Parent/carer updates

Children in Need non-uniform day

On Friday 19 November Highfields School will again raise funds for Children in Need. Students will be allowed to wear non-uniform for the day and donate £1 to Children in Need. A variety of activities will also take place, please ensure students bring loose change into school as no change can be given due to Covid.

Donations can be made via ParentPay through the link below: https://app.parentpay.com/ParentPayShop/Foc/Default.aspx?shopid=4624

We are always proud of the support Highfields parents/carers, students and staff give to our charity events and thank you in advance for your support.

School crossing patrol – Church Street, Starkholmes

We have been informed by Derbyshire County Council that the crossing patrol on Church Street at Starkholmes can only be covered until 10 November until the foreseeable future.

After 10 November there will be no School Crossing Patrol in operation. Derbyshire County Council have asked that parents/carers make suitable arrangements for their child’s journeys to and from school.

As we receive further updates we will keep parents/carers informed.

Polite reminder – dropping off and collecting students

A reminder of the notice previously issued - please be advised there have been a number of near miss accidents at both school sites because of parents’/carers’ driving choices. The police are also aware of this hazard.

 PLEASE avoid dropping off students in the bus stop at Starkholmes as buses are forced to stop in the middle of the road putting student at immediate risk.

 PLEASE avoid dropping students on Lumsdale site at peak times as the very busy car park has become a VERY hazardous environment for students alighting from cars.

TO CONFIRM – PLEASE, for the safety of students, consider dropping your child away from immediate school sites/bus stops. This is standard at many secondary schools.

Thank you for your support.

Flu Vaccination reminder

As you will be aware the NHS Immunisation Team are offering the nasal flu vaccination to students in years 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 over two days on 17 and 18 November 2021, due to the number of students involved.

Thank you to the parents/carers who have already completed the e-consent form. If you have not yet done so and wish for your son/daughter to receive the flu vaccine please visit https://www.derbyshireandcityimms.co.uk/Forms/Flu. The option to consent or decline the vaccination is at the end of the questionnaire so please complete even if you do not want your child to have the vaccination. Highfields unique school code is DD112950

If you wish to decline the flu spray due to the porcine element, the NHS team are now able to offer an alternative injectable Flu vaccine that does not contain porcine. Please complete the consent form detailing your preference on the medical questions and you will be contacted to arrange vaccination.

For more information about the vaccination please visit: https://www.derbyshirefamilyhealthservice.nhs.uk/our-services/5-19-years/school-ageimmunisations

If you experience any problems, please call the School Age Immunisation Team: Repton Health Centre: 01283 707178 Clay Cross Hospital: 01246 252953 Or email DCHST.immunisationteam@nhs.net

School snow/emergency closures Early notice regarding school strategy/risk assessment

We have reached the time of year when we alert you to the steps we take if we are forced to close the school in an emergency, ie due to extreme weather conditions or equipment failures associated with the change in the weather. We should stress at the outset that this is something we only do with great reluctance, but our overriding concern is the health and safety of our students and sometimes such action is unavoidable.

We aim to communicate clearly with parents/carers as soon as possible via Weduc, our website and through local radio stations should school need to close in an emergency.

Full details of our emergency closure procedure have been emailed to parents/carers today (Friday 5 November) outlining our strategy, risk assessment and approach in advance of any emergency closure – please take a few minutes to read this and discuss with your child.