Students wow audiences with magical musical

The Lower School production of ‘Aladdin Jr’ was an eagerly anticipated affair, with a considerably longer rehearsal period than expected due to Covid restrictions.  Undeterred however, the production team embraced this opportunity to include so many new Year 7 students to the school – and they certainly did not disappoint!

‘Aladdin Jr’ is quite possibly the liveliest of the Lower School productions Highfields has produced so far. With show numbers like ‘Friend Like Me’ and ‘One Jump’. The soundtrack is well known and loved by children and adults alike. 

Ms Bishop, Director of Performance said, ‘It was a visually spectacular show, with the Lyceum being transformed into an Arabian Palace. A big thank you to the Art Department and talented Art students getting involved with painting pieces of set and making props.’

Ms Bishop went on to say, ‘Audiences were clearly thrilled by the performances and the students did themselves proud with very mature and accomplished performances and some real comedic moments too, particularly from Henry Shore as Iago and Heath Beech as Jafar.’

Most of the principal roles were double cast to ensure opportunities were available to as many students as possible. The Genies, expertly played by Millie Rutter and Skyla Williams narrated the show and both gave outstanding performances, leading a hugely talented cast of over 40 students.

Audience members were in awe of the stunning magic carpet scene when ‘A Whole New World’ was sung beautifully by Santana Aspinall and Oscar Timmins on the Wednesday and Thursday, and Lauren Weir and Anika Patel on the Tuesday and Friday.  This song was made all the more spectacular as they were singing on a real magic carpet that the production team had hired. This was certainly a magical moment which left the audiences amazed!

Spectacular send-off with Year 11 prom

From tuxedos to tiaras, top-of-the-range sports cars and gorgeous gowns, a leaving prom provided a spectacular send-off for Highfields’ Year 11 students.

Students turned on the style for their celebration at Wolverhampton’s Park Hall Hotel.

The event had been rescheduled from its original date in July due to Covid restrictions and topped off a day of celebrations for students, who had picked up their GCSE results earlier in the day.

 Mr D Treble, Head of Upper School at Highfields, said: “The Year 11 prom was a wonderful celebration of the end of the school year for our students who have worked so hard over a difficult period filled with disruptions, lockdowns and remote learning.

“The event gave our students the chance to let their hair down and enjoy themselves in style after such a strange year.

“Despite the pandemic affecting their normal school routine, students achieved some fantastic GCSE results, and this prom was the perfect way to mark their achievements and celebrate moving on to the next chapter in their lives.”

The event included an extra special live performance by talented student James Casey, winner of Highfields Got Talent 2020 Christmas Special. James played the guitar and wowed his peers with a number of hits including Wonderwall by Oasis.

Mr Treble said: “It was a lovely addition to the celebrations and something we’ve never done at prom before. All of the students really enjoyed it and were cheering him on and singing along.”

GCSE results celebrations

Highfields is celebrating another fantastic set of GCSE results.

Almost a third of students attained 9-7 grades in English and Maths while 68% achieved a strong pass (Grade 5 or above) in both subjects, and 84% attained a standard pass (Grade 4 or above).

Mr D Treble, Head of Upper School, said: “I’m delighted for our students, who have achieved such a fantastic set of GCSE results despite another year filled with disruptions and uncertainty.

“It has been a difficult year for students, and they should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved. Despite the pandemic affecting their normal school routine, they continued to work hard and strive to achieve their GSCE goals.

“It’s also pleasing to see so many students choosing to return to Highfields’ Sixth Form. We expect to have more than 200 students in Year 12 next year.

“All of our Year 11 students are looking forward to their prom tonight which is a much-needed celebration of their work and achievements.”

Special mention should go to some exceptional achievements: Lewis Hopkins - nine grade 9s and one grade 8; Aidan Moore - eight grade 9s, one grade 8 and one grade 7; Freya Martin - eight grade 9s and two grade 8s; Abigail Regan - eight grade 9s and two grade 8s, and Laila Ladher - five grade 9s, three grade 8s, one grade 7 and one grade 6.

Alongside these very high attainers are large numbers of students who have made some quite exceptional progress during their time at Highfields. Mr Treble added: “A special mention should go to Kameron Chander and Aimee Evans who have made the most progress of all students but there are so many of the year group who can be very proud of their achievements. They have a bright future ahead of them. It has been a privilege to support them on their journey.”

