Summer 2025

18 July – NEWSLETTER

EDITION 34

Head’s Welcome

Dear Parents and Carers,

We have officially come to the end of the 2024/25 academic year. This week’s newsletter is full to the brim of celebrations and events designed to reward students for their hard work throughout the year. This includes the Rewards Day trips to Kew Gardens, Greenwich and King’s College London.

A personal highlight for me this week has been Sports Day. I always enjoy seeing how this event brings the entire school together, with staff and students collaborating and simply having fun at the end of a long summer term.

Please enjoy this final newsletter of the year. I look forward to welcoming back students to school, including our new Year 7 and Year 12 cohorts, on Wednesday 3 September.

Until then, I wish you and your families a restful and enjoyable summer.

Tim Fox
Headteacher

Sports Day Results

On Tuesday, the entire school came together for one of the most anticipated events of the Highbury Fields calendar: Sports Day.

Check out the photo gallery on the school website to see the highlights:

Gallery of photos

Year 7
1st Place 7/Keys
2nd Place 7/Goodhall
3rd Place 7/El-Sadaawi

Year 8
1st Place 8/Johnson
2nd Place 8/Hepworth
2rd Place 8/Keller

Year 9
1st Place 9/Jemison
2nd Place 9/Earle & 9/Du Pre
3rd Place 9/Carter

Year 10
1st Place 10/Levy
2nd Place 10/Fonteyn
3rd Place 10/ Yousafzai

A big thank you to Sports Leaders, in particular Anastasiia, Shakti, Ava, Talya, Belle, Mia, and Amelie for assisting in announcements, races and field events throughout the day.

Also thank you to all staff and sixth formers for running the events and bringing some brilliant energy to the day!

SIXTH FORM SUCCESS

Noor’s Imperial College Experience

As part of Year 12 work experience programme, Noor undertook work experience in the Physics Department at Imperial College London. We asked her to she shared her experience of one of the best universities in London:

“I took part in many lectures on various topics by professors as well as lab tours of the Physics Department, where they carry out research on ongoing theories. There was also an opportunity to talk to the researchers and PhD students about their work as well as participate in lab experiments. The week ended with presenting our research that we worked on in groups throughout the week on a specific topic – my group focused on dark energy and the expansion of the universe.”

Behind-the-Scenes at the Museum of London Docklands

We’re excited to share that Jihan in Year 13 has been selected for the prestigious Museum of London Bursary Programme, an eight-week work experience opportunity aimed at giving young people insight into careers in museums and heritage. She could also be awarded £1000 towards her university studies.

Jihan recently attended the programme’s launch day at the Museum of London Docklands, where she joined a small group of eight participants. The day began with an overview of the programme, followed by a chance to present a personal object that reflects London’s story. Jihan chose the Oyster card, a modern symbol of the city’s identity and movement.

Throughout the day, the group met with museum professionals including archivists, conservationists, and curators, and were given a rare behind-the-scenes tour of the museum’s underground storage spaces. One of the most hands-on moments involved packaging historical artefacts and writing their descriptions, giving students a real taste of museum work.

They also explored the new Thames Mudlarking exhibition before being challenged to create their own mini displays around the theme of Food. Jihan’s creative display, cleverly titled “Walking through Thyme”, was a highlight.

Reflecting on the experience, Jihan said: “It was nice — I liked the people there and the museum staff were really friendly as well.”

Congratulations to Jihan on this fantastic opportunity. We look forward to hearing more about her experience as the programme continues!

Trips and Enrichment Activities

Rewards Day Trips

To mark the end of another brilliant year here at Highbury Fields, all students were treated to ‘Rewards Day’ – a day of different trips and enrichment activities for each year group to celebrate students’ hard work. After Year 12’s Rewards trip to Paris last Thursday, Year 7 to 10 had their Rewards treats on Friday.

Year 7 visits Kew Gardens

Year 7 enjoyed a fantastic educational trip to Kew Gardens, exploring the incredible diversity of plant life from around the world. Learn about what students got up to from Matilda’s summary below:

‘On Friday 11 July, all of Year 7 enjoyed a very pleasant (although lacking some liveliness due to the outrageous British heat) school trip to Kew Gardens. It was a lovely treat to spend the day exploring the origins of many fascinating plants, visiting all the conservatories and even taking a walk across the exceedingly high treetop walkway, as a lot of us managed to conquer our fears and face the vertiginous path in the sky. Overall, it was very enjoyable and gave us all the opportunity to have some fun with our friends while seeing the crazy wonders of our natural world.’

