Weekly email – 14 November 2025

A message from Mrs Rothenburg

Thank you to Oscar and Esther who read poems during the Year 10 assembly, and to Joely, Nadia, Matthew, Lucy, Ethan and Alyssa (pictured below) who sounded ‘The Last Post’ at 11am at various locations around school. Thanks must also go to our students who behaved impeccably, showing great respect, and to Mr Baybutt, for making all the arrangements. Finally, thank you to Ken, for being with us on Tuesday and for his incredible service.

You can read more about the Remembrance Assembly here.

This week, our Year 10 Drama students have performed their Theatre in Education pieces to support this year’s Anti-bullying Week message of ‘Use Your Power for Good’ to every year group. They have worked so hard and were very brave performing to their fellow students.

Last week, we launched our new Recognition Passes, which will replace the Golden Tickets. Students may be awarded a Recognition Pass when they demonstrate our school values of Ambition, Fairness and Hard Work in a lesson or make a positive contribution to the wider school community. Each member of staff can award up to three Recognition Passes per week, and every pass is accompanied by a personalised note explaining why it has been awarded. These passes allow students to jump the lunch queue with a friend as a reward for their outstanding efforts. Congratulations to everyone who received a Recognition Pass last week – you can see the recipients below.

And finally, I’ve hosted two Principal’s Breakfasts this week – well done to everyone who was invited to come along. On Wednesday I met with the students who helped Miss Boyd by joining a small focus group where they gave their feedback on enrichment. Thank you to Bea, Kerry, Mason, Ethan and Harris.

Earlier today, I met with a small group of students for our regular Friday breakfast. It was lovely to chat with Nadia, William and George. Well done to you all.

I look forward to seeing everyone back in school on Monday for an ‘A’ Week. I hope everyone has a lovely weekend.

Kavina Rothenburg
Principal

Dates for your diary

• Wednesday 19 November: Year 8 Progress Evening
• Tuesday 2 December: Christmas Concert
• Wednesday 10 December: Year 11 Progress Evening
• Thursday 18 December: Christmas Dinner
• Friday 19 December: School closes for Christmas break

What is my child learning at the moment?

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

Year 7 – Maths
Conversation starters
Students are coming to the end of their topic on algebraic expressions and equations. Can you think of the most complex equation you feel comfortable solving and explain how to do this to someone at home? Can you use any of this vocabulary to help – variable, inverse, simplify, solve, integer, like terms, coefficient?

Year 8 – Science
Conversation starters
Classes have been studying a variety of topics in Block 1 – this week they have done their Block 1 Standard Assessment Piece (SAP). You could ask them how many marks they got and more importantly their areas for improvement? Students will be moving on to study Light, Ecosystem Processes and the Periodic Table in Block 2. All Year 8 Science Lessons in Block 1 are available in the Year 8 Science Google Classroom. All Year 8 students have weekly Science homework to complete on Sparx Science – this is due every Thursday at 9am.

Year 9 – Global
Conversation starters

• French and German: We are discussing our future plans in French or German, and practising our speaking skills. Can your child talk about what job they would like to do in the future and why?
• Computing: Students have started learning about AI. This week we’ll be learning about the Turing Test which is a method of determining intelligence in computers.

Year 10 – Humanities
Conversation starters

• History: We have been really impressed by the start that Year 10 students have made to their GCSE History course. Whilst Gustav Stresemann was an amazing politician, all of his solutions to Germany’s problems were flawed. What were the flaws in his recovery plans? What caused the Wall Street Crash in 1929 and why did this economic depression spread to Germany? How was this crisis exploited by Hitler and the Nazis to help them to seize power? Why did the German people look to the extreme right (Nazis) rather than extreme left (Communists)? How did “Arbeit und Brot” also help the Nazis to seize control?
• Geography: What happened during Typhoon Haiyan? What were the effects of this tropical storm and what were the responses?
• Religious Studies: Students have just started learning for their Islam unit focusing on their beliefs and teachings. Now is the time for students to start learning and revising key words that they have for this unit. How did Islam start? Who is the founder? What do we say after their name? What does Tawhid mean?

