Induction days give students a taste of Highfields

Primary school students due to join Highfields in September were given their first taste of life at the school during a two-day induction.

Year 6 pupils took part in a range of lessons, whilst meeting teachers, their Year Manager and fellow students from other primary schools.

Headteacher, Mr G Tate, said: “The induction period is a great opportunity for our new students to get a feel of Highfields before they start in September.

“During these days they enjoyed a range of lessons and activities, spent lunchtime with us and met their Year Manager and new classmates.

“The transition from primary to secondary school is a big step, but I am sure they will all be happy and successful at our school, and I was delighted welcome them for their induction.”

The induction period will be followed by a ‘New Parents Evening’ on Wednesday 10 July in the Lyceum. There will be two presentations at 5pm and 6:30pm from Mr Tate and Head of Lower School, Ms J Parker.

School uniform supplier, Lads & Lasses, will also be present during this evening and will be available from 4:30pm to 7pm to answer questions and take orders.

Mr Tate will also be available in school on Thursday 11 July between 11am and 12.30pm on a drop-in basis to answer any further questions.

Click here to learn more about Year 6 Transition.

Fitness course sees runners go from 'Couch to 5k'

Students, staff and their families have been pulling on their running shoes as part of a Highfields-run community fitness drive based on the national ‘Couch to 5k’ campaign.

Dozens of people have participated in weekly 45-minute sessions over the past term to build up their fitness levels.

After weeks of training, many of the group turned out at Wolverhampton’s West Park to complete a 5k run in glorious sunshine to showcase their achievements, before celebrating their success with a team meal.

As part of the programme, members of the group have learnt about the benefits of running and pace setting to help them achieve the final 5k goal.

Mr C Brickwood, Highfields’ Head of PE, who ran the programme, said: “We are delighted with how many people turned up each week to improve their fitness levels.

“The C25k course is open to all levels of fitness and all running abilities from novice to advanced, and provides an ideal opportunity for people to exercise with their family.

“There has been a fantastic atmosphere each week, with everyone going away enjoying the sessions. The final session of the C25k programme was the run in West Park. It was a fantastic morning, with glorious sunshine and everyone who took part setting a personal best.”

Despite the Couch to 5k course being complete, training sessions will continue until the summer holidays for anyone wanting to improve their fitness levels. Runs will take place around The Hamble, on Hamble Road, from 6.30pm every Thursday.

Creative talents on show in published children's book

The creative talents of a Highfields alumna and current Sixth Form student are bringing the magic of reading to life for youngsters with the publication of their first children’s book.

The book, ’My Mum The Superhero’, has been written by Charlene Hemans, a former Highfields student who now works as a Business Administrator at neighbouring Penn Fields School, with illustrations by Sixth Form student Shelley Batt.

Inspired by her own children and how she hopes they perceive her, the book follows the story of a young girl's view of her Mum and how she manages everything she does like a superhero.

The collaboration between Shelley and Charlene - who is also a singer, songwriter and poet - came about by accident when Shelley popped into neighbouring Penn Fields to speak to a friend’s parent. During the visit, Charlene overheard reference to the student's artistic talents, and soon the newly-formed dream team were working together to bring the story to life in print.

Charlene, who lives in Wolverhampton with her husband and two children, said: I had an image of how I wanted the illustrations to appear and I had undertaken discussions with other potential illustrators prior to meeting Shelley, but once I talked to Shelley and listened to her ideas, I knew she was perfect for the job.

“She got them bang on and it felt as if she could read my mind.”

Shelley, who is currently studying A-Levels in Psychology, English and Textiles, said: ”The process took me a long time and I made a lot of sacrifices, especially when trying to work to deadlines in order to be ready for my exams, but I absolutely loved creating the illustrations.”

Charlene has plans for a sequel and Shelley will start working on these illustrations once her exams have been completed.

My Mum The Superhero can be purchased directly from Charlene at Penn Fields School, and is also available through Amazon at £7.49.

You can follow Charlene on Instagram or Facebook.

Young Wolf Film Festival to celebrate the magic of movies

The magic of the movies is to be brought to life in spectacular style as Highfields hosts its second Young Wolf Film Festival.

