A message from Mrs Rothenburg
It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas at school this week! We enjoyed a fun, festive Christmas Concert on Monday evening featuring performances from our regularly rehearsing ensembles: guitar club, jazz band, Millthorpe band, brass-ish group (expertly led by Mr McGregor), and choir as well as some beautiful solo pieces. Our students were exceptional. There is so much talent amongst our student body, but what impresses me most is the commitment and hard work it takes to become such accomplished musicians and singers. Well done and thank you to everyone who took part and to our Subject Leader of Music, Miss Longbottom, for organising such a lovely evening.
I would also like to thank Dr Max Elliot, who played our beautifully restored pipe organ at the concert – his performance was truly breathtaking! Thank you also to Geoffrey Coffin, the original organist who installed the organ many years ago and came back to restore the organ to its former glory. This is such a lovely story that BBC Look North asked to film it and we were delighted to welcome them to Millthorpe on Monday. You can see the piece here, just watch from 16:00minutes.
It’s wonderful to see so many donations coming in already for our Christmas Charity Appeal. Thank you to those who have already sent items into school. A reminder about the appeal and how you can donate is below.
Our Matilda cast have been working incredibly hard as showtime edges ever closer. Next week they are performing in assemblies each day as they ready themselves for the shows on 17, 18 and 19 December. I’m sure they will all be amazing! I was lucky enough to watch part of the rehearsals this week, it is already looking like a show to remember!
I continue to be a very proud Principal as our students steadfastly show they are ready, responsible and respectful. A magnificent 97% of our Class Charts logs continue to be green, so huge congratulations to all those students who demonstrate our values every day and are truly committed to their learning.
A special mention goes to those students who were nominated to attend Principal’s Breakfast with me this morning including Megan, Anna, Grace, Max, Lily and Emie. Well done to you all.
Lastly, I would like to extend my thanks to you, parents, carers and families, for your continued support, not just at this busy time, but throughout the year. It really does feel like we all belong to a strong, caring and united community.
I look forward to seeing everyone back in school on Monday for a ‘B’ Week. Have a lovely weekend everyone!
With best wishes,
Kavina Rothenburg
Acting Principal
What is my child learning at the moment?
Please see below to find out what your child has been learning this week in order to have productive discussions about their education:
Year 7 – Faculty: Humanities
Conversation starters
- History: This term we will be unpicking how the Normans brought ‘a truckload of trouble’ to Anglo Saxon England. Ask your child how the Normans won the Battle of Hastings and how they eventually conquered England. They will also complete their first formal piece of essay writing, so do check in their books to see how they do.
- Geography: What is the water cycle? How is this related to rivers? What are the four types of erosion in a river?
- RE: What is the Bible? How did William Tyndale risk his life to translate the first copy of the Bible into English?
Year 8 – Faculty: Performance
Conversation starters
- Drama: Students are reading the play ‘Our Day Out’ by Willy Russell, considering how a television script is different to a playscript, but how this can be adapted through the use of a variety of creative drama techniques to work successfully on stage – please do ask them for a demonstration!
- Music: Students are concluding our chords unit with a songwriting project. Ask your child to show you their song!
- PE: Students are in their final week of sports and the girls have been developing their skills and gameplay in badminton and gymnastics. Ask your child if they can tell you about the different serves in badminton. Ask your child if they can tell you about the different balances and flight they have developed in gymnastics. The boys have been developing their skills in football and rugby. Ask your child if they can tell you about the different types of passes in football.
Year 9 – Faculty: Creative
Conversation starters
- Design & Technology: Students are now a few weeks into Timeblock 2 and studying Emerging Technology through Graphics, Textiles, Food Preparation & Nutrition and Product Design. Please ask your child about what they are designing and making. They have multiple choice quizzes for homework (Google Forms) on Google Classroom and can also show you the work booklets we use to help explain their project to you.
- Art: After an intensive research and design development phase, Year 9 are now busy making their clay pots! Please ask your child about how to join clay onto clay using the Millthorpe Scratch, Slip, Slide & Smooth method. We have been impressed with their teamwork skills so far as they set up to work with clay and clear away in D6 & D7. The pots will be completed by Christmas ready to air dry and be fired in January while students draw the pot they have made and plan a colour scheme for the painting stage.
Year 10 – Faculty: English
Conversation starters
Year 10 students have been working on their speeches in recent lessons. This is a compulsory component for their English Language GCSE and is usually one of the activities students most enjoy during their two years of GCSE English study! They have freedom to speak on a subject they are passionate about, and then answer some questions from their peers. We anticipate you may already know what your child has decided to speak about – if not, do ask them what they have chosen to explore, and why!
Year 11 – Faculty: Maths
Conversation starters
In preparation for a calculator assessment next week, can students use their calculator efficiently to calculate with percentages, fractions, indices, decimals and trigonometry?
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 will be learning over the academic year.
Uniform reminder
We politely remind you that all students are expected to arrive on the school premises in the correct uniform by 8.40 am each day so that they are ‘Ready to Learn’ from the moment they enter school.
