Headteacher's Update 6 June 2025

Dear Parents and Carers

The first week of Summer 2 has arrived with a distinctly autumnal feel. This term is as busy as any other in the year and just as important. Year 11 continue the second half of their exams; Year 10s begin their first round of mock exams in a few weeks’ time and Year 9 are undergoing their end of year assessments. This week we have supported the Primary School Sports event at the EIS with our Year 9 sports leaders who were excellent in their roles. We are also looking ahead to our work on the well dressing for this year as we work with the community on this important local event. We are only a few weeks away from 'Music and Mayhem' and our extremely talented students have written their own musical which will be performed in Bradwell - information regarding how to purchase tickets is below. It is wonderful to see students 'Being the best they can be'

Online Safety

We are regularly contacted by parents and carers sharing concerns about their young person's safety online, including their use of social media. The NSPCC provides helpful information to support parents and carers with this. Their website shares information on how to block sites as well as adding different settings onto phones.

What’s going on in school:

Sports Leaders helped to run our annual primary school Sports Day at the EIS in Sheffield on Tuesday this week. They did a fantastic job and made sure the day ran smoothly, coordinating races and events.

Students in Years 7 and 8 were treated to a very interesting assembly today, as we welcomed international mountaineer Nigel Vardy to school. Nigel spoke to students about his experiences recovering from severe frostbite, after being caught in bad weather whilst climbing Denali, the highest peak in North America. During lunch, Nigel met with members of the climbing club to answer their questions and share a bit more of his story. Thank you to Speakers for Schools who helped us to arrange Nigel’s visit.

Year 10 Mock Exams

The Y10 mock exams will run from Monday 23 June to Wednesday 2 July. Please see the link to the timetable below. Students will be handed their personal statement of entry nearer the time. Exam pencil cases can be purchased from Parentpay and collected from Reception. Exams - Hope Valley College (chorustrust.org)

Well dressing

As we prepare for Hope Wakes Week, we would be very grateful for any donations of flowers for the well dressing. Donations will need to be in school by Monday 16 June and we would welcome any flowers or foliage (broad leaves are preferable). Once we have finalised the design next week, we will let you know what colours we need. Donations can be flowers cut from gardens, simple bunches from supermarkets (chrysanthemums/gerberas are great).

Music and Mayhem 2025

Our popular PTFA fundraising event is due to take place on Saturday 28 June from 11am-4pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. The PTFA are looking for helpers to run this event, as well as bakers for donations or cakes and sweet treats to sell on the day. If you are able to help in any way, please get in touch via email – ptfahv@hopevalley.chorustrust.org

If your young person would like to perform, please ask them to email Mrs Machan by Friday 13 June. Please include name of performer, instrument/voice, name of song to be performed, link or mp3 if using backing track, and preferred time slot. Mrs Machan will try to accommodate preferred times.

Time Slots:

11:30am-12pm

12:30pm-1pm

2pm-2:30pm

3pm-3:30pm

If you are entering a band, please send one email with the names of all performers and other required information. If your young person is performing in the big band or wind band, there is no need to email Mrs Machan. Rehearsals will take place in music and more information will follow over the coming weeks.