A message from Mrs Rothenburg
It’s been another great week at Millthorpe so this week’s email is a bumper edition with lots to report and celebrate.
Well done to all of those who have represented Millthorpe so brilliantly in recent sporting fixtures. This week seems to have been especially jam-packed with matches and competitions! You can read about some of them below.
Our Class Charts data this week continues to be 96% greens, which is absolutely fantastic. Congratulations to our amazing students who impress us every day.
Good luck to our Year 10 Drama students who are performing in the Co-Create Festival at York St John University this evening. The students have been at the university all day today, rehearsing and taking part in workshops and will now be on stage! I had the pleasure of watching the pieces yesterday – the talent was undeniable, and the pieces were full of dramatic techniques, realistic characters and great storylines. Break a leg everyone!
Next week we’re looking forward to welcoming Year 8 students and their families into school for Parents’ Evening (Wednesday 12 February). Parents/carers should have received information about the evening and details of how to book appointments, but if you have any queries, please contact the office.
Congratulations to those students who came along to Principal’s Breakfast with me this morning, including Layla, Erin, Mehar, Ahsan, Freya, Callum, Antonia, Katie, Zoe, Lewis and Alice. It was lovely chatting to you all!
We’re back in school on Monday as usual for an ‘A’ Week and the final week of this half term. School will close for a week at the usual time on Friday 14 February.
Have a great weekend everyone!
With best wishes,
Kavina Rothenburg
Acting Principal
Consultation – adjustments to the school day
Thank you to all parents/carers who have contributed feedback to the consultation so far. We really value all the thoughts and questions that you have shared with us. We have also greatly appreciated hearing our students’ feedback and engaging in thoughtful discussions to answer their questions. Their insights have been exceptional, demonstrating a thorough consideration of the proposed changes and presenting various details and angles we might not have otherwise considered.
In response to the points raised so far, we have updated the Frequently Asked Questions section of the webpage, including providing details of some of the enrichment activities we are planning to offer. (Just click the link and scroll to the bottom of the page to view the additional FAQs.)
A reminder that full details of the proposal together with information on how to contribute feedback or book a place at one of the remaining round table events, can also be found on our website.
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: How did William conquer England? Ask your child about the Harrying of the North and the use of castles.
- RE: We are exploring what was so radical about Jesus. How was his teaching different to what people had heard before? We’ve considered how he treated women radically different to the cultural norms of the day.
- Geography: What is a natural resource? What is the difference between a renewable and non-renewable resource?
Year 8 – Faculty: Performance
Conversation starters
- Drama: Scripted Drama – ‘Our Day Out’, Willy Russell. Students are completing their unit of study on ‘Our Day Out’ by completing a written theory test to review the knowledge they have gained over the course of this unit. They are also performing a scripted scene from the play in pairs to demonstrate how their practical performance skills have developed – please do ask them for a performance!
- Music: Students will begin exploring how to read notation and play the keyboard two hands together.
- PE: Students have moved onto their new activity block with the boys developing their skills in handball and basketball. The girls have moved onto fitness and rugby. Ask your child if they can tell you about some of the rules they have learned in these sports.
Year 9 – Faculty: Creative
Conversation starters
- Fine Art: Whilst the clay pots are being fired, Year 9s have been exploring media and techniques, inks, watercolours and mixed media layers. A range of potential sea-life inspired colour schemes have been created. It has been rewarding to see the progress made with observational drawing and painting skills this half term. Students will revisit acrylic painting techniques before selecting their final colour scheme to paint their pot. We look forward to students showcasing their knowledge of colour theory and control of acrylic paint to create a high quality final outcome to bring home!
- Design Technology: Students are moving onto their next disciplines starting on Monday 10 February. The Creative team are very much looking forward to welcoming their new groups and starting some exciting projects.
Year 10 – Faculty: English
Conversation starters
Students are continuing with their study of Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’, which involves plenty of learning about the historical context of the Victorian period. Ask your child about Thomas Malthus, the workhouse, the treadmill, and the New Poor Law – how much can they remember?
Year 11 – Faculty: Maths
Conversation starters
Are these probability statements true or false? Use a tree diagram, Venn diagram or sample space to show the outcomes:
1.When you roll a fair six-sided dice, it is harder to get a six than a four.
2. Scoring a total of three with two dice is twice as likely as scoring a total of two.
3. In a group of ten students, the probability of two learners being born on the same day of the week is 1.
4. There are three outcomes in a football match: win, lose or draw. This means that the probability of winning is 1/3.
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.