Year 11 – Performance
Conversation starters

• Drama: Students are continuing to work on their final group devised exam performances, worth 40% of their final GCSE – please do ask them to talk you through their creative ideas. They are making fantastic progress and we can’t wait to see them!
• Music: students are continuing to work on the final composition. They’re nearly finished now so it is a good time to ask to hear their pieces.
• PE: Students have been developing their skills in handball, football, badminton and fitness. GCSE PE students have been learning about the muscular system in theory lessons.

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.

Year 7 1-to-1 meetings – w/c 17 November

The Senior Leadership Team is thoroughly looking forward to meeting every student in Year 7 during the week commencing 17 November.

Each student will have a five-minute meeting with a member of SLT to find out how they are finding Millthorpe and their experience so far.

Lateness procedure

A reminder that we’re making a slight change to the procedure for students who are late to school (arriving at form after 8.40am). They will still receive a 30-minute after-school detention, but, from 24 November, this will be served on the same day that they were late instead of the day after. This is so that it can be served promptly and not hang over them for any longer than it needs to. Of course, our ultimate aim is for all students to be able to manage their morning routine so that they can arrive on time every day and benefit from our form time curriculum, as the great majority of our students already do.

Christmas Concert – Tuesday 2 December

A reminder that tickets are now available for our Christmas Concert on Tuesday 2 December. This celebratory occasion will feature performances from our regularly rehearsing ensembles including Millthorpe band, choir, various rock bands and small chamber ensembles. Our students are looking forward to showcasing the wonderful work they have been doing this term.

Tickets are priced at £5 for adults and £3 for under 16s. Tickets are available to purchase through ParentPay or payable by cash only on the night.

Christmas Dinner reminder and prices

A reminder that Christmas dinner will be available to all year groups in their usual dinner sitting on Thursday 18 December. If your child would like Christmas dinner, you must get a ticket in advance on ParentPay (students eligible for a free school meal can order a free ticket). Please select either a meat or vegetarian option – you will need to stick to this on the day so that we don’t run out.

Please note that we have agreed with the catering company to keep Christmas lunch at £2.85, the same price as a normal meal deal. We’re grateful to Aspens for their part in keeping the cost to families as affordable as possible. If you have paid already at £3.50, you will receive a partial refund through Parent Pay to cover the difference.

Please buy tickets by Friday 21 November so that the caterers can place their order in good time.

Canteen spending caps

We have recently agreed between the catering company, Aspens, and the two secondary schools to apply a spending cap across all students as default. This is the normal arrangement for secondary catering accounts and is what we have always had in place in previous years, as it helps to protect families against overspending.

We have agreed a default cap of £5 per day for all students. If you would like any different arrangement for your child, please contact the school with details. If you’ve already submitted a form requesting something other than a £5 cap, we kindly ask that you contact us again with details of what you would like.

SEND team profiles

In our bid to help you get to know our staff better, we’re sharing staff profiles with you. The latest Team to be featured is the SEND Team – you can view their profiles here.

Previously published profiles include the Senior Leadership Team and the Progress Leaders.

Science fun during enrichment sessions

Last week at Science Enrichment we were looking at choice chambers. Students designed a container with four different environments to see where organisms preferred to be. We used maggots – the students were very excited to work with them (which was a surprise!).

The students were great scientists throughout, showing great care for the organisms and repeating their tests to corroborate their results. It was great to see some very imaginative designs too!

Year 7s attend ISSP Breakthrough Event

On Wednesday, 10 Year 7 students attend the ISSP Breakthrough Event at Bootham School. Each of our students was sat at a table with students from other schools, both state and independent, from across the city to discuss ‘Humanity’s Greatest Ever Breakthrough’. After completing some ice breakers and getting to know each other, the students listened to four guest speakers who presented their opinions. One speaker said ‘Numbers’ was the greatest breakthrough, explaining long before words were written down, we used tallies, which are numbers! He went on to suggest numbers are universal: 2+2 = 4 is the same the world over.

Another speaker introduced the Printed Word as the greatest ever breakthrough as it revolutionised how we are today as the world’s greatest thinkers are no longer separated by geography, language or having to write everything down multiple times. The printed word created the first ever global news network.

