A message from Mrs Rothenburg
I know that I say this often, but I really am a very proud Principal. I have visited several lessons across all years this week and have been incredibly impressed by our students’ commitment to hard work and ambition. We truly do have the best teachers and the best students here at Millthorpe.
I’m also super proud of those students who took part in the York and Selby stage of the English Schools’ Cross Country Championships this week in some really difficult conditions. They showed true grit and determination despite being wet, cold and muddy! Well done to you all. You can read more below.
It has been a pleasure to meet with so many Year 7 students this week in their one-to-ones and hear about their experience of secondary school so far. The students have reported how well they have settled into secondary school life, how much they are loving their lessons and how happy they are that we have such a strong enrichment offer. It really was a joy to catch up with them and hear them talk about their experiences since joining Millthorpe.
Thank you to all those students and families who came along to our Year 8 Progress Evening on Wednesday. It was great to see so many families coming into school for this important evening.
As you will read below, we are introducing Shout Outs at the end of each assembly where staff can recognise individual students or groups for demonstrating our core values and being excellent in their lessons. This is just another way that we will recognise our students for being brilliant!
We would also like to introduce an opportunity for families to give a Shout Out to staff, thanking them for anything they wish to. Anyone wishing to give a Shout Out to staff should fill in this Google Form and we will ensure the messages are conveyed to staff.
Congratulations to those students who came along to Principal’s Breakfast this morning, including Fleur, Seoin, Tansy, Livvie, Harry, Milo and Milo. Keep up the great work.
I look forward to seeing everyone back in school on Monday for a ‘B’ Week, and the last week of November! I hope everyone has a lovely weekend.
With best wishes,
Kavina Rothenburg
Principal
Dates for your diary
- 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
2026
- Monday 5 January: Training Day (school closed to students)
- Tuesday 6 January: School reopens after 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 – Science
Conversation starters
This week, classes in Year 7 have been completing their first SAP (Standardised Assessment Piece) on Block 1 – Cells, Particles, Atoms, Elements and Compounds and Forces. Students will be receiving feedback on their assessments. You could ask them how many marks they got and more importantly their areas for improvement. Students will be moving on to study Space, Body Systems and Reactions in Block 2. All Year 7 Science lessons are uploaded to the Year 7 Science Google Classroom. All Year 7 students have weekly Science homework to complete on Sparx Science – this is due every Thursday at 9.00am.
Year 8 – Global
Conversation starters
- French: We are continuing our study of Paris, and talking about attractions and tourist information in Paris. Could your child ask when an attraction opens, or name some famous landmarks in Paris?
- Computing: Students are continuing to build their websites in Google Sites based on their designs and mood boards. They are moving onto editing a video advert to insert onto their websites.
Year 9 – Humanities
Conversation starters
- History: Was Blackadder right? Were lions led by donkeys in WWI? In this topic we have studied the conditions in the trenches and explored how the war was brought to a conclusion. Why is it a misconception that Germany “lost” the war? Why was Ferdinand Foch absolutely correct when he said the following about the Treaty of Versailles on 28 June 1919 (the day it was signed): “This is not a peace. It is an armistice for 20 years.”?
- Geography: How are Tsunamis formed? What happened on Boxing Day 2004?
- RE: What is the Eightfold Path in Buddhism? Are the Five Moral Precepts rules Buddhists must follow or are they guidelines? Do you agree with the Five Moral Precepts?
Year 10 – Performance
Conversation starters
- Drama: Students are beginning their final devised performance for this unit, working with undergraduate students from York St John University to produce a devised performance which they will perform at the University in the Creative Centre on the evening of 6 February as part of their ‘Co-Create Festival’.
- 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.
- Music: Year 10 are beginning to learn about the characteristics of the different eras of music. Ask them about the baroque period. They should be able to share some fun facts about Bach and Vivaldi.
Year 11 – Creative
Conversation starters
- 3D Design and Graphics: Students are working hard to develop their design ideas for Component 1. Students are trialling/developing and getting ready to make their final products ready for the deadline before Christmas. Their sketchbooks should be up to date so please encourage your child to be working on these at home.
- Food Preparation and Nutrition: Students are in the final few lessons of their NEA 1 coursework based on the chemical and functional properties of ingredients and will soon be given the choice of briefs for NEA 2. NEA 2 is based on demonstrating practical skills so once students have chosen their briefs, they need to start practising in order to master the skills needed to achieve the highest possible marks.
