It has been reading week this week and students have spent the first 10 minutes of every lesson reading in silence and enjoying their book of choice. Reading is such a valuable activity and we encourage families to read together at home, talk about books they are reading and foster a growth mindset via reading.
We have celebrated Chinese New Year as a school and a production company came in performed a Chinese dragon dance in the quad whilst students have also completed a wishing card that has been tied to the fence in exchange for a chocolate coin and good luck.
During tutor time Mrs Munro delivered an assembly on LGBT History month focussing on historical famous role models past and present such as Laverne Cox and Harvey Milk who have had a huge impact on society as a whole and have broken down barriers in terms of equality.
In RSHE lessons next week, Year 7 students will develop their understanding of criminal exploitation.
Support link: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-abuse-and-neglect/county-lines
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 for another great week. It has been fantastic to see so many students being recognised for their hard work in lessons and students are continuing to work hard to achieve the ‘Star of Lesson’ award. Next week, we have our half term Achievement Assembly where we will be rewarding students for their positive attitude to learning this half term. We will also be recognising students for attendance, engagement with extended study and home learning.
We have enjoyed visiting students in their lessons this week where we have seen many examples of excellent work. In Science students have been enjoying the practical aspect of the subject and have completed investigations on their current topic of seeds. Students have completed a dissection of a seed to test for starch. They have also been testing how the shape of a seed affects their dispersal. In Art lessons students have focused on their drawing skills and have completed a home learning task where they have further developed their knowledge of religion and Art as well as designing their own stained-glass window. Finally, in PE lessons, students have been demonstrating team work and communication when applying the skills, they have learnt this half term. It has been great to see students working together and supporting each other in competitive situations. We also continue to share examples of excellent work on our Year 8 Twitter Account (@TootHill2025)
We have been pleased to see many Year 8 students represent the school this week in sports fixtures. Well done to students who took part in the sports festival on Thursday morning and it was great to see so many boys take part in the football fixtures on Thursday evening. We encourage students to get involved in Extended Study next half term as there are lots of opportunities to represent the school.
During our Personal Development Curriculum, we have covered what is meant by ‘organised crime’ and ‘radicalisation and extremism’. Both sessions have included scenarios for students to discuss, where they have shown maturity and respect when considering each other’s views. Year 8 students have also enjoyed 10 minutes of independent reading at the beginning of each lesson, as part of our whole school reading week. We continue to encourage students to make time to read each week and we hope this week has encouraged more students to read independently.
Next week we look forward to celebrating our achievements this half term.
Well done Year 8, another fantastic week. Keep it up!
In RSHE lessons next week, Year 8 students will develop their understanding of supporting respectful relationships.
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 8: Miss I Sheldon
It has been lovely to see Year 9 really getting stuck into their different subjects in the run up to choosing their Options - just like George and Eva in Food Tech!
We are looking forward to Mr Garner's student assembly on Wednesday, after the Parent Session on Thursday 3 February. If you were unable to watch the Options Information Evening please check your emails and clink on the link to view the talk. If you have any queries about this process please do not hesitate to get in touch.
In RSHE lessons next week, Year 9 students will develop their understanding of radicalisation and extremism.
Support Link: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/reporting-abuse/dedicated-helplines/protecting-children-from-radicalisation/
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
Our Year 10 girls and boys football teams have been representing the school this week in the later rounds of the local cups. The girls losing to National and the boys taking on Minster this afternoon. A large group of Year 10 boys competed in the very high standard U16's National Hockey Cup last week, having a great experience against some very well practiced teams. It is so refreshing to have sport fully up and running this academic year and providing our students with opportunities to represent the school.
This week during tutor time, we have been covering sexual consent and discussing scenarios to inform our students of the law and safeguarding policies to keep everyone safe.
Every Friday we are discussing careers and aspirations, with a particular focus on Work Experience. Students can login to Safety Measure to help them secure a work placement for 18th-22nd of July 2022. Students have the login details within their Work Experience booklet, but also shared on the Year 10 Teams page.
http://safetymeasures.work-experience.co.uk/
In tutor time next week, Year 10 students will discuss teenage pregnancy.
Support Link: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/support/teenage-pregnancy/
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 10: Mr R Wickens Assistant Head of Year 10: Mr K Roebuck Achievement Coordinator: Mrs C Hallam
A huge well done on another very busy week in Year 11, students have balanced college interviews, speaking exams in languages as well as organising their revision.
We want to take this opportunity to congratulate the dedication and focus that lots of students have displayed when revising for their French or Spanish MOCK. We know that this is a daunting experience, but they have been mature and proactive which is excellent to see.
Year 11 continue to work hard in Extended Study, and we have also had huge success with the girls Netball team.
Keep up the great work Year 11!
In tutor time next week, Year 11 students will discuss pregnancy.
Support Link: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/support/teenage-pregnancy/
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 11 Pastoral Lead: Miss B Marshall Year 11 Achievement Leader: Miss P Gordon
Reading Week Success – The LL held its annual Reading Week and it was packed full of activities! On Monday we had author Ben Davis in. Ben delivered workshops throughout the day and joined in our lunchtime poetry slam. You can listen to our interview with Ben on our Podcast - https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/loungingwithbooks/episodes/2022-02-02T03_25_01-08_00.
On Tuesday Mr Shenton hosted a Marvel Munch. On Wednesday and Friday, we enjoyed some blissful silent reading and on Thursday things got competitive in our team based BookHeads Quiz.
We hope you all enjoyed Reading Week and remember, even though it’s over, you should still try and squeeze in 10 minutes of reading a day. Till next year.
Harry Potter Quiz – To celebrate Harry Potter Book Night we have created a Harry Potter Quiz which you can access here - https://forms.office.com/r/A7KtWTurbQ - you will need to log into your school account to take part. Those who take part will get credits equal to the amount of correct answers and our top scorers will be entered into our prize draw for a £10 Waterstones voucher.
It is a great family activity or you can take part alone. Quiz closes on Monday 8 February 2022.
As you will know from your child's Head of Year students across all year groups are working on Unifrog this half term logging, their transferable skills, activities and doing some research. Unifrog is an excellent Careers Platform that will grow with your child as they progress through the years of the School both inspiring, informing and logging their personal development.
Please see below the Careers homework your child has been set this week:
Year 7 - conducting an Interests Quiz on Unifrog which will tell them more about their personality and possible jobs they could do with the skills and qualities they have developed so far.
Year 8 - Learning about work place terminology and what it means, in addition to updating their Interest quiz - how have they developed over the last year?
Year 9 - Producing a CV on Unifrog. Students will need this for the interview day they have with employers in March 2023 and to help with applying for work experience which will take place July 2023.
Year 10 - Exploring Career pathways, what do they enjoy, what type of career do they want do in the future, it is fine not to know but having some career pathways they would like to explore is important. We will be running trips throughout the Summer and students will be able to sign up to attend. Students are also currently sending out their CV's to apply for work experience which takes place in July 2022.
Year 11 - Students should now have updated their Post 16 destinations on Unifrog and this week they will be checking their CV's to ensure that they are fully up-to-date recording all the experiences they have had throughout their school life. Please ensure your child has logged their Post 16 destination on to Unifrog. All students in Year 11 are offered a 1-1 Advice and Guidance interview and if you would like to organise this for your child please email ffarmer@toothillschool.co.uk
We would like to include parents in the journey and we hope you are enjoying the Careers and Personal Development discussions you are having with your child.
We are keen to keep parents updated on what is happening in the world of work and the opportunities available to young people - please check out our Opportunities Newsletter we send out on a monthly basis to KS3 and weekly to KS4 students.
Toot Hill School
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