Weekly email – 19 December 2025

A message from Mrs Rothenburg

As ever, Christmas Dinner was a great success yesterday, with a huge number of students enjoying this festive, fun event. I’m told that over 1000 crackers were pulled, which is a lot of hats and terrible jokes! Thank you to all of our performers for playing a fantastic repertoire of Christmas songs during lunch – it made it a very special event – and to our caterers who prepared and served such a tasty lunch.

I’d like to say a huge thank you to all of you for your support over the last term, for your generosity towards our various charity initiatives, but also for supporting your children through their school days. We know there can be a lot to juggle! Thank you also to my colleagues who make Millthorpe the amazing school it is, and to our students, who are the very heart of our school. I hope you all have a very happy, restful Christmas break.

Please do have a look at the seasonal video below from Excel Learning Trust’s staff and students – you may recognise a few people!

I look forward to welcoming students back in the New Year. School reopens on Tuesday 6 January 2026, with a ‘B’ Week.

Kavina Rothenburg
Principal

Dates for your diary

• 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
• Wednesday 11 February: School closes for half-term break
• Monday 23 February: School reopens after half-term break

Welcome to the December edition of ‘Snowsations’ – Excel Learning Trust’s newsletter

As the term draws to a close, we wanted to share some fabulous news items with you to update you on what has been happening across the Trust over the last couple of months and in the lead up to Christmas.

You can read the newsletter here.

I hope you and your families have a wonderful Christmas and all good wishes for the New Year.

Kind regards

Mark Hassack
CEO, Excel Learning Trust

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:

• Art: Students are completing their printing plate to create a collograph print after Christmas to complete the Unit 1 – Human Faces project. After printing, Year 7 will start Unit 2a – World Culture Masks. The final outcome will be to design and create a clay mask inspired by African masks. Students will research facts and draw a range of masks on their A3 presentation page before designing their own mask. The importance and function in historical and contemporary African cultures will be considered. Looking at African masks with your child would be a good way to support their learning. Think about who made it, where and when was it made, what is it made from and how, why was it made and how was it used?
• Design Technology: Students have settled brilliantly into their current rotation and are learning about sustainability and how as designers, engineers, and chefs we can make more sustainable choices. Students are learning how to work with a wide range of tools, equipment and materials and the health and safety procedures for working in the workshops and food rooms.

• 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?

• Computing: Students are practising programming and recapping the Paper 1 topic of Networks.
• French and German: Students have completed their trial speaking exam and had feedback on this. They are now preparing for their PPEs, focusing on Listening, Reading and Writing skills. Can they write in past, present and future tense?

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.

Recognition assemblies

All this week, we have been holding recognition assemblies where students received recognition awards for their efforts during the autumn term. For the first time, the families of our nominated students were invited into school for the assemblies too – a wonderful opportunity to celebrate students’ achievements together. Thank you to everyone who came along during the week.

Huge congratulations go to the following students:

Year 11

• English: Lucy P
• Maths: Matthew B
• Science: Maya F
• Humanities: Adriana E
• Computing: Mehar B
• MFL: Nadia L
• Creative: Abigail C
• Performance: Tommy H
• Year Team (Hard Work): Leo W
• Form: 11LBR
• Principal’s Award (Fairness): Raphael N
• Top 3 students over the Autumn Term: Tommy H, Matthew B and Mollie N
• Power Play Star: Emily M

Year 10

• English: Lia L
• Maths: Wiktoria M
• Science: George D
• Humanities: Tansy N
• Computing: Oisin K
• MFL: Rosie FernF
• Creative: Ethan J
• Performance: Josie C
• Year Team (Hard Work): Ethan J
• Principal’s Award (Fairness): Joely H
• Top 3 students over the Autumn Term: Oliver W, Rosie F and Ella C
• Power Play Star: Scarlett R

Year 9

• English: Rosie D
• Maths: Eilidh G
• Science: Loki E
• Humanities: Imogen C
• Computing: Sofia W
• MFL: Amelia A
• Creative: Alice J
• Performance: Rosa B
• Year Team (Hard Work): Heidi B
• Principal’s Award (Fairness): Reuben B
• Top 3 students over the Autumn Term: Alice J, Loki E and Zoe B
• Power Play Star: Nenyasha M

Year 8

• English: George BD
• Maths: Meya M
• Science: Edmund CW
• Humanities: Leo B
• Computing: Fleur B
• MFL: Freya W
• Creative: Jude B
• Performance: Georgia C
• Year Team (Hard Work): Harley M
• Principal’s Award (Fairness): Eden W
• Top 3 students over the Autumn Term: Katy C, Grace P and Marlo NO
• Power Play Star: Kane T

Year 7

• English: Rory S
• Maths: Jatou C
• Science: Seoin H
• Humanities: Jacob N
• Computing: Muhammad U
• MFL: Shirley J
• Creative: Florence RW
• Performance: Elliot S
• Year Team (Hard Work): Isla MH
• Principal’s Award (Fairness): Mason W
• Top 3 students over the Autumn Term: Shirley J, Jatou C and Julia TG
• Power Play Star: Elsa S

Year 11 Pre Public Examinations – January 2026

In the new year our Year 11s will sit their Pre Public Examinations, which are an integral part of preparing students for their GCSE exams. The PPE exam period will take place from Monday 19 January to Friday 6 February. These exams are designed to mirror the structure and expectations of the final GCSE examinations, providing students with valuable experience under formal exam conditions.