- Fine Art: Students are further developing their personal responses to the ‘Sense of Place/Space’ coursework project pulling together knowledge and skills gained from their exploration of the theme, photographic studies, knowledge of artists plus media and technique trials. Students are presenting development work in their sketchbook during lessons. Homework tasks this half term involve students completing the presentation of the previous stages of coursework project – ‘Identity’ & ‘Identity – Objects, Memories, Places & Spaces’. Year 11 will use their three-hour PPE on Wednesday 26 November to refine coursework ready to hand in before Christmas (19 December). The independent approach to coursework which students are taking is ideal preparation for the launch of the exam paper (worth 40% of the GCSE grade) on Monday 12 January.
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.
Assembly Shout Outs
At Millthorpe, we celebrate our students’ achievements both inside and outside the classroom through ClassCharts greens, Recognition Passes, early lunch passes, Principal’s Breakfasts, termly Recognition Assemblies, and our annual Recognition Evening. We take pride in recognising our students’ intrinsic motivation and their commitment to our core values of fairness, hard work, and ambition as together, we achieve excellence.
At the end of each assembly, the Progress Leader will read through the Shout Outs from one subject area sharing with the students why they are being recognised and by which member of staff. These Shout Outs will recognise individual students or groups and how they have demonstrated one of our core values. Each subject area will complete one set of Shout Outs for Year 7 to Year 11 in a nine-week cycle and all staff within the subject area will have the opportunity to record a Shout Out within their allocated week. The Shout Outs will be shared with parents/carers in the Friday email.
Millthorpe’s Night at the Musicals
As we move further towards the end of this school term, the time is drawing close for us to hold auditions for this year’s musical production – ‘Millthorpe’s Night at the Musicals’ – which will take the format of a concert involving students performing a range of songs from a variety of different musicals, old and new.
Performances will take place on the evenings of 24, 25 and 26 March and students involved will need to be available for rehearsals Tuesdays and Wednesdays after school through the Spring Term.
Students from any year group are welcome to audition to be involved in the concert – those who wish to will need to select and prepare a song from a musical (one verse and chorus minimum, performed to a backing track on YouTube) that they will perform for staff involved in the production in a ‘closed’ audition on our designated ‘audition day’. Students may audition a specific song they would like to be considered to perform themselves in the concert or simply audition any song from a musical they like if they would like to just audition to be part of the larger ensemble songs.
The final concert list will be a combination of songs the students have auditioned for/suggested and those cast from a wider list by staff involved – students will be able to perform in more than one song if they would like to, eg a solo and within the ensemble numbers.
To book an audition, students need to complete the Google Form by the closing date of Friday 5 December. Following this date, students will be informed of their audition time via an appointment card given to them by their form tutor which will provide a date, time and venue for their audition.
Get practising now everyone – I can’t wait to hear your great audition pieces!
Mrs Sladen
Student Leaders update
After interviewing 51 Year 10 students last week for the position of Student Leader, we are now in the process of appointing Lead Students to lead the teams next year. Details about the successful appointees will be shared shortly!
Before then, we wanted to share some of the amazing things that the Year 10s have said about Millthorpe, the staff and our school community. When asked ‘What do you love about Millthorpe? What is it about our school that you’re most proud of?’ the answers were on the following themes:
- School environment/culture – inclusive and diverse, a welcoming and supportive community. A place where I feel I belong.
- School values – clear and easily demonstrated. I like and agree with the school motto.
- Support is there when you need it. Millthorpe is a safe place. People do well here.
- Enrichment and extra-curricular – a great range of activities and opportunities, there is something for everyone. Help build skills and build confidence. Great opportunity to learn new things. Enjoy the school trips.
- Have great friends here, who will be lifelong friends.
- Lessons – enjoy lessons, particularly practical ones. Enjoy KS4 lessons.
- Teachers and support staff – staff are kind and all approachable. Teachers provide a good learning environment, good challenge in lessons, and help for those who struggle; they really care about me.
- Easy to talk to pastoral. The pastoral and SEND department provide great support.
The first answer in bold, is something that the majority mentioned, which makes us all very proud!
Mr Sloan
Duke of Edinburgh
A reminder that there is a meeting in PC1 on Monday 24 November from 3.30pm-4.30pm for any student who needs support in completing the paperwork on eDofE in order to obtain the award. Many students have fully completed the documentation and if that is so they DO NOT need to attend.
Colleagues from the Duke of Edinburgh scheme will be there to support you if you have any questions or concerns.
