Updates for Parents/Carers

Mobile Devices

Had Covid-19 not closed the school we were intending to extend our ‘no mobile phones’ policy from lower to upper site in term 6, a move which would have brought in line with most schools locally and nationally who have a similar approach. Governors ratified this decision in their February Full Governing Board meeting.

As it happens, Covid-19 itself has only strengthened our belief that school does not need to further extend the time that students spend looking at screens. During the school day we want our students to benefit from what school has to offer. We want students to socially interact face to face with their peers and get involved with any activities that the school has to offer whether that be kicking about a football, playing tag (on lower site!), playing board games, joining a club or catching up on work.

So from September students will not be allowed to use their mobile phone when on lower OR upper school site unless it is in line with our policy. Students will be briefed on the policy and you can find details in our FAQ document attached.

We recognise that many parents and carers wish their children to carry a mobile phone for their personal safety and for that reason we do not plan to ban them from our school sites. During the school day the expectation will be that mobile phones will be switched off and in their bag / locker. As in previous policies, the school accepts no responsibility for any phones brought onto site and students are reminded to look after high value items of property very carefully if they are brought into school.

Full details have been emailed to parents/carers today along with a FAQ information sheet. To answer any questions you may have. However, if after reading the FAQs you have further questions please email Mr Hodkin (mhodkin@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk)

We thank you for your continued support in ensuring that children feel happy and included at Highfields School.

Year 10 Work Experience Cancellation

As you know due to the unfortunate circumstances caused by the global Covid-19 pandemic Y10 work experience had to be cancelled.

Mrs Giles, the schools work experience coordinator, has been contacting as many employers as possible to ensure that they know that work experience is cancelled. However, we thought it would be a good idea if students could also get in touch with the employers who kindly offered a placement to explain that they will not be attending and to thank them for initially offering the place.

Message from Heads of Year 7

Thank you all for the incredible support you have shown us since the school closure began at the end of March. We have all had to adapt to a new way of distance learning, which would not have been a success without the time, effort and resilience shown by our students and parents/carers. The quality of work has been outstanding and I would like to urge you all to try and continue with this for the next few weeks as we approach the summer holidays.

Unbelievably, your child has now almost completed their first year at Highfields School. Despite the strange circumstances, we do hope that they have been happy and can look back on their time in year 7 with positive memories and proud achievements. We have very much enjoyed getting to know you all this year and feel that you have all done a wonderful job in terms of making a smooth transition to secondary school.

Over the summer you may well be buying new items of school clothing for your son/daughter - please ensure you check our new school uniform policy and acceptable school wear that has been issued and is available on the school website and remember to name all uniform.

We would also like to take this opportunity to remind you that it is important that students attend school, so please avoid taking family holidays during term time.

It has been an absolute pleasure to be your Head of Year at Highfields and we are confident that the next year will be just as successful. We would like to take this opportunity to introduce your child’s new Head of Year, Mr Redhead, and Year Manager, Mr Tidmarsh, from September who will lead them into year 8 and through until year 11. As part of a gradual process of transition, they will be starting to share videos and messages with you over the next few weeks. If you child is currently in contact with a key person during this time, this will not change and will continue to the end of this year.

Mrs Hollinrake and Mrs Redhead Heads of Year 7

Action Required HPV Vaccination sessions: Year 8 boys and girls and Year 9 girls only

As you are aware, due to the unprecedented times we find ourselves in, the Immunisation Team have had to review their service. The team are utilising different methods to ensure that they are able to deliver this vital service in a timely and safe manner for your child and their staff. With this in mind further drive through sessions have been arranged in the area.

Please note, the Immunisation Team are able to accommodate people on foot at ALL drive through clinics and they are adding clinics regularly - please check back on the booking system if you can’t find your preferred site.

Sessions available at: Walton Hospital, Chesterfield – Drive through Long Eaton – Drive through Ripley Leisure Centre – Drive through Rolls Royce, Derby – Drive through Heritage High School, Clowne – Drive through

Glossopdale School, Glossop – Drive through Ashbourne Speedway, Ashbourne – Drive through Babington Hospital, Belper – Drive through Ilkeston Hospital, Charnos Hall – Walk in only Newholme Hospital, Bakewell – Drive through Netherthorpe School, Staveley – Drive through Allestree Woodlands School – Drive through Da Vinci Academy, Derby – Drive through

Date:

June, July and August 2020

Time:

9.30am to 3.00pm

THESE ARE PRE-BOOKABLE APPOINTMENT SLOTS ONLY, PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT

How to book an appointment

Complete a consent form

HPV Vaccination drive through session - Year 8 boys and girls, and Year 9 girls only. The Immunisation Team already have consent forms for Year 9 girls; please only complete a consent form if you haven’t already done so for Year 8 girls and boys.

