Year 9 students given support to plan for the future

Year 9 students were given practical help and support to make the right subject choices and set them on the path to future success.

As part of the annual Course Choice event, Yr 9 students got hands-on experience of a range of GSCE classes and picked up advice about succeeding in the workplace from Jason Guy, who runs recruitment company First4Staff.

Students returned to school with their parents during the evening where they heard two presentations about the important process of choosing the right courses for Key Stage 4. Displays were also set up to showcase what various courses have to offer and how they are able to help students fulfil their ambitions in future careers, including travel & tourism, construction and art.

Year 9 Manager, Mr C Rhodes, said: “The event is all about helping our students plan for the future.

“This is the first big life choice many of our students will make and our Course Choice event gives them a glimpse of what each course has to offer to put them on the road to success.”

Dancers put through their paces ahead of showcase

Dancers from Highfields are making final preparations for a showcase at The Grand Theatre after being put through their paces by professional dancer and choreographer, Nathan Marsh.

Having started dancing for fun at the age of 15, Nathan has since built an enviable career in the world of dance and has been working with Highfields students as part of a school outreach project.

His work with the school has given students access to professional training from the best in the business and an insight into his exciting career as an in-demand choreographer and performer who travels around the UK and Europe showcasing his dance talent.

Nathan and fellow members of his dance crew Antics were thrust into the spotlight when they appeared on Sky One’s Got To Dance, reaching the finals twice and only narrowly missing out on the £250,000 top prize. As well as his commitments with Antics, Nathan travels far and wide teaching dance, choreographing routines and performing as a member of The Richboyz Project - a global dance collective run by internationally-acclaimed dancer and choreographer Rob Rich.

He has been involved in a number of high-profile performances, including Move It - the UK’s biggest dance celebration held in London - and The Uragano convention in Italy. He also teaches classes every Wednesday in Birmingham and has his own clothing brand - Marshon.

Nathan has been working with Highfields students since November and has choreographed a high-energy five-minute routine for them to perform at The Grand Theatre on January 27.

The 24-year-old, from Birmingham, said: “It has been really enjoyable working with the students on this project and good to see how they have improved over the weeks.

“Many of them do not have formal dance training and were not used to the disciplines involved but they have really come on throughout the process. I have really pushed them and am really looking forward to the show.”

The project has been organised by internationally-acclaimed dance company ZooNation, with the support of an Arts Connect grant. Highfields is one of 12 schools involved in the project, which will culminate with a dance showcase called Nursery Rhymez: Remixed at the historic theatre.

Ms S Bishop, Head of Performance at Highfields, said: “It has been fantastic to have a dancer and choreographer of Nathan’s calibre coming into school to work with our students.

“It is going to be very special for them to perform his routine at The Grand Theatre.”

Highfields celebrates league table success

School league tables released today have showcased Highfields' whopping 9% increase in performance - as it looks forward to another record-breaking year of GCSE results.

Highfields students celebrate top GCSE grades. Photograph courtesy of Express & Star

Last year’s results were the best ever for the school, with 73% of pupils achieving A*-C grades - including in English and Mathematics - and 51% achieving the top A* and A grades. Its top attainers included Navneet Marway, who gained 10A* and 2A gradings; Anna Felton, who achieved 10A*s and 1A and twins Kent and Owen Stavenuiter, who collectively achieved 12A*s, 9As and 3Bs. 

The results mean Highfields now sits in fifth position in the city's school league tables. The tables have been released as the school looks forward to another successful year after a fantastic set of mock exam results put it on course to produce its best ever GCSE grades. 

Mrs N Clifton, Head of Upper School, said: “Last year’s results were the best ever at the school and we are delighted that this year’s look set to be even better. 

“The mock exam results show that 75% of students are set to achieve 5A*-C grades, including in English and Mathematics, this year which is a wonderful achievement.

“We are incredibly proud of how hard our Year 11 students have worked towards their exams and the focused and conscientious manner with which they approached their mock exams has put them in good stead for the real thing. 

