Highfields going dotty for Children in Need

                                                              -Image courtesy of BBC

Students and staff will be going dotty to support this year’s Children in Need charity campaign.

Members of Highfields’ Student Leadership Charity Committee have organised a series of events and activities to support the fundraising drive on Friday, November 18.

The theme for this year’s Children In Need extravaganza is ‘Show Us Your Spots and Raise Lots’ and students will be allowed to wear an item of clothing, such as spotty tie or socks, in exchange for a £1 donation. Strips of spotty stickers will also be available on the day, costing £1, to allow students to customise their school tie for the event.

As well as dressing up, students are also being encouraged to take part in a number of other activities on the day, including a lunchtime Pudsey Treasure Hunt, in exchange for a 50p donation. There will also be a fundraising Fitness Frenzy taking place in the Sports Hall as well as a confectionery raffle and competition to guess the number of sweets in a jar.

Children in Need is the BBC’s charity which works to change the lives of disabled children and young people in the UK. It has raised £600 million since it was launched in 1980.

Students are reminded that items of clothing worn instead of the standard uniform on the day must be free from slogans, inappropriate language or illustrations. Baseball caps and trainers are not permitted.

Launch of new book club

A new book club has been launched, giving students the chance to get their hands on dozens of titles at discounted prices.

From literary classics to thrillers, factual books, offerings from award-winning authors and gaming guides, there’s a full selection of titles available to suit every taste as part of the new Scholastic Book Club.

For every £1 spent by students, Highfields will earn 20p in Scholastic Rewards, which will go back into buying books to boost the school’s stock.

The books offered have been carefully chosen to encourage students to read for pleasure and to ignite a love of books to last them a lifetime.

To browse the books on offer during this month’s Book Club visit http://schools.scholastic.co.uk/highfields-school. Orders must be placed by December 2.

Silence observed to remember fallen soldiers

Students and staff honoured those who gave their lives for our freedom by holding a one-minute silence to mark Armistice Day.

The school observed the silence at 11.11am on Friday, November 11 – the date that formally ended hostilities of World War I in 1918. The silence remembered those who fought, not only in World Wars, but the more than 12,000 British Servicemen and women killed or injured since 1945.

Poppies, wristbands and pin badges have also been sold within school to raise money for The Royal British Legion.

Mr D.Brook, Assistant Headteacher, said: “It is vitally important that younger generations understand the sacrifices people made for the freedom we all enjoy today, as well as those who are still fighting.

“This year carries special significance because 1916 was a very bloody year for the British and Empire troops who began a muddy and long drawn out offensive at La Somme to help ease the pressure on the French forces at Verdun.  

“The offensive, which began in July and dragged into November, led to many thousands of fatalities and horrible life-changing injuries on both sides. One hundred years on, the British Legion is asking us to rethink the way we remember and also consider the sacrifice made by the armed forces in modern day too.

“We try to give our students an insight into the atrocities of war and a glimpse of what people did, and continue to give, to allow us all to live the lives we now have.

“The entire school honoured those remarkable men and women with a one-minute silence, which gave us all time to reflect and give thanks.”

Talented musician to perform for students

A singer/songwriter whose musical talents have already impressed superstar Justin Bieber will perform two special shows for Highfields students.

John Buckley will take to the stage to perform six songs, answer questions from students and sign autographs when he appears at the school on November 30. Performances will take place at 1.30pm and 2.30pm.

The 18-year-old, from Padstow in Cornwall, started gaining a devoted following after uploading song covers to his Facebook page whilst studying music at Truro College. He got his big break when his own song, ‘Just Be’, featured on BBC’s Introducing in Cornwall - leading to him being noticed by BBC Radio 1 DJ Huw Stevens, who played the track on his late-night show.

The talented teenager has also grabbed the attention of global superstar, Justin Bieber, and will play the VIP Lounge at Bieber’s O2 shows on November 28 and 29, ahead of his Highfields performance. 

Ms S.Bishop, Highfields’ Head of Performance, said: “We are always delighted to welcome professional performers into Highfields to speak to students and inspire them to pursue their own dreams.

