Issue 34

Highfields School Newsletter

2022-23

Issue34: 07July2023

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

It is deeply disturbing that too often my amazing sense of humour goes unrecognised by students, staff and even members of my own family. For example, on Monday I came across Mr Platt with a gaggle of Y8s and asked the students what they were up to. “We are the debating team”, they replied. As quick as a flash I came back, “No you’re not” but rather than dissolving into hysterics they acted as if I had made some kind of awful dad joke.

Anyway, both Y8 and Y12 debating teams went over to Lady Manners on Tuesday night and gave them a good seeing to. The year 8 debaters (Alyssa, Poppy, James and Rohan) took part in a new format similar to Question Time debating the use of technology and gender-neutral toys and came a respectable second place. The year 12 team was made up of Alice, Millen, Sophie and India and opposed the motion that men and women should receive equal pay in sport (it’s a debate, remember). After four well researched performances displaying excellent public speaking skills and articulated viewpoints the team was victorious!

In fact, this week has been JAMMED SOLID with events. On Tuesday we had 80 five-year olds in to complete a day with our Y9 Dance Leaders (left). We had two brilliant sports days which looked a little bit like this…

and a Y6 welcome day which looked more like this…

We had an excellent meeting on Monday with a Ukrainian parent who is looking for ways to a) bring the community together for mutual support and b) communicate about Ukrainian food and culture.

Art displays were rejuvenated this week and some of it looks like this…

A governors’ meeting on Thursday evening looked at school uniform summer adaptations amongst other things and, as if all of the above wasn’t enough, we also dealt with the impact of disruption due to strike action and a (nother) snap closure of Starkholmes Road. Ahead for our performing arts team is a weekend of Greaserehearsals but for you, we hope that whatever you are doing with your weekend, you enjoy it!

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)

MyED (Android Device)

GeneralSchoolInformation

Pleasesee ourupdatedwebsitefor thefollowinginformation:

 School Uniform

 Contact details

 Governor information

 School Calendar and term dates

 Extra-Curricular Clubs/Activities

 Exam Timetables

Schoolsportandsportsleadersnews

Mrs Allen, School Sports Co-ordinator

Tuesday 4 July... Primary Schools Dance Festival 2023 was led by our Year 9 Dance leaders as a part of their delivery for the level 1 Dance qualification accredited by Sports Leaders UK. Schools attending were: Winster , Darley Dale , Elton and Castle View. 90 Key Stage 1 pupils came and were engaged in the planned sessions that Year 9 level 1 Dance leaders had prepared. They did an amazing job. Jayne Allen came to do the internal verification for the qualification and her thanks go to Mrs Hollinrake and Mrs Scattergood for the tutoring of this qualification over the year. Brilliant as ever. The Year 9 leaders were very well planned and prepared for this event.

Tuesday 4 July… Jayne Allen attended an E Sports webinar led by Sports Leaders UK. This is the new way of involving a wider cohort of students in Sports.

Wednesday 5 July... Week 5 of the Primary Sports evenings took place and the pupils from South Darley played Rounders.

Thursday 6 July… The 2023 Combat Sports day took place at the Arc leisure centre. Schools taking part were Winster, St Josephs, Lea, Wessington and South Darley. They took part in workshops of Wrestling, Fencing, Judo and Self-defence. Our thanks go to the expert coaches Trevor Hoskins, Sally Peat, Andy Parton and Paul White. Our own Highfields students were both leaders and participants.

Shelteratlast

We at Highfields School just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in providing the shelters at our lower site. Our students, for a long time now, have had very little relief from the elements and we have received repeated complaints from parents when their children have returned home soaking wet on a rainy day. These shelters have augmented our very limited internal space and will allow students to get some much-needed fresh air even when the British weather seeks to preclude this!

So please accept our gratitude to Paul and Liz Cruise who put you in touch with us, to the team from the Matlock Flood Wall who erected the structures, and to Jackson Civil Engineering who funded the project. You have made a huge difference to our school community.

StudentBulletin

WeekcommencingMonday10July2023: WeekA

Y9 end of year exams week

Monday: Y9 assembly

Tuesday: Y11 assembly

Wednesday: Y10 assembly Evening performance of Grease

Thursday:

Y8 and sixth form assembly Evening performance of Grease

Friday:-

Evening performance of Grease

Saturday:-

Matinee and evening performances of Grease

ComingUp:School Closes 2pm 21 July

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

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/