Please visit https://www.derbyshireandcityimms.co.uk/Forms/HPV to complete the consent form. The option to consent or decline the vaccination is at the end of the questionnaire so please complete even if you do not want your child to have the vaccination.

Your unique school code for Highfields School is DD112950

If you experience any problems please call the School Age Immunisation Team.

DCHST.immunisationteam@nhs.net Repton: 01283 707178 Clay Cross: 01246 252953

Please book an appointment with your child’s name and date of birth by following this

link: https://www.swiftqueue.co.uk/derbyshire.php Only book an appointment if your child

hasn’t completed their HPV 2 dose course.

If you experience any difficulties please call: Repton: 01283 707178 or Clay Cross: 01246 252953

Please do not attend if you, your child or anyone within your family home is displaying signs of being unwell.

General information about COVID 19

If your child develops symptoms of Covid-19 (raised temperature, new continuous cough, loss or change of taste/smell), you should contact 111. More information can be found at:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact the Immunisation Team on the contact telephone numbers above.

Or visit http://www.derbyshireschoolnurses.org.uk/parents/immunisations/drive-through-clinic-faq for drive trough questions and answers.

What do I need to do?

Book an appointment and complete a consent form online, discuss the appointment with your child before they come so they know what to expect. Ensure they have had a snack and bring a drink with them, particularly on a warm day. Staff on site will be wearing personal protective equipment (see inset). Please make sure your child is aware of this, as it can be quite intimidating for children Whilst you attend the drive through the child will be your responsibility. You will be allowed to leave the site straight away if your child remains well after the vaccination. If you think they may feel unwell afterwards consider bringing a sick bag and tissues. They should wear a short sleeved top so the nurse can easily access the top of their arm If possible do not bring other family members along in the car. There will be no toileting facilities available on site so please make sure they use the bathroom before leaving home. The NHS team do not anticipate you being on site for more than 10 minutes

What will happen on the day?

Please ensure you have an appointment and don’t arrive any earlier than your specified time slot or you may end up waiting longer than necessary. When you arrive a marshal will guide you to the relevant queue, there may be 1 or 2 lanes. If you have driven please STAY IN YOUR CAR, your child will be asked to sit in the rear seat if possible. TURN OFF YOUR ENGINE AND APPLY HANDBRAKE WHEN STATIONARY. Your child’s details will be checked to ensure you have an appointment and valid consent form. You will then be asked to pull forward to the nurse, who will be wearing personal protective equipment The nurse will deliver the vaccine into the top of your child’s arm. If your child is well you will be able to drive off when instructed. If your child feels unwell afterwards you will be directed to another area where a nurse can assess your child further.

Possible side-effects: Localised reaction at the site of the injection – pain, redness or swelling. Your child may also develop a headache, mild fever, dizziness or sickness. Paracetamol can be taken as prescribed unless contraindicated. Please contact 111 for advice if concerned.

Welcome to new sixth form year manager

We are really pleased to welcome Rachel Sargeant to the staff team, as the new year manager for the sixth form. Rachel has a wealth of experience, having been a secondary school teacher for many years, and knows Highfields well, through a sports coordinator role she has had at All Saints and through being on the PTA. She is already making a real difference to the online resources we are able to provide, and she is getting to know students as and when they are able to come into school.

Do feel free to get in touch with her about sixth form matters via email: (rsargeant@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk).

Thank you for everyone who has had the chance to make her feel welcome - it's a slightly strange time to start a new job!

UKMT Junior Mathematical Challenge 2020

The UKMT have made it possible to sit the Junior Mathematical Challenge 2020 online so, on Friday 26 June 30 Highfields students from year 7 and year 8 will be taking part in the UKMT Junior Mathematical Challenge 2020.

The Junior Mathematical Challenge is a 60-minute, multiple-choice competition aimed at students across the UK. It encourages mathematical reasoning, precision of thought, and fluency in using basic mathematical techniques to solve interesting problems. The problems on the Junior Mathematical Challenge are designed to make students think. Most are accessible, yet still challenge those with more experience.

We wish all students taking part good luck!

Derbyshire County Council - summer adult education now online and FREE

If you're looking to pick up a new skill or hobby, take a look at the adult education courses offered by Derbyshire County Council that have moved online this summer.

Courses include interview skills, sign language, arts and crafts and many more.

All courses are free, some will be purely online learning and some will be delivered using Zoom so you can still feel part of the class.

To find a course and register please access the link below: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/derbyshire-adult-community-education-service-30423296698