Weekly Bulletin

• Extended Study continues next week, please encourage students to attend some sessions.

• As the weather changes, please encourage students to bring their coats and wear appropriate kit for PE lessons.

Another fantastic week for year 7! 

Every week Miss Marshall and Miss Barker visit a variety of lessons, and this week we were really impressed when visiting science. Students took part in practical experiments, one of the first at Toot Hill, and we have been delighted with the enthusiasm and concentration shared by all. Year 7 have investigated changes of state and it was clear to see that they all very much enjoyed the practical element of the lesson. Students worked in small groups which allowed them to talk to new people and make friends whilst learning. The pictures are a selection of students in action – we are looking forward to the next experiment already. 

During our Personal Development period, we have focused on the importance of healthy relationships. This has given students the opportunity to discuss important topics such as diversity, bullying and wellbeing. The conversations have been both invaluable to the students personally, but it has also been an opportunity to listen carefully to others and as a result many students have made deeper friendships in their tutor set. As seen in both science and PDC lessons, Year 7 are conscientious, kind and focused. We have been blown away by their efforts and we know that this will go from strength to strength. 

Extended Study continues to run from 3:00 - 4:15pm. A huge number of students have enjoyed the sporting options, football and rugby are very popular, as well as the food and design group. Teachers will continue to encourage students to attend so they can all benefit from the extracurricular opportunities at Toot Hill.

Well done Year 7 - what a busy and great week!

Head of Year 7: Miss B Marshall    

Assistant Head of Year 7:  Miss H Barker

This week in tutor time Year 8 have had an assembly on Black History delivered by Miss Starkey, Well-Being Wednesday covered happiness and featured a short questionnaire, on Thursday students were reading their class book and as always Friday was fabulous celebrating all of our successes including 100% attendance, improved attendance and top credit earners.

On Thursday afternoon quite a few Year 8s went to see Bugsy Malone at the theatre courtesy of the Drama department, huge thanks to Miss Santamaria, Mr Smith and the team for organising and facilitating.  We also have a girls only STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) trip organised for Ada Lovelace day October 11th at Medicity on the Boots campus.  There has been a real high demand amongst students which has been brilliant to see and we are sure Mr Walters and the team will have a fantastic day.

As the weather turns it would be great if students could come to school with a coat and fully prepared for outdoor Games lessons.

Head of Year 8: Mr D Mordue    

Assistant Head of Year 8:  Miss L Jordan

Well done Year 9, another great week with lots of positive news to share! This week Year 9 students have been working hard in lessons. In Geography, students have been studying urban issues and challenges in Rio. The engagement in lessons has been high and we were pleased to see some of the fantastic work in students exercise books this week. In Spanish, students have been continuing to practise their speaking skills and it’s good to see their confidence when learning new vocabulary. A special mention to the Thursday morning Level 1 Sports Leaders who delivered a sports session to Year 7 students. Students have been learning about the skills and qualities of a successful leaders and it was good to see students applying these qualities to their own leadership.

Our Personal Development Curriculum continues to focus on a range of topics. In tutor time this week, students have reflected on their attendance this half term. We have shared with students, the importance of attendance and the impact of attendance over a school year. It has been fantastic to see so many students showing determination to achieve 100% attendance this week. Our attendance prize draw winners are below. We’ve continued to discuss emotions during our wellbeing session on Tuesday morning and students are enjoying our year group book (The Humans by Matt Haig) on Thursday morning. Thank you to the Year 13 History Students who delivered our assembly this week focussed on ‘Black History Month’. We continue to celebrate student achievements on Fab Friday. The following students were awarded ‘Star of the Week’ for their positive behaviour points and attendance:

Top 3 credits:

• Elliot 9.5
• Owen 9.5
• Lewis 9.5

Attendance prize draw winners:

• Zachary 9.7
• Matthew 9.11
• Katie 9.2
• Ben 9.10
• Chloe 9.5
• Kelsie-Mae 9.8

Our Personal Development Period is on Monday Period 2 next week. Students will continue to learn about ‘Respectful Relationships’. Next week’s lesson is focused on ‘peer pressure and substance abuse’.

Well done to the Year 9 students who have represented school in our sports teams this week. The Year 9 boys Rugby team played in a tournament on Wednesday where they showed great teamwork and determination. The boys Football team also played well on Thursday evening. They lost by one goal in a competitive game but it was commented that they had great team spirit and supported each other on the pitch. We have more sports fixtures over the next few weeks and encourage students to continue to be involved in these opportunities.

Well done Year 9, keep up the great work!

Head of Year 9: Miss I Sheldon     

Assistant Head of Year 9: Miss A Lloyd

The highlight of Ms Thomas's week was accompanying 100 of our Year 10 students to see 'An Inspector Calls' in Stoke-on-Trent.

The students represented themselves extraordinarily well, concentrating on an hour and forty-five minutes' worth of theatre straight through with no interval. Given the attention deficit crisis this is no mean feat and their excitement and engagement were palpable long after the curtain fell. 
 

This would not have been possible without the help of a wonderful group of teachers; thank you Mr Sheehan, Miss Whoriskey, Mrs Devine, Miss Bullivant, Mrs Wood, Mrs Cleland, Mrs Timmins, Miss Hughes and Mrs McCabe.

A member of the public commented to Mrs Timmins how beautifully behaved our students were - glowing reviews for wonderful students. 

Well done Year 10s.

Head of Year 10: Mrs L Munro    

Assistant Head of Year 10: Miss C Thomas

Following on from the week of assessments, Year 11 have returned to lessons with an excellent attitude, ready to further improve what they have been working upon.

The Year 11 catering students have been preparing for their mock NEA coming up next week along with some students taking catch up papers.

We know that cold season is now upon us, and we are having a push on attendance within the year group. We know how critical it is for them to be in school to access the experts in their subjects alongside being able to support their wellbeing in school. If you have any concerns regarding attendance and please contact tutors directly to see what we can do to help.

Toot Hill College Open Evening is on Thursday 3rd November. You will have received a letter from the College inviting you to sign up to one of the two sessions. Please contact your child's tutor or the College Receptionist if you have any questions.

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 students the whole story, and to challenge racist attitudes at every step. Our teachers have been working incredibly hard to improve the curriculums students 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 students about one Black individual, teachers will share with Students where Black History is in their curriculums – students 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.

Graduations

A massive congratulation to all students who have finished all aspects of their Award this week - well done!  Your certificates and badges will issued as soon as the DofE have verified your Award.

Enrolments

The closing date for Year 9 Bronze and Year 12/13 Gold DofE Awards is Friday 14th October - if you want to get involved, please enrol asap to reserve your place. 

Year 10 Silver will be launched soon.  Enrolment letters can be downloaded from www.toothillschool.co.uk/dofe   To enrol, use the links below.  

Year 9 Bronze:    : www.toothillschool.co.uk/dofe-register

Year 12/13 Gold:  https://www.toothillschool.co.uk/forms/doe_gold_2022.php

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 

The Learning Lounge team regularly refresh the book displays and new for this week is a display for Black History Month. Students may borrow any book from the display.

This week also sees the launch of our latest competition which is linked to the national big Draw Festival. We are asking our students to think about a book they enjoyed and have a go at designing a better book cover. Can our students come up with a more eye-catching design than the original, something to entice others to pick up the book and read it?

Entries can be in any medium such as paints, pastels, collage, pens. Work can be any size but we ask that they are similar portrait dimensions to an actual book cover. This is because the winning design will be used as the actual cover of the book here in the Learning Lounge for the rest of the year!

Entry forms can be collected from the Learning Lounge, the closing date is 4th November and entries are welcome from anyone in Years 7-11.

Please click here to book.

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

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