This half term seems to be going so quickly. Extended Study is in full swing and attendance at clubs from Year 7’s has been brilliant. From drawing club on Tuesday to Coding club on Thursday and a load of others in between there is so much for students to get involved with to extend their knowledge and broaden their horizons.
During tutor time on Tuesday students had an assembly on the Holocaust Memorial Day, on Wednesday we looked at how to maintain high learning levels and then discussed the topic of forced marriage on Thursday. Tutor time is such an important part of our school day and really helps us as a tutor team to shape our students and get to know them.
Congratulations to the Year 7 Boys Indoor Athletics team who won the local event and have qualified for the county finals in March.
In RSHE lessons next week, Year 7 students will discuss puberty and menstrual wellbeing
Support link: https://always.com/en-us/tips-and-advice/parents-and-carers/how-to-explain-periods-and-puberty-to-your-daughter
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 3969 credits for their hard work and engagement in lessons. In languages lessons this week students have been practicing their reading, writing and speaking skills when describing their hobbies and interests. Students were able to describe their favourite television programmes and also films they enjoyed watching. In Spanish, students used their purple pens when reviewing their home learning work. It was fantastic to see so many students improving their work to further develop their answers.
On Monday, students in 8T2 were given the opportunity to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day by taking part in a virtual event with ‘After The War’ author Tom Palmer and Holocaust survivor Mala Tribich. Students listened to Mala talk about her experiences in the Ghettos.
As well as an assembly on Holocaust Memorial Day, our Personal Development Curriculum has focused on knife crime and discussions around how advertisements can impact on mental wellbeing. We also continue with our careers focus on Friday mornings.
Please encourage your child to log onto Unifrog at home which will support our careers work.
We ended a positive week, with the Year 8 girls Football team progressing into the next round of fixtures with a 2-0 win on Thursday evening. The girls showed great teamwork, communication and determination in a very competitive game. Well done to all students who represented school in this match.
Well done Year 8, keep up the great work!
In RSHE lessons next week, Year 8 students will develop their understanding of domestic violence.
Support Link: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/a-z-guide/domestic-violence/
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
Year 9 have been extremely settled and focused in their lessons this week; in Fashion and Textiles students were putting the final touches to their latest pieces by adding texture through embellishments and in Philosophy and Ethics students were reflecting on most effective way of preventing crime by evaluating the different aims of punishments.
Through visiting tutor set and lessons it is clear to see that the vast majority of Year 9 are well equipped, have perfect uniform and are ready for learning - thank you for your support at home with this.
It has been absolutely wonderful to see Year 9 take up the opportunity of the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. We have had around 125 students sign up already and cannot wait to see our students develop themselves in this way, in line with the aims of our Personal Development Curriculum and work with Careers. Thanks to Mr Tinsley for organising!
In RSHE lessons next week, Year 9 students will discuss sexually explicit material.
Support Link: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/inappropriate-explicit-content/
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
We have had a great uptake for the Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award this week. Students have until Monday 31 January to sign up to this excellent opportunity.
Extended Study continues throughout the week from 3pm-4.15pm, at this stage of Year 10, we would be expecting students to be attending at least one Extended Study session a week.
Over the last couple of weeks, tutors have been checking students are prepared for learning with the correct equipment to fully engage in their learning. Can we please ask for your support in ensuring that your child is attending school each day with a full pencil case of equipment.
This week, our students have maturely and opening engaged with really challenging topics on a Wednesday and Thursday when they have been covering healthy relationships during tutor time. Please do speak to your child about the content they have covered. Next week, we will be discussing consent and boundaries.
In tutor time next week, Year 10 students will discuss consent.
Support Link: https://www.brook.org.uk/your-life/how-to-give-and-get-consent/
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
Another fantastic week for Year 11, as we have seen the commencement of college interviews, prom points launch and the beginning of the 16-week countdown. All Year 11 students have received their revision folder, flash cards and revision timetables to help them get organised and prepared for the up-and-coming assessments.
As always it has been wonderful to see students working hard and engaging in Extended Study sessions after school to enhance their learning and further consolidate their revision. Tutor time this week has focused on students' destinations, revision strategies and how-to best plan and prepare for the next 16 weeks at Toot Hill.
Keep up the great work year 11!
In tutor time next week, Year 11 students will discuss consent.
Support Link: https://www.brook.org.uk/your-life/how-to-give-and-get-consent/
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
We are very excited to announce that the week beginning Monday 31 January will be a Reading Week for all of our Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 students. To ensure that your child can fully engage in the Reading Week it is essential that they have a reading book with them throughout the week; the book can be one borrowed from our Learning Lounge (preferably) or one from home.
In addition, to every lesson during the week beginning with ten minutes of reading, the Learning Lounge will also be hosting a variety of lunchtime activities. Plus, on Monday, students have the opportunity to sign up for a creative writing session with author Ben Davis (places limited). Also, Ben Davis books – ‘The Soup Movement’ and ‘What’s That In Dog Years’ are for sale in the LL for £6.99 ready to have signed by the author.
We would really appreciate your support during this week in encouraging reading for pleasure at home and making sure your child arrives each day equipped with a reading book. We are really looking forward to a successful and exciting week!
Toot Hill School
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