A message from Ms Greenhalgh
Our Year 11s have worked really hard this work, revising for and sitting their Pre-Public Examinations (PPEs) and have another week of exams next week. Keep up the good work Year 11s, and don’t forget, if you are struggling or need any help or advice, have a chat with your form tutor in the first instance.
Thank you to everyone who came along to our Year 9 Options Evening, it was lovely to see so many people at the event. Further information about the options process and the subjects we offer at Key Stage 4 can be found on our website.
As you will know, the NEU has announced a day of industrial action for teaching members next week, on Wednesday 1 February. Parents/carers should have received a letter detailing the plans for the day – you can see the full letter here.
I hope everyone has a lovely weekend and makes the most of some of the opportunities available through the York Residents’ Festival. We’ll see everyone back at school on Monday for an ‘A’ Week.
Kind regards
Gemma Greenhalgh
Headteacher
Punctuality
We would like to say a huge thank you to all our parents and carers who have supported us and their child(ren) in improving punctuality at the start of the school day. The number of students who now arrive on site after 8.45am has dramatically reduced. Being punctual not only allows students to start the day properly with their tutor, but also helps them to develop a routine which should stay with them throughout their time in education and beyond into the workplace. Thank you also to those parents and carers who have responded so positively to text messages regarding one-off late arrivals and are looking at alternative bus routes/modes of transport to ensure their child arrives before the bell.
Detentions for being late to school are now being served in the same way as any other stage 1 detention, at lunchtime in the Languages block.
Changes to PE from w/c Monday 30 January
Please take note that from Monday, we move on to new blocks of sport in PE lessons. Below is a summary of the changes, the venues to get changed and which kit to bring.
Year 7
- Mr Boothman: moving from Rugby to Handball, changing in the Gym and working outside on the Astro (games kit required).
- Mr Randall: moving from Football to Basketball, changing in the Sports Hall and working inside (indoor PE kit required).
- Girls PE Group 3 (various teachers): moving from Gymnastics to Rugby, changing in the Sports Hall and working outside (games kit required).*
- Girls PE group 4 (various teachers): moving from Basketball to Dance, changing in the Gym and working inside (Indoor PE kit required).
Year 8
- Mr Boothman: moving from Rugby to Handball, changing in the Gym and working outside on the Astro (games kit required).
- Mr Randall: Moving from Football to Basketball, changing in the Sports Hall and working inside (indoor PE kit required).
- Miss Watts: moving from Gymnastics to Rugby (changing in the Sports Hall) and working outside (games kit required).*
- Miss Lansdall: moving from Badminton to Dance, changing in the Gym and working inside (indoor PE kit required).
Year 9
- Mr Boothman: moving from Rugby to Handball, changing in the Gym and working outside on the Astro (games kit required).
- Mr Randall: moving from Football to Basketball, changing in the Sports Hall and working inside (indoor PE kit required).
- Miss Watts: moving from Gymnastics to Rugby, changing in the Sports Hall and working outside (games kit required).*
- Miss Lansdall: moving from Volleyball to Dance, changing in the Gym and working inside (indoor PE kit required).
*Students can wear their games kit but are also permitted to bring additional clothing such as old joggers, old jumpers/hoodies that they do not mind getting a little muddy.
A polite reminder that we expect students to bring their PE kit to all lessons even if they are not quite 100% as we will involve them within the lesson as officials, coaches etc so that they can engage with the learning taking place.
We would also like to remind you that students can wear additional layers such as thermals, plain blue or black joggers, hats (and where appropriate gloves) to make their PE experience a positive one despite the cold weather.
Congratulations to our Year 11 basketball team!
The Year 11 basketball team have been crowned U16 district champions after an unbeaten season – an absolutely fantastic achievement!
They will now represent York in the North Yorkshire Championships at York College on Monday. We wish them well!
