From Ludwig to Lightsabers - A Live Orchestral Performance

On 11th February, a group of Year 10 and Year 12 music students from Highfields had the exciting opportunity to experience the magic of a live orchestral performance at The Halls, Wolverhampton. Organised by Wolverhampton Music Service (WMS), the concert aimed to educate Key Stage 3 students from across the city on the evolution of orchestral music through the ages.

The performance took the audience on a musical journey through history, from the iconic opening notes of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5—composed in 1808—to John Williams’ powerful score from Star Wars. Each piece showcased how orchestral music has developed over the centuries, bringing classical masterpieces and cinematic scores to life.

The concert featured talented musicians from Wolverhampton Symphony Orchestra and rising stars from Wolverhampton Youth Orchestra, demonstrating the city’s vibrant musical talent.

Our students left the event inspired, having gained a deeper understanding of orchestral music and the importance of live performance in bringing history to life.

Highfields would like to extend its thanks to Wolverhampton Music Service for organising such a memorable event and providing our students with this fantastic cultural experience.

Highfields won't take this gift for granite!

Llandrinio’s school outdoor activity centre is set to benefit from a much-needed car park resurfacing, thanks to a generous donation from Heidelberg Materials (Criggion Quarry) The contribution will provide a safer and more accessible space for visitors, staff, and students attending outdoor education programs.

The improved surface will enhance accessibility, ensuring a better experience for all who use the facility. A spokesperson for Heidelberg Materials said,

“We are proud to support local initiatives that benefit the community, and we hope this upgrade will make a real difference for those visiting the centre.”

The school has expressed its gratitude for the support, highlighting the positive impact this will have on students and outdoor learning activities.

Expedition Excellence: The Duke of Edinburgh Awards Evening

On Thursday 6th February , Highfields school hosted its annual Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Awards Evening, celebrating the incredible achievements of our young participants. The event recognised the dedication, perseverance, and hard work of the students who completed their Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards.

The evening began with a warm welcome from Mr Moody, who highlighted the importance of the DofE program in fostering essential life skills such as leadership, teamwork, and resilience. The audience were treated to tales of students' experiences who shared their unique journeys, challenges, and the sense of accomplishment they felt upon completion.

A highlight of the night was the presentation of certificates and badges presented to the participants by  Rose Cook-Monk, a celebrated charity worker for the West Midlands, amid applause and cheers from proud family members, friends, and mentors.

 A captivating slideshow highlighting thrilling expeditions through challenging terrain was enjoyed by all. Special congratulations went to Kendrick, Erin, Rhihannah, Kyle, Sarah, Aoife, and Kyrun, who will have the honor of visiting Buckingham Palace to receive their Gold Award.

Special guest Rose Cook-Monk , delivered an uplifting keynote address, emphasising the value of perseverance and community service. Their words left a lasting impression on the audience, encouraging the young awardees to strive for excellence in all aspects of their lives.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the awardees and express our gratitude to the volunteers, sponsors, and supporters who make the DofE program possible. We look forward to seeing even more young people take on this life-changing challenge in the coming year.

Here’s to another year of inspiring journeys and remarkable accomplishments!

Highfields Students Join Wolverhampton Youth Council to Shape the City’s Future

Highfields students Poppy and Joseph are stepping up to help shape the future of Wolverhampton after being selected to join the City of Wolverhampton Youth Council. They will work alongside 47 other young representatives from schools across the city, who were recently announced at an official event in the Council Chambers.

In their new roles, Poppy and Joseph will act as ambassadors for the voice of young people, encouraging their peers to engage with the community and participate in local decision-making. They will collaborate with the City of Wolverhampton Council’s directors and support Wolverhampton’s two Youth Members of Parliament (Youth MPs) to address the key issues affecting young people in the city.

Harleen Nahal, Chair of the Youth Council, said:
"We are committed to ensuring that young people’s ideas, concerns, and aspirations are not only heard but embedded into decisions that affect their lives. With the support of our dedicated participation officers, we will continue to co-produce policies, services, and initiatives in collaboration with members of the council to create change that reflects the needs of Wolverhampton’s youth and help make Wolverhampton an even better place for the future."

Everyone at Highfields would like to offer huge congratulations to Poppy and Joseph. Their dedication to making a difference—both here at Highfields and across Wolverhampton—is truly inspiring. We are excited to see all the incredible things they will achieve in their roles on the Youth Council.

Inspiring Futures - Highfields Careers Fair

On 29th January, Highfields School welcomed students, parents, and carers to its annual Careers Fair and Year 9 Course Choice Evening. With over 50 exhibitors in attendance, the event provided invaluable insights into future education and career pathways.

The Careers Fair brought together a diverse range of local and national employers, colleges, apprenticeship and training providers, and universities. More than just an information-sharing event, it served as a platform for fostering connections and inspiring aspirations.

Students had the opportunity to engage with industry representatives, gaining firsthand knowledge of various career options and the skills and qualifications needed for success. From apprenticeships to university degrees, the fair catered to the wide-ranging ambitions of Highfields students.

Parents and carers played an active role, joining their children in discussions with exhibitors. The event created a supportive environment for families to explore options together, ensuring students receive the guidance they need to make well-informed decisions about their futures.

Running alongside the Careers Fair, the Year 9 Course Choice Evening provided essential guidance as students considered their academic journey at Highfields. Attendees explored the broad range of subjects available, helping them make informed choices about their future studies.

This combination of events created a dynamic and engaging atmosphere, empowering students to make confident decisions about their education and careers. By bringing together a wealth of exhibitors and resources, Highfields School reaffirmed its commitment to supporting students in their aspirations.

