Textbooks donated to orphaned African youngsters

A batch of Science and Maths textbooks have been donated to charity to support the education of poverty-stricken African youngsters.

Dozens of books which have been become out of date due to recent changes to GCSE specifications were handed over to the Penny Appeal charity, which Highfields’ Teaching Assistant, Mr A Hasib has links with.

The books have been distributed through the charity’s Gambia office to the Chow School of Excellence.

The school has 309 students, the majority of which are orphans that are under the custodianship of Penny Appeal and its donors. 

Charity spokesman, Mr Nazim Ali Tasadiq, said: “Since its inception, the school has been faced with problem of inadequate availability of both teaching and learning materials such as textbooks.

“The subject areas most affected are Mathematics and Science, which can lead to poor performances of students in these subject areas.

“Learning is a multifaceted activity that puts students’ motivation and physical condition to the test. Effective learning cannot take place in an school environment where teaching and learning materials are grossly inadequate.

“The majority of the students are from very poor families who would typically have very little access to a relevant and quality education. As a result, their chances of transiting to higher levels of education in the future can be jeopardised attributed to this problem if it is not addressed. Many of them may drop out of the educational system thus becoming liabilities for their families and country at large. 

“Considering this context, it shows the importance of the distribution of the books that have been donated. We are hopeful the books will increase the level of performance of the students now that they will have adequate resources.”

Penny Appeal is an Islamic charity that helps a number of causes throughout the world, including feeding people in more than 30 crisis-hit countries, providing emergency response to war and natural disasters, and providing safe, clean drinking water to the world’s poorest people.

Ofsted inspectors visit Highfields

Staff and students were delighted to be able to showcase the school to Ofsted inspectors.

Ofsted visited the school to carry out a Section 8 inspection on Wednesday 10th October.

Although we are unable to share the results of the inspection at this stage, Highfields Headteacher, Mr G Tate, has praised students for being such a credit to the school.

He said: “Although at this point we are unable to share with you the judgement of the inspection until Ofsted have been through the full process of quality assurance, I would just like to give you a flavour of the day.

“We were absolutely delighted to be able to showcase the work of the school to the inspection team. Students were an absolute credit to the school and their families; their behaviour and conduct were exemplary at all times. During the inspection the students’ pride in their school was evident; they were confident, articulate and eager to share their experiences of their time at Highfields.

“Could I take this opportunity to thank you for your overwhelming support through your survey responses and to those of you who took the time to personally comment on the work of the school. I am very pleased to say that the inspection team were able to recognise and appreciate the strengths of the school and the broad and balanced curriculum that allows our students to be so successful.

“Please be assured that as soon as the judgement has been validated by Ofsted we will issue a letter from them with the full outcomes from the inspection.”

Students to honour WW1 heroes during Ypres visit

Students will honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom during an emotionally-charged visit to Belgium to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

The trip is one of a number of activities lined up by the school to mark the centenary and remember those who fought, and those who lost their lives.

On Thursday 18th October, 40 students from Years 10-13 will visit the area of Ypres - the location of three significant and devastating battles between 1914 and 1918.

Miss J Tappenden, Highfields’ Head of History, will lead the visit, which is one of many the school has organised to Ypres over the past 15 years.

This year’s visit is made all the more significant as it gives students the chance to witness, and be part of, huge wider international efforts to commemorate the war.

During the three-day trip, students will visit a number of important landmarks including commonwealth war grave sites, the In Flanders Fields Museum, as well as preserved trenches and battlefield sites. 

The highlight of the excursion is sure to be the Menin Gate Last Post ceremony, in which four students in full school uniform will lay a wreath on behalf of Highfields in front of hundreds of visitors.

Following the trip, staff from the school’s History department have planned to run a number of special assemblies dedicated to the Great War, whilst students will be encouraged to create memorial pieces in school to mark the anniversary of the end of the war on November 11th.

Miss Tappenden said: “Students who are visiting Ypres will use their experiences to be part of, and lead, other students in the creation of a memorial in school. 

