Highfields School Newsletter
Issue 1: 8 September 2017
Highfields School Newsletter
2017-18
Issue 1: 8 September 2017
Our Newsletter is aimed at keeping parents/carers up to date with school news, activities and key information throughout the year. If you have any feedback or suggestions on 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.
P R Cole & B P Riggott Co-Headteachers
Be the best you can
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Highfields School
Issue 1: 8 September 2017
Newsletter
Contents: Student Bulletin ......................................................................................... 4 School Meals ............................................................................................. 5 Homework Timetables ............................................................................... 6 Sports Update ........................................................................................... 7 Parent/Carer Notices ................................................................................ 10 Community Events................................................................................... 10 Highfields School Governing Body............................................................. 14 Highfields School Contact details .............................................................. 15 Key Staff ................................................................................................. 16 Key Dates 2017-18 .................................................................................. 17
Be the best you can
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Highfields School
Issue 1: 8 September 2017
Newsletter A ‘Happy New Year’ at Highfields! We have enjoyed a great start to the term, with students and colleagues arriving fresh from the summer break enthusiastic and focussed on ‘being the best we can’ as we embark upon an exciting new academic year, together. For many of us this means maintaining and building upon effective, successful habits. For others, the new academic year represents an opportunity for a fresh start following a period of reflection. We all, however, share a common goal - to work towards achieving our core purpose to be a happy, inclusive community that values every individual and inspires them to achieve their potential. In our ‘start of term’ year group assemblies the leadership team at Highfields reflected on the characteristics of students who achieved exceptional results in the summer GCSE and A Level exams. Whilst each and every success story is unique, the most successful students shared certain characteristics. These include: a commitment to working hard; being focussed on achieving goals; planning to do very specific things in order to be successful; and having extremely positive, productive relationships with adults and peers. We have been delighted to welcome our new Year 7 students as they begin this next, exciting stage in their educational journeys. They are an extremely smart and enthusiastic group of young people who will no doubt make a significant contribution to the life of the school and beyond in the years ahead. We would like to wish all students, parents/carers and members of the Highfields community a very ‘Happy New Year’ and all the very best for an exciting year ahead.
P R Cole & B P Riggott Co-Headteachers
Be the best you can
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Highfields School
Issue 1: 8 September 2017
Newsletter
Student Bulletin Monday 11 September 1-1.45pm Y7 Christian Union (H7) Lunchtime- Computer Science (IT1) - extra support for programming Years 10 & 11. Y9 welcome to use computers not in use for homework.
3.30-5.30pm Duke of Edinburgh Students with Mrs Wildgoose/Mr Archer 4-5pm Senior Choir (MU1) 4-5pm 1st XV Rugby Training with Mrs Bowen
Tuesday 12 September 1pm Languages Homework/Revision support (L4) 1pm Y7 Sports Leader Registration for 2017-18 (Gym)
Wednesday 13 September 1pm Y8-13 Sports Leader Registration for 2017-18 (Sports Hall) Lunchtime- Computer Science (IT1) - extra support for programming Y10 & 11. Year 9 are welcome to computers not in use for homework. 3.45-5pm Computer Science – extra support for programming Y11
3.45-4.45pm Y11 Dance Theory students (Wheeldon Hall) 7-8.30pm Success in the Sixth Form for Y12 parents/carers (Wheeldon Hall)
Thursday 14 September 1.15pm Y9-11 Upper School Book Club (Library) 1-1/30pm Y7&8 Computing Club (Room 7)
Friday 15 September 1pm Y8 Sports Leader Registration for 2017-18 (Gym) 1.15pm Y7-8 Lower School Book Club (Library) Lunch – IT1 open for homework & revision A full list of weekly extra-curricular activities/clubs for each site will be published in due course.
