Welcome to Heene Church of England (Aided) Primary School
Welcome to Heene Church of England Primary School! As Headteacher, I am delighted to welcome you to our website and to our school.
We are blessed to be situated here in the heart of the central Worthing community. We have so much close by; our two churches (St Botolph's and St Matthew's) with whom we work so closely, our park opposite the school, local businesses and the beach a short walk away.
Our vision is: ‘Together we love, grow and learn’.
We are a vibrant community where everyone is valued and where all talents are celebrated. Every pupil is unique and together we form a harmonious and vibrant school.
Our newly revised values are:
- Kindness
- Confidence
- Resilience
- Ambition
- Curiosity
- Respect
At Heene School, we always put kindness first. We think this is a great rule for life.
These are the six values that we, the staff and Governors, want to help your child develop during their time at our school. All our learning is linked to these values in some way.
I joined the school in February 2024, after 10 years of successful headship in East Sussex. Our newly created leadership team, and team of great teachers and support staff, are excited about the rapid improvements that we are making in our school, now that we are part of the Diocese of Chichester Academy Trust. We are a happy school, improving rapidly each day.
Whether you are a current parent, or looking for a school place for your child, I would be delighted to show you our wonderful school. Please contact our school office for a tour of the school or book to visit on one of our Open Days or the Open Evening in November.
I look forward to welcoming you and your child soon.
Phil Matthews
DCAT Executive Headteacher
Heene CE Primary School, Worthing
08/07/24
It is a big step from Y2 to Y3 as the pupils leave the lower school and enter Key Stage 2. Guiding them through this transition are their teachers, Jill and Isaac. Ably supported by Ruby and Emma, the children are given fresh responsibilities and expectations. So, we pray for guidance and resourcefulness as teachers and support staff alike encourage the children in their care to grow in confidence and independence.
Dear Lord, we give thanks for our gifted staff members and all the blessings they receive from you. We ask that all in our school community will grow in faith and the knowledge that you love each one of them. Amen
03/06/24
The second half of the summer term seems to fly past so quickly. Now that the Y6 SATS are over, the pupils will be making their final preparations for their residential trip this week before they head off on Wednesday. We pray for them and the staff who will be accompanying them. Meanwhile, the other children will be able to make the most of the great outdoors now that (hopefully) the warmer weather will be here to stay. We give thanks for all our teachers and support staff who, as well as planning for lessons and other activities, will be reflecting and reporting on the progress each child has made over the year.
Dear Lord, we ask that your Holy Spirit will enable all those in our school community to continue to flourish in their work, rest and play. Amen.
13/05/2024
This week sees the beginning of the SATS tests for our year 6 pupils. Since the beginning of the Spring Term, the teachers and support staff have been preparing the children for this week and their first experience of formal testing. To help them perform to the best of their ability, breakfast is provided each day. The well-being of all the children in our school is of paramount importance, and this is just one example of the care and attention given by our dedicated staff.
Dear Lord, we thank you that you provide us with the assurance of your presence. Draw near to our Y6 pupils and their teachers during these SATS tests. Remind them of the words of a hymn they know well: ‘Be still, for the presence of the Lord, the Holy one is here.’ Amen
29/04/2024
Just as our families have to juggle their finances in order to ensure children are clothed and fed, so our school has to make difficult choices when the money made available has to stretch across the day to day provision of all that goes on. Our school offers a wide range of opportunities for our children to flourish. However, they come at a cost. So, we pray for all our staff as they seek to manage the financial resources.
Dear Lord, grant all those who have to consider where money is spent this term wisdom and courage as they make these tough decisions. May they find peace and encouragement in all that they seek to accomplish. Amen
22/04/2024
As our children settle into the summer term, there will be many activities which will enable them to experience the great outdoors. We are so fortunate to have both the beach and the South Downs on our doorstep. We give thanks for the beauty of nature, particularly at this time of new growth. We pray for all the teachers and support staff as they spend time planning for these wonderful opportunities offered to our children.
Dear Lord, please pour out Your blessings upon our whole school community so that everyone grows in the knowledge of Your truth, love, wisdom and peace. In Jesus name we pray. Amen
18/03 24
As at the beginning of every school holiday, we hear of the announcement of ‘The Big Getaway’ as thousands of people begin their holiday journeys. However, this announcement also describes the biggest Getaway of all. Jesus, put to death on the cross, is laid in a tomb. Yet, when his faithful friends come to honour his body, he is not there. Resurrection from the dead is his Getaway, the beginning of a new journey – and we are all invited to join him and discover what being with Jesus means every day of our lives.
Dear Lord, as we pray for our school community, we ask that you will guide us on our journey through life. We cannot know what the future holds, yet we know that, with you by our side, we can face that future with hope. Amen
18/03 24
Preparations are well underway for the final Collective Worship on Maundy Thursday, the last day of term, at St Matthew’s Church. This is the day we recall Jesus’ final meal with his disciples. These weeks of Lent, which began during the half term holiday, find their climax in the events of Holy Week which begins with Palm Sunday, with the crowds excitedly cheering as Jesus enters Jerusalem. By the time Thursday comes, the mood has completely changed, and Jesus faces his most difficult challenge. We pray for our children as they are encouraged to understand what it means for them that Jesus walks beside them through both the good and difficult times in their lives.
Dear Lord Jesus, help us to remember how much you love each one of us. Amen
11/03/24
Mothering Sunday (Mother’s Day) celebrates the role mothers play in family life. It also reminds us of the places church and school have in nurturing the faith and wellbeing of all who come through their doors. Families come in all shapes and sizes and we pray that all will find a welcome in our school.
During her time at Heene, our Head Teacher Linda Appleby has had a significant impact on all those in our school community. Parents and carers have appreciated her welcoming smile in the morning and children have responded enthusiastically to her encouragement. Adapting to yet another change of leadership also brings its challenges as new systems and practices are embedded.
There is a golden thread that invisibly threads through all that goes on in our school. That golden thread is a passage from the Bible which tells of the mustard seed. You will know how small a seed it is, says Jesus, but when it has grown and becomes a tree, the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches. (Luke 13:8) These words remind us that we may not think we can do much but that’s not true. As long as we use what we have, however insignificant that might appear to be, that seed will begin to grow. At Heene, we believe that every child and adult has the potential to become who God means them to be. As a school, our branches provide a place for all to settle and flourish.
Dear Lord, thank you for the golden thread of your message of hope and reassurance. Amen
03/01/24
Dear Lord, as our school prepares to return after the Christmas break we pray for the whole of our school community. We pray that all who come to our school will experience your presence. We pray that relationships will flourish and everyone will know that they are precious in your sight. Amen
