Weekly Bulletin

• Extended Study will restart on Monday 7th November 2022.
• The cake sale today raised nearly  £100 for the Pakistan Flood Relief Fund. Thank you so much for your kind donations.
• We hope you all have a wonderful half-term break.
• School will reopen on Monday 31st October 2022

What an incredible first half term in Year 7. It is crazy to think that we have now completed seven full weeks at Toot Hill. From the very first half day in non-uniform with lots of nervous faces to full timetables and planners full of homework. All students have been working so hard in lessons and we are so proud of their determination, resilience and positivity. As well as the hard work in lessons, we ca not forget how kind and thoughtful our students have been whilst settling in this half term. 

In tutor set in the morning, we have continued our focus on being kind and looking after each other both in school and outside of school. As always, we have been impressed by their compassion and thoughtful attitudes. 

Please see below some pictures of our first Year 7 Achievement Assembly. It was a fantastic atmosphere from start to finish. The excitement in the room was clear for all to see and it was a great reflection of how our students want to do their best. Prizes were awarded for top credit earners, top tutor set credits, subject nominations and 100% attendance to name a few. It has been a joy to support Year 7 during their first half term. Thursday morning was a big highlight for both Miss Marshall and Miss Barker - we cannot wait for the next one already.

Well done for all your hard work and efforts. We hope you have a fantastic, well-deserved half term!

Head of Year 7: Miss B Marshall    

Assistant Head of Year 7:  Miss H Barker

In tutor time this week Year 8 have had their Motivational Monday to start the week looking at attendance and credits, Well-Being Wednesday we discussed hopes and aspirations for the year ahead which followed a brief assembly from Mr Mordue on the consequences around not treating staff with respect, Thursday was class reading day which is raising some interesting topics of conversation and Fab Friday we showcased some pictures of this half term.  Tuesday was the highlight of the week as we had an extended Achievement Assembly celebrating attendance, credits and amazing accomplishments of the half term.  Well done to Lewis and Oliver for winning the HOY and AHOY awards respectively for their contribution to school life. 

On Friday we also had so many kind volunteers from Year 8 who brought in cakes or helped with the sale of cakes at break time to raise money for the Pakistan Flood Appeal.  The year group always get fully involved in charitable events and show how compassionate they are.

The boys Football B Team travelled to Rushcliffe last week to play their A Team in the first round of the South Notts Cup.  The boys did so well against tough opposition, including some academy players, and were only narrowly beaten 3-0.

Huge congratulations to Reuben who is following his dreams and ambitions to have his own restaurant and at home is always cooking, reading around the topic and inventing dishes. This summer he attended the Young Chef Academy at the Raymond Blanc cooking school; based in a Michelin starred restaurant, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and two weeks ago attended a live recording of the BBC kitchen cabinet podcast too.

We are really looking forward to next half term.  Students are hopefully aiming for 300 positive points so they achieve the new bronze award.  

Head of Year 8: Mr D Mordue    

Assistant Head of Year 8:  Miss L Jordan

Well done Year 9 for making a fantastic start to the school year. Year 9 students have worked hard throughout the half term and they have made positive start to their lessons. Over the half term, as a year group, we have achieved 28,034 positive points. Well done Year 9! This week we have celebrated our half term achievements through our end of term Achievement Assembly. It has been great to recognise so many students in our assembly, with many students receiving more than one award. We have recognised students for positive behaviour points, star of the lesson award, teacher and tutor nominations. We also recognised students who have attended Extended Study sessions this half term.

We have included attendance awards in our assembly. Students were recognised for 100% attendance and excellent attendance. We have spent time, during tutor set this half term, sharing attendance information with students and it was fantastic to see so many students receiving an attendance award this half term! Thank you to parents and carers for your continued support with attendance.

Also included in our assembly were teacher and tutor nominations. Students were nominated for excellent classwork, good manners and kindness to others. Some of our tutor and teacher nominations are:

For making an amazing start to Year 9, being helpful, and making good contributions during the Personal Development period.

For her determination, positive attitude and resilience.

Great focus and dedication in lessons - an inspiration to others!

A superb start to the year showing an incredible amount of focus during lessons, producing work of an excellent high standard

Well done to Elliot (9.5) who was first place for positive points this half term, with 333 positive points. Well done to Owen (9.5) for achieving 305 positive points (2nd Place) and Adam (9.8) for achieving 300 positive points. Well done!  Katie (9.2) was recognised for achieving 21 Star of the Lesson awards this half term! Well done to Joshua (9.9) received who four teacher nominations!

Well done to the Year 9 girls who represented school in a Football fixture on Tuesday evening. This was the first fixture of the year for our Year 9 girls football team and they demonstrate great teamwork and communication throughout the game. The girls hard work was rewarded with an 8-0 win! Well done!

Finally, thank you to parents/carers for your continued support this half term. We are very proud of the positive start Year 9 students have made to the school year. We hope Year 9 students enjoy the half term break and we look forward to welcoming students back to school on Monday 31st October.

Well done Year 9, a fantastic start to the year. Have a safe and enjoyable half term break.

Head of Year 9: Miss I Sheldon     

Assistant Head of Year 9: Miss A Lloyd

Year 10 have had a fantastic week to finish the half term and it was wonderful to celebrate with them this morning during their Achievement Assembly. The number of Bronze D of E successes just keep coming in and our Year 10 sportspeople have had a great week - both teams securing success in their fixtures. Violet S continues to excel in her show jumping - she has qualified for the British show jumping National 85cm Final. Well done all!

