Law students see justice system in action during court visit

Lawyers of the future got the chance to see the justice system in action as part of a trip to Birmingham Magistrates Court.

Year 12 BTEC and A-Level Law students got the chance to tour the building’s mix of modern and historic courtrooms - including those used in the filming of British legal drama TV series, Judge John Deed.

After the supervised tour, students took their seats in the public gallery to watch Prosecutors, Defence Solicitors and Magistrates at work during a number of court cases.

BTEC students saw two drink drivers prosecuted, with the defendants fined and given driving bans. They also saw a defendant plead not guilty to a drugs charge and sent to Crown Court for trial.

Law teacher, Mrs N Allen, said: “The second group in the afternoon also saw three cases.

“One defendant was charged with assault and sent to Crown Court for sentencing. 

“The second was a man charged with a racially aggravated incident against a Salvation Army volunteer, who was given a tagging order, and the the final case was a shoplifter who got a conditional discharge.

“Our students are currently studying the criminal courts process, so this was a great experience for them to see how Magistrates are able to deal with some offences but have to pass others on to Crown Court. 

“They are also learning about the role of Magistrates, so this visit certainly helped them to put their learning into context.”

Budding politicians relishing Youth Council roles

Two budding politicians are relishing their roles representing the voices of their peers after being elected to Wolverhampton Youth Council - and are striving to improve recycling rates, tackle knife crime and raise awareness of mental health during the year ahead.

Anna Tabner and Libby Pauley, both Sixth Form students, attended a presentation evening celebrating their elections to the Youth Council, where Anna delivered a speech about getting the most out of the experience.

They were also presented with certificates by the City’s Mayor, Councillor Claire Darke, during the event.

The Youth Council, which formed in 2001, has evolved into a group for young people to make sure their views are considered by decision makers in Wolverhampton, as well as providing extra scrutiny for councillors.

Anna and Libby are among dozens of students from across Wolverhampton who will represent the views of all of the city’s young people as they confront decision makers about issues affecting their communities.

They were voted to represent Highfields by members of the school’s Head Team after submitting application letters outlining their aspirations.

It is the third year Anna has been elected to sit on the council, making her one of its longest serving members. She said: “Last year I held the role of Chair which meant hat I was in charge of running meetings and ensuring that everyone had an equal voice. This year I have stepped down from this position in order to do more effective work within the Youth Council without the added pressure of being Chair.

“As a member of the youth council I have attended and taken part in some of the scrutiny panels within the council which allows me to have detailed conversations with the elected councillors and employed directors to co-design and co-produce the best possible strategies regarding young people in the city.

“Scrutiny panels that I have attended include Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel, and Scrutiny Board. “Wolverhampton Youth Council has many different goals that we are consistently striving to achieve, which include increasing recycling in schools, protecting the environment, tackling knife crime and raising awareness about mental health.

“A personal goal of mine is to help to ensure a good standard of education for all young people in the city, includingthose in Elective Home Education.

“Recently, we had a declaration event where we welcomed new members into the youth council and as oneof its longest serving members, I delivered a speech about getting the best possible experience out of it.

“I encouraged the members to get involved with as much as they could. Wolverhampton Youth Council is constantly being invited to meetings and events on both a local and national scale so there is so much for new members to do to make the most out of their position.”

Musicians rock the stage with original song

Budding rock stars of the future showcased their talents on stage as part of a musical event.

Music students worked with Rock School Music as part of their Key Stage 3 curriculum.

During the programme of workshops, students worked with musicians from Rock School Music on an original composition.

They experienced being part of a band, learning a new instrument/developing their skills on their own instrument and building confidence to perform in front of each other.

The programme culminated in a live performance at Newhampton Arts Centre, along with other young musicians from across Wolverhampton, in front of relatives.

Music Teacher, Mrs A Scott, said: “These are valuable skillsfor students develop over the year if they are thinking fortaking GCSE music.

“For some students, the performance at Newhampton was the first time they have ever performed on stage.

