Highfields Team Reach 'iDEAS' Live Stage Final

In February, we were delighted to receive the news that a team of four of our students were amongst the top 20 teams selected for the 'LIVE Stage' of the iDEA (Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award) competition. 

After successfully completing the Discovery and Beta phases of the competition, the group have now received funding of £2,500 to further develop their digital business idea 'Mana Audio' which they will present at the LIVE Stage Final.  The team of four Year 12 Business Studies and Economics students (Mahira Sajid, Amandeep Gill, Nitin Passap and Anton Paul - a.k.a MANA) and Mr Aston attended the LIVE Stage launch event on Thursday 12 February, at Telefonica’s London Headquarters, in London.

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What is iDEA?

iDEA aims to support 16-25 year olds to develop and improve their digital and entrepreneurial skills. The programme has been designed to boost the confidence of young people and increase their employability status at the same time.  It will support young people in developing a digital business venture, enabling them to build prototypes and test the viability of their business idea with real customers in the market. 

Discovery Phase - 12 December 2014

All Year 10 GCSE Business Studies and Computing students and Year 12 AS Business Studies and Economics students participated in the iDEA Challenge Discovery Phase (run by the Nominet Trust and supported by HRH Duke of York). In teams, students were asked to create a new digital product/service idea and business plan, and provide a video presentation for the national competition entry.  The day was challenging and rewarding for all the students working alongside Highfields staff and iDEA facilitators.

Beta Phase - 17 January 2014

Twelve Highfields teams (39 students) made it into the top 100 teams, from over 730 teams across the country.  This meant they had the opportunity to visit the Beta Launch Day at Barclays Bank Headquarters in Canary Wharf.  The students and staff (Mr Aston, Mr Johnson and Mrs Preece) had an exciting day taking part in seminars and tutorials on how to complete a more detailed business plan and sales pitch for a chance to reach the last 20 teams in the competition. 

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Live Stage - Launch Event

At the launch, the students had to deliver a sales pitch to 25 business mentors and other teams.  They performed well and met their business mentor who will support them throughout this stage of the competition, by weekly video conference.  Business mentors at the event ranged from Directors of Barclays and BBC, to Managing Directors and former Apple Senior Programmers, as well as many other highly experienced and successful businessmen and women.  The team were truly inspired by the opportunities presented during the day and enjoyed the experience immensely. 

The group are now one of twenty teams developing their 'iDEA' for the LIVE Stage Final. If selected, they will compete with 9 other finalists and pitch their digital business idea to an expert panel of judges at the Live final.

The three ventures that show the most potential will be awarded £15,000 funding and visit Buckingham Palace in April 2015, when they will meet HRH Prince Andrew. They would also receive continuing support from a range of businesses (including Microsoft and Barclays) to further develop their digital product into a successful business start-up.

The students have experienced a once in a lifetime opportunity to work with and be recognised by highly successful business people in the UK, and I very much hope their hard work and commitment pays off with them reaching the final 10 teams. 

Mr Aston, Head of Business and Enterprise

Highfields Contribute £750 to The Haven Charity Appeal

Monday 2 March began as a freezing cold, snowy morning but very soon warmed up with the kind generosity of the students, staff and parents from Highfields School.  Everyone acted fantastically in response to the request to ‘de-clutter’ at home and bring surplus items into school for collection by The Haven.  Many bags of clothes, toys, books and household items were donated and The Haven estimate that goods worth £750 were donated during the event.

These items will be used to directly benefit women and children supported by The Haven and also to stock their charity shop in the City Centre. 

Hayley Edwards from The Haven offered her ‘sincere thanks’ to all who supported the appeal.

Staff Dress Up for World Book Day

Today, around fifty members of staff have dressed in character, to celebrate World Book Day, which aims to encourage children to explore the pleasures of books and reading. 

We have seen an array of iconic book characters roaming Highfields, including: The Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, Cleopatra, Harry Potter, Where's Wally, Batman and Robin, Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, Pocahontas, and even Miss Trunchbull from Matilda, to name but a few!

Developing Children's Literacy Skills

Reading plays a huge part in developing children's literacy skills.  It is important that they read for pleasure, and experience a variety of reading materials: picture books, hardbacks, comics, magazines, poems and information books.

During lessons today, staff in costume will spend a moment introducing their literary character. Staff may also discuss the books that they enjoy to read.  We hope this will inspire students to pick up a book for themselves; perhaps a story they love to read, or something completely new!

This evening, why don't you ask your child which book characters they have been taught by today!
 