To find out more about the PPEs and view the timetable, please take a look at our website.

Duke of Edinburgh Awards Evening

On Wednesday an email was sent to all parents/carers of students who have successfully completed the Duke of Edinburgh Award notifying them they have been invited to an Awards Evening on Thursday 8 January at 5pm. All the information about the evening can be found on the email and we would appreciate if you could complete this short Google form to confirm your attendance. We would be grateful if this could be completed by 3pm on Monday 5 January to support in the planning of the evening. Thank you for your support

Final Year 7 Interform Challenge of 2025

Our final interform challenge of 2025 took place last week with the brilliant Mrs Dukes and our amazing participants who took on a French Spelling Bee, French ‘Simon Says’ and French Musical Statues.

Miss McCartney was blown away by the students’ knowledge of French and how quickly they understood the challenge.

Deciding on the winning form was the hardest decision out of any Interform Challenge so far as all forms were equally as good! After some long hard thinking, Mrs Dukes and Miss McCartney decided 7SCO were the leading form scoring the highest points and working together so well. Congratulations!

Miss McCartney would like to thank all of our wonderful subject leads for running these challenges this term as well as our Year 7 Form Tutors and of course all of our participants! We are excited to announce that the project will be continuing into next term for Year 7 and our Year 8s will also have the opportunity to take part. We will keep you posted!

Feminist Society raise money for Kyra

Last week, the Feminist Society (who meet every Thursday during enrichment time) held a bake sale to raise money for Kyra Women’s Action in York.

Lucas Martin, Rosie Fern, Verity Stirling, Maddy Harris and Adriana Evans did an amazing job, raising more than £100 for this great cause.

Nut allergy reminder

We have several students and staff in school with serious nut allergies and may have more who are currently undiagnosed and as such we are a nut-free school. Some people have reactions that are so extreme that they may experience symptoms even if a packet of nuts is opened near to them and accidental contact can cause severe symptoms.

Please can parents/carers be mindful of this when they are putting together snacks and packed lunches? We recognise that many students really enjoy nuts as a snack, but can we politely request that they are not brought into school in support of the students and staff that suffer from this sometimes extreme and potentially dangerous food allergy. We also ask that students refrain from sharing food they have brought in to limit the risk of accidental exposure to nut products.

Thank you for your support in this matter.

Stan makes a splash at National Championships

Last weekend, Year 10 student Stan Sawyer ended his short course swimming season at the National Winter Championships in Sheffield, where he not only brushed shoulders with multiple British Olympic swimmers, but qualified for no less than nine events.

Due to scheduling Stan actually competed in five events, qualifying for two junior finals (under 18), where he came fifth in the 50m backstroke and ninth in the 100m backstroke. At the age of just 15, that is an incredible achievement!

Stan will now be training over the Christmas break in preparation for the long course season and will be attending a National Pathway Development Camp in Sunderland early in January with team GB coaches.

York College Taster Days – 13 and 15 January 2026

All students who have been successful in securing a place on the York College Year 11 Taster Days on 13 and 15 January should have received a confirmation email from the college earlier this week.

The email includes information about the day and their timetable is attached. If you could remind your child to check their inbox (and their junk folder too) that would be really helpful.

Further information about the days can also be found on York College’s website:

• Tuesday 13 January – Event Information
• Thursday 15 January – Event Information

SEN and Safeguarding news from Excel Learning Trust

Every half term, Sue Wight, Director of SEN and Safeguarding at Excel Learning Trust circulates tips and advice regarding SEN and safeguarding to parents/carers.

This half term’s SEN and Safeguarding newsletter can be found here.

Job of the Week – Cartographer

Cartographers use a wide range of skills to develop and create maps, so you will need artistic ability alongside scientific and technical knowledge. They can work in a range of sectors including: government, publishing, conservation, surveying and even the military. Cartography degrees are not available so degrees in spatial sciences are desirable, for example Geography, Geology, Land Surveying and Earth Sciences. Apprenticeships are also available.

Watch this video for more information about becoming a Cartographer.

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 -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.

As we are in the season of goodwill, we wanted to continue our theme of volunteering and helping others. This talk from Julie Phillips, Green Pathways Project Officer at Northumberland National Park Authority focuses on the impact of volunteering. Julie’s talk focuses talk on how you can turn your passion for the environment into an exciting career in the green sector. Using Northumberland National Park as a case study, Julie will explore the surprisingly diverse careers available from data and digital roles to planning, land management, conservation and farming. Discover how you can build your skills and CV through volunteering opportunities and citizen science and take your next steps towards a career that makes a difference.

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.

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.