“Highfields was the only school to write and perform their own original song, which is a great achievement for all of the students that took part.

“They all worked well in theirgroups and rehearsed prior to the showcase. I’m so proud of all the 28 students that took part and hope they will continue writing music together.”

Politics in spotlight as Highfields hosts its own election

Election frenzy hit Highfields when hundreds of students turned up to vote for the political party they would have liked to see running the country.

More than 830 students put their votes in the Ballot Box when the school staged its own election to mirror the General Election on December 12th.

Some students wore face masks of Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to cast their votes - with the results not matching the national picture of a Conservative victory.

Head of Citizenship, Mrs C Hartshorne, who organised the event, said: “This General Election really sparked interest among our students about their future and the future of the country.

“Although our mini General Election was much more light hearted than the real thing, it gave our students a chance to understand the process and vote for who they would have liked to have seen in charge following discussions about policies.”

Law teacher, Mrs N Allen, who supported the organisation of the event, said: “We started by asking for volunteers amongst Sixth Form students to see who would be willing to represent a party. “We had volunteers who all agreed to represent a political party and to help us to spread the message around school. 

“They all originally wanted to represent the same party - but agreed to play their part and put forward the views of all of the parties individually.

“We began doing the rounds in assemblies, with all year groups being given an overview of what an election involves and how results are decided, before the Sixth Form volunteers explained the key party policies to students. 

“On the day of the General Election, all year groups were given an opportunity to vote for whichever one they felt best suited their views with students engaging really well with the process.”

The results at Highfields were as follows:

• SNP - 6 votes - 0.7%

• Spoilt Ballots - 25 votes - 3%

• Lib Dems - 32 votes - 7%

• Brexit Party - 47 votes - 6%

• Green Party - 59 votes - 7%

• Conservatives - 118 votes - 14%

• Labour Party - 550 votes - 66%

Ding Dong Merrily On Highfields

Students celebrated the end of 2019 with a host of events, performances and activities, spreading festive cheer throughout the school and wider community.

Singers were in fine voice when they performed for shoppers at Co-op supermarket, in Penn, before entertaining residents at care homes in the region.

The festive ‘tour’ came after students showcased their singing and acting talents at an annual church carol service. St Bartholomew’s Church, in Penn, hosts the carol service for Highfields School students every Christmas. More than 20 talented singers performed Carol of The Bells, 1,000 Years and a selection of traditional Christmas carols before the congregation enjoyed mince pies and hot drinks.

Ms S Bishop, Highfields’ Head of Extra Curricular Performance, said: “The carol service really signals the start of Christmas and our students love getting involved each year.

She added: “Christmas is all about giving and sharing, so it is always important for us to get out into the community at this time of year. Our students put on some brilliant performances and really spread Christmas cheer across the Midlands.”

Talented students then showcased their impressive musical talents in a spectacular Christmas Concert to round off the term.

More than 100 musicians, dancers and singers helped to fill the school with festive cheer when they performed a host of Christmas classics and other well-known hits to a packed audience.

The school choir, flutists and ukulele players, as well as members of the strings group, rock bands and cast of the upcoming school production of Beauty and the Beast were among those who performed in the musical extravaganza.

Highfields also came alive with Christmas spirit when students and staff swapped their uniforms and suits for festive jumpers to help raise money for charity.

The school’s corridors and classrooms were brightened up with colourful jumpers featuring Rudolph, elves, and Santa Claus as Highfields came together to celebrate the festive season with a fundraising Christmas Jumper Day.

Each student and member of staff made a token donation to wear their Christmas jumpers to raise money for Save The Children.

The charity works to give children in the UK and across the world a healthy start in life, running world-class programmes to ensure they have a bright future. 

Headteacher, Mr G Tate, said: “Everyone got into the Christmas spirit by wearing their festive jumpers. It was a great way to round off the term whilst raising money for such a worthwhile cause.”

