Students and Staff Celebrate Diwali

Students in Years 7 and 8 celebrated Diwali this week by sharing messages of positivity for a display. During form time students were encouraged to reflect on the story of Rama and Sita, considering how there is always light over darkness, to create their own message of positivity and celebration to share with students and staff in school. Messages were written onto colourfully decorated lamps which Miss Kaur, who organised the form time activities, used to create the vibrant display in Humanities.

Staff also contributed messages of positivity for the display, with Ms Woodall, Teacher of RE writing “Diwali is the festival of light. It celebrates that good will always win. We can take this message forward into our lives, it makes us strong in our thoughts and actions – good always triumphs”.

Celebrations were extended with a special Samosa sale to raise money for Breast Cancer Research. Miss Kaur said “Diwali is such an important celebration to so many students and staff in school. It was lovely to see so many students across school participate in the sharing of messages and buying of Samosas to support in school celebrations and this important charity”.

Students Inspired by The Right Honourable Stuart Lawrence

In commemoration of Black History Month, Highfields students recently had the privilege of attending a special presentation at Wolverhampton Grammar School, featuring the renowned motivational speaker, The Right Honourable Stuart Lawrence.

Stuart Lawrence's powerful discourse centered on the theme of creating a positive impact in the world and the significance of using one's voice when given the opportunity. His message resonated deeply with the young audience, emphasising the importance of taking action to effect change.

Lawrence encouraged the students to aspire to influence at least one person each day, promoting the idea that small gestures and kind words can ripple outward to make a significant difference. He stressed the value of responding positively to requests from parents and teachers, underlining the age-old principle of treating others as they would like to be treated.

Following the presentation, students had the opportunity to purchase copies of Stuart Lawrence's books. The event was made even more special as Stuart kindly autographed each copy, offering the students a cherished memento of the day.

The Highfields students left the presentation brimming with inspiration and enthusiasm. Stuart Lawrence's words reaffirmed their belief in their potential to effect change and make a meaningful impact on the world. The event served as a reminder of the importance of fostering kindness, empathy, and a commitment to making the world a better place, one small action at a time.

Exploring British Empire History with Sathnam Sanghera

Recently, a group of Year 8 history students from Highfields School embarked on a remarkable educational journey, joining an enlightening talk by esteemed journalist and author, Sathnam Sanghera. The event was graciously hosted by Wolverhampton Grammar School, providing our students with a unique opportunity to expand their historical knowledge.

The occasion centered around Sathnam's latest literary creation, a captivating children's book titled 'Stolen History.' In this thought-provoking work, Sathnam delves into the intricate tapestry of the British Empire, exposing its far-reaching and enduring impacts. Attendees had the privilege of gaining insight into the imperial origins of our multicultural society, our culinary heritage, and even the evolution of our language.

Sathnam engaged in a stimulating exploration of the multifaceted arguments surrounding the British Empire. He emphasized the necessity of understanding the Empire's complex role, from its deep involvement in the trans-Atlantic slave trade to its eventual role in its abolition. The discussion was nothing short of enlightening, offering students a chance to grapple with the nuances of history.

Inquisitive students seized the opportunity to inquire about Sathnam's illustrious career as a journalist, his upbringing in Wolverhampton, and his personal experiences with history lessons during his school years. These interactions provided invaluable insights and a window into the world of writing and journalism.

The highlight of the day came as students had their copies of 'Stolen History' personally signed by the author. Sathnam's generosity and willingness to engage with young minds left a lasting impression on all in attendance.

Miss Tappenden, Head of History at Highfields School, joined the event and shared her enthusiasm, stating, "This was a wonderful enrichment opportunity for our students. Sathnam's open dialogue about his experiences as a journalist and author, coupled with his personal connection to Wolverhampton and school history lessons, had students thoroughly engaged. They've taken away invaluable lessons to enhance their own classroom experiences at Highfields."

