Thank you for all your support to help your young people be the best that they can be in school this term. Year 7 have made a great start to their Hope Valley College journey and have settled in really well. Students in Years 8 and 9 are making the most of opportunities on offer to them and getting involved in all aspects of school life. Year 10 have made a start on their GCSE courses, whilst Year 11 look towards their first set of mock exams towards the end of November.

Next term comes with lots of challenges for our young people, but it also comes with some of the best moments of the year as we enter into December. We hope you all enjoy a restful break over half term and we look forward to welcoming all students back to school on Monday 3 November.

What’s going on in school:

• Students in Year 9 continue with their Outdoor Activities – this term’s focus is mountain biking and students have been developing their skills on the pump track.

• Boys’ football teams from Y8 and KS4 travelled to Chapel High School on Monday afternoon, with both teams putting in strong performances to come away with wins! Both teams won 4-1! Well done to all involved.

• Some of our talented Y11 students are performing a Christmas Extravaganza at Hathersage Memorial Hall on Friday 19 December at 7.30pm.

PE after half term

Y7, 8 & 9 - Boys will be on rugby for their first lesson of the week and table tennis for their second lesson of the week. Girls will be on table tennis for their first lesson of the week and basketball for their second lesson of the week. 

Y10 & 11 - Boys will be on rugby. Girls will be on table tennis / basketball 

For Rugby - boys can wear their normal PE kit or old clothes for this module as clothes may get ripped damaged. Boys need to wear studded or moulded boots (football or rugby) and gum shields. Boys may also wish to bring a towel and make use of the showers and have a complete change of kit including socks and underwear (due to us going out in all conditions). 

For Table tennis / Basketball - students should wear their normal PE kit (HVC T-shirt and/or jumper, black shorts or jogging bottoms)

Festive Showcase – Wednesday 10 December

Our annual Festive Showcase is taking place on Wednesday 10 December. If your young person would like to perform at this event, please email Mrs Machan with the following details:

• Name of performer(s) / Band name
• Instrument(s)
• Song they would like to perform
• MP3 audio for backing track if necessary

If students are performing in the choir, big band, wind band or folk band, there is no need to email – we have a separate register for this.

If your young person would like to perform in the choir at the Festive Showcase, please ask them to practice ‘Somewhere in my memory’. A copy of the lyrics and the backing track have been emailed. Choir rehearsals take place every Thursday from 12.50 – 1.15pm in music.

Y11 mock exams

The Y11 mock exams will run from Monday 24 November to Thursday 4 December. Please see the link to the timetable here Hope Valley College - Examinations  Students will be handed their statement of entry nearer the time. Please remind your young person to bring the correct equipment to each exam as we only have a small number of spares to lend out to students. Exam pencil cases can be purchased via Parentpay and collected from Reception.

Y9 English Assessment

The Y9 assessment on the verse novel Run, Rebel will take place on Thursday 23 November during English lessons.

Y11 Subject Evening

The Year 11 Subject Evening will take place in school on Tuesday 11 November. This is an opportunity to talk to teachers about progress, attainment and attitudes to learning. Details about how to book appointments have now been shared with parents and carers.

Dates for Your Diary

Monday 3 November – return to school

Tuesday 11 November – Y11 and Y13 Subject Evenings

Thursday 20 November – GCSE Presentation Evening (for students who left in Summer 2025)

Thursday 4 December – flu vaccinations

Friday 5 December – INSET day – school closed to students

Tuesday 9 December – Y8 theatre trip

Wednesday 10 December – Festive Showcase

Thursday 11 December – Carol Concert at St Peter’s Church, Hope

Friday 19 December – Break for Christmas

Monday 5 January – Back to school

 

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