Message from the headteacher
As I’ve mentioned before in these newsletter ‘bits’, I teach a Y7 group and together we look at healthy lifestyles as part of personal/social education (PSE). This work has resulted in me making several lifestyle changes including the purchase of quite an expensive blender because apparently my coffee and toast breakfast had to be replaced by spinach, apple and kelp smoothies. I have also upped my water intake every day and so when the site manager advised me that our water usage had gone up significantly I immediately confessed that I was drinking up to 3 litres a day more because the Y7s told me to. Apparently, however, the amount of water in question is significantly more than I could drink even if told to do so by a Y7, so we are urgently investigating this. Meanwhile at least SOME of my Y7 group are appearing to follow my lead in adopting slightly more healthy habits.
I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed Wednesday’s performance of Grease. I mean really, really, REALLY LOVED it. I was not particularly looking forward to seeing this show because I’ve always felt that Greaselacks much of a storyline and doesn’t have much by way of musical themes and the kind of stuff that you expect of a classic musical. But the production completely transcended the show itself. It was just so full of joy and happiness and skill and technique and stage craft and movement and life and humour and tempo and energy and youth and rhythm and swing. Every element of the production sang in harmony from the very cool and evocative set (thank you art dept) to the band which sounded as tight as a gnat’s proverbial, to the lighting (LEWIS!!!!) which snapped along the action so brilliantly. Honestly, it was the most uplifting, joyful thing I have seen in 29 years of school performances. Every single student from the stage management (Dixie, you are FAST!!) to the ensemble (not a passenger among you) to the principals to the backline crew: selfless, team players in it to make audiences happy. I am so proud of you, for you, with you. Thank you.
The vast majority of schools have had perimeter fencing for some considerable time. Highfields is just catching up so that finally we will be able to avoid walkers and their dogs fouling our playing fields (in fairness it was mainly the dogs doing the fouling), random strangers appearing in PE lessons (happened many times on both sites), underage drinkers leaving smashed beer bottles and empty fag packets at upper site over the weekend and cows invading the fields at lower site. Interestingly, despite the obvious need for a school to be able to secure its children, the fence has caused pockets of controversy. A year 7 student approached me with an air of defiance today and said, ‘if you think that fence can keep us in, you’re wrong…’ She went on to explain her various plans, one of which involved students bouncing over the fence using a mini-trampoline. The student then listened quietly while I explained that Highfields is not a prisoner of war camp and the fence is not to keep students in, it’s to keep them safe from anyone or thing which might compromise their safety. ‘Oh…’ the student said, ‘…thanks.’ ‘You’re welcome,’ I answered as she wandered off to cancel the gymnastic equipment that they were presumably crowd funding prior to their escape.
My aim is to recruit and retain the best staff to work with our children. As you will have seen in national media, morale amongst education and health workers is particularly low at the moment. If you wish to help retain our staff maybe you could send a little bit of positive feedback to a member of staff via info@highfields.derbyshire.sch.uk as we reach the end of the academic year. We will make sure the person gets it if you don’t have their direct email. They would LOVE IT.
Anyway…I hope you have a lovely weekend
A Marsh, Camp Commandant, HMP Highfields.
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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
Pleaseseeour updatedwebsiteforthefollowinginformation:
School Uniform
Contact details
Governor information
School Calendar and term dates
Extra-Curricular Clubs/Activities
Exam Timetables
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WeareHighfields
We played Anthony Gell in a year 7 Cricket match on Monday 10 July. The team played some excellent cricket despite the weather. We fielded well, some excellent bowling displays were followed by some exceptional batting performances. We scored 1 less run than our opponents but got 3 more out than they did, meaning we were victorious.
Congratulations to all involved and We Are Highfields.
Congratulations to Jayden K and Reece Johnstone on coming twelfth at the Ringing World National Youth Contest last weekend in York. The boys spent a gruelling but enjoyable day ringing bells in seven churches on the competition circuit. The highlight of which was ringing at York Minster Cathedral as part of the Derbyshire Young Ringers team. The boys won their place in the competition after coming first in the Young Ringers for Derbyshire competition in June at St Susanna`s Church, Horsley.
The boys have been committed members of the bell ringing team for several years and specialise in the tenor bells, they practice four to five hours a week over two evenings at St Giles and St Helens church and every Sunday ring for an hour at Sunday Service.