The Year 8 history curriculum at Highfields is thoughtfully designed to nurture students' understanding of the British Empire's growth. It encourages students to explore the broader implications and experiences of those within the Empire, as well as in Britain. A strong emphasis is placed on reading to build historical knowledge, complemented by our History Book Club, held after school every Thursday and open to students in Years 7-11.

Trip to Witness the Magic of 'The Ocean at the End of the Lane'

In a gesture of appreciation for their dedication and diligence in their English and Drama classes, Highfields School extended a special invitation to 40 deserving students. They were treated to a captivating afternoon out at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre to witness the National Theatre's enchanting rendition of 'The Ocean at the End of the Lane.'

This extraordinary outing was a testament to Highfields' commitment to recognizing and rewarding the hard work and effort exhibited by its students. It was a well-deserved treat, allowing these students to indulge in the magic of live theater and experience firsthand the brilliance of Neil Gaiman's best-selling novel brought to life on stage.

'The Ocean at the End of the Lane' is a literary gem, and the National Theatre's adaptation has garnered acclaim for its remarkable storytelling and mesmerizing performances. The play weaves a spellbinding narrative, transporting the audience to a world of wonder, mystery, and imagination.

Highfields School is proud to provide such enriching experiences to its students, nurturing their appreciation for culture, literature, and creativity. This excursion to 'The Ocean at the End of the Lane' exemplifies the school's dedication to fostering a well-rounded education that extends beyond the classroom.

Year 10 Student becomes Anne Frank Ambassador

Congratulations to Isabella Stokes in Year 10 who has been successful in her application to become an Anne Frank Ambassador. Each year the Anne Frank Trust offers a limited number of places to ambassadors as part of their Youth Empowerment Programme.

Chosen by the Youth Empowerment Panel, ambassadors enter a programme which empowers students to become a voice against prejudice and are tasked with engaging in a project of their own designing, which could be a school or community wide project aimed at tackling any form of prejudice. To support their work, ambassadors work closely with an Anne Frank Trust mentor and Highfields are thrilled that Isabella will be supported by Nicky Salt. Highfields were privileged to welcome Nick into the school in July to deliver the ‘Anne Frank History for Today’ programme to twenty Year 9 students who were trained to become peer educators, leading students from Years 7-9 through an Anne Frank exhibition erected in school for a duration of two weeks.

The ambassador programme is open to any student who has previously engaged with the Anne Frank Trust to become a peer educator. Isabella was selected for the peer education programme in July by Head of History, Miss Tappenden, after demonstrating outstanding commitment to other important Holocaust projects in school.

Miss Tappenden said “Isabella has been a committed member of History Book Club since Year 8. In November 2022 we launched an immersive enrichment project called ‘The Holocaust, their family me and us’ established by Nicola Wetherall MBE with book club students, and it was clear that Isabella took a deep interest in the project and the important messages that arose from it. She has been an inspiration to her peers, and we were thrilled when she was offered the opportunity to speak with Robert Rinder MBE about his family experiences of the Holocaust. She thoroughly deserved the opportunity to work with the Anne Frank Trust in July and I was extremely proud when she emailed me over summer to say that she had been successful in her application to join their ambassador programme. She will be an excellent ambassador for them and for our school”.

Ambassadors have the chance to work with the Anne Frank Trust until the age of 16, at which point it is hoped they will be inspired to continue their good work throughout whichever path they choose next. With ambitions to one day become a history teacher herself, Highfields are sure that Isabella will continue to spread positivity and tackle prejudice long after the programme is complete. Isabella attended their Open Morning on Saturday 23rd September, where she engaged prospective students and parents in discussion about her work so far on the programme and how this supports our status as UCL Beacon School for Holocaust Education.

Highfields Mourns the Loss of Beloved Colleague

Yesterday we celebrated the life of our much loved and sadly missed friend and colleague, Mrs Sue Moore.

It’s hard to put into words just how much Sue will be missed by all of us at Highfields. She had such a positive character, saw the best in everyone and was so passionate about working with and supporting young people.

Miss Eccleston our Catering Manager with Sue (right), in the school garden.

