What an incredible first few weeks in Year 7!
It has been great to welcome students to Toot Hill and to see them all adapt to the multitude of exciting lessons and the huge site. We really hope all students are thoroughly enjoying their secondary school experience so far! After all the worrying about getting lost, some students don't even need to look at their map now.
Students have spent lots of time with their tutor and tutor set over the past few weeks and it has been amazing to see lots of new friendships and support systems blossom. The transition from primary to secondary can be very daunting but we are so happy to see that all Year 7 students are taking this adventure on with enthusiasm, excitement and dedication.
Year 7 have thrown themselves into the new curriculum and as you can see are doing an excellent job. The photos show some exceptional work from geography. The Year 7 team, Miss Marshall and Miss Barker included, spend as much time as possible popping into different lessons to see how students are getting on. We have all been blown away and we cannot wait for more learning and fun next week.
A special mention to all students who took part in the boys’ football trials too, the turnout was fantastic. We look forward to the girl’s trials next week as well as lots of different activities for European Day of Languages. Kickstarting with a European themed bake sale on Monday.
Keep it up Year 7 - you're doing a great job!
Head of Year 7: Miss B Marshall Assistant Head of Year 7: Miss H Barker
Year 8 have had a wonderful start to the new term and have positively embraced all of the changes and new opportunities. Mr Seymour, our Head of Music, is the new tutor for 8.1 and the vast majority of students have met so many new teachers this week and made a great first impression.
From a logistical point of view tutors spent some time in the mornings going through timetables, planners, correct uniform and reiterating our high expectations as well as taking the time to reconnect with students and catch up on the events of the summer break.
You may have noticed on the Toot Hill 2026 Twitter feed that before the summer holidays one of our then, Year 7's won an award for his entry into a Nottinghamshire wide competition organised by The Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation. Kymahni used his own initiative to enter the competition and get involved with a topic that he is passionate about. The school are so proud of him as he has truly demonstrated values that we have promoted.
Thank you to all parents who attended the recent Information Evening and for your continued support. We are very much looking forward to the Year 8 adventure.
Year 8 have had another fantastic week this week. The students are currently top of the attendance tables as a year group which we are really proud of and hoping to maintain for the entirety of the year.
Tutor classes this week have had an assembly from Mr Garner on how to SHAPE their answers when verbally answering a question in class, they have read some more of their class reading book which is a great topic of conversation and we have continued to celebrate achievements on Fab Friday. Speaking of achievements, we have to say a huge congratulations to another competition winner!! Well done to Tsz Ling in 8.12 for winning first place in the Nottinghamshire Library book design competition. The book will go on display at Wollaton Library from Saturday 24th September until October 9th 2022.
Extended Study has started again and it has been brilliant to see so many students enjoying the full range of activities.
Head of Year 8: Mr D Mordue Assistant Head of Year 8: Miss L Jordan
Welcome back Year 9! It has been fantastic to welcome our Year 9 students back to school. Students have made a great start to Year 9 and it has been great seeing the positive start students have made to their lessons. We have launched the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award with students and it is fantastic to see so many students signing up for the opportunity to complete this award. During tutor set students have spent time revisiting our learning routines and understanding key information in the student planner. We have also spent time speaking about ‘wellbeing’ and how we can look after our mental health, including key support websites and contact numbers. On Thursday morning we shared information about the book we will be reading as a year group. The book, ‘The Humans’ by Matt Haig, will be read aloud in tutor set on Thursday mornings.
We have also enjoyed celebrating student achievements each week on ‘Fab Friday’. Each week we recognise students for positive points and attendance. Well done to the following students who have been the top three credit earners each week:
Week 1:
3rd Place -Matthew (9.11) - 40 points
2nd Place - Ryan (9.3) - 42 points
1st Place: Chloe (9.11) - 60 positive points
Week 2:
3rd Place -Matthew (9.11) - 40 points
2nd Place - Ryan (9.3) - 42 points
1st Place: Chloe (9.11) - 60 positive points
We also have an ‘attendance prize draw’ each week for the students who achieved 100% attendance this week. Well done to Mia (9.9), Lexi (9.7), Josh (9.4), Oscar (9.4), Bray (9.2), Isabelle (9.1), Jennifer (9.4), Eli (9.6), Ali (9.2), Marcus (9.8) and Peyton (9.11) who have all been included in the prize draw.
We have received positive feedback from class teachers, regarding the positive start students have made to Year 9. Students have made a good start in lessons and engagement levels have been high. The ‘star of the lesson’ continues to be awarded and students have been achieving this for positive attitude to learning, contributions in lessons and focus during FIT time. Students have made a positive start to their Personal Development lesson, with their tutor. Students have discussed ‘Healthy Relationships’, including strategies for strong relationships at home. We continue to share examples of excellent work on our Year 9 Twitter Account (@TootHill2025).