Be the best you can
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Highfields School
Issue 1: 8 September 2017
Newsletter
School Meals
Monday 11 September - Friday 15 September 2017 Monday
Sausage & onion gravy / Vegetarian sausage & onion gravy Mashed potatoes / Carrots / Broccoli Choc crunch /choc sauce Banana toffee muffin / Shortbread / Fresh fruit & yoghurt Fresh salad
Tuesday
Beef bolognaise / Vegetarian bolognaise Pasta / Sweetcorn / Peas Cookies ice cream / Beetroot & coca muffin / Flapjack Fresh fruit & yoghurt / Fresh salad
Wednesday
Roast pork stuffing / Quorn Roast Creamed potatoes / Cabbage / Broccoli Strawberry muffin / Date coconut flapjack / Cookie Fresh fruit & yoghurt / Fresh salad
Thursday
Beef lasagne / Vegetarian balls & tomato sauce Rice / Green beans / Carrots Boston brownie & ice cream / Apple & toffee muffin Cookie / Fresh fruit & yoghurt / Fresh salad
Friday
Jumbo fish finger / Spanish omelette Chips / Baked beans / Garden peas Forest fruit muffin / Flapjack / Fruit & ice cream Fresh fruit & yoghurt / Fresh salad
Be the best you can
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Issue 1: 8 September 2017
Highfields School Newsletter
Homework Timetables Year 7 students have a two-week period of grace where no homework is set whilst they settle in to school. Their homework timetable will follow. Year 8 and 9 timetables to follow.
Monday Year 10
*PRS Option C English Science
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Option B Option D
*PRS English Maths Science
*PRS Option A Option B Option C
*PRS Option A Option D Maths
* PRS Homework is set once per fortnight Option choices have homework 3 times per fortnight from the 4 allocated slots Some pieces of homework may be project based and set over an extended period of time Option Option Option Option
A – Thursday P1 & 2, Friday P6 B – Tuesday P2, Thursday P6, Friday P5 C – Monday P5 & 6, Thursday P5 D – Tuesday P1, Friday P1 & 2
Year 11
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Option A Option B Option C
PRS* English Maths Option D
PRS* Science Option A Option B
PRS* Science Option C Option D
PRS* English Maths Science
* PRS Homework is set once per fortnight on the day of the lesson Option choices have homework 3 times per fortnight from the 4 allocated slots Some pieces of homework may be project based and set over an extended period of time Option Option Option Option
A – Monday P1, Tuesday P3, Wednesday P4 B – Monday P2, Tuesday P4, Wednesday P3 C – Monday P3 & 4, Thursday P4 D – Tuesday P5 & 6, Thursday P3
Homework timetables can also be accessed via the school website (http://www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk/students.html)
Be the best you can
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Highfields School
Issue 1: 8 September 2017
Newsletter
Sports Update
Mr C Shirtcliffe (Head of PE) We are looking forward seeing our students continuing to participate and achieve in a range of sporting events locally and nationally during this academic year. There are no fixtures scheduled for the start of the new academic year, but details of forthcoming fixtures be available shortly and published in the next newsletter.
Sports Leaders
Mrs Allen (School Sports Co-ordinator) Our Sports Leaders and Sports Apprentices will soon be supporting sporting activities not only in school, but also within our partner primary schools and across the wider community. Further information on Sports Leadership can be found on the school website http://www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk/SportsLeadership.html
Notices: Highfields Sports Leadership Academy 2017-18 All students who want to follow courses this year need to register and collect a letter on the following days during lunch:
Year 7 – register with Mrs Allen in the Gym on Friday at 1pm Year 8 – register with Mrs Allen in the Gym on Tuesday at 1pm Years 9-13 – register with Mrs Allen in the Sports Hall on Wednesday at 1pm
Highfields Combat Hub Sport News Wrestling, judo and fencing will commence in the curriculum on Wednesdays for Years 9 and 10.
British Schools Score Orienteering Championship The British Schools Score Orienteering Championship will be in Rother Valley in October. This is the first year we will be entering a team into this event. Can students please see a member of the PE department if they want to be a member of our team, as practice sessions will be taking place during September.
Be the best you can
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Highfields School
Issue 1: 8 September 2017
Newsletter Sports Leaders News PE Apprenticeships We wish PE Apprentice, Mr Foster, all the best as he starts an Apprenticeship in Engineering and thank him for the work he has done for Highfields during 2016-17. We would like to welcome Miss Tabbenor and Miss Gardner to the team for 2017/18
National Play Unified Summit Year 11 students Rose Ricketts and Chloe Talbot went to the National Play Unified Summit in Sheffield on 7 August. They are Ambassadors for this national awards programme for Highfields.
2017 National School Games A group of Year 11-13 Sports Leadership Academy students attended the 2017 National School Games in Loughborough on 30 August until 3 September. Well done to Poppy Lacey, Joe Thompson, Emma Jerman, Alex Needham, Sam Neville, Lily McCrea, Jack Rose and Alisha Behthell - they did an amazing job officiating volleyball, fencing and table tennis. Thank you to the staff who accompanied students –Mrs Rifkin, Mr Shirtcliffe, Mrs Miller and Mr Molyneux, along with a huge thanks to parents / grandparents who helped with transport. Mr Thoday was also at the games as a Manager in the Cycling event and PE Apprentice, Harry Foster, won an event for England in Swimming.