– Matilda, Year 7

Year 8’s day out in Greenwich

To celebrate their hard work and positive attitude throughout the year, Year 8 enjoyed a fantastic Rewards Day trip to Greenwich and the historic Cutty Sark. Yasmin in Year 8 shared her experience:

‘We kickstarted our day with a historic walk through a tunnel stretching from Island Gardens to Greenwich. It was beneath the River Thames and was a walk everyone would be sure to remember, I’m sure. We walked up a small path to see a breath-taking view of London and saw our city in a new light – or should I say, from new heights!

‘We then went into the National Maritime museum and learnt about famous astronomers. It was followed by lunch where we sat with our form and were really able to connect with our friends and have fun! We went into an exhibition of astronomy photographs that consisted of the galaxy and the sun. They were truly fascinating!

‘We finished by looking out to the River Thames and went back through the tunnel. All in all, it was a day spent with friends and history to celebrate the end of our journey in Year 8. Goodbye everyone and see you in Year 9!’

– Yasmin, Year 8

Year 9 Enterprise Day

On Friday 11th July, our Year 9 students took part in an exciting and inspiring Enterprise Day, held at our Sixth Form Centre. Demonstrating real maturity and independence, students made their way to Aberdeen Park dressed in smart business attire that reflected their ambition, confidence and sense of responsibility.

The day challenged students to work in teams to develop and pitch a brand-new business idea, drawing on their creativity, problem-solving skills and entrepreneurial flair. From escape room challenges to laser quest trips and a day at Southend, the pitches really impressed us!
Students took on a range of roles – including project managers, marketing leads, finance officers and presentation specialists – as they worked collaboratively to prepare for their final pitch to a panel of professional judges. The judges were blown away by the level of professionalism, innovation and teamwork on display.

It was a joy to see students stepping out of their comfort zones and rising to the challenge with such enthusiasm.

A huge thank you to all staff who supported the day and to our guest judges who brought valuable insight and encouragement. Most of all, congratulations to our fantastic Year 9 students – you did us proud!

Year 10 Visits King’s College London

For the Year 10 Rewards Day trip, students had an inspiring visit to UCL, Imperial College London, and the University of Greenwich. They explored the university campus and learned about higher education opportunities, and even saw a real university lecture hall.

The trip helped raise aspirations and gave students a valuable insight into life at some of London’s top universities.

Other news from around the school

Uniform order deadline: Prepare for back to school early

To ensure your child is ready for the new academic year, please remember to order any new school uniform by 1st August. Ordering early helps avoid delays and guarantees everything arrives in time for September. Visit our uniform supplier’s website and find out more below:

Find out more

Order uniform here

Support for Parents/Carers

Summer Camp: Arts & Crafts

10am-2pm Monday-Thursday | 28th July – 28th August

SOUL (Social Organisation for Unity & Leisure), in partnership with Islington Council, is offering free Summer Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programmes for children aged 5–16, including those eligible for free school meals.

The programme includes fun games, physical sports, and creative workshops, and is run across three Islington venues:

Vibast Community Centre (167 Old St, EC1V 9NH)
Jean Stokes Community Centre (Coatbridge House, Carnoustie Dr, N1 0DX)
Birchmore Hall, Highbury Quadrent, N5 2UA).

Summerversity

Summerversity gives young people who live or go to school or college in Islington the chance to learn new skills, develop interests and talents, make new contacts and most of all have fun.

This is a great opportunity for students to develop their skills and passions over the summer, with exciting brands including Access to Sports, National Youth Theatre, Better, London Screen Academy, Freightliners Farm, Islington Boat Club, and more!

From swimming and snorkelling to cooking and music production, there is something for everyone.

Find out more about Summerversity

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ HFS REWARDS ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Recognising student achievements

On Wednesday, our Sixth Form Centre opened its doors to over 40 students from Year 7 to 10 for a special ‘movie night’ afternoon. This treat was in recognition of students who have demonstrated excellent commitment to learning this year with either 100% attendance and/or no detentions.

There’s nothing quite like a Hollywood blockbuster and a bowl of popcorn to celebrate, and the students agree:

“The idea of being rewarded with a movie and gifts was really nice and I felt appreciated for coming into school and for all my hard work.”

– Ayo, Year 10

“It was a memorable experience which we really enjoyed…and definitely worth not getting any detentions!”

– Greta, Emily and Basma, Year 7