Issuu

23rd May 2025

Our newsletter aims to keep parents and carers up to date with school news, activities and key information throughout the year.

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

Last time I went camping I vowed it would be the last. The airbeds went down, it rained so heavily that a part of the tent collapsed and a really annoying bird kept me awake from 4am. Prior to this, however, I have been very outdoorsy and campy. For this reason, I was thrilled to see around 40 students and staff head off into the sunset last Friday evening as they began their Duke of Edinburgh journey.

The numbers of students involved in D of E has skyrocketed this year which may well be due to the team, led by Alison Wildgoose, who runs it. It may also reflect our determination to get students involved in the ‘wider’ curriculum which is the stuff which happens outside of lessons. Henry, a brilliant Y7 student, was bounding into school the other day and when I asked him why there was such a spring in his step he told me that it was because ‘craft club’ was on that lunchtime. This wider curriculum is completely unfunded and depends entirely on the kindness of staff who volunteer to give up their time free of charge so that kids can get involved in something fun.

Despite all of our efforts to try and make school a place where students not only learn useful stuff but also make friends and develop as people, it doesn’t work all the time. Some students still don’t like school and this week I met with a family whose child was really struggling to engage with the school experience. Some really good things happen at Highfields but I really hope that we never come across as complacent and that we are always keen to listen and learn in situations where we are not managing to make school a meaningful experience for our young people.

After thieves stole my car from the driveway some months ago you can imagine my concern when I arrived home last Friday to find my conservatory missing. I immediately had visions of thieves joyriding it around the local fields as they had done previously in my ill-fated Audi. I was about to call the police when my daughter reminded me that we are having some home improvement done and that the outdated conservatory had simply been removed by contractors. False alarm over, I made a nice cup of tea and pretended to be a builder by sitting on a digger and shouting in a loud voice until my daughter made me stop because she was trying to do her homework.

Have a restful and relaxing weekend.

We are Highfields.

A Marsh, Headteacher

Monday 2nd June School REopens

Y11 GCSE Exams (All Week)

Y13 A Level Exams (All Week)

Y12 Mock Exams (All Week)

Y8 End of Year Exams (All Week)

DofE Silver/Gold

Tuesday 3rd June

Wednesday 4th June

Thursday 5th June

Friday 6th June

DofE Bronze Qualifier Group 1 (6th and 7th)

We are a busy NHS and private dental practice based in Wirksworth, and we currently have a vacancy for an apprentice dental nurse. The role will include full training to gain a Level 3 Diploma in Dental Nursing.

Any applications would be welcomed via email to pm@thecoachhousedental.co.uk or via our online application form, the below link must be followed:

https://www.cognitoforms.com/coachhousedental1/clinic alteammemberapplicationform

We look forward to hearing from you!

Enid H Y9 took part in the U14 Netball Club UK finals this week at the English Institute for Sport in Sheffield, playing for her club Sheffield Steel Netball.

The Under 14 National Clubs brings together the top 18 teams in the U14 age category from across the country.

The 18 teams consist of the winners and runnersup from the nine regional competitions that take place throughout the season. This competition offers young netballers from all corners of the United Kingdom the opportunity to test themselves against the best of their age group. They finished in the top 18 in the country.