Year 8 Student to Compete in the English Schools AA Track & Field National Championships

Adam Saul-Braddock, in Year 8, recently represented Wolverhampton in the West Midlands Schools' Athletics Association Track & Field Championships, winning the 1500m for his age group (Boys U14 1500m).  Adam, and his team, will now be competing in the ESAA (English Schools' Athletic Association) National Track and Field Championships in Gateshead on 10 July. 

The ESAA National Championships are recognised as the 4th largest athletic event in the World - Many UK Olympic Athletes have competed in the ESAA Championships. 

Well done on your success so far Adam, we will be rooting for you, and your team, on 10 July!

Llandrinio Community Day

Our Llandrinio Outdoor Education Centre in Wales is an integral part of life at Highfields School and has been for many years.  The centre gives our students new experiences and skills throughout their school life: from Year 6 Induction, to the Duke of Edinburgh programme for Year 10 upwards.
 

On Saturday 8th November we opened the centre to parents as well as students, so they could share the outdoor experience together.  The day started at 9.00am where we all met at school and set off to Wales on a mini bus.  Students, Parents and staff were excited for the challenges Mr Bradbury, the Centre Manager, had in store for us all.  We were expecting to get very wet, but a sudden change in the weather delivered a lovely autumn day. 

 

The Challenge

Upon arrival we made our way to Melverley Bridge to practice our traversing skills across the River Severn.  Our first challenge was to zip wire across and onto the bridge, with challenge two to climb along the bridge framework. Parents and students worked alongside each other with great enthusiasm and motivation, and everybody completed both challenges.  Students were then able to repeat the course which allowed parents time to admire and take photographs.

It was soon time to go back to the centre for a warm drink of hot chocolate and some dinner, before our journey back to Wolverhampton.  An outstanding day was had by all: The effort of students and parents was exceptional and we all look forward to the next community day!

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If you are interested in taking part in the next Llandrinio Community Day, please contact cmoody@hswv.org.uk

Highfields Sixth FC win the Wolverhampton Schools Cup

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Highfields Sixth Soccer Team line up for the Wolverhampton Schools U19s Cup Final

The Highfields Sixth Form football team have enjoyed a very successful 2013-2014 season and deservedly reaped the rewards of some excellent performances, culminating in them winning both the League and Wolverhampton Schools U19s Cup.

The team have also represented the City of Wolverhampton in successive years at the Black Country Futsal Games where they competed against twelve other schools finishing  in third and fourth place.

This season, they have won all of their league games with a remarkable effort scoring of 18 goals whilst conceding a solitary goal.  In the West Midlands Cup, they made good progress before losing valiantly in the quarter final stage. However, it was in the Wolverhampton Schools Cup where the side have really excelled. They beat last year’s finalists, Heath Park, in the first round and this motivated them to go all the way. A victory over tough opponents NEWA in the quarter final set up a semi-final against local rivals, Smestow.  A resolute performance against a strong Smestow team brought a 2-1 victory and a place in the final against the cup holders, St Peters.

The Final

The final was a tense affair; Highfields were the underdogs having lost to St Peters 6-0 in the previous year but were determined to give a good account of themselves. The team arrived at Castlecroft Stadium, home of AFC Wulfrunians, in high spirits and determined to perform well in at such a quality venue. This was Highfields first Sixth Form final for 10 years and they were determined to regain the Alan Thompson trophy – named after a former Highfields Deputy Headteacher.

The game itself took place in what felt like every different possible weather type, ranging from blistering sunshine to torrential rain. The pitch became quite heavy in parts and the quality of both teams passing suffered but the effort and commitment shown by both teams was exemplary. It was St Peters who took the lead early in the first half and then proceeded to hit the crossbar towards the end of the half. Highfields absorbed the early pressure and had the better of the rest of the half, forcing the St Peter’s goalkeeper into several excellent saves.