“It is hoped this will be a lasting legacy of the visit and a reminder for many years to come of the significance of the war, the sacrifices made by so many, and the eventual peace which arose from it.”

Follow the progress of the Ypres visit on Twitter @HistoryHSWV

Good News!

We are pleased to inform you that Ofsted will be with us tomorrow, Wednesday 10th October.

Should you wish to share your views on any aspect of the school please click on Parent View.

Literature fans see book brought to life on stage

Young literature fans enjoyed a trip to the theatre to see a popular David Walliams book brought to life on stage.

A group of Year 8 students visited the Grand Theatre to watch the stage adaptation of Awful Auntie.

The book tells the story of Stella Saxby, the sole heir to Saxby Hall, who is plagued by her awful Aunt Alberta and her giant owl, who will stop at nothing to take her inheritance. She sets about solving the mystery of her parents' death and thwarting her aunt's terrible plan.

English teacher, Miss K O’Neill, said: “Students thoroughly enjoyed the exciting production of Walliams' tale of frights, fights and friendship as Stella has to uncover the truth about the murder of her parents and has to take on her very own awful Auntie.

“Students in Year 8 are currently studying Crime Writing in English so this murder mystery performance provided great inspiration for their own work.”

Rehearsals for musical showcase get under way

Rehearsals have kicked off for the school’s upcoming musical production, Little Shop of Horrors, which is set to wow audiences in 2019.

Dozens of performers flocked to the first rehearsal on Thursday 4th October. Any other students from Years 10-13 who wish to be involved are asked to go along to the next rehearsal, which will take place from 5.30pm-8pm on Thursday 11th October.

Auditions have already been held for students hoping to take on principal roles, with the cast due to be announced in the coming days.

The showcase will be staged over three nights to a live audience in the school’s Lyceum Theatre from February 28th to March 2nd 2019.

Little Shop of Horrors is a musical comedy horror about a florist shop worker who discovers his Venus Flytrap can talk.

Ms S Bishop, Highfields’ Head of Extra Curricular Performance, said: “It is a fantastic musical and one that I have personally wanted to stage at the school for a number of years so we cannot wait for rehearsals to start.

“We’ve already held auditions for those wanting to take on principal roles and had such a wealth of talent turn up that we could have cast the show three times over.

“Any other students from Years 10 to 13 who would like to take part can just come along to the first rehearsal on Thursday.

“It takes a lot of commitment and dedication to be part of our productions with weekly rehearsals, and some weekend rehearsals, over a number of months. But any student who has been part of the experience will vouch that it is an incredible process to be part of and our final showcases are always superb. It is a wonderful opportunity for anyone who has an interest in performing, not just students who have previous experience of the stage.”

Little Shop of Horrors is one of two big musical productions to be staged by Highfields during the 2018/19 academic year. The Wizard of Oz will be staged from November 7th - 10th and will feature students from Years 7 to 9.

Little Shop of Horrors rehearsals will take place from 5.30pm-8pm every Thursday until the staging of Wizard of Oz. They will then run from 3.30pm-8pm.

Highfields to host Sixth Form Open Evening

Prospective students are being invited to an Open Evening to get a glimpse of what our Sixth Form has to offer.

It will take place from 5.30pm-8pm on November 20th.

Visitors will get the chance to speak to current Sixth Form students and tutors, whilst taking a tour of the facilities and learning more about the extensive range of A-Level and BTEC courses we offer.

Mr S Pycroft, Head of Sixth Form, said: “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 that they and other students can get a feel of what we offer.

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

“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.”

The Open Evening is being held after Sixth Form students celebrated another fantastic set of A-Level results – with over half of them being top A*-B grades and more than 100 students securing their places at university.

Students achieved a 99% pass rate – 77% of them being A*-C grades and 51% A*-B grades. In particular, students achieved some very impressive Maths and Science results this year with 4 A*s in Chemistry and 3 A*s in Maths.

More than 500 visitors welcomed at Open Morning

Hundreds of prospective students and parents flocked to the school’s annual Open Morning to learn more about what Highfields has to offer - whilst helping to raise money for charity at the same time.