Fantastic work has been completed during our Personal Development lessons this half term, which have focused on intimate relationships and covered concepts such as enthusiastic consent and topics like pornography, contraception, sexually transmitted infections and peer pressure. Students' have shown great maturity in discussing these topics with their tutors and peers and bravery in submitting anonymous questions in the 'Ask it Basket'. Next half term shows a change in direction with a focus on the Value of Life. Recent student voice on their Personal Development period has been overwhelmingly positive with students looking forward to future lessons on finance and careers. 

Lessons have remained focused this week with many English classes focusing on their literature learning in either a Christmas Carol or An Inspector Calls. Mrs Whoriskey's class discussed many key themes within a Christmas Carol by 'exploding' two short quotations about Scrooge. Each student's contribution was articulate, confident and brimming with key terminology which was so impressive to see. In Maths students were working out how 'x' was proportionate to 'y' and in Sociology students were considering the key ideas found within Marxism and Feminism. Mr Walters's group made the most of the 'flood lesson' by completing design and model challenge to produce a creative and innovative coffee table.

We hope all of Year 10 and their families have a wonderful, safe and restful break and we look forward to our return on Monday 31st October 2022. 

Head of Year 10: Mrs L Munro    

Assistant Head of Year 10: Miss C Thomas

A huge well done to Year 11 for the whole of this hard term. They have worked incredibly hard throughout, and we enjoyed recognising this with them in Achievement Assembly.

In art this week the students have been working hard on their second and third development tasks for their assessment and the art department are really pleased with the progress so far. Alongside this they are looking forward to the Harley Gallery trip which will involve workshops, artist talks and an exhibition. 

On Thursday the year 11s have been provided with the examination timetable for their mocks and a key dates sheet. We would ask that you look at both of these with them so you are aware of what is coming up after the break. 

We hope that all of Year 11 have a rest and recharge over the holiday, and we look forward to seeing them after half term. 

Head of Year 11: Miss L Hughes         

Year 11 Achievement Leader: Mr R Wickens 

October is Black History month. Every October we make this a focus, but this year we are asking an important question – is Black History month enough? Or does it hide the bigger issue at hand – that often Black voices and black stories are removed from the narrative?

The real question is – should we use this October to teach pupils briefly about some key Black individuals and then carry on teaching our subjects as before? Obviously, this is far from enough to really improve our understanding of Black History, and Black voices in all areas of British life.

The actor Morgan freeman said that “Black History is American History” which is the same with Black British History, and all Black History in general. It is not a different story, it is not separate to other histories. It is an absolutely integral, vital part of understanding the world around us. If we fail to include the voices of Black Britain, we will never have a truthful and full understanding of our own past.

Understanding, embracing and celebrating Black voices has never been more important. Racism is certainly not a problem of the past and it continues to plague the world today, and it is time we all work towards embracing Black culture and Black history.

The reason Black history is often not included is because of the story we sometimes tell ourselves. That Black History happened elsewhere, or that Black history only arrived in Britain in 1948… but this is far from true. Black people have been in Britain before the English even arrived, and their voices make up our country’s history.

At Toot Hill, we have made it a priority to celebrate and embrace our diversity, to teach pupils the whole story, and to challenge racist attitudes at every step. Our teachers have been working incredibly hard to improve the curriculums pupils will be taught while you spend the 5 or 7 years with us. In every subject, you will learn Black stories, hear from Black authors, learn about Black scientific achievements, look at Black artists, learn about Black migration to Britain, and so much more – not just in October, but all year round, and every year.

This month, instead of teaching pupils about one Black individual, teachers will share with pupils where Black History is in their curriculums – pupils will get to see how we have included, quite rightly, Black voices that should always have been there, throughout our curriculum.

And remember – Black History month is a force for good, but if it is ALL we do it is not enough. So, this Black History Month I look forward to seeing Black History all year round, and I hope you do too.

2022-23 Enrolments Update

Now the window for registrations has closed, we are in the process of enrolling the Year 9 Bronze and Y12/13 Gold pupils who have signed up.  Year 9's should log into www.edofe.org using the details sent to their school email account.  Year 12/13 can log in using their existing username and password.  We are putting the finishing touches to the exciting Year 10 Silver DofE program and details will be released very soon - watch this space

Useful DofE Links

If you are searching for a skill, physical or volunteering activity click here for lots of useful ideas.  Download a DofE log for recording activities here.  Existing participants can access the DofE Assessors Report webpage page here - this is the quickest and easiest way to ask your assessor to complete an assessor's report.

Funding Opportunity - The Cam and Bear Fund for Adventure

An opportunity has arisen for pupils who may be struggling with financial difficulties to apply for a small grant to support them to participate in the DofE Award.  There is a simple form to fill out which must be endorsed by an independent adult.  Click here for more details. 

Dates for Your Diary

• Sept / Oct 2022      - Y10 Bronze Graduations

                                     - Launch of Y9 Bronze, Y10 Silver and Y12/13 Gold 

• Summer 2023         - Expedition Season

FAQ's – see www.toothillschool.co.uk/dofe

Mr Tinsley

mtinsley@toothillschool.co.uk 

Due to the recent floods, we held a cake sale today for the Pakistan Flood Relief.

We raised an amazing £100.

Many thanks for all your support and co-operation.

Please click here for the newsletter.

Toot Hill School has an opportunity for a talented and enthusiastic Learning support Assistant/Teaching Assistant. At Toot Hill School we strive as a school community to be the very best that we can be, with staff and students embodying our Work Hard, Be Kind, Take Pride ethos. If you are interested or would like more information please email rbrentley@toothillschool.co.uk

Please click here to book.

https://www.rmischool.co.uk/open