When I think back to the transition days and the many primary school visits last July, it is hard to believe that we have now completed the first year of the Toot Hill journey. Students have been enthusiastic about all opportunities from fantastic sporting events, to We Will Rock You, STEM trips to the space centre, inspirational talks from alumni to name a few. Lessons have been exciting and varied with a multitude of discussion, experiments and FIT time. All while supporting each other, making new friends and embodying what it is to Work Hard and Be Kind. I am very proud when I think about this year and the many achievements that have been made. I have no doubt that this will continue in September but first we would like to wish Year 7 the best summer holidays. Make sure you stay safe and have a lovely time with family and friends.
It has been Enrichment Week this week so students have taken part in many different activities. As you can see below, Sports Day was a little wetter than expected, but before the storm we had a great time. Students cheered for theirs friends, took part in the different races and many enjoyed the various athletics too. Year 7 took great joy in laughing at how drenched I was so I'm hoping this took away from their disappointment when we had to admit defeat and leave the field. Luckily, we had inter-tutor set on Thursday which students thoroughly enjoyed too. On top of this there was a STEM trip to the space centre in Leicester, you can see below that it was a huge success.
Finally, I would like to take this time to say a huge thank you to all parents and carers for your support throughout this year. It has been a pleasure to be Head of Year 7 and work alongside Miss Gale, Miss Barker and the wider year team.
Happy summer holidays!
Head of Year 7: Miss B Marshall
Assistant Head of Year 7: Miss O Gale
What a year!! If we focus on the last week of term though it has been another huge success. The trip to Walesby was amazing. All students that attended represented Toot Hill fantastically well. The activities were challenging and physically demanding however all students used their communication skills, problem solving ability and positive attitude to attempt everything from the tallest climbing wall to falling in a lake. We won't mention the lack of sleep! The students in school took part in lessons themed around the title 'Dare to Know'. Teachers designed and delivered lessons outside of the normal curriculum to inspire and challenge students with activities such as Science experiments and game design.
The second attempt at Sports Day started well then ended with a downpour! All Year 8s behaved extremely well and the events were well subscribed. The Inter Tutor Set Sports Day on Thursday was a huge success. We had over 100 students on the astro with Mr Mordue participating in a football tournament that had a great atmosphere with rounders and netball also running a highly successful tournament. None of this would be possible without the amazing guidance of tutors and the help of staff in running the whole day.
We have a couple of tutors leaving us and we wouldd like to wish Mr Frater and Mr Allen the very best in their new adventures. We also would like to thank Miss Jordan for being an amazing Assistant Head of Year and wish her well as the new Head of Year 7.
Head of Year 8: Mr D Mordue
Assistant Head of Year 8: Miss L Jordan
Well done Year 9 for achieving positive points this week. Over this half term, the year group have achieved 21,517 positive points, fantastic work Year 9! It has been a positive end to the half term. In lessons students have completed ‘Dare to’ challenges. This has involved a new challenge in each subject and it has been fantastic to see students engaging in new challenges, well done! Students have also enjoyed Sports Day and Inter Tutor Set Sport. Students worked well together and supported each other on both days, well done to all students involved.
The week we have also shared key information about staying safe over the summer. This has included information about the dangers of entering open water as the weather gets warmer and also how to keep safe when out in the community, including road safety and keeping safe in hot weather. Students have also spent time discussing their summer plans.
This week has been focused on celebrating the achievements of the year group this half term and also recognising hard work throughout the academic year. We had lots of awards to present and this is credit to the hard work of the year group. A special mention to the following students for their achievements this half term:
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank parents and carers for your continued support. We wish Year 9 students and their families a safe and enjoyable summer break. We look forward to welcoming students back into Year 10 on Monday 4th September.
Thanks Year 9 for a great year, have a good summer!
Head of Year 9: Miss I Sheldon
Assistant Head of Year 9: Miss A Lloyd
We had a wonderful end to the week last week with our last Year 10 Achievement Assembly celebrating our students' attitude to learning, attendance and engagement with extra-curricular activities. Each tutor nominated a student that they felt expressed our ethos of 'Work Hard, Be Kind, Take Pride' on a daily basis. The following students were recognised by Miss Burman, Miss Thomas and Mrs Munro for their fantastic efforts this year; Matthew D, Eva M-M and Matilda N - we hope they enjoy spending their Amazon vouchers!
We have been receiving brilliant feedback from both students and their work placements this week; their punctuality, polite nature and professionalism has been commented on by so many providers. Going into the work place can be very daunting but I have been so impressed at their willingness to put themselves outside of their comfort zone and thrown themselves into this opportunity. We look forward to hearing about their experiences in September.
Finally, all of the Year 10 team wish you and your families a fabulous, restful and safe summer. We look forward to seeing our students refreshed and ready to start their final year of secondary school!
Head of Year 10: Mrs L Munro
Assistant Head of Year 10: Miss C Thomas
Year 10 Achievement Coordinator: Miss A Burman
News - DofE Graduations
It's the last week of term and a fitting opportunity to recognise the achievement of all the Year 9 Bronze DofE Award students who have successfully completed all aspects of their Award. These students were presented with their certificate and badge during the achievement assembly on Friday. Lots of Year 10 students have also finished their Silver DofE Award and will have their certificates and badges presented in September. Well done everyone!
If your child has not yet finished, don't worry...it's not too late! Please encourage them to use the summer break to ask the people who are assessing their skill, physical and volunteering activities to write a DofE assessor's report using www.dofe.org/assessor/. They'll then graduate in September. Any current Year 9 Bronze participants who wish to start Silver in Year 10 must make an extra effort to finish asap so as to ensure their enrolment to Silver in September is not delayed.
I am handing over DofE in September so I would like to take this opportunity to thank all students and parents for their support over the years. To see so many students graduate with their Award has been extremely motivating and rewarding and I'd like to say well done to everyone who has worked so hard to achieve their goals.
Useful DofE Links
Click on the relevant link for Skill, Physical & Volunteering ideas, a DofE Activity Log or a DofE Assessor Report.
Upcoming Dates for Your Diary
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