Issue 08

Newsletter

8March2024

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

Inter form Y8 bench ball at the moment. This follows the football last week where a couple of hundred students turned out onto our state-of-the-art all-weather pitch to support their state-of-the-art form groups. At our school we are always looking for one more reason for students to enjoy school and we feel that our wider curriculum (everything that happens outside of lessons) is a major part of this.

My plans to grow a very large moustache ended in disarray this week when the matter was raised in a meeting with a senior colleague. The leader in question said that the moustache was, “affected…much too large” and that it made me look like I “was in the eighteenth century”. She added that I was “in possession of an offensive moustache” which left me with very little choice but to shave it off. This brought to conclusion a dream that was originally inspired by some Y9 students who answered my question ‘what should I do to make further improvements?’ (I was talking about the school) with the reply ‘grow a very large moustache’ (they were talking about my face). This whole sorry affair has been most distressing.

Mock exams continued this week. I KNOW I have shared this before but it’s crucial that especially reluctant revisers get as much as possible from the time they dedicate to revision. If your child tells you they are ‘reading over notes’ please respond by telling them that they may as well just sit with the book on their head for all the good it will do them. Mike Tyson said, ‘everybody has a plan until they get hit’. For this reason, boxers’ training includes shadow boxing and sparring (not solely standing in a corner practising jabs). In the same way, revisers need to train themselves to answer challenging questions under pressure. Exams are challenging and will often tend to take students off guard unless they are used to reading them, mind mapping and calmly figuring out what the examiners are looking for.

If, on the other hand, you are parenting one of our students who is prone to overwork and over-worrying please do try and moderate their revision time and remind them that exams are NOT life and death. I underperformed in some exams and look at me (OK, bad example…).

World Book Day on Thursday which we celebrated in various ways including through a book quiz in form time. One of the older students came up with an alternative answer to ‘what did Cinders lose at the ball?’ which was totally inappropriate (but secretly amusing).

As you would guess there are elements of leading a school of this size which I don’t feature in this newsletter ‘bit’ because are not much fun. Last week was a tricky one where pressures built up considerably. In the midst of all this a parent stopped me at Starkholmes and thanked me for treating her daughter with a bit of sensitivity and compassion. I didn’t see this as any worthy of thanks but secretly it put a little spring in my step which enabled me to get to the end of the week in one emotional piece. Thankyou…you know who you are.

Have a peaceful weekend. We are (relatively clean shaven) Highfields.

A Marsh, Headteacher

Coming up next week…

Summer 2024 GCSE/A Level Timetables

Timetables for the summer external exams starting in May are now available on the school website on the Exams page. Final versions of the timetables, with afternoon start times added, will be published nearer to the start of the exams, and paper copies will be issued to students at this time. Please note when planning holidays after the end of exams for Year 11 and Year 13 students, that they must be available to sit exams up to and including the exam boards' contingency date of Wednesday 26 June

GCSE timetable: https://www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Student-GCSETimetable-Summer-2024-v.1.pdf

A Level timetable: https://www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/A-LevelStudent-Timetable-Summer-2024-v.1.pdf

Year 12/13 Vocational timetable: https://www.highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2024/01/Student-Vocational-Timetable-Summer-2024-v.1.xlsx.pdf

Parents’ Evening updates

Y7 Parents' evening Tuesday

19th March (4pm-6.50pm, 4 min appointments, online). Appointments will go live at 7pm on Tuesday 5th March.

Parents’ Guide to Edibles

Over the last couple of years, we have been aware of an increased number of cases of young people taking THC Gummies. Please can you ensure you are aware of what these are, what labelling to look for and their effects so you can protect your child.

To help you if you are unaware of THC gummies I have provided links to information online but please be aware it is not from Derbyshire.

https://www.essex.police.uk/police-forces/essex-police/areas/essex-police/au/about-us/cannabis-edibles/

The parent guide is from Surrey and the police article is from Essex.

For support in Derbyshire we have CGL - a service young people can refer themselves into, you can also get information off their website.

Young People's Service, Derbyshire (changegrowlive.org)

Kind regards

Claire Rifkin Assistant Head Teacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead

Sports Leaders

Tuesday 5th March

Young Ambassadors assembly took place at Castle View and St Josephs during the morning. Year 12 ambassadors Sophie and Maia did a fantastic job.

Tuesday 5th March

Lea Primary school represented the Highfields Cluster in the SSP Tag Rugby finals at Cromford.

Wednesday 6th March

Year 12 Level 3 Sports leaders went to Busy Bees Nursey Matlock to lead 45 2-4 year olds in physical activities. The leaders were outstanding in their delivery of fun foundational skills.

Thursday 7th March

The Year 3 & 4 Netball tournament.

Darley Dale and South Darley primary teams enjoyed a morning session led by the leaders in skills activity and warm ups followed by a match of four quarters, giving all the squad ample time to play. Darley Dale were the winners. Pupils were given medals and certificates. The Highfields sports leaders were the umpires and officials.

Thursday 8th March

Judith Holt of British Orienteering came to give a staff CPD session for Mrs Allen, Mr Molyneux and Max Marshall.

Friday 8th March

National Girls FA day... more in next week’s newsletter.

National Careers Week

It's Na onal Careers

Week 4-11 March 2024! Parents can be unsure of their teen's op ons a er GCSE or sixth form so The Parents' Guide to, in partnership with Na onal Careers Week, has created this free guide giving an overview of what’s available at 16 and 18 years’ old and summarizing different routes teens can take into the workplace.

Na onal Careers Weekparent/teacher guide (theparentsguideto.co.uk)

Face to face Derby Routes into STEM Course opportunity foryour Year 9&10 students

We are excited to let you know that applications for the Derby Face to Face Routes into STEM course experiences will take place over theMayhalfterm–28th–30thMay2024.

We're excited to showcase the second DMUFutures Fair, taking place on the 23rd April 2024 @ The Venue, De Montfort University Campus, Leicester.

This fairis specificallydesigned for college and sixth form students who are embarking on their higher education journey. During the interactive marketplace, they can learn about available courses, engage with teaching staff and current DMU students, and begin theirexploration of potential study paths.

This event will bring together academics and students from across the DMU course portfolio including:

 Art and Design

 Biomedical Sciences

 Business and Marketing

 Computer Sciences

 Dance, Drama and Acting

 Engineering

 Fashion and Textiles

 Media Production

 Nursing

 Social Sciences (Psychology & Criminology)

In addition to course information, students can engage with additional stands exploring the career, travel and sports/society-based opportunities and others looking at accommodation, finance and welfare at university.

Students will also have the opportunity to seethe university campus as a part of the day.

How to book your space:

Students may book individually by completing the form on our website.

FREE Bike marking & Tool marking event that will be held in Hall Leys Park, Matlock on Saturday 30th March 202410.00am-12.00pm.

They will also be there offering any crime prevention advice, to answer any questions people may have, for people to raise any concerns that they may have with them, and just to give members of the public an opportunity to come and meet members of their Local Safer Neighbourhood Team. They can also sign people up to Derbyshire Alert, so that they are also able to keep up-to-date with what the current crimes are in their community and to share positive action taken by us back to our community.

They will also have a marked Police vehicle and a variety of bits for young people who also want to engage with us. They can also have their photo taken in the Police vehicle should they want to.