Year 10 Work Experience
Well done to all the year 10 students that completed their Work Experience placements. Employers have sent lots of positive feedback and commented on how polite, hard-working and mature students were. Thank you for all that support that employers, staff and parents gave to enable the completion of this real-life experience. From feedback gathered, students rated the experience an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars and Employers rated students work 4.7 out of 5 also. Well done year 10! Thank you.
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AnothervisitfromDowningStreet
This year we have continued to have some excellent input from Alice Matthews, our former student who works in the Policy Delivery Unit in Downing Street. This is a unit of the civil service which helps to ensure the Prime Minister’s priorities are delivered. When she last visited, in 2022, Alice was deputy director for Crime and Justice. Now she is Director, and Deputy Head of the whole unit and has worked closely with four different Prime Ministers and several Home Secretaries.
Alice spent the day with us. She started in year 7 assembly, talking to students about how she studied Modern Languages at university, which widened her outlook on the world and gave her the confidence and enjoyment of travelling. She then talked about the great opportunities she had in the Ministry of Defence, the Passport Office and the Home Office. Alice said she enjoys helping to make life better for people, especially in vulnerable circumstances.
A Level History students are studying modern British politics, and they were given a great insider’s view on how Downing Street feels, as a centre of power. It is, after all, a house; and Alice talked about the effect of having many small rooms inside it, and how that feels. This prompted the class to consider what it might have been like for Margaret Thatcher when the tide turned against her, or the secret meetings that Lloyd George managed to have there in the early 1900s.
Alice then set students some real challenges which she has faced in government. Small mixed groups of students from years 7, 8 ,9, 10 and sixth form worked together to decide what they would do with the following challenges.
· Reducing knife crime in young people, when a spike was predicted at the end of lockdown 2021.
· Tackling modern British slavery. Students were asked to come up with a publicity campaign to help ensure that information was passed to the authorities to help people in need. This was the project that Alice had said was very emotive, but very rewarding to lead.
· Saving a public relations problem created in the civil service.
· Keeping morale high during lockdown in a department which was based throughout the UK.
Students then asked lots of questions about what it was like to work in the heart of government where decisions are made. Alice feels she has the chance to make a difference by suggesting solutions and implementing policies which can improve people’s lives. She thoroughly enjoys the challenges that are thrown up, and emphasised the important qualities of leadership which help her to navigate through the intensities of life in Downing Street and beyond, including compassion, honesty, intentional listening and courage.
Alice strongly believes that Highfields students should be very confident that they could work in the centre of government. She says that people from schools like ours are much needed, so that decision making is shared and influenced by many different backgrounds, not just a few.
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Schoolsportandsportsleadersnews
Mrs Allen, School Sports Co-ordinator
Monday 10 July… Miss Paley took the FA GIRLS through their final section of the 2022/23 project. The girls had to reflect on their project and send the presentation off.
Wednesday 12 July… Mrs Allen attended the last Sports leaders staff forum meeting of the year. The final session of the Primary sports evening took place. Year 8 leaders have done an amazing job over the past 6 weeks, as has Miss Judson guiding them. Well done to pupils from South Darley for their outstanding involvement
Thursday 13 July... All Sports Leaders UK courses for 2022/23 were successfully evaluated. Very well done to all Sports leaders for their dedicated efforts over the course of the year.
Friday 14 July… Sports Leaders in Year 9, who were selected to support delivery by Active Derbyshire at the Physical Literacy event in Holmebrook Valley Park, did an amazing job. They were very professional in all they did.... photos in next week’s newsletter
Saturday 15 July… Play Your Way to Wimbledon - Our 4 players from Year 7 & 8, who won our event back in May, are heading to the County finals at Chesterfield Lawn Tennis club. Photos and report next week
Friday 14 – Sunday 16 July… Year 12 student Eleanor H, the learner of the Year for Sports leaders UK nationally, represents the age group 16-25 at the Youth Sport Trust forum for developing PE Sport for the Future at the highly prestigious residential event. Photos in next weeks newsletter.
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StudentBulletin
WeekcommencingMonday17July2023: WeekB
Monday: Y9 assembly
Tuesday: Y11 assembly
Wednesday: Y10 assembly
Thursday: Y8 and sixth form assembly
Friday:School closes 2pm
Saturday:-
ComingUp:-
See the list of extra-curricular activities taking place at lunch time and after school each day on both school sites on our website.
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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/
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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/
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