Welcome to half term 4 of 6 in Year 7! It is crazy to think that we are now over halfway through our first academic year together. It only feels like a few weeks since we had our integration days last summer. All in the sports hall eagerly waiting to try new lessons, meet new friends and explore the big school site. Students have returned to school this week, after a lovely half term break, it has been great to see everyone settling back into lessons and catching up during their social time.
As always, we enjoy a celebration of credits and attendance every Friday with our FAB Friday assembly and this week. We are very excited to give out even more Bronze, Silver and Gold badges! Year 7 are doing so well with these achievements and it is a pleasure to see so many shiny badges amongst the year group during whole school assemblies. Additionally, some of our Year 11 students have been raising awareness for the homeless through a clothes collection and we have been blown away by the generosity of many of our students who have donated to such a worthy cause.
Next week we see a return of the Book Fair in the Learning Lounge which is an incredible addition to the school. Students will be able to browse the huge selection of books and buy one to take home too. This isn't a cashless system so students will need to bring cash to purchase but on a huge positive the Book Fair is running Tuesday 28th to Tuesday 7th so there's plenty of time to have a look and remember money. We will be reminding students about this during tutor time next week - I hope to see you up in the Learning Lounge so you can give me some recommendations!
Head of Year 7: Miss B Marshall
Assistant Head of Year 7: Miss H Barker
This week Year 8 have had assemblies via Teams from Dr Eardley and Mr Kelly regarding expectations. Wednesday was an update from Mr Mordue on the Walesby residential, there are still places and the link was sent out again so students could still sign up. We want as many of the year group as possible to go and it was lovely to have such a high demand. On Thursday, we read In the Sea There Are Crocodiles before having our PDC lesson Period 1. The first lesson this half term was on Healthy Relationships with students discussing the positive aspects of relationships and key terms such as honesty and communication before we flipped it and discussed controlling behaviour. Students were exceptionally respectful during the discussions and asked lots of great questions.
Extended Study starts next week so timetables should come home with students and be on the website. It will be great to see as many students as possible at enrichment clubs.
Mr Mordue visited some Geography lessons this week and was really interested to see students start the topic of Australia and its biomes, he is looking forward to visiting again later this half term and quizzing students on their learning!
Head of Year 8: Mr D Mordue
Assistant Head of Year 8: Miss L Jordan
Well done Year 9, what a fantastic first week back! It has been great to welcome back the Year 9 students this week. They have made an excellent start to Half Term 4, achieving 3339 Positive Points this week, well done! Students have enjoyed attending Taster Sessions for their Key Stage 4 Option subjects. In the Sociology taster session students learnt about gender and achievement differences. In Hospitality and Catering students looked at examples of coursework before testing their practical skills.
This half term during our Personal Development Curriculum, students will be studying a unit on ‘Families’. This week students learnt about the roles and responsibilities of parents. Over the half term students will cover a range of topics, including laws around marriage and coping with loss/grief. During tutor time this week, students were reminded of our whole school expectations and how they can make a positive start to the term. We also discussed the importance of attendance. Students spent time on Thursday morning discussing what is meant by a ‘role model’ and how our Year 9 students can be positive role models within our school community.
We enjoyed our first Fab Friday of the half term on this morning. Well done to the following students who were included in this week’s celebrations:
Positive Behaviour Points:
100% Attendance Prize Draw:
We are continuing to see many Year 9 students achieve the Bronze, Silver and Gold awards for their positive behaviour points. Well done to the following students who achieved an award this week:
Bronze Award (400 Points)
Silver Award (600 Points)
It has been fantastic to see students taking part in enrichment opportunities. On Wednesday a group of students enjoyed a trip to the Galleries of Justice. On Tuesday our Year 9 Girls Football team represented the school in an away fixture. The team played well and were unlucky to lose 1-0 in a very competitive game. A special mention to Bethan (9.1), Hannah (9.9) and Scarlett (9.4) who played in goal and made some great saves!
Finally thank you to parents and carers who attended the T and S Band Parents Evening on Wednesday. We look forward to welcoming our H Band parents/carers to school for Parents Evening on Tuesday next week. If you need any help booking appointments, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s form tutor.
Well done Year 9. A great first week back.
