Message from the Headteacher
My last newsletter was FULL OF TYPOS! I have a deep loathing for literacy errors so please accept my apologies and be advised that I will try much harder in the future.
As you may know if you read these newsletters, I have mixed feelings about educational visits abroad. My overall feeling is that they offer an opportunity for some parents/ carers who could not afford to take their whole family on a trip such as those we offer, but can just about afford to send one child. They do, however, generate a lot of workload and, very importantly, keep me awake at night worrying about my precious students. This week we had a bunch of adventurers go off to Iceland (the country, not the frozen food shop). They had an absolutely brilliant time, thanks to the tireless work of the team who planned, risk assessed and led the trip. I insist on fairly regular updates when students are abroad and this one initially caused me to cough up my coffee until further messages assured me that the students were perfectly safe.
One of the main aims of our school system is to give students the skills and knowledge they need to go out into the world and make a positive difference. From Y7 onwards we try to link the classroom work we do with this ultimate intention so that, quite often, a teacher will outline the occupations where the skills/ knowledge we are delivering might be used. On Wednesday we had the latest in a series of careers events when around 40 employers set up stands and we invited students to make links with them in our
It’s relatively early in the year but this year 11 look like a VINTAGE crop. They are beginning to show some real character in the build up for their GCSEs. This is evidenced through talking to their teachers, who currently have only positive things to say about them. It’s also interesting that very signficant numbers of them are showing up already at early evening Study Skills (see pic). Some students revise perfectly well at home, but for some Study Skills is a place we here they can get revision tips from staff or each other and hopefully get into some excellent habits.
You may know that I am slightly too competitive for my own health and so I would like you to take a moment to catch up on our sports news elsewhere in this newsletter. I went up to watch Y8 play Swanwick on Wednesday which seems to be one of the few contests we lost this week (very strong opposition, though).
Also a mention for the Halloween madness unleashed by sixth form on Thursday night (image L)which I got pulled into on my way to the vocal recital later that evening (image R). Both events were spirited in different ways and I wouldn’t want to single out on single student but when the vocal ensemble assembled to sing Sondheim’s OurTimeas the finale of the recital my heart almost broke free of its moorings so fast was it beating. Annette (singing teacher) and Mr Rowley (head of music): please try to avoid exposing me to such emotions at the end of a 14 hour day. Astonishing.
Have a marvellous half-term and thank you for ALL of your support for our work here. We are Highfields.
A Marsh, Headteacher
Careers Fair (see pic).
More moving poetry
Mrs Cooper received this entry to the Beautiful Truth poetry competition fromm one of our Ukrainian students and we just had to share it.
Reflection
As I awoke to my mother’s softly spoken words, I glanced towards the window only to discover My country’s wings now bombed and burnt And set ablaze by hell-cast fire. And so i Packed my things and ran and left my things And ran while a hellish storm was surging Towards my country’s capital.
And standing by the empty mirror, i could only sigh, as all my dreams and hopes Were shattered by somebody else’s Wicked mind.
And still i ran… Through hills and steppes, Moldova’s boundless plains, While the fields that cherished me were Being withered away.
And to the desert i’ve arrived, Far away i’ve ran, only to be Met by the silent empty mirror On the shattered wall.
And then a hummingbird lent me its wings, And so i flew to a distant land of dawn, A place where sunrise shone, But it was all devoured by the empty mirror Hanging on the wall.
But now i labor, and the shards of glass Are slowly gathered back and carved, Fit into the carefully crafted frame, Which now I hang with My own hands On My room’s sun-lit face.
Looking in My crafted mirror, I can clearly see, the brightly lit Reflection of the scarred and charred, Hopeful, wishful, Me.
Monday 4th November
• School Reopens
• Y9 Woodland Fieldwork- Lumsdale
Tuesday 5th November
• Y9 Woodland Fieldwork- Lumsdale
• Small School soccer finals
Wednesday 6th November
• Y9 Woodland Fieldwork- Lumsdale
• Large school/Girls soccer finals
• Thursday 7th November
• Y9 Woodland Fieldwork- Lumsdale
Friday 8th November
• Y9 Woodland Fieldwork- Lumsdale
• Matlock Music
Term Time Absence
In September 2013 the government introduced new regulations making it clear that Headteachers must not give approval for any leave of absence during term time, including holidays, unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Any requests for term time leave should be made on a Leave of Absence Form available from the school website and handed in 2 school weeks before the first date of the requested absence whenever possible. You must have received written authorisation before your child can be absent from school.
