As I write this, members of our Student Council are on their way to visit the Houses of Parliament.  I am sure they will have had an amazing day.  Part of what is wonderful about our school is the opportunities that students have to get involved.  This week, I have watched sports leaders support the primary hockey event, which was wonderfully organised.  GCSE Geography students have undertaken a field trip in Sheffield. Our climbing club came second in a bouldering competition at the Climbing Works in Sheffield. Year 10 learnt about apprenticeships and T Levels this week.  These activities are crucial in young people developing a sense of responsibility.

Next week sees the slow start of the GCSE exam season with our Year 11 drama group completing their final performance. The following week, individuals from the music department will be showcasing their work at our GCSE solos evening.  This is all part of us raising the expectations of our young people and showing them that a desire to succeed is an excellent skill to have.

What’s going on in school:

• 19 students representing our Student Council were honoured with an invitation for a tour of UK parliament today. They visited the chamber of the House of Commons and listened to the MPs’ debate. They toured the historic Palace of Westminster and heard the famous chimes of Big Ben. The trip to London was a memorable experience for all and we are really proud of our democratic representatives from HVC student council.

• Our assemblies this week have focused on mental health education and were led by Mr Jenkinson, our Senior Mental Health Lead in school.

• During Key Stage 3 assemblies, students who have gained over 125 positive points were rewarded for their efforts with achievement badges. Mr Beeden presented the badges to students. Well done to all who achieved this amazing target. Students in Key Stage 2 will receive their badges in assemblies next week. 

GCSE Solos Night & Disney Choir Performance – Tuesday 25 March

GCSE music students will be performing solo pieces, followed by a performance from our Disney Choir, before they head to France the following week. Tickets are prices at £2 per person and are available to parents and carers of students taking part via ParentPay. Doors open at 5.30pm, and the show starts at 6pm. Refreshments will be available to purchase from our PTFA.

Hutchison Catering to provide school meals from Easter 2025

We are delighted to announce that, following an in-depth tendering process, we have appointed Hutchison Catering to provide our school catering services.  The service will start after the Easter holidays.  Tasting sessions run as part of the tendering process received the thumbs-up from students and staff alike, so we’re looking forward to welcoming the new menus next term.

Hutchisons will be present at a school event after Easter to showcase the range of delicious food that will be on offer to our students, and to give parents the chance to taste it for themselves.  In the meantime, a newsletter from Hutchisons is attached to introduce themselves.

Good food at a good price

Hutchisons pride themselves on providing delicious food using high quality ingredients, for a good price.  The price of our school meal-deal will remain the same when Hutchison’s start to provide our school meals after Easter.

Job Vacancy

Our colleagues at Hutchison’s catering are looking for a catering assistant for Bradwell Junior School. 

Dates for Your Diary

Wednesday 19 March – CRY screening for Y11 and Y10

Tuesday 25 March – GCSE Solos Night

Monday 31 March – Thursday 3 April – Music Trip to Paris

Friday 4 April – World Book Day costume day, Break for Easter

Tuesday 22 April - Back to school 

Saturday 26 April – HVAFF

Monday 5 May – Bank Holiday – school closed

Wednesday 7 May – Hope Valley Pathways Open Evening

Thursday 8 May – Y8 Subject Evening

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