Weekly email – 12 July 2024

A message from Mrs Rothenburg

Well, once again, it’s been quite a week!

Our Year 11 Prom took place last Friday evening at the Racecourse – what a night! It was so lovely to see the students in all their finery, singing and dancing the night away. If you haven’t already seen photos on our social media accounts, you’ll be able to take a look in our Millthorpe Messenger which comes out at the end of term. Massive thanks to the staff team who worked so hard to arrange this farewell event for our students.

This week we also enjoyed the Trust’s ArtsFest which took place at York Barbican on Tuesday. The event saw all six of the SBMAT schools come together to celebrate creativity and collaboration, each performing their chosen pieces. Millthorpe students presented a showcase from last year’s school production, Elf, in addition to the concert band’s rendition of Blues Bothers and Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, and our dancers gave a marvellous performance to Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill. Our students did themselves proud; thank you to everyone who came along to ArtsFest to support the performers.

Thankfully, the weather held for us earlier this week allowing us all to enjoy our annual sports day on Wednesday. Everyone who took part performed brilliantly, but it wouldn’t be sports day without a bit of healthy competition! The forms who were victorious on the day, scoring the most points are: Year 7: 7MBO; Year 8: 8CHU; Year 9: 9DMA and Year 10: 10SRI. Well done to you all and especially to those who broke school records! We’ll cover all the news and share some more photos in next week’s Millthorpe Messenger.

On Wednesday evening we celebrated the success and progress of more than 70 of our students who were selected by Heads of Department to receive an award in their subject. It was a lovely evening enjoyed by staff, students and their families. You can read more below.

As we strive for continuous improvement, we are looking to try to enhance the school experience for our students. We are therefore making some small but important changes to support our students more in September. We explained the changes and rationale to students in form time today. Please have a read of the article below which explains the plans.

Congratulations to those students nominated by their faculty this week to have a chat and an ice lolly with me, including Rosie Fern, Alfie Martin, Noah Wharton, Georgia Paris, Aisha Turan, Poppy Bailey, Josie Cook, Iris Downes, Grace Tomlinson, Eylul Demir and Eilidh Greaves. Keep up the great work and attitude everyone!

Next week we are looking forward to another jam-packed week with a Year 9 residential to Carlton Lodge, trips to Yorkshire Wildlife Park and Flamingo Land and activities for those students staying at school on Wednesday.

Have a lovely weekend everyone, we’ll be back in school on Monday for an ‘A’ Week and the last week of term!

With best wishes,

Kavina Rothenburg
Acting Headteacher

Maximising learning time

We know that Millthorpe School is a complex site and that students sometimes take a few minutes to move between lessons, ordinarily when their classrooms are at opposite sides of the school. Some students have also reported that they can struggle to access toilets or fill up water bottles during the lesson changeover and were keen to have official movement time built into the school day. We have listened to this feedback from students and staff, and from September, we will build in five minutes ‘movement time’ between lessons.

Students will need to be on the school site by 8.40am every day, and will then have the five minutes movement time to get to their Form room. Form Time starts at 8.45am and any student arriving after this time will be marked as being late.

Period 2, 4 and 5 lessons will remain as one-hour lessons. Period 1 and 3 lessons will last 55 minutes to enable the movement time, but learning time will not be unduly affected as we have worked on a system to maximise learning time once students arrive at the classroom. This is also following consultation with staff and students.

When we return in September, it will be explained to students exactly how we want them to begin their lessons. In summary, they will be greeted warmly and reminded to Go for Gold, enter quickly and sensibly, take out their equipment and begin the first task immediately.

We will also remind students about leaving lessons correctly, making full use of the lesson time before packing their things away and leaving the classroom when invited to do so.

For the vast majority of students, they will be entering and leaving lessons as they always have done. There will simply be an increased focus on reminding them to Go for Gold to help everyone get the most out of lessons.

As we always do, we will give students a couple of weeks to get used to this before it becomes the formal expectation and any associated sanctions are imposed. This will be explained to the students in September, with videos to watch in Form Time and a chance to practise before they go to lessons.

Awards Evening 2024

On Wednesday evening we gathered in the school hall for our Awards Evening to celebrate the success and progress of more than 70 of our students who were selected by Heads of Department to receive an award in their subject. These awards were for personal achievement, effort and progress. Nominations were also made for students who have a real passion for learning or who work relentlessly to make good progress.

