Issuu

28th March 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

When I first got into senior leadership my then partner would often say, ‘the students are only in school from 93.30…what on EARTH are you doing for all this time?’ This would often be during weeks like this one where I leave the house before 7am and stagger back home late in the evening for several days on the trot. The answer to the question ‘what are you doing for all this time?’ was routinely answered with ‘I’m trying to keep up with the kids’.

For this reason, many staff show up between 7 and 7.30am to prepare for the arrival of students and we often stay as long as the students are working their magic. This week after school on Monday we had U14 Girls beating Lady Manners at football to make it into the Derbyshire Schools Cup Final. On Tuesday performing artists appeared at the Rotary Club Annual Dinner. On Wednesday evening our Y10 and 12 drama students performed for a visiting examiner. On Thursday evening we discussed students with governors until 8pm. On Friday students gave us the night off (although last Friday the students sleeping rough for Centre Point kept staff here all night!). Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Qualifying expedition this weekend and last week it was sixth formers in London to see Kyoto at the Soho Place and visiting the Houses of Parliament.

Obviously, I’m not with students for all of these experiences but I do try to get to as many as possible during weeks like this. There are days when a group is returning from an international trip at 5am and another one is leaving at 8am when it feels like a 24-hour school, which I suppose it is. I want to thank every single member of staff who tries their best to ‘keep up with the kids’ as they embark on every single one of the exciting opportunities they are offered.

While I’m on the Rotary Club…a fellow diner approached me during the meal and asked after my family following our break-in a few weeks ago. It turns out she has grandkids at the school and has to suffer my bit in the newsletter as a consequence. A number of very kind people have asked a similar question and I am here to tell you that we are absolutely fine as I have stepped up security. I am notoriously careful when it comes to money so thus far I have resisted my kids’ call to buy very expensive security systems in favour of my, more cost-effective, solutions. Last time the thieves broke in and stole my car keys from a little table in the hall. I now place, each night, a small tasty looking cake (Mr Kipling or similar) by the keys with a sign saying ‘eat me [smiley face emoji]’. Should this not soften/ distract them I have invested in a clown costume. I intend to confront the thieves and perform comedy magic tricks whilst one of the kids rings the police. Just in case none of this works I have bought a steering lock. This is so secure that even I could not drive the car on Saturday because I lost the key.

I should point out that I do not employ these security techniques at work: although I am sure the school would be all the safer for them. Have a wonderful weekend.

A Marsh, Headteacher and security specialist.

Reminders for the week ahead.. Week A

Monday 31st March

• Oral Exams

• Easter Concert 7pm-10pm (All day rehearsal and evening performance)

• DofE Bronze

Tuesday 1st April

• Y13 Geology Stone Centre

• Essential Dance Energy Rehearsals- Starkholmes

• Y8 Parents Evening

Wednesday 2nd April

Thursday 3rd April