“Particular mention should go to Kaylum McCann, Gurjeevan Sidhu, Mark Morey and Simran Koretaine, who all look set to achieve the highest grades this summer, but we are very proud of all of our students and excited that we are on course for our best ever GCSE results.”

Our talented students have had their GCSE league table success celebrated in The Express & Star:

To view the full local secondary school league tables visit http://www.expressandstar.com/wpmvc/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/league-tables2016.pdf

Delight as students offered places at University of Oxford

Two talented scientists of the future are set to join the ranks of the academic elite after being given conditional offers to study at world-famous University of Oxford.

Hanvir Rai and Brian White are busy knuckling down to their studies to gain their predicted top grades and ensure their places at the university, which is ranked the top university in the UK and second in the whole world.

Brian is currently studying Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics at A-Level in Year 13 at Highfields and will go on to complete a degree in Chemistry if he gains the A*-A*-A gradings required for his place at the prestigious university.

The 19-year-old said: “A-Levels have been a lot of work and sometimes stressful but I am getting on with it and getting it done.

“I was really pleased to have been given the offer to Oxford but then the reality sank in of the grades I need to get to ensure my place. I’m pretty confident I will do it and am working hard."

The talented young scientist - whose fellow students broke into a spontaneous round of applause after he was given the offer - added: “I am thinking of a career in industry or maybe research because that seems really interesting. Once I start my degree, we'll see how it goes from there."

Hanvir, who is currently studying Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Further Mathematics at A-Level, has been given a conditional offer for Mechanical Engineering at the university.

He said: "I have found my A-Levels really challenging, yet rewarding and very interesting at the same time. 

"I am unsure yet exactly what field I want to go into after my degree but I am interested in the concepts of driverless cars and robots and am just really pleased to have been offered a place at Oxford. My family were really happy."

Hanvir's offer at the university is also based on him getting A*-A*-A gradings at A-Level - but he is confident of reaching his goal after achieving a fantastic 295/300 score at AS-Level Mathematics.

Highfields' charity fund continues to grow

From salsa dancing to cake baking and dressing up in festive jumpers - our students and staff have well and truly thrown their weight behind this year’s charity drive to support young people suffering with cancer.

And now, as Highfields prepares for more fun-filled activities and events to boost the charity coffers, we can reveal that we’ve already raised (drum roll…) £1,471.55 for Teenage Cancer Trust.

A number of events have helped to raise money for the charity since the start of the school year, including the Autumn Festival, Lower School Disco, Cake Sale, Christmas Jumper Day, Christmas Concert & Craft Fair and Strictly Dance Challenge, which saw students and staff strutting their salsa moves in a lunchtime dance-off.

Lisa Corbett, Community Engagement Officer, said: “The students and staff have shown a great charity spirit and have really given their full support to the fundraising drive.

“It is wonderful that we have already raised so much for this incredibly worthy cause and we look forward to hosting even more fundraising events and activities over the coming months to boost our charity fund even more."

Teenage Cancer Trust supports young people battling cancer and was catapulted into the attention of millions of people across the world thanks to the efforts of inspirational Staffordshire teenager Stephen Sutton. 

Stephen chronicled his battle with bowel cancer - and the enormous help and support the charity had given him - before his death in May 2014 at the age of 19. Stephen’s ‘Thumbs Up’ campaign won the praise of superstars, comedians and high-profile politicians including Prime Minister David Cameron, with his efforts helping to raise £5.5 million for the charity that supported him throughout this illness.

Hip Hop rhythm hits Highfields

Budding performers of the future are perfecting their Hip Hop moves under the guidance of professionals from an internationally-acclaimed dance company.

A total of 13 students have been chosen to receive professional dance training from ZooNation ahead of a performance called Nursery Rhymez: Remixed, which will be staged at the Grand Theatre.

ZooNation and the theatre have teamed up to offer the outreach dance programme to 12 schools, including Highfields, with the support of an Arts Connect grant.

