Weekly email – 30 January 2026

A message from Mrs Rothenburg

Wishing everyone a great weekend – I’m keeping my fingers crossed for some better weather! We’ll see everyone back in school on Monday for a ‘B’ Week.

With best wishes,

Kavina Rothenburg
Principal

Dates for your diary

• Monday 19 January – Friday 6 February: Year 11 PPEs
• Wednesday 11 February: School closes for half-term break
• Monday 23 February: School reopens after half-term 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 – Global
Conversation starters

• French: Students are continuing with our topic of school, and learning about school subjects, the timetable and the school canteen. Can your child say what subjects they like and why? They will have a listening and translation assessment this half term, all on the school topic.
• Computing: Students will start learning about three logic gates, NOT, AND & OR. These are used to represent binary logic which ties into programming.

Year 8 – Humanities
Conversation starters

• History: Students have been learning about why the trans-Atlantic slave trade grew in the 18th Century and how abolitionists and enslaved people brought it to an end. Ask your child to explain how triangular trade worked and whether Wilberforce should get the credit for ending the slave trade. Students will be writing an essay on this topic so do have a look in their books.
• RE: Our new unit this term is titled: Is death the end? This week we are exploring what it means to live life to the fullest.
• Geography: What is the difference between weather and climate? What instruments are used to measure different aspects of weather?

Year 9 – Performance
Conversation starters

• Drama: Scripted Drama – ‘Noughts and Crosses’, Dominic Cooke. Who is Ruby Nell Bridges and why is she important to our understanding of Scene 3? What features of non-naturalistic drama do we see in Scenes 1-6? What is the difference between institutional and individual racism and how do we see these in Scenes 1-6?
• Music: This term students have been studying African music, looking at djembes, polyrhythmic writing, improvisation, call and response and the cultural link to the Mali empire.
• PE: Students have been working hard developing their skills in netball and fitness learning about the different types of passes and learning the positions. In fitness students have been developing their knowledge of fitness testing and methods of training. The girls have been developing their rugby skills and badminton skills learning how to pass, tackle and play more matches. In badminton, the girls have been learning how to serve, overhead clear and develop the drop shot and the smash.

Year 10 – Creative
Conversation starters

• Fine Art: Students have been busy this half term completing and presenting development work for the ‘Flora & Fauna’ project in their sketchbooks. Looking at your child’s artwork at home, discussing ideas and encouraging them to persevere when challenged is a great way to support them. Individual feedback is provided to support your child to complete / refine their coursework. After half term we will be launching the sustained Component 1 (coursework) project which will be our focus until Christmas of Year 11. Discussing ideas with your child in response to the project theme would be supportive.
• 3D and Graphics: Students have started working on their Component 1 project which will run for one year and is worth 60% of the GCSE. Students have been given a range of starting points to choose from and they have selected one to start researching. Students should be taking their own photographs linked to their theme as their primary research that they can be working from – please support your child in taking photographs of patterns, reflections, textures and subjects linked to their project. Students are working through a range of techniques to present a number of observations linked to their theme before they choose their first artist to research.
• Food Preparation and Nutrition: Students are aiming for excellence studying the complex world of nutrition. They are currently learning about micronutrients and the wonderful things oily fish and spinach do for the body. We are completing a huge range of practice exam questions and complex technical practical work.
• Engineering: Students have recently completed two skills-based projects and a practice Unit 1 Coursework. We are moving back onto theory work. Homework quizzes will now be set on Google Classroom in the first lesson each week and will always be due the following Monday.
• Child Development: Students are continuing the focus on Unit 1 to 4 theory work. Resources are available on Google Classroom. This is ahead of the final RO58 coursework starting in June and Mrs Leonarcik’s return to Millthorpe in February.

Year 11 – English
Conversation starters
Year 11 have been working hard on their revision for their two English PPEs – many thanks for the support given at home with encouraging attendance at intervention and quote learning! As soon as the PPEs are completed, students will carry on with their Power and Conflict unit, revising poems already learned and finishing poems that are still left to do. Ask your child what they can remember about the poems they studied at the end of Year 10!

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.

Restorative Peer Mentors visit Woodthorpe Primary School

Some of our amazing Restorative Peer Mentors recently went to Woodthorpe Primary to deliver an assembly about what their role is and how they support the students at Millthorpe. They will be going back to Woodthorpe soon to help train any Year 5 students interested in becoming a Restorative Peer Mentor at their school.

