Headlines Term 5 May 2022
Pride . Ambition . Community
Headlines Issue 4 1 April 2022
Head’s Message So exam season is finally upon us and it is good for students to see the reality is never quite as daunting as they thought it might be with the right amount and type of preparation. It has been good to talk to students as they experience each exam in turn and be able to commend them on their preparation and resilience throughout. Sometimes they are excited and happy and sometimes we know not all papers will go well and not every exam goes according to plan. If you are at all concerned about your son or daughter at this time, let us know and we can work together to support them through it.
In this issue, we are delighted to profile some more of our creative and technology based subjects and potential careers for students in this issue. The creative industries have always been one of this countries biggest contributors to GDP, pre pandemic a CEBR report in 2017 showed they made up 12% of all UK firms and 9.1% of exports. We are proud to support students looking to learn and develop in this field. It has also been good to see Year 8 and Year 9 have access again to visiting speakers and production companies to help them through the issues they face as they grow up (Smashed and Unacceptable). Our PHSE programme is thorough and allows for discussion of real and challenging issues that face families of teenagers. It has been equally good to see the extent of mentoring and role modelling from our older students: Year 12 with Year 7 and Year 10 with Year 8 where relationships and trust are formed, students know that they have support in every corner of the college and someone who will help them. The culmination of this will be the prefect applications and interviews that will accelerate now as we head into Term 6. Students have applied to represent themselves, their house and their peers. I always enjoy working alongside them as we take the College forward and I could not be more proud of them for stepping into these roles.
Continuing our commitment to reading as a vital cornerstone of learning, we bring you a new series of #HeathfieldReads a support and guide to which texts complement the books students are reading in school. We will publish one a fortnight, if you would welcome support with accessing the recommendations then please contact Mr Hatchard. Reading matters and we are happy to support, guide and encourage as much as possible. Many of these are good for all ages and its a great idea for parents and students to be reading the same book to prompt discussion and understanding.
YEAR 7 Attendance Average attendance for Term 5: 93.2 % Praise Average praise points per student for Term 5: 117
This term, Year 7 have been working hard towards their assessments. During tutor times they have developed their time management skills through creating revision timetables and also discussed methods to revise. Throughout the assessments, Year 7 showed a positive attitude to learning, they were ambitious and confident and put in a fantastic effort across a variety of subjects. They are now eagerly awaiting their results which will be issued during Term 6. At the end of April, over 60 Year 7 students took part in the National Junior Maths challenge. This was an opportunity for them to challenge themselves and put their logical thinking to the test. Many of the students found this a rewarding experience and hope to be able to take part again next year! Executive Council members were provided with an opportunity to meet with local MP Huw Merriman, following a letter sent from the students at the school regarding how the local community can support with the situation in Ukraine. One Year 7 student said; ‘It was a fantastic
opportunity to discuss a key topics, I felt confident in asking Huw questions and feel this has inspired me to consider leadership roles in the future’ This term has also seen the 6th Form Mentoring Program come to a close as the 6th Form students prepare for exams. Seeing the relationships formed and the constant discussions happening between the mentor and their mentee has been a delight to see. Students have been able to meet with their mentors on a weekly basis and many have found this a beneficial experience and an opportunity to ask questions about the college that they may have been unsure of. One Year 7 student said ‘It was nice to speak to and get to know an older student as it was somebody who I could recognize in the corridors’. Another student said ‘My mentor was extremely helpful when I had an issue. I enjoyed meeting them each week.’ Next term we are looking forward to sports day and enrichment week! Congratulations to Joseph (7L) and Alice (7M) who wrote a ‘Twisted Tales’ short story as part of a nationwide young writers competition. Both of their stories have been selected to be published in the published edition of ‘Twisted Tales – 2022’ – Well done!
