Issue 26

Highfields School Newsletter

2022-23

Issue 26: 5 May 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

Every week I do the same thing which is write a long paragraph about something which is providing a real challenge for us in education. Then, invariably, I delete it. Partly because I’m a Stoic and there’s nothing that can be done (by you or me) about the issues I’m raising and partly because it comes across as moaning and I HATE moaning, especially when I’m doing it. When my daughter asks me why I never complain about my job I always point out that complaining takes energy and I don’t have any going spare. HOWEVER, please be advised that running a school has its challenges at the moment and we appreciate your support.

Sometimes, in the midst of Ofsted and contracts and performance tables and targets and curriculum authorities and child protection law you can forget what a school is. School is a place where students come to learn how the world works. When they reach Y11 they do examinations and the certificates awarded help them to go off and learn about the world on an even deeper level, either as part of a sixth form, college or apprenticeship. If they’re really lucky they get to embark on a dream career. So, in a way we are here to make dreams come true. This is what I said to Y10 as they queued for their first serious mock GCSE exams this week. We wish them the very best of luck. My dream was always to be in the band MusicalYouthwhich didn’t work out for all sorts of reasons.

You probably get fed up of me getting over excited about our latest bit of renovation or rejuvenation. In my defence, however, it has been a very long time since Highfields had a sustained programme of improvement and so it just seems so brilliant when another project is signed off. This is one of our courts at lower site which has just been renovated and now has a jazzy colour coating. I’m assuming they ran out of white paint. Either that or they have marked up for a new form of tennis that has no baseline.

I normally talk about what I have seen in lessons but this week I just wanted to share this image taken from my office on Wednesday morning. I don’t know if you can quite make out a pastoral manager having a chat with a student who, I understand, was not having the best of days. I hope I manage to convey to you through this newsletter the sheer amount of energy, care and belief that staff invest in our students. While the pastoral manager was having this chat, I could hear constant backwards and forwards messages on our walkie talkies. Just for this period of time, however, I noticed that she ignored all distractions and listened carefully to the outpourings of her student. I am not saying we always get it right but we DEFINITELY do try.

After last week’s newsletter a number of you have thought it funny to ask after the very long pole with one particularly hilarious person requesting a signed photograph. I notice that my most responded to newsletters are those where I experience some form of humiliation, such as the time I fell into a bin, or where I am brought down to size by some form of inanimate object. As long as you are amused…

Enjoy your weekend.

A Marsh, Headteacher

School sport and sports leaders news

Mrs Allen, School Sports Co-ordinator

Thursday 4th May - British Golf development officer Alice Lowe was in school to train our Sports leaders on the activities included in the Golfway festival that they will be running for our Cluster Primary schools.

Thursday 4th May Year 9 Dance leaders went to Darley Hall Care home to support the residents in music and movement on the 2023 Move and Groove Project.

Friday 5th May Year 11 Level 2 Sports Leaders final assessment IV took place today with the help of pupils from St Joseph’s.

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

Student Bulletin

Week commencing Monday 24 April 2023: Week A

Monday: Bank Holiday

Tuesday: Y11 assembly Y10/11 Theatre Trip

Wednesday: Y10 assembly

Thursday: Y8 and sixth form assembly Sports Leaders Awards evening

Friday:-

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

All Week

Scholastic Bookfair – Starkholmes

Y9 Geography fieldwork

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

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 selfled 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 high-profile 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/