Weekly email – 24 April 2026

A message from Mrs Rothenburg

Kavina Rothenburg
Principal

Dates for your diary

• Wednesday 29 April: Year 10 Progress Evening
• Thursday 30 April: Moving to Millthorpe event – Design Technology session and presentation for Year 6 families
• Monday 4 May: School closed for May Day Bank Holiday
• Friday 22 May: School closes for 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 – Performance
Conversation starters

• Drama: Students are preparing for their upcoming Physical Theatre assessments – please ask them to share their ideas with you, they are very creative!
• Music: As part of the keyboard unit, students have begun exploring how to use chords to create the foundation of a pop song.
• PE: Students are in the final week of their current activity rotation block and will be assessed in their sports. The boys are being assessed in basketball and athletics and the girls are being assessed in athletics and fitness. Students will change activities next week.

Year 8 – Creative
Conversation starters

• Design Technology: Students are continuing to learn about cultures and how culture can influence design. Food students are cooking a repertoire of recipes from around the world and learning about staple foods from different climates.
• Art: Students have completed their Ai Wei Wei animal zodiac studies demonstrating progress in terms of using different media and techniques to represent tone. We have been impressed by the quality of recording and attention to detail. After learning about the political message Ai Wei Wei communicated through this sculpture students will start the new project – insect themed, centred on contemporary mixed media collage artists. Students will gain an awareness of endangered Red List insects and the impact this is having on the global eco-system. Taking time to read around this topic (BBC news, BBC Bitesize often feature articles) would be a great way to expand your child’ s knowledge.

Year 9 – English
Conversation starters
Year 9 has begun the modern play written for young people, Dennis Kelly’s DNA. This is a GCSE-level text which tackles some mature themes which our students really enjoy exploring in a sensitive and thoughtful way. The assessment outcome for this text will be a speech the children present in front of their peers, in preparation for their GCSE English language which will call for them to deliver a presentation.

Year 10 – Maths
Conversation starters
Loci are paths that you can create using a pair of compasses and a ruler. Describe how to create a right angle using a compass and straight edge. What other angles can you create in this way?
Research different geometric patterns that you can create using compasses.

Year 11 – Science
Conversation starters
Students are spending their final lessons with us revising for the upcoming GCSEs. We have completed Walking Talking Mocks for Paper 2 – this is the content we cover in Year 11. This week we have reviewed our Year 11 PPEs and focussed on areas of improvement and really digging into the mark schemes and exam techniques. We have given each student a personalised feedback sheet based on question-by-question analysis of their papers. Over the coming weeks we will be continuing with a programme of revision before the GCSEs commence. For the coming weeks we have created a set of bespoke lessons that focus on key areas of content that are often examined.

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 awards for their efforts during the spring term.

Huge congratulations go to the following students:

Year 11

English: Harry J
Maths: Isla C
Science: Alice B
Humanities: Violet-Evie W
Computing: Evindar E
MFL: Charlotte P
Creative: Rosie P
Performance: Alyssa W
Year Team: Ida HS
Form: 11LBR
Principal’s Award: Ngawang D
Top 3 Spring Term: Tommy H, Matthew B and Aaron B
Power Play Star: Andreea P

Year 10

English: Max C
Maths: Verity S
Science: Charlotte DO
Humanities: Edie J
Computing: Daniel O
MFL: Esther K
Creative: Archie W
Performance: Ethan B
Year Team: Leo U
Form: 10RPR
Principal’s Award: Abi C
Top 3 Spring Term: Oliver W, Thomas F, Lewis C
Power Play Star: Edith H

Year 9

English: Evelyn BH
Maths: Amber R
Science: Kaitlyn S
Humanities: Haylee R
Computing: Eilidh G
MFL: Zeb P
Creative: Charlie F
Performance: Lucy E
Year Team: Mollie L
Form: 9ERH
Principal’s Award: Marianne L
Top 3 Spring Term: Alice J, Loki E, Zoe B
Power Play Star: Nevaeh W

Year 8

English: Josephine G
Maths: Joshua H
Science: Isaac N
Humanities: Abby L
Computing: Emma W
MFL: Polly E
Creative: Matilda de K
Performance: Mario NO
Year Team: Eleanor T
Form: 8ANE
Principal’s Award: Edmund CW
Top 3 Spring Term: Katy C, Grace P, Megan R
Power Play Star: Antonia C

Year 7

English: Leo MH
Maths: James G
Science: Katherine W
Humanities: Joe M
Computing: Dylan S
MFL: Savannah L
Creative: Lucas A
Performance: William K
Year Team: Brooke T
Form: 7SCO
Principal’s Award: Cicely M
Top 3 Spring Term: Shirley J, Julia TG, Joe M
Power Play Star: Benjamin F

Culture Day

Today we celebrated the rich diversity of our school community at our second annual Culture Day.

The event was student-led and we were delighted that more than 60 students got involved to showcase their cultures, representing countries including Nigeria, Ukraine, Scotland, France, Macedonia, India, Ireland and Egypt amongst others.