There are hundreds of Highfields students who have benefitted from her care, encouragement and guidance over the last 12 years.

Sue was such an integral part of the Teaching Assistant team and of the Innovations Learning School. She would do anything for anyone and had such a can-do attitude. She always said what she thought and there was no messing about - you knew where you stood whether you were a student or a member of staff! She just made everybody’s life that little bit better.

As part of her role, Sue spent many years in Construction, inspiring generations of future builders and had recently devoted her time to making the Gardening Club such a success.

Over the coming weeks we will be thinking carefully about how we best remember and celebrate Sue’s life. We will miss her and count ourselves fortunate to have known such a remarkable person who has contributed so much to the lives of colleagues and young people at Highfields.

Students celebrate GCSE results

Highfields students have once again demonstrated their hard work and determination with another excellent set of GCSE results. 

Approximately half of all students attained at least one grade 7 and a third of all students achieved three or more grade 7s in total. While almost 60% achieved a strong pass (Grade 5 or above) in both English and Mathematics, and more than three quarters of students achieved a standard pass (Grade 4 or above) in both English and Mathematics.  

Mr D Treble, Head of Upper School, said: “Despite unprecedented disruption to education caused by the pandemic over the last few years, staff and students have worked tirelessly to achieve such a fantastic set of outcomes. We are exceptionally proud of all their achievements and wish them every success in the future. 

Special mention should go to some exceptional achievements: Georgina Freeland - seven grade 9s and two grade 8s; Aoifé Cheetham - seven grade 9s, one grade 8 and one grade 7; Kyrun Athwal - seven grade 9s, one grade 8 and one grade 7; Jaskeerat Sidhu - six grade 9s, two grade 8s and two grade 7s, and Reece Harries - six grade 9s, two grade 8s and one grade 7.

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 Liam Goodwin-O'Neill and Nana Serebour 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.”

Students celebrate A Level results

Highfields Sixth Form students are celebrating another fantastic set of A Level results. 

Out of all the students receiving their results, more than 110 are now preparing to move on to university, with several doing degree apprenticeships. Of the successful grades, over 20% of all results were A* and A grades, while 50% were A*-B with the pass rate at 98%. Additionally, 80% of all grades on Applied courses were Distinction* or Distinction (A* and A equivalent).   

There were a number of standout performances this year. Among them was Matthew Cheung who was awarded three A*s in Physics, Chemistry and Maths and is now preparing to study Mechanical Engineering at The University of Warwick. Other stand out students include Shaan Cheema, who got two A*s in Business and Religious Studies with an A in Economics and Adham Basra who was awarded an A* in Business and As in Maths and Economics. Both students will be staying local studying Economics at The University of Birmingham.  

Several other students achieved A* grades, including Ahmed Elhassan achieving an A* in Biology and As in Chemistry and Maths; he is preparing to study Medicine at The University of York. Freya Martin achieved an A*s in Art and Design with As in Computer Science and Psychology and is going on to study Games Art at the University for Creative Arts, Farnman.  

Mr Pycroft, Head of Sixth Form said, “Yet again we are blown away by the fantastic achievements of our Year 13 students. They have shown incredible determination and perseverance to reach this point and their efforts have justly been rewarded with an incredible set of results. We have a record number of students who have secured their first-choice next steps and we couldn't be prouder of them. On behalf of everyone at Highfields, I would like to wish them all the very best for the future.” 

Other success stories include James Jellis and Aidan Moore, both achieving an A in AS Level Further Maths and an A in Chemistry. James also secured an A in Geography and an A* in Maths and will be studying Economics at the University of Nottingham, while Aidan achieved an A in both Maths and Physics with an A* in Extended project Qualification and is set to study Physics with Astronomy at Cardiff University. 

Head boy Lewis Hopkins will be moving on to a Degree Apprenticeship at HSBC after achieving A*s in Spanish and Extended Project Qualification with an A in Maths and a B in Physics. While Hari Kumar will be moving to Queen Mary University of London to study International Business after securing an A* in Business Studies and A grades in Criminology and Film Studies. 

