16 October – NEWSLETTER

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope you and your families are well and keeping warm as we settle into the cooler, more autumnal weather!

One of the things I love most about working at HFS is that no two days are ever the same! There is always something exciting happening, whether that’s in the classroom, on a trip, or as part of our wider school community, and this week has been a brilliant example of that.

Many of our KS3 students will have started their first KSRs. It’s been wonderful seeing them take responsibility for this, creating flashcards in the library. Students have all received a KSR calendar and Y7s have received a Knowledge and Skills organiser for each subject, please do take a look at this with them.

We held our very first Singing Assembly, led by Mr Bullock, and it was fantastic to see so many students engaged and singing their hearts out first thing on a Monday morning. Our Year 7 students certainly wowed us with their performance of How Far I’ll Go from Moana, whilst Year 9 sang the dulcet tones of Olivia Dean’s Dive.

Outside of school, 133 Year 9 students took part in London Orienteering around King’s Cross, led by Ms Brown, Year 7 enjoyed a visit to Dickens House, and Year 12 had a wonderful trip to Seaford. Alongside these, there have been numerous enrichment opportunities taking place across the school, including our Jack Petchey workshops and the continuation of our Year 8 and Year 9 work experience programmes.

I am also really pleased to share the many ways we have been celebrating Black History Month. Throughout October, students are taking part in assemblies, workshops and activities that honour our community and recognise the contributions of Black communities, both past and present.

As part of these celebrations, we have an exciting student music event coming up: an evening with Safii Koii on Friday 23 October from 4.00pm to 5.00pm. Tickets are available via Arbor for just £2.

Finally, some of our Student Leaders will be visiting the Emirates Stadium as part of a Hate Awareness programme, giving them the opportunity to explore issues around inclusion, belonging and community leadership.

There is always so much to celebrate at HFS, and I feel incredibly lucky to work in a school where students embrace so many opportunities and continue to make us proud every day.

Kind regards,

Ms Ahmed
Assistant Headteacher

Free School Meal News – Is your child eligible?

The government has expanded the eligibility to free school meals, which means more students are able to access this benefit. 

Benefits to your child: free lunch; 10% off trips; sixth form bursaries

Benefits to the school and all students: Extra funding for the school which benefits all students

Don’t miss out and apply today. Full details in the attached letter.

A theme of the student and parents feedback last academic year was how the school might improve the school environment for students at social times. Based on the feedback of students, the school has been working with a design company called ‘CSG design’ so that we can set out what our social spaces might start to look like, to make them more inclusive and enjoyable for students to use.

CSG have now completed their initial designs. The designs will be on display in school next week, so that all students can see them, and we will take their feedback as to whether they feel the designs match what they were hoping for.

This academic year, our Year 8 students at Highbury Fields School have been taking part in a rewarding work experience programme at Memorial Café and Elizabeth House.

Each week, different groups of students visit on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for a day of work experience. During their visits, students support the staff by setting tables and serving elderly members of the community with tea, coffee, water, cakes and food.

The experience offers students much more than an opportunity to develop practical skills. They also have the chance to spend quality time with the elderly residents by taking part in a range of activities, including exercise sessions, singing, creative drawing and games of bingo.

This has been a wonderful opportunity for our Year 8 students to engage with people in their local community, develop their confidence and communication skills, and demonstrate kindness, compassion and a willingness to support others.

So far, our Year 8 students have been having a fantastic experience. They have thoroughly enjoyed their time at Memorial Café and Elizabeth House and have shown great enthusiasm in giving their time and support to the local community.

Breakfast club at Highbury Fields School is not only a breakfast club, it is also about you enjoying and entertaining yourself by doing activities set by Ms Van Staeyen.  For instance; collecting conkers, acorns (which we put back for the squirrels to eat), pinecones and many more things to do.  We collect these on our way to school, a challenge each week which we get merits for, it is an excellent way to explore nature and reduce negative energy from yourself and others.  So, wake up early and come to breakfast club every morning and taste delicious bagels with jam and butter.

