Highfields Newsletter issue 1 02.12.16

Issue 1: 2 December 2016

Highfields School

Highfields School Newsletter Newsletter

Issue 1: 2 December 2016

We are delighted to introduce our first weekly newsletter, aimed at keeping parents/carers up to date with school news, activities and key information throughout the year.

We would value any feedback on the newsletter, including any suggestions you may have for content you may find useful. Please email any feedback to newsletter@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk Don’t forget to visit our website (www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk) for more news and information, including the fortnightly Co-Headteachers’ blog.

Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter.

P R Cole & B P Riggott Co-Headteachers

Be the best you can

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Highfields School

Issue 1: 2 December 2016

Newsletter

Contents: Student Bulletin – Coming up next week ..................................................... 3 Extra-curricular Clubs & Activities ............................................................... 4 School Meals ............................................................................................. 6 Christmas Concert ..................................................................................... 7 Developing the ‘5Rs’ @ Highfields............................................................... 8 Sports Update ........................................................................................... 9 Highfields School Governing Body............................................................. 11 Parent/Carer Notices................................................................................ 12 Highfields School Contact details .............................................................. 13 Key Staff ................................................................................................. 14 Key Dates ............................................................................................... 15

Be the best you can

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Highfields School

Issue 1: 2 December 2016

Newsletter

Student Bulletin – Coming up next week

Monday 5 December Year 11 Mock Exams (Sports Hall) Y10 Geography – Human Fieldwork (Matlock) during lessons

Tuesday 6 December Year 11 Mock Exams (Sports Hall) Christmas Concert rehearsals (all day in Wheeldon Hall) Y10 Geography – Human Fieldwork (Matlock) during lessons 7.30-10pm Christmas Concert in Wheeldon Hall, Lumsdale

Wednesday 7 December Year 11 Mock Exams (Sports Hall) Y12-13 Computing in Action visit to Warwick University Y12-13 Natural History Museum visit to London Y9 Discover Us visit to University of Sheffield (8.15am-4.30pm) 7.30-10pm Christmas Concert in Wheeldon Hall, Lumsdale

Thursday 8 December 4-7pm Y13 Parent Consultation Evening (Sports Hall)

Friday 9 December -

Be the best you can

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Highfields School

Issue 1: 2 December 2016

Newsletter

Extra-curricular Clubs & Activities Starkholmes (Lower Site) Monday

1.00-1.30pm Homework Club in Room 4 1.00-1.30pm Maths Homework Help in Room 5 1.00-1.40pm Boys Football Y8 with J Shipley & J Stevenson 1.00-1.40pm Film Club in Lab 1 with Mrs Humphris From October 1.00-1.40pm Year 8 Netball with Mrs Wildgoose 3.30-5pm Rugby Training Y7 & Y8 at Lumsdale

Tuesday

12.45-1.15pm Sustainability Club in T2 1.00-1.30 pm Homework Club in Room 4 1.00-1.30pm Science Club & Science Homework Support Lab 2 1.00-1.30pm Scooter Club Y7 & Y8 Boys and Girls with Miss Warburton 1.00-1.30pm Boys football Y7 & Y8 with Mr Clifford 1.15-1.45 pm Highflyers Dance Club in PARTS 1.10-1.40pm The Net (After Oct Half Term) 1.10-1.40pm Geography Hospital in Room 2 4.00-7pm Climbing Club (1st and 3rd Tuesday in the month)

Wednesday

1.00-1.30 pm Homework Club in Room 4 1-00-1.30pm Art Club in room 12 from October 1.00-1.30pm Girls Football Y7 & Y8 with Miss Spencer 1.00-1.30pm Sports leaders Y7 in Gym

Thursday

1.00-1.30 pm Homework Club with Mrs Green in Room 4 12.45-1.15 pm Science Homework Support in Lab2 1.00-1.30pm Help with Maths- Homework Support in Room 6 1.00-1.30pm Mixed Hockey with Mr Shirtcliffe 1.00-1.40pm Junior Choir 1pm-1.40pm Boys Basketball Y7 & Y8 with Miss Warburton 3.45-4.45pm Musical Theatre Club in PARTS

