I have a few thank-yous to say this week. Thank you to everyone who helped or attended HVAFF at school this weekend. It was a lovely event and the work we do with our PTFA is an important part of school life. Our wonderful PTFA are always looking for volunteers so please visit our website for further details.

We would also like to thank Sue Knowles for her 40 years’ work at Hope Valley College. Sue is a much-loved member of our school staff and community, and students took the time this week to thank her for her service to the school.

Attendance

We continue our on-going work around attendance as this is such an important part of young people achieving well and being able to take advantage of all the opportunities in school. We are obliged to continue to communicate with parents and carers when attendance is below various thresholds. We thank you for your on-going support.

What’s going on in school?

• Congratulations to Sylvie Y10 who passed her Grade 5 clarinet with a distinction. Well done to Hannah Y11, a talented flute player who recently took part in a residential weekend of rehearsals and a concert with the Derbyshire City and County Wind Band. This ensemble is only open to post Grade 6 players and so this is a great achievement for Hannah. There are currently spaces for students to learn clarinet and saxophone in school with Jane Taylor, our peripatetic teacher. If your young person would like to have a free trial lesson, please contact Jane directly.

• Sylvie Y10 also celebrated running success at the recent Dronfield 10km, coming fastest in her age category and completing the course in just over 46 minutes!

GCSE Exams

The written GCSE exams start next week. Student's exam timetables have been handed out and emailed to them this week. If your young person requires an exam pencil case, these can be purchased on Parentpay and collected from Reception. A reminder that students are expected to attend school as normal until the half term.

Y11 Students

Please could we politely request that school meal accounts are kept in credit as we approach the final few weeks of Y11 students being in school. Can you also ensure that any school library books are returned to the library or to reception before their last day.

Year 8 Subject Evening – Tuesday 19 May

The Year 8 Subject Evening will take place in school on Tuesday 19 May. This is an opportunity to talk to teachers about progress, attainment and attitudes to learning. Details about how to book appointments have been shared with parents and carers. Bookings open at 5pm today.

School Food Standards Consultation

Please find attached a letter from our catering provider, Impact Food Group, regarding the Department for Education’s consultation on the planned changes to the School Food Standards from September 2027 and the small steps they are already taking to move towards them. We encourage parents/carers to participate in the consultation and have their say. Our lunch time menus were refreshed when we returned after Easter and can be found here: Hope Valley College - Catering

 

Dates for Your Diary

Monday 4 May – Bank holiday – school closed

Wednesday 6 May – Y8 HPV vaccinations

Thursday 7 May – Y10 Information Evening

Tuesday 19 May – Y8 Subject Evening

Friday 22 May – Break for half term

 

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