Welcome back! We hope that all families had a wonderful Easter holiday and that students feel reinvigorated at the start of summer term. Uniform and PE kit look amazing and it is a credit to the Year 7 students that they have such pride in their appearance. The field is now open at a lunch time for the students and it is fantastic that they have more space and the opportunity to use up that excess energy playing football or having a run around.
This week the Learning Lounge hosted a World Book Day open evening after school which was a wonderful event, we are so lucky to have such passionate staff in the Learning Lounge offering wonderful opportunities to students across the school. As a school we also celebrated World Art Day on the first day back and all students were given a postcard in tutor time with the opportunity to enter a competition by drawing a picture. As always Year 7 embraced the event and we had lots of entries. Sporting wise we have athletics and cricket starting next week after school so we hope the weather continues to improve.
In RSHE lessons next week, Year 7 students will develop their understanding of neglect.
Support link: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/neglect/
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
It has been great to welcome our Year 8 students back to school, following the Easter break. Year 8s have made a very positive start back, achieving 2853 positive points this week! Well done! We have visited lots of Year 8 lessons this week and we have been pleased with the work students have produced. In PE and Games, students have moved onto summer sports and have been enjoying many different activities including, volleyball, cricket, ultimate frisbee, tennis and athletics. Students have also changed Technology groups this half term, to move onto a new topic. In Food Technology students have been using Purposeful Learning Steps to track their progress. In History, students are studying World War 1. Students have completed written work but also completed a task where they acted out what life would have been like in World War 1, including what it was like in the trenches. We were also pleased with student’s engagement in English where students have been using ambitious vocabulary. Students used words to think about ambitious alternative words to use in their writing.
Our Personal Develop Curriculum has also included many new topics this week. Our Wellbeing Wednesday theme this half term is ‘Be Active’. Students spent time on Wednesday morning discussing what they do to improve their mental health. This half term we will be focussing on many aspects of our health including our skin health and the benefits of the sun, along with sleep patterns and the recommended amount of sleep we should have each night. Our Topical Thursday focus this half term is focused on Religion, Philosophy and Ethics. Throughout the half term we will focus on ‘Religious Festivals’. This week focused on Judaism and the Passover Festival. Students learnt about the importance of the Passover Festival and how this is celebrated. Next week’s focus is Islam, the month of Ramadan and the Eid ul-Fitr Festival. On Friday morning we had our year group Assembly in the Concert Hall. During the assembly we reminded students of our expectations in school and also praised students for the positive start they have made to the half term. We also shared our attendance expectations during the assembly and reminded students of the support available to them, if they need any help with their attendance to school.
Extended Study starts again next week. It has been great seeing so many Year 8 students attending the sessions this year and we hope to see this continue this half term.
Finally, well done to the Year 8 girls who represented school in our first Dodgeball fixture this week. The girls worked well together as a team and played in a tournament against three other schools. The host school commented on how well the students represented the school and they should be very proud of their teamwork and determination in very competitive games! Well done to all students involved.
Well done Year 8, a fantastic first week back. Keep up the excellent work!
In RSHE lessons next week, Year 8 students will develop their understanding of drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
Support Link: https://www.talktofrank.com/
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 made a brilliant start back after the Easter break.
We are looking forward to seeing their efforts to get themselves in the best place possible to begin their GCSEs in September - how time flies! It was brilliant to see the year group together for assembly for the first time for a long time.
A massive congratulations goes to Caitlin B, who recently achieved a 'highly commended' award in the Elmbridge Writing Competition.
Good luck to Year 9 students taking part in their Bronze DofE today and tomorrow. We hope the weather stay well for them.
In RSHE lessons next week, Year 9 students will develop their understanding of drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
Support Link: https://www.talktofrank.com/
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
Welcome back, I do hope you were able to enjoy the lovely weather over Easter weekend.
This week, we have been focusing on support our Year 10 students to finalise their Work Experience placements ahead of the deadline next on Friday 27 May 2022.
All students will have a Work Experience booklet that provides support and information on how to organise work experience. You can also find guidance on the School Website about finding a placement https://www.toothillschool.co.uk/page.php?d=careers&p=intro.
Once you have contacted and confirmed a placement with an employer, you will need to complete a form that your child can collect from their tutor and/or by contacting Mrs Farmer.
Please do contact our Careers Leader Mrs Farmer - ffarmer@toothillschool.co.uk, and/or your child's tutor if you have any questions or would like further support with arranging Work Experience.
A reminder that H Band Parents Evening is on Wednesday 27 April 2022, please contact tutor if you are having any problems booking appointments.
Head of Year 10: Mr R Wickens Achievement Coordinator: Mrs C Hallam
Welcome back Year 11!
The first few days of the Summer Term have been a real success. We are incredibly proud of the hard work that has been displayed inside and outside of lessons especially considering that this term can be considered as the most stressful of them all. It has been a pleasure to hear about your Easter holiday and to also discuss the next steps. Students are actively engaging in their learning and addressing any areas of key focus as they begin to fine tune their revision plans.
Next week a large number of students will sit their final French or Spanish speaking exam and we would like to wish them lots of luck. Remember to keep calm and try your very best. The revision sessions will be invaluable so please do try to attend as many as possible.
Finally, Year 11 received the updated Extended Study timetable this morning so they can actively plan which sessions they would like to attend as we progress through the final few weeks before the GCSE exams begin.
Keep up the fantastic work and determination!
Year 11 Pastoral Lead: Miss B Marshall Year 11 Achievement Leader: Miss P Gordon
At the time of writing, preparations are well underway for the Year 9 Bronze and Year 10 Silver cohort's training activities which take place on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 April. During these two action packed days, students will take part in a wide range of challenging tasks that aim to develop their ability to map read, navigate, and undertake effective camp craft in the field - surviving and thriving!
This Week's Target - Assessor Reports
Many pupils have now finished, or are soon to finish, their activity which lasts for 3 months. Accordingly, now is the time to ask your assessor to complete your assessor's report. You can use the 'assessor report cards' which are contained in your welcome pack. Digital copies can be downloaded https://www.dofe.org/run/welcomepacks/ here. Alternatively, you can ask your assessor to complete an electronic assessor report https://www.dofe.org/assessor/ . Either of these methods is fine - it's up to you.
DofE Stars of the Week
Congratulations to Emily A, Fletcher B, Stephanie C, Sienna C, Isabelle D, Matt D, Amelia E, Oliver G, Megan G, Kiera G, Zikiu H, Miriam K, Tina L, Niamh O, Lily P, Jessica P, Molly P, Ben P, Jasmine R, Ellie R, Freya T, Lucas T-B, Poppy W and Zoe W from the Bronze award, and Oliver N and Jamie O from the Silver award who have now uploaded ALL of their activities to eDofE!
Eloise A, Max C, Wong C, Oliver C, Tobey D, Joel F-W, Joe G, Fraya G, Erin G, James H, Eva H, Maisy H, Kyle I, Jack J, Fleur K, Rico L, Tom L, Ollie M, Ellie M, Faye N, Daniel P, Roan R, Bret R-Y, Joe R, Elizabeth R, Kyle W, Maisie W and Josh W-B from Bronze and Jacob Ba, Jacob Be, Daisy G and Tom M from Silver - you just need to upload one more section to eDofE and you'll be 100% up to date.
Who's Been Up To What This Week?
This week it's a physical special. Madelief's been climbing at The Depot, Amber's been riding at Gertrude Riding Stables, Jack J has been out canoeing, Ben F, Alfie E and Tom J have been playing for West Bridgford RFC, Olivia's been out training and Chun Y has been playing badminton. 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