This term, Year 8 have been discussing healthy lifestyles in PSHE and this broad topic links to a number of other events across the college. In ‘Screen Free Week’ some students discussed the advantages of taking some time away from phones, iPads, televisions and doing something away from a screen. We have also been considering healthy choices and managing risks. The performance of ‘Smashed’ on 25th April provided an insight into the dangers of peer pressure and the risks of alcohol use. The conversations in PSHE lessons following this were mature and insightful. Looking ahead to the end of the year, students are currently undertaking their own risk awareness activities in form time, preparing them for Year 8 Camp at Blacklands Farm at the end of the year. It won’t be long before we’re all packing tents and sleeping bags for the first full residential Year 8 Camp since 2019!
YEAR 9 Attendance Average attendance for Term 5: 92.3% Praise Average praise points per student for Term 5: 118
YEAR 8 Attendance Average attendance for Term 5: 93.6% Praise Average Praise points per student for Term 5: 116
Year 9 have continued to work extremely well as we approach the last term before the summer holidays. It has been fantastic to see how students have improved over the year, with this being their first experience of GCSE work, I feel they have risen to the challenge and have been a credit to the school. Following our ‘Unacceptable’ performance last term, we have continued to look at healthy relationships and being an upstander in PSHE lessons. This involved talking through different scenarios and deciding what behaviour was acceptable and what behaviour should be challenged. The idea behind this is to give students the confidence to report any issues inside or outside school, to ensure that they make their community as safe as possible. Students have tackled this delicate topic with intrigue and maturity. In recent weeks, one of our assembly themes has been around “Screen-Free Week”. In this assembly we discussed how screens are an integral part of our lives and we use them for a multitude of things. However, we then went on to talk about how we could try reduce our usage of screens and think about what other activities could be more beneficial and rewarding. The month of May saw the inaugural Sports Leadership event for Heathfield’s Year 9 students where a number of students led activities for Years 5/6 at both the Cross in Hand Rugby Club and the Tennis Club. It is fantastic that these students took the opportunity to support younger students in their sporting activities.
This term, Year 10 participated in Careers Day where they had the opportunity to attend a variety of workshops within school along with a visit to the Big Careers Fair in Eastbourne. Year 10’s participated in ‘What’s My Line, which involved students questioning employers from a range of industries, to guess their career. The Careers Fair gave students the chance to visit and ask questions about employability, skills and jobs.
YEAR 10 Attendance Average attendance for Term 5: 88.8% Praise
There have been an impressive number of prefect applications this term. Students have had the opportunity to apply to become House, Average praise Arts, Sports or Community prefects. We are now working at points per student shortlisting applications ready for the interview process in Term 6. for Term 5: 101 As part of the prefect application process, 34 students from Year 10 participated in a workshop held by the Speaker’s Trust. The aim of the workshop was to help develop the public speaking and communication skills of students. All students involved were able to give a short, selfpenned speech to the rest of the group. Five students have been chosen to progress on to refine their speech ready to present to the rest of the year group soon. A winner and runner up will be decided before moving on to a Regional Final. The topics of finalist speeches included ‘cultural and institutional racism’, ‘personal struggles with clinical depression and learning to live and thrive with it’, ‘dementia’ and ‘behaviour of our politicians’. Owain Roberts, who is a Youth Council member for the college, attended a special East Sussex Children and Young People’s Trust event this term. This event aimed to develop collaboration and partnership between Children's services, town councils, NHS Sussex, Sussex Police, community sector and young people. Owain visited a variety of presentations focused on support for young people in terms of mental and physical health. Finally, I want to wish Year 10 all the best in their 2-year course GCSE exams.
YEAR 11 Attendance Average attendance for Term 5: 88.2% Praise Average praise points per student for Term 5: 63
Term 5 began with staff and students completing their final preparations before the start of their GCSEs. This involved focused revision and support in identifying key areas to reinforce their knowledge as well as raising confidence. The students have responded with a mature approach to lesson time and therefore I am sure this will reflect positively upon their final GCSE outcomes. With their final celebration day now fast approaching (Tue 14th June), I think with all the pressures of exams, it is also important for Year 11 students to remember to enjoy their friendships that they have established across the cohort over the last 5 years. Keep working hard and remain focused but also ensure you take some time out to do something you enjoy.