Once again, students got artistic as part of a competition to create the official Highfields Christmas card for 2019.

The competition was open to students in Years 7 and 8, with a cheery scene of a snowman playing on a swing of colourful fairy lights coming out in first place.

The Christmas card, created by Cam Chillingworth, was sent out in digital form to partnering organisations and Parents/Carers.

Ms J Parker, Head of Lower School, said: “We are always proud to add a personal touch to the school’s official Christmas cards by getting our students to design them. We run the competition annually for Year 7 and 8 students, and we were delighted to have received dozens of entries. They were a great standard but Cameron’s design is a worthy winner.”

Cameron said he was very pleased to have won the competition, and excited that his design had been used on behalf of Highfields.

December 2019 edition of The H is launched!

Our Young Journalists have unveiled the latest edition of the school's magazine, The H.

The magazine is once again packed with news article and features, giving an insight into the many success stories, events and trips over the past term, as well as opinion pieces written by students.

Our editorial team is responsible for sourcing and writing stories from around school and putting them together into a professional standard newspaper.

Any students interested in becoming part of The H team, or putting forward feature ideas, can email vnash@hswv.co.uk or tbanks01@hswv.co.uk

To view a digital version of the December 2019 edition of The H, click the image below:

Students serve up scrumptious Christmas lunch for veterans

Veterans were treated to a Christmas lunch cooked by Highfields students.

Dozens of veterans from the Army, Royal Air Force and Navy were joined by representatives of Age UK Wolverhampton and Rotary Club members for the three-course lunch.

The meal was prepared by Sixth Form Catering students, supported by Health & Social students from Years 8 and 9, and with the help of Mitchell Burrows, Junior Sous Chef of the Mount Hotel in Wolverhampton. Service was conducted under the supervision of The Mount Hotel’s General Manager, Neil Wyatt.

Mr Burrows praised our ‘exceptional’ students and said they dished up a ‘fantastic’ meal.

Organised by Wolverhampton St George’s Rotary Club, the event formed part of the friendship scheme run by Age UK Wolverhampton and supported by Armed Forces charity, SSAFA, to ensure veterans are not alone.

As part of the festive celebrations, guests were also treated to a performance by the school’s choir.

It is the second time Highfields has hosted the event, and guests said they had enjoyed a fantastic afternoon.

Keith Sedgebeer, Highfields’ Chair of Governors, said: “We are delighted to welcome our group for the second time for their Christmas lunch.

“As always, it was a great treat to see them all - and not looking a year older.

“We very much hope we will be able to host them again next year.

“We are very grateful to the Wolverhampton St George’s Rotary Club for yet again organising the event. Finally, we’re incredibly grateful to all the youngsters at Highfields who helped in so many ways to make it such as successful event."

Miss B Chima, Interim Head of Food Technology, said: “It was a huge undertaking and we have been planning the event for weeks, but it has been great and we have enjoyed every minute of the process.

“It is the second Christmas we have welcomed Rotary Club members and veterans into school, and we were delighted to treat them to a delicious Christmas meal.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to all of the students involved for their hard work, as well as chef Mitchell Burrows, Mount Hotel General Manager, Neil Wyatt, and Events co-ordinator, Chris, who supported the event.

“Thank you also to Mr Thompson for supplying artwork to showcase at the event, and to Mr Brittle for providing Christmas decorations.

“It went really well and the students did a fantastic job. Our guests were very impressed with their efforts.”

Rotary Club Members described the event as ‘phenomenal’.

Steve Glass, said: “It was absolutely phenomenal. They improve every year and the service was brilliant. The entertainment was also great, it was lovely to hear such beautiful voices.”

Fellow Rotary Club member, Val Astbury, said: “The students were all very polite and helpful, and the food was beautiful. I think the choir are just amazing.

“I’ve had a lovely afternoon and I look forward to coming next year.”

Students said they had learnt so much from the experience.