Highfields congratulates all of their outstanding students on their remarkable A-level results. Their hard work, determination, and passion have truly paid off. Highfields are immensely proud of all of their students’ achievements and excited for the bright futures that lie ahead for each of them. Well done! 

Highfields Nominated for Tesco Community Grant

Highfields School is excited to announce its nomination for the Tesco Community Grant, a fantastic opportunity to secure funding for its remarkable "Musical Theatre Projects." As part of the current store vote, Highfields will be featured in all the token booths at select Tesco stores throughout the summer – from July to September.

The participating Tesco stores where the school will be featured are:

• Bushbury Express

• Claregate Express

• Wolverhampton Superstore

• Eastfield Express

• Penn Rd Express

• Wolverhampton Express

To secure the grant, Highfields is calling upon its school community and local shoppers to show their support by participating in the store vote. Every blue token collected at the checkout can be used to cast a vote for the "Musical Theatre Projects" in the designated voting booth.

Ms Bishop, Director of Performance said, "We are absolutely thrilled to be nominated for the Tesco Community Grant and are eager to see our Musical Theatre Projects flourish with the support of our school community and Tesco shoppers. The grant will significantly enhance our ability to provide enriching experiences for our students and create unforgettable moments on the stage,"

The results of the Tesco Community Grant vote will be released in late October or early November. Highfields School eagerly awaits the outcome. Highfields is deeply grateful to Tesco for providing this fantastic opportunity for schools to secure additional funding for their impactful projects. With the support of the community, Highfields hopes to secure the grant and further elevate the Musical Theatre Projects to even greater heights.

Sporting Excellence Honored at the PE Legacy Awards

Highfields School's PE Department recently hosted a night of triumph and celebration at the prestigious Legacy Awards. The event, dedicated to recognising exceptional achievements in sports and physical education across all year groups, shone a spotlight on the outstanding talent and dedication of Highfields students.

The PE Legacy Awards paid homage to students who have demonstrated remarkable skill, leadership, and commitment in the realm of physical education. The night was filled with anticipation as parents, teachers, and fellow students gathered to applaud the sporting prowess of their peers.

The awards ceremony featured a diverse range of categories, each highlighting a different aspect of sporting excellence. The esteemed accolades included awards for Coaching, Leadership, Effort, Attitude, Most Improved, Elite Performer, and Sports Person of the Year, across all year groups.

The event was graced by two special guests who inspired and encouraged the students with their remarkable journeys in the world of sports. Ashleigh Nelson, a renowned sprinter, and Assistant Referee Matt Wilkes both shared their experiences, motivating the young athletes to pursue their dreams and never give up on their passions.

Ashleigh Nelson's incredible athletic journey, which saw her competing on the world stage, served as an inspiration to aspiring sportspeople. Her words of wisdom resonated deeply with the students, encouraging them to strive for greatness and embrace the challenges that come with pursuing their sporting ambitions.

Assistant Referee Matt Wilkes, with his invaluable experience in officiating sports at the highest level, highlighted the importance of fair play, teamwork, and dedication. He commended the students for their commitment to sportsmanship and encouraged them to continue their pursuit of excellence both on and off the field.

The PE Legacy Awards also served as a platform for students to showcase their gratitude and appreciation to their dedicated PE teachers, whose guidance and support have played a pivotal role in their athletic journeys. Mr Blakeway, Head of PE said:

"It is truly heartwarming to witness the passion and talent displayed by our students in the world of sports. The Legacy Awards celebrate not only their sporting achievements but also their commitment to teamwork, leadership, and self-improvement. As educators, we are immensely proud of their growth and achievements, and we are inspired by their determination to excel in the field of physical education,"

As the evening concluded, students left the event with renewed vigor and determination to continue their sporting pursuits. The Legacy Awards served as a testament to the exceptional talent nurtured at Highfields School and underscored the profound impact of sports on students' character development and well-being.