Our award winners are:

• English: Alice Jarvis (Y7), Frank Walker (Y8), Leila Bull (Y9), Alice Driscoll (Y10)
• Science: Imogen Bind (Y7), Meredith Fricke (Y8), Noah Wallace (Y9), Haneen El-Gomati (Y10)
• Geography: Sofia Wiggins (Y7), Katie Wilton (Y8), Jemima Barr (Y9), Joseph Giles (Y10)
• History: Imogen Cooper (Y7), Rosie Fern (Y8), Matthew Banham (Y9), Tom Brook (Y10)
• Maths: Catherine Hoult (Y7), Luke Gready (Y8), Nadia Lombardo (Y9), Bodhi Justice (Y10)
• Drama: Stanley Richardson (Y7), Queenie Bell (Y8), Molly Evans (Y9), Beba Stokes (Y10)
• French: Rosa Boxall (Y7), Charlotte Dodgson-O’Brien (Y8), William Saunders (Y9), Isaac Vidler (Y10)
• German: Lily Van der Arend (Y7), George Jestico (Y8), Isla Crompton (Y9), Harry Gill (Y10)
• PE: Harry Newell (Y7), Ella Croft (Y8), Freya Barker (Y9), Rowan Whittaker (Y10)
• Art: Lily Van Der Arend (Y7), Jack Day (Y8), Jenna Dewsnap (Y9), Abigail Harris (Y10)
• Technology: Zoe Brown (Y7), Mathilde Porhel (Y8), Nessim Sesay (Y9)
• IT: Pixie Ralph (Y7), Gabriel Charlson (Y8), Lewis Hayler (Y9), Melissa Dodd (Y10)
• RE: Wilfred Allen (Y7), Esther de la Pena (Y8), Eylul Demir (Y9), Kasi Ward (Y10)
• Child Development: Carlotte Grant (Y10)
• Engineering: Joe Southall (Y10)
• Food: Libby Fowke (Y10)
• Graphics: Ty Deighton (Y10)
• 3d Design: Leo Van Der Arend (Y10)
• Textiles: Nina Brichieri (Y10)

Thank you to everyone who came together to organise a lovely evening enjoyed by staff, students and their families.

Special thanks also go to the following students who contributed to the evening:

• GCSE Artwork: Ursula Jarvis, Poppy Kay and Alice Saker
• Band: Charlie Walker, Frank Walker, Abigail Harris and Dylan Blaker Pugh
• Student Leaders: Harry Gill, Haneen El Gomati, Beba Stokes and Abigail Harris
• Debating Team: Annabelle Jacques, William Reeves, Lewis Hayler, Alice Jarvis, Freddie Newton, Elena Mellows and Verity Stirling

What is my child learning at the moment?

Please see below to find out what your child has been learning about recently in order to have productive discussions about their education:

Year 7 – Faculty: Maths
Conversation starter

• What does the ‘average’ Year 7 look like?
• What questions do you need to ask to answer this question? How can you present your findings?
• What different charts or graphs can you interpret and what are their advantages or disadvantages?

Year 8 – Faculty: Creative
Conversation starter

• Fine Art: Year 8 are putting the final touches to their exciting personal responses for the ‘Art & Science’ / Insect Art project. It is wonderful to see how students are refining their craft skills and applying colour theory knowledge to their collages. We celebrated Year 8 achievements at the SBMAT Arts Festival at the Barbican last week with an ‘Endangered UK Insect’ display. Looking out for and discussing current news articles about UK insects would support your child’s classroom-based learning about the importance of insects to our ecosystems and how environmental changes are impacting on insects.
• Design & Technology: Year 8 are all continuing their cultural studies and designs, with time block 4 drawing to a close. Please ask your child which discipline they are currently doing (Product Design, Graphics, Textiles or Food Preparation & Nutrition) and ask about the culture they have studied and what product they are designing and making.

Year 9 – Faculty: Humanities
Conversation starter

• History: Students have started studying our final module of Year 9, which further prepares them for GCSE History. This is exploring the Cold War, and understanding this is crucial for the Conflict in Asia GCSE module (25% of the History GCSE). Please ask your child to explain to you the difference between Capitalism and Communism, and why both sides had enormous distrust of the other.
• Geography: What are the impacts of climate change? What is the difference between mitigating climate change and adapting to climate change?
• RE: Students have been learning about religious buildings and how religious people may use them. Does being religious make you a more generous person? Should it be compulsory that everyone gives to charity? Should we sell all religious buildings so that money can be used to help the poor?

