In tutor time this week we have had another live assembly from PC Crane on hate crimes which again was so eye opening and informative. On Wednesday it was great to see so many students dressed in yellow and blue to raise awareness and support the people of Ukraine, students from older year groups had put together a brilliant PowerPoint that tutors used to discuss the events between Russia and Ukraine. Conflicts across the globe were also mentioned. Comic Relief on Friday was superb and the cake sale event was a huge success, again showing how supportive and socially aware students are.
The Year 7 boys football team won their South Notts Cup semi-final 2-1. The students represented school exceptionally well both in terms of their football ability and sportsmanship in a very competitive match.
In RSHE lessons next week, Year 7 students will develop their understanding of grooming.
Support link: https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/How-can-CEOP-help-me-YP/How-can-CEOP-help-me-concerned-adult/
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. It is great to see students continuing to work hard and this week we have achieved 2774 of credits as a year group, well done. It has been great to see so many students attending Extended Study sessions. In cookery Extended Study, students enjoyed making cupcakes (see photos). In PE and Games, students have shown excellent teamwork and communication. Some of our Year 8 students have been completing a unit on Tag Rugby where they have worked together in small groups showing determination and resilience in competitive situations. We have also been pleased with 8H swimming on Thursday mornings. Students have been working on their technique for each stroke. We have been particularly impressed with the student leadership and coaching in swimming and students have listened well to the student leader in each group. Well done to Joshua for planning his own swimming session to lead to his group this week, fantastic work!
This week is British Science Week. The theme this year is ‘Growth’. Students have been learning about this theme in their Science lessons this week where they discussed population growth and the need to build upwards on land to accommodate the increased need for home and farmland to grow more food. Students have studied skyscrapers, looking at their shape and structure, before attempting to build their own tower using only spaghetti and marshmallows as equipment.
During our Personal Development Curriculum this week, students have learnt about the importance of checking their privacy settings when using social media. Following this session, we encouraged students to check their privacy settings to ensure they are keeping themselves safe when using social media. On Wednesday students were given the opportunity to wear blue or yellow for ‘A day for Ukraine’. We shared some information with students during tutor set which discussed the location of Ukraine, the history between Ukraine and Russia and also the humanitarian crisis and information about the DEC (Disasters Emergency Committee). Thank you to all students who donated £1 on Wednesday morning. On Friday, we also had a cake sale in support of Comic Relief. It was great to see so many students bringing in cakes to sell and thank you to all students who bought a cake to support Comic Relief.
This week students also received information about Computer Science, which is an option subject which students can choose to study in Year 9. The deadline for students to complete their options form is Sunday 20’ March. If your child has not yet completed the options form, please could you encourage them to do this using the link: www.bit.ly/y8specialisation . Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s tutor if you have any questions about the Year 8/9 options process.
Finally, well done to Fraser (8.8) who has been selected to compete in the GB Under 16s Ball Hockey Squad in the World Championships at the end of June. Well done Fraser, a fantastic achievement!
Well done Year 8, another great week. Keep up the excellent work!
In RSHE lessons next week, Year 8 students will develop their understanding of managing sexual pressure.
Support Link: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-abuse-and-neglect/harmful-sexual-behaviour
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 continued to impress in their lessons this week; we have enjoyed listening to students reflect critically in their Geography lessons on the effects and responses to the Christchurch earthquake and work thoughtfully through their learning about magnets in their Physics lessons. Students in their English lessons on Wednesday, built on their learning and understanding about poetry, to create a thoughtful and reflective piece in response to the crisis in Ukraine. I look forward to sharing some of these with you via our social media channels.
Huge congratulations to the following footballers following their fixture earlier this week: Phoebe H, Maisy W, Verity H and Silana C-S. They represented our year group in a Year 10 fixture this week, securing a win to take them to the next stage - the final in the South Nottinghamshire Cup. Well done!
Finally thank you to all those that have contributed to our fundraising efforts this week for both the Ukraine appeal and Comic relief.
In RSHE lessons next week, Year 9 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 9: Mrs L Munro Assistant Head of Year 9: Miss C Thomas
This week, Year 10 have had the opportunity to attend two aspirational career talks. The first from Oxford University who presented to our students on their admissions procedures. They shared information on the characteristics they look for in potential students, the courses they offer, the importance of wider reading, and personal statements. Students were also given an insight into life at University and an opportunity to ask questions.
The second was an aspiration presentation and question/answer session Captain Preet who is a physio in the Army. She completed a solo trek to the South Pole in 2021. She came into school to talk to students about how she had to show courage, determination, physical and mental resilience, solitude, and endurance to complete the trek. An inspiration for all our students.
Please keep an eye open for many other career guidance and opportunities throughout the summer term.
Congratulations to the Year 10 girls football team who are through to the County Cup Final after a 2-0 win over The Joseph Whitaker School. The girls controlled the game throughout with goals from Maisy and Kenya.
Head of Year 10: Mr R Wickens Achievement Coordinator: Mrs C Hallam
As the mock examinations have drawn to a close, Year 11s have been back in lessons working hard to maximise learning time in preparation for their GCSEs. The Personal Development Curriculum this week has included an assembly focussed on hate crime, key information about humanitarian aid and finally an assembly from Mrs Hallam surrounding Science examinations.
In Extended Study we have seen the Year 11 football team enter the semi-finals against Beckett, GCSE moderation to finalise practical scores and also the Year 11 girls football team participate in a 7-aside tournament at Rushcliffe school.
Year 11 have participated in a non-school uniform day to wear yellow or blue to demonstrate support for the humanitarian crisis that is currently happening in Ukraine. We thank you for your ongoing support with this.
Year 11 Pastoral Lead: Miss B Marshall Year 11 Achievement Leader: Miss P Gordon
It is great to see so many students getting involved in such a diverse range of character-building activities - well done everyone! Keep uploading details and evidence to eDofE - aim for all amber's, not grey's or blanks! If you are still looking for an activity, check out the DoE website for ideas. Also check out the website if your welcome pack has not yet arrived, you can download a digital copy.
This Week's Targets
DofE Stars of the Week
Well done to Caitlin B, Hannah B, Jasmine C, Grace D, Madelief J, Matilda N, each of whom has successfully uploaded all of their activities and assessor's to eDofE.
Photo Competition Winners
A mix of the Volunteering, Skill and Physical activities this week. Phoebe has created this amazing dress for her skill activity, Merlin has been improving his clay-pigeon shooting, Silana has been walking her neighbour's dog and Felicity, Diva and Chi have been busy making cakes, biscuits and sushi. Well done everyone!
Dates for Your Diary
Remember the Year 9 Bronze and Year 10 Silver Training activities take place on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd April 2022. Details will be released shortly.
Mr Tinsley
mtinsley@toothillschool.co.uk
FAQ's - see www.toothillschool.co.uk/dofe
Toot Hill School
Train to teach with the Nottinghamshire Torch SCITT