Thank you to students Amelia, Chloe, Rosie, Charlotte, Henry and Reuben, and to Miss Gater for taking them. You did an amazing job and we are really proud of you.

Sports Leaders visit Dringhouses Primary

This week our Sports Leaders have been back into Dringhouses Primary school to teach multi skills to their Year 3 and 4 pupils. The leaders were fantastic once again, showing fantastic leadership and enthusiasm throughout the session and the Dringhouses pupils loved having the sports leaders to teach them.

At the end of the sessions, the class teacher thanked the leaders and said that they should all be proud of themselves. Well done to our Sports Leaders!!

Year 7 Interform Challenge – we are back with a bang!

Ms McCartney was overwhelmed with excitement to announce that the return of the Year 7 Interform Challenge 2026 would be a dance based challenge!

Participants worked in their form groups to choreograph a count of eight to Taylor Swift’s ‘Fate of Ophelia’. Participants were brave enough to perform their pieces in their form groups to the other forms whilst Ms McCartney made the extremely difficult decision in choosing a winning form. All forms created some amazing moves, but what was more memorable about this challenge was the support they showed each other.

7PHU took home the winner’s title for their teamwork and performance skills – congratulations!

Up next is a Geography challenge which will be held in the Library with Ms Steers on 4 February – see you there!

Sparx Science Homework – Year 11 Combined Science Students

During the PPE period, we decided that for the Year 11 Sparx assignments due on 22 and 29 January, we would issue positives for completion but would not sanction incompletion.

With the majority of PPEs now complete, we would like students to re-establish the completion of their Sparx Science Homework.

All Year 11 Combined Science students have weekly homework set via Sparx Science that is due on a Thursday at 9am. Their next assignment is due on Thursday 5 February.

Maths checkpoint assessments

The Maths team are asking for your support to help students prepare for their checkpoint assessment in Maths please. These will take place on the following dates during maths lessons:

• Year 7: Monday 9 February
• Year 8: Friday 27 February
• Year 9: Tuesday 10 February
• Year 10: Thursday 26 February

There is information on the assessment and guidance on revision in the year group Maths Google Classroom – please encourage your child to take a look and discuss their revision.

Revision guide for parents

For those with children entering their exam years, this useful guide for parents from Oxford Revise is well worth a read.

Within the guide, you’ll find strategies and tips that will help your child to develop a healthy approach to revision at every stage of the process, that helps to maintain motivation, establishes a life-study balance, and boosts student confidence.

Take a look at The All-You-Need Guide to Revision.

Mental Health Awareness Week

With Mental Health Awareness Week approaching, from 9-15 February, we wanted to remind parents/carers that if you have concerns about your child’s mental health, you do not have to manage this alone. If you are worried, let us know so we can work together to support your child.

There’s also a number of resources available on our Padlet which 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.

The links for parents and students can be found at the bottom of this email.

Sports round-up – PE department

Boys’ football

Millthorpe U12s vs Bootham School

• Result: Millthorpe 7 – 2 Bootham
• Player of the match: Max Ludjan

A fantastic performance from the U12 football team against Bootham School, where there were goals from Max Ludjan who scored five goals, Elliot Sivey and Harrison Goddard. Well done!

Girls’ football

Millthorpe U12s A team vs Archbishop Holgate’s School

• Result: Millthorpe 3 – 0 AHS
• Player of the match: Eva Lawson

A brilliant performance for the U12 A team in only their second match of the season and the first time playing together as a team for some of the students. They played with such enthusiasm and determination, working well as a team and scoring some great goals. Goals came from Daisy and Mia, along with an own goal. Congratulations to the U12 team, three more points on the board!

Millthorpe U12s B team vs Archbishop Holgate’s School

• Result: Millthorpe 1 – 3 AHS
• Players of the match: April McCarten and Nevaeh Stuart

What a fantastic game of football to watch – the girls put in such a good effort and showed resilience to keep going, even when 3-0 down. A great goal from Pixie came in the second half which was well deserved. Big shout out to Nevaeh for some amazing saves to keep us in the game! Well done all!