Be the best you can
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Highfields School
Issue 1: 8 September 2017
Newsletter Students who participated on the Sunday in the British Schools Regional Cycling Championships were Finley Hill (Year 8), Ben Mellor and Sam Sargeant (Year 7). The three boys won the U13 Boys School Team category in the East Midlands Regional Hill Climb Championships. Finley won the hill climb, Sam was 3rd and Ben 4th. In the U13 Regional Roller Racing championships, Ben came 1st with Sam 2nd – Well done to all!
Be the best you can
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Highfields School
Issue 1: 8 September 2017
Newsletter
Parent/Carer Notices Highfields PTFA Annual General Meeting We would like to invite all parents/carers, teachers and friends of Highfields School to the Annual General Meeting of the Highfields Parents, Teachers & Friends Association (PTFA) on 11 October 2017 at 6.30pm in the staff room at Starkholmes (lower school site) and afterwards at the pub for a drink! Come along with ideas and enthusiasm and a willingness to support the school community! Jo Glossop PTFA Secretary
Community Events The Matlock Show this Saturday - 9 September 2017 As we approach late summer and the season of mellow fruitfulness, the Imperial Rooms this Saturday afternoon will display the bounty of Matlock’s growers, makers and bakers. From 2pm you can admire fruit and vegetables, flowers and cakes, jams and chutneys, art and crafts (including art by Highfields students). Whether it’s pumpkins, tomatoes, apples or carrots, maybe the tallest sunflower or the ugliest vegetable there is an opportunity for all growers to show off their harvest, plus displays of baking, embroidery, quilting and other crafts. You’re not too late to take an entry along this Saturday morning (by 11.15am) – craft and handiwork, fruit and veg, kitchen produce and flowers. Only 25p per entry! For a full list of the wide range of entry classes available and some photos from last year see the link to The Matlock Show Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/thematlockshow/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel Why not give it a go and enter somethings into this fantastic community event…or just come along and enjoy the display. Refreshments will be available and much of the produce will be auctioned to raise money for charity at the end of the day.
Be the best you can
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Highfields School
Issue 1: 8 September 2017
Newsletter
Be the best you can
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Highfields School
Issue 1: 8 September 2017
Newsletter
Derbyshire Skills Festival Derbyshire Skills Festival is held on Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 September 2017 and is one of the largest careers information and guidance event for young people in Derbyshire. The free event is aimed at students aged 15 to 19, including those in Year 11 who are considering their options after school - please follow the link below for further information: https://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/education/continued_learning_experience/derbyshire_skills/default .asp
Be the best you can
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Highfields School
Issue 1: 8 September 2017
Newsletter
Be the best you can
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Issue 1: 8 September 2017
Highfields School Newsletter
Highfields School Governing Body Highfields School is fortunate in the kinds of people who have volunteered to become Governors, each bringing a variety of skills and experience to support the school. The composition of the Governing Body is split as follows. Each Governor serves a term of office of four years. Name Mr Peter Cole Mr Ben Riggott
Governor Type Co-Headteacher Co-Headteacher
Responsibility Headteacher Headteacher (Co-opted Governor)
tbc
Local Authority
Ms Helen Crane
Co-opted
Mr Tim Diggle Ms Julie Lane
Co-opted Co-opted
Prof Ranald Macdonald
Co-opted
Miss Rebekah Mitchell Miss Jodie Rogers
Co-opted Co-opted
SEN Link Governor
Mr Paul Steeples
Co-opted
Vice-Chair of Governors
Mrs Claire Bethell
Parent
Chair of Student & Community Links Committee
Ms Julie Birtwistle Mr Jonathan Clarke Mr Nick Newberry
Parent Parent Parent
Human Resources and Health & Safety Finance
Mr John Redhead
Staff
Mr Sandy Doull Ms Lizzie Watt
Associate Member Associate Member
Co-Chair of Governors Equalities Chair of Finance & Resources Committee Finance Co-Chair of Governors Chair of Teaching & Learning Committee Safeguarding and Anti-bullying
Please visit the school website for full details of the Governing Body.