Year 13 Final Day This week we have said goodbye to Year 13 as they go on Study Leave to make final preparations for their exams. We enjoyed spending time with them in the sun sharing pizza and playing games to mark their time with us. This year group have had a unique experience over the past two years and their resilience has been impressive. As we move forward into the exam period we wish them all well and we look forward to celebrating the outcomes of their exams in August.
VI FORM Attendance Average attendance for Term 5: 91% Praise Over 225 praise points given to Sixth Form this term including rewards for quality of classwork, homework and engagement.
Year 12 Mentoring Year 12, and 40 Year 13 students, have been mentoring Year 7’s for four terms this year. It has been great to see the return to mentoring following a two year absence as a result of Covid. This term marks the end of mentoring and the feedback we have received from students and tutors has been really positive about the experience.
“It has been a very positive experience for my Year 7’s, having the 6th Form mentors coming to see them every Thursday. On behalf of all of them, I would like to extend a very big thank you to you for organising the whole mentoring programme, and the mentors for coming so regularly, and spreading their wisdom and positivity to my tutor group.” Year 7 Form Tutor
Are you in Year 10? Thinking of studying at Heathfield? Sign up to register an interest by scanning the QR code.
We are launching Heathfield Futures to all Year 9, 10 and 12 students in Term 6. A unique programme for Heathfield students providing the networks that support their next steps. If you are looking at a career in: • Law • Civil Service / Government • Medicine • Engineering
Sign up using the Firefly Task sent by Mr Evason or email pevason@heathfieldcc.co.uk What is Heathfield Futures? Heathfield Futures is a careers package which allows students to explore different careers through dedicated sessions and independent research. They will be receive: - Expert Input from people currently in the profession - Join in with events and trips through the year - Have dedicated time to look at progression pathway options in this are with guidance from teachers and the College careers advisor. All of the experiences support students progression research to help with making decisions when moving onto their next steps.
What are students learning in …
COMPUTER SCIENCE
At Heathfield Community College, we aim to teach a mixture of Computer Science (using logical thinking to solve problems), Information Technology (core computing skills which students will need both in school and later in life) and Digital Literacy (understanding how to safely navigate the digital world). Year 7 Students started Year 7 learning core Computing skills such as managing their files. They learnt how to stay safe online and evaluate the information they find online. Later on they learnt how computers work before going on to meet Python; the language we use throughout KS3, KS4 and KS5. In term 4, students built their understanding of computer networks and in term 6 they will meet Swift Playgrounds where they will build their understanding of programming concepts such as selection and iteration. In term 6 they will also enhance their ICT knowledge, learning valuable Excel skills. Year 8 During the first term of Year 8, students learn how to stay safe online and avoid scams. They will then go on to build on the Python skills they developed in Year 7, before designing and creating a website in term 3. They will go on to learn how to use Photoshop to manipulate images. Throughout the year there will be super-curricular activities running and clubs such as EEP Lego, the Robotics club and Revision.
COMPUTER SCIENCE XXXXX
Year 9 to 11 GCSE Computing is either taught as a two year or three year course. We follow the AQA syllabus. Students who have chosen to take Computing for GSCE will learn about a wide range of areas. These include how data is represented and stored, hardware and software and databases, including SQL. They will extend their Python knowledge, learning how to write and debug more advanced programs, and apply their skills to solving problems. A level Computer Science Students will increase their programming confidence and learn advanced programming concepts, including making user interfaces and using classes. They will also learn about functional programming. They will deepen their understanding of other areas of computing such as networks and binary and will learn about fascinating topics such as Turing machines and ethical issues. They will also complete a programming project on a topic of their choice.
How I can help my child learn in Physical Education? ✓
Encourage children to spend time using computers.
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Encourage students to code for fun.
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Ask students to tell you about the revision they are doing.
