Highfields helps coronavirus fight by making and delivering PPE

Highfields has been helping the NHS in the fight against Coronavirus by creating and delivering dozens of pieces of PPE to local healthcare workers.

The school has remained open over the Easter holidays to care for children of key workers, with teaching and admin staff volunteering to help during their holiday time.

Students and staff spent time making face shields for use as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which have now been distributed to care home workers, medical staff and community midwives across the West Midlands.

Mr Steve France, Design Technology teacher and Assistant Headteacher, organised the project. He said: “We decided to dedicate the Easter School Design and Technology day to supporting NHS staff, by manufacturing face shields.  

“Having seen the many news stories about the lack of certain pieces of PPE, I couldn’t think of a better way to utilise our Design skills, equipment and resources. 

“Myself, Mr Cullis and three students of key workers spent the day manufacturing a batch of face shields.  Using our laser cutter, we were able to quickly manufacture the head strap, which we had designed to fit a wide range of head sizes.  Then, working as a team, we assembled the head strap, visor and foam padding parts.  

“I was truly amazed at the engagement and focus of our students, who worked tirelessly for six hours to manufacture the batch of face shields.”

The General Manager of Barton & Needwood House Nursing Homes said: “We would like to thank the member of staff instigating this and the students who made the face shields. They have been most useful in our infection control fight.”

The Practice Manager at Pinfold Health Centre said: “I want to say a massive thank you to the children making Coronavirus face shields. Our staff feel a lot safer now, so thank you very much.”

Highfields has also donated 50 pairs of safety spectacles from its Science laboratories, which have been delivered to the community midwife team in Wolverhampton.

Mr Tony Dean, Chemistry teacher and Deputy Headteacher, who arranged the donation, said: “We are all aware that provision of PPE is a big challenge nationally, and Highfields is happy to help in whatever way we can. 

“All of our staff who are able have volunteered to come into school on a rota basis to support the children of key workers, and we are now going into the fifth week of this arrangement. 

“Along with many others at Highfields, I have friends and family members who are working on the NHS frontline. We will all do whatever we can to support workers in the NHS and the care system.”

Headteacher's Blog: Easter 2020

Usually at this time of year, I’d be wishing you all a well-deserved Easter break before exam season kicks in, and filling you in on all the great achievements and successes of our students over the past term.

But, as you know, this is no usual Easter ‘break up’.

This situation is something none of us could have comprehended just a few weeks ago, but I would like to say a personal thank you to all students, staff, parents and carers who have wholly embraced this temporary new ‘norm’ with enthusiasm and understanding.

Having closed the school to all staff and students - other than the children of key workers - in response to Covid 19 on March 20, we have launched a new remote learning programme to allow our students to continue their academic development from home.

I am delighted to say that the uptake of the programme has been phenomenal. Despite the expected higher-than-usual levels of student illness during this time, we have seen more than 1,500 students accessing the programme to continue with their learning every day.

Whilst it was never going to be easy to move to this new way of learning in such a short space of time staff, students and parents are clearly doing all they can to make it work. Staff have been really impressed with how focused, motivated and organised students have been – with more than a little help from parents in many cases, I am sure.

I know that many of you, parents and students alike, will be glad of the break from school work and remote learning but if you do find yourself at a loose end and want to extend your learning, we have put together a range of enrichment opportunities that you might want to dip into. These can be accessed here.

A special mention to students in Years 11 and 13, who were due to take GCSE and A-Levels after Easter. I understand how difficult this time is after so many months of hard work and preparations for exams but can assure them that we will do everything we can to make sure that they still achieve the grades that they deserve that will enable them to move onto the next stages of their learning journey. 

Despite the news being rightly dominated with the coronavirus pandemic, I don’t want this to take all of the shine off the amazing achievements, adventures and successes of students and staff throughout school since we returned after Christmas. From a sell-out musical production to the school’s biggest ever careers fair, scholars programme success, Austrian ski trip, engineering accolades and countless sporting achievements, our students proved, as always, why Highfields is a place of which we are all so proud.

