Trampoline treat for sporty students

Sporty students were rewarded for their dedication and commitment to extra-curricular sports clubs with a trip to Air Space Trampoline Park.

A total of 51 students from the lower school were treated to the trip to honour their efforts in sporting activities out of school hours.

As part of a school initiative to increase the numbers of girls taking part in sport, students from Years 7 and 8 have been collecting stickers using their ‘Ex-Banks’ every time they attend an extra-curricular club or fixture in PE. 

Lots of stickers have been given to lower school students for their participation in a wide range of activities this year, including netball, trampolining and dance.

Students with the most stickers were invited to the park, at Bentley Bridge, for two hours of bounce time as a reward.

PE teacher Miss G.Robinson, who organised the trip with Miss A.Fuller and Ms L.Stevenson, said: “Whilst in the park, students were able to test their physical abilities in a battle on an assault course, practice their gymnastics and hand-springs along the tumbling lanes and perfect their trampolining skills on performance beds. Some pupils even managed to find a football goal to practice their goalkeeping diving skills. 

“However, the undeniable highlight of the trip was using the trampolining dodgeball area, where students had lots of fun challenging each other in a competitive activity.

“It was a pleasure taking such a polite and hardworking group of pupils out on the trip in recognition of their attendance at the clubs offered in school. Every student invited has shown a real commitment to sport this year and deserved to be rewarded for their efforts. We hope that the success of this year's reward trip will encourage even more pupils to participate in extra-curricular sport next year, and we look forward to even more adventurous outings in the future.”

Spanish Skype chat for students

Students put their Spanish language skills to the test when they spoke directly to pupils in Spain.

Year 7 pupils used Skype to contact students from Escola Garcia Fossas as part of an interactive lesson organised by Spanish teacher, Mrs N.Noguera.

The students in Spain had prepared a series of questions to ask Highfields pupils in English, which our students answered in Spanish.

Mrs H. Dunlop, Head of Communications, said: “The lesson gave our students the chance to really bring their Spanish skills to life.

"It gave them a wonderful opportunity to put everything they have learned in their Spanish classes into practice."

Spectacular send-off for Yr 11 students

From tuxedos to tiaras, top-of-the-range sports cars, gorgeous gowns - and even horse-drawn carriages straight out of the pages of Disney fairytale Cinderella - welcome to Highfields’ Year 11 prom.

Students turned on the style for the glamorous celebration at the Ramada Park Hall Hotel.

The hotel was transformed with Hollywood-style glitz and glamour for the fun-filled celebrations, which marked the end of the school year for Year 11 students.

Mrs N Clifton, Head of Highfields’ Upper School, said: “The prom was a wonderful celebration of the end of the school year for our students who have worked so hard towards their GCSEs.

“There were some fabulous outfits and modes of transport, including two Cinderella carriages.

“The event gave our Year 11 students the chance to let their hair down and enjoy themselves in style after all of the hard work they have put into their exams.”

The prom marked the end of the school year for Highfields’ Year 11 students, who are now awaiting the results of their exams before moving on to the next chapter of their lives, whether it be at Highfields’ sixth form, college or employment.

Jessica Ukaeze

Following the prom celebrations, all Year 11 students returned to school for their emotional leavers assembly, where awards were handed out to honour special achievements or particular events. They also got the chance to take a look back at old photographs from when they had their Highfields inductions as Year 6 pupils.

Among those who won awards was Jessica Ukaeze for attaining 100% attendance throughout her time at Highfields, 37 students for 100% attendance this year and 30 students who celebrated having attended three 'creme de la creme' events for achieving outstanding progress reviews during their time at the school. 

Mrs Clifton added: “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our students on the incredibly mature way in which they approached their GCSEs.

“They put in a lot of hard work to ensure they achieved their potential and they all deserve to do well. We are looking forward to seeing them all again in August for their results.

“It has been a pleasure to see them mature, grow and develop into such confident, talented and skilled young adults as they move on to the next chapter in their lives.”

Take a look at a full slideshow of pictures from our prom:

Full list of Yr 11 award winners:

Charity evening to raise cash for Prostate Cancer UK

Items that will be auctioned off for charity

Highfields is hoping to raise hundreds of pounds for charity when it hosts a special fundraising evening to accompany its annual Summer Showcase, hosted by radio DJ Dicky Dodd.