Friday

1.00-1.30pm Homework Club with Mrs Green in Room 4 1.00-1.30pm Geography Homework Help in Room 2 1.15-1.45pm Book Club in Library – Year7&8 Alternate weeks 1.10-1.45pm Drama Club in PARTS 12.50-1.20pm Y7 Netball with Miss Hatton 1.00-1.40pm Running club with Mr Hurst 1.00-1.30pm Sports leaders – Year 8 in Gym

Be the best you can

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Highfields School

Issue 1: 2 December 2016

Newsletter

Extra-curricular Clubs & Activities Lumsdale (Upper Site) Monday

Tuesday

Lunchtime

After School

Football (Year 9-11) Basketball (All years) 1.10-1.40pm Music Theatre Club 12.45-1.15pm Science Assistance Services in S9

4-5pm Senior Choir MU1 Duke of Edinburgh 4-5pm Rugby (Y9-10) D&T Year 11 and A Level CatchUp in C8

Lunchtime

After School

Table Tennis (All years) Badminton (Year 10-11) 1-1.30pm Geography Homework Help and Controlled Assessment Catch-Up in H2 GCSE Computing Catch-Up in IT1

Climbing Club (every 2nd and 4th Tuesday) – Please see Mr Bonitz for

more information 3.45-4.45pm U18 Rugby (Y11-13) 3.45-4.45pm Dance Performance Group in Wheeldon Hall – see

schedule on dance notice boards

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Be the best you can

Lunchtime

After School

Volleyball Club (Year 12/13 Only) Sports leaders GCSE Computing Catch-Up in IT1

Warhammer Club in C5 (3.45-5pm) Sports leaders 3.45-4.45pm Dance GCSE Catch-Up in Wheeldon Hall 3.30-5pm GCSE Computing CatchUp in IT1

Lunchtime

After School

1.15-1.45pm Upper School book club in the Library 12.45pm Design & Technology Catch-Up Club in C8 Girls Football Netball (Years 9-11 Girls) GCSE Computing Catch-Up in IT1 12.45-1.15pm Science Assistance Services in S9

3.45-4.45pm U18 Rugby (Y11-13) Netball (Years 9-11 Girls) D&T Year 11 and A Level CatchUp in C8

Lunchtime

After School

Badminton Smash-Up (All years)

No clubs

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Highfields School

Issue 1: 2 December 2016

Newsletter

School Meals Monday 5 December 2016-Friday 9 December 2016 Monday

Sausage & Yorkshire Pudding Roast Vegetable Tart Creamed Potatoes Seasonal Vegetables Pineapple Upside Down Cake & Custard

Tuesday

Crunchy Topped Ranch Pie Vegetarian Curry Rice Seasonal Vegetables Chocolate & Beetroot Muffin & Custard

Wednesday

Roast Pork & Stuffing & Gravy Vegetarian Sausage & Yorkshire Pudding Roast/Creamed Potatoes Seasonal Vegetables Jam Roly Poly & Custard

Thursday

Chicken Curry Creamy Tomato Lasagne Rice Seasonal Vegetables Cornflake Tart & Custard

Friday

Catch of the Day Falafel in Tomato Sauce Chips Seasonal Vegetables Apple Sponge & Custard

Be the best you can

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Highfields School

Issue 1: 2 December 2016

Newsletter

Christmas Concert

Be the best you can

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Highfields School

Issue 1: 2 December 2016

Newsletter

Developing the ‘5Rs’ @ Highfields Across the 2016-17 academic year, we are adopting a half-termly focus on each of the 5Rs. This term, we are focussing on ‘resilience’ – a key attribute of independent learners and successful people, as students have heard Mr O’ Reilly and Mr Rodgers describe in assemblies!

Be the best you can

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Highfields School

Issue 1: 2 December 2016

Newsletter

Sports Update Sports Fixtures: Having had an extremely busy and successful 11 weeks of fixtures and activities, we are looking forward seeing our students continuing to participate and achieve in a range of sporting events locally and Nationally in the new year. The remaining fixtures scheduled for the final two weeks of term are listed below.

Congratulations to all students for their amazing achievements this term!

Mr C Shirtcliffe (Head of PE) Friday 2 December 2016: We are taking part in the Derbyshire Dales Cross Country Championships at Queen Elizabeth’s in Ashbourne. We are taking teams from Years 7, 8, 9 and 10. The first race gets underway at 1.15pm. The top eight competitors will go through to represent Derbyshire Dales in the County Championships

Forthcoming Fixtures: Monday 12 December 2016: We are entered into the North East Derbyshire Swimming Championships at Sharley Park. We will be competing against Tupton, Dronfield and Eckington.