Career and Student Videos Why Computing is important Why our students enjoy Computing
What are students learning in …
MEDIA STUDIES Key Stage 4
Our Year 9 students began their intensive journey into the world of interactive media by researching lots of interactive media products and considering what impact the use of technology has on their lives. They considered the difference between a paper book and an e-book and investigated what additional functions and choices they could make in an electronic form. They developed their findings to think about how this can help improve accessibility for people with visual impairments, English as an additional language or low literacy levels. Their research took them out and about in the community to see where else technology was helping to improve the services offered, such as interactive kiosks in supermarkets and fast food outlets. Students have developed their use of different types of software and hardware. They undertake all of their work on the Apple Mac computers and their iPads. They have used Adobe Photoshop and InDesign to develop their typography and design skills (really useful for designing the logos they will use for their websites) and Final Cut Pro to learn how to edit video. One of the students’ favourite things in Year 9 is learning the different animation styles and trying out different ideas in stop motion. Students have enjoyed creating 3D models or using Lego to create their animated pieces and compared this with the use of digital animation software, considering the time saving possibilities in animating in this way. Image manipulation is always a popular series of lessons and students have learnt to use a variety of devices to take their images on, comparing quality with easy use and upload speeds and then edited in different software packages and apps, encouraging them to consider what the advantages and disadvantages of each are - leading them towards becoming more discerning users of technology. The Year 10 students are planning and creating their own websites. They use Adobe XD software to create a web prototype and test it out on the web. They need to utilise all of the skills they learned in Year 9 to create the assets for their website; logos, banners, photographs, videos, animated gifs, etc. They also have important considerations to make about their audience/end users. They make choices about house styles, colours and fonts to create a product that they think will be suitable for their end user. In February the students took the external exam component of the qualification. This involved them designing and creating a web site for a brief directed by the exam board. Our students have just received their results and have done exceptionally well, achieving significantly higher than the pre-Covid national average for 2019! The end of Year 10 sees students investigating the world of work for the creative media industries. Students hear from professionals who discuss the advantages and disadvantages to working freelance and give a flavour of some of the potential careers available in the industry. Students are currently creating their own digital portfolios, showcasing all of the work they have created over the last two years which they could potentially use for interviews for college or apprenticeships.
MEDIA STUDIES Key Stage 5 Year 12 have been learning about media representations and audiences, considering who creates the media, what point of bias it might be written from and what the effect of this might be to the audience. They consider how dominant ideologies and hegemonic views are formed. They have been looking at a variety of case studies, considering how areas of gender, age, ethnicity, social class, disability and sexuality are represented. Students have been challenging stereotypical representations and considering which groups are under- represented or not represented at all. For their coursework they have looked at the importance of pre-production and considered what impact good planning and organisation has on a media product. They have begun planning, scripting and storyboarding their fictional films ready for next year. They have also enjoyed the opportunity to learn how to use the radio studio and have created some entertaining podcasts. Year 13 have been busily making their films, working within different genres to create, film and edit a complete short film. The romance and thriller genres were popular as always, but some students have chosen to make issue-based dramas, focusing on their own experiences around age, gender and disability - some even had to get creative in isolation due to Covid. There have been some amazing pieces of work and students have really enjoyed the chance to be creative. Students have been sharing their favourite films and discussing how producers use generic conventions within their films. They’ve also considered how genres change over time and why some genres change quicker than others. Comedy films always prove to be interesting as a lot of comedy is very context specific and it’s always interesting to see how the students’ interpretation of it changes over the years. As Year 13 students approach the end of their course they are preparing to respond to a commission set by the exam board in a media of their choice. Students can choose from a variety of media including video, websites and podcasts to respond to the exam brief. They are currently undertaking their audience research to see which format their audience would prefer, to help them make their final choices ahead of the exam.
How I can help my child learn in Media Studies? ✓
Discuss the representation in the things you see around you. What message is it giving? By who? And why?
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Actively encourage students to be creative with their use of technology - their iPads give them the opportunity to create, edit and publish a whole range of media products!
Career and Student Videos Careers in Media Studies Why our students enjoy Media Studies
YEAR 10 WIDER CURRICULUM Year 10 Big Futures Year 10 spent their Wider Curriculum Day learning about some of the many exciting possibilities for their future. Half of the day was spent at The Big Futures Careers Fair held at Eastbourne Sports Park https://www.bigfuturesshow.org.uk/. The exhibitors included local and national employers, volunteer, Education and Training providers.
