A message from Ms Greenhalgh
I hope everyone had a lovely Easter break. It has been a great week at school and wonderful to see so many of our students enjoying our outdoor spaces in the sunshine at break and lunchtimes.
This week, we have welcomed Miss Boyd to Millthorpe as our new Assistant Headteacher for Pastoral Care. After 13 years of working in a pastoral role, Mr Baybutt has decided to widen his senior leadership experience by accepting the role of Assistant Headteacher for Teaching and Learning at Millthorpe. I’m very much looking forward to working with them both in their new roles.
Well done to those students who have been nominated by their faculty this week to enjoy a hot chocolate and a sweet treat with me earlier today. Miss Boyd also joined us for a lovely chat with Hal Ashman, James Borlase, Anna Brint, Harriet Burr, Isaac Calvert, George Craske, Martha McKay, Zachary Turley and Toby Winn.
I also want to give a mention to our Year 11 students who are gearing up to taking their GCSE exams in a couple of weeks. They are working really hard and I am very proud of the determination and resilience they are showing. As ever, if anyone is struggling however, and needs some support, please do contact us via your child’s form tutor in the first instance.
As you will no doubt be aware, more national strike action is planned over the next couple of weeks – further information about this can be found below. Also coming up shortly are the two May Bank Holidays on 1 and 8 May; school will be closed on both days.
I hope everyone has a good weekend. We’ll see everyone on Monday for a ‘B’ Week.
With best wishes,
Gemma Greenhalgh
Headteacher
National strike action
National strike action by the National Education Union (NEU) is planned for Thursday 27 April and Tuesday 2 May. On both these days, we will only be able to open to vulnerable students and students in Year 7 and Year 11.
For full information, please see Ms Greenhalgh’s letter to parents/carers here.
Road safety – travelling to and from school
This week, Mr Baybutt has delivered assemblies to all year groups asking them to consider how they arrive at and leave school. We have recently written to parents/carers asking them to avoid dropping off and collecting students right outside the school entrances as they are getting increasingly busy and, on occasion, a safety concern. Some young people are not particularly mindful of traffic and the dangers of the roads when they are supervised arriving at and leaving school, and this assembly implored them to take more care.
- Arrive at and leave school calmly and sensibly.
- Stick to the footpaths and crossings.
- Look both ways, and then look again.
- Focus on the roads, vehicles, and traffic.
- Cycle sensibly – wear a helmet, stick close to the kerb, single file/not in groups.
- Stop staring at your phones!
- Make sure conversations don’t inhibit your ability to judge the traffic.
- Keep one AirPod/earphone out so that you can hear traffic coming.
- Don’t take risks.
- TAKE CARE!
Calling all Year 11 parents/carers
Plans are well underway to give our Year 11s the send off they deserve. The planning for the Prom continues in earnest, and we now need your help with their Leavers Assembly please.
Eco Laundry – volunteer needed!
Would you have a few hours a week to spare after the next half-term break to help us with our Eco Laundry?
The Eco Laundry provides a facility through which parents/carers can buy or donate items of pre-loved school uniform, so it is not only kind to your pocket, but kind to the environment too.
We’re looking for a volunteer who could help with sorting, washing, mending and stocktaking, as well as helping with occasional sales events and prom outfits.
If you would like to help out, please register your interest by emailing the school office: admin@millthorpe.southbank.academy
We’d like to say a HUGE thank you to Mandi for her incredible work in the Eco Laundry over the last few years. She has been an absolute superstar, helping us to sell more than 1800 items of school uniform, saving families a whopping £17000. Mandi, you are a true Eco Laundry warrior! Thank you!
Design a logo competition
Design a logo competitionThe student leaders have been asked to come up with a name and design a logo for the careers programme at Millthorpe, so in order to get the best result, they have decided to run this a competition. Entries should be emailed to studentleadership@millthorpe.southbank.academy and the deadline is Wednesday 3 May.
SEND Universal Offer for Parents – Summer Term 2023
Please click here to view City of York Council’s SEND universal offer for Summer 2023.
YIK’s Parent Carer Forum
To find out more about events and support available from the YIK Parent Carer Forum please take a look at their latest newsletter here.
NCS Virtual Information Evening
NCS is a government funded residential programme aimed at 15-17 year olds which takes place in the summer. It has been specially designed to enhance a student’s potential, transforming their summer break into an opportunity to make an impact, learn new skills and prepare for work and life. Some of our past students have taken part in this fantastic opportunity and loved every minute of it!
NCS are inviting all Year 11 students and their parents/guardians to a Virtual Information Evening on 4 May, which will provide more insight about NCS and its programmes.
You can find full details in this letter.
Calling ‘Old Millthorpians’
Calling ‘Old Millthorpians’Are you an ‘Old Millthorpian’? If so we’d love to hear from you! We’d love to invite you to come in to speak to our students and talk to them about your career so far and perhaps a bit about your time at Millthorpe (or Mill Mount or Nunthorpe School).
Just email Sarah Watts, our Careers Lead E: s.watts@millthorpe.southbank.academy with details of where you are now, what your job is and a bit about your journey since you left school – we can’t wait to hear from you!
#WakeUpWednesday
National Online Safety have produced three excellent new guides. They focus on Echo Chambers, Fortnite Chapter 4, and a handy summary of the findings of OFCOMs 2023 survey into children and parents’ media use and attitudes report. Please take a look.
Public emergency alert test – don’t forget!
A reminder that on Sunday 23 April 2023 at 3pm, there will be a national test of the UK Emergency Alerts service. It is estimated this test will reach around 90% of mobile phones in the UK. The alarm will last for around ten seconds and includes sound and vibration. This is a nationwide test and you will not need to take any action.
Further information can be found 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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