Headteacher's Update 30 April 2025

Dear Parents and Carers

It’s been great to welcome everyone back to school this week and to check in with our students who are preparing to start their final examinations this half term. Year 11 are now entering the final few weeks of revision and preparation, and we wish them all the best for their exams. Next week, we will be talking to students in Years 7-10 about the most effective ways to ‘make learning stick’ and looking ahead to end of year assessments: more details about these will be shared with students in assemblies.

This week’s assemblies have focussed on our message to students: we have high standards and high expectations. We’ve been pleased to see students return looking smart and in correct uniform (please see below for an important reminder about nails). We are celebrating the great majority of students who turn up and take part day after day. We will again be rewarding any students who complete a ‘three week streak’ by coming to school every day for three weeks.

We look forward to welcoming those of you who are attending our Adventure Film Festival tomorrow. As well as some inspirational independent films, there are also lots of activities to try and interesting talks to listen to. Thank you to our PTFA for all their hardwork organising this fantastic event.

Sadly, we learned over Easter that our former colleague Pete Legrice passed away. Pete was a valued member of the technology department and latterly as part of Hope Valley Pathways. I know that many students benefitted from Pete’s teaching and expertise over the years.

What’s going on in school:

Huge congratulations to Imogen in Y9 who has had a book published!! Speculis is part one of a trilogy and Imogen has already started work on the second book. Hot of the press on Wednesday 23^rd April, copies can be preordered online through major bookstores. Imogen has donated 2 copies of her book to the library at HVC and they will be available for loan soon. What an achievement!

Year 8 students have been studying VR in their computer studies lessons, experiencing the latest technology first hand with a VR headset.

Well done to Bea in Y11 who recently entered a national talent show competition via YouTube, performing a song using sign language.

Year 8 Subject Evening

The Year 8 subject evening will take place in school on Thursday 8 May. This is an opportunity to talk to teachers about progress, attainment and attitudes to learning.

Nail Extensions

Increasing numbers of students are coming into school with nail extensions which are unsuitable / unsafe for the school environment, particularly more practical lessons like PE and technology. For health and safety reasons, long nail extensions are not permitted in school.

Second Hand Uniform

We are no longer able to accept donations of second-hand uniform with the old logo on them. Only items with the newer Chorus trust logo can be accepted. Thank you.

Job Vacancies

We are recruiting for cleaners to join our site team. Flexible hours are available. For more information, please see our website: Hope Valley College - Vacancies

Dates for Your Diary

Monday 5 May – Bank Holiday – school closed

Wednesday 7 May – Hope Valley Pathways Open Evening

Thursday 8 May – Y8 Subject Evening, Y8 HPV vaccinations

Tuesday 20 May – Y7 Subject Evening

Friday 23 May – Y11 leavers assembly , break for half term

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