We hope to see you soon, please say hi!

– Maya, Neva and Solyana – Year 7.

Year 7
Liliana – 2nd Place

Year 8
Sarah – 8th Place
Livia – 10th Place

Year 9
Liv – 2nd Place

Year 10
Aya – 2nd Place
Houda – 7th Place
Rosie – 9th Place

Year 11
Ceylin – 2nd Place
Matina – 3rd Place

This week has continued strong with our Year 9 work experience students, where they have participated in professional conduct and administrative duties.

Here is further feedback from the students:

Maryam – enjoyed her time at reception and developed organisational skills.

Daisy – said there is lots of responsibility and work to do.

Jessica – improved her computer skills and created some posters

Minni – enjoyed using canva and was surprised at how much work was involved.

Shiloh-Anne – said it’s very busy at reception and lots of multi-tasking and teamwork

Hanifa – said she learnt that practice makes perfect!

Hanna – said it was kinda fun

We are looking forward to welcoming our new round of Year 9 work experience students next week.

Two of Year 9 students created this exciting and colourful posters for our menu for languages week.

We’re very impressed by Shiloh and Lily-Rose’s creative skills and work. We can’t wait to see what they create next.

This week, our Year 7 students have been learning about the world around them, both the rich traditions that shape communities and the digital spaces where they increasingly spend their time. 

In assembly, students learned about Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, which falls on 8 November this year. They explored the traditions and culture behind the celebration, including its themes of light overcoming darkness and good triumphing over evil. Learning about festivals like Diwali helps students appreciate the diversity of beliefs and customs within our school community and beyond, and builds the respect and curiosity that sit at the heart of our values. 

That sense of respect carried into form time, where students took part in a PSHCE lesson on cyberbullying. They looked at the different forms it can take and discussed how it harms individuals and wider communities. Because online bullying can follow someone beyond the school day, understanding its impact is an important step towards preventing it. 

Students then considered why people bully others online. They learned about online disinhibition, the way people can feel more distanced from the consequences of their actions when they are behind a screen, which can lead them to say or do things they never would face to face. Recognising this helps students think more carefully about their own behaviour and understand how harmful actions can occur. 

Finally, students developed and shared practical strategies for tackling cyberbullying, whether they experience it themselves or see it happening to someone else. The aim was to leave them feeling empowered to protect themselves, support their peers and help create a safer, kinder online environment. 

We would encourage families to continue these conversations at home, and to remind your child that they can always speak to their form tutor or another trusted adult if something online worries them.

– Ms. Vukovic

Free Career Tasters: Interactive Online Workshops

For Students Aged 15-18

InvestIN have announced a new interactive workshop series!

Taking place on various evenings between the 10th and 19th of November, these free online workshops will give students a much clearer picture of day-to-day life in a career that they’re interested in. 

6 careers will be covered and students will hear directly from industry professionals and receive a certificate in recognition of their participation.

PGL was extremely fun. It was way better than I expected and the food was actually really good and there were loads of options and they were careful with all the dietary needs. The activities had a lot of effort put into them and they were sooooo fun. All the staff were really nice and I had a fun time. 
– Bonnie, Year 8

This year, half of Year 8 took part in the PGL residential. It was an incredible experience and a great opportunity to gain confidence and to develop our social skills. As a student who took part in this, I beyond recommend it. From braving the heights of Jacob’s ladder to the competitive fun of shooting each other in archery tag, what more could you want? 
– Wren, Year 8

PGL was such a fun experience that I will never forget. We all got to go on a giant swing, zip-line & climb a Jacob’s ladder as well as trying new sports like archery and fencing. In between all our activities we ate delicious meals together and got a chance to chat to all our friends. As well as this we had a silent disco where everyone showed off their best moves which was one of my favourite parts. However, my number one favourite part of PGL was dorm/night time because I really got to bond with my besties. 
– Livia, Year 8

