This week the DFE has published their initial data on national attainment at Key Stage 4 for GCSEs. This has confirmed the strength of our results as we are more than 7% above the national benchmark for Grade 5 in English and maths. Average Attainment 8 nationally was at 46.2 and we achieved a score of 50.5. We have continued to talk to all of our young people about the importance of attending school as much as possible, working hard in lessons and completing homework and independent study to a high standard. This week in school, several Year 11 students spent the day at The University of Sheffield as part of the work we undertake with them. We also launched work experience with Year 10. This is an important opportunity for all young people to experience the world of work so that they can make the connection between the grades they receive and their future life choices.

Attendance Week 

Next week is ‘attendance week’ where we have a whole school focus on the importance of attending school and making the most of everything we have to offer – ‘turn up and take part’. We will share attendance certificates with students to review their attendance to date, including any potential barriers to good attendance.   

Our ‘3 week-streaks’, for students who attend for 3 weeks in a row within a term, continues to be successful and well received by students. We will adapt this for students who cannot achieve this due to extenuating circumstances or alternative timetables. We will also communicate every 2 weeks when student attendance is starting to fall; this is to make parents aware and to ensure that support is in place where necessary. 

As next week is the final week of Autumn Term 1, we ask that you support us in ensuring that all of our young people are attending and taking part in their lessons.

What’s going on in school?

• Members of our Farming Club visited a working farm in Matlock on Wednesday. Thanks to Miss Topley for accompanying them and to the Farming Life group for providing this experience for our students.

 

• This week in music, our fabulous and talented Y9 music students have been performing their 'Britpop' pieces in front of the class. Throughout the project, we have studied the main musical features of Britpop, British Culture in the 1990s and listened to lots of different music. All Y9 students have done themselves proud! Well done!

• Well done to Freya in Year 7 who produced a fantastic poster as part of her DT module on sustainable design. We are using this around school to encourage everyone to think about how they can help.

Year 11 Mock Exams

The Y11 written mock exams are being held from Monday 16 November - Thursday 26 November. Please see the link to the timetable here Exams at Hope Valley College. Students will be handed their statement of entry nearer the time which gives room and seating details. Exam pencil cases can be purchased via Parentpay and collected from Reception.

On Tuesday next week, Y11s will be given a revision timetable to complete, to help them to organise their preparation for the mock exams. During lessons, they will cover different methods that can be used to revise, especially the importance of active recall. As we speak to students about revision, we ask you to back up the same message at home. Often, support from parents/carers makes a big difference to the quality of our students’ preparation. 

Changes to Bus operators for Bradwell and Hathersage routes

From 2 November, the 772 service from Hathersage and the newly named 773 service from Bradwell will both be operated by SMT, rather than First Bus. Derbyshire County Council will write to parents and carers of students who use these 2 services to confirm this change. Routes and timetables remain the same.

Lost Property

We have a large amount of lost property currently in reception, with many unnamed items. Could we remind you to label items of clothing with student names so that we can reunite lost items with their owners. Many thanks.

Frozen The Musical: Rehearsals for the cast

All rehearsal tracks can now be accessed by the cast - please see the post in teams. Please familiarise yourself with the songs and practise in advance. 

Date	Time	Where	Who	Songs
Mon 19.10	13.00	Drama	Anna, Kristoff, Elsa, Olaf, Sven
Tues 20.10	13.00	Drama	All crew (everyone who signed up for backstage, including any Y7s interested). This is a register check so you must attend. If you cannot, speak to Mrs Starbuck-Ahmed this week, or we will presume you no longer want to take part.
Tues 20.10	12.40	Music	Whole 'chorus/ensemble' Cast	Dangerous to Dream + Opening
Wed 21.10	13.00	Drama	Dancers, Olaf, Anna, Kristoff, Sven
Wed 21.10	3.30– 5.00	Drama	Whole cast
Thurs 22.10	12.50	Music	Whole cast	Hans of the Southern Isles + For the First time in Forever
Thurs 22.10	3.30-6.00	Hall	Whole cast full run through. Sound and backstage to also attend	Whole of Act 1 with scripts / lyrics

Lettings

Did you know that our school premises are available to hire for community events, sports clubs, races, music events, meetings and much more? We have a variety of rooms, spaces and sports facilities available for hire, as well as our car park, which can accommodate up to 100 cars. For more information, please contact us on 01433 620555 or email enquiries@hopevalley.chorustrust.org

 

Dates for Your Diary

Tuesday 20 October – Subject Evening for Y11 and Y13

Wednesday 21 October – Flu vaccinations

Thursday 22 October – Break for half term

Friday 23 October – INSET day (students not in school)

Monday 2 November – all students return to school

Monday 16 – Friday 27 November – Y11 mock exams

Thursday 19 November – GCSE Presentation evening (for students who left this summer)

Monday 7 – Friday 11 December – Production week – Frozen: The Musical

Tuesday 15 December – Carol Concert

Friday 18 December – Christmas Bazaar for students, break for Christmas.

Monday 4 January – all students return 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