Newsletter, 1st March 2024

Good afternoon,

I hope that you and your family are well. It has been a little while since we updated you on the many exciting things happening here at Westfield and therefore this week’s newsletter is a bumper edition, with news of careers learning, sporting success and parental feedback.

Police presentation for Y7

On Thursday 7^th March, we look forward to welcoming South Yorkshire Police into school to work with our Y7 students on a variety of key issues including CCE and online safety, and to support them in making positive choices in the community and in society. Establishing links between the school and the wider community and society is an invaluable part of our Personal Development, and we are all looking forward to strengthening these links on Thursday.

Year 10 Parents’ Evening

Thank you to the many students and parents’ carers who attended our recent parents’ evening. The focus of the evening was on feedback from student mock exams that took place earlier this year. Our teachers reported that the conversations with families were very purposeful. We look forward to receiving feedback from the survey that we shared following the evening.

Year 11 Mock Exams

Our Year 11 students are approaching the end of their second and final mock exam period of this academic year. Our students have worked incredibly hard and have conducted themselves fantastically well. We remain confident that with continued hard work this Year 11 group will deservedly achieve the best outcomes our school has seen. Keep it up, Year 11!

Year 10 Football Success

Well done to our Year 10 girls football team who have progressed into the quarter-finals of the Sheffield Cup. Ms Fletcher was so proud of the efforts of the players, and has every confidence that with the same attitude they can progress further in the competition.

School Choir & Singing Lessons

We are still recruiting new members of our School Choir. The Choir rehearse every Monday after school in Room 236. Everyone is welcome!

In addition, all students can take part in singing lessons in school. Interested students should speak to Mr Hydes.

Year 11 PE Trip

Good luck to our group of Year 11 PE students who are on a residential climbing trip this weekend. The trip will form part of the GCSE assessment, and each year students who go on the trip have a great time and learn new skills. Enjoy, Year 11!

University of Cambridge workshops

The University of Cambridge is coming in to deliver some aspirational workshops with 25 – 30 of our Y9 and Y10 students on 19^th March, with the possibility of a group of students visiting the city and university next academic year to have a taste of university life. Students selected through teachers and Key Stage Leaders will hear more in due course, and we look forward to seeing how positive this is for them in the coming weeks.

University of Cambridge – selection through History, RE, English, Languages 

Alongside the general workshops, our Y10 students have started applying for some subject-specific competitions in school with links to the University of Cambridge. We’ll soon be in touch and will be looking forward to organising time for our students to engage with these opportunities and use their knowledge in a variety of ways.

 Midwifery and nursing

On 23^rd April we have an online session with a external careers provider offering an insight into careers linked to nursing and midwifery. Y10 students have been given the initial opportunity to apply for places, but we’d like to invite students in Y10 and Y11 with a specific interest in these careers to take advantage of this opportunity. If interested, students need to contact Mrs Ray in the careers office by e-mail or through their tutors.

Tesla visit and workshops

The local Tesla showroom have also been in touch to offer some workshops and potentially a visit to their local offices to look at the company’s business model and practices and the importance of sustainability in the Tesla brand. Students wishing to be involved need to apply through tutors to Mr Davies, and we hope to have more information in due course once we have identified a full group to be involved. 

Careers appointments for work experience and early appointments for college and post 16 applications (Y10 and Y11).

Mrs Ray and Mr Rastall are available for support with work experience and post 16 applications by appointment. If students require additional support with their next steps, they can speak to their tutors or Key Stage Leaders about organising an appointment to receive support with this.

With many thanks for your excellent ongoing support.

Joe Birkbeck

Head of Westfield School