Millthorpe U16 vs Archbishop Holgate’s School
Result: Millthorpe 6 – 0 AHS

In some horrible weather conditions, where the wind and rain were persistent and the girls got drenched, the team played some amazing football and thoroughly deserved their 6-0 win against AHS. Goals from Martha, Katie and Immy and an own goal means that we are currently top of the league! Well done to all that were involved and for your resilience to keep playing in the awful weather.

Basketball

Millthorpe U16 boys’ basketball vs Huntington School
Player of the match: Milo Metcalfe

The boys played well against a tough opposition in Huntington. Well done all for your best efforts.

Netball

Millthorpe U12s A team vs Fulford School A team
Result: Millthorpe 18 – 6 Fulford

The girls played some lovely flowing netball throughout this game and completely dominated the game, deservedly winning with a comfortable score line. The player of the match was Penelope as she scored some brilliant goals and never looked like missing a shot. Well done to all involved!

Millthorpe B team vs Fulford B team
Result: Millthorpe 2 – 6 Fulford

The team played brilliantly together, and the nerves from the start of the game soon disappeared once they started playing and having fun! Player of the match was Millie who did some amazing interceptions and defending of their WA. Well done to all!

Upcoming referee!

A massive thank you to Harry and Ethan who volunteered to referee the U12 boys’ football matches this week against Fulford (match report to follow next week).

Harry (pictured right) is now a qualified referee, and it is fantastic to see that he is using this qualification to get more experience in helping out with refereeing our school fixtures and refereeing on a weekend.

Well done and thank you to both of you for helping out this week!

Job of the Week – Graphic Designer

Graphic designers work to produce visuals for clients. This could include producing graphics for websites, advertisements, magazines, posters, computer games, packaging or in any other format. Being a graphic designer means having an ability to interpret a client’s ideas and create pieces they are happy with. Lots of employers ask for graphic designers to have a relevant degree, but this is not always necessary.

Watch this video for more information about becoming a Family Support Worker.

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.

With the Six Nations just around the corner, we thought this Industry Spotlight Talk with the Rugby Players Association (RPA) would be apt this week. Join Shaunagh Brown, GJ van Velze and Lynsey Hyslop, from The RPA as they take us behind the scenes of the sports industry. Discover the wide range of roles that make the magic happen – from player management and coaching to media, events, and business operations. Your passion could become a dream job in sports, so let’s kickstart your future!

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.

SEND CENTRAL

SEND CENTRAL is York’s Family Hub that specialises in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

The hub provides a place where families can seek advice and information about what’s available in York when they have children and young people, age from 0 to 25, who have additional needs.

SEND CENTRAL provides an essential breathing space for children, young people, and their families. A warm, welcoming, and supportive environment where families can go for information, advice, and support on all aspects of SEND and where they can find out more about the Local Offer in York.

To find out more please visit the SEND CENTRAL website.

Parent Carer Forum York

To find out more about events and support available from the Parent Carer Forum, please take a look at their latest newsletter here.

Junior Aquathlon

Leeds and Bradford Tri Club is hosting a Junior Aquathlon for 8-18 year olds on Sunday 31 May at The Edge, University of Leeds.

The Aquathlon will be a pool swim followed immediately by a run, with distances varying by age. This is a great event for novice and experienced athletes alike.

Further details and booking information can be found here.

York St John National Saturday Club

For the fourth year running, York St John University is hosting a National Saturday Club. This is a free opportunity where members take place in Art and Performance activities each week at York St John. This programme is open to 13-16 year olds of all abilities (Years 8, 9, 10 and 11). Taking part can be a transformational opportunity for young people: you can hear from past members in this short film.

For more information please visit the National Saturday Club website.

#WakeUpWednesday – What Parents and Educators Need to Know about Mental Health Misinformation Online

Children and young people are increasingly turning to social media for mental health advice, but much of what they encounter online is unverified, oversimplified or misleading. This week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide explores why platforms like TikTok and Instagram have become go-to sources, and how misuse of clinical language and viral trends can distort children and young people’s understanding of mental health.

Aimed at parent and educators, it offers clear, expert-led strategies to counter misinformation. The guide looks at topics such as encouraging open conversations, identifying reliable sources, and strengthening school-home collaboration. Use this information to build young people’s critical thinking, resilience and confidence in seeking appropriate professional help when needed.

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 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.