Aqueducts were humanities greatest ever invention according to one speaker as they were able to bring clean, fresh water into the heart of towns, preventing diseases and allowing civilisations to thrive. The final speaker presented bicycles as the greatest ever breakthrough as they changed the way ‘common people’ were able to get about. The ‘people’s nag’ meant that most people could afford a bicycle, even if they couldn’t afford a horse!

Students were then allowed the opportunity to ask questions of the speakers before the table had to decide on a ranking 1-4 of their choices which prompted lots of debate. The final results from the room were: 1 – Aqueducts, 2 – Numbers, 3 – Printed Word, 4 – Bicycles.

Thank you to the ISSP and the guest speakers for a great afternoon. The students really enjoyed the occasion and were really engaged throughout.

Year 7 – research project

We have agreed to support Ellen Lavender from York University who is completing a research project on sexist content on social media.

The research team has created a lesson in the hope that it can be made part of the school curriculum to help reduce the harmful effects of sexism. The lesson will contain discussions of sexism, but at an age-appropriate level. Please note the link in the attached letter, where you will find more details, is to withdraw your child from the study, of which further details are attached. If you have any questions, please email the project lead, Professor Harriet Over.

Sports round-up

U15 Girls Netball vs Manor
Millthorpe 9 – 5 Manor B team
Millthorpe 30 – 10 Manor A team

Player of the match: A team: Harriet B and B team: Aurelia S

Miss Watts and the PE department are really proud of the way the girls worked hard throughout the game to try and incorporate tactics they have worked on in training into each game. The girls showed fantastic resilience to keep going no matter what the score and they maintained their structure throughout the game.

U15 Girls Football vs All Saints
Millthorpe U15 6 – 1 All Saints

Goals: Hannah (15), Martha H (18, 29, 33), Josie (34), Maisie L (38)

Player of the match: Hattrick hero Martha H

The girls played some fantastic football on Thursday evening against All Saints (the best football I have seen them play!) and comfortably won the game 6-1 but the score line could have been even bigger! Pressure from the start meant that our midfield and attackers were creating lots of chances, before four wonder strikes from both Hannah and Martha made it 4-0! A great header from Josie creeping in from a corner unmarked, and a nicely taken goal from Maisie rounded up our scoring. The girls showed great teamwork, worked hard throughout the whole game and have gained lots of confidence before their next game against Tadcaster.

U16 Boys Football vs Huntington
Millthorpe U16 2-2 Huntington

Players of the match: Charlie M and Will H

The boys played in some horrible rain on Tuesday against a tough Huntington side and were looking for their first win of the season. The boys made a great start to the game, putting plenty of pressure on the Huntington back line and eventually turned the pressure into a goal, which was nicely taken by Reuben. The boys went into the half time break 1-0 up, but started the second half slow, allowing Huntington to score two quick goals to take the lead. This motivated the boys, who worked tirelessly to try and get an equaliser, and deservedly got the equaliser in the last minute of the match to draw 2-2, earning their first point of the season. The boys played really well and now turn their attention to their next game at home to Jo Ro.

U15 Girls Football vs Tadcaster
Millthorpe U15 1 – 5 Tadcaster

Players of the match: Rosie D and Maisie L

On a wet evening, the girls played Tadcaster and unfortunately came out with a 5-1 loss, which does not reflect how the game went. The girls played some really good football, and went into half time at 1-1. Tadcaster came out fighting for the win, and got the goals needed to win the game overall.

U14s Netball vs Brayton
Millthorpe A team 5 – 12 Brayton
Millthorpe B team 10 – 5 Brayton

Players of the match: Rosa B, Mollie L, Amelia A

U15s Netball vs Bootham
Millthorpe A 3 – 17 Bootham
Millthorpe B 1 – 11  Bootham
Players of the match: Agatha P, Zoe B, Poppy B

Job of the Week – Volunteer Coordinator

Volunteer Coordinators take responsibility for volunteers within an organisation or group. This will usually include recruitment of new volunteers and ensuring they are supported in their roles. The role requires someone with great organisational and communication skills. Many coordinators start by being volunteers themselves! A degree is not always required and often, related skills and experience are valued more highly.

