Principal's update 10 November 2023
Published on 10/11/23
Dear Parents and Carers
Well done to our Y11 students who started their mock exams this week. Their attitude and behaviour have been excellent.
Remembrance has been the focus of our assemblies this week and today we held a minute’s silence. Y10 students worked on a class project to produce a commemorative poppy themed dress, with remembrance in mind. I’m sure you will agree that the result is stunning! The dress will be on display in reception at school.
What’s going on in school:
- The first winners of our Sparx maths homework raffle were drawn today. Congratulations to Poppy in Y7, Robyn in Y8 and Daniel in Y9, who all received a gift voucher.
- Year 10 students will shortly begin studying A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. It would support their learning if they have watched a version of the film prior to studying it. There is an adaptation for free on iPlayer and many other versions on Disney and Netflix.
- The Scholastic Book Fair, our very own pop-up bookshop, arrives in the library on Friday 17 November and will be open at lunchtimes throughout the following week. Students can come in and browse and are able to reserve items to pay the next day. All books are brand new and mostly at full retail price, though there will be some special offers. There will also be notebooks/journals/fancy pens etc which are always very popular. Payments in cash are preferred but payments can be made online using Wishlist forms available at the Fair. The Book Fair is an annual event and a good opportunity for our library volunteers to take responsibility for running a bookshop. It also earns us free books for the library, with a percentage of takings returned to school to 'spend' on books. Please support us if you can, and if you have any specific requests, please contact Mrs Mummery to check if titles are available.
- Students in Year 7 have moved on to their second topic on their Design & Technology rotation. In the Textiles module, student designed and made monsters, incorporating 3 different types of stitch and using different fabrics.
- This term, the interhouse competition will be table tennis, with tutor groups in each year group competing against each other to see who will become champions! As table tennis is part of our PE lessons this term, all students will have the opportunity to hone their skills ready for the tournament. The term will finish with KS4 students competing against the staff team... time to get practicing!!
Arbor parent app email
We are now using the Arbor management information system (MIS) which includes a parent portal. This will enable parents to view reports, attendance information and student calendar. In addition, it will show information about your young person which you can view and edit if there are any errors. You will be sent a welcome email next week with instructions on how to access Arbor for the first time with links to help you. The Arbor parent and guardian portal app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play Store. Please contact us if you require any further information.
Attitude to Learning report
Next week students will be given a paper copy of their Attitude to Learning report (ATL). This report will also be available on the ‘Arbor Parent’ app (details above). Information about ATL can be found on our website here: Attitude to Learning - Hope Valley College (hopevalley-chorustrust.org)
Year 9 Subject Evening
The Year 9 subject evening will take place in school on Thursday 23 November. This is an opportunity to talk to teachers about progress, attainment and attitudes to learning.
Year 9 English assessment – Tuesday 14 November
Year 9 will have their English assessment on Tuesday 14 November period 1. Please support them with their revision and see ClassCharts for more information.
DofE training after school on Tuesday 14 for Y9 and Tuesday 21 for Y10
Ready, Steady, Cook! - we are going to cook some Hot Chocolate in our DofE sessions in the next fortnight in the science department. If you want to bring a mug and marshmallows, feel free!
DofE First Aid training Sat 25 November
Mr Fitton's Groups Y9 and Y10 will be in the morning from 8.30 - 12.30am
Mrs Oldfield's Groups Y9 and Y10 will be in the afternoon 1.00 - 5.00pm
Please come and see us if there are any issues with these timings. Thank you.
We Will Rock You & DNA Rehearsal Schedule (W/C 13/11/23)
Please note, all Wednesday rehearsals will now finish at 4:45pm
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11/13/2023 |
Mon B |
DNA Reharsal |
Drama |
3:30-5:00 |
DNA cast |
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11/14/2023 |
Tues B |
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11/15/2023 |
Weds B |
Dance rehearsals |
Drama |
Dancers |
You're My Best Friend #10 & Who Wants to Live Forever #17 |
Drama |
3:30-4:45 |
Scaramouche & Galileo |
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11/16/2023 |
Thurs B |
These are the Days of our Lives #20 |
Music |
Whole cast |
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11/17/2023 |
Fri B |
Act 1 Scene 2 |
Drama |
3:30-5:00 |
Whole Cast |
Discover Us
We are delighted to be part of the Discover Us programme which takes students to Sheffield University to find out what university has to offer and to encourage students to think about Higher Education. Mr Taylor has been in touch with families to organise the young people who are eligible for this programme.
Job Vacancy
We are currently recruiting for a Higher Level Teaching Assistant / Inclusion Manager. This is a maternity cover from February 2024. For more information, please see our website: Vacancies - Hope Valley College (chorustrust.org)
Emotional Health and Wellbeing
Derbyshire Health and other support agencies have a website that offers advice and guidance on matters relating to health and emotional well-being - including support for issues around neurodiversity. The site can be accessed via the following link:
Derby & Derbyshire - Emotional Health & Wellbeing (derbyandderbyshireemotionalhealthandwellbeing.uk)
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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