Year 10 – Faculty: Science
Conversation starter
This week students have been receiving feedback on their Year 10 Pre-Public Exam. They have been reflecting on their scores and grades and working on “Every Mark Matters” to identify their areas of strength and areas for development. Ask them to show you their AQA Merit Sheet.

Year 11 – All faculties
Conversation starter
We had an amazing time at Prom last week and hope that your child made memories that will stay with them forever. Please check your inbox for details of Results Day. This was also posted on the Prom Google Classroom for your child to view.

We hope that you will find this information useful when talking to your child about their learning.

Additionally, you might want to take a look at the curriculum section of our website which has lots more information about what your child is, has, or will be learning over the academic year. 

School uniform

As we get closer to the summer holidays, can we please ask parents to ensure their children arrive at school in the correct uniform? This includes the correct school shoes. A very small number of students are allowed to wear all black trainers; these students have been given a footwear pass after providing medical evidence.

Any students with nose piercings must use a plastic retainer during school time. They are not allowed to cover a piercing with a plaster.

We have a small stock of uniform to lend to students who might occasionally forget to dress themselves correctly. It is however running very low because items are not always returned. If your child has borrowed any items, can they please return them before 19 July.

Wearing the school uniform with pride shows everyone you are part of the Millthorpe School community and sets the tone for the day. It’s amazing how excellent uniform can be linked (unscientifically!) to an excellent attitude to learning!

Trips to Flamingo Land or Yorkshire Wildlife Park

If your child is going to either Flamingo Land or Yorkshire Wildlife Park on 17 July, all of the information you need is contained in this letter.

Activities for students staying in school on 17 July

For those staying in school next Wednesday, we are organising a morning carousel of activities and a cinema afternoon. Snacks to eat whilst watching the film are actively encouraged!

Please remind students to meet outside the back of the main hall at 8.45am on Wednesday rather than going to form. There will be a reminder about this on the student bulletin on Monday.

Wednesday will be a non-school uniform day – as some of the activities are sports related, please ensure students come to school in something they could do PE in.

All film requests should go to Mrs Norman in the lunch queue please!

Year 11s, please donate your uniform to the EcoLaundry

If any of our outgoing Year 11 students (or students in any year!) have any pieces of school uniform or PE kit which is in good condition, please do donate it to our Eco Laundry. We’d also be happy to receive any revision guides that are no longer needed.

Any donations can be dropped off at the School Office between 8.00am-3.30pm every week day until the end of term.

Eco Laundry pre-loved uniform sale – Monday 15 July

We are holding our annual Eco Laundry sale for our new Year 7 families on Monday 15 July.

From 4.00-4.45pm this will be by invitation only to support the families most in need (those eligible for Pupil Premium funding) and then from 4.45-6.00pm, the Eco Laundry will be open to all families.

Matilda cast list

The final cast list for our December production of ‘Matilda’ will be announced in a meeting at 1.30pm on Monday 15 July. All students who auditioned should come straight to the Drama Hall at the beginning of lunch to hear who will be playing which part – I’m so excited to be able to tell you all!

– Mrs Sladen

Non-uniform Day update

Thank you to everyone who donated to the non-uniform day today in aid of Born Free. The charity works tirelessly to ensure that all wild animals, whether living in captivity or in the wild, are treated with compassion and respect and are able to live their lives according to their needs.

With all of your donations and the proceeds of the bake sale at break time, we have so far raised £445. Anyone still wishing to make a donation (the suggested donation is £1) can do so on ParentPay.

– The Student Leaders

Library books

There are still quite a few outstanding library books, despite last Friday’s reminder and a two-week drive to get books back!

If you have a child in Year 7 or 8, they will have been informed by their form teacher if they have a library book. Please check if they have returned it. If there is a problem, please encourage your child to go and see Miss Brooks in the Library who will be able to resolve any issues. If students do not speak to Miss Brooks, the book will remain on their account as outstanding and will be further chased up.