The event, which will run from July 1st to 5th, will feature a packed programme of events to celebrate the talents of budding film directors, news anchors, producers and performers from across the City.

Organisers hope to build on the huge success of last year’s inaugural event, which brought together hundreds of students, staff and members of the public from around Wolverhampton to celebrate the wonderful world of film.

The programme includes:

Monday July 1st: The week-long festival will kick off with ‘Movie Maker Monday’, which will see Highfields welcome dozens of students from City schools for a series of film-based practical workshops. They will work with a professional make-up artist and special effects designer to create their own Hollywood-style injuries before using a green screen, along with digital and sound effects, to make their own short film. The film, which will also be edited by students, will receive its premiere at an awards ceremony later in the week.

Tuesday July 2nd: Day two of the festival will see 60 students experience the wonder of filmmaking first-hand with a trip to the Harry Potter Studio Tour. The trip, which will act as a rewards trip for members of Highfields Film Club from Years 9 and 10, will give students the chance to see the impact of the British film industry and the vast array of careers it offers.

Wednesday July 3rd: Students will be given the chance to put their knowledge of the big screen to the test by taking part in a lunchtime movie quiz, before staff compete in an after-school quiz.

Thursday July 4th: The talents of budding young filmmakers will be celebrated at the Young Wolf Awards. During this Oscars-style event, awards and prizes will be up for grabs in a range of categories, whilst students’ mini cinematic masterpieces produced throughout the year will be showcased on screen.

Friday July 5th: The festival will be wrapped up in spectacular style as students use Hollywood soundtracks and themes to stage the annual Summer Song and Dance show in front of a live audience. Following live performances of music, drama and dance, visitors will move to an outdoor cinema in the school grounds to watch a screening of Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse under the stars.

The Young Wolf Film Festival was first launched by Highfields in 2018 due to the success of the school’s award-winning Film Club.

Due to the increasing popularity of the subject in school, Film Studies was introduced to Year 9 students last year, whilst a GCSE course across Key Stage 4 was launched for the first time this academic year.

Film Studies teacher, Mr D Cooper, said: “We have some incredibly talented students at Highfields who are very enthusiastic about the various elements of the filmmaking process.

“Last year’s festival was a huge success, bringing hundreds of people together to celebrate the wonderful world of movies, whilst providing an excellent platform to celebrate the creativity of students.

“We are delighted to be running the event again, and are hoping to build on the excellent foundations of last year to stage another spectacular week of festivities celebrating all aspects of the film industry and the talents of our students who wish to pursue a career in it."

Palace date for golden Duke of Edinburgh's Award students

Former Highfields students rubbed shoulders with royalty when they celebrated achieving the highest possible honour on the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme at Buckingham Palace.

Rachel Clarke and Libby Mckenna-Fraser, who has been working at Highfields as an apprentice this year, attended the palace to be presented with their DofE Gold Awards in the presence of Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.

The guest speaker on the day was former Blue Peter presenter, Konnie Huq.

Former students Alice Barrie, Owen Stavenuiter and Kent Stavenuiter picked up their Gold Awards at an earlier palace ceremony, whilst Jemma Payne and Shifani Passap will be officially presented with their awards at a ceremony later this year.

The seven DofE Gold Award students volunteered their time in the community over 12 months, as well as completing a gruelling four-day practice and assessed expedition in Snowdonia and the Lake District. They also completed a four-day residential shared experience with other young people.

Ahead of their palace dates, their achievements on the DofE programme were honoured with a presentation evening in school hosted by former Highfields teacher, Sir Michael Griffiths, who was awarded a knighthood for his services to education.

Mr C Moody, Highfields’ DofE Co-ordinator, said: “It was a really positive year for the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award programme at Highfields, with these seven students completing the challenging Gold Award, as well as dozens more students picking up their Bronze and Silver Awards.

“They have all been on an incredible journey and they have had many memorable experiences that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

“To reach the Gold Award standard in the DofE programme is an incredible achievement and to be officially presented with their awards in the grounds of Buckingham Palace is a fitting celebration for all their hard work.”

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award 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.

Hundreds of Highfields students have taken part in the DofE programme since the school started running the scheme around 13 years ago.

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.