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
If your child would like a Christmas Dinner and they are in receipt of free school meals, you will need to fill out an order form please – you can find the form here.
All bookings for Christmas Dinner will close on ParentPay on Sunday 23 November – we will be unable to take any further bookings after this date, so get your orders in!
Canteen caps
The caterer has confirmed that from Monday, a spending cap will be in place as default on all accounts (unless you have already asked not to have one). Based on feedback from other schools, this will be set at £6 per day. If you would like a different amount please contact us. Students will be reminded not to spend too much at break time so that they make sure they have enough left to buy lunch at lunchtime.
More Science fun during enrichment sessions
Last week’s Science enrichment sessions felt a little like we had slipped into a Harry Potter potions class! The students were flame testing and enjoyed linking the flame colours to different metals.
Year 7 History Interform Challenge
BIG NEWS!!! The History Interform Challenge saw 7GDU knock 7MTU off the top spot last week! Hosted by Mrs Bowland and Ms Linguard, our fantastic form nominees took to the challenge of building a motte and bailey castle out of playdough. Their creative brains really came together to produce some exceptionally detailed pieces of art!
Our History team commented: “We loved the detail of the winning entry (pictured below) – it even had little pigs in the bailey. It had all the labels and was a close likeness of the image you were given to work with. Well done.”
Our next challenge will be hosted by Mrs Cockburn who will lead the Art Challenge. We cannot wait to see our Year 7 students for some more fun!
Cross Country news
In what were very cold and wet conditions, a team of 30 Millthorpians took part in the York and Selby stage of the English School’s Cross Country Championships this week.
It was wonderful to take a team of such enthusiastic runners and despite the tricky conditions – they all represented Millthorpe proudly and to the best of their ability. There were some very muddy and tired students climbing on to the coach at the end of the day!
Congratulations to all students who took part and thank you for your amazing efforts. A special congratulations to the following students who have qualified for the North Yorkshire stage of the competition and will run again on 17 January 2026.
- Inter Boys: Jack C (13th)
- Year 7 Boys: William B (8th)
- Year 7 Girls: Eva L (20th)
- Junior Girls: Marianne L (1st), Rosie D (2nd) and Immy B (19th)
Year 9s focus on Active Travel
A group of Year 9 students have been working with Mrs Cooper, Year 9 Progress Leader and City of York Council on an initiative focused on active travel. Active travel is making journeys by physically active means, such as walking, cycling, or “wheeling” (using a wheelchair or mobility aid).
Evelyn, Lucy, Pixie, Ariana, Sonny, Harry, Elliot, Kurtis and Chloe visited the council offices on Monday for half a day, returning today to complete the project.
The project aims to help participants understand more about the overall role of a Local Authority in promoting active travel and increase understanding around the benefits of and barriers to active travel. Students were also asked to consider who makes decisions around travel options in their household and what factors influence these decisions.
The students split into groups and were asked to design a campaign, to encourage more active travel to and from school. Important points for consideration included who the campaign is aimed at and what are the best ways to communicate their message, and the barriers to and benefits of active travel.
The project not only helped students understand more about active travel, but also gave them more understanding about some key success factors in presenting a campaign and built their confidence in giving a presentation.
One of the council’s project team said “I really enjoyed the sessions. Could you pass back to the school my compliments on what chatty, polite and engaged young people they were. They will go far I am sure and well done to you for putting on an event which has brought out the best in them!”
Job of the Week – Waste Management Officer
Waste Management Officers organise and manage waste, disposal and recycling facilities and could involve making decisions about the suitability of waste disposal services for an entire area. This role is key to ensure that the population have access to appropriate recycling services, to minimise fly tipping and other waste and disposal related issues. A degree or significant experience is generally required although there is now a new Waste Management apprenticeship framework.
Watch this video for more information about becoming a Waste Management Officer.
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.
Today is World Television Day which was established by the UN in recognition of the importance of television as a medium for global communication and diplomacy, so this week’s talk called ‘Off Camera: Discover Hidden Roles in the Screen Industries’ gives a fantastic insight into some exciting, behind-the-scenes roles. Annika Allen from All3Media, one of the UK’s biggest TV production groups, reveals the secret jobs that make your favourite shows happen and how you could get there. This talk is perfect for anyone curious about the magic of making TV and film – beyond the spotlight!
Just click the image below to view.
Post-16 open events
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.
York College
York College is hosting a number of Open Events during the 2025-26 academic year, as follows:
- 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.
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.