First Team football against Repton in the Quarter finals of the County cup – date to be confirmed.

Sports Results: Our Year 10 Boys football team were defeated by Horizon Community College in Barnsley 3 - 1 on Wednesday night in the fourth round of the National Cup, following some outstanding performances earlier in the competition. We fought well and took the lead early on in the game, we then hit the crossbar and had numerous shots saved. The home team gradually got back into the game, scoring before half-time leaving honours were even at the break. In the second half we couldn't find an answer to their passing and they scored two further goals. Despite this, we kept our heads held high and our boys were a credit to the school.

Our Under 13 Rugby team came back from behind to beat Derby Grammar 25–20 - a tough and well fought game. The team showed resilience having conceded 4 try's in the first half, they stuck together and found their rhythm. All the players were a credit to Highfields.

Our Year 9 and Year 10 boys’ futsal teams played in the Derbyshire Dales futsal tournament last night (1 December). Our Year 9 team played some lovely football but lost both games. Our Year 10 team played great passing and skilful football winning both games 3-1 against Year 11 opponents. This means they are through to represent Derbyshire Dales in the County tournament later on in the year.

Be the best you can

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Issue 1: 2 December 2016

Highfields School Newsletter

Sports Leaders Our Sports Leaders and Sports Apprentices have been extremely busy supporting Sporting activities not only in school, but also within our partner primary schools and across the wider community. Below is a summary of some recent activities.

Mrs Allen (School Sports Co-Ordinator) SEN Physical Activity •

Highfields have been receiving excellent mentoring from GB tennis player Anna Fitzpatrick from Youth Sport Trust (YST) Sky living for Sports programme. Our key stage 3 and 4 students have undergone a programme of tennis activities and goal-setting during November.

•

Oliver Brailsford, Callum McNally, Angel Gaunt and Chloe-Jane Ellwood went to the SSP Winter Sports Festival at Anthony Gell School where they had the opportunity to try New Age Curling and Sitting Volleyball.

•

Andrew Hitchcock, became the Derbyshire Schools SEN Sports Leader of the Year with Sarah Lane as runner up – outstanding achievements!

•

Julie Pritty (Year 11) gave an outstanding contribution to the Primary School Sports Evenings in October and November as a sports leader.

Andrew Hitchcock

Community Get Set Project - Olympic Legacy Leaders •

Year 10 students Alisha Bethell, Chloe Talbot, Shona Connell, Rose Ricketts, Ben Jordan, Eve Bond, Claudia Bray and Archie Neville have led fitness sessions termed Baby Zumba for preschoolers at Tree Tops Nursery.

•

Year 12 students Sam Neville, Emma Jerman, Alex Needham and Sophie Hamilton-Cody have been leading physical activity sessions for SEN adults from Golding House.

•

Year 13 Higher Sports Leaders Grace Pickford, Rose McGowan and Emily Hancock have led an activity session for St Joseph’s Primary School.

Other notable successes •

Grace Pickford became the Derbyshire Dales Sports Leader of the Year and Annabel Macgregor became Derbyshire Schools Sports Leader of the Year.

•

November saw visits from Judith Holt, Chair of British Orienteering, who is working with us in school to develop orienteering across key stages 2 to 5.

•

We are also working with para athlete, Steve Judge (ex-World Champion) in achieving our goals coming in 2017.

Mrs Allen & Steve Judge

Be the best you can

Grace Pickford

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Issue 1: 2 December 2016

Highfields School Newsletter

Highfields School Governing Body An introduction and outline of the role of the Governors of Highfields School The role of the Governors’ is to help the school provide the best possible education for students by •

setting the school’s values, vision and strategic aims, agreeing plans and policies, and making creative use of resources

•

monitoring and evaluating performance, acting as a critical friend to the Headteacher to support and challenge them in managing the school

•

ensuring that the school is accountable to the children and parents it serves, to its local community, to those who fund and maintain it, as well as to the staff it employs.

The composition of the Governing Body is split as follows. Each Governor serves a term of office of four years.

