Message from the headteacher

On Wednesday morning me and a Y7 student enjoyed the early morning spring sun and had a good chat about living between two homes. My own children live in this way, so I was only too keen to moan about the challenges of making sure that uniform and books are always in the right place. The Y7 student said she sometimes found the to-ing and fro-ing a bit difficult, but it was worth it to see both parents every week. I’m hoping that this is what my children might tell their teachers in a casual chat. It remains for me a great privilege to be so trusted by students that they’ll chat to me about whatever it is that’s on their mind from time to time.

I missed out on the Highfields bake off AGAIN. This is looking more and more like a conspiracy to avoid me eating more than my fair share of the entries for this increasingly competitive event. I have tried involving the police but apparently, they have better things to do than launch an investigation into how and why I keep missing out on cake. If it happens one more time I am writing to the secretary of state for education. Or cake. To be confirmed.

I cannot tell you how good it is to see sixth formers bustling about on Starkholmes site amongst its Y7 and 8 habitués. On Wednesday they were in again, this time to support Y8 form groups to complete blue and yellow flags of support for Ukraine which pre-empted a fund raiser today, Friday.

In lessons this week I was in art where students were adding final touches to their GCSE assessment pieces. The dog is by Alfie C and the man on sheet music is Libby W’s portrait of her uncle (in the style of artist Mark Powell).

In answer to a query from a reader who asked after my cat I am sad to report that since losing his brother, he has become increasingly needy and demanding. Most evenings he insists on tuna which is costing me a small fortune and his most recent nightly performance involves him sitting at my feet and meowing at the top of voice until I lift him up and cuddle him. In all honesty our relationship is strained at best at the moment and I think sometimes we are just going through the motions.

I always try and bring out the positive elements of school life in these newsletter bits, but I have to tell you that school staff all over the country have reported that high levels of staff absence and cover have made this one of the most difficult terms in living memory. I’m hoping that things will improve next term but in the meantime I do hope that all staff, students, parents and carers get some well-earned rest over Easter.

We are Highfields.

A Marsh Headteacher