Sporty students given careers advice by football coach

Students dreaming of a career in the sports industry got the chance to learn more about the opportunities available to them thanks to a visit from a Kidderminster Harriers FC coach.

Siobhan Hodgetts, the club’s Female Sports Development Coach, visited Highfields to speak to students from Years 7 to 10.

More than 50 students interested in pursuing a career in sports attended the event.

Ms Hodgetts spoke about Kidderminster Harriers’ Football and Education Academy, whilst also highlighting the vast range of careers available in sport, including coaching, media and accountancy.

Mr P Rose, Head of Middle School and Careers Leader, said: “We were delighted to welcome Siobhan Hodgetts into school to inspire students interested in pursuing a career in sports in the future.

“She informed them of the range of opportunities available whilst giving them advice and information to help them achieve their aspirations.

“Our students didn’t realise there were so many different professions in the sports industry."

'Getting Ahead' event to inspire students for exam success

Year 10 students getting reading to sit their school exams are being inspired to prepare properly so they can perform to their potential as part of a special ‘Getting Ahead’ event.

The event will be launched with a motivational assembly before specially-planned sessions to provide students with practical tips and revision techniques, including the ‘4Rs’ - Revisit, Reduce, Rehearse, Recall.

They will also be given advice on managing time and creating a manageable revision timetable.

Mr P Rose, Head of Middle School and Careers Leader, said: “The aim of the event is to inspire students to achieve their full potential and beyond in all of their exams.

“We want to provide our students with the skills they need to prepare and perform.

“Students should already be revising but if they haven’t yet started, the message is that it’s not too late - start now!”

The Year 10 exam fortnight commences on Monday 24th June.

Please click on the image below to open our ‘Getting Ahead’ booklet:

Magic of Disney dazzles students on Paris trip

The magic of Disneyland dazzled Highfields students during a four-day Parisian adventure.

More than 120 students from Year 8 enjoyed the action-packed trip to the French capital during the half-term break.

The trip included visits to The Walt Disney Studios Park and main Disneyland Park, where members of the group braved the famous Tower of Terror and Space Mountain rides, picked up dozens of souvenirs, and were blown away by a spectacular fireworks display to the backdrop of classic Disney songs.

They also enjoyed a visit to Parc Asterix, where they had a blast on the rides and enjoyed a dolphin show.

Ms J Parker, Head of Lower School, said: “We had a fantastic Paris trip with the most wonderful group of students. They are a real credit to the school.

“All of the students and staff involved have been left with wonderful memories that will last a lifetime."

Cadbury World trip is sweet treat for students

Chocolate lovers enjoyed a sweet treat when they visited Cadbury World as part of their Food Technology studies.

Year 9 students visited the world-famous site in Bournville to learn more about the much-loved chocolate brand.

As part of the trip, students were taught about the history of chocolate and how the Cadbury brand was developed.

They also got the chance to see the large-scale manufacture of chocolate, whilst sampling a few delicious treats throughout the day.

They rounded off the trip with a screening in the 4D chocolate cinema.

Head of Food, Miss B Chima, said: “A great day was had by all students and staff who attended.”

Students keep pace with real-life Forrest Gump on charity run

Fundraising students pulled on their trainers for a charity run alongside real-life Forrest Gump, Rob Pope.

Rob hit headlines around the world in 2016 when he embarked on a 15,700-mile journey which saw him cross the United States four times to raise money for Peace Direct and The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

Last month, the 40-year-old completed the punishing six-day Marathon Des Sables, a 156-mile race in the Sahara Desert known as the toughest footrace on the planet.

Rob, who runs wearing a ‘Run Robla Run’ t-shirt inspired by Tom Hanks’ character in Forrest Gump, was the guest speaker at last year’s Highfields Legacy Awards, and returned to the school to speak to students about the charities he has raised more than £20,000 for with his gruelling fundraising runs. He also gave the school a very generous gift of an adopted panda through WWF, which will be named by students as part of a competition in the coming weeks.

As part of his visit, students joined him on a one-mile fun run in parkland close to the school to raise around £80 for Rob’s chosen charities.