Be the best you can
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Highfields School
Issue 1: 8 September 2017
Newsletter
Highfields School Contact details Communication with school General enquiry (Form Tutor)
The first point of contact for parents/carers for general enquiries is the Form Tutor. If parents/carers feel enquiries have not been adequately addressed by the Form Tutor, this can be followed-up with the relevant Head of Year. We encourage parents/carers to keep in touch with tutors by using the student planner. There is a space at the end of each week where parents/carers can write a note to the tutor.
Subject specific enquiry (Subject Teacher)
If parents/carers have subject specific enquiries, we ask that they contact the relevant subject teacher. If parents/carers feel enquiries have not been adequately addressed by the class teacher, this can be followed-up by the relevant Head of Department. Parents/carers can contact us on the main school number (see below). Reception staff will aim to help with queries or refer parents/carers to a member of staff who can.
Main Contact Details Lower Site (Years 7 & 8): Telephone:
Starkholmes Road, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3DD 01629 584020
Upper Site (Years 9-13): Telephone:
Upper Lumsdale, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 5NA 01629 581888
General email: Newsletter feedback: Admissions: Chair of Governors: Website:
info@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk newsletter@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk admissions@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk chair@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk
Get Involved! We would love to hear from any parents/carers or members of the community who may be able to contribute to school life, for example talking to students about specialist area of work, supporting mock careers interviews, providing work placement opportunities etc. Your insights, involvement and support have been crucial to the successes of the school over time and we would like to build on our strengths and develop excellence across the school community. If you feel you may be able to contribute to the school in any way, please email us detailing the help you could offer at getinvolved@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk – we would be very happy to hear from you.
Your contact details Please ensure you notify us of any changes of address, telephone and email details to ensure our records are up to date in case of emergency.
Be the best you can
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Issue 1: 8 September 2017
Highfields School Newsletter
Key Staff Co-Headteachers: Mr P Cole & Mr B Riggott
Senior Assistant Headteachers: Mr D O’Reilly & Mrs C Rifkin
Associate Assistant Headteachers: Mr K Rodgers Mrs A Ruston
- Years 7 and 8 (based at Starkholmes) - Years 9, 10 & 11 (based at Lumsdale)
Heads of Year for 2017-18: Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Sixth Form
– – – – – –
Mrs A Hollinrake / Mrs L Redhead Miss J Hughes Mr J Redhead Miss L Hamrouge Miss N Gresswell Mr M Flett
Pastoral: Mrs Green - Years 7 & 8 Mrs Hutchings - Years 9, 10 & 11 Mrs Bumby - Sixth Form
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If you wish to report student absences, please contact the relevant pastoral staff to your son/daughter’s year group as indicated above.
Department Contacts: Art – Mrs K Fairbank Business & Computing – Mr I Lovatt Dance – Ms Wise D&T – Miss A Morris Drama – Miss E Bonsall English – Mr R Key Film Studies – Mr C Warrington Geography – Mrs M Barker History – Mr R Hoben
Be the best you can
Maths – Miss S Wallhead Modern Foreign Languages – Mrs M Bowen Music – Mr K Rowley PE – Mr C Shirtcliffe Psychology – Miss H Ould PRS – Miss S Collis SENCO – Mr P Cole Science – Mrs C Morgan Sociology – Mrs A Serjeant
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Highfields School
Issue 1: 8 September 2017
Newsletter