Recently, we have noticed some students wearing leggings and socks with their school skirts, which does not comply with our Uniform Policy. For those choosing to wear the Millthorpe School skirt, it must be paired with natural, black, or navy tights.
Students arriving at the gate wearing incorrect uniform will have a note added to Class Charts and be required to change into the correct uniform from our supply. If a student receives three such notes, they will receive a lunchtime detention.
Any parent/carer who doesn’t have access to Class Charts should contact the Main Office as soon as possible to ask for access codes. Class Charts enables us to communicate clearly with parents/carers and establish a close working relationship, so please do ensure you have access.
Thank you for your assistance and understanding in this matter which will help us to ensure that we are not taking up precious learning time with uniform issues.
Power Play Week
This week was Power Play Week. For the entire week, every positive that students received on Class Charts was worth double points! So +2 points turned into +4 points and so on. Our students have really thrown themselves into the week, with colleagues witnessing some fantastic effort, behaviour and work.
The top three students from each year group will receive special recognition for their efforts of being a Gold Standard Learner this term. The awards will be presented in the Recognition Assembly by the Head of Year in the last week of term.
Millthorpe Christmas Charity Appeal
Last week in assembly Mrs Rothenburg launched our annual Millthorpe Christmas Charity Appeal. As in previous years we are asking for donations of food, toiletries, and clothes for the charities we are supporting, who in turn support those most in need in our local community. The charities we are supporting this year are SASH, Refugee Action York (RAY), Carecent, and Collective Sharehouse. Students will also be looking at the charities and items to collect in more detail in next week’s Culture Curriculum.
Please see the attached list of the items requested.
All donations should be brought in and put under the Christmas Tree by the office by Friday 13 December.
Thank you for your support.
Christmas dinner
A reminder that Christmas dinner will be served on Wednesday 18 December this year. Students can enjoy a traditional turkey dinner or a vegetarian option, whilst wearing their Christmas jumpers (see below) and being entertained by some of our students who will be performing a selection of festive numbers!
Tickets, priced at £2.85, are now available via ParentPay. If your child has any dietary requirements, please let us know on ParentPay and if your child would like the vegetarian meal, please add this to the notes section when booking.
Children eligible for free school meals?
Children who are eligible for free school meals will not have to pay and do not need to register via ParentPay. Parents/carers should have received a text message with a link to add their child’s preferences. Please only use this link if your child is in receipt of free school meals.
Christmas Jumper Day
A reminder that we will be taking part in Christmas Jumper Day on 18 December, raising money for Save the Children.
On the day, students can wear their Christmas jumper instead of their blazer and school jumper, but they will still need to wear the rest of their normal school uniform and the correct shoes.
Anyone wishing to take part should donate a £1 either on the day or via ParentPay. All donations will be going to Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day fundraiser.
Matilda tickets available on ParentPay
If you haven’t already bought your tickets for our school production of Matilda, you can do so on ParentPay. The shows will take place on Tuesday 17, Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 December at 6.30pm, with an estimated end time of 8.30pm.
Matilda rehearsals – a message from Mrs Sladen
There’s only one week of rehearsals left now until show week, so this is reflected in the rehearsal schedule!
To help you plan, the rehearsal schedule for the final two weeks is below. (Please note that due to absences we have swapped the Full Cast rehearsal from Monday to Tuesday.)
W/c 9 December
We are performing in assemblies all this week to promote the show, so please come straight to the Main Hall when you arrive on site at 8.30am each morning in order to get ready and into costume. Do not go to form, I will register you in the hall.
- Monday 9 December, 3.30-6.00pm: Main Hall – Principals, Kids, Big Kids
- Tuesday 10 December, 3.30-6.00pm: Main Hall – Full Cast
- Wednesday 11 December, 3.30-5.00pm: Main Hall – Principals, Kids, Big Kids
- Thursday 12 December, 3.30-5.00pm: Main Hall – Principals, Kids, Big Kids
- Friday 13 December, 8.45am-4.30pm: Main Hall – Full Cast for Technical Rehearsal Day – out of lessons all day.
W/c 16 December
- Monday 16 December, 8.45am-4.30pm: Main Hall – Full Cast for Dress Rehearsal Day – out of lessons all day. We are performing the show to a full audience of local primary school students in the morning and after school we are performing some selected songs and scenes for all our school staff.
- Tuesday 17 December: Show 1
- Wednesday 18 December – Show 2
- Thursday 19 December – Show 3
For each show day, please be in school by 6.00pm – the show starts at 6.30pm, estimated end time is 8.30pm.
Please do bring drinks, snacks and perhaps something more comfortable to change into for rehearsals going forward – we all need to look after ourselves now in order to make this show the very best that it can be.
I am so proud of you all and everything that you have done to get to where we are now – just one last push is needed! Thank you!