Our young journalists are currently busy working from home on articles about these many positive events and achievements, as well as opinion pieces and features about maintaining our mental health and wellbeing, and keeping fit during lockdown. They are all being put together in our termly magazine, The H, which will be sent out to you all digitally after Easter. 

During these unprecedented times, our students are being given the chance to become part of history by documenting their experiences as part of a new project with Wolverhampton City Archives. Our Head of Humanities Learning School, Miss J Tappenden, is leading the project to help create an official bank of resources for future historians about life during the pandemic. Click here for more information about how to get involved.

Thank you all again for the exceptional way you have worked together in these difficult and unprecedented circumstances.

Stay safe, and look forward to speaking to you all again after Easter.

Mr G Tate
Headteacher

Students can be part of history with pandemic archives project

Students are being invited to become part of history by documenting their lives throughout the coronavirus pandemic as part of a joint project with Wolverhampton City Archives.

Wolverhampton City Archives collects, preserves and make accessible historical records relating to the city, including books, maps, plans, photographs, diaries, letters and film clips.  

Highfields has now teamed up with the organisation to help create a bank of resources for future historians about life during the pandemic.

Miss J Tappenden, Head of Humanities Learning School, encouraged students to get involved.

She said: “You may not have realised it yet, but we are literally history in the making. In years to come, History students and people around the world will study how the world coped with the 2020 coronavirus situation – and your experiences could be part of that.

“We are asking you to keep a record/diary of your feelings and experiences during this unusual time in our history.  

“You don’t have to write every day, you may select certain events/days which are more significant than others and record your feelings and experiences. 

“This is such a significant period of our lives.  When things return to ‘normal’ Wolverhampton Archives has invited a small number of us to attend and see in person where and how our documents will be stored and used. 

“This is such an exciting and unique opportunity to be part of history.

“I would say to students to please participate. How exciting to think that in 100 years’ time somebody may be reading your thoughts in your diary!"

There is no official submission deadline date for work, but Miss Tappenden is accepting entries via email, or in person once school reopens.

She will be handing out prizes for the top three entries, with those receiving awards guaranteed to be among the group invited to visit the archives.

Read Miss Tappenden’s guide to getting involved and creating a good diary:

Remote learning for students as coronavirus shuts schools

Highfields will close to students and staff in response to the coronavirus pandemic - with a remote learning programme now being launched to enable the school’s curriculum to continue from home.

The school will shut at 3.15pm on Friday 20th March and will remain closed until further notice, as part of a nationwide shutdown announced by the government.

Despite the closure, Highfields will support remote learning for students from all year groups through our HP Streams and range of digital applications to allow learning to continue with minimal disruption.

All students will have work set via the Show My Homework app for every lesson, which will be monitored by teachers throughout the school day. 

A range of activities, resources and online applications will be available, with students expected to be online and working from 9.00am and 3.00pm on school days to complete the work and online tests that are set.

Headteacher, Mr G Tate, said: “We have been working on contingency plans whilst closely monitoring the government response to the coronavirus pandemic, and are fortunately in a position to offer a remote learning programme, which began for students in Years 9 and 12 earlier this week.

“Following the announcement of a nationwide school shutdown from March 20th, we will be rolling this remote learning programme out for the rest of the school from next week.

“I appreciate this may cause you some inconvenience, but we are operating in a unique set of circumstances, and remain committed to allowing our students’ learning and progress to continue from home, with as little disruption as possible.”

Despite the blanket school closure, Highfields will be making provision for students whose parents and carers are key workers and cannot remain at home.

Mr Tate added: “Although the government now believes this is the right time to be closing schools in a bid to slow the spread of the virus, they have also rightly asked us to make provision for the children of key workers. 

