Last week students across the school were privileged to meet Captain Preet Chandi who completed a solo expedition across Antarctica to the South Pole earlier this year. Students found the talk very inspiring and were given the opportunity to ask questions.
This week students have had an assembly presented live online from students in Year 10 regarding student voice and how they can influence change around school. Year 7 tutor representatives were then tasked with asking their form multiple questions around current issues in school that they could suggest improvements on. This was such a valuable exercise as students feel more involved and part of school life. Mr Mordue managed to visit 7.7 and their class discussion was being ran by Erin who was doing an amazing job.
Science classes brought in some amazing projects on cells this week as well, some students had managed to bake a cake and make it look like a cell! The creativity and work ethos of our students is a continued source of inspiration.
In RSHE lessons next week, Year 7 students will develop their understanding of radicalisation and extremism.
Support link: https://saferinternet.org.uk/blog/online-radicalisation-and-extremism
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! Year 8 students are continuing to work hard in lessons. This week in Maths we have visited many lessons where students have been focusing on symmetry and construction. Another Maths group were working on the Highest Common Factor (HCF) and Lowest Common Multiple (LCM). In both groups, students had worked hard to understand the topic before completing a range of questions to test their knowledge. In Science, students have focused on ‘Forces’ where they have focused on speed, distance and time. Students have completed practical tasks on this topic and also applied their knowledge to different scenarios.
During our Personal Development Curriculum, we have continued to focus on Wellbeing on Wednesday morning. This week students considered why some people may worry about seeking help for their mental health and how we can support people to ask for help. Our Topical Thursday session included information on the risks associated with social media, with students completing a task focused on Fake News.
On Thursday morning we had our Achievement Assembly. We were so pleased to be able to have our end of term achievement celebrations in the hall, as a whole year group. During the assembly we recognised students for their Attitude to Learning and Home Learning scores on their 8.2 Reports. We are so proud of the year group for achieving an average Attitude to Learning score of 4.52, well done Year 8. We also included a ‘most improved’ category from the 8.1 to 8.2 reports. It was great to see so many students achieving an average score of 5+ but also students who had improved scores over the last term. We also celebrated the year groups positive behaviour points this half term (16085 positive points) and also individual behaviour points. Well done to Mia (8.2) who was first place for positive points (187 points), Samuel (8.5) who was in second place with 169 positive points and Grace (8.9) with 145 positive points. We also included awards for ‘Star of the Lesson’. It has been great to see so many students being rewarded with ‘Star of the Lesson’ this half term. A special mention to Ollie (8.7) and Ali (8.2) who achieved 9 Star of the Lesson awards this half term and Jack (8.9) who has received Star of the Lesson 12 times this half term! Fantastic work!! We continue to share our year group achievements on our Year 8 Twitter Account (@Toothill2025).
Tutors also nominated one student in their tutor group who received an award for ‘tutor nomination’. Some of the reasons why students were nominated are:
It was great to see so many Year 8 boys represent school in a Rugby tournament on Wednesday evening. Students worked well together as a team in their first competitive fixture. Their hard work was rewarded with three wins and a draw. Well done to all students involved!
Next week, we will continue with our end of term achievement celebrations. We will be recognising students for their attendance to Extended Study sessions. We also have our attendance awards to present and we will be recognising students for 100% attendance (Year to Date and half term), Excellent Attendance and Determination to Achieve 100% attendance.
Well done Year 8, keep up the fantastic work!
In RSHE lessons next week, Year 8 students will develop their understanding of health & sex and relationships.
Support Link: https://www.letstalkaboutit.nhs.uk/
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
During tutor time this week we have been gathering student voice on a range of topics; how to report concerns in school, the queuing process in the canteen and the one-way system we have introduced as well as suggestions they have to further improve the student experience at Toot Hill. Students have also been reminded of the student voice structure and how they can put forward their ideas. We have a tutor representative in each tutor set; these are Logan (9.1), Sami (9.2), Diva (9.3), Amalie (9.4), Josh (9.5), Joel (9.6), Phoebe (9.7), Taylor (9.9), Fleur (9.10) and Phoebe (9.11). We also have six Year 9 prefects who are Maisy, Lia, Thomas, Sally, Niamh and Amber.