Exams were cancelled again this year for the second year in a row due to the Covid pandemic and replaced with teacher assessed grades. Schools could use a range of evidence for grades, including "mini-exams", coursework and mock exams - with one in five schools having a sample of their grades checked by exam boards.

Sixth Form students celebrate A Level results

Sixth form students are celebrating positive A Level results, with a 100% pass rate achieved - and almost a third of all results being A* and A grades. 

Out of the 138 students receiving their results, more than 100 are now preparing to move on to university, including one who has secured the top grades needed to study medicine at prestigious Oxford University.

A total of 34 A* grades were given out as well as 61 A grades. Just under a third of all results - 32% - were A* or A grades, while 58% were A*-B and 82% were A*-C.

Steve Pycroft, Head of Sixth Form, said: “We are so proud of our students and what they have achieved in a very strange and challenging year.

“Coronavirus and lockdowns meant they didn’t get to sit their exams, but they have done a brilliant job despite the disruption.

“I would like to wish them all the very best of luck as they move on to the next chapter of their lives, whether that be university, apprenticeships or work. They have done themselves, their parents and the school proud.”

There were a number of standout performances this year.

Among them was Sara Malik who was awarded three A*s in Biology, Chemistry and Maths and is now preparing to study Medicine at Oxford University. Upon receiving her results, a delighted Sara said: “I’m so pleased to be going to Oxford to study medicine. Everyone has worked so hard over the past two years and I’m really grateful for all the help and support I’ve received during my time at Highfields.”

Deputy Head Boy Joe Regan also got a full house of A*s in Economics, English and Maths and will be studying Economics and Finance at Queen Mary Uni of London.

Several students achieved at least two A* grades, including Aqsa Anwar who received A*s in Law and Sociology and an A in Psychology. Anika Patel was another to secure two A*s, this time in Physics and Computer Science alongside an A in Maths and will be going on to study Computer Science at Nottingham University. Hannah Tomlinson is preparing to study History at Bristol University after achieving A*s in History and Sociology and an A in English.

Other success stories include Charis Ukaeze who achieved an A* in Psychology and As in Biology and Chemistry and will be moving on to a degree apprenticeship, while Cameron Wilcox will be moving to Leeds University to study Economics after securing an A* in Maths and A grades in Economics and Physics.

Millie Wright will be moving to Chester University to complete an Adult Nursing degree after achieving a Distinction* in Health & Social Care, a Distinction in Applied Science and an A in Criminology.

Exams were cancelled again this year for the second year in a row due to the Covid pandemic and replaced with teacher assessed grades. Schools could use a range of evidence for grades, including "mini-exams", coursework and mock exams - with one in five schools having a sample of their grades checked by exam boards.

Councillors support talented students during show rehearsals

Talented young performers preparing to stage Highfields’ upcoming musical, Aladdin, were given support during their half-term rehearsals by a Wolverhampton councillor.

Merry Hill councillors, Simon Bennett and Wendy Dalton, popped into the school to speak to students who have given up some of their holidays to rehearse for the production.

Thirty-five students from Years 7-9 took part in the half-term rehearsals - 10 more than attended Easter holiday rehearsals since Covid rules were relaxed.

Councillors Bennett and Dalton spoke to students about their preparations for the show, watched some of their musical and dance numbers take shape and congratulated them on their efforts.

Students made the most of the half-term sunshine to work outdoors on some of the show’s famous songs - which include Arabian Nights, Prince Ali, A Whole New World and One Jump Ahead - as well as getting to grips with dance numbers and dialogue.

The musical is set in the fictional Arabian city of Agrabah and tells the story of a poor young man who is granted three wishes by a genie in a lamp, which he uses to woo a princess and to thwart the sultan’s evil Grand Vizier.

It is hoped the show will be staged in November in front of live audiences in the school’s Lyceum Theatre, with a spectacular opening night featuring a firework display!

Aladdin is being staged after the school’s most recent production, Joseph & The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, had to be live-streamed from the Lyceum Theatre due to strict Covid-19 restrictions at the time.

Ms S Bishop, Highfields’ Director of Performance, said: “Once again, our students have given up some of their holiday to rehearse for the show, which we are all so excited about.

