This week during tutor time Year 7s looked at what it means to have a healthy and active lifestyle whilst also looking at Buddhism through the eyes of Orlando Bloom.
As we approach the end of term we are busy collating information for the Achievement Assembly next week and it has been really inspiring to see how many students have received nominations, we hope all students and tutors are looking forward to another fantastic event.
Good luck to the Year 7 Boys football team who are playing in the South Notts Cup Final on Friday evening, George Spencer are our opponents and we are expecting a keenly contested game. The Year 7 cricket team also have their first ever cricket fixture on Tuesday 24 May (weather permitting) against Tuxford so we hope all players enjoy their experience.
Could we remind all parents as the weather gets warmer to provide a water bottle for their child to refill at break or lunch times as we cannot provide cups.
In RSHE lessons next week, Year 7 students will develop their understanding of supporting respectful relationships.
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 7: Mr D Mordue Assistant Head of Year 7: Miss L Jordan
Well done Year 8, another fantastic week. This week as a year group we have achieved 3261 positive points. Students have been awarded credits for determination, high quality home learning and the star student award. We are looking forward to next week, where we will recognise students’ achievements, in our end of term Achievement Assembly. We will be recognising students for the number of positive behaviour points achieved this half term, star student awards and teacher and tutor nominations. We will also be celebrating our attendance for this half term and will have a morning focused on our attendance awards. We have lots of prizes to give our next week and we will be in contact to share which prizes students have achieved.
Our Personal Development Curriculum has included a range of discussion topics. On Wellbeing Wednesday, we discussed what we can do to keep healthy. This also linked to our assembly on Thursday which focused on healthy active lifestyle. Students discussed what is a healthy lifestyle and how this compares to a sedentary lifestyle. Our Topical Thursday focus was Sikhism and the Vaisakhu festival. Throughout the half term, tutors have been impressed with high engagement levels in our discussions and activities during tutor set.
In lessons, students have been continuing to work hard and we are pleased with the work which is being produced in lessons. In English, students have continued to study Animal Farm. Students have also reflected on a recent assessment. On Wednesday morning, students have been working hard in games, where one Year 8 group have been completing a Tag Rugby unit. It has been great to see students working together as a team and students are showing resilience and determination in competitive games. In Geography, students have been building on their knowledge of Australia. In Maths students have shown determination when completing tables of values to represent linear equations. Students have then plotted graphs using the values. This has been a challenging topic for some students and it has been good to visit lessons and see students making progress in this topic.
It was great to see so many Year 8 students involved in the athletics fixture on Wednesday afternoon. Students represented the school well and its fantastic to see so many students enjoying taking part in competitive sport and representing the school. Next week we have a Year 8 Girls Tag Rugby Fixture, if any girls would like to be involved please speak to Miss Sheldon.
Well done Year 8 for another fantastic week. Keep up the great work.
In RSHE lessons next week, Year 8 students will develop their understanding of First Aid.
Support Link: https://www.sja.org.uk/get-advice/
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/
Year 8: Miss I Sheldon
This week Year 9 have enjoyed their PE lessons in the morning sun; 9S girls were practicing their hand coordination and batting skills during a fierce game of rounders and the 9S boys were honing their cricket bowling skills under the watchful eye of Mr Mordue. Elsewhere, in their English lessons Year 9 have continued their study of An Inspector Calls and in Maths they have been focusing on their reasoning skills whilst learning the angles and sides of quadrilaterals.
Following their introductory session last Friday, Year 9 have spent the week considering the amount of water they use, in celebration of Water Saving Week. It is so important that our students are discussing current and relevant topics - the current climate crisis is one of those, and being able to identify what can be done to reduce unnecessary water use is very topical for our students. In tutor set, students have prepared and presented ways in which they have tried to reduce their water use over the week, and we cannot wait to share their initiatives in a year area display.
As the weather warms up, please encourage your child to bring a water bottle to school to ensure they stay hydrated and we minimise our use of one-use plastic cups.
In RSHE lessons next week, Year 9 students will develop their understanding of First Aid.