We really enjoyed the Kings Cross Orienteering trip. We got there at around 10 o’clock and got into our groups. We rushed around King’s Cross in hope of finding all the checkpoints. At every checkpoint there was a teacher waiting, who gave us a stamp in our orienteering booklet. Some checkpoints were easier to find than others! We had to find things like the British library, the phantom piano and the everyman cinema. It was pretty exhausting, but actually really fun. We were able to find all of the checkpoints, even the challenge, which was Housmans bookshop. We met all the other groups at the canal, at 12 for lunch. We had so much fun.

– Alice, Greta, Nada, Tessa

We began the day on a not too busy underground train to Kings Cross St Pancras, where we split off into groups. The starting part was the outdoor cinema, overlooking a beautiful view of Regents Canal. Groups rushed in difference directions excited to reach the checkpoints (and also a few shops on the way) including The Floating Bookshop – a quaint barge, or the famous Platform 9 3/4. Year 9 Thoroughly enjoyed the trip, as seen in the many camera photos take by students, as it gave us lots of freedom, and skills to navigate by ourself.

– Violet and Liv

The orienteering trip was such an amazing experience. It really allowed us to not rely on adults and use our own knowledge to navigate to each checkpoint. Kings Cross was an excellent choice since it’s a pedestrianised area and there was friendly security that were willing to help us. I hope other year groups get to experience a trip like this.
– Million

Workshop aims: 

• Speaking confidently and persuasively 

• Preparing for speaking and listening assessments 

• Providing the tools to structure talks and essays 

• Practicing impromptu speaking 

• Expressing ideas and keeping to the point 

Last week we took part in the ‘Talk about Communication’ Jack Petchey workshop. This workshop was extremely useful as it helped us build up confidence for later in life. It helped us leave the room feeling more confident, not only for looking for future jobs, but in general. It is a fun way to get out of your comfort zone. 
– Violet, Year 8

At our Talk about Communication workshop, everyone had a lot of fun! We learnt a lot about each other by coming up and telling everyone about ourselves! We learnt how to look confident, how to draw people in and how to speak even if we are scared. Everything was taught in a simple and memorable way, such as the 5 S’s and the 3 V’s. Since the workshop, I have been using the taught skills even in simple conversations. Everyone was very entertained and I am 100% sure that everyone will use at least one of the skills we were taught!
– Eliza, Year 8

In Geography, students have been learning about a range of topics from African Biomes in Year 7 to Superpower Geographies in Year 13. Students learn about a wide range of different places and are using analytical skills to interpret graphs, images, maps and articles.  

This week in Year 12 and 13, we have had an exciting residential trip to Southease/ Seaford, in East Sussex. Year 12 and 13 geographers went to Seaford beach to conduct their physical geography fieldwork in preparation for their NEA (coursework). Seaford has a range of hard engineering coastal defences including; a terminal groyne, sea wall and rip rap. The geographers investigated the effectiveness of coastal management strategies along the coastline.  

The trip included a two-day itinerary, and we stayed at the YHA Southdowns in the countryside at Southease. The days were packed with lots of geography fieldwork methods. Students collected data for beach profiles to measure the height and angle of the beach. This allowed students to find out if the terminal groyne was effective in trapping sediment and helping to protect the town of Seaford. They also conducted a range of other methods including environmental quality surveys, questionnaires, sediment size analysis, field sketches and groyne height measurements. Students will now need to present their findings in a variety of ways and begin to analyse their results, as well as draw conclusions and evaluate the fieldwork process.  .

Hello my name is Jean, I’m in Year 7 and I’m a student leader.

I really have been enjoying secondary school. The teachers are kind and very thoughtful, I have made so many new friends and my favourite subject is Perform because you get to explore acting.

