Year 9 Students Embark on Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Expeditions

Duke of Edinburgh expeditions returned to Highfields School's as Year 9 students ventured into the picturesque landscapes of Mid Wales to pursue their Bronze Awards. The Bronze Award, consisting of four sections - volunteering, physical, skill, and expedition - challenged the students to showcase their abilities and resilience.

During the expedition section, the group of twenty Year 9 students explored the Welsh countryside for two days, covering approximately 16 miles. Armed with maps and compasses, they navigated their own routes while receiving remote supervision from DofE Leader and PE teacher Mr. Moody. Although some groups encountered minor rerouting challenges on the first day, they demonstrated great determination by correcting their mistakes and learning from each other's experiences.

Highfields base in Llandrinio, Mid Wales, played a vital role in ensuring a memorable and fulfilling experience for all the Bronze groups. The school's old building provided a convenient hub for the expeditions, allowing students to gather around a campfire and indulge in the outdoor tradition of roasting marshmallows, enhancing their connection with nature.

On the second day, the bronze groups made their way up Breidden Hill to the majestic Rodney's Pillar. This landmark served as a gratifying endpoint for the students, who were relieved to have successfully completed the challenging expedition section of their awards. While Year 7 students typically visit Rodney's Pillar in an excursion led by Mr. Moody, this Year 9 group had the opportunity to experience it for the first time due to COVID restrictions.

This year's Bronze Award expedition is just the beginning, as Highfields School proudly boasts a staggering 125 Year 9 students enrolled in the program. This marks the third consecutive year of increased participation, a testament to the growing popularity of the Duke of Edinburgh program at the school. Additionally, there has been a surge in students signing up for the Silver Award in Year 10, the next level after Bronze. Highfields anticipates two large silver groups heading out later in the year to embark on their practice expeditions.

An exciting development for Highfields is the introduction of two separate Gold groups for the first time this year. The Gold Award represents the highest achievement in the Duke of Edinburgh program, and this milestone showcases the dedication and success of both the school and the program itself.

Highfields School takes immense pride in offering students exceptional opportunities for personal growth and development. The Duke of Edinburgh program continues to inspire young individuals to challenge themselves, explore the outdoors, and cultivate valuable life skills.

GCSE Photography Students Shine at Wolverhampton Art Gallery

Highfields School's Year 10 GCSE Photography students collaborated with local professional photographer Tom Hicks, capturing images of Wolverhampton city center for a chance to exhibit at Wolverhampton Art Gallery. Tom Hicks selected winners from hundreds of entries across the West Midlands, awarding Olivia Nicholls with 3rd prize. Olivia and her family joyfully visited the gallery to see her winning photograph, 'Tomato Soup Orange.'

Olivia expressed her excitement about working with Tom, she said, “I loved working with Tom and learning new ways and ideas to develop my photography skills. I could not believe my work my work was on display in the gallery!” Olivia's captivating photograph and other Highfields students' creations can be viewed at Wolverhampton Art Gallery until July 21st.

This collaborative opportunity allowed Highfields School's GCSE Photography students to showcase their talent. Tom Hicks' expertise guided them to explore fresh perspectives, enhancing their artistic prowess. The Wolverhampton Art Gallery celebrates the achievements of Highfields students, providing a platform to display their captivating photographs.

Ms Thompson, Photography teacher, praised the students' dedication to the project, ‘Witnessing their work exhibited at Wolverhampton Art Gallery exemplifies their talent and hard work. I take immense pride in their achievements and anticipates their continued growth as photographers.’

The display at Wolverhampton Art Gallery reflects Highfields School's commitment to nurturing artistic exploration. It demonstrates the importance of providing real-world opportunities for students to develop their skills. Tom Hicks' collaboration has had a transformative impact on the students, empowering them to unlock their creative potential.

Olivia's "Tomato Soup Orange" photograph and the remarkable works of other Highfields students inspire viewers to appreciate the boundless possibilities of photography.

Microsoft mock interviews for Year 12 students

As many as 25 Microsoft employees, from all around the country came to Highfields School for the day to share their expertise with students. 

A CV workshop and mock interviews took place all day with all Year 12 students having the opportunity to submit ‘job applications’. These were considered carefully by their mock job interviewer, who provided each of them invaluable feedback to support students with future job seeking.  The day was organised by Microsoft employees Samantha McGarr and Amy Higginson, a Highfields alumnus. This unique opportunity for students helped build confidence and skills.

Students were engaged in the process and the volunteers were extremely impressed.

