22nd November 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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Message from the Headteacher
When I tell my daughter how I make my students laugh with my hilarious sense of humour she often shakes her head sadly and says, ‘those poor, poor children…’ or ‘they’re laughing AT you…not with you..’ or ‘they are just trying to be nice, Dad’. Anyway, this week, on reading student survey comments I came across this beauty…
Mic drop! My daughter delved into the statistics a bit (admittedly only one respondent from 941 referred to me as funny) but she couldn’t think of a comeback and ALMOST looked, for a fleeting moment, like she might not be desperately embarrassed by me.
We’re working through the other 940 responses and will publish a summary as soon as we have finished. I did want to thank, though, the 550 respondents who took time out of their busy days to recognise a member of staff for their contribution. More than ever before, respondents thanked range of staff from teachers to caretaker and from cleaners to kitchen staff. At a time when too many people are leaving the education sector, these comments will go some way to reassuring our team members that their efforts to try and look after our children are noticed and appreciated.
A 5am start on Tuesday to take advice from the senior team who report on travel conditions where they live (including someone who lives locally to Highfields) which helps me assess our chances of opening. By 6am we like to have made a decision to give staff and families as much notice as possible. I also belong to several WhatsApp groups for local headteachers and everyone is up and about at a similar time sharing their various decisions.
Another early start on Wednesday to be on site at 6.30am in order to assess the site and help dig out and grit out the paths and carparks. As usual a handful of loyal Highfields types went over and above and by the time the sun came up (image R sent to me by Alex C in Y11) and students and staff arrived, the site was as safe as it could be given icy conditions.
We spent a small fortune on a snow plough on Tuesday night (he took the image above L on completing his clearance). If any of you has access to snow clearing equipment we would love to hear from you.
I thought we were over the worst of it on Friday morning but the commute in (image below L) made it clear that travel into site was going to be hazardous and I arrived at site at 6.15am to find that the approach roads and carparks had a fresh covering of snow over ice (Lumsdale image R). I hate closing school sites but the thought of a child or staff member being involved in an accident because of my pig-headedness usually brings me to my senses.
Have a marvellous weekend and remember…WE are Highfields.
Monday 25th November
Y13 Mock Exams (All week)
Y11 Mock Exams (All week)
Thursday 26th November
School Art Fair 5pm- 7:30pm
Wednesday 27th November
London Theatre Trip
Voice of Sport Meeting
Friday 29th November
Matlock Music
Sports Leaders - Darley Dale Care home
Year 12 Geology fieldtrip
“Most likely to be England Captain”
Tom Savage was a pupil at Highfields until 2015 and carried out a sports apprenticeship with the school.
In the Year Book of 2015, in the section ‘most likely to be….’ Tom’s photo is there with the caption ‘most likely to be England Captain!’ It came true!
Tom Savage has successfully trialled for the England 6 a side football team. He is honoured to have been chosen as the captain. The team travel to Oman on November 27th to participate in the World Cup.
Wishing Tom and the England team all the luck!!
Our Year 12 geology students enjoyed their first A level fieldwork trip. The year 12’s visited Tideswell to investigate the igneous rocks exposed amongst the Carboniferous limestones of the Peak District.
Sports Leaders
Friday 15th November
Year 12 Level 3 Sports leaders led sessions of Football, Netball and Multi Sports to 75 pupils from St Joseph’s on Friday.
The pupils had a fantastic experience despite the cold weather and our Year 12 leaders can be very proud of their leading. Well done. As usual the St Joseph’s staff were very complimentary about our leaders, plus it was great to see Mr Hill who used to be a Sports Apprentice at Highfields.
Key dates & Calendar
Term 2: 4 November 2024 to 20 December 2024 (Holiday 23 December – 3 January 2024)
Term 3: 6 January 2025 – 14 February 2025 (Holiday 17 February – 21 February)
Term 4: 24 February 2025 to 4 April 2025 (Holiday 7 April – 21 April)
Term 5: 22 April 2025 to 23 May 2025 (Holiday 26 May – 30 May)
Term
London Theatre Trip
School Xmas Dinner
Flu Immunisations
Christmas Concert
Certificate Evening 6th Form A level
Evening of Theatre
Spain Trip
Easter Concert & Juliet Trip
Y11 Prom
School Musical
Berlin Trip