Name Mr Peter Cole Mr Ben Riggott

Governor Type Co-Headteacher Co-Headteacher (Co-opted)

Responsibility

tbc

Local Authority

Ms Helen Crane

Co-opted

Mr Tim Diggle Ms Julie Lane Prof Ranald Macdonald

Co-opted Co-opted Co-opted

Miss Rebekah Mitchell Miss Jodie Rogers

Co-opted Co-opted

SEND

Mr Paul Steeples

Co-opted

Vice-Chair of Governors

Mrs Claire Bethell Ms Julie Birtwistle

Parent Parent

Mr Jonathan Clarke Mr Nick Newberry

Parent Parent

Mr John Redhead

Staff

Mr Sandy Doull Ms Lizzie Watt

Associate Member Associate Member

Mrs Emma Hickman

Clerk to Governors

Vice-Chair of Governors Equalities Co-Chair of Governors Finance Co-Chair of Governors Safeguarding and Anti-bullying

Human Resources Health & Safety Finance

In the next few issues of the newsletter a profile of each Governor will be featured.

Be the best you can

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Highfields School

Issue 1: 2 December 2016

Newsletter

Parent/Carer Notices Year 10 Work Experience The closing date for returning work experience own choice forms was 30 November. If your son/daughter has not secured a work experience placement could I please ask that you encourage them to seek work experience over the Christmas break. We set dates because all placements have to be checked by Derbyshire Council which can take up to three months to process. To remind you, the work experience dates are from 26 June to 7 July 2017.

Mrs Giles offers support to students who cannot secure a work placement and updates the vacancy board on VLE which is accessed from the school web page.

The vacancies on this board are offered by local employers. If you need help accessing this page, please contact Mrs Giles on the main school number.

Resources from 3 November Year 10 Curriculum Evening There are a number of resources available on our website from the recent Year 10 Curriculum Evening – please follow the following link http://www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk/news/26.html

School Uniform Thank you for supporting us to uphold our agreed uniform standards. However, now the colder weather is approaching we have noticed a few students are wearing hoodies. Our school policy states that hoodies should not be worn on site. Instead, students should wear coats which have the advantage of being waterproof and in keeping with our professional working environment. Students should also wear school jumpers for extra warmth.

We are notifying students in assemblies that as of Monday 5 December 2016 if students are wearing hoodies instead of school uniform they will be confiscated until the end of the school day. We would appreciate your continuing support by ensuring that your child does not wear a hoodie on the school site.

Another key reminder about uniform is that skirts should be of an appropriate length for a work setting, towards the knee. We would encourage both girls and boys to wear smart black tailored trousers. Neither jeans nor trainers are allowed.

By paying attention to these things, and having your continued support for them, we can work to be the best we can in all areas.

Christmas Holiday A reminder that school closes to students at 3.30pm on Friday 16 December 2016 for the Christmas holidays. Students will return to school on Wednesday 4 January 2017.

Students are not expected in school on Monday 19 December, Tuesday 20 December 2016 or Tuesday 3 January 2017 as these are Inset days.

Be the best you can

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Highfields School

Issue 1: 2 December 2016

Newsletter

Highfields School Contact details Communication with school General enquiry (Form Tutor) The first point of contact for parents/carers for general enquiries is the Form Tutor. If parents/carers feel enquiries have not been adequately addressed by the Form Tutor, this can be followed-up with the relevant Head of Year.

We encourage parents/carers to keep in touch with tutors by using the student planner.

There is a space at the end of each week where parents/carers can write a note to the tutor.

Subject specific enquiry (Subject Teacher) If parents/carers have subject specific enquiries, we ask that they contact the relevant subject teacher. If parents/carers feel enquiries have not been adequately addressed by the class teacher, this can be followed-up by the relevant Head of Department.

Parents/carers can contact us on the main school number (see below). Reception staff will aim to help with queries or refer parents/carers to a member of staff who can.

Main Contact Details Lower Site (Years 7 & 8): Starkholmes Road, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3DD Telephone: 01629 584020 Upper Site (Years 9-13): Telephone:

Upper Lumsdale, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 5NA 01629 581888

General email: Newsletter feedback: Admissions: Chair of Governors:

info@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk newsletter@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk admissions@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk chair@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk

Website:

www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk

Your contact details Please ensure you notify us of any changes of address, telephone and email details to ensure our records are up to date in case of emergency.