World Book Day £1 Books 2015

Every year, ten exclusive World Book Day £1 books are published, and at only £1 this is an affordable way to encourage your child to read, with a brand new book of their very own.

Below are the titles which have been specially selected for teens: 

Geek Girl: Geek Drama by Holly Smale
Read description...

Killing the Dead by Marcus Sedgwick
Read description...

School Library Service
 

Students are also able to borrow reading books through the School Library Service. 

The Learning Resource Centres (LRCs) at Highfields are well stocked, catering for all Key Stages across the curriculum.

All students are encouraged to read widely; for their subject areas, for pleasure and to take part in the ‘Rooted in Reading’ scheme.

The LRCs are designated quiet areas and are open before school, break time, lunchtime and after school for reading and studying.

All Students can borrow books for home use from the Learning Resource Centres, initially for two weeks. Years 7 - 11 can borrow a maximum of three books and Years 12 - 13 five books. Loans can be renewed a further three times if necessary. 

World Book Day - Highfields' Book Awards

To celebrate World Book Day on Thursday 5 March, Year 9 English students have reviewed and voted for their top six favourite books, which have been awarded under the following categories:

• Gripping Read
• Would Read Again
• Out of this World
• Big Wide World
• Laugh Out Loud
• Serious about Series

'Gripping Read'

We have chosen ‘The Hunting Ground’ as the Gripping Read Award as it is in the Gothic Horror genre. It is about two people who move into a ‘haunted’ house. 

An old woman is seeing Ghosts and the young boy, Elliott, is worried and scared. They find an old diary and a series of unfortunate events start to unfold from that moment onwards. If you want the hairs on the back of your neck to stick up, this is the book for you.

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'Would Read Again'

We have chosen ‘Candor’ for the Would Read Again Award. It is a romance novel and is extremely gripping. 

A boy’s father is evil and brainwashes the whole city apart from his son. When one day a young girl moves into the city the boy falls in love, he thinks she is perfect and loves her for herself, but will he risk everything to make sure she stays intact?

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'Out of This World'

We have chosen ‘The Hobbit’ for the Out of This World Award. It is about a man named Bilbo Baggins who has gone on a twisting adventure into the unknown and soon finds himself saying and doing things he never imagined he would. 

Baggins is a Hobbit, he enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life. However, his happiness is disturbed… Will Bilbo enjoy his next journey or will he despise it from the moment it starts? Find out by reading this fantastic novel.

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'Big Wide World'
 

For the Big Wide World Award we have nominated ‘Les Miserables’ by Victor Hugo. 

It is about the adventure of Jean Valjean, who is trying to put his criminal past behind him and how he faces the tough world, from the eve of the battle of waterloo in the French society to the July revolution of 1830. This is by far a fantastic Novel.

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'Laugh Out Loud'

We have chosen ‘The Further Adventures Of An Idiot Abroad’ for the LOL Award because it can make you laugh so hard you cry! Karl Pilkington goes on adventures and tries different tasks to see how difficult, easy, or funny each task is…  

On his journey Karl makes mistakes, but instead of being ashamed he wrote them down into a book for everyone else to laugh at. If you want to laugh so hard your stomach hurts, then this is the book for you.

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'Serious About Series'

We have chosen ‘Noughts and Crosses’ for the Serious About Series Award as it is a tough love novel about two people who come from two very different families, but who want to be together. 

The two families share hatred against each other, but will they overcome that hatred for the sake of love? If you want to read an exciting series of books, we suggest you read this series.

World Book Day £1 Books

World Book Day aims to encourage children to explore the pleasures of books and reading. Every year, ten exclusive World Book Day £1 books are published. That's right, they are just £1!

We have listed below the two books which have been specially selected for teens: 

Geek Girl: Geek Drama by Holly Smale
Read description...

Killing the Dead by Marcus Sedgwick
Read description...

Nick Gibb MP, Minister of School Reform visits Highfields

Highfields recently hosted a visit from Nick Gibb MP, Minister of School Reform.  As a previous Science Specialist School, links with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) subjects still remain strong at Highfields: This prompted the visit by the Minister, who was particularly interested in observing our teaching facilities within the STEM, and how we utilise technology within lessons, to assist students learning.  

Accompanied by Paul Uppal MP, Mr Gibb embarked on a tour of Highfields with the Senior Leadership Team, Head Girl, Georgina Plant and Head Boy, Navdeep Kular.  He also spoke with a number of students whilst visiting classes: Year 7 ‘Space’ in the SuperLab; Year 11 Peer Mentoring in Mathematics; Year 13 Biology and Year 9 Programming.