Head of Year 9: Miss I Sheldon
Assistant Head of Year 9: Miss A Lloyd
Following the half term break, Year 10 have had a fantastic return to school. In just five days students have collectively received 3,157 positive points with 100 students being recognised as the 'Star Student of the Lesson’. Special mention to Bret R-Y, Felix K-M, Evie B, Sophie L and Chloe C for receiving the most PRIDE points this week. We have particularly enjoyed visiting Catering, Maths and Science lessons where purposeful learning and high-quality contributions have been taking place.
During tutor time this half term we will continue our focus on careers and 'next steps' by having a Wednesday morning focused on student progress with their work experience. With the CV deadline looming, it is important students are contacting business to get their placement arranged. If families need any support with this, please contact your child's tutor or Mrs Farmer at ffarmer@toothillschool.co.uk.
Please ensure your child have organised themselves to be fully equipped and wearing their uniform correctly as we have had some students return unprepared after the break. We have equipment available to purchase at school so please utilise that as needed. We have also had a large delivery of Year 10 ties, which we can give straight to students and place the payment on scopay - please just get in touch if you need one.
Head of Year 10: Mrs L Munro
Assistant Head of Year 10: Miss C Thomas
Year 11 have been working hard this week, in the beginning of this suite of mock examinations. All students have been provided with a copy of the timetable before the holidays to share with you so that you are aware of when the assessments are.
If you are concerned that your child will miss any of these examinations, then please let their tutor know.
Next week Extended Study will resume and we are looking forward to seeing as many Year 11s in attendance as possible. The timetables will have been given out this week, so please look at these together.
Head of Year 11: Miss L Hughes
Year 11 Achievement Leader: Mr R Wickens
Photos of the Week - Skill - Cooking
Following last week's focus on savoury dishes, this week we'll take a look at some of the amazing cakes and desserts that DofE students have been creating as part of their skill section. Here is Olivia B's sponge cake, Amber C's mars bar rice crispy cakes and raspberry meringue kisses, Olivia W's chocolate brownies, Nina M's candle topped cake, Oliver H's cookies, and Emily G's baked mocha cupcakes. Well done everyone!
Congratulations to....!
Very well done to Amelie L, Hong Kiu N and Charlotte B who have finished their Bronze DofE this week! Congratulations also to Issac M and Eli T who have completed Silver! Lastly, a huge round of applause for Cassandra H who has finished her Gold DofE Award!!
Expeditions and Payment Instalments
Letters have been distributed this week for the upcoming training activities - download a copy here. Please check the details contained within the letter and also be aware of the next payment instalment for your child's DofE Award is soon approaching. Payments should be made directly via ScoPay please.
Assessor's Reports
The quickest and easiest way to get an assessors report is to send this link to your child's assessor https://www.dofe.org/assessor/. As soon as I receive the report from the assessor, I can sign it off for your child.
Useful DofE Links
Click on the relevant link for Skill, Physical & Volunteering ideas, a DofE Activity Log or a DofE Assessor Report.
Dates for Your Diary
FAQ's – see www.toothillschool.co.uk/dofe
Mr Tinsley
mtinsley@toothillschool.co.uk
The Scholastic Book Fair will be in school next week, bringing a huge range of brand-new books, all available to buy as well as stationery and tote bags. All students will be sent a digital World Book Day voucher to their school e-mail, they can spend them at the book fair or at their local bookshop or supermarket. Students will need cash for purchases at the fair.
Click on the links below to see what will be on the fair bookshelves.
https://bookfairs.scholastic.co.uk/bookcases/ro
https://bookfairs.scholastic.co.uk/bookcases/tt
Thursday 2nd March is World Book Day and we will be celebrating with lots of fun challenges for students to take part in and potentially win a prize. Our short story competition draws to a close and once judging is complete, winners will be invited to choose a book from the fair. The LL will be running a Literary Cluedo challenge, anyone who works out who did it, where and with what weapon will receive a World Book Day prize.
Hannah P Year 12 is raising money for a trip to Denmark where she is representing the Girlguides. Please see the information attached. There will be a performance from the Toot Hill Big Band/Dance Band alumni to raise funds at the end of March.
A box set up in the Reception foyer and is already quickly filling up. It will be in place for 2 weeks for students to donate clothing items.
Toot Hill School
Train to teach with the Nottinghamshire Torch SCITT