Watch this video for more information about becoming a Volunteer Coordinator.

Futures for All – inspirational talks

Futures for All (previously Speakers for Schools) is an incredible social mobility charity which empowers state-educated young people by opening doors to life-changing opportunities. In addition to their work experience programme, Futures for All also regularly broadcast live inspirational talks which are recorded and then hosted on their website.

This week’s talk has links to both careers and journalism, so we thought this would be good food for thought given the media interest in Millthorpe on Remembrance Day.

Natalie Fahy, Audience and Content Director invites you to step inside the fast-paced world of journalism and discover how creative careers can take shape in the media industry. Together with colleagues at the start of their careers, Natalie will share her experiences of writing, reporting, and storytelling. You can learn how journalism harnesses the power of the press to inform, inspire, and make change – and explore the exciting career paths open to those with a passion for words.

Just click the image below to view.

Apprenticeship vacancies

York College is currently advertising a number of apprenticeship vacancies which can be seen on the attached pdf. Each vacancy has a hyperlink to the Apprenticeship Service website, where you will find full job details and where you can submit your application.

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.

Post-16 open events

All Saints Sixth Form
All Saints Open Evening is Wednesday 19 November. You will need to prebook a talk with the Headteacher: https://allsaintsyork.npcat.org.uk/sixth-form/sixth-form-admissions/

Fulford School Sixth Form
Fulford School’s Sixth Form Open Evening is Thursday 20 November, 6.00 – 8.00pm

To book your place, please use the link: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/fulford-school

Askham Bryan College 
Askham Bryan College has a series of open events throughout this term.

• Saturday 29 November – Open Morning
• Tuesday 16 December – Foundation Taster Event

For more information, have a look at their website.

Joseph Rowntree School Sixth Form
Joseph Rowntree School is on Tuesday 18 November 2025.

York College
York College is hosting a number of Open Events during the 2025-26 academic year, as follows:

• Thursday 20 November 2025, 5.30pm – 8.00pm
• Thursday 12 February 2026, 5.30pm – 8.00pm
• Wednesday 29 April 2026, 5.30pm – 7.30pm

For more information, please visit the York College website.

Askham Bryan College Taster Days

Askham Bryan College’s Taster Days will run on Tuesday 13 and Thursday 15 January 2026.

The day provides students with an opportunity to experience a chosen subject area, meet tutors, and explore what studying at Askham Bryan College is like.

Schedule:

• Arrival from 9:15am
• Introduction at 9:30am
• Taster session in chosen department from 10:00am
• Departure at 12:30pm

Students will need to make their own travel arrangements and will be out of school for the morning/day.

Interested students should complete the course selection via the form link below, indicating their preferred subject area for their taster session. Spaces are limited, so early submission is recommended. Bookings close at 4:00pm on Friday 9 January 2026.

York Schools Taster Session 2026

SEND Central

SEND Central is York’s Family Hub that specialises in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This is a hub where families can seek advice and information about what’s available in York when they have children and young people who have additional needs, any age from 0 to 25.

You can view SEND Central’s calendar of events here.

Details of additional one-off events in partnership with the Parent Carer Forum can be found below:

• November one-off events
• December one-off events

Behind the Camo

Ever wondered what life in the British Army is really like?

Behind the Camo is a four-part virtual event series that gives a real, honest look at life in the British Army. Each episode features serving soldiers answering questions people don’t usually ask – covering different topics like career options, daily life, and common myths. It’s a great opportunity to hear personal stories, explore the wide range of roles available, and see how Army life can be more supportive and rewarding than you might expect.

The first episode will be on 19 November at 6.00pm. Full details and registration information can be found here.

St Paul’s Nursery School

St Paul’s Nursery School is currently trying to connect with its former pupils. Their new build will open in February 2026 and they would love to invite past students to join them for the grand opening.

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 Mr Beever, Miss Gater or your child’s Progress Leader during school hours by emailing safeguarding@millthorpe.elt.org.uk, you may wish to make direct contact with 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. In a mental health emergency, please call York CAMHS Crisis Team on 08000516171.