Support Link: https://www.sja.org.uk/get-advice/
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 was the first of our many trips to Colleges, University and Apprenticeships throughout the summer term. Students will have the opportunity to visit Nottingham College, Brackenhurst, Nottingham University, Lincoln University, and several different employers. This week, 30 students attended trips to Newark and Lincoln College. At Newark College, the students had an introduction to the College, a tour of the facilities and taster sessions in Carpentry, Public Services and Pilot School. The students were absolutely brilliant and we were very proud of how they represented the School.
On Wednesday, 20 of our Year 10 athletes competed in the Rushcliffe Schools athletics competition at Harvey Hadden. At the time of writing, we are yet to receive the results - but our boys’ and girls' teams put in an exceptional performance - with a few being selected the represent the area in the Nottinghamshire athletics in a few weeks. Well done to all.
As our Work Experience deadline approaches, we have started meeting with students that are yet to inform us of their Work Experience placement every Thursday afternoon. We are determined to ensure every Year 10 student has a work experience placement for week beginning Monday 18 July. Please contact Mrs Farmer (ffarmer@toothillschool.co.uk) for support or to submit the work placement details.
Head of Year 10: Mr R Wickens Achievement Coordinator: Mrs C Hallam
As the GCSE examinations begin, we would like to wish all the students lots of luck. We are incredibly proud of the year group and we know they will continue to work hard over the course of the exam period.
Following a few questions, we would like to confirm that students will be in school as normal until Friday 24 June and will attend their usual lessons around their exams. This will ensure students maximise learning time and ensure they are prepared as much as possible. Students must wear full uniform during this period, and they also need to make sure they have their full equipment for their examinations.
Additionally, we are very excited to celebrate with students on Friday 24 June. We have rescheduled the date of our Celebration Day to Friday 24 June to ensure as many students can attend as possible. Students will enjoy a celebratory breakfast, spend time with friends, teachers, tutors and make some very special memories at Toot Hill School. As always, students can arrive in fancy dress for this celebration day. The Prom will remain on Friday 1 July. We are really looking forward to it!
Well done on completing the first week of GCSEs. We are incredibly proud of you all.
Year 11 Pastoral Lead: Miss B Marshall Year 11 Achievement Leader: Miss P Gordon
Interested in becoming a Sports Coach? Join the talk with Darren Bicknell in the LL on Wednesday 25th May during P4. Years 7, 8 & 10 need to bring a packed lunch. Talk starts at 11.45.
It's been great to see so many assessor's reports coming in this week - if you need an electronic assessor's report, click https://www.dofe.org/assessor/ to download
A reminder that the deadline for Year 9 Bronze Award participants to make their Qualifying Expedition payment and complete the electronic EV4 medical form is Friday 27th May 2022. Download a kit list https://www.dofe.org/shopping/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/DofE-Expedition-Kit-List-Jan-22.pdf and the expedition letter https://www.toothillschool.co.uk/page.php?p=doe
Our DofE researchers Jessie H and Lucy W from 10.10 have been out interviewing pupils and this week we hear from Liliana A from Year 9:
Why did you decide to do bronze DofE?
I decided to do DofE as it looks good on my CV, and I wanted to spend time with my friends doing something new.
Which activities have you chosen to do?
For my volunteering, I am helping with the younger kids at my Dance, as well as doing dance for my physical. For my skills I have decided to do cooking.
How prepared are you for your expedition?
I am well prepared for my expedition; I have all the correct equipment I need.
Why would you recommend DofE to a year 8 student?
I would recommend this to a year 8 because it’s super fun do with your friends and opens new opportunities.
If you could describe DofE in one word, what would it be?
‘Fun’
Dates For Your Diary
Friday 27th May 2022: Deadline for the final Bronze DofE Payment & return of EV4 medical form
Wednesday 8th June 2022 (7-7:30pm): Bronze DofE Teams Meeting (focus on expedition, eDofE and graduation)
Friday 10th - Saturday 11th June 2022: Bronze DofE Qualifying Expedition Option 1
Friday 24th - Saturday 25th June 2022: Bronze DofE Qualifying Expedition Option 2
Friday 24th June 2022: Deadline for the penultimate Silver DofE Payment
Friday 15th - Saturday 16th July: Silver Practice Expedition
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