Key Dates 2017-18 2017-18 Academic Year: 2017-18 Bank Holidays (school closed): Term 1 - 4 September 2017 − 20 October 2017 25 and 26 December 2017 Term 2 - 30 October 2017 − 19 December 2017 1 January 2018 Term 3 - 2 January 2018 − 16 February 2018 30 March 2018 (Good Friday) Term 4 - 26 February 2018 – 23 March 2018 2 April 2018 (Easter Monday) Term 5 - 9 April 2018 − 25 May 2018 7 May 2018 Term 6 - 4 June 2018 − 20 July 2018 28 May 2018 (spring bank holiday) 2017-18 INSET Days (school closed to students): Friday 20 October 2017 Tuesday 2 January 2018 Wednesday 3 January 2018 Friday 6 July 2018 2017-18 Parents’ Consultation Evenings: Year 12: Tuesday 21 November 2017 Year 13: Tuesday 5 December 2017 Year 9: Tuesday 16 January 2018 (including Option choices for Year 10) Year 11: Tuesday 30 January 2018 Year 8: Tuesday 13 February 2018 Year 10: Tuesday 6 March 2018 Year 7: Tuesday 17 April 2018 2017-18 School Events (further details will be issued prior to each event along with confirmation of times): Y12 Success in the Sixth Form (for Y12 parents) 13 September 2017 (7-8.30pm - Wheeldon Hall) Y7 Induction 25 and 26 September 2017 (Lea Green) Year 6 Open Afternoon & Evening 5 October 2017 (2-4pm both sites/6.30pm Starkholmes) PTFA Annual General Meeting 11 October 2017 (6.30pm at Starkholmes) Key Stage 3 Presentation Evening 12 October 2017 (6.30pm in Wheeldon Hall) Freshers Disco (Year 7 & 8) 18 October 2017 (7-9pm Bowler Hall Starkholmes) Key Stage 4 Presentation Evening 19 October 2017 (6.30pm in Wheeldon Hall) Sixth Form Open Evening 6 November 2017 (7pm in Wheeldon Hall) Year 10 Curriculum Evening 8 October 2017 (6.30pm in Wheeldon Hall) Careers Convention 9 November 2017 (6pm in Wheeldon Hall) Y12 Review Day 23 November 2017 (during the day) Christmas Concert 12-13 December 2017 (7.30-10pm in Wheeldon Hall) Y13 Certificates Evening 18 December 2017 (7pm in Wheeldon Hall) Evening of Theatre 25 January 2018 (7pm in Bowler Hall) Y8 Waste Watches 1 February 2018 (during day) Y12 DCC Road Safety Day 1 February 2018 (during day) Y11 Study Skills/Revision Evening for parents 8 March 2018 (6-8pm in Wheeldon Hall) Evening of Dance 14 March 2018 (7pm in Bowler Hall) Easter Concert 20 March 2018 (7.30-10pm in Wheeldon Hall) Sports Leaders Awards Evening 22 March 2018 (6-8pm in Wheeldon Hall) Y12 Higher Education Evening 20 June 2018 (7-8.30pm in Wheeldon Hall) Y8 Presentation Evening 21 June 2018 (time tbc in Bowler Hall) Y10 Health Day 23 March 2018 (during the day) Y10 Work Experience Day 22 June 2018 (during the day) Y10 Work Experience (2 weeks) 25 June – 6 July 2018 (during the day) Y7, Y8 & Y9 Sports Day 28 June 2018 (during school day at Lumsdale) Y6 Visit Starkholmes 4 July 2018 (during school day) Y7 Sponsored Walk / Y8 Visit Lumsdale 4 July 2018 (during school day) Y9 Enterprise Day 4 July 2018 (during school day) School Musical 11-14 July 2018 (in Wheeldon Hall) Challenge Day (Whole School) 20 July 2018 (during school day at Lumsdale) 2018 Exam Results Days: A Level Exam Results: GCSE Exam Results: Thursday 16 August 2018 Thursday 23 August 2018
Be the best you can
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Issue 1: 8 September 2017
Highfields School Newsletter 2018-19 Academic Year The term dates for next year are as follows: Term 1: 3 September 2018 − 26 October 2018 Term 2: 5 November 2018 − 21 December 2018 Term 3: 7 January 2019 − 15 February 2019 Term 4: 25 February 2019 − 12 April 2019 Term 5: 29 April 2019 − 24 May 2019 Term 6: 3 June 2019 − 22 July 2019 INSET Days will be confirmed during the year. Bank holidays: 25 and 26 December 2018 1 January 2019 19 April 2019 (Good Friday) 22 April 2019 (Easter Monday) 6 May 2019 27 May 2019 (Spring Bank Holiday) 26 August 2019 (Summer Bank Holiday)
School to Home communication In order to improve communication with parents/carers and to reduce the substantial cost and environmental impact associated with the amount of paper and photocopying involved in school mailings all correspondence is sent to parents/carers via email only. Our aim is that only students’ Assessment Profiles/Data Sheets, and of course, confidential or personal mail will be posted home. We fully understand that some parents/carers may wish to continue to have paper copies sent home rather than to receive communication by email and we will make arrangements to ensure that it is possible for this to continue upon request. Please contact the relevant Pastoral Manager at school to update your details if you do not currently receive email communications from Highfields: Mrs Green - Years 7 & 8 Mrs Hutchings - Years 9, 10 & 11 Mrs Bumby - Sixth Form
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ParentView Survey We would like to remind you that you have the opportunity to give your views of school through the Ofsted Parent View survey below. https://parentview.ofsted.gov.uk/ The survey is designed by Ofsted and is used by Inspectors when making decisions about which schools to inspect and when.
Be the best you can
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