Principal's update 15 December 2023
Published on 20/12/23
Dear Parents and Carers
Thank you for all your support this term. Over the last 15 weeks we have enjoyed field trips, theatre trips, musical performances, outdoor activities, a multitude of extra-curricular activities, football matches, netball matches, interhouse sports tournaments, visits from famous authors, Duke of Edinburgh expeditions, visits from our Danish friends, European Day of Languages, Open Evenings, Subject Evenings, raised money for charity, donated to the local food bank, hosted several primary sports events, relaunched School Council, welcomed our outgoing Y11 students back for Presentation Evening, served Christmas lunches, eaten Christmas lunches and so much more!! We have also survived road closures, floods, snow and Ofsted visits! I couldn’t be prouder of our school community for all we have achieved. An enormous thank you to all our staff who make all these things possible and provide so many opportunities for our young people.
Thank you for all your kind gifts and tokens of appreciation for staff – they are much appreciated. We hope you all have a restful and enjoyable break, and we look forward to welcoming all students back to school on Monday 8 January.
What’s going on in school:
- Our fantastic catering team served a delicious Christmas lunch to the whole school on Monday. Diners were entertained by DJ Romeo (Y10) who played music whilst they ate. It was a wonderful event and students really got into the festive spirit!
- Y7 students enjoyed a trip to the theatre in Leeds to see Oliver!
- Well done to Amelia Grace Y7, Alfie Y8 and Lucy Y9 – this term’s winners of £5 gift vouchers for completing their Sparx Maths homework on time each week and achieving 100%.
- Our term ended with Celebration Assemblies for all year groups and our annual festive bazaar! Each tutor group came up with an idea for a festive stall, with some great ideas! All money raised will go to a chosen charity.
- Staff took on Y10 and Y11 students in a table tennis tournament at lunchtime today. Students were victorious, winning 34 out of 62 matches! Well done to all involved!
- A massive well done to everyone who participated in our Duolingo competition this term. The winners are: KS3 - Tom KH, KS4 - Poppy L and Tomas GW, Staff - Mrs Davies-Eccles and Miss Astbury. Keep an eye out next half term for the second instalment of the competition!
- Y11 French students have the opportunity to go to Sheffield Hallam University for a French Film Study Day in February 2024. Throughout the day, students will mix with other Y11s from across Sheffield who are studying French, as well as Y12s and Y13s who are currently studying French at A Level. The day includes a film screening, and workshops and quizzes about the film. If your young person is interested in studying French at A Level or is currently studying French and is passionate about film/media studies, please get in touch with Miss Bradley (rbradley@chorustrust.org).
- We have now finished handing out books to all Y7 students, chosen by them from a selection supplied by the charity BookTrust at the beginning of the autumn term. The Bookbuzz scheme is subsidised by the reading charity BookTrust and we are asked to contribute some of the cost of each book so that every student can choose a free book to keep. We are only able to take part thanks to the generous support of the school PTFA, who have helped us fund this over many years. Big thanks too to our friends from Post-16 who wrapped the books in Christmas paper. We hope the books will inspire our Y7s to read for the joy of reading and that they will be encouraged to read them over the Christmas holidays and take part in activities focused on the stories in the New Year. Happy Christmas from BookTrust, HVC and the library.
PE Next Term
Y7, 8 and 9 boys will be on fitness the first lesson of the week and gymnastics the second lesson of the week*
Y7, 8 and 9 girls will be on gymnastics the first lesson of the week and fitness the second lesson of the week *
Y10 and 11 boys will be on outside fitness week A and indoor fitness week B
Y10 and 11 girls will be on inside fitness week A and outdoor fitness week B
Kit required for gymnastics
White PE T shirt
Plain black jumper / rugby jumper (if cold)
Thermal layer (if cold)
Black shorts / jogging bottoms
Kit required for fitness
White PE T shirt
Plain black jumper / rugby jumper (if cold)
Thermal layer (if cold)
Woolly hat (if cold)
Gloves (if cold)
Black shorts / jogging bottoms
Waterproof jacket
Change of footwear - indoor/outdoor trainers
*some fitness lessons will take place outside
Notification of catering price increases
We understand that the cost of living has risen for all of our families, and as a school we have seen significant price increases in utilities and food costs. We have worked hard to limit the exposure that these increases have had, and we have managed to absorb supplier price increases wherever possible. Our in-house catering team pride themselves on offering freshly made food cooked on site and in order to maintain the level of quality and service for our students, we have unfortunately got to pass on some of the increased food costs.
As a result of this, from Monday 8 January our catering prices will increase. Our hot & cold lunch time Meal Deals will be available at the price of £3.00 each day. Main meals will increase to £2.40. Access to free drinking water is available throughout the school day, and students are encouraged to bring a re-fillable water bottle into school. We currently have re-fillable water bottles for sale on Reception for £1.50 – these can be purchased via Parentpay.
Job Vacancies
We are currently recruiting for a Data / MIS Officer on a permanent basis to star in January 2024. We are also recruiting for Exam Invigilators on a casual basis. For more information, please see our website: Vacancies - Hope Valley College (chorustrust.org)
Safeguarding during the school holidays
The address below for reporting safeguarding concerns will be monitored periodically during the school holidays. If you have an urgent concern or a young person is in imminent danger, then please report this to the police.
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Thank you for reading our communication. Here are some helpful email addresses, should you need to contact us:
Kind regards |
Gaynor Jones
Principal, Hope Valley College
T: 01433 620555