Eco Laundry
Our Eco Laundry provides affordable items of preloved uniform, all of which are clean and in excellent condition. We are however in need of stock again, so if you have been having a clear out over the Christmas break, we would like to ask you to donate your unwanted uniform and PE kits please. We will also gratefully receive any donations of revision guides.
Uniform and books can be brought into the School Office any weekday between 8.00am – 4.00pm. Thank you in advance!
Job of the week – Housing Officer
A housing officer is responsible for securing housing for a range of different people and services including private housing associations, local councils and private sector organisations. It also includes managing and collecting payments as well as supporting people in dealing with repairs or complaints. Good people skills are key to this job.
For more information on becoming a housing officer, watch this video.
Apprenticeship vacancies
York College is currently advertising an apprenticeship vacancy at Fera Science Ltd, Sand Hutton. They are looking for an Apprentice Laboratory Assistant who will make an invaluable contribution to their Food Safety & Biosecurity. Students with a passion for science and a practical mindset, looking to kickstart a career in a dynamic and varied work environment, are encouraged to apply.
To find full job details and to apply, visit the Apprenticeship Service website. The application deadline is 28/02/2025.
Also attached are Hospitality and Construction vacancies, which require an email or phone call directly to the employer.
A note on closing dates: vacancies often close earlier than the stated date, so if you are interested, please make sure you apply as soon as you can.
You can also read the attached guidance on how to write a strong application to ensure the best chance of success.
Other apprenticeships are available and can be accessed through the Careers section of your child’s Google Classroom.
Northern Gas Networks Young Innovators Council 2025
Northern Gas Networks is looking for young people aged 14-19 who would like to apply to become a member of the Northern Gas Networks Young Innovators Council 2025.
Key information
- Young people will form the Young Innovators Council and contribute their perspectives on decision making and future thinking with Northern Gas Networks.
- There will be a minimum of five Panel Sessions through the year.
- The Panel Sessions’s agenda will be developed in partnership with the business and the Young Innovators Council, leading to meaningful and relevant engagement.
- Panel Sessions will take place online and after school / college, with one in-person session at the start of the year.
- Panel Sessions will each take approximately 1.5 hours, with approximately 30 minutes of preparation work and a 15-minute Feedback Form.
Benefits for young people
- Gain increased networking opportunities.
- Develop skills, e.g., teamwork, confidence, negotiation.
- Influence the plans and strategies of a business.
- Broaden their understanding of the business landscape
- Receive recognition of their work via references and certificates
How to apply
Anyone interested in joining the panel should apply here.
You can find out more about Northern Gas Networks here and see their flyer here.
Creative Writing Together at York St John University
Creative Writing Together is a new programme which is part of the Creative Literacies Hub at York St John Communities Centre. This series of free sessions starts on Tuesday 7 January 2025 and is open to parents, caregivers, and children between ages 7-14. Throughout all six workshops, participants will engage in collaborative creative writing, exploring various settings, characters, and plots. Find out more and sign up via the York St John website.
Our programmes are delivered on Tuesdays. Doors open from 3.30pm but sessions will start nearer to 4.00pm to allow for the school run. Sessions end at 5.00pm and the programme lasts for six weeks. Workshop dates are: 7, 14, 21 and 28 January, 4 and 11 February 2025.
Parent Exam Stress Session Webinar
Is your child feeling the pressure of exams?
Join this free online session hosted by the Wellbeing in Mind Team and CAMHS to learn practical ideas, resources, and strategies to support children and young people through exam stress.
The session will take place on Tuesday 10 December, 5:30-6:30pm via Microsoft Teams.
Join the session:
Meeting ID: 326 564 782 395
Passcode: eT6Vr3F3
For any questions or further information, please contact tewv.wellbeinginmind@nhs.net
#WakeUpWednesday – A guide to Mental Health and Wellbeing Apps
Understanding and acceptance of mental health is dramatically increasing and we do everything that we can to support students if they present with any mental health issues in school. Whilst we are not mental health professionals, we have staff in school who are trained in this area and will always work with students and their families to provide support, guidance, and signpost to appropriate services.
Our Padlet has lots of resources and information which can help and we feel that this should always be your first port of call – please see below for links.
We are also aware that some young people and families may explore apps and websites for support outside of the Padlet. We would always encourage the use of our Padlet as this is personally compiled by our Designated Safeguarding Lead and you can be confident that the content is appropriate and accurate.
If young people or families do choose to explore alternative services, there can be lots of associated risks – from data collection to a potentially unhelpful, impersonal experience. It can be difficult to know how to keep young users safe as they navigate these services, but this week’s free guide from The National College provides advice on how to do this, while also breaking down the specific safety concerns of mental health and wellbeing apps.
Online support for students and parents
We wanted to remind you about our online support app called Padlet, which is a directory of support available for students and parents.
Padlet signposts the user to a range of websites and resources, providing support and advice relating to mental health, exam stress, online safety, self care, managing emotions, young carers, family support and more.
You can visit the Padlets by scanning the QR codes or clicking the links below.
Visit the Parent Padlet
Visit the Student Padlet
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.
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