Headteacher's update 6 December 2024
Published on 06/12/24
Dear Parents and Carers
We have come to the end of mock exams and staff are now working hard to mark the work that Year 11 students have produced. We have had a busy week in the library with our scholastic book fair. It is always wonderful to see young people enthusiastic about reading as it is one of the most powerful tools in education. We also have preparations under way for weeks of activities within our community; the seniors lunch, the carol service and then our Festive Showcase. We are continuing our focus on teaching and learning for the next two weeks because time in school is such a precious commodity.
As a result of this we are looking to reward our young people for high attendance levels over the next two weeks as we know that traditionally attendance does drop at this time of year. Each day that a young person attends they will be awarded an entry into a prize draw for each year group at the end of term. So, if a young person attends the full 10 days, they will gain 10 opportunities to win a prize. We have chosen to do this because we know that it is not always easy to attend school, and we want to recognise the effort that our young people make. The prize draw will take place on the final day of term in the celebration assemblies. Today sees the end of the second round of our attendance weeks. Next week all young people will have the opportunity to review their attendance over the last 4 weeks.
What’s going on in school:
- Our Big Band started Christmas Celebrations at Hathersage Outdoor Pool last Sunday with a mixture of jazz, funk and Christmas tunes.
- Y7 students have been working on a PSHE project, creating posters and leaflets to promote British values.
- Our Y7 choir are busy rehearsing for the Carol Concert at St Peter’s Church, Hope on Thursday 12 December. All are welcome to attend and join us for a sing song, followed by mince pies.
Arrival and collection at school
We would like to request that between 8:30-9:15am and 3-3:45pm there is no access to the bus bay for parents/carers. The school car park is open during these times, and we ask that you use the car park so that the traffic in the bus bay is limited to the buses. Please acknowledge the 5mph speed limit in the car park.
Dates for Your Diary
Wednesday 11 December – Wicked Theatre Trip
Thursday 12 December – Carol Concert at St Peter’s Church, Hope
Tuesday 17 December – Festive Showcase
Wednesday 18 December – Christmas Dinner
Friday 20 December – Christmas Jumper Day, Christmas Bazaar, Break for Christmas
Monday 6 January – Back to school for all students
Tuesday 21 January – Y10/11 Intervention Evening
Thursday 30 January – Y9 Subject Evening
Tuesday 11 February – Y10 Subject 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, Hope Valley College
T: 01433 620555