Whilst in school, students attended a carousel of workshops, these included playing ‘What’s My Line?’ with over 15 local volunteer employers (5 of whom were Heathfield Community College alumni). Their jobs ranged from: civil engineer to gardener and jewellery designer to cyber security expert. In addition, Year 10 learnt all about HE from First Generation current undergraduates from the University of Sussex and all about vocational FE courses from Andrew Williamson, Head of Creative Industries Curriculum at East Sussex College, Lewes.
Journalism Radio Heathfield
Heathfield TV
All students from Years 7 to 13 have the chance to work on our radio station. Radio Heathfield has been running for 8 years now and broadcasts at break and lunch times every day, as well as two breakfast shows. Students put together their own shows, choosing talk topics, games, quizzes and music to broadcast to the other students. The radio programmes are broadcast throughout the college but can also be listened to by parents via the college website at https://www.heathfieldcc.co.uk/ ?page_id=1522686 under ‘Listen Again’. Most shows are normally uploaded within 24 hours.
Despite a difficult year with restrictions due to Covid, HTV has still managed to create a lot of content this year. We were asked by a Year 11 student to create a piece looking at issues of equality and from this a whole series was born. Students have created three films so far in the series, looking at race, gender and disability. Students particularly enjoyed creating the equalities montage which involved students from all year groups and staff.
Radio Heathfield is run by students for students, with two Year 13 students taking the lead. The students normally have a chance to broadcast at outside events such as the Christmas Fayre in Heathfield High Street and are looking forward to going back next year. The students meet on Thursdays after school 3.15-4pm and are looking for new recruits.
As well as the equality series, students have created a series of shorter films, the “Why does..?’ Christmas shorts and the Winter Boredom Busters. All of the HTV content can be found on YouTube at HeathfieldTV or on the college website at https://www.heathfieldcc.co.uk/?page_id= 1554950. The Heathfield TV Club meet on Wednesdays at 3.15-4pm and are interested in new recruits.
The Heathfield Vine Students of all ages write for our Award Winning online newspaper the Heathfield Vine. It is student led and edited with huge success and far reaching readership: http://heathfieldcollegenewspaper.weebly.com/
This issue, students wrote about what really mattered to them. What they produced is an issue full of articles on equality, tolerance, compassion for refugees, technology use and thoughts on both exam stress and personal wellbeing. If you would like to contribute an article or comment on what you have read, please email lmacro15@heathfieldcc.co.uk or csavage@heathfieldcc.co.uk
Wider-Curriculum Sixth Form trip to Shakespeare’s Globe
Huw Merriman MP visit
Sixth-formers had a brilliant time at the opening night of ‘Much Ado about Nothing’ at Shakespeare’s Globe on London’s South Bank.
In response to a letter from our students, Huw Merriman MP visited the College to talk about issues raised in the letter regarding the government’s response to events in Ukraine. Huw also met with Artem Polovnev, a Ukrainian student in Year 11.
For Year 13, who had studied the play last year, it was a wonderful chance to see live theatre before their course ends.
Brighton Festival Children’s Parade Brighton city centre was filled with a sea of colour and creativity as thousands of school children, teachers and volunteers celebrated the return of Brighton Festival Children’s Parade after a twoyear gap on Sat 7 May 2022. The theme took inspiration from Rebuilding and Hope and explored three subject areas - rebuilding nature, homes, and communities. Our students produced a design based on their research and creativity called “Rooted in the Community”. Our students brought both colour and sound to the parade with the amazing display they had built accompanied by the College Samba band.
Student Leaders In Action The month of May saw the inaugural Sports Leadership event for Year 9 students. On the 4th May they kicked off with officiating and running the results table at the Year 5 and 6 Tag Rugby tournament held at Cross in Hand Rugby Club.
