Issue 18

Our newsletter aims to keep parents and carers up to date with school news, activities and key information throughout the year.

If you have any feedback on or suggestions for the newsletter, please send your comments via email to newsletter@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk

Don’t forget to visit our website (www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk) for more news and information.

Thank you for taking the time to read our news and for your support.

A Marsh Headteacher

Disclaimer: HighfieldsSchoolisnotresponsibleforthequalityofproductsororganisationspublicisedthrougharticlesor advertisementsintheschoolnewsletter.

Message from the Headteacher

If you look at this image you will see a huge hairy beast. But look more closely and you will see that behind Mr Hodkin is a cow, cowering in the undergrowth. Not that I’m saying ‘I told you so’ but one of the reasons underpinning the decision to put up this fence involved risk of cow invasion. This happened in 2017 when a herd of cows made their way onto Starkholmes sports fields and led to a) students having to be held indoors for extended periods as cows were making their way towards school buildings and b) very significant damage to our athletics track. Thankfully now the cows are kept out by the fence and, thus far, they have been unable to operate the combi padlocks (even if they knew the code, their hooves would render them useless).

Another in my occasional series of profiles of school leaders and today it is Mr Cole’s turn. Peter Cole is in charge of everything to do with curriculum. This takes in teaching, pedagogy, homework, student teachers, curriculum design, assessment, strategic planning etc alongside other areas such as data protection and line management of Y7 and sixth form. He has a brain the size of a planet and, when I ask him how year 11 predictions are looking for GCSEs, he can often tell me down to a student how they are progressing. He seems to know every curriculum from art to zoology and has the most analytical mind I’ve come across. In addition to all of this he is a serving Ofsted inspector. This enables us to get a) a good idea of how Ofsted will see Highfields when they show up and b) some great ideas from other school visited on inspection. Mr Cole is often my moral arbiter as he is the kindest, most thoughtful and most reflective of people. He is hugely valued (I’ve used the painting I did in lockdown only because he is on the other site and I can’t get hold of him at this moment for a photo!)

I hate goodbyes and this week it was time to say goodbye to many Y11s in their farewell assembly. I said what I always say- that they should take any kindness they have received from Highfields students or staff in the last five years and go out into the world and pass it on. Not all Y11s have had a perfect school journey but we do care equally for each of them and wish every single one of them the very best. Special thanks to Messrs Rodgers and Tidmarsh who have looked after them so carefully.

Amongst the lovely thank you emails shared with us by parents of Y11 and 13 leavers this one stood out…“We will forever be grateful for our son’s times at Highfields, for the wonderful staff who rescued him from the situation he had found himself in, who took a chance on him and who got him through his A-levels. We would be very grateful if you would kindly share our thanks with the teachers and other staff who have played a role in this transformation. Thank you for everything you do for our family and the Matlock community, and most importantly the children you support.”

And finally, congratulations to Glen Nicholls and Di Peet (pictured sorting a risk assessment with our caterers) whose teams got us through our health and safety audit this week with flying colours. We thank them for keeping us safe, warm and dry on site.

Have a lovely weekend. We are Highfields.

A Marsh, Headteacher

Coming up next week…

Remindersfortheweekahead

Monday17th June

Tuesday18th June

Wednesday19th June Year12WorkExperienceWeek

Year8Carsingtontrip

HighlandGames-SportsLeaders

Year8Carsingtontrip

Thursday20th June

Friday21st June

Year8Carsingtontrip

OAAday-SportsLeaders

Year8Carsingtontrip

Year11PROM

Year 11 Donated Uniform

Year 11 will need to remain in full uniform whilst completing their GCSE Exams. We would be grateful for any donations of school ties once they leave. All uniform donations are welcome in school or they can be taken to the local charity shops in Matlock.

Did you know you can hire out our school facilities?

 3G Pitch

 Hardstanding Courts

 Large Sports Hall

 Small Sports Hall

Pleasevisitwww.schoolhire.co.ukformore information,toviewavailabilityandtobook.

All sales are cash or cheque (Cheque can be made to East Midlands Education Trust) only please.

Year10 Careers Trip-

Last Friday, 27 of our Y10 students spent the day at Sheffield Hallam University, participating within one of the insight days that the University offer.

The insight day included a number of activities such as:

 An insight into what University is and what the lifestyle of a University student is like, also a feel for what sort of courses can be studied there etc...

 A guided tour of the city campus which was led by their current student ambassadors so that the students could get a feel for the facilities / how a University is laid out.

 A variety of activities that challenged the students to have to think outside the box and be creative. This included scenariobased tasks, and sessions that focused on personal skills/characteristics that would enable success within higher education.

Feedback from the students on the day was really positive and they highlighted how it had really opened their eyes to what University life would be like. The key aim of the trip was to hopefully raise aspirations for any child at Highfields that wishes to go on to study higher education, so it was really pleasing to hear such positive responses.

We are looking forward to running a similar trip(s) again next academic year, so please keep an eye out!

Mr Searson Careers Lead

Sports Leaders

Thursday 13th June

Darley Dale and St Joseph's Primary school pupils in Year 3/4 and Year 5/6 joined us for a Rounders match. The Rounders match was officiated by the Highfields Sports leaders, who had been trained by England Rounders coach Helen Hawes a few weeks ago. They did a sterling job on a very cold afternoon! Darley Dale were the victors at both age groups.

Progressive Sports are looking for volunteers tosupport theirSports Holiday Club at Highfields School all Summer. This is aunique opportunity for students looking topursue a career in sports coaching, working with children, and teaching. They willgain valuable experience working alongside theirsenior sports coaches. If you areinterested in spending time this Summer, emaila.holland@progressive-sports.co.uk.

New Tupton Ivanhoe FC are in the process of setting up 'Squad' Football sessions for girls aged between 12-14. Sessions are run by UEFA and FA qualified coaches, who have up to date DBS checks and are first aid and safeguarding trained. They currently run the Wildcats Sessions for girls aged 5-11 but have recently become a recognised centre for the 'Squad' training.

Sessions are just £3 and this is on a pay as you play basis.

Key dates & Calendar

2023-24

academic year INSETdays(nostudentsin school)

Term5:15April2024to24May2024 (Holiday27May–31May)

Term6: 3June2024to23July2024 Friday5July2024

2023-24provisionalschoolevents (TBC - further details will be issued prior to each event) Y11Prom Friday21June2024

IcelandTripmeeting

Monday24June5.30-6.30pm Y13Prom Thursday27June2024

GeologyFieldworkPembrokeshire

Monday1July Y10WorkExperienceWeek Monday1–Friday5July2025

SchoolMusical Wednesday10-Saturday13July2024

Exam sessions

Y12 Exams Y12 Work Experience

3 – 14 June 2024 17 – 21 June 2024 2024 exam resultsdays: A Level exam results: 15August2024TBC GCSE examresults: 22August2024TBC 2024-25AcademicYear INSETDays

Term1:4September2024to24October2024 (Holiday28October–1November)

Term2:4November2024to20December2024 (Holiday23December–3January2024)

Term3:6January2025–14February2025 (Holiday17February–21February)

Term4:24February2025to4April2025 (Holiday7April–21April)

Term5:22April2025to23May2025 (Holiday26May–30May)

Term6:2June2025to24July2025

Wednesday4th September2024 Thursday5th September2024 Friday25th October2024

Monday2nd December2024

Monday30th June2025