Principal's update 28 June 2024
Published on 28/06/24
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Dear Parents and Carers
We are very much looking forward to our Music & Mayhem event tomorrow – fingers crossed for good weather! Please do come along to support our fantastic PTFA, have a go at some of the fun activities, enjoy some food, and most importantly listen to some fantastic music performances from our students!
Mock general election
Next week, our students will have the chance to vote in our school's mock general election. Student Council members, supported by Mr Scorer, have arranged the vote which will be a secret ballot in polling booths just like the real thing. Staff have taught students about the general election process through our democracy assemblies, which form part of our British Values curriculum. Students have learned how the system works and have been asked to register for a vote if they want to take part. Year 10 spokespeople have shared the key policies of the five parties who are standing in the local constituency of High Peak. Next week, they will cast their ballots for one of these five parties and student council will count the votes and announce the result.
What’s going on in school:
- Last week we welcomed 100 Y5 children from our local primary schools to HVC for STEM days. Children spent the morning in our Design Faculty, making bread, paddle steamers and dream catchers. In the afternoon they were based in our science department and took part in some exciting experiments. This is a great opportunity for children to come and spend some time at HVC in advance of joining us in Y7. Our newly appointed Design Mentors were a great help and made sure the children knew what they were doing.
- Our Y7 netball teams took part in a tournament at Chapel High School on Tuesday evening, finishing 2nd and 5th out of 9 teams. The Lions won all but one of their matches, just losing out on 1st place in their last match. Both teams coped admirably in hot weather and were in fine voice in the minibus on the way home! Well done to all involved!
- A huge congratulations to the Y10 GCSE drama class. They performed their own devised pieces of theatre in an exam which is part of 40% of their overall GCSE drama grade. Miss Starbuck is super impressed with the hard work and dedication they have all shown since starting this process in February. Well done Y10!
- This week we have been celebrating Diversity, with a range of activities going on in school, including a Diversity Club picnic on the allotment, bake sales and craft sales with all items handcrafted by the club. All money raised from sales will be donated to a charity chosen by the club. Thank you to Ms Cottle for hosting Diversity assemblies this week. Along with Miss Starbuck and Mrs Mummery, she also hosted a Diversity party in the library on Thursday lunchtime, with over 50 students attending.
- Spanish club decided to work al fresco this week and made the most of the sunshine.
- Well done to LosehIll who were the champions of the Y7 interhouse rounders tournament on Thursday.
Lost Property
We have several items of lost property at reception. If your young person has lost something, please ask them to check at reception. Any items not claimed by the end of term will be donated to charity.
Water Bottles
Please ensure students bring a water bottle to school. This can be refilled from the water fountains at break and lunchtime.
It’s About Me – Derbyshire’s Holiday Activity & Food Programme
‘It’s About Me’ is funded by the Department for Education and gives eligible young people access to free places at holiday clubs across the county. If your child is aged between 4-16 and is eligible for benefits-related free school meals, then they are entitled to access It’s About Me holiday clubs for free! There are a huge range of activities available including sports and games, arts and crafts, cookery, dance and music. All clubs include a nutritious meal too! If your child is not eligible for the It’s About Me programme, many clubs also offer paid places where you can book with them directly. To book your activities and to find out more information go to www.itsaboutmederbyshire.co.uk or contact the school office using enquiries@hopevalley.chorustrust.org. The Summer 2024 holiday clubs will take place from Wednesday 24 July-Tuesday 3 September. Excluding bank holidays and weekends. Bookings open on Monday 1 July.
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
- principal@hopevalley.chorustrust.org to contact the Principal
- 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
Gaynor Jones
Principal, Hope Valley College
T: 01433 620555 (Extn 2407)