Wider-Curriculum Library Quiz After a longer than planned break, the Library Quiz returned this year with 30 teams entering in total! The event was expertly hosted once again by Mr Regan and Mr Sparrow, with Mr Sparrow even showing off his vocal skills in the ‘Female Singers’ round. There was some fantastic costumes this year. ‘Budget Batman,’ won the Best Costume award and after a tense tie breaker round, ‘We Only Planned This Yesterday’ achieved the highest score and won the quiz. The Library Quiz raises money for the Library and also contributes towards the Year 11 prom. Jubilee Celebrations
Duke of Edinburgh Awards
The Music department took the Year 9 Music students to perform as part of Parkside Primary Schools’ Jubilee celebrations. It was fantastic to see the students performing with such enthusiasm and confidence.
Our Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh award groups have been very busy this term practicing their cooking, tent pitching and map reading skills. Recently, the Silver DofE group took the opportunity to dust off their hiking boots and worked in teams to navigate the scenic 14 km circular walk around Broad Oak and Mayfield. The Green Canopy Initiative
Heathfield students are engaged in the national celebration of the Queens Platinum Jubilee this summer. Students gratefully accepted the donation of a birch tree as part of The Green Canopy initiative linked to the Jubilee from English Woodlands which has been planted on site along with a hand crafted memorial plaque. Summer Opportunity: World Catalyst Details were sent to students this week regarding the Global Social Leaders World Catalyst, a virtual leadership programme. Students engage over three days online in a series of seminars and talks from worldwide leaders and coaches based around the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Because of our students’ previous engagement, we have been offered up to 10 privileged places at no cost to families. All students have to do is sign up with an expression of interest using this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc7IYnvHZtha1XIVikCg7nvgavpzQJyP8NrYhXJoMKocQ5z0 Q/viewform?usp=sf_link.
Find out more and try out over half term: https://heathfieldcc.fireflycloud.net/super-curricular-1
Help and Support: We understand that life sometimes throws up issues or problems that need to be resolved. We understand that concerns regarding your child’s well-being or progress can be worrying. We want to work with you to resolve issues as early as possible. Please use the routes highlighted here as a parent: REPORTING A CONCERN. Please encourage your son/daughter to report ANY issue or worry to us so we can address it. If we don’t know, we cannot act and we want to help: • Tell a teacher or your form tutor • Speak to your Head of Year • Speak to your Pastoral Manager • Email help@heathfieldcc.co.uk to report a problem
Dates for your diary Monday 6 June Tuesday 7 June Monday 13 June Tuesday 14 June Wednesday 15 June Thursday 16 June Friday 17 June Monday 20 June Tuesday 21 June Wednesday 22 June Friday 24 June Monday 27 June Wednesday 29 June Thursday 30 June Friday 1 July Monday 4 July Tuesday 5 July Thursday 7 July
Friday 8 July
Monday 11 July Wednesday 13 July
Monday 18 July Thursday 21 July
Start of Term 6 Start of Year 8 Assessment Fortnight Geography A Level Fieldwork Trip Year 12 Business/Economics Sussex Uni Tasters Trip Year 11’s Last Day Geography A Level Fieldwork Trip – Coastal Trip Year 7 Planetarium Visit Geography A Level Fieldwork Trip - Brighton Year 9 Wider Curriculum Day Geography A Level Fieldwork Trip – Wilderness Wood Year 7-10 Sports Day – Eastbourne Sports Park Year 9 Wider Curriculum Day Inset Day Start of Year 10 Core Mocks Start of Year 9 Mocks (2 year course only) Year 12 UCAS Predictions (Update only) The Big Dance Extravagaza – Feeder Primary Schools DofE Gold Expedition (Practice & Assessed) Year 12 & 13 Ouse Valley Athletics (Years 7-10) - Withdean Stadium Year 7 STEM Challenges Wider Curriculum Day New Designers 2022 Year 9 Wider Curriculum Day (Employability) DofE Bronze B Expedition (Practice & Assessed) + Silver (Assesssed) Years 9 & 10 Provisional Year 11 Prom – Powder Mills Provisional Year 13 Prom - Blackstock Farm KS3 House Competition Day KS4 House Competition Day Start of Enrichment Week Broadbridges uniform for sale – Link Hall, 3.15 pm – 4.15 pm End of Term 6
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