I had the wonderful opportunity of hosting our Achievement Assembly this week. I am so incredibly proud of my year group; in particular their conduct with each other, their responsibility for their surroundings as well as their constant effort and engagement in their learning. Students took great pleasure in applauding and congratulating each other on their achievement - this time we focused on their attitude to learning scores given in their most recent report, credits awarded in lesson and star student nominations. Prizes will be collected by tutor representatives on Monday and distributed during tutor set. I apologise now for the amount of chocolate involved!
With the approach of finer weather, I am pleased to share that the school field has now been opened. Please join me in encouraging students to use this appropriately by ensuring all litter is placed in bins.
In RSHE lessons next week, Year 9 students will develop their understanding of domestic violence.
Support Link: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/sex-relationships/healthy-relationships/
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
Another week, and another careers talk during tutor time to widen students' perspective of our career routes and pathways. The presenter Georgia works as a Global Emerging Talent Manager at Travelport and shared with Year 10 her experience and career journey into her current role.
There are 15 weeks until Year 10 start their Work Experience placements - w/b 18 July. Every Thursday we are committing tutor time to career and destination discussions. Please continue to support with ensuring the Work Experience form is complete and submitted to the school with the details of your child's proposed placement.
On Thursday, it was an absolute pleasure to have our first Year Group live assembly in 6-months to celebrate the successes from the most recent 10.2 school report. Over 90% of the year group were recognised for Attitude to Learning in lessons, quality of Home Learning and great attendance.
Well done to everyone who was recognised - you truly do embody a Work Hard, Be Kind ethos.
Head of Year 10: Mr R Wickens Achievement Coordinator: Mrs C Hallam
Year 11 had an incredible week this week! We had our first Achievement Assembly altogether in the hall, this was the first one since the pandemic. It was amazing to celebrate the achievements and successes across the year group.
We recognised over 140 students with a variety of certificates, Easter eggs and vouchers. The prizes were given for attitude to learning, sporting events, kindness to name a few.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that attended the Year 11 Information Evening. It was a huge success. Thank you for your ongoing support – it is very much appreciated.
As always, a huge well done to Year 11. You are doing a fantastic job.
Year 11 Pastoral Lead: Miss B Marshall Year 11 Achievement Leader: Miss P Gordon
Captain Preet Chandi visited Toot Hill School to talk about her solo trek to the South Pole.
Captain Preet spoke about the courage, determination, physical & mental resilience and endurance it takes to make the trek, which students found extremely inspiring. Giving details of her working life and how she managed to find herself at the South Pole, it truly was an inspiration to listen to!
After Easter, we look forward to the Bronze and Silver Training Days which take place on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 April. We have assembled a strong staff team to assist the experts from WayAhead Training with their delivery of navigation, map reading, camp craft and survival skills. Hopefully, the weather will be kind but please remember the activities will go ahead outdoors come rain or shine so everyone involved is reminded to bring good quality waterproofs, sturdy walking boots and a reliable rucksack (plus a can-do attitude!).
This Week's Target
All students should be making progress with their activities. To ensure you graduate on time, all pupils are reminded to ensure eDofE is up to date with program details and evidence of progress.
DofE Stars of the Week
Congratulations to Poppy T and Nate S who are 100% up to date this week! Aimee B, Jacob B, Max C, Lola C, Tobey D, Joel F, Daisy G, Joe G, Meghan G, James H, Matilda H, Maisey H, Kyle I, Tom J, Diva K, Holly L, Tom L, Ollie M, Chloe N, Chung N, Niamh O, Molly P, Bret Y, Matilda W and Tsz W - upload one more section to eDofE and you'll be 100% up to date.
Who's Been Up To What This Week?
Amber G has been out riding Cracker at Gertrude Riding Stables, Daniel P has been gardening and growing pepper and chilli plants, and Ben F has been learning about the emergency services. In other news, Rueben C has cooked up a tray bake, Ching W has been playing badminton and Brett has been playing football.
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