“Whilst I appreciate that many of you will be happy to have your children working from home I can also see that some of you might prefer to have onsite physical supervision for younger students. 

“We are currently waiting for more detailed government guidance on the categories of key workers who will be able to access this, and I look forward to providing you with further details as soon as they become available.

“Could I take this opportunity to thank staff, parents and students for the exceptional way they have worked together in these difficult and unprecedented circumstances.”

• For more information about our remote learning programme, click here

• Further individual technical support is also available by emailing digitalsupport@hswv.co.uk. 

Musical students getting in tune with opera

Music students are getting in tune with the world of opera as part of a prestigious project run by Welsh National Opera.

Highfields has been invited to take part in the project, which is designed to provide students with an introduction to opera and the art of storytelling through music.

Students were invited to see Welsh National Opera’s dress rehearsal of Carmen at the Millennium Centre, in Cardiff, and will now take part in six workshops alongside other students from the West Midlands to develop their vocal and performance skills, learn operatic repertoire and create their own scenes.

Their efforts will culminate in a promenade performance at the Black Country Museum in June.

Music Teacher, Mrs A Scott, said: “The trip to Cardiff provided a fantastic opportunity for some of the students to see opera for the first time. All of our students behaved excellently and thoroughly enjoyed seeing world class performers on stage.

“They are now looking forward to taking part in six opera workshops led by Welsh National Opera, before their performance at the Black Country Museum.

“It is a wonderful chance for our students to gain experience in the Performing Arts industry, under the guidance of professionals.”

Year 11 students planning to succeed

Students on countdown to their GCSEs were given top tips and advice about making their revision really count as part of a special day dedicated to ensuring they succeed in their exams.

A number of workshops and activities were lined up for students as part of Highfields’ annual Plan To Succeed Day.

Year 11 students learnt more about the science of learning, and applying the ‘4Rs’ - revisit, reduce, rehearse, recall - to support their revision, whilst being advised how to create an effective revision timetable which runs right up until their last exam.

A competition was held in the afternoon with students asked to create a quality revision resource using the 4Rs process, and they came up with a range of innovative ideas including podcasts and board games.

They then went 'quackers' as they each left with an iconic squeaky yellow rubber duck, which will serve as a novel reminder to revise when they see it pop up around school in the run up to their exams.

Mr C Rhodes, Highfields’ Raising Achievement Manager, said: “We understand that exams can be stressful for students and do everything we can to support them so they all fulfil their potential.

“Our Plan To Succeed Day marked the start of the countdown to exams and aims to ensure students are fully prepared.

“All of our Year 11 students were involved, giving them the chance to work with peers to develop effective revision methods. It is about giving them the advice and ideas to make sure they get the most out of their revision time and adopt revision methods that best suit them so they achieve their potential in their exams and put themselves on the road to success in the future.

“We were amazed at the innovative ideas they came up with for their own quality revision materials, ranging from podcasts to mind maps and even board games.

“After an afternoon of activities, they were all given a Plan to Succeed Day folder containing an array of useful resources to take away, and we will continue to work together to ensure they have all the support they need to sit their exams with confidence.”

Thrill-seeking students hit slopes for Austrian adventure

Thrill-seeking students hit the slopes for an action-packed Austrian adventure.

Highfields ran its largest ever ski trip during the half-term holiday, with a group of 69 students and eight staff travelling to Gerlitzen to take to the slopes under the guidance of professional instructors.

With a large proportion of students having only experienced Telford Dry Ski Slope for just two hours back in November, and a handful of students being lucky enough to have skied on snow several times before, Gerlitzen offered an ideal location to accommodate all abilities in the group.

Mrs R Coldicott, who organises the Highfields ski trip every two years, said: “Day One of skiing was certainly quite a daunting one for many of the beginners, as they were told that their first real experience of ‘proper’ skiing would be half way up the mountain, after a 2.7km ride in the Gondola that was then to be followed by a further 350m ascent on a two-man chair lift. It was certainly a lot different to their experience of the button lift at Telford!