Bronze Duke of Edinburgh – expedition dates
Once again, it’s great to have so many students registered for the Bronze DofE awards scheme. A requirement of the scheme is that all participants must attend a day walk and one expedition. The dates to choose from are:
- Day walk – either 15 April or 16 April (last weekend of the Easter holidays)
- Expedition – either 19-20 May (Friday and Saturday) or 21-22 May (Sunday and Monday).
Any student who can only do certain dates should let Miss Frankland know.
Co-Create Festival
Our wonderful Year 10 Drama Students are taking part in the Co-create Festival next week at York St John University.
Break a leg folks, we know you’ll do us proud!
RSC Shakespeare Schools’ Festival – ‘The Merchant of Venice’
We’re looking forward to performing ‘The Merchant of Venice’ as part of the RSC Shakespeare Schools’ Festival at York Theatre Royal on 28 March. Thank you to all those Key Stage 3 students who came along to our workshop on Tuesday this week. We can’t wait to see you all again for further rehearsals on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school.
If anyone was unable to attend the first workshop but would like to be involved, please see Mrs Sladen as soon as possible.
‘An Inspector Calls’ theatre trip
The trip to the Grand Opera House, York will take place on 8 February. Miss Coney has sent an email giving details and pick up times for the above trip to all parents/carers of students that have signed up to the trip.
If you haven’t received the email, please contact her at e.coney@millthorpe.southbank.academy. Thank you for supporting the trip.
North Yorkshire Schools Cross Country Event
Apologies to Josie Cook in Year 7 who we omitted to mention in last week’s email. Josie came 23rd in her group of the North Yorkshire Schools Cross Country Event. Great job Josie!
Maths news
Firstly, well done to all the Year 11s that have worked so hard for this week’s PPE exams. Revision continues on Tuesdays after school.
Secondly, look out in the post for this month’s Mathematician of the Month certificates – it could be you!
And finally, here’s a little puzzle (courtesy of Maths is Fun) to keep you busy this weekend:
Free sporting activities at Millthorpe
Is your child interested in taking part in exciting (and free!) sporting activities right here at Millthorpe over the next ten weeks?
Local company Sivik Active (run by one of our parents) are offering zorbing, nerf, combat and target archery, sports shootouts and more to our students. Initially, this was aimed at a specific cohort of students but we are now able to open this up to all interested students.
Full details, including how to sign your child(ren) up are on the attached document. Please take advantage of this amazing opportunity but be warned, it is first come, first served as places are limited!
Dangers of cold and ice
You may remember a message we put out before Christmas about the dangers of playing on ice and around cold water following the tragic incident in Solihull. Messing around in water during freezing conditions can have serious consequences and we were recently made aware of a situation in our own community where a student put themselves in real danger.
We have also been made aware of some dangerous incidents where young people have been throwing ice around the Knavesmire. This not only carries the danger of the cold but can also cause physical harm to anyone that may be hit.
Whilst there is no evidence to show that Millthorpe pupils were involved, please speak to your child(ren) about remaining sensible, enjoying the novelty and beauty of a frozen space but please reiterate the message that they must not put themselves and others into harm’s way.
#WakeUpWednesday
National Online Safety have produced two more handy guides for parents/carers. The first will be useful for all of us, not just to discuss with your child, as it gives practical advice on keeping safe from cyber attacks in an increasingly digital world. The second is aimed at discussing the use of Twitter with your child(ren) but again, may be useful for adult Twitter users too.
Youth musical production of Les Miserables
Be Amazing Arts are staging Les Miserables in the spring and are looking for auditionees.
They are hosting open auditions for 7-18 year olds on 9 February at Huntington School from 5.30pm – 9.15pm.
To find out more and register, please click here.
Safeguarding
If you have significant concerns for the welfare of a child, in addition to being able to contact Mrs Cole or Ms Simpson during school hours by emailing safeguarding@millthorpe.southbank.academy, you may wish to make direct contact with the York MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) on T: 01904 551900, option 3. They operate an out-of-hours service so concerns can be raised with them at any time.
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