20th December 2024
Our newsletter aims to keep parents and carers up to date with school news, activities and key information throughout the year.
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Thank you for taking the time to read our news and for your support.
A Marsh Headteacher
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My brother in law casually let slip recently that a gift had arrived from his employer which included a hamper of fine foods worth around £250 and a £300 voucher for a ‘night away with a loved one’ in a hotel. When I asked him what he had done to deserve these riches he replied, ‘I’m not sure, really…’
Those of us who work in education have to settle for different rewards. Of course, we receive little gifts from our students (thank you Ava, Thomas and Henry and others) and line managers (the biscuit mountain pictured was funded from the pockets of Mr Cole and I, and not by the school budget before you start worrying). But by far the biggest reward most of us get is the thrill of being around young people as they navigate their way into the big, wide world.
For example, on Tuesday night we got to see tens of budding performers step out into the limelight at this year’s Christmas Concert. I CANNOT EVEN TELL YOU how utterly moving it was to see student after student conquering their nerves and putting themselves out there in an effort to develop and to entertain. I could go on all night about every single act but perhaps the one who surprised me most was David D. David in Y8 is a student who keeps himself to himself and our paths have not, until now, crossed. On Tuesday night he stepped out with his cello and for three minutes or so he completely held 300 audience members in the palm of his hand as he performed Saint-Saens’ TheSwan. Everybody was touched and thrilled and moved but only the musicians like me in the audience would have realised how many hundreds of hours it would have taken to reach this level of skill. And perhaps only people who have performed would understand the confidence and self-assurance it takes to put yourself up there and your heart on the line. I bumped into his brother in the foyer who studied with us but is now successfully studying engineering at Derby and then his sister went out and produced a stunning violin solo in the second half. Not all families can work like this (mine doesn’t) but it was such a joy to see how these siblings supported each other.
The concert was curated and accompanied by our Director of Music and his team. I am so, so grateful to them for offering me and the audience such a rich and rewarding experience…who needs posh hampers, eh? (If you have already sent a posh hamper please do not cancel it.)
I know for a fact that, amongst all the festivities this Christmas there will be a number of Highfields families facing some pretty significant challenges. I hope that their communities come around them and do what they can to cushion the impact of what they are going through. You are all very much in my thoughts.
Take care of yourselves and your loved ones and see you all soon for another season of Highfields magic.
A Marsh, Headteacher
Monday 6th January
• School Reopens and tickets on sale for the Aladdin Musical
Tuesday 14th January
• Year 9 Parents Evening and Options Evening
• Go Lead FA Girls students at the live launch 2- 4.15