After perfecting their routine with a professional choreographer from ZooNation, students are now preparing to perform at the historic venue on Wednesday, January 27. A matinee performance will take place at 2pm followed by an evening showcase at 7pm.

Famous nursery rhymes, including Humpty Dumpty, London Bridge and Incy Wincy will be brought to life with a hip hop twist during each school's five-minute dance performance.

Sharon Bishop, Highfields' Head of Performance, said: "This is a really exciting project which gives students a great opportunity to learn from industry professionals.

"They are really loving getting to grips with such a complex routine being taught to them by a fantastic dancer and choreographer. We cannot wait to see them perform on the Grand Theatre stage."

ZooNation judges will be watching the showcase before selecting a number of dancers with stand-out talent to peform in a curtain-raiser routine for the company's dance spectacular Into The Hoods: Remixed at the same venue. The show is on national tour and will be at the Grand Theatre from February 25-27.

ZooNation performers in action: Photographs courtesy of ZooNation

Superstar Beverley Knight thanks Highfields ahead of TV performance

       Source of photograph: bbc

Superstar Beverley Knight paid a stunning tribute to the late father of soul music, Sam Cooke, with a note-perfect rendition of one of his inspirational classics as part of a star-studded TV celebration of music, dance, magic and comedy. 

But before wowing audiences with her emotionally-charged performance, she first thanked Highfields, her former school, for encouraging her to nurture the phenomenal voice and musical talent that has seen her become one of the world’s most celebrated and loved singers. 

Beverley was appearing on Bruce’s Hall of Fame at The Dominion Theatre, which gave some of the UK’s best-loved entertainers the chance to celebrate the artists who inspired their careers. 

WATCH Beverley's incredible performance by clicking here

Speaking to host Alexander Armstrong before her performance, Beverley told of some of the early influences in her life which have led her on the path to global success and adoration as a recording artist and West End sensation. 

She said: “It started in church and at home, as music is a huge part of the whole gospel community, but also at school. 

“I happened to go to a fantastic school that cared about extra-curricular activities so they encouraged my music and drama. 

“Who knew that when I was Sandy in Grease at Highfields School that I would come back to theatre. I am so thrilled to have had that opportunity given to me.” 

Three-time MOBO Award-winning Beverley, who has become a huge hit in the West End with critically-acclaimed leading performances in The Bodyguard, Memphis the Musical and Cats, performed Sam Cooke’s beautiful A Change is Gonna Come as part of the Bruce’s Hall of Fame extravaganza. 

Cooke is remembered as the father of soul music, with his pioneering contributions to the genre playing a part in the rise of legends including Aretha Franklin, Al Green, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. A Change is Gonna Come became an anthem for the American Civil Rights Movement and, as well as being voted among the best songs ever written numerous times, was also selected for preservation in the Library of Congress, with the National Recording Registry deeming it ‘culturally, historically or aesthetically important’. 

Ahead of her stunning rendition, Beverley said: “You can listen closely to any soul singer of any decade and you will trace them back to Sam. I was just absolutely mesmerised by the power and the delivery of his voice. It would take me to another world. 

“He died in an America where he couldn’t vote, where he was still treated as a third class citizen. As Sam was the man he was, he dreamt of better things and of better days.” 

She described the song as a ‘beautifully-crafted masterpiece’ that had become a torch throughout the decades, even being used at American President Barack Obama’s inauguration. 

“Paying homage to Sam Cooke, the father of soul, is one of the biggest responsibilities and one of the biggest honours I could ever have,” she added. 

After receiving a standing ovation for her faultless performance, host Alexander Armstrong said: “That is a performance that nobody in this theatre will ever forget for the rest of their lives. That was just extraordinary.” 

Beverley was joined by comedian and actress Catherine Tate, former Pussycat Doll Kimberley Wyatt, Australian film star, singer and dancer Adam Garcia, EastEnders actress and singer Shona McGarty and magician and illusionist Jamie Raven as part of the Hall of Fame extravaganza, which had originally been due to be presented by Sir Bruce Forsyth.