WWF (formerly the World Wildlife Fund) is an international non-governmental organisation founded in 1961 working to preserve wilderness and reduce the human impact on the environment.

Peace Direct is an international charity dedicated to stopping wars by supporting local people in conflict zones to build long term peace.

Young football fans net refereeing qualifications

Talented young female football fans have qualified as football referees, and are now preparing to put their new skills to the test as officials of grassroots games.

Highfields launched its first referee academy after the February half-term, which was open to girls aged 14 and over.

The course was the first of its kind run by Birmingham FA, facilitated by Highfields and supported by the ConnectED partnership.

Students from Years 9-12 took part in the inaugural programme.

Following weeks of coaching, all of the students completed their final examination after a motivational talk from Lisa Rashid, a professional referee who will represent the FA at this year’s Women’s World Cup in France.

They will be now be given the chance to take charge of all of the school’s boys’ and girls’ football fixtures, whilst also having the opportunity to apply their skills in the local community where they will be able to earn money for refereeing grassroots football matches.

Mr C Brickwood, Highfields’ Head of PE, said: “At the start of February half-term a group of enthusiastic future Premier League match officials started their journey to become fully qualified football referees, and it is with great pleasure that I can announce that all of the girls passed.

“This is only the start of the journey as we look to grow the academy for both girls and boys in the near future. It is an opportunity for us to enhance the leadership skills of our own students and those from other schools, whilst developing their knowledge and understanding of the game. It is a really exciting project and we are delighted that it has had such a successful launch. Congratulations to all of the girls involved.”

The girls who have qualified are: Poppy Kelly, Georgia Harris, Georgia Derrick, India Rae Martin, Rhea Gill, Madison Hawley, Libby Naughton, Kira Patel, Holly Ryall-Jenkins and Amy Lamine-Simmons.

Teacher swaps Science lab for saddle to raise thousands for charity

Highfields’ Anthony Dean swapped the Science lab for the saddle to complete a 100-mile cycle ride to raise money for a charity supporting families affected in terrorist-hit Sri Lanka.

Mr Dean, Highfields’ Head of Science and Maths Learning School, completed the gruelling Vélo Birmingham & Midlands ride, taking him through Birmingham, Solihull, Warwickshire, Dudley, Sandwell and Coventry.

He is raising money for the Oru Paanai charity, which works in Sri Lanka to support communities affected by the long-running conflict there.

Mr Dean completed the race in just under seven hours, and has raised more than £1,000 for the cause. Having also completed the race last year, his fundraising efforts have brought in a combined total of more than £3,000 for the charity.

Mr Dean, whose wife originates from Sri Lanka, said: “Although the civil war is over, many people are still struggling economically in the aftermath. Oru Paanai's projects have evolved over time according to need. 

“The charity spent many years supporting school children. They are now helping to dig wells to develop supplies of drinking water and provide food aid in rural areas which are in real need.

“They are also supporting the elderly who do not have family or support from the state.

“Sri Lanka has been affected recently by serious terrorist attacks, and the disruption after these will have a further negative impact on the Sri Lankan economy.”

Speaking about the race, he said: “The event was lovely and very well organised, with regular food and water for riders. We had good weather, with friendly riders and great support from residents.”

If you would like to support Mr Dean’s fundraising, please click here

-Photograph courtesy of Velo Birmingham & Midlands

Highfields to perform The Addams Family

We are delighted to announce Highfields’ next production will be musical comedy, The Addams Family, followed by feel-good family favourite, Beauty and the Beast - with auditions now lined up for the school’s budding stage stars.

The Addams Family, which depicts a ghoulish American family with an affinity for all things macabre, will be staged from November 6th-8th and feature students from Years 10-13.

Auditions for the production will take place from 3.30pm on Thursday May 16th, in Room 105.

Beauty and the Beast will be staged from February 26th-28th 2020 with students from Years 7-9.

Auditions for that spectacular will be announced in due course.

Ms S Bishop, Highfields’ Head of Extra Curricular Performance, said: “We’ve already secured the licenses to perform the shows, which are both amazing productions.