“John is very much at the start of his career but is already making waves in the music world, having caught the attention of many influential people in the industry. Feedback from John’s previous live performances have been fantastic and we look forward to welcoming him to Highfields and following his career.”

John’s visit to Highfields forms part of a year of touring for the up-and-coming star, ahead of the release of his debut album early next year.

Highfields to host Sixth Form Open Evening

Highfields is inviting prospective students to an Open Evening to get a glimpse of what our Sixth Form has to offer.

The Sixth Form Open Evening will take place from 5.30pm-8pm on 17th November.

Visitors will get the chance to speak to current Sixth Form students and tutors, whilst taking a tour of Highfields’ facilities.

Kevin Blower, Head of Sixth Form, said: “Making your decision about Post 16 education is very important.

“We are always delighted that so many of our students choose to stay on to study at our Sixth Form and we are hosting this Open Evening so they and other students can get a feel of what we have to offer.

“Highfields Sixth Form is exciting and challenging and we have a reputation for providing high quality teaching and learning. Our ethos is about having high expectations within a supportive and friendly environment.

“We believe that every student can excel on courses that are appropriate to them and this is reflected in the extensive range of A-level and BTEC courses we offer.

“We look forward to welcoming prospective students, along with their parents or carers, to our Open Evening so they can get a flavour of our Sixth Form and consider it as an option for their Post 16 education.”

During their last visit, Ofsted inspectors praised Highfields’ Sixth Form, commenting on students’ good progress, the quality of teaching and strong curriculum which ensures that ‘students’ progression to internationally-renowned universities or high quality work based training is possible’.

Year 13 student and Highfields’ Head Boy, Owen Stavenuiter, said: “From my experience, the Sixth Form at Highfields provides engaging lessons, a high standard of teaching and the push needed to succeed. Students are incredibly driven and hardworking, but there is also a really friendly and supportive atmosphere within this fantastic modern learning environment.”

Fellow Sixth Form student Molly Jervis, who is a member of Highfields’ Head Team, added: “I believe that Highfields Sixth Form is a diverse and encouraging place, where I feel I am always well guided and encouraged to achieve my full potential. 

“Highfields has thoroughly prepared me for my future by ensuring I have always had the correct support in place, and I always know where to turn if I need any help.”

Hundreds gather for Autumn Festival

Highfields’ annual Autumn Festival went with a bang as more than 250 people gathered for an evening of entertainment and stunning fireworks display.

The Autumn Festival has become a popular annual fixture on the school calendar over the past five years - and this year’s sell-out spectacular was the biggest and best yet.

Students, parents, teachers and members of the local community came along to the event where they were entertained with live performances, including dhol drummers and dancers.

The event also included a cake sale, henna and face painting, crafts activities and a competition to guess the weight of a pumpkin. Sixth Form students baked cakes to sell at the event to raise money for an upcoming trip to Swaziland in July 2017.

Highfields’ Head of Performance Sharon Bishop, who organised the event, said: “The Autumn Festival is an incredibly popular event on our school calendar and this year was our best so far.

“The event was a sell-out and it was great to invite so many visitors into the school. Our students were wonderful in their live performances and the fireworks display was a fantastic finale.”

Tickets on sale for Autumn Festival

Tickets are now on sale for this year's Autumn Festival, which will see crowds entertained with live drama and music performances, activities, stalls and a spectacular fireworks display finale on the terrace.

The Autumn Festival has become a popular annual fixture on the school calendar over the past five years and more than 200 students, parents and members of the community are expected to flock to this year’s extravaganza.

Budding young actors and actresses will be taking to the stage in The Lyceum, whilst the event will also feature performances from a a rock band, drol drummers and dancers. As well as the diverse mix of live performances, there will also be a cake sale, henna and face painting and crafts activities.

Doors will open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start on November 2nd. Tickets cost £5 (Free for Under 5s) and are available from the Humanities LRC.

Award-winning musician inspires students on visit to Highfields

Award-wining singer-songwriter Rachael Sage, whose music appears regularly in hit US reality show Dance Moms, visited Highfields to inspire students to pursue their performance dreams.

