Jayne Allen is more of an institution than a member of staff. She has been an educator since 1979 and worked at Highfields since 1999. During her time at our school she has trained over 4000 students in sports and sports leadership and offered over 150 sports-based courses. Many of her sports leaders have graduated to become PE teachers themselves. This week she retired and we said goodbye to her in an emotional session on Wednesday evening. Various staff and students, both present and past, presented testimonials which referenced Jayne’s work over the decades.
The various images of Jayne feature trips she led to Bahrain, Brisbane, Dubai, Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games, her carrying of the Olympic Torch and unforgettable visits she arranged for students to major venues including Wimbledon and Lords.
I feel that anyone who manages to maintain Jayne’s levels of energy, positivity and enthusiasm over 42 years in education is a person of exceptional character and resolve. She will be missed.
Following the recent pre-debate from Alice Matthews on medicine and ethics, Dr Oliver Godsmark from Derby University joined us on Thursday for a debate entitled, ‘How should we remember the British Empire?’ This event involved historians from Y8 and Y12 coming together to form arguments based on the writings of David Olusoga and Niall Ferguson. These events are part of an ongoing project to a) involve sixth formers in mixed events with younger students and b) develop academic challenge.
Thanks for all of your congratulations regarding our Ofsted report. I have said several times that I set little store by Ofsted but that as long as their reports remain influential it is my job to ensure that they see Highfields in a positive light. We will not be putting out a huge banner or anything like that but I am genuinely thrilled that many of you think the report captures something about our school.
Love and affection in Y7 and 8 this week when declarations of friendship and kindness circulated in card form (many with sweets attached) as a celebration of Valentine’s Day. Postal problems, presumably, account for the fact that I received absolutely no cards this year: puzzling given that I am eating so much protein and should have been extra attractive by now.
My car boot is still covered in rock salt which we used to try and clear our carparks on the first three days of term. I want to thank everyone who has played a part in getting us through what seems like a very busy term. I intend to hibernate for a couple of days over the weekend and then I will try and squeeze into a few days every teeth/medical/hair/car/house maintenance appointment that I’ve been putting off since January. I hope you manage to get a little bit of peace - see you next term.
CAMHS are offering FREE workshops to parents and carers so you can learn new skills and strategies to support your children and young people.
These workshops are delivered by CAMHS clinicians and cover a variety of topics including common mental health difficulties, learning disabilities and ASD. They give parents and carers the opportunity to liaise with CAMHS clinicians and other parents and carers who have children who are experiencing similar difficulties.
These sessions are for parents/carers of young people with a learning disability and/or Autism, who live in North Derbyshire. They will take place on Microsoft Teams.
To book places, please email CRHFT.camhsadmin@nhs.net or call on 01246 514412. Please tell them your name, email address and telephone number.
**UPDATE FROM CAMHS - Unfortunately, we don’t record the sessions to maintain the confidentiality of those attending. Feedback will be given to the team for the desire of evening workshops to enable those that can’t make the day time**
If you require more information please contact CRHFT.camhsadmin@nhs.net or call on 01246 514412
The event is planned for 5th April 2025 and there are 4 timeslots to choose from.
Attendees need to be 16+ or in Year 11 and are only allowed 1 plus one to come along with them.
Attendees must register via this link: External Events - Shared HR Service Centre
My name is Molly Hooper (stage nameMercury). I am a fellow local Derbyshire mum with three little sprogs age 1, 5 and 7. I am putting on apop-up family choir in half term at The Lime Tree Conference Centre in Matlock and just wondered if I could have your help to spread the word!?
Anyone can come and join from grandma's, teenagers to pre-schoolers and the more that join the merrier it will be! Under 16sare completely free!
Key dates & Calendar
2024-25AcademicYear
Term 3: 6 January 2025 – 14 February 2025 (Holiday 17 February – 21 February)
Term 4: 24 February 2025 to 4 April 2025 (Holiday 7 April – 21 April)
Term 5: 22 April 2025 to 23 May 2025 (Holiday 26 May – 30 May)
Term 6: 2 June 2025 to 24 July 2025 Monday 30th
2024-25provisionalschoolevents
Easter Concert & Juliet Trip Y11 Prom School Musical Berlin
Monday 8th September 2025
Year 7, 9 and 12 will start/return to school
Tuesday 9th September School Opens for all year groups
Thursday 4th September 2025 Friday 5th September 2025 Friday 24th October 2025