“Since rules were relaxed on May 17th, we’ve been able to have more students in school rehearsing and we made the most of the half-term sunshine to work on the show outside.

“The effort, commitment and enthusiasm of our students really is incredible, so it was great to receive support from our local councillors, Simon Bennett and Wendy Dalton, who came in to speak to them, watch some of the numbers taking shape and congratulate them. 

“Our productions take an enormous amount of dedication, and he recognised how much work they put in to make them such a success.

“Aladdin is a great show, with so many catchy songs and big dance numbers, and the rehearsals so far have gone very well, so I know our talented students are going to put on another wonderful show in the summer.

“It will be even more special if the students get to perform in front of a live audience - and I really look forward to the whole community getting behind them to celebrate with them.”

Principal roles have been double cast or triple cast to give as many students as possible the chance to shine on stage.

Highfields bids fond farewell to leavers

Highfields has bid a fond farewell to Year 11 and Year 13 students - and is now preparing to give them a spectacular send off with a prom and leavers party planned for the summer.

A special assembly was held in school for Year 11 students, giving the class of 2021 the chance to celebrate their school life as they prepare to move on to the next chapter.

As part of the celebrations, awards were handed out to honour special achievements or particular events, whilst old photographs and videos were shown documenting students’ time at Highfields.

They then went outside to sign shirts and say their goodbyes.

Sixth Form students marked their last day at Highfields with a get together in the school’s Lecture Theatre where photos were shown and memories were shared.

Head of Sixth Form, Mr S Pycroft, said: “It was lovely to have so many Year 13 students join us for our leavers celebration. 

“They have made such a positive contribution to the school community during their time at Highfields, and we are immensely proud of everything that they have achieved. 

“They have coped with the challenges of Sixth Form admirably and I am confident that further success awaits them in the future.”

A Year 11 prom is set to take place at the Ramada Park Hall Hotel’s Grand Marquee on 1st July.

The Year 13 leavers event is scheduled at the same hotel on 8th July. Tickets for the event are still available, costing £20.

Cricketers knock competition for six in tournament

Talented young cricketers knocked their competition for six to make it through to the semi-finals of a tournament.

Members of the Year 8 cricket team played against Sandwell Academy in the quarter finals of the Staffordshire U13 competition.

The squad of players were selected for their attendance record at morning cricket net sessions which took place before the first Covid lockdown.

PE teacher, Mr C Moody, said: “We won the toss and put Sandwell Academy into bat. We were only playing 12 overs per innings and we restricted them to 53 for 5 with a star performance from James Mckenzie who took three wickets in one over. The star batsmen for Sandwell was removed by Luca Raina and his spin bowling. This then put a complete stop to the scoring in their innings. 

“In our innings, Luca Raina and Aarush Chandla went in as an opening pair.  Luca scored 29, Aarush 16 and we reached 54.”

The school will play the semi-final against one of two schools from Stoke after half term.

Duke of Edinburgh’s award back up and running

Year 10 students who are enrolled on the DofE scheme have been able to take part in expeditions again. This comes after temporary changes were made by the DofE, which were put in place to ensure students can still achieve the award.

The main change is that there is no longer an overnight camping element, therefore, students are taking part in day expeditions. Setting off from school, students navigate a loop through Wombourne, Trysull and Seisdon.  Once back at school students cook themselves a meal on a Trangia and pitch a tent on the school field. On their second day students navigate to Kingswood via the Bradshaws estate then return to school following an alternative route. 

Mr Moody, DofE Manager, said: “Both days have been just as challenging as a typical DofE expedition which would normally take place at Llandrinio. All students really stepped up and have worked well together. The groups that have completed their expeditions so far have been extremely successful.

Many students have had to adapt their volunteering section due to these temporary changes, which now allow students to volunteer for their families.  One of the most popular activities has been mentoring siblings with home learning during lockdown, as well as mentoring other family members via Zoom or Facetime.

Year 11 students enrolled in the DofE programme will also be completing their silver award expeditions, with the addition of a gold group completing their practice expedition later in the summer term.

Mr Moody added, “We are very much looking forward to the rest of the summer term, there are five more groups in Year 10 completing their bronze award expeditions. 

