'Couch to 5k' fitness drive launched

A new fitness drive has been launched by Highfields PE department, and students and staff are being urged to sign up.

The ‘Couch to 5k’ club meets on Thursdays from 3.30pm to 4.30pm and see participants running or walking loops around the Hamble. Sessions will take place every week until the summer break.

PE Teacher, Ms L Stevenson, said: “People of all abilities are welcome to take part. 

“As we will be doing loops of The Hamble, everyone can go at their own pace.

“The aim is that we will all build up to 5k over the coming weeks. There are so many benefits to running and we look forward to seeing lots of people getting involved.”

Students get to grips with the great outdoors

Year 8 students have been getting to grips with the great outdoors with the launch of a new activity initiative.

Groups of students travelled to Wales for an action-packed two-day stay, which gave them chance to work in teams to take on a number of challenges.

They spent the first day canoeing on Lake Vyrnwy, before scrambling over Moel-y-Golfa, near to Highfields’ Llandrinio Outdoor Education Centre. They completed the course by taking part in team-building activities.

The aim of the activity scheme is to provide students with new experiences and skills to support them throughout their school life. It also prepares students wanting to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s programme in Year 10 for the challenges they will face.

Mr C Moody, who organised the trips, said: “Our students absolutely loved taking part.

“It is a challenging environment and therefore provides the perfect setting for students to learn how to work in a team, gain social skills and make friends.”

Space Centre trip is out of this world

Students enjoyed an out-of-this-world experience when they visited The National Space Centre.

Around 100 students from Year 7 were encouraged to reach for the stars when they visited the popular tourist attraction in Leicester as part of their science studies.

The striking £52 million National Space Centre was opened in 2001 and is run as an educational charity to offer science workshops for schools. It features six interactive galleries, the UK’s largest planetarium, and an iconic 42m-high rocket tower to bring space flight, astronomy and cosmology to life for visitors.

Students got the chance to explore the many exhibits on show and watched a film in the Centre's Sir Patrick Moore Planetarium to learn what it takes to be an astronaut, including the changes in the human body during take off, the intense training involved and the dangers of being in space.

Science Teacher, Mr M Lee, who organised the trip, added: “We also attended a talk called “It IS rocket science” which engaged the students in all aspects of how rockets work, linking nicely to the topic they are currently studying in their Year 7 Science lessons.

“The National Space Centre is a wonderful venue that really brings science to life and our students had a great time looking around the many interesting galleries and exhibitions to learn more about space.”

Students attend ‘speed networking’ Careers Event

Students wasted no time in getting to grips with the range of employment options available to them after Highfields during a ‘speed networking’ careers event.

Twelve students from Year 10 attended the event at Wolverhampton Racecourse to learn more about employment opportunities and careers routes.

The event was a collaboration between the Careers and Enterprise company, Black Country Chamber of Commerce and the Black Country Skills Factory.

Mr A Jeavons, Highfields’ Careers and Business Links Manager, said: The aim of the event was to give students a clear picture of the array of career opportunities that are available to them.

“Before the event students prepared questions to ask employers which they then used when speaking to industry experts about routes into careers, general work activities and employment opportunities.”

The event took place just weeks after Highfields hosted its biggest ever Careers Fair. More than 40 exhibitors visited the school in February to showcase the huge range of choices available to students Post-16.

Shakespeare celebrated at Arts Festival

Students celebrated the life and works of Shakespeare as part of an action-packed arts festival which attracted hundreds of visitors.

More than 50 students from Highfields, Penn Fields and Wolverhampton College worked together to stage ‘The Shakespearience’, which was held at the City’s Light House.

It featured free creative workshops for youngsters, film screenings, an animation station, sensory room, live music, poetry recitals and face painting, whilst guests were entertained with dance and drama performances of Macbeth and Romeo & Juliet.

Students spent three months rehearsing for the festival, including giving up some of their Easter holidays to perfect their performances.

Ms S Bishop, Highfields’ Head of Performance, said: “It has been wonderful to collaborate once again with Penn Fields School and Wolverhampton College on this arts festival.

“Everyone involved worked incredibly hard to produce a showcase which truly celebrated the works of Shakespeare.

“All of their efforts were worth it as they succeeded in staging a spectacular showcase which attracted hundreds of visitors throughout the day. It was a fun day for all the family and we were delighted to welcome so many people to celebrate with us.”

Students review 'Rivers of Blood' speech for BBC

Students were shown Enoch Powell’s infamous ‘Rivers of Blood’ speech and had their reactions to it filmed as part of a BBC broadcast marking its 50th anniversary.

A BBC crew visited Highfields to film Politics Reporter, Elizabeth Glinka, and writer, Benjamin Zephaniah, interviewing nine students from Years 12 and 13.

The students were played the entire speech, which controversial former Wolverhampton MP Enoch Powell had delivered in 1968, and had their reactions recorded. The show aired on BBC2’s The Daily Politics Show on Thursday, April 19th.

Mr K Blower, Head of Sixth Form, said: “The BBC particularly wanted to film the views of students in Wolverhampton on the 50th anniversary of the infamous speech as Enoch Powell represented Wolverhampton South West when he delivered it.

“We asked for volunteers and had a number of students come forward who were keen to take part. They thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to comment on a speech that caused a political storm and made Enoch Powell of the most talked about and divisive politicians in the country. They were amazed at how opinions had changed so dramatically in the 50 years since the speech was made.”

