We have had a successful first week back in school. Year 11 have continued to work well in exams and the end is almost in sight. Year 9 have also successfully completed their assessment week. This week in assembly, we talked with students about our trust values of ambition, belonging and integrity. In particular, we have focused on ambition, of high standards in their work and conduct, as well as high attendance. We will continue to talk to young people about this over the coming months as we look to support them to achieve the best possible outcomes. We are particularly focusing on this with the upcoming Year 10 mock examinations.

What’s going on in school?

• Frozen – The Musical – Auditions - From Mrs Machan and Mrs Starbuck-Ahmed - Thank you to all 135 people who signed up to our upcoming show! We are delighted to announce auditions will take place during the w/c 15 June. Please see the attached document for all dates, times, venues and audition materials. All young people can also access these materials on teams as we've set up a Frozen Cast Group. 

• Students who are taking part in the Duolingo streak competition should send proof of their streak to Mr Barnes, as the prize draw will soon take place! A screenshot can be emailed to Mr Barnes, but it must show which language is being studied.

• Our Sponsored Walk is taking place on Monday 20 July and will follow our usual route up Lose Hill, along to Hollins Cross, down to Castleton and back to school. Information regarding this has been shared with parents and carers earlier this week. We are keen to try to raise as much sponsorship money as possible this year, with proceeds going towards our annual heart screening with Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), as well as supporting our PTFA with their project in our PE department. Please encourage your young person to collect sponsorship from family and friends. Paper copies of the sponsorship form are available at reception.

 

Y9 Music

Our wonderful Y9 students are preparing their performances of Film Music and these will be assessed at the end of June. If your young person has chosen to performance using the GCSE Music criteria (booklets are available from Mrs Machan), these will be assessed in lesson by Friday 19 June. 

Y10 GCSE Music

For the upcoming mock exams, our Y10 students will all record a solo or ensemble piece on their chosen instrument. Most will record these in their instrumental lessons. Please remind them to bring a copy of the sheet music so Mrs Machan can assess and provide feedback. The deadline for this is Friday 3 July. 

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. We would also ask that you ensure that Year 11s are in correct school uniform when they are on the school premises.

The English Faculty would be very grateful to receive donations of CGP revision guides for English Literature and English Language that are no longer required by Y11 students.

Uniform Donations

We would be grateful for any donations of pre-loved uniform items, particularly smaller sizes. Any items can be handed in at reception. Thank you.

Music & Mayhem

Our annual Music and Mayhem extravaganza is due to take place on Saturday 27 June from 10am - 2pm. It's a lovely event organised by our PTFA, with fun games, BBQ, truck pulling and lots of music from our talented young people! Please feel free to come along with your family and friends. 

If your young person would like to perform at the event, they must let Mrs Machan know by Friday 12 June at the very latest. There are very limited spaces available, and it may not be possible to accommodate everyone. Slots available are 10am, 11am and 1pm. 

PTFA Meeting – Tuesday 9 June 2026

Our PTFA are meeting in school on Tuesday 9 June 2026 from 6pm – 7pm. They are still looking for willing volunteers to join the team and take on roles next academic year to ensure it continues. Our PTFA provides school with valuable funds and this year their target is to raise £25,000 to improve our sports facilities and equipment. If you are interested, please pop along and meet the team and find out more about them.

It’s about Me – Derbyshire’s Holiday Activity and Food Programme

Funded by the Department for Education, It’s About Me provides funded holiday club sessions, each including a healthy meal, for eligible school-aged children and younger people during the Easter, Summer and Christmas Holidays. The programme is primarily for school-aged children up to Year 11 who receive benefits-related free school meals. Summer Holiday bookings open on Monday 29 June and Holiday Clubs will run from Thursday 30 July to Friday 4 September (not bank holidays or weekends).

Dates for Your Diary

Saturday 27 June – Music and Mayhem PTFA event

w/c 13 July – Y10 work experience week / Y8 PGL trip / Y9 DofE practice expedition

Monday 20 July – Sponsored walk

Tuesday 21 July – Sports Day

Wednesday 22 July – Break for summer

 

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