• “Was great to meet so many talented and confident young people, wish I had that at their age!” – Claire O’Sullivan

• “I really enjoyed all of my interviews” – Vanessa Thompson

• “Can't believe how composed and focused they are at such a young age” – Andy Nash

"The interview opportunity from Microsoft was an enlightening experience and one that was very worthwhile.   It has had an immediate impact on how students at Highfields Sixth Form can prepare and get constructive criticism to fall forwards and gain a learning experience that students can act upon, and therefore be more successful for the future , Thank you Microsoft" -Samuel Gregory, Yr 12

 Many students were identified as having a ‘Star Interview’ with some Interviews particularly impressed with the following students:

• Selina Malik – “I want to be her when I grow up ”

• Bethany Harris – “She doesn’t realised how great she really is”

• Gursevak Singh Sandhu – “A Future Microsoft Cyber Security Consultant!”

• Nadia Hobbs – “The best CV”

Microsoft have committed to continuing the relationship with Highfields School, and we look forward to future collaborations.

University visit for Year 12 Students

On Thursday 30 March, all Year 12 students visited the University of Birmingham for an insight into University life.

The day was an opportunity for students to gain lots of useful information, including guidance on choosing the right course, writing personal statements and student finance. They spent the day working with staff and students from the university in a series of workshops, as well as being taken on a tour around the university, allowing them to experience what a university campus is like. 

Mr Pycroft said “We had a fantastic day at the University of Birmingham. Year 12 students will soon be thinking about their next steps after Sixth Form, and the opportunity to visit a top university, hear from the staff and speak to current university students will really help our Sixth Formers to make informed decisions about their futures.”

Musical Mayhem in latest school production

Matilda Jr was the latest in Highfields’ long list of successful school productions and it certainly lived up to the standards.

The production brought the smell of rebellion kicking and screaming into the Lyceum for four sell out performances, starring over 60 fantastic Lower school students. As always with Highfields school productions there were multiple casts including four different Matildas; Anya Ceccereli, Erin Ashton, Patience Crane and Nell Walker. The ferocious Miss Trunchbull however, was played by just one very talented Year 10 student, Henry Shore.

The show featured some great numbers such as; Revolting Children, When I Grow Up and Naughty.  It is based on the well-loved story by Roald Dahl telling the story of Matilda, a little girl misunderstood by everyone and ignored at home, who escapes into a world of reading, honing her skills, and exercising her mind so much that she develops telekinetic powers.

This production was slightly different, with A-Level Drama students taking on Directing, Choreography and Stage Management roles, with a view that they would develop a wealth of useful skills in preparation for university. 

Ms Bishop, Director of Performance said, ‘We are thrilled with how the performances went, each night had a very different and unique quality to it, and each was excellent and thoroughly enjoyed by our fantastic audiences!’

 ‘We were also thrilled to be able to do two matinee performances to local primary schools and Penn Fields school. All of the students who came had a great time and expressed their excitement to come back for the next performance, whatever that may be, so watch this space……’

Students inspired during National Careers Week

A week of workshops and presentations took place at Highfields during National Careers week with the aim of inspiring students to explore different career pathways.

National Careers week is about empowering positive change through careers, and students across Highfields embraced the opportunities made available to them.  A number of external providers were in attendance throughout the week, delivering assemblies and workshops, including Amazing Apprenticeships , Professor Michael Coleman of Aston University and the Department of Work and Pensions. Mock interviews were also set up for Year 12 students by employees of Microsoft.

BBC WM Radio presenter and journalist Amber Sandhu, gave a personal message to Year 10 about following their dreams.  Amber had hoped to attend in person but work commitments did not allow, however, she hopes to visit Highfields to inspire students in the very near future.

Year 11 Hospitality and Catering students had a visit from head executive chef Paul Jarvis. He demonstrated a wide range of skills and wowed them with his mac and cheese. Students were inspired in preparation for there controlled assessment exams.

Mr Rose, Careers Lead, said, ‘It is so good to have Careers events from external visitors back in the school.  Without exception, our visitors were incredibly impressed with the students who took part.”

Here’s what students had to say about the week:

'“I found the Apprenticeship workshop very helpful and useful, and found out a lot more about post-16 and 18 opportunities from it, and overall feel less lost in deciding what to do with my future.” - Rakai King-Hunter

 “The Apprenticeship workshop was very good and useful.  I would not have known about apprenticeships if i hadn’t taken part.”  Oliver Poulton

 “I found out how to make a CV.” - Aran Rattu

“I found out tips to get a work experience placement that I had not considered before.”  Freya Perry

Students in awe of new inspirational musical

The cast of Matilda jr were lucky enough to be invited to watch a brand new, powerful and inspirational musical, ‘Sylvia’, at London’s Old Vic.