One of the students said: “I had heard parts of the speech previously, but not all of it. It is eye-opening to see how opinions have changed over time. It was a brilliant experience and I’m thankful I had the opportunity to take part.”

Another said: “When we were initially told about the opportunity, we researched the speech. We actually thought it wasn’t real. We couldn’t believe this actually happened!”

To watch the BBC report, click here

Footballers crowned Wolverhampton Cup Champions

Talented footballers are celebrating being named champions of the U13s Wolverhampton Cup.

Highfields' Year 8 team put on a number of impressive performances throughout the tournament to lift the trophy.

Their route to victory saw them beat Smestow 7-2 in round one, before a tough 3-2 win over Colton Hills. A tense game against St Matthias followed, which saw them book their place in the final with a last-minute goal. They won the final match, against Wolverhampton Grammar School, 4-2 to be crowned champions.

The cup final win at Wolves Training Ground comes amid a fantastic season, which has also seen the team win the U13s League having played and won five games. They have also made it through to the Quarter Finals of the West Midlands English Schools FA Cup, which will be played after Easter.

Mr C Brickwood, Highfields’ Head of PE, said: “I am really pleased with the football we have produced this season. We play at a high tempo and move the ball quickly with excellent technical ability. 

“Our clinical finishing in front of goal has seen us devastate some of the local opposition whilst our ability to defend well and hit teams on the counter attack has also got us out of a few sticky situations.

"A huge well done to the whole team for being crowned cup champions, in particular Theo Pope, who was named Man of the Match."

Young waiters serve up top quality service

Students dished up a top quality service to paying customers as parts of a hands-on work experience in Birmingham.

Year 10 students hoping to pursue a career in Hospitality and Catering or Food and Nutrition were selected to take part in the Young Waiters Academy at University College Birmingham.

Food technology teacher, Ms B Chima, said: “Students were plunged into the deep end where they had to serve 53 paying customers an amazing three-course lunch and also learnt how to prepare various cocktails.

“The diners said how smart the students looked in their uniforms and how polite and helpful they were during the fast-paced lunchtime service. A big well done to all students involved!”

Students to stage 'Shakespearience' arts festival

The life and works of Shakespeare will be celebrated as part of a free action-packed arts festival for all the family.

Students from Highfields, Penn Fields and Wolverhampton College are working together to stage ‘The Shakespearience’ at the Light House, in Fryer Street, on April 21st.

It will feature free creative workshops for kids, film screenings, an animation station, sensory room, live music and poetry recitals, as well as dance and drama performances of Macbeth and Romeo & Juliet to celebrate the Bard’s life and works.

The event, which will run from 12pm-5pm, is free to attend and open to visitors of all ages.

More than 50 students are involved in the project and are currently busy rehearsing on Tuesday evenings. They will also give up some of their Easter holiday to perfect their performances.

Ms S Bishop, Highfields' Head of Performance, said: “It is wonderful to be collaborating once again with Penn Fields School and Wolverhampton College on this exciting arts project.

“Students are currently working very hard to put on a spectacular showcase to celebrate the works of Shakespeare and we are looking forward to seeing the results of their efforts at the festival on April 21st.

“The day will be packed with lots of activities and performances to provide fun for all the family. We hope to see you all there.”

Free tickets for the festival can be booked by searching 'The Shakespearience' in Facebook and clicking 'EVENTS' or scanning the Facebook QR code on the back of promotional flyers that have been distributed around Wolverhampton. They can also be booked by going directly to the Eventbrite website, and searching “The Shakespearience”. There are a maximum of six tickets available for each person. For further information or if anyone would like to be involved as a volunteer or spoken word artist, email emergewolves@gmail.com

Full programme of activities for the Shakespearience festival:

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'Shakespearience' has been given coverage in the Express & Star. Click on the image below to read the article:

Gifted students 'graduate' from The Brilliant Club

Gifted students are celebrating after ‘graduating’ from a prestigious academic course as members of The Brilliant Club.

The Brilliant Club is a national award-winning, non-profit, organisation that aims to widen access to top universities for outstanding students.

Twelve talented students from Year 10 were selected to take part in the programme and worked with a PhD university tutor on a psychology project focusing on memory.

As part of the programme, the students visited Warwick University and attended six tutorials before being set a 2,500-word assignment which was graded using university terminology.

All 12 students passed the assignment with four being awarded a First, seven students gaining a 2:1 grade and one achieving a 2:2. They were then invited to celebrate their success at a ‘graduation’ ceremony at the University of Nottingham along with their parents.

Ms E Buckley, Lead Practitioner with responsibility for More Able students who leads the school’s Brilliant Club project, said: “All students attained impressive results and are the most successful Key Stage 4 students to complete the programme so far.

“We were impressed with the students' focus and independence in completing their final assignment within the deadline. Their tutor, Jessica Runacres, was pleased with the dedication and commitment they showed and said they made incredible progress in such a short space of time.

“Some students moved two grades between their baseline assessment and final project.

“They really enjoyed the project but the highlight for many was attending the graduation ceremony. This was also a personal highlight as we got the chance to celebrate all of their hard work.

“The Brilliant Club works in collaboration with a number of universities to give students in non-selective state schools a taste of university life and encourage aspiration to apply to the exclusive Russell Group universities.

"This is the fourth group of students who have been chosen to take part from Highfields and they had a great experience. We are very proud that all 12 of them passed the assignment and ‘graduated’."