Students will be showing off their singing, dancing and acting talents during two live performances on Wednesday, July 6 and Thursday, July 7.

The second night of the showcase has been designated a charity evening to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK.

The event is being organised by Highfields' sixth-form student Zoe Maxfield, whose dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer two years ago.

Thousands of pounds worth of goodies have been donated for the charity event, including a signed Wolves shirt and posters, theatre tickets, meal vouchers, Costa Coffee hampers, a keyboard, CDs, a doll house, Build-a-Bear, Thorntons chocolate egg and lots more.

A selection of the goods will be available to bid for in an auction whilst others will be raffled off or be available to buy from a bargain table on the night. All money raised will go to Zoe’s chosen charity, which supports sufferers of prostate cancer and their families in the community. 

Zoe said: "I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has shown so much support to help us raise as much money as possible for Prostate Cancer UK.

"We are delighted that Signal 107 is backing us, with Dicky Dodd hosting the event, and local businesses have been so generous by donating so many fantastic prizes to make sure our fundraising event is a huge success."

Ms S Bishop, Highfields’ Head of Performance, said: “We are delighted to be dedicating the second night of our Summer Showcase to Zoe’s dad to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK.

“There are dozens of fantastic prizes up for grabs and we are sure members of the audience will be more than happy to show their support to this very worthy cause by purchasing raffle tickets and bidding in the auction.

“Thank you to everyone in advance.”

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New Book Fair being launched

A new book fair is being launched to give students the chance to get their hands on dozens of titles at discounted prices.

The Scholastic Book Fair will run from Tuesday, July 5 - Friday, July 8 during lunch and break times in the Humanities LRC. It is being held following the huge success of a previous book fair last month.

More than 200 books will be up for grabs to suit all tastes. For every £1 spent by students, Highfields will earn 20p in Scholastic Rewards to be ploughed into buying books to boost the school’s stock.

Librarian, Mrs N. Ward, said: “Following the success of the previous event and to encourage and support pupils in their reading, we are delighted to be hosting another Scholastic Book Fair.

“There will be a vast variety of titles on offer for all ages as well as stationery and posters on sale.”

Students enjoy sports day fun

Sporty students showcased their abilities on the athletics track, football pitch and rounders field during an action-packed sports day.

All students from Year 8 took part in the event, where they competed in a range of disciplines for the chance to win prizes.

PE teacher, Ms L.Stevenson, said: "Our sports days are always really popular so we were delighted to host this event.

"The whole of Year 8 took part in the sports day for the entire day, competing in a full rotation of  activities - rounders, football and athletics.

“It was a great day and fantastic sportsmanship was shown by all!”

Yr 11 students prepare for prom

They’ve spent months studying for their GCSEs and now, with the end of exam season drawing near, Year 11 students are preparing to don their tuxedos and ball gowns for their end-of-year prom.

This year’s celebrations will take place at the Ramada Park Hall Hotel from 7.30pm on Thursday (23).

Mrs N.Clifton, Head of Upper School, said: “On behalf of the Upper School team, I would like to say congratulations to our Year 11 students on the way they have approached their GCSEs and good luck to those still completing coursework and sitting exams.

“We are looking forward to seeing the students at their prom, followed by the final assembly back at school on Friday.”

Sixth-form students will be hosting their prom at the Grand Station, in Wolverhampton city centre, on Thursday, June 30.

Students enjoying their prom last year:

Students create film of remembrance for WW1 soldiers

On July 1, 1916, thousands of young men went ‘over the top’ in a highly-disciplined response to the precisely-timed signal at 07.30am. 

They advanced as planned towards the German trenches, confidently expecting that the German wire had been cut and their defences ruined.  

They were wrong. 

German wire, machine gun emplacements and artillery, although damaged and weakened, was able to respond ruthlessly, cutting down line after line of young men, and bringing chaos and catastrophe to the battlefield. 

The Staffordshire Territorials were among those troops, advancing on Gommecourt.  The casualties among the four battalions of Staffordshire - including men from Wolverhampton, Walsall, Stafford, Rugely and Lichfield, as well as the 56th London Division - amounted to almost 7,000 men. 

