It has been a really productive week in school and lots of the news we are sharing in this email talks about all of the extracurricular activities that are happening in school. We are very proud of what we offer young people outside of the classroom and it is wonderful to see students enthusiastically taking part in a wide range of sessions. We are also celebrating some international sporting success for one of our own teachers, Ms Wain-Hobson.

We are very aware that when people are not in school, they are missing out on all of these opportunities, so we are pleased that our attendance continues to hold at above 91%. The current national average is 93% so we know we still have a little distance to go but we are very grateful for the support you have given us in encouraging your young person to attend school as often as possible. Our next attendance point is the week commencing 20 October, when you will receive your next update about attendance.

What’s going on in school:

• This week, our Year 7 pupils completed their STAR Reading Test — an important benchmark for the Accelerated Reader programme, which they follow in their library lessons. A reminder that students should be reading regularly at home for at least one hour each week. They should take a quiz on their book once they’ve finished. We’re delighted that several pupils have already achieved their Bronze Award!
• A huge well done to our very own Ms Wain-Hobson, who represented the United Kingdom at the Sky Running competition in Bulgaria last weekend and finished 7^th in her age category!!! We are all very proud and inspired by her achievements! She is off to Ireland this weekend to compete in another race and we wish her lots of luck!

• Our football teams in KS4 and Y9 hosted teams from St Philip Howard school on Wednesday this week. KS4 won their game 4-3, whilst Y9 were drawing 1-1 at half time, but unfortunately missed out on a win. Well done to all who played.

• Music Curriculum Update: Y7 have been performing 'Talking Drums' this week and have really impressed Mrs Machan with their accuracy and fluency. We are excited to perform 'The Best That You Can Be' to Y8 next Friday in assembly! Y8 have been working on their performance of 'Someone You Loved' by Lewis Capaldi. We are excited to sing this to Y7 next Friday in assembly! We have also been working on our musical vocabulary, learning how to describe music using keywords. Y9 continue to work on 'Livin' on a Prayer' by Bon Jovi. They are working in bands to produce their own performance of the song. They have really developed their listening skills and ability to use musical vocabulary to describe features of rock music. Y10 are working on music theory/listening skills and will use this learning to compose their first piece of coursework. Y11 have almost completed all key words learning and have shown great knowledge and understanding. They will start their 2^nd and final composition after October half term. They are also working on their final performance recording pieces and are showing a great deal of maturity and independence. 

• Well done to students who have achieved 100% attendance recently. Students who have maintained a 3-week streak of 100% attendance have been exchanging their postcards for rewards. We are also sending out over 350 emails at the end of each week to students with 100% attendance for the week.

• Year 8 took part in our Interhouse netball and football tournaments this week. Well done to all involved.

 

• Mr Barnes is reviving Chess Club in MFL2 at lunchtime on Wednesday week B and Thursday week A. There has been a lot of interest from some very keen players, but we only have four chess sets to play with. Does anyone have an old board and pieces gathering dust that they might like to donate to school? Any offers would be hugely appreciated!

• Year 9 Outdoor Activities continue this term, with more mountain biking. Students are doing really well in this fun activity! Our Mountain Biking Club is also in full swing – the first session was a great success with students developing and improving their skills on the Hope Valley Pump Track – thank you to the track collaborators for allowing us to make use of this facility.

 

Year 8 English Assessments

Year 8 will have their English creative writing assessment on Friday morning next week which will take place during their English lesson. They should revise from their knowledge organiser and reflect on how to write an exciting gothic description. 

Lockers

A reminder that we have a limited number of lockers available for students. These are available to all year groups and are rented directly from a company called Secure Locker Rentals. The cost for the academic year is £27 and they can be booked using this link: Book a locker. The lockers are accessed using a combination lock, once you have booked one a unique 4-digit pin is sent to you directly via email or text message.

 

Dates for Your Diary

Thursday 23 October – students break up for half term

Friday 24 October – INSET day – school closed to students

Monday 3 November – return to school

Tuesday 11 November – Y11 and Y13 Subject Evenings

Thursday 20 November – GCSE Presentation Evening (for students who left in Summer 2025)

Thursday 4 December – flu vaccinations

Friday 5 December – INSET day – school closed to students

Tuesday 9 December – Y8 theatre trip

Wednesday 10 December – Festive Showcase

Thursday 11 December – Carol Concert at St Peter’s Church, Hope

Friday 19 December – Break for Christmas

Monday 5 January – Back to school

 

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
• headteacher@hopevalley.chorustrust.org to contact the Headteacher
• 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

Debbie Petts Headteacher T: 01433 620555