Extra-Curricular

Holmfirth High offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities. We firmly believe that students benefit greatly from being involved in activities beyond the curriculum and that this helps to develop character, promote cohesion and encourages students to consider themselves as part of the community.

We have a program of extra-curricular activities that caters for a variety of interests, in sport, the arts and a range of clubs and societies. Our aim is for pupils to get involved as much as they can with these opportunities.

One of the most popular extra-curricular activities is the Duke of Edinburgh’s award. Pupils take part in the bronze award at year 10.

There are a number of Expeditions that leave the school every 2 years, pupils take part in treks, horse riding, Canoeing, scuba diving, mountain walking and local projects. These are to various countries, the most recent are to Malawi, Japan and China.

Every year the school runs a ski trip for skiers and snowboarders to various different exciting locations.

There are a number of seasonal sporting clubs available to pupils. In the summer there is Athletics, Cricket and Rounders. Then in the winter pupils can take part in Football, Rugby, Netball, Basketball and Cross Country.

Holmfirth High has a wide range of clubs with everything from EcoClub to Retro Gaining Club and many things in between.

Every year in the summer there is an Activities Week with a range of activities, ranging from cycling in France to surfing in Cornwall, work experience, Year 9 camp and paintballing to name a few.

As a school we are very keen that every child takes part in at least one extra-curricular activity. School should be about more than just lessons and by taking part young people will discover and develop new skills and friendship which will help to enrich their lives.

Activities Week

Competitions

In additional to the extra-curricular clubs offered we also enter a wide range of competitions both on a regional and national level.

Below is a list of the current competitions we enter:

• Swimming- English schools Competition (boys and girls- Year 7-11)
• Cricket- Huddersfield school and Yorkshire schools (Indoor and outdoor- Boys and girls)
• Football- Huddersfield league (Boys and Girls league and Cup)
• Girls football- West Riding County Cup- U12 and U14 girls
• Basketball- Huddersfield Schools league (Boys and girls Year 7-11)
• Tennis- LTA- Team tennis (Nationals) U13 and U15 boys and girls.
• Sport shall athletics
• Kirklees district and West Yorkshire finals
• Kirklees School Cup (Year 7-10)
• Kirklees Cross country (Year 7-11)
• West Yorkshire X-Country.
• Golf- West Yorkshire Schools
• Skiing- (British institute schools skiing) (Year 8-10 both boys and girls)
• Netball- Huddersfield League (Year 7-11- Girls)
• Hockey- Huddersfield League (Year 7-11- Girls)
• Rugby- Yorkshire Champion Cup and Huddersfield league
• Rounders- Kirklees Summer league (Year 7-10- girls)
• Trampolining- Northern zone schools’ competition. (Year 7-10 boys and girls)

Duke of Edinburgh Award

Bronze Award – Y10 pupils, participating in volunteering, physical and skill components of the course as well as participating in a 2 day 1 night hike throughout the local peaks and hills. Gaining skills in teamwork, communication, map reading and pacing aswell as camping and cooking.

Fixtures And Clubs

There are several sports clubs available for pupils to participate in. In the winter months through to Spring- Hockey, Netball, fitness, Dance, Gymnastics, Football, Rugby and Basketball take place. From Spring to Summer- Athletics, Cricket, Rounders, Trampolining and fitness take place.

Badminton club runs all year round and is a very popular club which is run on a Friday after school.

In addition to the extra-curricular clubs offered we also enter a wide range of competitions both on a regional and national level. Below is a list of the current competitions we enter.

Rugby Academy

Holmfirth High School Rugby Academy – Sessions ran by Bob Hood and Dave Francis (Y7/8 and Y9-Y11). Academy based sessions which replicate standards, expectations and quality of coaching from professional academies with links to Yorkshire RFU amongst many other professional academies.

Netball Academy

The new netball programme aims to drive excellence within the sport. The academy will run in association with Elite netball academy and Huddersfield Giants Junior Netball club, and will feature high quality experienced coaches and players who will be on hand to inspire and guide young players through the netball development pathways.

Representing players from age 11-16, the netball academy will ensure that Holmfirth High School is the sporting force to be reckoned with in Kirklees.

School Productions

Holmfirth High’s reputation for the high standard of its productions is well known.  Always staged over a number of nights, to accommodate the demand for tickets, the choice of musicals is always varied and draws on the strengths of the ever-changing cohort of students.  Many alumni look back on their performances as the highlight of their schooling, taking part in productions which bring together a large number of students both on stage and in a technical capacity, and providing them with new skills and experiences.

The process begins with auditions at the end of the summer term when the cast is selected and a read through conducted in readiness for the next academic year. In September we then welcome our new Year 7 students to join our General Cast and recruit many more students to support the design and technical elements of performance.

Rehearsals run weekly up until our show week in February which includes a matinee to our primary feeder schools and evening performances.

The school production is a significant event in the school calendar, and is always a memorable part of the year for those involved. Our dedicated school production team work closely together to ensure we maintain our high standards to present a professional production for all to enjoy.

Want to get involved?

For students… listen for notices and announcements in the summer term if you would like to get involved in the next production in any way at all. Alternatively, you can express your interest to Mrs Brear in September.

Shows and Festivals

Every year the PE department run their very own Gym and Dance show. This is extremely popular and regularly has over 80 performers in the show. It gives all pupils the opportunity to show case their hard work in lessons and extra-curricular activities to parents and carers.

We attend two annual festivals to showcase our fantastic gymnasts and dancers, these are presented at the PSP Gymnastics festival and the Strictly Pennine Show.

There is are also annual theatre visits to support our GCSE dancers and promote the appreciation of a live performance for our key stage 3 pupils.

Sports Tour

We arrange a Sports Tour every two years, pupils who regularly attend extra-curricular activities and clubs are invited to attend. The Sports we have taken in the last years have included, Football, Hockey and Dance.

Workshops and courses on offer include-

As well as an extensive fixture and club list the Department also ensure that pupils can take part in shows, attend workshops to enhance and develop their skills and have the possibility to undertake a Level 2 qualification in the JSLA Community Leadership award.

These include:

• Dance Workshops by Northern School of Contemporary Dance. (Open to both boys and girls).

• Strictly Pennine- Dance and Gymnastics (Year 7-11- boys and girls)

• HHS PE Gymnastics and Dance show- (Year 7-11-boys and girls)

• Bike ability training- (Year 7- boys and Girls)

• JSLA community leadership level 2 award- Offered to all Year 9 pupils’ boys and girls as an additional qualification run as an extra-curricular club after school.

As well as offering a wide range of extra-curricular activities the school also has two Academies set up, for Rugby and Netball.