Finally thank you to parents and carers for your support in ensuring students have made a positive start the school year. It was good to see so many parents and carers at the Year 9 Information Evening. We look forward to working with you again this year and if there is anything we can do to support your child, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s form tutor.
Well done Year 9. A fantastic start back. Keep up the great work.
Head of Year 9: Miss I Sheldon Assistant Head of Year 9: Miss A Lloyd
It has been wonderful to welcome back our (now) Year 10 students. It is hard to believe we are here when it seems like only yesterday we welcomed them to Toot Hill as brand-new Year 7s; how time flies! I have seen numerous Year 10 students embodying our 'be kind' ethos in welcoming our new younger students, answering their questions and directing them to their classrooms. I have also had the pleasure of teaching many of our students over the last two weeks and have been blown away with their maturity and approach to lessons.
Whilst visiting lessons this week, it has been clear to see that Year 10 have responded really well to the start of their GCSE courses. If there are any remaining queries about option subjects, please do not hesitate to let us know. Also, as you know, our timetabling system has had a few glitches over the past couple of weeks and we really appreciate yours (and the students!) patience whilst this has been resolved.
We are really looking forward to celebrating more DofE success with our students in assembly this week, which only serves to add to the celebration of Year 10 getting it right. This is something we have done through our weekly Motivational Monday, and our HOY bulletin, where a lucky winner is chosen every week to celebrate in their hard work and PRIDE point success.
Another excellent addition to our weekly programme in tutor time is the tutor reading - two weeks in, and watching the story unfold in each tutor set has been magical. I cannot wait to see how the story progresses - please be sure to ask about it at home!
Finally, we began our designated RSHE time this week - for the first half term, Year 10 are looking at intimate relationships, and how we can ensure these are healthy and respectful, with a clear focus around the idea of enthusiastic consent. This is being delivered by staff they know well and designed to be relevant and age appropriate with tutors fostering a safe environment in which to look at these topics closely. If you have any further questions about this, please get in touch with us.
Head of Year 10: Mrs L Munro Assistant Head of Year 10: Miss C Thomas
A huge welcome back to Year 11. We have been so pleased with the start that they have made over the first few weeks. From their engagement in the Year 11 induction day and throughout their lessons in class. During the induction day, the students had the opportunity to look at topics including learning to learn, destinations and how to be successful in science. Each student was given a booklet to use on this day, which contained lots of useful information to support them with this, so should be able to share this with you.
Following on from this we were so pleased to see so many of you at the Year 11 Parent Information Evening and hope that it was useful in supporting you and your child at the beginning of Year 11. Enrichment Sessions began on this week and the year group were given their timetable last Friday to allow them to pick the sessions that they will attend.
We have had lots to celebrate with the year group so far and they have continued to show us their hard work and determination to be successful. We have been really pleased to celebrate the success of our credit earners as well as those students who completed the Rushcliffe Leadership Academy last year. These students were awarded their certificates in the Head of Year address last week. We will continue to celebrate the successes of these students and would love for families to share any achievements out of school.
On Monday 26th, Year 11 students will sit assessments in subjects they study for Maths, English, Geography, History, and French/Spanish. Timetables were distributed to students last week.
In addition, Extended Study has started this week, we are expecting high attendance from across Year 11, with students committing to one session per week.
Head of Year 11: Miss L Hughes Year 11 Achievement Leader: Mr R Wickens
Holly in Year 11 is taking part in the Silver DofE Award and for her physical activity has undertaken a sponsored walk along the entire length of the Grantham Canal...from Grantham to Nottingham! She did this with the aim of raising money for the charity Parkinson’s UK, a condition her Grandad suffers from. Holly prepared well by completing 3 months of weekly training walks. This sensible preparation allowed her to confidently complete an impressive 31 miles over 12 hours! As well as completing the physical element of her DofE Award, spending quality time with her family and keeping fit, Holly fundraised £800 for Parkinson’s UK. Well done, Holly!
In other news...
The Year 9 Bronze Award launched this week with Year 12/13 Gold DofE next week. The Year 10 Bronze Graduation involving 60 students has just taken place which means the Year 10 Silver Award will launch shortly before October half term. It is not too late to graduate - all current DofE participants should continue with their activities and upload assessor's reports to eDofE as soon as they are finished.
Dates for Your Diary
- Launch of Y9 Bronze, Y10 Silver and Y12/13 Gold
FAQ's – see www.toothillschool.co.uk/dofe
Mr Tinsley
mtinsley@toothillschool.co.uk
Toot Hill School
Train to teach with the Nottinghamshire Torch SCITT