“Putting together our shows takes a lot of work over a number of weeks, but the process is always such great fun and a wonderful experience for our students.

“Highfields’ productions are open to all students and we welcome everyone to take part, whether they have had previous experience of performing or none at all.

“Anyone who would like to audition for a principal part in The Addams Family should come along on May 16th, with rehearsals starting soon after that. We can’t wait to get up and running on our next show!”

Summer Schools will also be held for both casts, which will run during the first week of the holidays, from July 22nd-26th.

The Summer School, which will take place from 10am-3pm every day, promises to be a fun packed week during which students will rehearse for the upcoming shows whilst also making some props and costumes for both productions.

Creative GCSE students showcase their talents at Arts Alive!

Art and Performing Arts students presented the work they have been completing as part of their GCSE studies to a live audience.

Dozens of pieces of art went on display whilst students wowed with their dance, drama and music talents in the school’s Lyceum Theatre.

The evening featured ensemble performances, monologues, self-choreographed dances and musical pieces.

Mrs J Brickwood, Highfields’ Head of Performing Arts, said: “We were extremely proud to present our GCSE Art and Performing Arts work. Arts education is all about self expression, exploring alternative options and embracing individuality. Learning Art, Music, Dance and Drama furnishes students with the tools to think creatively, innovate and appreciate diverse cultures and backgrounds, while developing their resilience, confidence and self esteem.

“For some of our students, Arts Alive! was the first time they had performed in front of an audience, and some created pieces that are extremely personal to them. One student likened it to the entire audience reading her diary!

“It takes courage and confidence to perform, or share your artwork with an audience, and courage is something our students have in abundance. We are enormously proud of them all.”

London Marathon success for lunchtime supervisor Donna

A Highfields lunchtime supervisor completed this year’s London Marathon in memory of her beloved late mum - and loved the experience so much, she’s already put her name into the ballot for the 2020 event.

Donna Lowery spent months training for the world-famous 26.2-mile run to support research into Pancreatic Cancer, which claimed the life of her mum, Linda Munday, at the age of 60 in 2014.

The 42-year-old, who lives with her family in Penn, was one of just 70 competitors running the London Marathon on behalf of Pancreatic Cancer UK, and has to raise at least £2,500 for the cause.

So far, she has received donations and pledges of around £2,000, and is urging more people to donate to help her meet the fundraising target for the charity so close to her heart.

The marathon was Donna’s second fundraising challenge for the charity, and comes after she raised £1,000 by completing the London to Brighton Cycle ride after her mum was diagnosed with the illness.

As well as already putting her name in the ballot for next year’s London Marathon, she will also be competing in a Triathlon with the Black Country Triathletes in Wombourne in September, running in October’s Birmingham Half Marathon, and competing in an Iron Man competition in Staffordshire 2020.

The 42-year-old, who also runs her own cleaning business, said: “It all feels like a dream. I keep thinking, ‘Have I really just completed the London Marathon?’.

“I feel totally normal physically, and have no aching or pain, so that’s really good.”

Donna - whose two children, Eden and Lily, are students at Highfields - finished the race in 6hrs 40mins.

She said: “I wasn’t really happy with my time but I ran all of the way, only stopping for seconds to see my family. My goal was not to walk at all so I’m very proud of that.

“When I went over Tower Bridge, I felt my knee go and knew I had to slow down if I was going to finish it.”

Donna’s whole family, including her children, husband Wayne and dad Garth, cheered her on at various points along the famous route.

She said: “It was upsetting when I saw my dad. He’d given me a bracelet of mum’s to wear on the day and he was quite emotional because of the reason I was running it. I don’t normally really believe in things like that, but I felt like she was with me. She’d been in a lot of pain and so when my knee went I just thought, ‘come on, just get through it’.

“The support you receive from the crowds is just phenomenal. There’s people giving out food, sweets and energy gels, and shouting out your name as you go past. They were really supportive of those who were struggling and telling them they could do it.

“It was just a fantastic day, and I loved being part of it so much. I would do another one tomorrow.

“Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me.”

To support Donna’s fundraising efforts, click here