This week during tutor period the students have had an assembly from Dr Eardley related to student voice and the results of the survey that they recently completed, hopefully students have discussed future changes that they have played a part in creating.
As part of the Personal Development Curriculum students looked at how food can have a positive impact on your mood, learnt how parliament make decisions and the role of the monarchy in politics and covered what hate speech is and how it is dealt with if we hear it in school. Tutors have been amazed at how involved students get during tutor period answering questions and discussing sensitive topics in a really mature way.
Sport always plays a big part in the summer term and both the boys and girls have had a team entered in the partnership cricket events at West Bridgford. Students have really enjoyed the chance to develop their cricket skills in small sided games and have represented school so well. Training continues on a Thursday after school until 4:15pm.
As always please send your child into school with a water bottle to refill during break and lunch time as the weather has been amazing.
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, another fantastic week. This week Year 8 students have achieved 1582 positive points. In Drama this week Students have been using a script to perform a piece of work which includes different emotions. Students worked in small groups to show a range of different characters and add their own creativity to their work. It has been great to see students’ confidence developing when performing. We have also been pleased with student’s engagement in PE. Well done to the Year 8 volleyball group on Thursday morning who have been successful in practicing their skills in isolation before applying them to competitive games. It’s also great to see students taking on the opportunity to develop leadership skills in PE lessons. Next week, students will be completing an assessment in Maths and English. It has been good to see high levels of focus in lessons this week and students have been completing a range of tasks, to prepare for the assessment. The English assessment will focus on Animal Farm. The Maths assessment is designed to test understanding of topics covered in Year and 7 and Year 8. The questions are designed to test knowledge of the topics as well as reasoning and problem-solving skills. A revision list for this assessment has been emailed to parents/carers. Students should speak to their English or Maths teacher if they have any questions about the assessments.
During tutor set, students continue to be engaged in our Personal Development Curriculum. On Wednesday our wellbeing focus was ‘healthy eating’. Students spent time discussing what a healthy diet is and the impact this can have on our wellbeing. Our Topical Thursday discussions were focused on ‘Public Institutions’ where students discussed the role of a school, court and hospital. We continue to focus on attendance, during tutor set, and it’s fantastic to see so many students aiming to achieve their ‘target attendance’ this half term. Well done to tutor sets 8.6, 8.9 and 8.10 who were all in first place in our attendance competition last week with 98% attendance! Well done!
Thank you to parents and carers who attended the H Band Parents Evening. Teachers had lots of positive feedback to share with parents/carers and also provide a progress update as we approach Year 9. Please contact your child’s Form Tutor if you have any questions about our Year 8 Parents Evenings.
Well done Year 8, keep up the fantastic 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
We are so grateful to Mr Tinsley and the continued hard work of his team, our students and parents as the Bronze DofE expeditions continue. We were granted with wonderful weather last weekend and all students involved survived a night under the stars and completed their expedition. It has been fantastic hearing the stories of excellent teamwork, keeping morale high and showcasing the skills necessary to hopefully result in success for all involved. Miss Thomas is certainly looking forward to her night shift on the 24th on the Bronze qualifier!
As part of the Personal Development Curriculum (delivered during tutor time) students had an assembly about Pride. June is international Pride month so students learnt about the Stonewall Riots that lead to the commemoration of these protests and subsequent celebration of the LGBTQ+ community that Pride has now become. On Friday 24th July we'll be having our own Pride Celebration Day involving a bake sale (to raise money for charity), face painting and our very own Pride parade. Also, during tutor time this week, students continued to reflect on the British Constitution in their Citizenship session and considered the benefits of a healthy diet during their Well-being focus on Wednesday.
It has been fantastic to see so many Year 9s attending extended study sessions this week; from reading classics, to Maths Challenge to Cricket and Athletics. Please have a look at our extended study timetable to see if something suits - it is never too late to try something new! It is also exciting to hear about the trips arranged for the final few weeks of term such as the kayaking trip organised by Miss Read and Miss Hall - thanks to all involved and I look forward to hear about their experiences both in and out of the water!
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
This week Year 10 have been busy ensuring that their work experience placements are all finalised and have been preparing for the upcoming assessments.
Alongside this a small group of our students have had the opportunity to take part in an artist workshop, with artist Jessica Grady. It went brilliantly and the students were able to try new techniques including 3D embellishment.
Our drama cohort have been working hard on their performance pieces in readiness for their assessment, carried out on Thursday 23 June 2022.
Assessment timetable have been emailed home to you and we would ask that you go through these at home to ensure that you are aware what assessments are taking place each day.
Year 10 will also be receiving their Extended Study timetable for the final half term. We strongly encourage all students to take up some of the excellent opportunities on offer to them.
Head of Year 10: Miss L Hughes
Well done Year 11 on another fabulous week of hard work and engagement in your GCSE examinations. It has been fantastic to see you all in school and working hard in your last few weeks at Toot Hill.
As we near the end of exam season, we are incredibly excited to celebrate the end of your time at Toot Hill with you all next Friday 24 June during celebration day and at Prom on the Friday 1 July. We are so proud of you all for how you have conducted yourselves this exam period, you are a credit to the school and have been brilliant throughout.
As a reminder, if you have applied to Toot Hill College, please ensure you have signed up to the Toot Hill induction day, it is a fantastic opportunity to get a taster of what college experience will look like through attending subject specific lessons, meeting course representatives and to collect your summer tasks ready for when you return to Toot Hill next academic year.
Keep working hard Year 11!
Year 11 Pastoral Lead: Miss B Marshall Year 11 Achievement Leader: Miss P Gordon
We say goodbye to the brilliant Miss Jones! During Student Librarian Club on Tuesday, we decided to have a small party with some of our fantastic student librarians.
We had some silly fun playing 'Pin the Nose on Miss Jones', 'BookTrust Balancing Book' and our famous 'Musical Chairs'. We wish Miss Jones the best of luck in her new job and she will be sorely missed by students and staff!
Last Friday and Saturday 81 Year 9s set out on their Bronze DofE Qualifying Expedition. The route took them from school via the Vale of Belvoir to Cotgrave, where they camped for the night before returning to Bingham the next day. I extend my warm congratulations to all students who passed the expedition phase of their Award and would also like to recognize all students who have already organized assessor reports for their skill, physical and volunteering activities - well done!
Our DofE researchers Jessie H and Lucy W from 10.10 have again been out interviewing students, and this week we hear from Year 9 student Bret R.
Why did you decide to do DofE?
I decided to do DofE because it gives you independence and it's fun with friends
What activities are you doing?
For my volunteering I am helping with a girl's football team. For my skill I am doing gardening. And for my physical I am doing football.
How prepared are you for your expedition?
Yes, I have all the equipment, food, and clothes ready.
Why would you recommend DofE to a Year 8 student?
It will look good on your CV and it's a great experience to have with your friends.
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