The show is about the relationship between Sylvia Pankhurst, and her mother, Emmeline Pankhurst, played by Highfields almuna Beverley Knight, told through the medium of hip hop, funk and soul.  Beverley has always been a huge supporter of performances at Highfields, with both her time and money, having paid for the students’ tickets to watch this amazing production. 

After the production, Beverley came out and spoke to the students. She gave the cast lots of tips on how to succeed in the business and said, ‘Believe in yourselves, you could all achieve what I have, don’t forget, I too started on the stage at Highfields.” Students were also thrilled to meet Sharon Rose, who played Sylvia Pankhurst, and Sweeney, semi-finalist from The Voice who thrilled audiences with his performance as Silvio.

Ms Bishop, Director of Performance, who organised the trip, said, ‘This was such an awe inspiring show to see so close to International Women’s Day. It was a hugely powerful and uplifting piece of work by one of my favourite choreographers – Kate Prince.’

Prince is the founder of Zoo Nation, a dance company that highlights the skills of 'backing dancers' and gives them their own platform as artists in their own right.

Ms Bishop continued, ‘Prince hated the homophobia and misogyny in hip hop, so created her own company to change attitudes to the medium. She is the epitome of the phrase, ‘Be the change you want to see’ and is an inspiration.’

Beverley Knight has been nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Musical at this year’s Olivier Awards and everyone at Highfields wishes her the best of luck!

Year 11 work hard and play hard at study residential

Year 11 students preparing for their upcoming GCSEs enjoyed a study session with a twist at JCA Condover Hall! Around 100 students travelled to Condover near Shrewsbury for the very first two-night revision residential trip held at this venue. 

Students were taught in small groups honing their skills in Maths and English, in order prepare for the GCSE examinations this summer. During the weekend, the students also participated in a number of outward-bound activities including; Aerial Trek, Rock Climbing, Abseiling and Archery Tag.

Highfields teaching staff and students really valued the input from Sixth Form students who supported the residential working with Year 11 students on an individual basis.   

Mr Treble, Head of Upper School said, ‘The residential is a very valuable experience for our students. They all did extremely well to balance hard work and commitment to their studies with exciting activities provided by the JCA staff.’ 

Characters come to life on World Book Day

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

Mrs Trunchbull, Gangsta Granny and Frodo were among the colourful characters who turned up to school as part of the festivities.

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.

A number of events were held in school to celebrate World Book Day, including the return of the popular ‘Highfields Book Swap’ where students and staff were invited to exchange books they had previous enjoyed. Students across the school also each received a World Book Day token, which could be used towards the purchase of books from several High Street stores.

New for this year was "Blind date with a book" where students could check out a book that is in an envelope with keywords written on, so they didn’t know what it is until after they checked it out.

School Librarian, Miss Hallam, said, “All of the activities were a huge hit with the students, including our LRC treasure hunt. Following clues to find a specific book in the Library, only 2 students have managed it so far. Congratulations to Iris Aston, Laura Bird, Tegan Fitzwater and Isla Keane who were the winning team of our Children’s book quiz, and to Zofia Dymko-Stokes who has won a signed copy of A Pinch of Magic in our signed book giveaway! The love of reading is still alive at Highfields, and it made for an incredibly rewarding day.”

World Book Day also saw the launch of the Year 7 Readathon. Students will be raising money for children in hospital, and there is another signed book giveaway for the student who reads the most books. The deadline for donations is 16 March.

Young Author's Prize Success

This term several students from Highfields took part in the Wolverhampton Grammar School’s annual writing competition, the Wolverhampton Young Author’s Prize. From over 700 entries, two year 7 students were shortlisted as finalists in the years 6, 7 and 8 category.

Jaya Badhan and Tegan Fitzwater were invited to the awards ceremony at the Grammar School this week, where they not only heard the winners being announced but took part in some creative activities and met the award winning author, and competition judge, Cliff McNish. McNish shared some advice on becoming an author based on his own experiences and answered questions from the finalists, including a question from Tegan about where he finds the inspiration for his stories.

Jaya was among the prize winners on the day, in the Highly Commended category. She received a certificate and a copy of Mr McNish’s latest book, both signed by the author. For making it to the finals Tegan received a certificate, also signed by the author.

Miss Hallam, school librarian who accompanied the students said, “We are very proud of both of our young authors for their work to make it to the final out of so many submissions is a great accomplishment, and Jaya’s Highly Commended prize is a special treat. I hope they are both very proud of themselves and their work, and that they continue to hone their creative writing skills. I’m very much looking forward to seeing what our students produce for the competition next year.”