Week 2 draws to a close and we are very definitely working up to speed in school. I have dropped into many lessons this week and have been pleased to see students working purposefully. Year 7 have fully settled into life in school and are feeling part of the school community. Our whole school attendance has been positive with students attending as much as possible. Next week is our first attendance week where students will get an opportunity to consider their progress with this. We will continue to work with you to support your young people to be in school as much as possible. Below are lots of positive opportunities in school over the coming weeks and this is one of the reasons why we encourage young people to attend as much as possible.

What’s going on in school:

• We look forward to welcoming our Danish students for their annual visit to Hope Valley College.  This is such a wonderful opportunity for our Year 10s to make life-long connections.

• We have several football fixtures coming up over the next few weeks. Next Wednesday, Y7 and Y8 students will play against St Philip Howard school. On Tuesday 30 September, we will host students from all year groups from St Thomas More school. On Wednesday 8 October, we will host Y9 and KS4 teams from St Philip Howard school. On Wednesday 15 October, we will host Y7 and Y9 teams from Chapel High school. Then on Monday 20 October, teams from Y8 and KS4 will travel to Chapel High school to play there. Students should speak to Mr Jenkinson in PE for more information.

• We will be celebrating European Day of Languages on Friday 26 September. Students will be completing a quiz during tutor time.

• The MFL department are keen to find out about Duolingo streaks in languages. Students should email a screenshot of their Duolingo streak to Mr Barnes. Positive points will be awarded to anyone who manages to maintain their streak for a whole term! Can anyone beat Mr Barnes’ streak (Portuguese, Spanish and German!)

• Sparx resumes for most year groups this week, Y7 will begin next week. Sparx Maths creates an hour's worth of perfectly tailored practice homework for each student linked to the scheme of learning.  The practice is challenging, to ensure students need to think and, crucially, achievable so that students can be successful. Students login to Sparx with their school email address and password at www.sparxmaths.uk/student. Homework is set at 4pm on a Wednesday and is due in by 8pm the following Tuesday.  We encourage students to start it beforehand so they can get help from the maths department if they need it.  There is a homework club every morning in ICT1 if your student wishes to complete this on a computer at school. 

Languages GCSE Revision Guides

Any GCSE Languages students wishing to buy revision guides (Y10 and Y11) can now do so again. The deadline for orders is Friday 24 October.

Maths Classes

In each year group, we have 4 maths sets. Students all follow the same scheme of work in Years 7, 8 and 9.  We differentiate on the speed the work is covered and the level of worksheets, etc. In Years 10 and 11, students follow either the Foundation or Higher Edexcel scheme of work. More information on this will be circulated to parents in due course.

PTFA

The PTFA are holding a general meeting at 8pm on Wednesday 24 September in the Tea Rooms section of the Old Hall Pub in Hope, when they will catch up on plans for events coming this school year. Their Annual General Meeting will be held at 8pm on Tuesday 4 November also in the Tea Rooms section of the Old Hall Pub. All are welcome to attend, especially parents and carers of new Y7 students. A new secretary is needed, and they also plan to look at handing over other roles as some committee members are in their last year with the school. Please contact the PTFA if you would like to get involved and find out more: ptfahv@hopevalley.chorustrust.org

Dates for Your Diary

Thursday 25 September – Year 6 Open Evening

Monday 29 September – Y11 Geography Fieldwork Trip

Wednesday 1 October – Y11 Geography Fieldwork Trip

Wednesday 8 October – Information Evening for Y7 and Y12

Thursday 23 October – students break up for half term

Friday 24 October – INSET day – school closed to students

Monday 3 November – return to school

Tuesday 11 November – Y11 and Y13 Subject Evenings

 

Thank you for reading our communication. Here are some helpful email addresses, should you need to contact us:

• attendance@hopevalley.chorustrust.org to report a child’s absence
• enquiries@hopevalley.chorustrust.org for general enquiries
• pastoral@hopevalley.chorustrust.org for any issue with a child’s wellbeing
• headteacher@hopevalley.chorustrust.org to contact the Headteacher
• safeguarding@hopevalley.chorustrust.org to report safeguarding concerns. If a child or any young person is in imminent danger, then please report this to the police.
• ptfahv@hopevalley.chorustrust.org to contact the PTFA

Kind regards

 

	Debbie Petts Headteacher