Weekly email – 3 March 2023

A message from Ms Greenhalgh

It’s been another good week at school and great to see everyone celebrating World Book Week. Some of our students were lucky enough to enjoy a livestream on World Book Day yesterday, with author Michael Morpugo, which was amazing. Thanks to everyone in Year 7 and 8 who took part in the sponsored Readathon raising money for the Read for Good charity.

Next week, we’re looking forward to meeting parents/carers of our Year 11 students at our Parents’ Evening.

Yesterday, I sent all parents/carers a letter as we are aware of various discussions taking place on social media about some of the changes that have taken place recently at school. Whilst we completely respect people’s right to have such conversations both on and offline, I wanted to write to you to provide the facts and rationale behind some of the systems and strategies that have been posted about and commented on.

As mentioned at the end of this letter, I encourage you to get in touch with school if you have any questions or concerns or would like us to clarify anything. We are also happy to arrange visits to the school. There is a real sense of warmth and mutual respect between pupils and staff at Millthorpe and I would be very happy for anyone to see and experience this for themselves.

We very much value parent/carer feedback on all matetrs as this helps us to continue to improve the education we provide to our students. This can be sent to feedback@millthorpe.southbank.academy at any time.

You can see my letter in full here.

We’re back on Monday with a ‘A’ Week. I hope you have a great weekend.

Kind regards

Gemma Greenhalgh
Headteacher

Changes to PE from w/c Monday 6 March

Please 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 to Basketball, changing in the Sports Hall (indoor kit required and trainers).
• Mr Randall: moving to Handball, changing in the Gym (outdoor kit required and boots).

Girls PE:

• Girls that were on Rugby are moving to Dance/Fitness, changing in the Gym (indoor kit required and trainers).
• Girls that were on Dance/Fitness are moving to Rugby, changing in the Sports Hall (outdoor kit required and boots).*

Year 8

• Mr Boothman: moving to Basketball, changing in the Sports Hall (indoor kit required and trainers).
• Mr Randall: moving to Handball, changing in the Gym (outdoor kit required and boots).
• Miss Watts: moving to Dance/Fitness, changing in the Gym (indoor kit required and trainers).
• Miss Lansdall/Mrs Armitage: moving to Rugby, changing in the Sportshall (outdoor kit required and boots).*

Year 9

• Mr Boothman: Moving to Basketball, changing in the Sports Hall (indoor kit required and trainers).
• Mr Randall: Moving to Handball, changing in the Gym (outdoor kit required and boots).
• Miss Watts: Moving to Dance/Fitness, changing in the Gym (indoor kit required and trainers).
• Miss Lansdall/Mrs Armitage: Moving to Rugby, changing in the Sportshall (outdoor kit required and boots).*

* 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.

Thank you for sending your children into school with their PE kits for ALL lessons regardless of injury/illness. We expect all students to take an active role in the lesson whether this is as a participant, official, coach or assistant. We will always engage our students within the lesson and therefore our expectation is that we all take part in our PE kit together. We will provide a clean PE kit to those students that fail to bring in their PE kit and expect them to engage with the learning.

Ramadan 2023

In order to support our Muslim students who may be observing Ramadan, please complete this short Google Form to let us know how we can support them during this holy month.

Eco Laundry

If your child has borrowed any items from the Eco Laundry recently, could you please wash and return them to school as soon as possible please as we are running very low on stock.

If you are planning a spring clean and declutter, would you please look out for any items of preloved school uniform which your child/ren no longer wear? Any items of school uniform would be gratefully received.

Also, as we are now approaching prom season, if anyone has any dresses, suits, accessories or shoes, we would love to add these to our ‘promdrobe’.

Donations can be dropped off at main reception during school opening hours. Many thanks is advance!

Congratulations to Leo

Following on from his success in the previous round of cross country, Leo Forsdyke in Year 7 has now been selected to represent North Yorkshire in the English Schools Cross Country finals in Leicestershire later this month.

We wish him all the very best!

Careers in the construction industry

On 7 March, from 6.00-7.30pm the CITB are holding an online session all about careers in the construction industry for students aged 14-19. For further information and booking details, please take a look at the attached flyer.

Work experience opportunity

There is an opportunity for a small number of Year 11 students to undertake some additional work experience with the sound and lighting technicians at York Barbican, at our Trust’s Annual Celebration of the Arts festival. It will be for a full day on 13 July, 9.00am-8.00pm.

Anyone interested should see Miss Watts for further information.

Creative workshops at York Theatre Royal

The York Theatre Royal team are hosting a series of workshops exploring storytelling, movement, playwriting, set-making and more for those aged 11-18 with an interest in theatre and film. Participants will get to go behind the scenes, have a go at some of the skills and ask any questions about how theatre is made and performed.

The free workshops start with a trip to watch a performance of Run, Rebel – the world premiere adaptation of Manjeet Mann’s celebrated novel.

To sign up, please click here. 

Free dance opportunity with National Youth Dance Company

Each year, National Youth Dance Company brings together talented young dancers from across England to work with Sadler’s Wells internationally renowned Associate Artists to develop their dance practice and create world-class performances. This spring, dancer experience workshops are taking place across the country for dancers aged 16-18, from all dance backgrounds.

For further information, 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.