This week during tutor time, 7.4 won the highest attendance as part of the attendance cup and received extra credits from their tutor. We only have 3 weeks left and the overall race between tutor sets is really close. Dr Eardley led an assembly on Teams reiterating uniform standards whilst Mr Mordue also led an assembly on Year 7 students being the best version of themselves for the remaining school days and leaving a great impression before moving into Year 8.
Back in April were given the opportunity to enter an anti-racism competition linked to Stephen Lawrence. Out of all the entries across the county Kymahni's entry won first prize and the Citizens in Policing department came into school on Tuesday to present him with his award. We are so proud of Kymahni's achievement and we were delighted to celebrate with him.
Support link: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/sex-relationships/healthy-relationships/
Visit the NSPCC for support with talking about difficult topics: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/talking-about-difficult-topics/
Head of Year 7: Mr D Mordue Assistant Head of Year 7: Miss L Jordan
Well done Year 8. We are over half way through the half term and students are continuing to work hard in lessons. This week as a year group we have achieved 2658 Positive Points. As well as achieving credits for ‘purpose’ and ‘responsibility’, it is pleasing to see students being awarded credits for ‘empathy’ and the kindness they show to peers and staff on a daily basis. This week, in Drama, many students have completed an assessment where they have performed a short piece of drama which they have been working on this half term. It has been fantastic to see how confident students have been when performing and the range of emotions they have been able to portray in their work. In Science this week some groups have continued to study food chains and food webs. Students have been tested on their knowledge during the ‘first 5’ where they have been able to recall key information from previous lessons. Some of our Year 8 students also enjoyed a trip to Waterstones this week which was for the Reading Relay Winners. Well done to the students who were selected for this.
We have continued to visit our local primary schools this week, where Year 8 students have delivered languages sessions. This week students have delivered lesson on opinions of school, sport, school subjects, animals and colours. We continue to be impressed with the confidence students are showing when teaching their lessons. Well done.
This week during our Personal Development Curriculum we have spent time discussing what is a ‘calm environment’ and how students can make a room a ‘calm’ space. We have also spent time reading during tutor set, with some tutor sets completing independent reading, with others reading an article as a group. On Tuesday morning we focused on attendance. It is great to see so many students making progress towards their end of year attendance percentage target. We will continue to remind students of their current attendance and their target attendance. 8.6 are currently in first place in the inter-tutor set attendance cup with 32 points, closely following by 8.1, 8.9 and 8.10 on 31 points! We are reviewing the scores next week and one tutor set will enjoy ‘tutor set breakfast’ next week.
Next Wednesday (6th July), students will be in tutor sets for the last two lessons of the day, where they will be celebrating 20 years of Artsmark. Students are taking part in, ‘A Day to Create’. This is a national celebration and an opportunity for our students to be creative and share ideas. We look forward to sharing some examples of the work they produce next week.
Well done Year 8, keep up the great work!
Support Link: https://www.sja.org.uk/get-advice/
Visit the NSPCC for support with talking about difficult topics: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/talking-about-difficult-topics/
Year 8: Miss I Sheldon
This week has seen yet another fantastic DofE Bronze expedition take place, with students representing themselves and the school superbly. A huge thanks to Mr Tinsley, Mr Mordue, Miss Hughes and all the staff that accompanied this expedition.
A huge thank you also to Miss Read and Miss Hall for organising a hugely enjoyable outing to the kayaking freestyle world championships. It was great to hear about the students overcoming their fear of getting wet, even if it did mean some surprise dunking from Miss Read!
Support Link: https://www.sja.org.uk/get-advice/
Visit the NSPCC for support with talking about difficult topics: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/talking-about-difficult-topics/
Head of Year 9: Mrs L Munro Assistant Head of Year 9: Miss C Thomas
Year 10 have had another busy week with their assessments and we continue to be so pleased with the effort they have put in to these. As these draw to a close this week, we will be catching up students who have missed any assessments as soon as possible. If this does apply to your child then please ask them to ensure they have spoken with their class teacher regarding this.
Meanwhile our Year 10s have been working hard to further their knowledge in key areas. In Maths this has included trigonometry and problem solving, whilst in Biology they have been examining diseases and immunity.
A reminder to those students taking part in the Geography trip, that their permission slips must be returned to their class teacher as soon as possible.
Head of Year 10: Miss L Hughes
The event of the year! Students can arrive from 6 o'clock, drinks and photo opportunities will be ready on arrival. Then we'll have many more surprises throughout the evening. Not forgetting the famous awards.
Arena UK, Allington Lane, Grantham, NG32 2EF
Year 11 Pastoral Lead: Miss B Marshall Year 11 Achievement Leader: Miss P Gordon
On Tuesday afternoon I took 13 lucky students to Waterstones to celebrate them completing the Reading Relay Challenge. Each were treated to a book up to the value of £10 and then a drink in the café. In order to complete a Reading Relay, they had to read 7 books including a Toot Hill Reader and a BookTrust Challenge. Then they had to do 4 quizzes; one from the Around the World in 180 Days display, an Issue Quiz, a Career Focus and the Reading Classics display observation quiz...phew!
Last Saturday, students from Toot Hill School joined together with students from The West Bridgford school to perform a concert of Baroque Music, raising funds for the churches of Manton and Wing in Rutland.
Set in the heart of Rutland, very close to Rutland water, our students performed solo items as well as joining forces to perform as an ensemble at the start of the concert and a full String Orchestra ending in style with an arrangement of Bach’s famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor.
With the efforts of our combined students, we helped raise more than £500 that will go towards great causes, keeping these small churches going. We hope that this is the start of a great musical partnership between our two schools.
Although we were unable to host our summer concert on Thursday 30th June, we are in the process of rescheduling so that our students can perform to the local community and show all the hard work they have been putting in in preparation.
Mr Seymour
To date 160 Year 9 students have successfully completed their Bronze DofE Qualifying Expedition - huge congratulations to everyone who has been involved – students, parents, families and teachers - well done everyone! Now that the expeditions have been conquered, students should shift their attention towards finishing their physical, volunteering and skill activities. They should then ask their assessor for an assessor's report (electronic or paper-based reports are both fine). The first Year 9 DofE graduation will be on Friday 15 July 2022 which means they will be ready to start Silver in September if they wish. The current Year 10 Silvers are heading out to Derbyshire shortly for their practice expedition - we wish them all the very best!
Our DofE researchers Lucy W and Jess H (10.10) have again been out interviewing students, and this week we hear from the first Year 9 Bronze graduates: Alfie E and Ben F...
How did you find your expedition?
It was very fun especially being in a group with our friends. We had some trouble setting up our tents, but we had instructors and friends helping us.
What activities did you do?
Alfie: For my physical I did rugby, for volunteering I helped out at my brother's football, and for my skill I did cooking.
Ben: For my physical I did rugby, for my skill I did forestry, and for my volunteering I helped out at emergency services; my uncle is a fireman, so I helped around the station.
What did you find fun and not fun?
Walking was not fun as it was a long way in the heat, however we did enjoy being with our friends and playing football in the evenings.
Would you recommend DofE to a younger student?
We would definitely recommend younger students do DofE! It was fun with friends and is good for the future.
Dates for Your Diary
Friday 15th - Saturday 16th July: Silver Practice Expedition
Friday 15th July 2022: Year 9 Bronze DofE Graduation
Autumn 2022: The launch of Bronze DofE for the new Year 9s, Silver DofE for the new Year 10s and Gold DofE for Toot Hill College students
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