Hola and Bonjour! A Fantastic Year for Modern Foreign Languages at Highfields

It’s been an action-packed year for the Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) team at Highfields, with exciting trips, inspiring workshops, and cultural celebrations that have brought French and Spanish learning to life for our students.

A Trip to the Theatre – in French!

On Thursday 13th March, 15 of our enthusiastic Year 8 French students visited Tudor Grange Academy in Solihull (our partner in the MFL Language Hub) for a live performance by the Onatti Theatre Company. The play, Prendre sa revanche, was delivered entirely in French and gave students a chance to immerse themselves in the language in a fun and theatrical setting.

Francophonie on the Road

Just a few days later, on Wednesday 19th March, another group of Year 8 French students returned to Tudor Grange for the Francophonie on the Road event, run by the Institut Français. With a focus on the theme of water, students took part in a variety of activities, including team quizzes, puzzles, and creative challenges. One group impressed everyone with their winning hashtag: #poussezlavague (push the wave).

The event also included a session on Claude Monet and Impressionism, where students collaborated on group paintings and enjoyed a truly unforgettable VR experience. Sitting in a virtual boat, they were transported into Monet’s world—his gardens at Giverny and eventually into the Orangerie, surrounded by his famous Water Lilies. The pupils were a credit to Highfields and received praise for their excellent behaviour and enthusiasm.

Spanish Meets Business

On Wednesday 26th March, 10 of our Year 9 Spanish students took part in the Business Language Challenge at Tudor Grange, organised by the University of Warwick. Students competed in teams to design their own holiday experience in Spain, putting their Spanish language, marketing, and presentation skills to the test. It was a fantastic opportunity to combine creative thinking with practical language use, all in a competitive and fun environment.

Celebrating Success

Throughout the year, we’ve celebrated our most dedicated and hardworking MFL students with special reward lunches—an opportunity to relax and enjoy a well-earned treat of cake and pop as a thank you for their effort and commitment.

Onatti Theatre Visits Highfields

Most recently, we had the pleasure of welcoming the Onatti Theatre Company to Highfields to perform Primera Cita (My First Date) to our Year 7 Spanish students. This hilarious and engaging performance gave students the opportunity to see the language they’ve been learning all year come to life on stage, helping to improve their listening and comprehension in an interactive and enjoyable way.

It’s been an exciting year for MFL at Highfields, filled with learning beyond the classroom and a deepened appreciation for French and Spanish culture. We’re incredibly proud of all our students and look forward to even more linguistic adventures next year!

Year 10 Impress in Mock Interviews with Local Employers

At Highfields, we are committed to preparing our students for life beyond the classroom, and that includes giving them the confidence and skills to succeed in the world of work. As many adults know, job interviews can be daunting, which is why we believe in helping our students develop the tools they need to face them head-on.

Recently, our Year 10 students put their learning to the test in a series of mock interviews with real employers from a wide range of industries, including law, engineering, construction, and dentistry. In total, 20 professionals generously gave their time to conduct one-on-one interviews with every Year 10 student.

Following their interviews, students received personalised feedback—and the responses from employers were nothing short of incredible. Despite a few nerves, our students made a lasting impression with their maturity, confidence, and communication skills. Here’s what some of the interviewers had to say:

"They showed their want to learn and develop through their eagerness to engage."
"The student had excellent communication skills. Not just eye contact, but hand gestures and confidence."
"Very sensible and mature, thinking practically about their career."
"They had outstanding broad answers, with examples."
"The student instinctively used transferable skills to answer questions."
"They had an impressive number of external activities including volunteer work."
"Wonderful interview with clear idea of goals and how to achieve them."
"They were very presentable and understood key personal skills."

We are incredibly proud of all our Year 10 students for rising to the challenge and representing themselves and Highfields, so brilliantly.

A huge thank you goes out to all the employers who supported this valuable event. If our students can perform this well in interviews now, we’ve no doubt that employers will be fighting over them in the future!

Year 7 Put STEM Skills to the Test at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre!

Our brilliant Year 7 students recently enjoyed an exciting and educational day at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, where they took part in a hands-on STEM workshop designed to challenge their creativity and scientific thinking.