Attendance matters
We’re really impressed with our students’ efforts to attend school every day this half term. We have a huge number of students who have already achieved a 25-day attendance streak, with just five days to go to complete the 30-day challenge!
Let’s keep up the momentum and finish strong next week! We want to encourage everyone to keep it going until the end of next week. Even if students haven’t managed an unbroken attendance streak, it’s really important that they complete a full week next week. The final days before the half-term holiday will continue to cover essential curriculum content and skills development right up to the end of the school day on Friday 14 February.
Arriving at school – ready to learn
We are very pleased that the vast majority of students arrive at school on a morning, ready to learn, wearing the right uniform and with the right equipment.
To further support this, our new visuals displayed at the school gates provide a quick aide-memoire for students. These serve as a helpful, clear reminder of expectations, ensuring that everyone is fully prepared as they enter school.
Our students tell us that they appreciate the opportunity to fix any issues at the gates so when they cross the blue line they feel confident that they are ready to learn. They’ve also told us they’ve experienced a reduction in stress associated with the process of getting ready for learning on a morning.
We are proud of their commitment and will continue to support them in creating the best possible learning environment!
Year 11 assembly – Exam Rubrics
On Monday, with just ten school weeks to go until GCSE exams begin, Mrs Sladen delivered an assembly to Year 11 students regarding their ‘Journey to Success’. She also introduced the use of exam rubrics, which are documents that clearly explain the criteria by which students’ assessments are marked. Please take a look at Mrs Sladen’s presentation here.
The Holy Month of Ramadan
We are aware that the holy month of Ramadan is approaching for our Muslim students and we want to make sure that we know of any students who are observing Ramadan in any way so that we can support and look after them throughout.
Tesco Stronger Starts – we’re in the customer vote!
A reminder to the Millthorpe community from Jessica Ennis Hill to pop your blue token in the box when you shop at Tesco!
Please help us secure Tesco funding for new gym equipment by popping a blue token in the box at the following York stores: Acomb Wood, Tadcaster Road, Low Ousegate and Piccadilly.
Iceland trip – April 2025
Parents/guardians of students going on the Iceland trip in April 2025 should have received a text message earlier this week inviting them to an information evening on Monday 10 February, from 6.00-6.45pm, in the school library.
This will be a great opportunity to get detailed information about the trip and ask any questions you may have. We hope to see you there!
Engine idling
If you are waiting to pick your child up, please remember to switch off your engine:
- Engine idling releases more toxic fumes than a car in motion.
- It is also illegal under Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act (1988).
Also, for the safety of children and other road users, please avoid the areas near the school gates to drop off and pick up, as these get very busy and are awkward to navigate. Thank you for your support in this matter.
Yorkshire Cross Country
It was great to see some of our students competing at the Yorkshire Cross Country competition held on Saturday 18 January in Skipton.
In the Year 8 Junior Girls race, Rosie came a fantastic second out of 40 and qualified for the English Schools Championships in Sussex on 15 March. This a huge achievement and everyone at Millthorpe is so proud of Rosie for her dedication to training in the tough winter months and we wish her good luck.
Marianne came a brilliant third out of 40, qualifying for the County match in Middlesbrough this weekend. Again, we are so proud of Marianne and her dedication to cross country and athletics. We can’t wait for the athletics season in a couple of months’ time. Good luck this weekend Marianne!
Other notable performances came from Josie in Year 9 who ran a great race in tough conditions.
In the Year 7 race, Alfie came 13th out of 36. Noah came 15th out of 36. Two huge performances in a very strong line up.
Well done to you all – everyone at Millthorpe is super proud!
Well done to our Year 8 cricketers
A massive well done to the Year 8 cricketers who were sadly beaten on Wednesday in the district cricket indoor finals by a narrow margin. Despite cruising through the first two games the team were 15 runs short of a competitive total and Fulford knocked off our total with six balls to spare.
All the squad were brilliant and contributed to a strong all-round performance with excellent bowling, batting and fielding skills. The summer looks positive with a high level of skills shown across all the year group in cricket.
Shout out to our netballers
Year 11 netball
We’d like to give a huge shout out to our Year 11 netballers who represented Millthorpe for the last time yesterday evening. They secured a wonderful 19-7 victory over Brayton College – a brilliant result.
Miss Watts is so proud of each and every one of them! She says “It’s been a delight to coach them for the past five years. They are an absolutely lovely group of girls who have given everything for their school in every match.”
