Message from the headteacher
Some parental feedback about last Friday’s Y11 prom: “Dropped son off for the prom tonight and the buzz, warmth and sense of occasion was palpable. That's quite striking to see in teenagers! Wanted to thank you all for the organisation and making it feel special (as it should) -as a rite of passage. Considering the size of the school, it does feel as though lots of energy has been put into making this year as significant as we know it is. Could you pass on my thanks to all?” Year 11 team duly thanked and image shows highlight of a lovely evening with a fireworks display and brownies. Thanks to all the staff who worked a particularly long day to support their wonderful students. My role is to surround our students with such inspirational adults, referred to above, who nurture and develop them. This is becoming more difficult as my headteacher colleagues and I find it harder and harder to fill vacancies. Last year it was reported that a record 40,000 working age teachers left the profession. This issue, combined with a problem where 13% of newly trained teachers quit after one year, threatens to leave students without suitably specialised, permanent, high quality staff.
Research and surveys demonstrate that many teachers are leaving the profession because of excessive workload and at Highfields we are trying to address any of these issues which can be approached at a school level. The same research suggests that the level of trust in teachers from the public and government was another key motivation for those considering leaving. You help with this every time that you trust and support a member of staff making a decision in good faith regarding your child. It is time consuming and morale sapping for staff to be forced into justifying a relatively minor decision or to stand up to pressure to reverse it as occasionally happens following a behavioural incident.
Anyway, amidst this crisis in education and the industrial unrest in response to it, we continue to try and make the very best of things. In lessons this week I saw some excellent food work where students were practising their presentational skills; I have never seen eggs presented in so many ways.
Apart from that there were two further highlights this week. A lad picked up someone else’s litter completely independently and without being aware he was being watched by a staff member. And, as if it couldn’t get any better than that, after four years of my moaning, the curtains in the Lumsdale meeting room have been taken down and replaced with blinds. I have asked to keep these curtains just in case I am ever required to go a to a fancy-dress party dressed as my mum in the 1980s- the fabric would come in handy. I would also need a fairly significant wig. Come to think of it if you are planning to invite me to one of those come-as-your-mum-dressed-as-she-would-have-been-in-the1980s parties please give me plenty of notice.
Have a marvellous weekend!
A Marsh, headteacher
Highfields School Issue 32: 23 June 2023 Newsletter Bethebestyoucan - 2 -
New Communications App
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. New students will sync when they start at Highfields.
MyED (Apple Devices)
MyED (Android Device)
Please find the QR codes above to find and install our new Parent Comms Application.
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
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School sport and sports leaders news
Mrs Allen, School Sports Co-ordinator
Friday 23 June The Key Stage 3 Girls Cricket Day 2023 took place. The event was led by coach Harry Rudkin of Darley Dale CC. The girls taking part went through batting, bowling and fielding practices before a game took place in the afternoon. The new artificial surface that school had purchased with funding from Active Partnerships was used for the event
Monday 26 June… Year 10 Level 1 Theory booklet completion session. Miss Judson led the leaders through their final part of the qualification.
Tuesday 27 June Eleanor H, our Year 12 winner of the Sports Leaders UK National title Learner of the Year had a zoom call with Sports Leaders’ Andy Gardner and myself discussing the impact the qualifications have on learners.
Tuesday 27 June… The Primary schools Mini Tennis tournament took place at Highfields (Lumsdale). Schools taking part were Darley Dale, Lea and South Darley. They brought teams from Year 3, 4, 5 and 6. The Highfields Tennis leaders did a fantastic job of scoring and umpiring. The tournament was won by Lea with Darley Dale coming is as runner up and South Darley in 3rd place.
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Newsletter
Wednesday 28 June… Jayne Allen spent the day on Youth Sports Trust Connect webinars for Health and Well Being and Leadership, Coaching and Volunteering and the National update for PE and School Sport.
Wednesday 28th June Primary Evening week 4 took place for South Darley The YR 8 leaders led a session on Handball in the Sports hall.
Thursday 29 June… Jayne Allen joined the round up webinar for the Your Time girls project 2023
Student Bulletin
Week commencing Monday 3 July 2023: Week B Y9 end of year exams week
Monday: Y9 assembly
Tuesday: Y11 assembly
Wednesday: NEU Industrial Action – Y8 at Lumsdale, September intake at Starkholmes for transition days
Thursday: Y8 and sixth form assembly
Friday:NEU Industrial Action – Y7 and Y9 at Lumsdale for mini sports day
Coming Up:Musical production 12 – 15 July
School Closes 2pm 21 July
See the list of extra-curricular activities taking place at lunch time and after school each day on both school sites on our website.
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For details go to Enter our World Cup drawing competition - Derbyshire FA
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Upcoming Events
Y10 work experience
Monday 3 July – Friday 7 July 2023
Y6 visit Starkholmes
Wednesday 5 July 2023, Starkholmes
Y8 visit Lumsdale
Wednesday 5 July 2023, Lumsdale
Y6 parents’ evening
Wednesday 5 July 2023, 6pm Bowler Hall, Starkholmes
School Musical (7.30-10pm)
Wednesday 12 July-Saturday 15 July 2023, Wheeldon Hall, Lumsdale
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Careers, College & Apprenticeship News
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/
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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/
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