The workshop saw students designing and building their own sail-powered race cars using LEGO. Once built, they experimented with different sail shapes and sizes to test which surface area helped their cars move the fastest—learning firsthand how wind power and forces affect movement and speed.

As part of the session, students explored key scientific concepts such as air resistance, friction, and propulsion, all while having great fun in a unique and engaging environment. The day was a perfect blend of learning and play, sparking curiosity and enthusiasm for STEM subjects.

Well done to all the students for their teamwork, problem-solving, and imaginative designs—we’re already looking forward to the next STEM adventure!

Highfields Cricket Stars Secure Spot in Staffordshire Cup Final

On Friday 27th June, Highfields’ Year 10/11 cricket team continued their remarkable run in the Staffordshire U15 Cricket Cup with a commanding semi-final victory over John Taylor High School. The match, held at Barton-under-Needwood near Burton, showcased the team’s talent, discipline, and teamwork—earning them a well-deserved place in the final.

John Taylor High won the toss and chose to bat first. Despite a solid start, Highfields' bowlers stepped up with a superbly disciplined performance, restricting the opposition to 112 for 8 from their 20 overs. Tom continued his outstanding form, taking 3 wickets, while Aarez delivered two pivotal dismissals to remove key batsmen and shift the momentum firmly in our favour.

The fielding effort was exceptional, with sharp catches, smart positioning, and relentless ground work, all under the calm and strategic leadership of captain Ryan. His ability to adapt field placements to each batsman played a crucial role in containing the run rate.

Chasing 113, the Highfields openers got off to a dream start. Ryan (23) and Miles (41) put on a dominant 71-run partnership by the eighth over, laying a solid foundation. After their departure, Jacob (17*) and Henry (14*) guided the team to a confident finish, reaching 120 for 2 and sealing the win.

The team now looks ahead to the final, which will take place at Penkridge Cricket Club on Thursday 3rd July at 1 pm.

The squad’s success is a reflection not only of their hard work and dedication at Highfields, but also of the strong grassroots foundations built at local clubs such as Himley and Wightwick. Credit is also due to the families and coaches who have supported and nurtured their development into such skilled and composed young cricketers.

We are incredibly proud of the team’s achievements so far and wish them the very best as they aim to bring the trophy home in the final!

Highfields Year 11 Prom 2025: A Night to Remember

On Friday 20th June, our fabulous Year 11 students swapped their school uniforms for suits, gowns, and glamour as they celebrated the end of an incredible chapter at their prom night, hosted at the elegant Park Hall Hotel.

After months of dedication, revision, and sitting their final exams, it was finally time to let their hair down and enjoy a well-earned celebration. And what a night it was! Bathed in glorious sunshine, the scene was set for an unforgettable evening. As always, our students made a grand entrance, arriving in true Highfields style by sports car, tractors, horseback, and even in a full-size HGV! The creativity and spirit on display were simply unmatched.

Dressed to impress and buzzing with excitement, students posed for photos against the stunning backdrop of the hotel gardens, capturing memories they’ll treasure forever. The hotel ballroom was transformed into a glittering venue, filled with music, dancing, and joy from start to finish.

Throughout the evening, students shared stories, hugs, and laughter as they reflected on their journey at Highfields. Teachers and staff joined in the fun too, celebrating the Class of 2025’s resilience, growth, and countless achievements over the years. The atmosphere was electric — a perfect mix of pride, nostalgia, and excitement for what’s to come.

Ms Meese, reflecting on the evening, left this message for our students: “What an incredible journey this has been. Words can’t describe how proud I am of each and every one of you. It has been a pleasure to watch you grow over the last 5 years and I count myself lucky to have been your Year Manager. Your Journey ahead is like a blank book - fill its pages with success, kindness and unforgettable experiences.”

As we say goodbye to our wonderful Year 11s, we extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes for the next steps in their journeys. Whether heading to college, apprenticeships, or the world of work, we know they will continue to make us proud.

Art, Identity and Industry: Students Explore Heritage Through Creativity

Last year, a group of talented Year 9 artists took part in a truly enriching experience that brought together culture, creativity and community. Their journey began with a visit to the New Art Gallery in Walsall to view The World Belongs to Us—a powerful exhibition celebrating artists of South Asian heritage. Through artwork exploring migration, belonging and identity across the UK, USA and Canada, students gained deeper insights into cultural narratives and artistic expression.