The second half started in similar fashion with both sides creating chances, forcing both defences into last ditch tackles. Time was running out for Highfields and the breakthrough finally came in the last 10 when a long throw into the St Peter’s area caused confusion and was eventually bundled in to the net to equalise. Not the prettiest of goals but definitely the most important this season. The euphoria quickly turned, however, to despair two minutes later when St Peter’s were awarded a penalty with only 8 minutes left to play. Surely this was the end of the road for a resilient Highfields who had worked so hard the whole season. However, the footballing Gods must have been looking down on us as the penalty was saved by Dan Ward to take the match into extra time. A further twenty minutes were unable to further separate the sides, so we went into the dreaded penalty shootout. Highfields stepped up first and missed whilst St Peters scored; it looked ominous but the footballing Gods looked down on Highfields when St Peters missed their next two penalties whilst Highfields  scored theirs.  It was left to Cameron Binder to take the decisive penalty which would win the trophy. The time seemed to stand still as he made his way from the comfort of the halfway line to the penalty spot. There was no need to worry as he scored his penalty with aplomb sparking scenes of sheer delight amongst the men from Highfields.

The only thing left was for captain, Jamie Allen and vice-captain, Cameron Binder to raise the trophy in front of the adoring fans. A great day and a great finish to a great season. The team deserve all the plaudits they have a wonderful work ethic and have been a pleasure to manage. To all those who have represented the team this season – well done!

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The end of season awards, as voted by the players themselves, were:

Players Player of the Season =  Mike Brookes

Young Player of the Season = Harjan Heer

Goal of the Season = Cameron Binder (vs Wednesfield)

Highfields Rugby

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Our Under 15 Rugby Team (Years 9 and 10)

Rugby is a developing sport at Highfields and whilst soccer remains the most popular team sport there is a small but growing number of students dedicated to improving their rugby skills. Finding appropriate fixtures is always a challenge, as schools who play rugby as their main sport are always well established with strong and experienced teams. Nevertheless, our combined team of Year 9 and 10 students enjoyed a successful run in the Staffordshire Under 15 Schools Rugby Cup beating Hagley Park, Rugeley and Stafford Grammar to reach the quarter finals where they lost to King Edward’s, Lichfield with a very creditable score line of 20-5.

The Under 14 team also competed in the Staffordshire Cup losing 15-12 to Wodensborough. Two of our rugby players, Connor McCormack and Ethan Cole have been awarded trials with the Leicester Elite Development Programme.

Highfields Cross Country

Students Hannah and Paige Campion have been working hard this term to raise the profile of Cross Country at Highfields and increase participation in the sport. The sisters both represented Staffordshire in the Inter-Counties Cross Country Championship held at Cofton Park, Birmingham on Saturday 8th March.

Hannah, a Year 12 student, has also played a major role in leading and coaching students every Monday after school in preparation for the Wolverhampton City Cross Country Championship at Aldersley Leisure Village on Tuesday 25th March. 

A tremendous team effort achieved two individual gold medals for Adam Saul-Braddock, Year 7 Boys, and Hannah Campion Senior Girls. 

Adam Saul-Braddock with his Gold Medal

Hannah Campion with her Gold Medal

The Cross Counties Team

Hannah Campion, Emily Kilmister, Hannah Griffiths, Kacie-Leigh Evans, Shannon Ratcliffe, Emily Walker, Harpal Khela, TJ Mullings, Destiny Williams, Ameika Smith, Eloise Jones, Luke Payton, Georgie Harris, Karisma Bhattia and Adam Saul-Braddock.

Hannah Campion

Paige Campion

You can find out more about Hannah and Paige's success in Cross Country and why they have been so successful by reading their profiles on PE’s 'Pursuit of Excellence' display wall.

Success at the Regional British Schools Gymnastics Competition

On Saturday 1st February a team of five gymnasts from Highfields took part in the artinregional British Schools Gymnastics Competition, at Fenton Manor, Stoke-on-Trent.

Fourth Place!

Ellie Martin, Holly Silvester, Chloe Sharman, Ieva Jucyte and Tasha Bagri all competed on both floor and vault, performing to a high standard on both pieces of apparatus. The girls finished in fourth place and were great ambassadors for the school. Congratulations!

Pictured, left to right: Holly Silvester, Sophia Broadmeadow, Ellie Martin, Ieva Jucyte, Tasha Bagri