For a brief moment this week we were able to re-open the school field after all of the rain and it was wonderful to see so many students taking advantage of this. We have been very grateful for the patience of your young people over what has felt to be a very long and wet winter.

We also started the process of welcoming our future Year 7s to the school and that is always a sign that we have moved into the second half of the school year. We are almost halfway through this term but somehow students manage to take part in every opportunity.  We have started Year 9 Duke of Edinburgh. On Thursday, we celebrated World Book Day with a book and plant sale in the library - I am sure several young people came home with small plants to nurture and care for. We hope you are able to join us on our Musical Showcase just before Easter when our amazing music and drama department will put on a fabulous evening.

Attendance update

Today our daily attendance figure was approximately 5 % below what it is has been on the previous days this week.  We would like to remind you of the importance of attendance at school every day of the week.

A polite reminder to parents and carers collecting students at the end of the school day: please use the main car park rather than the bus bay.  We would also like to remind parents and carers that the bus bay is one way. Thank you.

 

What’s going on in school?

• In very muddy conditions, our first group of Year 9 students had a go at weaselling at Higger Tor. The group were brilliant - trying all challenges, helping and encouraging one another and looking out for each other, making sure everyone was safe! We were joined by Mr Darlington, our trainee Technology teacher, who is also an experienced outdoor instructor. He helped us learn about the flora and fauna in the Peak District National Park, for example how lichen can be used as a bio-indicator, telling us about the air quality up on Higger Tor. Our group also managed to pick up a bin bag full of litter during our weaselling adventures! Well done everyone! 

• Well done to Ged in Y7 who competed with his team in the British Orienteering Relay Championships in the Male Under 14 category in South Wales and came away with a bronze medal!

• Thank you to Mrs Mummery, our Librarian, who arranged a plant and book sale in the Library on Thursday, as part of our World Book Day celebrations.

CRY screening – Wednesday 11 March

The CRY heart screening team will be in school next Wednesday. If you have made an appointment for your young person (Y10 and Y11 only), please remind them of their appointment time. The screening will take place in the school hall.

Year 7 Subject Evening – Monday 23 March

The Year 7 Subject Evening will take place in school on Monday 23 March. This is an opportunity to talk to teachers about progress, attainment and attitudes to learning. Details about how to book appointments have been shared with parents and carers in due course. Bookings open at 5pm today.  

Easter Showcase – Wednesday 25 March

Our Easter Showcase Egg-stravaganza takes place on Wednesday 25 March in the hall from 6pm. If your young person is performing, a letter will be emailed next week with all the details. Please email Mrs Machan or Mrs Starbuck-Ahmed​​ for further details. 

School Dinner Money Accounts

A polite request to keep student dinner money accounts topped up, so that students are always in credit. Many thanks.

Water Bottles

As part of their essential equipment, all students should bring a water bottle to school, which can be filled up at the water fountains at break and lunchtimes. Please ensure your young person has a water bottle with them each day. Bottles can be purchased from reception for £1, payable via ParentPay. Many thanks.

Y10 English Revision Guides

Y10 English Revision Guides now available to purchase on ParentPay. Orders need to be placed by Wednesday 11 March.  Thank you.

 

Dates for Your Diary

Wednesday 11 March – CRY screening for Y10 and Y11 students

Monday 23 March – Y7 Subject Evening

Wednesday 25 March – Easter Showcase

Friday 27 March – Break for Easter

Monday 13 April – Back to school

Monday 4 May – Bank holiday – school closed

Monday 7 May – Y10 Information Evening

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