The visit included a special workshop led by contemporary Midlands artist Exodus Crooks, titled Race, Heritage and Identity. This thought-provoking session encouraged students to reflect on what they’d seen and consider how to explore similar themes in their own work.

Back in the classroom, Mrs Hall launched a new and exciting project that focused on the industrial heritage of Wolverhampton—particularly the stories of immigrants who worked in low-paid manual jobs and faced racial prejudice. Students explored the vibrant work of British-Punjabi artist Chila Kumari Singh Burman and used her fusion of culture and contemporary art as inspiration.

Blending research and imagination, students studied local and Punjabi architecture, digitally designing “hybrid” buildings in the spirit of Chitra Ganesh, and bringing them to life with vibrant Posca pens and jewel embellishments. Their final creations were ceramic tiles combining Wolverhampton’s industrial forms with ornate Punjabi-inspired windows, motifs and patterns, glazed in dazzling colours to echo a jewel-like finish.

This powerful project not only developed artistic skills but gave students a richer appreciation of heritage, culture, and identity through art—beautifully blending past and present into something completely their own.

To read more about how the case study written by Mrs Hall, click here.

Former Student Simran Uppal Returns to Inspire and Inform Year 10

We were delighted to welcome back former student Simran Uppal to our school this week. Simran, who now works for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), delivered an engaging and informative workshop to a group of 75 Year 10 students focused on the risks associated with cryptocurrency scams and the growing influence of online "finfluencers."

Drawing on his professional experience at the FCA, Simran helped students understand how to identify misleading financial content on social media and the dangers of get-rich-quick schemes involving crypto assets. Through interactive discussions and real-life case studies, he highlighted the importance of critical thinking and financial literacy in today’s digital world.

Students left the session better equipped to make informed decisions about their financial futures, with many commenting on how eye-opening and relevant the workshop was to their online experiences.

Miss Green who organised the session said “It was a pleasure to see one of our alumni giving back to the school community and making a real impact. We thank Simran for his time and insight, and we look forward to welcoming him back again in the future”

Double Champions! Year 7 Footballers Crowned City’s Best

Highfields’ Year 7 football team are celebrating a phenomenal season after being crowned Wolverhampton City Champions—and securing the coveted league and cup double!

The team’s road to the final was packed with thrilling victories, including a 3–1 win over Aldersley, a hard-fought 4–3 result against Wolverhampton Grammar, and an incredible 8–1 triumph over Coppice. In the final, they faced a strong Heath Park side but rose to the occasion with an impressive 4–2 win to take the title.

On top of their cup success, the team also clinched the league title, rounding off a perfect season with silverware in both hands. A huge congratulations to our talented Year 7 players for their dedication, teamwork, and outstanding performances throughout the campaign—we couldn’t be prouder!

Policing the Future: Inspiring Careers Talk for Highfields Students

Students in Years 10 and 12 were recently given an inspiring insight into the world of law enforcement, thanks to a special presentation by Delmar Brown from West Midlands Police.

Delmar spoke passionately about the wide range of career opportunities available within the police force—from frontline officers to behind-the-scenes roles in cybercrime, forensics, community engagement, and more. He also discussed the various recruitment pathways, offering advice and encouragement for those interested in pursuing a future in policing.

The session was both informative and eye-opening, sparking curiosity and enthusiasm among students and highlighting just how many exciting and meaningful careers the police service has to offer.

Students Get a Paws-on Look at Policing!

On Friday 9th May, a group of lucky Year 9 and 10 students had the opportunity to attend the prestigious National Police Dog Trials in Birmingham, hosted by West Midlands Police.

The event gave students a front-row seat to witness the incredible skill and discipline of police dogs in action, showcasing everything from obedience to suspect apprehension. As well as watching these impressive canine demonstrations, students explored a wide range of exhibits from other emergency services, including the fire brigade and air ambulance teams.

It was an exciting and eye-opening day that offered a fascinating insight into the world of law enforcement and emergency response. Many students came away with a new appreciation for the crucial roles these professionals—and their four-legged partners—play in keeping our communities safe.