Beverley, from Penn Fields, has kept close ties with Highfields and was invited to be a VIP guest to the official opening of the school's new state-of-the-art building, which was unveiled in 2012. Earlier this year she delighted the cast of the school's production of Hairspray when she invited them to visit her in the West End where she was appearing in Memphis The Musical.

                     Click here to read more about our students' trip to visit Beverley in the West End

Performers showcase talent at Christmas Concert

Students raised the roof with a spectacular Christmas concert which showcased their impressive musical talents.

More than 100 musicians, dancers and singers helped to fill the school with festive cheer when they performed a host of Christmas classics and other well-known hits to a packed-out audience.

Members of the school choir, rock band, flute group and cast of this year's school production of Our House were among those who performed in the musical extravaganza - before the audience joined in with a finale of Slade's Merry Christmas Everybody.

Visitors also got the chance to browse through dozens of stalls selling local crafts and take part in a raffle to raise funds for this year's chosen charity, Teenage Cancer Trust, as part of the event.

Head of Performance Sharon Bishop, who organised the evening, said: "We have so many gifted students at Highfields and the Christmas Concert is always a great opportunity for them to showcase their talents on stage.

"The event was a great success and it really got everybody into the Christmas spirit."

Christmas jumpers raise hundreds of pounds for charity

Students and staff went crackers for Christmas jumpers – and raised more than £650 for charity by donning their festive designs.

The school’s corridors and classrooms were brightened up with colourful jumpers featuring Rudolph, elves, Santa Claus and snowmen as Highfields came together to celebrate the festive season with a fundraising Christmas Jumper Day. 

Each student and member of staff made a token donation to wear their Christmas jumpers, raising hundreds of pounds for Teenage Cancer Trust, which is the school’s chosen charity for the academic year. 

Highfields’ Community Engagement Officer, Mrs L Corbett, said: “Everyone got well and truly into the Christmas spirit by wearing their festive jumpers. 

“We each made a small donation and also sold pin badges and wristbands on the day to raise money for our chosen charity. We have raised £663, which is an incredible amount. 

“It was wonderful to see the school come together to raise so much money for such a worthy cause.” 

Teenage Cancer Trust helps young people battling cancer and was catapulted into the attention of millions of people across the world thanks to the efforts of inspirational Staffordshire teenager Stephen Sutton. Stephen chronicled his battle with bowel cancer - and the enormous help and support the charity had given him - before his death in May 2014 at the age of 19. Stephen's 'Thumbs Up' campaign won the praise of superstars, comedians and high-profile politicians including Prime Minister David Cameron, with his efforts helping to raise £5.5 million for the charity that supported him throughout his illness. 

The Christmas jumper campaign is one of a number of fundraising events planned by Highfields to raise money for the charity.

Inspirational trips prepare students for the future

More than 100 students took part in two inspirational visits to give them a taste of university life and get a glimpse of hundreds of career opportunities available to them in the future.

Students from Year 9 and 10 took part in the trips to the University of Birmingham and NEC Skills Show.

The University of Birmingham welcomed pupils from Highfields for the third year in a row, hosting a number of workshops to highlight the benefits of attending university and give them an insight into life in higher education. They also enjoyed a tour of the impressive Edgbaston Campus and experienced a lecture given by a PHD researcher.

Highfields’ Guidance Manager, Mrs A Preece, said: “Students enjoyed the day, and most said they are more likely to consider going to university as a result of the visit. The day was a great success and we hope to attend again next year.”

Students were then able to look forward to the future and get a taste of the career options open to them during a visit to The Skills Show at Birmingham’s NEC.

The event is the UK’s biggest skills and careers event, which is held in collaboration with hundreds of organisations including colleges, training providers and employers, with the aim of inspiring young people through hands-on workshops and demonstrations as well as giving them access to expert careers advice.

Mrs Preece said: “Our students made the most of the opportunity, engaging with the different specialists and providers, and a lot of them felt more confident in planning their future careers as a result of the visit.

“A lot of students found the event so useful they would have liked longer to explore, so we hope to attend again next year and allow even more time for them look round.”