“Luckily, the few anxious looks soon turned into relief as the beginners’ slopes came into view.

“Whilst the lovely blue skies overhead made for great visibility all week, the record temperatures in resort certainly didn’t make for easy skiing conditions underfoot. 

“Luckily, however, the snow cannons were on hand throughout the resort to help keep the slopes open and the students very quickly realised that all those layers of clothing that we had dutifully warned them to make sure they packed, did not all have to be worn, every minute of every day! 

“By days two and three on the slopes, students were certainly in the swing of things, and were quickly progressing up the slopes without even realising.”

After a day on the snow, students and staff enjoyed a number of other evening activities, including ice skating and bowling. They also enjoyed a quiz and challenge night, which saw students put their trivia to the test along with chopstick, cup stacking, and skittle sorting skills.

Mrs Coldicott added: “Highfields students were, as usual, an absolute credit to the school and staff were told on numerous occasions by the hoteliers, the reps, the instructors and the coach drivers, that the group were genuinely one of the best school groups they had come across, so well done to them all. 

“In addition, I would like to thank the staff - Mrs Clowsley, Ms Stevenson, Mrs Frost, Miss Nearn, Mr Lee, Mr Brittle and Mr Hewett - who gave up their half-term holiday to make such a trip possible.

“Whilst is was without doubt an exhausting week for everyone, it will also be a trip we will look back on fondly for many years to come and, for some at least, we hope it will mark the start of a lifelong passion for skiing.”

Students look to future for National Careers Week

Highfields marked National Careers Week 2020 with a packed programme of activities, workshops and trips, encouraging students to look forward to life after school.

Each day began with a CEIAG-themed assembly, delivered by special guest visitors from various industries and higher education providers, before students took park in quizzes, research sessions and hands-on workshops. 

The event ran from March 2nd-6th, giving students from all year groups a greater insight into a range of professions and pathways available to them to fulfil their career aspirations after school.

Throughout the week, students have been inspired to think about their dream jobs and and have written them down to add to pillar displays around the school.

Monday 2nd March - Uniform Day

Year 10 students got an insight into the vast range of careers available in the British Army, with a special assembly from an Army Corporal.

A 'Super Lab’ was then set up at lunchtime, with a representative from the RAF speaking to students individually, answering questions and giving guidance on future career pathways in the Armed Forces.

Year 8 students enjoyed a whole day of glider building, under the supervision of RAF engineers and Design teachers, before launching them onto a runway in the sports hall.

Certificates were given out to the best team, most spectacular nose dive and furthest distance flown.

Tuesday 3rd March - Apprenticeship Day

Apprenticeships were put in the spotlight throughout the day.

An assembly for Year 10 students highlighted the range of apprenticeships available with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and the process they should take to find and apply for those most suited to them.

Students in Years 9 and 11 then got the chance to work in small groups with representatives from DWP and ASK Apprenticeships where they were encouraged to ask questions and research apprenticeships that could be suitable for them in the future.

Year 10 Construction students enjoyed a practical session run by Jessops Construction, which gave them chance to learn more about the development of buildings and various careers available within the construction industry.

As part of the event, they created their own structures out of spaghetti and marshmallows, with the team that created the tallest and longest-standing structure winning the competition.

Wednesday 4th March - University Day

Representatives from various universities were invited in to school to give students a greater insight into university life, and the extensive range of courses on offer to them.

An Aspire Ambassador from Wolverhampton University led an assembly, whilst stands were set up at lunchtime allowing students to seek advice about the routes to take to successfully progress on particular courses at various universities.

Artist Rob Woods also ran a workshop at lunchtime giving a taste of the creative careers available to Art and Design students, whilst workshops were held focusing on interview techniques.