Year 9 netball
Well done to our Year 9 netballers who secured a fabulous victory against Joseph Rowntree yesterday evening. It was a wonderful game with the girls playing brilliantly to finish up as winners at 21-15. Player of the match was Martha. Huge thanks also to Josie and Olivia for scoring and timekeeping.
Year 7/8 netball
The U13 netball A and B teams played against Archbishop Holgate’s School on Monday in a league match. The girls all played some wonderful netball and continue to improve performances every match. The A team (in purple) won their match 12-9, and the B team (in green) won their match 8-1! Well done everyone!
Year 7/8 girls’ football
The U13 girls’ football team has had a busy few weeks playing in both cup and league games.
Basketball news
U16 basketball
The U16 basketball team have had a great season so far playing matches against All Saints, Bootham and Fulford. The team have demonstrated excellent basketball skills and have developed great teamwork on the court. It has also been a great opportunity for some of our Year 10s to step up and play a year above. Keep going team!
U14 basketball
The U14 (Year 9) basketball team closed the curtain on their basketball season this week with fixtures against Bootham and Fulford. On Monday, Millthorpe beat Bootham 31-15 with Griffin named as the MVP. On Tuesday, Millthorpe narrowly lost out to Fulford 61-59 with the match going into a third period of overtime. Millthorpe were 12 points down at one stage and brought the scores level and then went ahead with a three-pointer from MVP Alex, only to lose out in the third period of overtime.
Mr Nicholson is so pleased with the progress of the team and the dedication they are showing to basketball both at practice and in fixtures. A big well done to Billy and Alessio who are both in Year 8 and have been playing up an age category.
Lastly, we would also like to thank our loyal supporters and staff who have been cheering the team on from the balcony. Basketball fever has definitely hit Millthorpe!
Job of the Week – Ophthalmologist
All things eyes!! Ophthalmologists are trained doctors who combine their knowledge of medicine and eye surgery to treat and prevent eye conditions. Surgery is often part of the job to help prevent further damage to a patient’s eyes. Ophthalmologists work in out-patient surgeries as well as operating theatres. After completing a degree in medicine, further training is required in order to specialise.
Watch this video for more information about becoming a ophthalmologist.
SEND Universal Offer for parents/carers
The Universal Offer outlines all training and advice available to families and professionals; the calendar is updated every term, and details are listed by month. Some sessions have deadlines for booking. Please look ahead and book as early as possible to avoid missing out.
To view the Universal Offer Spring 2025, please visit the York SEND Local Offer website. Here you can view an online calendar or download a pdf.
York College’s Apprenticeship Employer Fair
A reminder that York College’s Apprenticeship Employer Fair will take place on Monday 10 February from 5.30-8.00pm. Further information and booking details can be found here.
Duke of Edinburgh volunteering opportunity – Year 10 girls
Why not sign up to be part of the Make Space (for girls) project team at Rowntree Park? Volunteering as part of the project team can be used for Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award volunteer hours.
Opportunities include project planning, graphic design, social media, art and related creative elements, research and planning (or running) events.
More information can be accessed here or you can contact Abigail Gaines, Project Lead and Friends of Rowntree Park Charity Manager.
York City Ladies Match – Wednesday 12 February
The MinsterBelles are returning for a huge fixture at the LNER York Community Stadium and tickets are now on sale for their next home game on Wednesday 12 February against Middlesbrough FC Women, with a 7:45pm kick-off.
General admission prices are: Standard £7 and children aged 11 and under FREE. A £1.20 booking fee will apply for all tickets purchased.
Hospitality Lounge admission prices are: Standard £12 / 11 and under £5
Tickets are on sale here. All tickets bought in advance will be sent an emailed match day programme.
#WakeUpWednesday – A guide to Misinformation (or ‘Fake News’) and Scams online
Misinformation online, or ‘fake news’, is a widespread issue in the digital world, and it’s overwhelmingly likely that both children and adults will be exposed to it online. In fact, a study from the Alan Turing Institute has found that 94% of people in the UK have encountered misinformation on social media and that’s only the ones who were aware of it!
However, while some fake news is shared mistakenly by well-meaning individuals, it’s also shared by scammers and other cyber-criminals to lend legitimacy to their con. While this presents a clear risk to children and young people online, the question remains as to how we can protect them against such tactics. This week’s free guide offers expert advice on the specific ways scammers use misinformation and how to safeguard younger users against these techniques. Please take a look.
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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