The tour also viewed an English lesson in the Lecture Theatre, and stopped at our dedicated STEM area, before sitting down for an informal lunch with STEM Ambassadors and Digital Leaders for Tomorrow, to discuss their school experience and future aspirations.

Mr Gibb praised us for our high standard of academic achievement and the 'excellent' behaviour of students: "This is a very good school, with a high standard of academic achievement.  Behaviour is key in any school.  It forms a key part of the Government’s policy and here it seems to be excellent.”

“The Minister enjoyed his visit and was struck by how modern your facilities are; the calibre of your classrooms, laboratories and other spaces is evident.

The Minister was impressed by the students he met and their interests in computing and STEM. He noted that all the students had high aspirations for the future and enjoyed having the chance to engage them in discussion. Your Head Boy and Head Girl were a testament to the school and we wish them both the best of luck with their futures in medicine and film respectively.”

— Department for Education

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The visit featured in the Express & Star newspaper, and online. 

The video, published on YouTube by the Express & Star, can also be viewed below.

Year 8 Students Start the Space Race Challenge at RAF Cosford

On the 24th February 2015, a group of Year 8 students went to RAF Cosford Museum to start the Space Race Challenge, where they have to design and build a spacecraft in competition with other schools in the area.  The competition was launched by Lord Knight of Weymouth, at the Cosford Museum, and concludes in June when judging will take place. 

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Some of the students are also taking part in Go4Set, an initiative run by the Engineering Development Trust, which involves an eco-friendly engineering challenge.  Two teams of six students from Years 8 and 9 have entered the competition, which will close with a celebration and assessment day at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry at the Big Bang Near Me event, also in June.

Highfields Advocates Apprenticeships

Highfields featured in the Express & Star advocating apprenticeships as an alternative pathway for students.

As a school we consciously promote all routes and options for students in Years 9 through to 18.  Every year, we hold a variety of events including careers fairs, workshops, talks and presentations from universities, colleges and employers.  This enables students to understand the multiple routes available, giving them the opportunity to make an informed decision on what is best for their future career aspirations.  

Training provider Performance Through People – PTP – a partner in the Ladder for the Black Country apprenticeship creation campaign led by the Express & Star - visited Highfields to deliver information about taking up an apprenticeship.

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“A-levels and universities are no longer seen as the only acceptable routes for students”

— Mr Tate, Acting Headteacher

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“Students are now seeing that there are multiple progression routes, including apprenticeships”

— Mr Jeavons, Manager of Careers and Business Links

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We support the national apprenticeship scheme and currently have four apprentices working in business administration, ICT and sports roles.

For further information on apprenticeships, visit apprenticeships.gov.uk and ladderfortheblackcountry.co.uk

Active Kids 2015

Every year, we collect Active Kids vouchers and have managed to save enough to provide valuable resources.  Without your support we would have missed out on thousands of pounds of equipment. 

Last year we collected 6706 vouchers, and bought:

• 10 hockey sticks
• 4 javelins
• 2 indoor footballs
• A set of cricket stumps
• 2 tape measures

Active Kids vouchers are available until 5 May 2015 at all Sainsbury's stores, petrol stations and when ordering groceries online at Sainsburys.co.uk.  One voucher is earned for every £10 spent in a single transaction at all Sainsbury’s Supermarkets and for every £5 spent in a single transaction at Sainsbury’s Locals.

“Please ask friends, family and local clubs to collect vouchers for us. Students can place vouchers in the box in reception or hand them in to a member of the PE department.”

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This year we are hoping to purchase some orienteering clippers, basketballs, footballs, table tennis balls and more cricket stumps.

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Christmas Festivities: Concert, Craft Fair and Community Morning

Highfields' Christmas festivities were a huge success again this year.  As well as the opportunity to raise some money for charity, we added a community focus and invited local residents and friends of Highfields along to some of our events...

Jolly Jumper Day

Both students and staff made a fantastic effort for our festive charity fundraiser. All donations received to 'wear a jolly jumper' for the day will go to our nominated charity, Birmingham Children's Hospital.

Christmas Concert & Craft Fair

Our annual Christmas Concert delivered a medley of performances in the Lyceum theatre from our resident musicians, singers and school ensembles... the concert was completed with an impressive audience sing-along of Winter Wonderland!

The Craft Fair, held on Highfields' ground floor, was also open to the local community and offered an abundance of handmade gifts from local businesses for the festive season.

Community Morning

We concluded our festive events with a Community Morning on the last day of term: a number of performers from the Christmas Concert provided live music and entertainment in our open plan restaurant for invited guests to enjoy with complimentary refreshments.

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