Issue 7

Newsletter

1March2024

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

I just wanted to say thankyou to every single driver who has been so lovely and reasonable over the last week as we have tried to further improve the safety of our students on both sites. Both of my kids are now old enough to do the 30 minute walk to their secondary school but it has not always been like that and I am well aware that school drop off/pick up can be stressful. Thank you for understanding that child safety comes before driver convenience at Highfields. I’m especially grateful to those of you who remained circumspect when our insistence on safety has detained you for a minute or so. Please see photo which features NO students crossing the paths of buses and cars at Highfields Upper Site. THANK YOU.

On Wednesday George Roberts was training our Ambassadors. This is part of an important project dedicated to ensuring that students RUN Highfields school! They need to be far more involved in shaping what happens here. The scheme is open to students from Y7-13 and the idea is that they join a committee and start making a real contribution to the life of the school. More in upcoming newsletters.

A good night’s sleep is something I used to get before I became a dad/senior leader. My poor sleep over the half term was underpinned this time by my constant worrying about staff and students skiing in Davos. I care deeply about each one of my 1,333 students and 169 staff and find it hard to settle when they are off in foreign climes. I put myself through this worry repeatedly because I believe it is crucial for young people to have adventures and new experiences. Many families tell me that, although they could never afford to take the whole family skiing, for example, they can just about afford to send one child to have that life changing experience. When I met this lot off the coach last Saturday I was thrilled to hear that the star student was a young man who, until now, has struggled to make his mark in school. It turns out skiing may be his ‘thing’. This would never have been discovered had the school not offered this trip. I would like to offer a HUGE thanks to Alison Wildgoose and her team of staff for their diligence, skill (and patience in answering my constant requests for updates). Here’s a bit of feedback from a parent:

“I just wanted to drop you a message to say what a fantastic time my daughter had in Davos during the half term. She was full of it when she arrived back home and thoroughly enjoyed all the additional activities that had been organised as well as the skiing. She even enjoyed the bus journey and ferry crossing which surprised her as much as it did us! All the staff have done a wonderful job in providing the children with a great opportunity and experience. She has already expressed great interest in going on next year’s trip. Please can you pass on my thanks and comments to all the staff. They are a credit to the school.”

We are 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

Y10 Parents' evening Tuesday 5th March (4pm-6.50pm, 5 min appointments, online).

Y7 Parents' evening Tuesday 19th March (4pm-6.50pm, 4 min appointments, online). Appointments will go live at 7pm on Tuesday 5th March.

Sports Leaders

Thursday 29th Feb

Young Ambassadors Yea 7 Ruby and Year 8 Thea and Reuben went to Wessington and Lea Primary schools to deliver an assembly. They did a fantastic job of being an advocate of Highfields school and spoke very clearly on the impact Sport and Physical activity had on their journey in school.

The February Voice of Sport meeting took place today Friday 1st March. The first meeting of the year with all the year reps meeting together on Mrs Allen’s return from her knee operation. As always, a full discussion took place with all the year reps.

Derbyshire Junior Choir

EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR PUPILS:

We are excited to inform you that the next Derbyshire Junior Choir morning will be Sunday 3rd March from 9.30am –1pm. The Derbyshire Junior Choir meet once every half term at County Choir in Matlock. All pupils aged 7 – 14 are very welcome.

The Derbyshire Junior choir is directed by experienced members of our Singing Team and parents/carers are invited to join us from 12.30pm on the day for an informal performance of what we have learnt in the morning. In order to support us with running costs and to ensure that we provide the correct number of staff and level of support for attendees, there is a charge of £5 for each child to be paid at the time of booking. Please book early to avoid disappointment.

We look forward to welcoming you on the 3rd March.

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 Week - parent/teacher guide (theparentsguideto.co.uk)

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.