Issue 25

Highfields School Newsletter

2022-23

Issue 25: 28 April 2023

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

I very nearly became popular on Tuesday lunchtime but my moment of glory was stolen by a very long metal pole. A football got stuck in a tree and I called on the radio for something to reach it with. Mr Nicholls responded immediately and attended with a very long metal pole. As the tallest person available, I tried to knock the ball from the tree. At first, I was inches short but I improvised and shoved a stick into the end of the metal pole. With this addition, on tiptoes, I managed to poke the ball out of the branches. By this time a large crowd of students had gathered. I envisaged, given their feverish applause when the ball tumbled back to earth, that they might carry me aloft around the school in celebration of my death-defying feat (the pole really was VERY long and could have easily have fallen back onto me, wounding me, perhaps even fatally). In fact, the only feedback received came from a student who said, ‘thank goodness for that very long pole, sir’. Then other students joined in, voicing their support for the very long pole and even suggesting that it should be appointed as the new headteacher. Initially, Mr Nicholls and I were disappointed by the misallocation of praise in this matter but then we took pictures of each other with the very long pole, just in case it became a celebrity on TikTok or something. Then everyone drifted off.

By the way, this is an opportunity for me to thank all staff who perform break and lunchtime duties especially the senior team and year teams. Senior team understand that, if they are on site, they are on duty. They meet students off the bus and aim to be ubiquitous during break and lunchtime only getting back to their desks after the last student is back on the bus and on the way home. You may think this is the case in all secondary schools but it isn’t. And year team members very frequently appear at lunchtime to check in on their students as they enjoy their social time.

In lessons this week we were in the early stages of construction in DT. One student showed me the preparatory work on the left whilst another student showed me a WAGOLL. A WAGOLL, for any nonteachers reading, is What A Good One Looks Like. We use them to model learning for all students from Y7 finished physical products like this one to brilliant completed essays by former students in A level studies.

Oh, and I bumped into Mrs Robinson (insert Dustin Hoffman impersonation here) who told me about her latest library initiative to get resistant readers to pick up a book. This competition is based around premiership football (hence display board) and football-based literature and is a 5 aside tournament with football theme prizes for winning team. This is one of tens of literacy strands we run throughout the school every year. we love our reading.

I must now finish writing as the very long rod has been invited out for drinks with the Mayor and I am going as the plus one. Have a wonderful weekend.

We are Highfields

A Marsh, Headteacher School sport and sports leaders news

Mrs Allen, School Sports Co-ordinator

Year 12 Ellie B Gymnastics success

“The British Championships was a great experience and even managed to secure a space in the vault final where I came 4th in the whole of Great Britain.”

After Ellie's recent performances at the English and British championships, she has been selected for England Squad for 2023-the beginning of 2024.

Tuesday 25th April Primary Schools Key Stage 2 Orienteering cluster event was held on the Starkholmes site led by Derwent Valley Orienteers and supported by our Highfields Sports Leaders from Key Stage 3 Schools taking part were Lea (2 teams), South Darley, Winster and Darley Dale.

The result was as follows

Wednesday 26th April All Saints Young Ambassador assembly was led by YR 7 students Thea and Reuben. The students were excited to visit their old Primary school. Mr Green commented how well they had presented the assembly.

Youth Sport Trust (@YouthSportTrust) tweeted at 11:53 am on Sat, Apr 22, 2023: Last year the Youth Sport Trust trained over 86,000 volunteers to be young leaders.

We’re calling on all our young leaders to join #TheBigHelpOut on Monday 8 May. Visit

General School Information

Please see our updated website for the following information:

 School Uniform

 Contact details

 Governor information

 School Calendar and term dates

 Extra-Curricular Clubs/Activities

 Exam Timetables

Week commencing Monday 24 April 2023: Week A

Monday: Bank Holiday

Tuesday: Y11 assembly

NEU Action - Y10, 11, 12 and 13 only in school

Wednesday: Y10 assembly

Thursday: Y8 and sixth form assembly Polling Station at Lumsdale – Limited catering

Friday:DofE expedition departs

Y10 mocks all week https://www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Y10Mocks-2023-Student-Timetable.pdf

Coming Up

Scholastic Book Fair week commencing 8 May. Sports Leaders Awards Evening 11 May

See the list of extra-curricular activities taking place at lunch time and after school each day on both school sites on our website.

Wards Shoes in Bakewell have launched a new website to make it easier to purchase approved footwear for home delivery. www.wardsshoes.com

Careers, College & Apprenticeship News

Careers Information

Careers inspiration and advice from BBC Bitesize

Explore BBC Bitesize’s brand new collection of free, online careers resources offering a wealth of inspiration and advice for students.

This new resources offer a rich collection of case studies across a wide range of sectors, linking curriculum subjects and the world of work:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/careers

Unifrog Careers programme

The careers programme ‘Unifrog’ offers students careers advice, support and guidance and students. Students in years 10 and 11 will be given log on details during the year to access Unifrog. www.unifrog.org

My Future app and website

My Future is a virtual gateway to support students with their next steps.

• Meet local employers and explore apprenticeship opportunities

• Work with training providers to learn about and access courses that are available

• Virtually visit post 16 institutions including colleges and universities

• Learn about the employment opportunities in your town

To access My Future click on the link below:

https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/about-chesterfield/learning/myfuture/

Speakers for Schools - Youth Card for students

Speakers for Schools has a free mobile app that provides a one-stop shop for 11-25-year-olds for self-led discovery of educational, career and personal development opportunities in a safe environment. Youth Card is uniquely placed to help students by offering:

 Free access to UK-wide work experience placements and workshops with leading employers, including: Spotify, Bentley Motors, bp, Google, NHS, Virgin Atlantic, The Financial Times, Santander and the BBC.

 Free access to UK-wide financial and enterprise programmes.

 Free access to a UK-wide network of 7,000 youth organisations.

 Free access to inspiring podcasts, broadcasts and short films by heads of industry and highprofile speakers

 Free access to a wide range of youth-friendly discounted services in the UK and Europe.

To find out more about Youth Card, visit www.youthcard.org

Apprenticeship opportunities

Step-by-step guide to applying for an apprenticeship

The Step-by-step Guide to Applying for an Apprenticeship is a new resource available through the link below:

https://amazingapprenticeships.com/naw2023/?

utm_source=mailing&utm_medium=naw+pg&utm_campaign=naw2023

Finding an apprenticeship

Full details of apprenticeships available can be accessed through the government website on the following link - https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

Higher & Degree Listing - Amazing Apprenticeships

Recent vacancy listings can be found through the link to Amazing Apprenticeships below: https://amazingapprenticeships.com/higher-degree-listing/