is a cornerstone of moral and ethical leadership at Homefield. Leaders must lead by example, demonstrating honesty and adherence to ethical standards in all aspects of their professional lives. This integrity not only influences the culture of the education at Homefield but also serves as a model for boys, teaching them the importance of moral principles and ethical behaviour.

Moral and ethical leaders at Homefield are lifelong learners themselves. They stay informed about evolving educational practices, research, and ethical considerations. This ongoing commitment to professional development ensures that leaders can make informed decisions that align with the best interests of boys and staff.

Leaders at Homefield keep all stakeholders well-informed about decisions and policies, seeking input and feedback to ensure inclusivity. Open and transparent communication creates a collaborative atmosphere, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and mutual understanding among those we serve.

In essence, moral and ethical leadership at Homefield is reflected in the values, actions, and decisions of school leaders. It encompasses a commitment to honesty, transparency, inclusivity, social justice, and the well-being of all stakeholders. By embodying these principles, moral and ethical leaders contribute to the creation of a positive, nurturing, and ethically responsible educational environment.

Written by
Sam Naismith
Head

As we dive into a new week at Orchard, we’re excited to announce our theme of exploration: Space! Our little astronauts will be embarking on an intergalactic journey, discovering the wonders of the cosmos through engaging activities and creative adventures. We hope they enjoy every moment of this cosmic exploration! With hopes for sunny skies ahead, we encourage our little explorers to embrace the sunshine and engage with nature, play, and outdoor learning. If you would like to enrol your son into Orchard Childcare, please visit:

https://www.homefield.sutton.sch.uk/school-life/wraparoundcare

As we navigate the hustle and bustle of school drop-offs, it's crucial to remember that safety is our utmost priority. Recently, there have been a few close calls with cyclist and pedestrians as parents have been exiting the school driveway. These incidents serve as important reminders of the importance of being vigilant and cautious as we enter and exit the school premises. Please could we encourage everyone to exercise patience, awareness, and consideration for others in sharing our space.

Western Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 2TE

+44 020 8642 0965

administration@homefieldprep.school