Year 13 Catering student, Simran Bigra, said: “It has been a great experience through which I have learnt a lot of new skills. My favourite part of the event was being able to cook on a professional level for a large group of people.”

Hundreds attend Sixth Form Open Evening

Highfields welcomed more than 400 visitors to its annual Sixth Form Open Evening, showcasing everything it offers post 16.

Prospective students and their families flocked to the event, where they got the chance to speak to current Sixth Form students and staff about their work, curriculum, examination results and life at Highfields.

They also got the chance to learn more about the extensive range of A-Level and Applied courses we offer and tour the school’s facilities.

Presentations were made by Head of Sixth Form, Mr S Pycroft, and members of the Student Leadership Team. Representatives from a number of universities were also on hand to provide advice about life after Highfields Sixth Form.

Mr Pycroft said: “It is always pleasing that so many of our Year 11 students choose to stay on to study at our Sixth Form and we were delighted to host this Open Evening so other students could get a feel of what we have to offer.

“Highfields is proud of its thriving Sixth Form, which offers an extensive range of courses. We have a reputation for providing high quality teaching in a supportive, friendly and challenging environment, giving our students the best possible foundations to succeed on whatever life path they choose after Sixth Form.

“This year’s Open Evening was another great success and it was wonderful to welcome so many people through the doors to give them a flavour of our Sixth Form.”

The Open Evening was held following a positive set of 2019 A-Level results, with record numbers of students having now moved on to university. Sixth Form students achieved a 100% pass rate - 73% of them being A*-C grades. Thirty per cent of students achieved A*-A grades in Science and Maths, 11 of them being the top A* grade.

For more information about our Sixth Form, please email spycroft@hswv.co.uk

Staying in Learning Day inspires students for future

Year 11 students were inspired to look forward to life after Highfields and understand the options available to them during this year’s Staying in Learning Day.

The event is an annual fixture on Highfields’ calendar which allows all Year 11 students to take part in a range of hands-on workshops and activities to support them with both their short and long-term educational and career goals.

The day was tailored to suit individual needs as students chose to take part in workshops and lectures based on the pathways they are interested in taking after finishing their GCSEs.

Those planning to stay on at Sixth Form or moving to college to study A-Levels were given a glimpse of further education with workshops in a host of subjects ranging from Maths, Science and English Literature to Film Studies, Catering, Health & Social Care and Law.

Professionals also visited the school to give practical advice and demonstrations, allowing students an insight into typical working expectations in a range of careers including Travel and Tourism, Hair and Beauty, Hospitality, Media and Engineering.

Mr C Rhodes, Highfields’ Upper School Raising Achievement Manager, said: “The event provides students with information and guidance on the pathways and progression routes available to them post 16. 

“It is a great opportunity for them to process the decisions they will be having to make shortly."

Staff and students qualify in First Aid

Staff and Sixth Form students have completed a nationally-recognised Emergency First Aid at Work qualification - with parents now being encouraged to sign up to learn the life-saving skills.

Nineteen Sixth Form students and three members of staff voluntarily attended three two-hour sessions after school to work towards the qualification in November.

Six lunchtime supervisors have also gained the qualification after completing training during an INSET day.

They learnt a range of skills, including CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation), together with how to treat major bleeding, burns, seizures, choking, fainting minor injuries and anaphylaxis.

The First Aid courses are organised by Sixth Form Manager, Mrs L Corbett. Over the past four years, she has trained 231 staff, students and parents in First Aid.

She said: “We have run 29 courses over the past four years, the majority of which being Emergency First Aid at Work, which run for six hours usually across three sessions.

“Every member of our Year Teams are trained to the full First Aid at Work standard, which is the equivalent of a three-day course, as well as technicians, a number of PE staff, LRC staff and outdoor education leaders.

“It is wonderful that so many of our students and staff are being taught skills that could potentially save lives.”

Mrs Corbett said the school was keen to get more parents/carers involved in the First Aid courses. Anyone interested should email lcorbett@hswv.co.uk