More than 500 visitors poured through the doors during the day to get a glimpse of the impressive facilities and take part in dozens of interactive workshops and activities showcasing what the school has to offer.

Hands-on scientific experiments, Guitar Hero music challenges, trampolining and gymnastics displays, maths challenges, dance and drama displays, pizza making demonstrations and language games were among the many activities lined up for the event. Visitors also got the chance to learn how to pack a rucksack as part of a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award display, experience Victory in Europe street parade celebrations, take part in an experiment designed by psychology students into what makes people more likeable and solve a ‘crime’ by trying their hands at finger printing and fibre analysis. A cake sale on the day raised more than £150 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Headteacher, Mr G Tate, said: “Our annual Open Morning gives us a wonderful opportunity to give prospective students and visitors a glimpse of what our school is all about and everything that makes it so special.

“As a school, we pride ourselves on providing youngsters with a high quality education, an engaging curriculum and a wide range of extra-curricular activities to enrich their learning experiences.

“We were delighted to welcome so many visitors on the day to be able to showcase everything we have to offer.

“I would also like to say a big thank you to the dozens of students who gave up their time on a Saturday to volunteer to help our visitors around school.”

The Open Morning was held after Highfields celebrated another fantastic set of GCSE results, with more than half of all students achieving the highest grades. Students raised the bar to attain higher grades than last year, with 76% of students achieving a standard pass (Grade 4 or above) in both English and Maths, and 56% of students attaining a strong pass (Grade 5 or above) in both English and Maths.

Talented singers in fine voice at festival

Talented students raised the roof when they took centre stage as part of the annual Wombourne Music Festival.

Members of Highfields Choir and the cast of the school’s upcoming production of Wizard of Oz were in fine voice when they performed as part of the festival.

Wombourne Music Festival celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, and saw talented musicians and students from a number of schools perform to live audiences at the village’s St Benedict Biscop Church.

Highfields students performed a number of musical favourites before joining together for a rousing finale of This Is Me, from The Greatest Showman.

Music teacher, Mrs S Jevon, said: “We received a warm welcome for our second appearance at Wombourne Music Festival. The students were in fine voice and thoroughly enjoyed being part of the festival’s anniversary celebrations.”

Rehearsals are currently well under way for the school’s production of Wizard of Oz, which features students from Years 7-9 and will be performed in November.

Highfields Choir meets every Monday lunchtime from 1.10pm in Room 105 and is open to all students and staff.

Golden students celebrate Duke of Edinburgh's success

Students are feeling on top of the world after successfully completing their final Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award expedition.

Four Sixth Form students - Feargus Flanagan, Jindveer Khangura, Jemma Payne and Tasha Bagri - travelled to the Lake District for the expedition, which saw them navigate their route over challenging mountain terrain and fend for themselves in the remote rural location.

Their journey through the Lake District mountains took them from Ambleside, Glenridding, Thirlmere and then finally through the Langdale Valley.

This year the students had the unique opportunity to combine their expedition with a Wild Camp on the third day.

The students were able to camp near Sty Head Tarn and had to purify their own water as well as each carry a 70-litre rucksack containing their clothes, food and sleeping bags for the duration of the expedition.

Mr C Moody, who runs Highfields’ Duke of Edinburgh’s programme, said: “Huge congratulations to our four Sixth Form students for completing their final Gold Award assessed expedition.

“It is really hard work, with students having to navigate their route whilst carrying a heavy rucksack containing everything they need; but they worked as a team and did an incredible job.

“The Wild Camp on Day three is an experience they will remember and cherish for a lifetime.

“The school staff, as well as the Mountain Leader and External Assessor said it had been a most enjoyable expedition. As well as meeting all 20 conditions to pass the assessment, they also gained a considerable amount of experience and knowledge to take away with them to use for the rest of their lives.

“Well done to them all on such a fantastic achievement. It is well deserved.”

The successful students will be officially presented with their DofE Gold Awards at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace or St James’s Palace on a date to be announced.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s scheme was launched in 1956 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.