Another busy week in school, with a real sports focus as many of our sports teams have been active this week. We have also delivered assemblies around future careers and the importance of developing skills outside of the classroom. Rehearsals are also under-way for our musical showcase, which I know will be an amazing event.

Attendance

I have recently shared information regarding the school’s overall attendance figures. For example, yesterday our daily attendance was at 88% which meant that 60 young people missed a day of school, which is the equivalent of 300 hours of lost learning. We want our young people to be in school as much as possible so that they can take full advantage of all of the opportunities on offer. We have shared an opportunity below for parents and carers to work with us to look at how we can continue to improve attendance across the school.

What’s going on in school?

• Our Student Council met with representatives from our Local Governing Body and our PTFA last week, to find out more about their involvement with our school. Students found the session really interesting, as did our guests, so much so that they plan to make this a termly event.

• Our Y7 netballers took part in the High Peak netball tournament on Thursday, with everyone playing brilliantly. Special mentions go to Amy, Maisie and Isla for some fantastic netball. The A team came 4^th overall.

• Our talented Y8 students have been taking part in an inspiring competition designed to encourage pupils in England to choose a poem, learn it by heart and perform it out loud. Poetry By Heart is all about developing confidence with poetry in an enjoyable, accessible and engaging way. Our final had 14 finalists performing a variety of poems individually and in groups. Congratulations to our winners Isobel, Ella-Mae and Lennie, who bewitched our judges with their performance of 'Spellbound' by Emily Bronte. Our competition runners-up were Jasper, our only individual competitor, who performed 'August 1914', and Eve and Dana, who performed 'Absence' using the spoken word and sign language. These students are currently perfecting their performances ready for the next round of judging. Good luck!

• A huge well done to Lennie in Y8 who had the leading role in her theatre group’s production of Matilda last weekend! Below are some photos. Lennie will also be performing in ‘We Will Rock You’ in May.

PE Kit

As we move into warmer weather, students are welcome to wear plain black shorts for PE lessons. Shorts should be at least mid-thigh in length and should be suitable for the school environment.

Non-uniform day - Friday 27 March

The last day of term will be a non-uniform day for students. Please remind students that clothing should be appropriate for the school environment. Pyjamas should not be worn. A voluntary suggested donation of £1 can be made via ParentPay or cash can be given to tutors on the day. Monies raised will be donated to the Book Trust. This also coincides with our celebration of World Book Day.

Easter Showcase – Wednesday 25 March

Please see the rehearsal schedule below for students performing in the Easter Showcase next week:

Easter Showcase Final Rehearsals
Tue 24 Mar	P1	Set Up	Hall
Tue 24 Mar	P2	Monologues, Drama, Six, Dance & Poetry	Hall
Tue 24 Mar	P3	Y7 & Y8 Rock Bands	Hall
Tue 24 Mar	P4	Choir	Hall
Tue 24 Mar	P5	Y10 & Y11 Performers (not bands)	Hall
Wed 25 Mar	P1	Set Up	Hall
Wed 25 Mar	P2	Y9 Performers (not bands)	Hall
Wed 25 Mar	P3	Choir	Hall
Wed 25 Mar	12:40pm	Comperes	Hall
Wed 25 Mar	12:40pm	Percussion Ensemble	Music
Wed 25 Mar	P4	Y10 & Y11 Rock Bands	Hall
Wed 25 Mar	P5	All backstage, sound, lighting, comperes, FOH, runners	Hall
Wed 25th Mar	3:30-3:45	ALL PERFORMERS, SOUND, LIGHTING AND BACKSTAGE	Hall
Wed 25th Mar	4:15-4:30	Percussion Ensemble	Hall
Wed 25th Mar	4:30-4:50	Big Band	Hall
Wed 25th Mar	4:50-5:10	Flute Ensemble	Hall
Wed 25th Mar	5:10-5:30	Wind Band	Hall

Sound

Tuesday 24 All day

Wednesday 25 All day

Hope Valley Adventure Film Festival – 25 April

Dates for Your Diary

Wednesday 25 March – Easter Showcase

Friday 27 March – Non-uniform day, 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