As you may be aware, the NEU have confirmed that strike action will take place on Wednesday 5 and Friday 7 July. We are currently reviewing staff availability for these days and will be in touch next week to confirm plans for these two days. We will prioritise access to learning for Key Stage 4 on these days.

Next week we will celebrate Diversity week in school with a series of assemblies for all year groups. On Friday 30 June, there will be a non-uniform day for Pride Day with a suggested voluntary donation of £1, which will go towards diversity and anti-bullying charities. Students and staff should come to school wearing something colourful. There will also be a Diversity Party at lunchtime in the Library. Rainbow ribbons will be available to buy for £1 with all proceeds going to charity.

Our bus bay gets very busy each morning with buses and parents dropping off students. If you are dropping off your young person, could we please ask you to drive all the way to the end of the bus bay, rather than stopping in front of reception. Thank you.

What’s going on in school:

• Tug of war competitions have taken place this week for each year group, in anticipation of the Music & Mayhem event taking place this Saturday! Thanks to Ms Hayes and Mr Jenkinson for organising the competition.

• Students and staff have worked together on our annual Well Dressing. Designs were created by our Y7 students and the winners’ ideas have been incorporated to produce a stunning piece of floral art inspired by training your brain. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed flowers and petals, particularly the Chatsworth Estate and the Co-op in Bradwell.

• Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service came into school on Tuesday to talk to Y8 students about the dangers of  wildfires during the summer months and how they can be prevented. They also shared details of Firestoppers: FireStoppers gives people an anonymous way to report what they know about deliberate firesetting. It’s managed by the independent charity CrimeStoppers, who remove all details that could be used to identify the person who has contacted them before passing the report to the Fire Service for investigation.

• Our music students have had a busy week with performances for residents at Caroline Court as well as taking part in a showcase in Sheffield, Y7 students have been practising for their ‘Let’s Get Singing’ project with the Singing Leader for Derbyshire Music Hub.

• In Drama, Years 7 and 8 have been devising their own performances based on a stimulus. This week they have been experimenting with the technical and artistic tool of lighting while creating their performances. The students were really engaged and respectful of the equipment too. 

• Y10 drama students performed their work-in-progress devised performances in front of an invited audience this week. The students have been working on creating their own performances since Easter, and finally shared their hard work and dedication in front of parents and carers. This performance is part of Component 1 of the drama course which is worth 40% of their overall grade. They now have 2 weeks to make any amendments to their performances before their final exam on this unit. Miss Starbuck is very proud of all the students and cannot wait to see the final pieces. 

• Our CILIP Carnegie Medal for Writing Shadowing Group has reached the end of the scheme for another year and we held a party to celebrate the announcement of the winning book, The Blue Book of Nebo by Manon Steffan Ros. Our special guest was Berlie Doherty, herself a winner of the medal, who joined us for lunch in the library. The Shadowers' Choice award was I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys. Our own favourite was Medusa by Jessie Burton. Copies of each shortlisted book will be available to borrow from the library from next week. They are all cracking good reads!

 

Y10 mock exams

Y10 mock exams start on Monday 26 June. Students have been given their candidate statement of entry this week.  The exam timetable can be found here Exams - Hope Valley College (hopevalley-chorustrust.org)

Denim material needed!

Our Y9 students need denim material – jeans, jackets, anything – for a project they are working on in Textiles. If you have anything suitable, please ask you young person to give it to Miss Nicklin. 

Free School Meal Eligibly Checking Service  

Parents & Carers can now check their eligibility for free school meals using the new Derbyshire County Council online checking service - scan the QR code below and it will take you straight there.  

Job Vacancy

We are currently recruiting for a Design Faculty Technician to work in our D&T and Engineering Department. For more information, please see our website: Vacancies - Hope Valley College (hopevalley-chorustrust.org)

PTFA Event – Music & Mayhem

All are welcome to our Music & Mayhem Event at HVC on Saturday 24 June! This event was a great success last year and kicks off Hope Wakes Week. Any cake donations on the day will be gratefully received!

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 principal@hopevalley.chorustrust.org to contact the Principal 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. Kind regards Gaynor Jones, Principal Hope Valley College T: 01433 620555