Message from the Headteacher
I just want to say a huge thank you to the police officers (image right) who have started to patrol the bus stop at Starkholmes. Only a few motorists still stop in this marked bus stand thus violating traffic code 47 and risking a fine. Most drivers have helped us reduce traffic around the entrance of the school and leave a safe space from students to get on and off their buses.
I had an interesting discussion with a student in music this week. He explained that he ‘wasn’t very good at music’ because he ‘has ADHD’. I asked why he would think that the two things would be linked given that some experts suggest that Mozart, for example, would have today been diagnosed as ADHD. It really worries me when students begin to see diagnoses (which should be used to secure treatment to mitigate) as limitations or, even worse, as reasons to explain failure. Einstein, it is widely felt, would have been diagnosed as having Aspergers. Again, although this may have affected him in some ways, it clearly didn’t limit him in others. (Emily Dickinson, the poet, was, similarly, Aspergers.)
Talking of Mozart, the music concert on Thursday night was, as usual, ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT. It’s always impossible for me to pull out highlights but I have to say I LOVED Millie and Robbie (brother and sister duo) who played one of my favourite tunes, Stardust, on euphonium and piano. They played really beautifully together- listening carefully to each other and sensing when to move on and when to hold back- gorgeous ensemble skills. I also absolutely adored the opening number which featured the choir signing with Makaton which slightly took my breath away. And then there was the ensemble which played specially composed music by our own Nick Stacey. It was the swansong of Mrs Brown in the choir and I am just so grateful to her and all of the adults and students who collaborated to create this event under the leadership of director of music, Kris Rowley.
Following my difficulties with DIY reported in last week’s newsletter, two people enquired what I had been trying to do when the incident occurred. For your information I was trying to install a replacement electric hob. This needed to be hardwired and then placed in the opening and sealed in with black sealant. First I lost control of the sealant gun. And then I lost control of my mind as I careened around the house looking for white spirit to lift the sealant off the cupboards I had just covered in sealant. Finally, I lost control of my legs and fell down the stairs into the cellar dislodging a metal ladder which was mounted on the wall. The ladder fell on my head but not before making a level of noise which caused the neighbours to think that I had blown something up (again). The most upsetting thing about this whole sorry incident was that when I had finally sealed the hob firmly into place I turned it on to find that it did not work.
Have a wonderful weekend if you can. We are (musically) Highfields.
A Marsh, Headteacher
Summer 2024 GCSE/A Level Timetables
Timetables for the summer external exams starting in May are now available on the school website on the Exams page. Final versions of the timetables, with afternoon start times added, will be published nearer to the start of the exams, and paper copies will be issued to students at this time. Please note when planning holidays after the end of exams for Year 11 and Year 13 students, that they must be available to sit exams up to and including the exam boards' contingency date of Wednesday 26 June
Sports Leaders
Wednesday 20March the Year 12 level 3 Sports leaders went to Busy Bees nursey. They were amazing on a very wet afternoon. The young 2-4 year olds loved interacting with them and the activities.
Thursday 21 March we ran a Young Ambassadors assembly at Darley Dale Primary. Well done to Xanthe and Brandon on their excellent delivery of the power point.
Results
1st DARLEY DALE DRAGONS
2nd DARLEY DALE DEVILS
3rd WESSINGTON
4th LEA LEOPARDS
5th LEA LIONS
Thursday 21 March we held a Primary schools Handball event at Starkholmes.
The leaders did a fantastic job coaching the new skills of Handball to the Primary pupils in the first hour before going onto referee the tournament in the second hour. All primary pupils took home a handball certificate and a value certificate .
Friday 22 March Highfields Voice of Sport group met. Mrs Allen updated the ambassadors on the YST conference this week and the main points of interest.
Chesterfield FC Community Trust are delighted to announce bookings for Camp Inspire are open!
Camp Inspire is a Health & Wellbeing holiday camp for children/ young people ages 4 to 16 years old who would benefit from structured holiday activities in Derbyshire and the local area. Sessions are free for families who claim benefit related free school meals. Free places are also available to children/ young people in vulnerable groups and with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). To book on:
1. Go to the ‘It’s About Me’ website (https://itsaboutmederbyshire.co.uk)
2. Click ‘BOOK NOW’ in the top right corner
3. Click ‘Provider’ and select ‘Chesterfield FC Community Trust’ then search
4. You will be able to select Primary or Secondary aged Camp.
5. You will be redirected to a new page. Click ‘Get Directions’ for help on location and ‘Book Now’ to book your place.
6. Select the days you wish to book on then ‘Add To Booking Cart’
7. Follow the remainder of the steps accordingly to complete the referral form.
Buxton and Leek College have a wonderful SEND event happening at the end of April in Leek and very early May in Buxton. As you'll see from the posters, they have a huge range of people coming to speak to students. The event is also open to parents, and you and your students can book a slot to come and speak to all our visitors.
Sparks Film School will be running an Easter Camp at the Lime Tree Conference Centre 2-4 April 2024, 10.00am to 4.00pm each day. The cost is £199.
https://sparksarts.co.uk/about-us/film-school-locations/sparks-film-school-derbyshire-north/
FREE Bike marking & Tool marking event that will be held in Hall Leys Park, Matlock on Saturday 30th March 202410.00am-12.00pm.
They will also be there offering any crime prevention advice, to answer any questions people may have, for people to raise any concerns that they may have with them, and just to give members of the public an opportunity to come and meet members of their Local Safer Neighbourhood Team. They can also sign people up to Derbyshire Alert, so that they are also able to keep up-to-date with what the current crimes are in their community and to share positive action taken by us back to our community.
They will also have a marked Police vehicle and a variety of bits for young people who also want to engage with us. They can also have their photo taken in the Police vehicle should they want to.
Key dates & Calendar
A Marsh Headteacher