Job of the week – Zookeeper

Zookeepers work in… well…. zoos, and usually specialise in working with one animal type or one section of the zoo, such as the reptile house. Their job is to keep the animals healthy and allow them to thrive in captivity. It’s not all about the animals though. There is a need to communicate and work alongside the public so people skills are important too. For more information on becoming a Zookeeper, you can watch this video.

Safety near the railways

With summer holidays approaching, Network Rail have been in touch to ask us to share some important safety messages with you. Sadly, they are still seeing numerous incidents involving children and young people behaving dangerously near the railway, including trespassing, in our area.

Network Rail’s You vs Train clip Harrison’s Story – You vs. Train (youvstrain.co.uk) tells the story of 11-year-old Harrison Ballantyne, who tragically lost his life when he was electrocuted by overhead power cables after straying into a rail freight depot to retrieve a lost football. Please consider watching this with your children.

Other key messages Network Rail would like us to share, are:

• Trains are fast and quiet, travelling up to 125mph and taking 2km (1 and a quarter miles) to come to a stop.
• It is against the law to trespass on the railway and can result in a fine of £1,000 and a criminal record. This isn’t just about going onto the tracks; climbing over our fences, throwing things onto the railway etc. is still dangerous and can lead to police involvement even if you don’t go on the tracks.
• The electricity is ALWAYS switched on around the railway including our equipment boxes and overhead wires, and these use very high voltages and are very dangerous.
• You don’t have to be touching the wires to receive an electric shock as electricity can jump (arc) up to 3 metres in any direction – including upwards. Even if you’re above the wires (e.g. climbing on a bridge) it doesn’t mean you’re safe from them when getting too close. The injuries received from such a shock can be life-changing, and unfortunately are often deadly.
• Always Stop, Look and Listen before using a Level Crossing. Never start to cross a level crossing when its lights are flashing.
• Make sure you’re paying attention whenever you use any kind of level crossing; keep dogs on short leads, walk across with bikes and horses rather than riding them across, and don’t be distracted by phones, earphones etc. as you use the crossing.
• Trains can generate turbulence as they go past, it’s strong enough to drag someone onto the tracks or under the train – another good reason to not trespass, and the reason why we have the yellow lines on our platforms.
• Should you witness any incidents of unauthorised access or trespass, or any other dangerous behaviour on or near railway land please contact British Transport Police by texting 61016, or in emergencies call 999. You can also call the Network Rail 24-hour helpline on 03457 11 41 41.

For more information on railway safety you can visit https://switchedonrailsafety.co.uk/ which has games, quizzes, and activities aimed at those aged 3 to 16.

Explore York summer activities for 11-18s

Explore York is hosting a number of activities for 11-18 year olds over the summer break, including:

• Song Writing workshops – £2 a session
• The Story Engine, a session about seeing how AI stacks up against the human brain – half day session including lunch, £5
• Your Creative Summer, a four-day creative workshop delivered by Thunk It Theatre – £2 a session
• Art Camp, week-long camp learning techniques and tips and creating a portrait using acrylics – 5 sessions for £10
• Power of Women, a two-day creative retreat exploring identity – £10 for both days including lunch
• Dungeons and Dragons workshops (not on the leaflet but bookable through the QR code on there) – £3 a session

Further information can be found on the attached pdf.

Summer STEM event at Selby Abbey

The Community and Education team at Drax Power Station are hosting summer activities at Selby Abbey on 27, 28 and 29 August 2024.

The free sessions are aimed at young people aged 9-13 years old and using Lego they will construct a robot and learn how to code to move the robot around a track.

Further details and booking information can be seen below.

#WakeUpWednesday – What parents and carers need to know about sharing intimate images

The sharing of nudes, semi-nudes and other explicit material is a prominent issue in today’s digital landscape: both their distribution and their misuse. In fact, the National Crime Agency has issued an alert to hundreds of thousands of education professionals after a study found that 26,718 cases of “sextortion” had been reported in 2023 – more than doubling from the year before.

It’s vital for parents and educators to be aware of how they can safeguard children from exposure to, or involvement in, sharing intimate images – especially given that the sharing of such material featuring under-18s is a serious criminal offence. This week’s guide offers expert insight into the risks of sharing intimate images online, as well as tips on implementing measures to shield children from encountering inappropriate digital content of a sexual nature.

Safeguarding

If you have significant concerns for the welfare of a child, in addition to being able to contact Mrs Cole, Mrs Cooper or Mr Beever 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.