“We also have a new cohort of Year 9 bronze students who will be working towards completing their volunteering, physical and skill section this term. They will start their expedition section in the new academic year, by which point we hope things will be getting back to normal”

Plans for spectacular send-off with Year 11 prom

Plans are in full swing to give Year 11 students a spectacular send-off from school life with a leaving prom this summer.

Upper School staff are hopeful students will be able to enjoy a night of festivities with friends to celebrate moving on to the next chapter of their lives - having spent the vast majority of the past year working remotely from home amid the Covid pandemic.

Arrangements are already being made to host the prom at The Park Hall Hotel’s Grand Marquee on Thursday 1st July as long as national Covid restrictions are lifted as expected.

Mr C Rhodes, Highfields’ Raising Achievement Manager, said: “Students are really excited at the thought of enjoying some sociable time with their peers in a year which has kept most of them apart.

“They have been an absolute credit to the school during these unprecedented times, continuing to work hard to fulfil their ambitions despite a constantly changing situation which has seen them spend months working from home, without face-to-face interaction with their friends or school staff, and uncertainty over how they will be graded at the end of it.

“They really deserve to leave year 11 in style, and we are determined to make it happen. 

“We already have the date and venue booked so as long as Covid restrictions are lifted as expected, it will be a fantastic send-off for them all.”

Highfields marks Stephen Lawrence Day

Highfields is marking Stephen Lawrence Day with a range of activities focusing on creating a fairer society for all - with former student Beverley Knight sending a personal video message of support.

Thursday, April 22 marks the third annual national memorial day in honour of the murdered black teenager, who was killed in a racist attack on the same day in 1993.

Stephen, from Plumstead in south-east London, was 18 when he was attacked and killed while waiting for a bus. He did not know his attackers, and they did not know him.

The memorial day in his honour aims to highlight the part everyone plays in creating a society in which everyone can flourish, have their voices heard and make the changes they’d like to see to create a society that treats everyone with fairness and respect.

This year is particularly poignant following the landmark murder conviction of white former police officer Derek Chauvin for the death of George Floyd - making him the first white police officer in Minnesota to be charged in the death of a black civilian.

A number of activities have been lined up to mark the occasion, organised by Highfields’ Head of Citizenship, Cheryl Hartshorne.

Citizenship students in Years 7, 8 and 9 have learned about the Lawrence family’s fight for justice and subsequent changes in the legal system.

In English, students from Years 7 & 8 are studying who George Floyd and Stephen Lawrence were and the legacy of their tragic deaths, whilst analysing the work of black poets such as Angelou and Zephaniah.

Year 9 Drama students have also been developing their skills using the stimulus of prejudice and racism.

A special assembly looking into the teenager’s murder and subsequent investigations, which also raises an awareness of different forms of racism and action that is being taken to combat discrimination, has been created for all year groups.

Students have also created a display for reception, while school digital signage and student desktops are being changed to mark the occasion.

Superstar singer Beverley Knight, a former Highfields pupil, has sent a video message to students honouring the event.

In it, she said: “I am so proud of all of you guys for choosing to observe Stephen Lawrence Day.

“This year more than ever it is so important that we are anti-racist.

“We can’t just say, ‘Im not a racist’, we have to be anti-racist.

“That means calling out racism wherever we find it, wherever we see it - whether that be in the playground, in the classroom, walking down the corridor - even at home. That is often where people learn to hate each other for no reason other than skin colour or ethnicity.

“So the best thing to do when these kind of things happen around you, instead of keeping quiet, is to say, ‘you know what, I’m not cool with this - I am not cool with this at all. You guys, if you want to carry on like this, do it, but do it far away from me, or better still don’t do it at all in the first place’.

“That makes you anti-racist, and that is a society that we all want to live in. 

“So well done you guys for observing Stephen Lawrence Day and let us move forward to a better society. That’s what we are all looking for.”

Following Stephen’s murder in 1993, five suspects were arrested but not charged - leading to claims that the handling of the case by both the police and Crown Prosecution Service was affected by Stephen’s race.

A 1998 inquiry concluded that the Metropolitan Police was institutionally racist and recommended the double jeopardy rule be repealed, allowing people to be tried more than once for murder in the face of new evidence.

Two of the original suspects, Gary Dobson and David Norris, were retried for Stephen’s murder in 2011 and found guilty - almost 20 years after his death.