Parent/carers may be issued with a penalty notice fine or prosecution should leave of 5 days or more be taken which is not authorised by the Headteacher, or where repeated incidents of leave in term time for less than 5 days occur or where the unauthorised absence contributes to wider poor attendance that meets the legal threshold. Absence deemed for the reason of unauthorised leave in term time will be marked in the register with the Attendance code G.
You may be issued with a Penalty Notice should leave be taken which is not authorised. If unpaid this could lead to prosecution under section 444(1) of The Education Act 1996.
Careers Fair 2024
We held our annual careers fair this week on Wednesday 23rd October in which over 25 different employers (some local and some national) and further education providers (colleges, apprenticeships, universities etc) attended to speak to our students about the huge variety of pathways available to them at post 16 / 18 and beyond!
Our Y10s, Y11s and Y12s were all invited to attend an afternoon session during periods 5 and 6, in which they were encouraged to hold meaningful conversations with the exhibitors about their industry/company/college etc. These conversations were then logged by the students on a worksheet they were tasked with filling in, which they will be completing a reflection task on after half term to support with any next steps/follow ups.
The evening session was then opened up to all year groups, and it was brilliant to see so many students and parents attending the optional session to explore the wide variety of options out there in more detail.
Overall a really positive afternoon/evening, and were looking forward to the next careers event in the school calendar.
Mr J. Searson Careers Lead
Sports Leaders
VOICE OF SPORT 2024/25
The first meeting was held this week for every year group representative to attend. The group this year are
Y7 Ruby and Albert
Y8 Ruby and Ted
YR Thea and Reuben
Y10 Poppy and Brandon
Y11 Charlotte and Alexander
Y12 Esther
Y13 Callum
The group discussed curriculum lessons, extra curricular sessions, facilities and equipment, Youth Sport Trust projects 2024/25 and interform events.
The next meeting takes place in November.
Jayne Allen
Netballers- Ruling the court
On Wednesday, October 23rd the Y8 and Y9 girls ventured to QEGS, where both teams displayed impressive skills and showcased some outstanding netball. They embodied the true spirit of Highfields through their respect and sportsmanship.
The Year 9 team had an incredible match, triumphing with a score of 16-1. Their performance was marked by excellent teamwork, and Madeline was awarded player of the match. The girls should be immensely proud of their remarkable display.
Year 8 faced a challenging game but demonstrated great determination. They maintained a positive attitude and played some commendable netball, revealing significant potential as they move into future training sessions and the remainder of their season. A special mention to Taisy-Bow for earning the player of the match title. Great job, from all that attended.
Miss A Geraghty
Football Fever
Tuesday evening our Year 9 Girls played Anthony Gell in our local Schools game. Highfields started off slowly, giving them some opportunities, one of which they converted within 10 minutes. After that, we became more alert and played some good passing football, culminating in an equaliser. Highfields grew in confidence and were able to use the ball well and create many opportunities. The pick of the goals was a 30yard free kick which hit the top corner from Tillie. We ran out 5 - 1 Victors in the end.
Well done to all involved, it was a great display.
Wednesday, our Year 10 Boys Football team travelled to Queen Elizabeth Grammar School alongside the Year 8 and 9 Netball teams. The pitch was bobbly to say the least, which took us 10 minutes to get used to, in that time we conceded an unfortunate goal. This kicked the team into gear, from then we started to play some brilliant passing football as well as through balls that our stikers could get on the end of. We quickly equalised with a well worked goal, then immediately after, we took a 2-1 lead with a scrappy goal (but they all count).
In the second half we took complete control scoring 3 more goals to clinch a 5 -1 victory against a very good side. Some excellent performances and a very good team ethic. Josh T was inspiring on the side line giving up his time to help manage the team and offer support. The player of the game was Will D, for his 2 goals and getting clattered by the goalkeeper to get us a penalty.
Well done everyone. We Are Highfields!
Mr C Shirtcliffe
Lumsdale Extra Curricular Clubs