Outside of school I do tennis, football and I love to draw. I do football in school and they offer many more clubs. I help others when they feel down.

This year I have been enjoying making friends, learning and meeting new people and I am looking forward to exploring the school more and going to the Sleepover and lots more fun trips.

– Jean, Year 7

I am Zoe Biron and I am your student leader! I love leadership and helping (hence my role) so I am so glad you chose me. I can’t wait for what HFS brings my way over the next few years! Here is a bit more about me. 

My favourite subjects are: 

• English 

• Drama 

• R.P.E 

I haven’t done Drama yet but I’m very much looking forward to it. I enjoy lots of things in life as most times I think the best of it, like with this school. I thought I was going to enjoy it and my expectations have exceeded. This school feels like a true community. Here’s a few extra things I like about school: 

• School lunches 

• Lessons 

• Clubs 

• Carousels 

• Celebrations 

I’m looking forward to food tech very much, I just hope I don’t burn my food. Cooking is not my strong spot. 

With my role as student leader I want everyone to feel heard (which you already are), feel safe, be able to reach your dreams and feel confident 🙂 I hope you all enjoy this year as much as you can. Me and your other student leader will try our best to help you out! 

This year I’m looking forward to so much, like the Disco sleepover, Science Trips, Play in musical theatre and so much more! I’m already enjoying this year so much. 

– Zoe, Year 7

50 Merits
Form Tutor’s Merit
.

Year 7: Almira, Sawdah, Liyana, Giorgia, Alisha, Fartun, Anissa, Oliva, Marwa, Rumaysa, Soliyana, Kayla, Ada, Ayesha, Shuaa, Emma, Alexandra, and Camille.
Year 8: Chloe, Maria, Elsie, Hadjer, Ellora, Abigail, Maia, Maeve, Barlin
Year 9: Mira, Maylee, Annabelle, Anna, Taima, Sarah, Eshaal, Livana

100 Merits
Head of year’s Merit
.

Year 9: Iqlas



.

Year 7
7/Ada Lovelace – Almira
7/Andrea Levy – Elisa
7/Isatou Ceesay – Amalia and Raaido
7/Kelly Holmes – Rimas
7/Malala Yousafzai – Rebecca, Aisha, and Latifa
7/Margot Fonteyn – Radiyah

Year 8
8/Chimamanda Adichie – Erin
8/Frida Kahlo – Qamar
8/Helen Sharman – Temidayo
8/Junko Tabei – Lara and Nyla
8/Rosa Parks – Yumna and Mia
8/Winona LaDuke – Iris

Year 9
9/Jane Goodall – Molly
9/Margaret Atwood – Safiyo
9/Marie Curie – Joycelyn
9/Nawal El-Saadawi – Iqlas
9/Serena Williams – Somaiva

Year 10
10/Barbara Hepworth – Kadra
10/Helen Keller – Aliya
10/Katherine Johnson – Grace
10/Maya Angelou – Jaiyana
10/Olga Korbut – Ibtisaam and Lexi
10/Wangari Maathai – Ava

Year 11
11/Jacqueline Du Pre – Kourtney
11/Kadambina Ganguly – Alya
11/Mae Jemison – Marwa
11/Nicola Adams – Maria
11/Sylvia Earle – Khadiiah

Year 7 – Zara and Freya
Year 8 – Elif and Nyla
Year 9 – Anu
Year 10 – Hana and Nylah
Year 12 – Jasmin
Year 13 – Aaliya, Kiara, Laura, and Alaa

The government has introduced new Enrichment Benchmarks to support schools and colleges to offer a broad range of high-quality activities.

The new funding will help participating schools put these benchmarks into practice, making sure more children can benefit from enrichment opportunities, regardless of their background or where they live.

Choices magazine is dedicated to helping you make important
decisions after turning 16. Although it has been written for Year
11s, it may also be useful for Year 12s in sixth form or college.

Please take a look over some time to look over the magazine with your child.