Be the best you can

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Issue 1: 2 December 2016

Highfields School Newsletter

Key Staff Co-Headteachers: Mr P Cole & Mr B Riggott

Senior Assistant Headteachers: Mr D O’Reilly & Mrs C Rifkin

Associate Assistant Headteachers: Mr K Rodgers Mrs A Ruston

- Years 7 and 8 (based at Starkholmes) - Years 9, 10 & 11 (based at Lumsdale)

Heads of Year: Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Sixth Form

– – – – – –

Mrs A Hollinrake / Mrs L Redhead Mr J Redhead Miss L Hamrouge Miss N Gresswell Miss J Hughes Mr M Flett

Pastoral: Mrs Green - Years 7 & 8 Mrs Harper - Years 9, 10 & 11 Mrs Bumby - Sixth Form

01629 584020 extension 244 01629 581888 extension 119 01629 581888 extension 165

Department Contacts: Art – Mrs K Fairbank Business & Computing – Mr I Lovatt Dance – Mr D O’Reilly D&T – Miss A Morris Drama – Miss E Bonsall English – Mr R Key Film Studies – Mr C Warrington Geography – Mrs M Barker History – Mr R Hoben

Be the best you can

Learning Support / SEN – Mr A Dawtry Maths – Miss S Wallhead Modern Foreign Languages – Mrs M Bowen Music – Mr K Rowley PE – Mr C Shirtcliffe Psychology – Miss H Ould PRS – Miss S Collis Science – Mrs C Morgan Sociology – Mrs A Serjeant

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Issue 1: 2 December 2016

Highfields School Newsletter

Key Dates 2016-17 Academic Year:

2016-17 Bank Holidays (school closed):

Term 1: 5 September 2016 − 21 October 2016 Term Term Term Term Term

2: 3: 4: 5: 6:

26 and 27 December 2016 31 October 2016 − 20 December 2016 2 January 2017 3 January 2017 − 10 February 2017 14 April 2017 (Good Friday) 20 February 2017 − 7 April 2017 17 April 2017 (Easter Monday) 24 April 2017 − 26 May 2017 1 May 2017 5 June 2017 − 21 July 2017 29 May 2017 (Spring Bank Holiday) 28 August 2017 (Summer Bank Holiday)

2016-17 CPD Days (school closed to students):

Monday 5 September 2016 Friday 21 October 2016 Monday 19 December 2016 Tuesday 20 December 2016 Tuesday 3 January 2017 2016-17 Parents’ Consultation Evenings:

Year 12:

Tuesday 22 November 2016

Year 13: Year 9: Year 8: Year 11: Year 10: Year 7:

Thursday 8 December 2016 Tuesday 17 January 2017 Tuesday 7 February 2017 Tuesday 21 February 2017 Tuesday 7 March 2017 Tuesday 4 April 2017

(including Option choices for Year 10)

2016-17 School Events (further details will be issued prior to each event along with confirmation of date and times):

Y12 Review Day Y7 Review Day

25 November 2016 (during school day) 1 December 2016 (Starkholmes)

Christmas Concert Sixth Form Careers morning Evening of Dance Y11 Study Skills/Revision Evening for parents Easter Concert Sports Leaders Awards Evening Y10 Health Day Highfields’ Got Talent Y12 Higher Education Evening Y10 Work Experience Day Y10 Work Experience (2 weeks) Y7, Y8 & Y9 Sports Day

6-7 December 2016 (7.30pm Wheeldon Hall) 12 January 2017 (9am-12.45pm) 8 February 2017 (7pm Bowler Hall, Starkholmes) 16 March 2016 (6-8pm Wheeldon Hall) 28 March 2017 (7.30pm Wheeldon Hall) 6 April 2017 (6-8pm Wheeldon Hall) 7 April 2017 (during school day) 27 April 2017 (at Starkholmes) 22 June 2017 (7pm Wheeldon Hall) 23 June 2017 (during school day) 26 June – 7 July 2017 28 June 2017 (during school day at Lumsdale) (30 June 2017 contingency) 5 July 2017 (during school day) 5 July 2017 (during school day) 5 July 2017 (during school day) 12-14 July 2017 (7.30pm Wheeldon Hall) 21 July 2017 (during school day at Lumsdale)

Y6 Visit Starkholmes Y7 Sponsored Walk / Y8 Visit Lumsdale Y9 Enterprise Day School Musical Challenge Day (Whole School) 2017 Exam Results Days: A Level Exam Results: Thursday 17 August 2017

Be the best you can

GCSE Exam Results: Thursday 24 August 2017

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