Issue 27

Highfields School Newsletter

2022-23

Issue 27: 12 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

I tried to go to bed early on Tuesday night, so after sending my last email at 9pm I was in bed at 11 and asleep by 11.30pm. I received a work text 30 minutes later at midnight (school trip safely returned). Eventually went back to sleep to be woken at 2am by Riber Security informing me that the fire alarm was sounding at upper site. Tried to go back to sleep but only dozed because I was worried about the alarm (silenced but not reset) and had feverish dreams about arriving at work to find a vicious monkey in my office. When I actually did arrive at work just before 7am I reset the alarm, checked my office for monkeys and then headed to lower site where I got absolutely drenched on lunch duty. All of this might have left me grumpy were it not for the fact that I saw a BRILLIANT drama lesson (see bottom). I used to be a bit ambivalent with regards to school uniform. Over the last 12 months, however, I have changed my mind and now I would not choose to work in a school with no uniform. There are three main reasons for this:

1. Uniform reduces stress for students and families. I never really felt this until I saw my teenage daughter rifling through drawers the night before non-uniform days at her school, trying to find garments which might be favourably reviewed by her peers. Information overload can often lead to "decision fatigue." Some famous figures have chosen to wear similar clothes each day to reduce the decisions they have to make. Steve Jobs, for example, famously favoured a black turtleneck, jeans and trainers. I feel that reducing the choices young people have to make each morning reduces cognitive load both for them and for the parents/ carers who have to fund, and then decide on, the appropriacy of their self-chosen outfits.

2. Uniform is (relatively) affordable. I’m comparing here the purchase of a year’s worth of uniform and school shoes compared to a year’s worth of casual clothes and trainers. Although the blazer and sports stuff are an expense (many non-uniform schools still have sports uniform BTW), the shirts and trousers are often available pretty cheaply depending on the tastes of the child/ family. It’s the trainers that can often ramp up costs in nonuniform schools with cheaper brands apparently unwearable because of their lack of street appeal…

3. Most importantly, uniform democratises. A headteacher who runs a school whose students come from 50% privately educated households and 50% disadvantaged households recently suggested that school uniform ‘levels the playing field’ making it impossible to tell, at a glance, the socioeconomic background of his students. This most comes into play especially when new families need our help and we can quickly provide clothing without worrying about what might suit their personal preferences or what might gain approval with their peers. We are an inclusive school where all children need to feel they can focus on their learning, irrespective of the wealth or social background of their families. School uniform is a key physical embodiment of inclusion. Once uniform is embedded we aim to forget about it and concentrate on the core business here - learning about the world around us.

Given that our parents chose a uniform school over a local non-uniform school I know I am probably preaching to the converted but I just wanted to share how, as my own kids have progressed through secondary school, I’ve become more of an advocate than previously I was.

In lessons this week I have mostly been, as indicated above, in drama (deep dive week). I LOVE the way they use drama as a starting point to explore the world around them - the lesson I saw today was all about the impact of human waste on the oceans. Brilliant.

Have a marvellous weekend- son’s 17th birthday- so now he wants to DRIVE? How did thathappen…?

Andrew Marsh, Headteacher

School sport and sports leaders news

Mrs Allen, School Sports Co-ordinator

Friday 5th May St Joseph’s came to take part in Summer sports being led by our level 2 Year 11 Sports leaders . This was the Year 11 final practical assessment. They just need to complete the Booklet now for course completion.

Wednesday 10th May … Jayne Allen attended the second National forum for Sports leaders UK. This forum shapes future course content and data collection.

Thursday 11th May The Year 9 Dance leaders attended Darley Hall Care home week 2 for the Youth Sport Trust Move and Groove project.

Friday 12th May Year 10 Level 1 Assessment took place today with Castle View in attendance More on this in the next newsletter

Coming Up … Tuesday 16th May will see the Play Your Way to Wimbledon Tennis tournament take place for the Year 7/8 Girls and Boys who have signed up.

Wednesday 17th May GB Tennis player Jade Windley will be in school for the morning to train 12 Year 7/8 students in the Youth Sport Trust project Beyond the Baseline .

The re arranged Kwik Cricket umpires’ course will be Tuesday 16th May 12pm-3.20pm at Lumsdale

The Sportsleaders awards evening will be re arranged. Thank you for your patience.

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 15 May 2023: Week B

Monday: Y9 assembly

Tuesday: Y11 assembly

Wednesday: Y10 assembly

Thursday: Y8 and sixth form assembly

Friday:All Week

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/