On the 100th anniversary year of the Battle of the Somme, a group of students from Highfields visited the battlefield to pay their respects to those who lost their lives. 

The students were not, in age, far removed from those brave 18 and 19-year-olds who fought, or the young women who staffed the casualty clearing stations and field hospitals as nurses and VADs.

They have now created a film of remembrance in honour of those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

WATCH THE FILM HERE:

History teacher, Mrs C.Hall, who organised the trip, said: “Our students were stunned by the beauty and peace of the cemeteries – but horrified and awestruck by the scale of the slaughter they represented. 

“We explored the history and course of the battle, and literally walked the field of four-and-a-half months of continuous conflict at Beaumont Hamel, witnessing the closeness of enemy to enemy and the terror of locations where death in the crossfire or death by friendly fire was an equal danger.  

“We donned original tin helmets and toured the caves in Arras, where thousands of Tommies will have rested and gladly exchanged the noise and hell of battle for the stale air, but blessed quiet, underground.  

“The students were greatly struck by the irony of the peace of the cemeteries in the context of the scale of destruction and violence on the battlefields. This was brought home for them, amongst other things, by the literature and diaries we read while we were on the battlefields, from soldiers who served there.  

“They wanted to pay their respects and to honour the sacrifice made. The result is the film, which speaks for itself. The party leaders are very proud and grateful to the filmmakers and Mr D.Cooper, from the English department, who was their mentor in making it. 

“It is a very fitting contribution to our commemoration of the centenary of the battle.”

Italian feast dished up by BTEC students

BTEC Hospitality students dished up an Italian feast to showcase their culinary talents and customer service skills.

Students served up the themed two-course menu as part of their Unit 3 Merit task, which required them to demonstrate excellent customer service.

Selected members of staff were invited to tuck into the meal of lasagne, salad and garlic bread  followed by a cheesecake dessert.

Food Technology teacher, Mrs L.Meanley, said: “The students worked really hard decorating the room, organising the ordering of ingredients, cooking the food and providing attentive customer service. 

“They did a great job and received excellent feedback from their customers.”

Palace date for Chloe to celebrate Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award success

Sixth-form student, Chloe Tolley, rubbed shoulders with royalty, sports stars and TV personalities when she celebrated achieving the highest possible honour on the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme at Buckingham Palace.

Chloe travelled to London for the presentation in the gardens of the palace. She was given her DofE Gold Award in the presence of HRH the Duke of Edinburgh and TRH the Earl and Countess of Wessex as part of the special ceremony.

The event was held to celebrate the talented young people who have achieved the prestigious Gold Award standard in the Duke of Edinburgh’s scheme. This year’s special palace presentation was organised to mark the 60th anniversary of the international programme.

Chloe - pictured with sports presenter Jim Rosenthal and rugby ace Danny Cipriani during the ceremony - was one of a selection of Gold Award holders from across the UK and some of the 140 countries that run the DofE programme across the world that was invited to attend.

She attended the prestigious event on behalf of the school and the many students who have challenged themselves as part of the DofE programme over the years. Fellow Highfields sixth-form student, Deenah Randhawa, has also achieved the prestigious Gold standard and will attend a yet-to-be-announced ceremony later in the year to officially receive her award.

Craig Moody, who runs the school’s DofE programme and accompanied Chloe to the palace for the presentation, said: “To reach the Gold Award standard in the DofE programme is an incredible achievement and this was a wonderful celebration.

“It is a day that we will remember for the rest of our lives and fitting that Chloe was honoured in such incredible surroundings for her achievements on the programme.

“We are now looking forward to Deenah’s ceremony later in the year.”

The Duke of Edinburgh’s scheme was launched 60 years ago with the aim of inspiring, guiding and supporting young people in their self-development. The awards scheme challenges students and allows them to discover the world around them whilst providing them with invaluable skills and experiences to improve employment prospects.

Hundreds of Highfields students have taken part in the DofE programme since the school started running the scheme around 10 years ago. Those taking part have taken on a number of challenges including volunteering in the community and a residential trip which involves them only being allowed to know one other person and therefore building a team to complete a project with strangers.