Rachael - who studied at the School of American Ballet and was a professional dancer before becoming a musician - talked to students about her love of dance as well as treating them to a live performance of a couple of songs from her new album. Some students even got up to enjoy a dance along to the music.

Ms S.Bishop, Highfields’ Head of Performance, said: “We were delighted to welcome Rachael Sage into Highfields to speak to students.

“Rachael has done so much as a performer, starting off as a professional dancer before moving on to become an award-winning musician. Her insight into the world of performing was invaluable to students, especially those who wish to pursue a career in performing arts.”

As well as touring schools, including Highfields, Rachael is also inviting students to choreograph a dance to one of the tracks from her upcoming album, Choreographic, as part of a national competition for schools. The winning school will win a £500 prize.

Rachael’s songs have regularly featured in the popular reality show Dance Moms, leading to a rapid growth in her music being used among the competitive dance community. Her music now appears in hundreds of dance competition and routine videos – as collected via her YouTube channel’s Dance Playlist – with over 1.6 million combined YouTube views. 

Highfields teams up with Penn Fields School for arts project

Highfields is delighted to announce the launch of an exciting arts project in collaboration with Penn Fields School and Wolverhampton College.

The school has been fortunate enough to secure 'Spirit of 2012' Olympic legacy funding to support the 'Emerge' project, which will culminate in a Festival celebrating the life and works of William Shakespeare on Sunday, April 23rd 2017.

It is hoped the project will pave the way for further collaborations with neighbouring Penn Fields School in the future.

Rehearsals will take place on Tuesday evenings at Penn Fields School and will see students working with two professional actors. Highfields students are currently applying for the chance to be involved.

Ms S.Bishop, Highfields' Head of Performance, who successfully bid for the funding, said: "It is  wonderful that we are collaborating with Penn Fields School on such an exciting project.

"It is a true privilege to have been awarded this 'Spirit of 2012' Olympic legacy funding and to be involved in such a high-profile arts project."

Students involved in the project will be given the chance to complete their Bronze, Silver or Gold Arts Award, which is a nationally recognised qualification.

Sprit of 2012 is an independent trust, established with a £47m endowment from the Big Lottery Fund, that works to recreate the spirit that radiated from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It promotes wellbeing and social cohesion and challenges limiting perceptions of disability by funding partners that provide opportunities in sports, physical activity, arts and culture, volunteering and social action.

Funding for the 'Emerge' project was secured under the category of collaborating secondary schools, special schools and Further Education providers.

Hundreds enjoy Highfields' Open Morning

Hundreds of prospective pupils and parents flocked to Highfields for the school's annual Open Morning, where they got a glimpse of the state-of-the-art £44 million facilities and took part in dozens of interactive workshops and activities showcasing what the school has to offer.

Hands-on scientific experiments, Guitar Hero music challenges, a Dragons Den-style enterprise competition, performances of Macbeth, trampolining and gymnastics displays, pizza making demonstrations and psychology experiments were among the many activities put on for visitors on the day. Visitors also learned how to pack a rucksack as part of a Duke of Edinburgh display and dished up their own culinary masterpieces in a fundraising 'bake-off' to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. 

Headteacher, Mr G.Tate, said: “Our annual Open Morning is always a wonderful opportunity to give prospective students and visitors a glimpse at the many things we do at Highfields.

"We pride ourselves on providing students with a high quality education, an engaging curriculum and a wide range of extra-curricular activities to enrich their learning experiences. 

"We had a lot going on around school to showcase everything that goes into making Highfields so special. It was also really encouraging to have so many students volunteering to help out on the day, with many parents commenting on how articulate and polite they were."

The Open Morning comes after Highfields celebrated its best ever GCSE results. A total of 75% of students achieved five A*-C grades, including English and Mathematics this year, up from 73% last year, with 58% achieving at least one A* or A grade - a rise of 8%. A total of 28% achieved three A* or A grades, up from 24% last year. 

Enjoy a full slideshow of photographs from our Open Morning below: