Issue 30

Highfields School Newsletter

2022-23

Issue30: 9June2023

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 don’t like having to make snap judgements but one was required a few weeks ago and this resulted in us changing communication apps at short notice. HUGE thanks to staff including Tina Green, Tom Cauldwell Matt Hodkin, Laura Leverton, year managers and reception teams for making this happen. But thanks most of all to the 992 families who have accessed the app. When school and families work together ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!

You must be SO BORED of my banging on about building and renovation work. The reason it makes me so happy is that Highfields School is desperate for love and attention after being starved of sustained investment in the last couple of decades. Featured left is a refurbished staircase (people slipped on this about every 15 seconds on cold days as it is open to the elements). Now it is non-slip and looks totally awesome into the bargain!

Meanwhile on lower site, in response to parental feedback asking for more shelter from rain/ sun we have these structures (right) being erected. This we owe to Matlock mayor emeritus Paul Cruise and his mayoress Liz (she’s a member of our staff team) who convinced Jackson Engineering and the Environment Agency to invest in Starkholmes students.

As if that wasn’t enough we have a site team which, over half term, went completely berserk trying to make Highfields a gorgeous place to work and learn. The accomplishments included…

 Year 11 toilet floor was scrubbed over and has been overlaid with metallised polish to increase its hard wearing.

 Staff toilet floors by library stairs ditto.

 KC & AS undertook any outstanding chipping around the grounds.

 Lumsdale field has been re-line marked in preparation for athletics and rounders.

 Lumsdale all colonnade doors have been cleaned down and some general window cleaning has taken place.

 The ramp by sixth form has been fully jet washed down to remove moss growth.

 All toilet seats across the site requiring maintenance have been replaced.

 Made a start in sanding down and treating the external gym fire doors.

 Undertook pitch maintenance

 Starkholmes – lighting issues in 1A office & instrument store by reception resolved.

 Starkholmes – Plumbing issues in year 8 boys toilets resolved.

 Lumsdale – studs were installed on balustrades to prevent injury.

 Lumsdale – some work was done in auditing the emergency lighting system.

 Lumsdale – Dalton roofing very kindly attended to replace the slipped tile above H block. This had been quoted previously at £400.

Thanks to the site team for their hard work and care on behalf of all students, staff and families. Obviously, our core business at Highfields is LEARNING but, as we found out a couple of years ago, when the boiler blew up, the learning stops: it’s crucial that we provide a warm, comfortable and safe place to learn. Anyway I’ve run out of time and space to write about everything else…including Evie Rose’s incredible smoked paprika wedges and chicken goujons…OK just a quick picture then… Have a great weekend. We are (rebuilding) Highfields.

A Marsh

NewCommunicationsApp

Thanks to those who have already downloaded the new My Ed app by Iris. If you have not signed up please use the QR codes below to download the app and register. It takes 24 hours to sync to your children.

MyED (Apple Devices)

MyED (Android Device)

Please find the QR codes above to find and install our new Parent Comms Application (The application is called MyEd)

Pleaseseeour updatedwebsiteforthefollowinginformation:

 School Uniform

 Contact details

 Governor information

 School Calendar and term dates

 Extra-Curricular Clubs/Activities

 Exam Timetables

Schoolsportandsportsleadersnews

Mrs Allen, School Sports Co-ordinator

Monday 5th June… Helen Hawes from England Rounders was in school to train our leaders in the art of Rounders umpiring and scoring.

Tuesday 6th June… The Primary schools OAA day took place at Starkholmes . The Year 7 Sports leaders were brilliant supporting Acclimbatize OAA group. The pupils from South Darley and St Joesphs had a fantastic time on the climbing wall and trying archery and team building activities.

Wednesday 7th June… The first session of the Summer term Primary evenings took place. Pupils from South Darley came to play Tennis. Year 8 leaders Luca H and Luke C did an amazing job .

Thursday 8th June… Max Marshall took the Year 9 Move and Groove leaders to Darley Hall care home for the final session this academic year.

The Sportsleadersawardseveningwillbere arranged.Thankyoufor yourpatience.

StudentBulletin

WeekcommencingMonday12June2023: WeekA Y7 end of year assessments week

Monday: Y9 assembly

Tuesday: Y11 assembly

Wednesday: Y10 assembly

Thursday: Y8 and sixth form assembly

Friday:-

ComingUp:Y8 Carsington trips w/c 19 June

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

UpcomingEvents

Y12 mock exams

Monday 5 June – Friday 16 June 2023, Sports Hall

Y7 end of year internal exams

Monday 12 June – Friday 16 June 2023

Y9 internal exams

Monday 26 June – Thursday 29 June 2023

New Y12 induc on sessions

Monday 26 June – Thursday 29 June 2023

Y13 Prom

Thursday 29 June 2023, 7pm

Y10 work experience

Monday 3 July – Friday 7 July 2023

Y6 visit Starkholmes

Wednesday 5 July 2023, Starkholmes

Y7 sponsored walk

Wednesday 5 July 2023

Y8 visit Lumsdale

Wednesday 5 July 2023, Lumsdale

Y9 enterprise day

Wednesday 5 July 2023, Lumsdale

Y6 parents’ evening

Wednesday 5 July 2023, 6pm Bowler Hall, Starkholmes

Whole school sports day

Friday 7 July 2023

School Musical (7.30-10pm)

Wednesday 12 July-Saturday 15 July 2023, Wheeldon Hall, Lumsdale

Careers,College&ApprenticeshipNews

Careers Information

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.

 Freeaccessto inspiring podcasts,broadcastsandshortfilms byheadsofindustryandhigh-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

Apprenticeshipopportunities

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/