9 October – NEWSLETTER

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we move further into the autumn term, it has been a pleasure to see our school community thriving both in and beyond the classroom. This week’s newsletter showcases so much of our academic and social success. 

Sixth Form: 

In the Sixth Form, we are delighted with how well our new Year 12 students have settled into life at Highbury Fields. All students, joining us from a wide range of schools have embraced our community and thrown themselves into all aspects of the studied, pastoral and enrichment and careers curriculum.  

We are also proud to announce the results of this year’s student leadership elections. Congratulations to our new Head Girl, India, and to our two Deputy Head Students, Rano and Iman. We look forward to seeing them lead and represent the voices of our student community. 

This term also marks an exciting period for our aspiring Oxbridge applicants. Alongside our ongoing partnerships with Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, students are engaging in interview preparation sessions and enrichment activities that encourage them to explore complex philosophical and academic debates. These experiences help develop the intellectual curiosity, confidence, and critical thinking essential for success at highly competitive universities. 

Community values in action: 

This week sees the launch of our Year 12 Reading Coaching Programme which gives support to Year 7 readers and showcases the positive relationships that exist across the school. 

I would like to recognise our Year 8 students who have been participating in community work experience at local older persons’ lunch clubs. The Memory Cafe commented: “We have loved having the girls with us and our guests are very appreciative.” Similarly at the Blue House Club: ” The group was great, so lovely and the residents loved having them here.” A big thank you to all students for their enthusiasm, kindness, and willingness to contribute to their local community. 

It has been fantastic to see so many students from Year 9 upwards putting themselves forward as candidates for the Islington Youth Council, we look forward to the elections coming soon!  

Enrichment and careers: 

Our programme of trips continues to provide rich learning experiences and helps to bring aspects of the curriculum to life. Year 7 students are looking forward to exploring the world of Dickens House and preparations for the Geography Residential are well underway. We have also seen outstanding participation in our range of after-school clubs and there will be even more opportunities planned for the spring term. 

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. We look forward to sharing more successes and achievements with you throughout the term. 

Laura Tobia 
Director of Sixth Form – Associate Deputy Head 

The children’s commissioner’s Big Future survey is asking children and young people about their lives, their experiences and their hopes for the future. The Children’s Commissioner will be using what they tell her to build a national picture of what matters to children today and to ensure their views are heard by Government

The survey takes just a few minutes to complete and can be accessed here:

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 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:

Raya and Helin – designed the Rewards noticeboard in the atrium. Helin said that she developed communication, leadership and teamwork skills during her work experience morning.

Evie – learnt how to use Canva to design posters and realised that time management and confidence is needed to be at reception.

Natalia – enjoyed speaking to teachers that were on duty and liaising with older students throughout the morning.

Ajanta – found her work experience fun.

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

This week, Year 8 students have been looking beyond the classroom and thinking carefully about the relationships within their own lives.

The week began with form time, delivered through PSHCE sessions, where students considered what it takes to keep relationships healthy and strong. Through videos, polls and group discussions, they identified the key elements of a healthy relationship and reflected honestly on their own friendships and relationships. They then looked at practical ways to keep those relationships positive, with the aim of evaluating their own relationships and understanding what it takes to maintain healthy ones. By the end of the session, students could identify the elements of healthy relationships, reflect on and evaluate their own, and determine ways to maintain them, each leaving with personal actions to put into practice. 

The week then finished with a special assembly led by the languages department to mark European Day of Languages. Students explored why we should all study a foreign language, hearing how learning another language opens doors to new cultures, builds confidence and communication skills, and creates opportunities for future study and careers.

It was a fitting end to a week focused on connection, a reminder that every language we learn helps us understand the people around us a little better. 

At home, you might ask your child which element of a healthy relationship they think matters most, or what action they chose to take away from the session. You could even ask whether they can say hello in another language. 

Well done, Year 8, on a thoughtful and engaged week!

– Ms. Vukovic

I am Leila and I am student leader, specifically covering important topics such as women and displaced voices. One thing I enjoy about our school is the extracurricular opportunities provided for us to socialise with each other but also face new experiences we haven’t before. Outside of school I enjoy broadening my skills and do new creative hobbies such as art but also socialising with friends and doing sports. I aspire to contribute meaningfully to the HFS community by offering mentorships to younger students but also stay vocalised about important subject that affect our society and hopefully to teach and inspire others around me as well, whether it’s through assemblies, school initiatives or simply within my environment. My goal is to ensure every student feels valued and connected.

A highlight of the year so far has been our year collectively working together through our GCSE preparations but also how when we meet outside of school for school trips such as our Spanish rip to Flamenco show, everyone brings life, excitement and an atmosphere that briefing life. I am looking forward to making more positive impacts as student leader and reaching a point of celebration when we finish our Year 11 journey and celebrate all our achievements.

– Leila, Year 11

50 Merits
Form Tutor’s Merit
.

Year 7: Amaya, Aurelia, Belle, and Ceyda.
Year 8: Bella, Olivia, Celine, Ed-Lynee, Eshaal, Maria, Amira, Juwariah, Kayla, Kseniia, Ayla, Nyla, Qamar, Sarah, Alice, Alvira, Makeda, Bonnie, and Eliza
Year 9: Violet

100 Merits
Head of year’s Merit
.

Year 8: Celine



.

Year 7
7/Ada Lovelace – Sarah
7/Andrea Levy – Elisa
7/Isatou Ceesay – Amalia
7/Kelly Holmes – Madiha
7/Malala Yousafzai – Chloe, Aisha, Latifa and Alyzah
7/Margot Fonteyn – Annabel

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

Year 9
9/Alicia Keys – Greta
9/Jane Goodall – Shannon
9/Margaret Atwood – Angelina
9/Marie Curie – Taima
9/El-Saadawi – Khadijah

Year 10
10/Barbara Hepworth – Asma
10/Helen Keller – Alice
10/Katherine Johnson – Ruwayda
10/Maya Angelou – Rana, Aya, and Roxanne
10/Wangari Maathai – Sophia and Aalaa

Year 11
11/Angela Carter – Tamar
11/Jacqueline Du Pre – Nora
11/Kadambina Ganguly – Ceylin
11/Mae Jemison – Ela
11/Nicola Adams – Gizem
11/Sylvia Earle – Agnese

Year 7 – Selin
Year 8 – Livia, Emmylou, Charley, Frida, and Violet
Year 9 – Leen
Year 10 – Zoe, Alice, and Hana
Year 11 – Zahia
Year 12 – Amina
Year 13 – Laura

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.