Year 9 Health and Social Care students travelled to Molineux to learn more about Wolves’ initiatives to improve community health, whilst enjoying a tour of the stadium and a close-up glimpse of the pitch.

Meanwhile, Year 10 Hospitality and Catering students visited the Mount Hotel in Tettenhall to get a taste of the industry they are hoping to pursue a career in. As well as touring the kitchens and meeting the hotel’s head chef, students also got a glimpse of VIP rooms and suites, had the chance to question the hotel manager about his role, and learnt more about the work of the hotel’s HR department.

Thursday 5th March -  Confidence Day

Representatives from the Metro Alliance kicked off the day with assemblies for students in Years 10 and 12, showcasing the vast range of career opportunities the organisation has on offer in the local area - including a number of roles that don’t fall within the engineering and construction industries.

Five local businesswomen also encouraged female students in Year 12 to be confident in pursuing their career dreams in ‘Passionate About Confidence’ sessions. 

Friday 6th March -  STEM Day

The day focused on the vast range of STEM careers available, and was mostly aimed at students in Years 7 and 9.

Graham Shaw, from railway infrastructure services company VolkerRail, led an assembly focusing on the employability skills of students interested in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

Mr Shaw also held sessions with members of the school’s STEM Club, whilst students got the chance to take part in a lunchtime CV writing workshop.

Mr P Rose, Highfields’ Head of Middle School and Careers Leader, said: “We had lots going on around school every day throughout the week to mark National Careers Week. 

“The event encouraged students from all year groups to look forward to the future and learn more about the opportunities available to them after school. Our students got a great insight into the range of pathways they can take to fulfil their career dreams.

“A huge thank you to all of our visitors who came along to lead informative and interesting assemblies, presentations and workshops to inspire our students for the future.”

Students wow audiences in magical musical

Talented young performers brought magical fairytale, Beauty & The Beast, to life on stage with three enthusiastic performances that wowed audiences.

More than 60 students from Years 7-9 took to the stage in the Disney classic, performing to more than 300 people.

They rehearsed for months to stage the musical production, including after-school, weekend and half-term sessions - and Ms S Bishop, Highfields’ Head of Extra-Curricular Performance, said their efforts and commitment had resulted in a fantastic production.

Ms S Bishop, added: “For some of our students, this was their first experience of performing in front of a live audience, and they put on a fantastic show.

“Beauty & The Beast is a family favourite, filled with lots of singing and dancing, and bright costumes, and audiences were really impressed by our students’ enthusiastic performances to bring the musical to life.

“It takes a lot of hard work over a number of weeks to put on our shows, but the effort was all worth it, and students thoroughly enjoyed showcasing their stage talent over three nights.”

Make believe brought to life on World Book Day

The world of make believe was brought to life when students and staff dressed as their favourite fictional characters to celebrate World Book Day.

Harry Potter, Snow White and The Gruffalo were among the colourful characters who turned up to school as part of the festivities, alongside the entire cast of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

The annual World Book Day is a celebration of books, authors, illustrators and reading which aims to ignite imaginations and help students gain a lifelong passion for reading.

The theme of this year’s event is ‘reading is power’, and Lower School students will continue to explore this idea in their English lessons throughout next week.

A number of events were held in school to celebrate World Book Day, including poetry and creative writing workshops, whilst students and members of staff donated 50p to dress up. The money will go to the Book Bus charity, which aims to improve child literacy rates in Africa, Asia and South America by providing children with books and the inspiration to read them.

Lower School students have also each received a World Book Day token, which can be used towards the purchase of books from a number of High Street stores until March 29th. 

School Librarian, Mrs N. Ward, said: “Staff and students in Years 7 and 8 were invited to dress up as characters from their favourite books. 

“There was lots going on around school to inspire our students and ignite a lifelong love of books and reading. It was a very enjoyable day.”

For more information about the list of books on offer with World Book Day tokens, as well as the participating bookshops and supermarkets, click here.