Biometric Consent – Students in Years 9, 10 and 11
Children in Years 9, 10 and 11 should have been given a letter and form this week to ask for parental consent to collect biometric data (a unique code based on specific measurements taken from a thumb or fingerprint) which will allow them to use the external doors to enter the building during the school day. We have previously collected biometric data for use with the old canteen system but we are required to obtain separate consent to collect it for a different purpose. Consent for students in Years 7 and 8 was collected when they joined the school.
External doors will only be locked during lessons – they will be open during lesson changeover and break and lunchtimes – and they can always be opened from the inside. The biometric readers will only be needed when students need to enter the building from the outside during lessons (for example, if they are learning in L Block and they need to visit the toilet). Locking the external doors at these times is an important security measure to reduce the risk of intruders entering the school. A copy of the full letter can be found here.
Please complete and return the form to form tutors by Monday 31 January. Note this must be a signed paper copy. Please contact us if you need another form. Many thanks for your cooperation.
Year 10 Work Experience
A reminder that Year 10 students need to have secured a placement and returned their work experience form to Mrs Anderson in school by Friday 28 January. Help in finding placements is available via the NYBEP portal – details of how to access this together with links to all of the relevant documents can be found on the careers pages.
Careers news
Please take a look at the spring term editions of our Careers Newsletters:
- Year 8 Careers Newsletter
- Year 9 Careers Newsletter
- Year 10 Careers Newsletter
- Year 11 Careers Newsletter
Bookbuzz Friday Fun
Today, Year 7s attended an assembly held by Ms Greenhalgh and Mr Beever, where they were given a free book through a scheme called Bookbuzz. Back in October, all Year 7 students chose a book from a selection of around 20 titles, and this week they arrived and were handed out to great excitement. The books range from serious spooky stories to funny comic style books about teachers’ ‘funny’ lives and a lovely book of animal photographs.
If you are a parent or carer of a Year 7 student, please encourage your child to show you their book and talk about it, and maybe you can enjoy it too. Reading has amazing educational benefits and it would be great if students were encouraged to read more. Reading is also relaxing and a good excuse to be away from screens for some time. When students finish their Bookbuzz books, there will be quizzes with prizes, book swaps, special lunchtime events for each book, and much more, so this isn’t the last time you’ll hear a BUZZ about books!
What’s next? Post-16 guide
City of York Council have published their ‘What’s Next guide – Life, learning and work 2021-2022‘ which is full of information about post-16 opportunities and where to find help and advice. You can view the guide here.
The Yor-OK website also has lots of useful information:
- Post-16 Education Options
- Supported Employment, Internships and Work
- Supported Adulthood
- Specialist Learning and Employment Adviser Team
Calling all history nerds!
On Tuesday 8 February, University of York presents ‘Ask a Historian‘ as part of its Open Lecture series. Greg Jenner will talk about his experiences as host of ‘You’re Dead to Me’ and consultant on ‘Horrible Histories’. He will also talk about his latest book ‘Ask a Historian’. Further information and booking details can be found here.
On Thursday 10 February, Dr Helen Lacey of University of Oxford will be explaining why everything we thought we knew about the Peasants Revolt of 1381, is incorrect. Please email Mrs Lingard on r.lingard@millthorpe.southbank.academy if you would like the Zoom link for this virtual event.
Social media advice and guidance for parents
This week’s #WakeUpWednesday parent guide from National Online Safety focuses on Horror Games. Please take a look for information, advice and handy tips.
This week, we also received a letter from our School Liaison PCSO, which reminds parents to be extra vigilant as the number of incidents concerning children and the internet and social media apps is increasing. Read the letter here.
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