Summer showcase raises hundreds of pounds for charity

A fundraising evening which saw students take to the stage to showcase their singing, dancing and musical talents has raised more than £900 for charity.

Radio DJ, Dicky Dodd, hosted the annual Summer Showcase evening, which was staged to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK.

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

A number of businesses and organisations donated goodies to support the event, which were auctioned off, given away as raffle prizes or sold on the night. They included a signed Wolves shirt and posters, theatre tickets, meal vouchers, Costa Coffee hampers, a keyboard, CDs, Build-a-Bear and huge Thorntons chocolate egg.

The event has raised more than £900 for the charity, with the figure expected to rise to more than £1,000 once a rare collectible bear and doll house have sold on eBay.

Zoe said: "I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported the event, including Costa Coffee, Signal 107, Dicky Dodd and everyone who came along on the night to bid in the auction and buy raffle tickets. I am delighted that we have been able to raise so much money for Prostate Cancer UK.”

Youngsters performed over two nights as part of the school’s annual Summer Showcase, with the second night designated as the charity evening.

Ms S.Bishop, Head of Performance, said: “Our students put on two wonderful shows for audiences.

“We were delighted to dedicate the second night of our Summer Showcase to Zoe’s dad to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK and are over the moon with how much was raised.”

Film honouring WWI soldiers wins DIGI award

A poignant film created by Highfields students to honour those who lost their lives in the Battle of the Somme has won an award.

Feargus Flanagan, Jacob Kholi, Rachel Chaza and Giaa Lawrence celebrate their DIGI Award

Students captured video footage during an emotional trip to the Somme where they got an insight into the sheer scale of devastation of the First World War conflict during visits to the battlefields and cemeteries. The 16 students then edited the film back in school when they returned from their trip as a tribute to those who lost their lives.

The film has now won the Best Short Film KS4 category at the Digital Learning Awards (DIGIs). 

The DIGIs are held annually to celebrate the achievements of learners and teachers in digital film and creative media. Students walked the red carpet for this year’s glittering ceremony at the Grand Theatre before being presented with their prize.

The film has also been entered into a national competition through the Into Film charity organisation, which celebrates the importance of film in education.

English teacher, Mr D.Cooper, who mentored the students, said: “They were up against some pretty stiff competition from other schools but the judges called their film poignant and thought-provoking and commented on their clever use of subtle filmmaking techniques.

“The students wanted to pay their respects and to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

"The result is a fitting contribution to our commemoration of the centenary of the battle."

The Battle of the Somme, which took place between July and November 1916, was one of the largest of the First World War, with more than 1 million casualties.

Students scale new heights in Duke of Edinburgh's expedition

Students are feeling on top of the world after successfully completing their Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award practice expedition - as they start the countdown to the real thing.

Fourteen sixth-form students from Years 12 and 13 travelled to the Peak District for the practice expedition, which saw them navigate their route over challenging mountain terrain and fend for themselves in the remote rural location.

The expedition took place from Saturday to Tuesday with the aim of giving students the chance to hone their navigation skills ahead of their real DofE Gold Award expedition to the Lake District later this month.

Students each carried a 70-litre rucksack containing their clothes, food and sleeping bags for the duration of the expedition and had to set up three camp sites and cook for themselves. They scaled three peaks, including the 462m-high Win Hill and 517m-high Mam Tor whilst also hiking 604m up Kinder Scout as part of their expedition, which started at Ladybower Dam and finished at Hope Valley. 

Mr C.Moody, who runs Highfields’ Duke of Edinburgh’s programme and accompanied the students on the expedition, said: “It was a fantastic experience which gave our students the chance to hone their navigation skills ahead of the real expedition at the end of the month.

“It is really hard work, with students having to navigate their route whilst carrying a heavy rucksack containing everything they need.

“They worked as a team and did an incredible job. Their resilience and commitment was superb and if they all perform to the same level in the Lake District they will all achieve the Gold standard for their expedition unit.”

The trip comes just weeks after sixth-form student Chloe Tolley travelled to Buckingham Palace to be presented with her prestigious DofE Gold Award.

She was one of a number of Gold Award holders invited to the special palace presentation, which was organised to mark the 60th anniversary of the international DofE programme.

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.

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: