This half terms Achievement Assembly was an amazing event and we must say a huge thank you to Miss Jordan for all of the time she put into the preparation and running of the event. Having all 300 Students in the concert hall was fantastic and I know there was so much positive energy to help us finish the half term on a high. Well done to all students that received an award.
Sports teams have still been performing to an amazing standard, the girls football team have had close matches recently and the boys indoor athletics team won the silver medal at the area games. The PE department are really looking forward to our summer fixtures with the Year 7s.
A huge thank you to Mr Walters for organising the STEM event on Thursday. 200 Year 7 students got to see the brilliant BAE Systems Education Programme Roadshow in conjunction with the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy. We hope this has inspired students and I am sure there will be many more STEM opportunities in the future.
Have a great Easter break
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 a great last week of term. This week Year 8 students have achieved 2472 positive points! What a fantastic end to the half term! This week, the field has re-opened at lunch time and we have been pleased with how responsible Year 8 students have been when collecting litter and taking care of our school environment. Students have been working hard in lessons. In English students have completed an assessment task. Students have shown determination when completing this task and it has been good for students to practice working in FIT time for an extended period of time. In Technology, students have been spending time completing their half term projects this week (see photos). Students have been working hard on their practical projects and it has been pleasing to see the work they have produced. In Games on Tuesday afternoon, some of our students were involved in a Netball tournament. Students worked well together as a team and we awarded credits to many students for fair play and good sportsmanship.
The languages department are providing students with the opportunity to develop leadership skills. Students can apply to support students in our local feeder Primary Schools by delivering French/Spanish lessons to primary school students. This will take place in mid-June. We have been really impressed with the applications we have received so far and students can give their applications to their languages teachers.
We’ve had a busy week in tutor set this week. On Wednesday morning, we spent time celebrating our attendance this half term. We have recognised students for 100% Attendance (Year to Date and Half Term), Excellent Attendance and Determination to Achieve 100% Attendance. It was great to see so many students receiving an award. We also recognised students for their attendance to Extended Study. Well done to Austin in 8.8 for attending 10 Extended Study sessions this half term. A special mention to Eli (8.6), Junyu (8.6) and Hridya (8.2) for attending 9 sessions and Mia (8.2), Luke (8.10) and Isaac (8.1) for attending 8 sessions. On Friday morning, we ended the term with our achievement video where students could see the fantastic work they’ve produced this half term. Well done Year 8!
We continue to share our year groups achievements on our Year 8 Twitter Account @TootHill2025.
Finally thank you to parents/carers for your continued support this half term. We wish Year 8 students and their families a safe and enjoyable Easter break. We look forward to welcoming students back to school on Tuesday 19th April.
Keep up the fantastic work Year 8!
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, particularly with their poetry compositions and performances in their English lessons. Many students displayed maturity, confidence and a clear understanding of what makes a good poem! As you can see, Thomas N produced an excellent reflective poem considering the importance of freedom. This piece really brought home that in this time of upheaval around the world, it is important to reflect on the values we need to protect. In their Year 9 art lessons, students continued their focus on mark and print making, whilst in their Philosophy and Ethics lessons students have compared prisons from around the world and drawn conclusions about these and whether these link to re-offending rates.
During tutor time, we enjoyed a thought-provoking assembly on British Values - delivered by tutors but produced by two of our Year 11 prefects. Students were challenged to think about what makes us 'British' and what British Values actually means in practice. We also considered the risks of online gaming and how young people can ensure their safety online whilst playing against their peers.
This half term the girls' football team have continued their successful run; in their latest tournament they have secured a place in yet another final! They won all their games including a 6-0 win and Miss Gordon was astounded by their skill. sportsmanship and supportive attitude to all players within the team. Well done!
I hope you have a restful break - please ensure your child is fully equipped and meet our uniform standards when we return after the holidays.
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
As another term draws to a close, we have taken time to celebrate the successes of so many of our Year 10 students for demonstrating an excellent 'Work Hard' attitude. Students were awarded prizes for effort in lessons, quality of Home Learning, most Star of the Lesson awards, excellent attendance and staff nominations. A special mention must go to Caitlin M (10.8), Ellen L (10.2), Collin W (10.1), Louisa H (10.2), Max Gerrard (10.1), Logan G (10.6), Rosie W (10.10), Freya E (10.11), and Francesca C-G (10.10) for being recognised for multiple awards. Particularly Caitlin M who received the Head of Year Award for her exceptional effort across all her subjects, excellent attendance and kindness demonstrated to her peers daily. Well done to all!
We have a busy term After Easter. Parents Evening the first 2 weeks back - you will have received a letter recently about booking appointments, Year 10 STEM day and a trip to the University of Hull.
Have a lovely Easter break, and we look forward to welcoming Year 10 back on 19 April.
Head of Year 10: Mr R Wickens Achievement Coordinator: Mrs C Hallam
Congratulation Year 11 on an extremely successful half term filled with sporting, academic and personal achievements. We are incredibly proud of the hard work that has been displayed inside and outside of lessons. It has been wonderful to visit lessons and see students engaging in their learning, developing their intellectual curiosity and addressing any misconceptions they have in subject areas.
Last week it was brilliant to welcome both parents and students to year 11 information evening and since students have had the opportunity to ask questions to class teachers and begin to think about tailoring their revision at this stage before the GCSE exams.
As we enter the half term break it is important to firstly recognise the value of next 5 weeks but also bring attention to the importance of students prioritising their wellbeing. We urge students to work hard but also spend time exercising, socialising, and creating a healthy balance.
Finally, well done to all students who attended the Year 11 photo, every student looked wonderful in their uniform, and it was a great way to end the half term, we cannot wait to see the final picture!
Year 11 Pastoral Lead: Miss B Marshall Year 11 Achievement Leader: Miss P Gordon
This week the Learning Lounge hosted the first heat of the Nova Inter-School Debate competition. Students from Toot Hill School faced off against Madani Schools Federation. The two topics debated were, homework is beneficial to students and students should wear uniform to school. Toot Hill School won both debates and you can listen to Hannah and Hridya talk about the experience on our podcast
Lounging with Books: Nova Inter-School Debate Ft. Hridya & Hannah (EP 116) (podomatic.com)
It's fantastic to see so many pupils making such great progress. Activities are being submitted for approval on a daily basis and I can see plenty of evidence being regularly uploaded to eDofE - well done everyone. I am concerned that some pupils have not uploaded any information to eDofE yet. I am uneasy when I see limited progress at this stage because it often means pupils do not complete their award on time, or in some cases at all. Please can I ask that all parents check how their children are getting on with eDofE and their activities? A gentle nudge at this stage can make all the difference to whether they graduate and get to add DofE to their C.V. or not. As always, feel free to contact me if you need support.
This Week's Target
Pupils should submit all activities to eDofE, upload photos of their progress and keep updating their DofE log. Don't forget to return the EV4 medical form and consent forms for the upcoming training activities - pupils are not allowed to take part unless they have returned these documents by the deadline of Friday 1st April 2022.
DofE Stars of the Week
Congratulations to Aimee B, Lola C, Annabelle E, Ewan F, Lily G, Matilda H, Tom J, Chloe N, Lucas P, Harris R and Will R from the Bronze award, and Holly L and Matilda W from the Silver award who have this week uploaded ALL of their activities to eDofE! Eloise A, Mia C, Max C, Wong C, Lok C, Tobey D, Matt D, Joel F, Joe G, Fraya G, Meghan G, James H, Maisy H, Kyle I, Diva K, Cheuk Y, Tom L, Ollie M, Faye N, Niamh O, Molly P, Bret RY, Elizabeth R, Eleanor R and Tsz W from Bronze and Jacob B, Daisy G, Jamie O, Chun N and Tom M from Silver - you just need to upload one more section to eDofE this week and you'll be 100% up to date too.
Who's Been Up To What This Week?
This week it's a cooking special! Look at these fantastic, tasty treats that have been carefully curated by Freya J, Reuben C, Freya I, Lola C, Alfie E and Sze H. Well done everyone.
FAQ's – see www.toothillschool.co.uk/dofe
Mr Tinsley
mtinsley@toothillschool.co.uk
Toot Hill School
Train to teach with the Nottinghamshire Torch SCITT