Issue 31

Highfields School Newsletter

2022-23

Issue31: 16June2023

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

The puzzling thing about my Personal and Social Health (PSE) lessons with Y7 is that almost always it appears to be me that makes the changes. For example, when we discussed health and fitness, it was me who committed to 20 minutes per evening of exercise (still doing it). In a project on healthy eating, I agreed to reduce both my consumption of biscuits and red wine (partial success). That would be frustrating enough even without the fact that they ask me in each week (in quite a patronising manner) how well I am doing with my lifestyle changes. I made the mistake of mentioning this to my Y8 daughter and now she has taken to grimacing at me every time I go anywhere near anything even mildly enjoyable. We are studying sleep next and I am NOT going to agree to any of their suggestions regarding changes to my bedtime or avoiding screen time before sleeping without THEM agreeing to make some changes too. (Although I have to admit the biscuit thing is working in reducing my waistline a little…)

I wanted to write about something funny a student said on the subject of cheese in one of these lessons on healthy eating but I have now forgotten what it was. I was hoping that beginning to type the sentence would bring it back but it hasn’t. I have now pasted in a picture of cheese but it still hasn’t triggered anything. It was so funny. Come to think of it I’m wondering now whether it may have been said in a dream.

This week we had training/ planning days for a group of leaders at Highfields. We used theDesignatevenue in Matlock which was totally wonderful and helped us avoid constant knocks at the door from staff and students. I wish you could be there to see how much staff care about Highfields’ students. We have two plans each year- one is the Big 3 which introduces new ideas and the other is the Core Plan which is our bread and butter (get students into school, keep them safe, teach them well, get them some qualifications kind of stuff).

Thank you to CM for her email this week about uniform and weather. As a parent she had an important point to make but managed to make it in a balanced and reasonable way, even employing a wry sense of humour. I want to assure everyone again that we take all feedback seriously, whatever form it comes in. If overblown or aggressive language is used (I still remember a Highfields parent calling me a ‘Brexit Fascist’ over a survey about blazers) it tends to make staff defensive, stressed and less focused on seeking a reasonable outcome. Nevertheless, we will still seek to take it into account.

The set for Grease is emerging and we are all getting very excited. Have you bought your ticket yet? My daughter and I are coming on the Wednesday night because, having been inspired by Highfields shows to get involved in school productions, she is now appearing in her own school show on all other evenings. Can you believe that the Grease film came out 45 years ago?

In lessons this week I saw an English teacher very carefully picking out particularly successful elements of Y7 creative writing. Purposeful and targeted praise is harder to do than you might think.

Cooler weather forecasted next week- huge thanks to all of you who ensure that your children attend with water/ a hat/ sun cream or whatever you think the conditions demand. Have a lovely weekend! We are Highfields.

A Marsh, Headteacher

NewCommunicationsApp

Thanks to those who have already downloaded the new My Ed app by Iris. If you have not signed up please use the QR codes below to download the app and register. It takes 24 hours to sync to your children. New students will sync when they start at Highfields.

MyED (Apple Devices)

Please find the QR codes above to find and install our new Parent Comms Application.

MyED (Android Device)

Pleaseseeour updatedwebsiteforthefollowinginformation:

 School Uniform

 Contact details

 Governor information

 School Calendar and term dates

 Extra-Curricular Clubs/Activities

 Exam Timetables

Schoolsportandsportsleadersnews

Mrs Allen, School Sports Co-ordinator

Monday 12th June… The Youth Ambassadors assembly took place at Castle View Primary school lead by Year 10 Ambassadors Martha and Sienna. Mrs Peet took the group and here is her report

“I provided the transport for Martha and Sienna this morning so they could do their Sports Leader presentation at Castle View. I would just like to say how well they did - very confident and professional, representing Highfields in a very positive manner and encouraging the children to come to this school and take part in the sports activities we have to offer. Not only that, they were really chatty and friendly to me, including having a laugh at the absolutely dreadful photo that Castle View's Reception signing -in machine took of me!”

I have been so thankful for all the support I have received whilst I have been injured and not able to do my usual work. I am very proud of all our ambassadors who have continued to fly the flag in my absence. JA

Monday 12th June… The SSP Kwik Cricket finals took place at Darley Dale Cricket Club. The event was officiated by 10 of our Sports Leaders who had been especially selected for this event.

Tuesday 13th June… The Highfields Cluster Rounders Tournament took place at Lumsdale for Key Stage 2.

Schools taking part were:

Darley Dale, Lea, Wessington, South Darley, St Josephs

Results were as follows:

Wednesday 14th June… Week 2 of the Primary sports evening took place with leaders from Year 7/8 leading a Cricket session.

Friday 16th June .... Jayne Allen has been consulting the Voice of Sport group via email.

We are very proud to have received the School Games Gold Quality Mark

LearneroftheYear Award2023

2 of our Sports Leaders were nominated for the Learner of the Year Award. We are very proud to announce that not only was our Sports Leader Callum shortlisted as a finalist but the overall winner was Highfields’ student Eleanor. A huge congratulations to them.

StudentBulletin

WeekcommencingMonday12June2023: WeekB

Y12 work experience week

Y8 CarsingtonTrips

Monday: Y9 assembly

Tuesday: Y11 assembly

Wednesday: Y10 assembly

Thursday: Y8 and sixth form assembly

Friday:Y11 Prom

ComingUp:-

Y9 end of year exams week commencing 26 June

Inset Day 30 June

Y12 induction days 27 & 28 June

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

UpcomingEvents

Y9 internal exams

Monday 26 June – Thursday 29 June 2023

New Y12 induc on sessions

Monday 26 June – Thursday 29 June 2023

Y13 Prom

Thursday 29 June 2023, 7pm

Y10 work experience

Monday 3 July – Friday 7 July 2023

Y6 visit Starkholmes

Wednesday 5 July 2023, Starkholmes

Y7 sponsored walk

Wednesday 5 July 2023

Y8 visit Lumsdale

Wednesday 5 July 2023, Lumsdale

Y9 enterprise day

Wednesday 5 July 2023, Lumsdale

Y6 parents’ evening

Wednesday 5 July 2023, 6pm Bowler Hall, Starkholmes

Whole school sports day

Friday 7 July 2023

School Musical (7.30-10pm)

Wednesday 12 July-Saturday 15 July 2023, Wheeldon Hall, Lumsdale

Careers,College&ApprenticeshipNews

Careers Information

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.

 Freeaccessto inspiring podcasts,broadcastsandshortfilms byheadsofindustryandhigh-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

Apprenticeshipopportunities

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/