Highfields at the Hilton

Hospitality & Catering students at Highfields recently enjoyed an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Hilton St. George’s Park, the 5-star luxury hotel and home of England’s football team training ground. The visit provided valuable insight into the various front and back-of-house departments, giving students a real-world perspective on hotel operations and the luxury guest experience.

The day began with an informative presentation on careers and progression routes in the hospitality industry, inspiring students to explore future opportunities. They then got hands-on with practical activities, including towel origami, chocolate writing, and crafting raspberry daiquiri mocktails—experiencing hospitality in action.

To round off the visit, students engaged in an ‘Ask the Experts’ panel, where staff from food and beverage, housekeeping, and front-of-house departments shared their knowledge and answered questions to support the students’ Unit 1 exam preparation. A guided tour of the hotel and grounds completed the immersive experience.

The visit was both educational and inspiring, providing students with a deeper understanding of the industry. A fantastic experience that showcased the exciting possibilities within Hospitality & Catering!

Sparx Superstars

At Highfields, we are proud to support our students’ learning journeys through Sparx, an engaging online platform that offers personalised, challenging, and achievable homework tasks. Sparx helps students consolidate their understanding, build confidence, and develop strong independent learning habits.

Each term, we recognise and celebrate the hard work, commitment, and resilience of students who consistently excel in their Sparx homework. From every class, the top two students—those who complete their homework on time, achieve high standards, and boost their XP independently—are rewarded with a special treat in the LRC.

To add to the excitement, these students are entered into a prize draw with the chance to win a gift voucher. This initiative inspires our students to strive for excellence while reinforcing the value of dedication and perseverance.

This term’s Years 7 and 8 winners were Elvin and Olivia - congratulations on your outstanding achievement!

We are thrilled to celebrate the success of our Sparx superstars and look forward to rewarding even more students in the terms to come. Keep up the fantastic work!

Hark! The Lykos Angels Sing

Friday the 13th might bring misfortune for some, but for Highfields, it was a day of festive joy and harmony! The inaugural Lykos Christmas Choir brought together students from Highfields and local primary schools Springdale, Warstones, and Spring Vale to delight Wolverhampton shoppers with a stunning performance in the Mander Centre.

The choir’s beautiful singing, accompanied by beaming smiles, lit up the shopping centre, spreading festive cheer to all. One security guard was so moved by the heartwarming melodies, he was brought to tears!

From classics like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer to the serene Silent Night, the students captivated their audience with every note. Warstones Primary delivered a particularly memorable rendition of We Wish You a Merry Christmas in British Sign Language before all the students raised the roof with Slade’s festive anthem Merry Xmas Everybody.

A huge thank you to the staff and students of Springdale, Warstones, and Spring Vale for joining us in this magical event. Together, we’ve created memories to cherish and set the stage for many more wonderful collaborations in the future.

Here’s to the Lykos Christmas Choir—a new festive tradition in the making!

Mysterious and Spooky - Highfields ‘Addams Family’ Spooktacular

While Christmas is on the horizon, Highfields recently embraced the spooky season with a hauntingly spectacular production of The Addams Family. Following the success of our 2019 show, we couldn’t resist revisiting the ghoulishly delightful tale, this time with a brand-new cast of eager and talented students.

To showcase the extraordinary talent at Highfields, many roles were double or even triple cast, allowing each performer to bring their unique spin to the eerie ensemble. The result? A chilling yet charming spectacle filled with deadly dancing, macabre music, and torturous fun. Our cauldron truly overflows with wickedly wonderful talent!

The show’s themes of acceptance and being true to oneself resonated deeply, reflecting the spirit of our Highfields community. We extend our darkest gratitude to all who brought this sinister spectacle to life.

To the cast: your performances were spellbinding, chilling, and as dazzling as Morticia's thorny yet beautiful roses. To the crew: your backstage wizardry crafted perfection unseen, weaving the threads of the Addams’ peculiar world.

Finally, to our supporters: your unearthly devotion and generosity were the lifeblood of this fiendish family reunion. You are the sparks in Uncle Fester’s experiments and the melody behind Lurch’s groans.

Thank you for making The Addams Family a ghostly triumph!

Year 11s Explore Future Pathways at Staying in Learning Day

Year 11 students at Highfields were inspired to look beyond their current studies and explore the wide range of options available to them during this year’s Staying in Learning Day.

An annual highlight of the Highfields calendar, the event offers students the chance to engage in interactive workshops and activities designed to support their educational and career aspirations. Tailored to individual interests, the day helps students make informed decisions about their futures by providing hands-on experiences and expert guidance.

For those planning to pursue A-Levels at Sixth Form or college, workshops covered a variety of subjects, including Maths, Science, English Literature, Film Studies, Catering, Health & Social Care, and Law. These sessions provided students with a glimpse into the demands and rewards of further education.

Additionally, industry professionals visited Highfields to deliver practical advice and demonstrations, offering insights into a range of careers such as Automotive, Hair and Beauty, Construction, Performing Arts, Media, and Engineering. These sessions highlighted real-world applications and career pathways, inspiring students to consider diverse opportunities.

Mr C Rhodes, Highfields’ Upper School Raising Achievement Manager, said: “The event provides students with information and guidance on the pathways and progression routes available to them post 16. It is a great opportunity for them to process the decisions they will be having to make shortly."

At Highfields, we are dedicated to empowering our students with the knowledge and confidence they need to achieve their goals. Staying in Learning Day is a vital part of this journey, equipping Year 11s with the tools to make informed and exciting decisions about their futures.