Issue 24

Highfields School Newsletter

2022-23

Issue 24: 21 April 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 love working with students. The whole thing is one big heart melting rollercoaster ride. On Monday I was patrolling the school’s outside space at lunchtime when I came across a student who arrived recently from Afghanistan. I greeted him in Arabic (working in South London for years gives you the ability to say hello in a number of different languages) which he responded hopefully to but it all slowed down when he confirmed - in broken English - that he spoke Pashtun. I confirmed in fluent English that I did not speak Pashtun but we managed to establish the basic facts between us. He has been in England for a few months but hopes to move to London before too long. He has no friends so at lunchtime he wanders about in the grounds. He looked sad and a bit fed up. I went inside and managed to find our Y12 student, a minor miracle who arrived from Damascus in Y8 and promptly set about learning faster than any student I’ve ever seen, smashing his GCSEs and starting his A levels. I explained my problem to him and, despite also not speaking Pashtun, he went off to find the student, perhaps to share the experiences of someone arriving at Highfields with no English and no friends. I’ll let you know how the new lad gets on.

Teachers can get very upset when they feel that all their care, attention and effort for students results, not in achievement or gratitude, but in the opposite. The lengths teachers go to was typified when I dropped into a food lesson and found these ‘revision goodie bags’ made for Y11 students by their teacher. Each bag contained important information, revision materials, a schedule for a possible revision timetable and ‘a little treat to keep you going during long revision sessions’ (a bar of chocolate). Obviously, most students appreciate gestures such as these but when they don’t I remind teachers of a Stoic maxim which has kept me going over the years: ‘a good deed unnoticed is still a good deed’.

As you will know from former newsletters our improvement plans at Highfields are pretty simple in their format. They seek to push forward three priorities (the Big 3) with a series of projects overseen by a senior leader. We are currently evaluating this year’s projects and planning for 2023-24. Governors, including parent governors, will get to shape these in our next meeting but one thing we are really interested in developing is oracy. We want our students to be brilliant verbal communicators. Partly this was inspired by one of our students who, whilst not always being an outstanding student, managed to talk his way recently, via a number of demanding interviews, onto a very rewarding degree apprenticeship. Furthermore, we are mindful of some of our children (and my own would be included here) who spend a lot of time watching others communicate effectively on social media (it’s much harder than it looks) but do not, themselves, practise the editorial and persuasive techniques demonstrated by, for example, influencers and activists. Anyway, more about that in good time.

I took a fleeting moment on a day when, without warning, Starkholmes Road was closed by Severn Water thus cutting off lower site from upper, to reflect on nature as viewed from the art room window. After around thirty seconds’ reflection, I looked at my phone to find I had had three missed calls. We sorted it all out and lessons carried on as normal despite staff having to complete a rally stage like detour on their commute between sites.

Have a lovely weekend and remember, as always, we are Highfields.

A Marsh, Headteacher

School sport and sports leaders news

Mrs Allen, School Sports Co-ordinator

Mini Marathon week. All groups have been involved in running, walking and jogging 2.6 miles. This is a National Initiative and schools taking part in this pledge for activity are part of a Guinness record attempt.

Tuesday 18th April KS 1 Gymnastics day led by Coach Cath Jeffferies and supported by YR7/8 Sports leaders took place. Schools involved were Tansley, Winster, South Darley and Darley Dale in the morning session and St Giles in the afternoon session. Matilda C, Hugh S, William G, Fletcher B, Kyle H, Evie T, Pearl H, Kaiya H, Hettie L and Katie C were brilliant as leaders.

Thursday 20th April saw a Young Ambassador assembly take place at Churchtown Primary with Year 7 ambassadors Reuben F and Thea A and Year 8 ambassador Xanthe P.

Hannah W, 8 Yellowstone cuts off her hair for charity

The Year 8 team are very proud of Hannah. In the Easter holiday's, Hannah cut off 16 inches of her hair to donate to the Little Princess Trust. This charity makes wigs for children who have lost their hair due to illness. You can find out more or make donations via the charity website: Little Princess Trust (littleprincesses.org.uk)

NEW CLUB COMMENCING

Chess Club every Tuesday and Thursday in E3 (Lumsdale) with Mr Webb and Mr Tidmarsh

Well done Hannah!

Student Bulletin

Week commencing Monday 24 April 2023: Week A

Monday: Y9 assembly

Tuesday: Y7 and Y11 assembly Y8 and Y9 HPV vaccinations

Wednesday: Y10 assembly

Thursday: Y8 and sixth form assembly

Friday:-

GCSE Fine Art and Photography exams this week.

Coming Up

Y10 students will start their mock exams on Tuesday 2 May in the sports hall. Here is the link to the timetable https://www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2023/04/Y10-Mocks-2023-Student-Timetable.pdf

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

Family Support Team

HighfieldsandClusterPrimarySchools

FREE

CAMHS Teen Anxiety Session for parents

Date:25th April2023

Time:16:30 – 17:30

Where: Wheeldon Hall, Highfields School (Lumsdalesite)

Jemimah Vine, from CAMHS, will be coming to school to discuss strategies to support your children around worry, anxiety and exam stress

If you have any questions, please email:

familysupport@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk

If you would like to attend a similar coffee morning, but are unable to attend due to the time, please email familysupport@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk with times that would be more suitable. If there is demand, we are able to negotiate another session with a different time.

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/

Summer exam timetables

All exam timetables are available on the school website for the summer exam period and can be accessed via the links below:

GCSE summer 2023 exam timetable – exams start Monday 15 May

https://www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Student-GCSE-TimetableSummer-2023-Version-1.pdf

A level summer 2023 exam timetable – exams start Monday 15 May

https://www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Student-A-Level-TimetableSummer-2023-Version-1.pdf

Y12/13 vocational summer 2023 exam timetable – May exams

https://www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Student-Y1213-VocationalTimetable-Summer-2023-Version-1.pdf

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