Thank you so much to everyone who got involved, to the families who prepared and provided traditional foods, to Aspens our catering partner for their kind donations of food, and to everyone who came along to the Culture Fair.

You can read more about the day here.

Breakfast Club

We are delighted to share that our Breakfast Club has recently expanded, and we want to ensure all our families are aware of this fantastic morning offer.

Whether your child needs a quick bite to eat, a supportive morning check-in, or simply a friendly face to help them start their day on the right foot, our Breakfast Club team is ready to welcome them. Our dedicated support staff have now been joined by our Progress Leaders to provide an inclusive, positive start to the morning for everyone.

Breakfast Club takes place every morning from 8.15am until Form Time in the Dining Hall and is open to all.

Students are welcome to attend on any day – they do not need to wait for the day their own Progress Leader is running the session.

Careers Talk – Interpreting

On Tuesday 12 May, we are delighted to welcome a professional interpreter into school to speak to students about their career. Interpreting is the skill of directly translating spoken language while it’s happening, and it’s just one example of a career you could go into with Languages. During the session you’ll find out some more about the career of interpreting, and maybe even get to have a go!

Here’s some information about interpreting as a career.

The talk will take place after school on Tuesday 12 May from 2.45-3.30pm. Students should let Ms Dukes or Miss Barber know if they would like to attend.

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.

Year 10 boys reach York Schools Cup final

Our Year 10 boys’ football team recently faced Tadcaster Grammar School in the York Schools Cup final. Despite a strong performance, the match ended in a 4-1 victory for Tadcaster.

The scoreline did not fully reflect the game, with Millthorpe creating numerous chances but unfortunately not managing to convert them. The team showed great determination, skill and teamwork throughout.

Congratulations to Noah S, who was named Man of the Match, and to the entire squad, who should be extremely proud of their commitment and impressive achievement in reaching the final.

Basketball success for Millthorpe pupils at the York Eagles Basketball Awards

Six Millthorpe pupils were recognised for their contributions to their teams at the York Eagles Basketball Club’s annual awards ceremony. These amazing athletes competed for their club in Basketball England’s Junior Regional and National League competitions, playing a key role in the 2025-26 season and making themselves, their club and their parents proud.

• Benjamin F (Year 7): MVP (Most Valuable Player) for the U12s mixed category
• Sylvie B (Year 9): Coaches’ player and Players’ player for the U14s girls’ category
• Griffin E (Year 10): Coaches’ player for the U16s boys’ category
• Milo M (Year 11): MIP (Most Improved Player) for the U16s boys’ category
• Maya F (Year 11): MVP (Most Valuable Player) for the U18s women’s category
• Danika C (Year 11): Coaches’ player for the U18s women’s category

York Eagles Basketball Club’s mission is to develop young people in and through the sport of basketball. The introduction of female teams is a relatively recent addition to the club and has brought huge success, with the U14s girls winning the North of England Conference unbeaten in 2024 and the U16s girls being the first Eagles team to reach the Quarter Final of the 2026 National Cup (only losing to the eventual winners).

We are actively looking for female players across all age groups and particularly in the U10 to U14s categories, so please help us spread the word! A good starting point is our community sessions, which can be booked here (the first session is free!).

Job of the Week – Physiotherapist

Physiotherapists assess patients’ physical problems/disorders and provide appropriate treatment and techniques to help improve their symptoms. There are many different types of physiotherapists, some specialise in cardiovascular, geriatric, neurology, paediatrics or other areas. They work with other healthcare professionals such as GPs, consultants, social workers and occupational therapists, in order to work on a safe and reasonable treatment plan. To be recognised as a Chartered Physiotherapist, you must be registered with the Health & Care Professions Council, and to do this you will need a Physiotherapy degree.

Watch this video for more information about becoming a physiotherapist.

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 Wednesday was Earth Day, we wanted to bring you a talk about sustainability this week.
‘Let’s Talk Sustainability: Careers That Make a Difference’ from the team at SB & CO looks into the possibilities of working in Sustainability whilst also working in Design, Communications and Management. The team at SB & CO unpack their roles in sustainability and describe ‘days in their lives’.

Just click the image below to view.

SEND Central in April and May

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

Please take a look at the SEND Central website for details of events and sessions taking place over the next couple of months, including the SEND Central Market Place – details below:

Parents/carers are also invites to the following sessions delivered by Think Together (a team of mental health practitioners):

• 20 May, 10-11.30am – session for parents/carers on Energy Accounting Theory: Helping Manage Energy Levels for Autistic Young People.
• 27 May, drop in between 10.30am-1.30pm – Branding and Understanding workshop. Details can be seen below

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.

‘Getting Sorted’ at York College

The Wellbeing Team at York College is offering drop-in sessions for any students anxious or worried about starting at York College in September. The ‘Getting Sorted’ events are running on:

• Tuesday 28 July
• Wednesday 5 August

There’s no need to pre-book and it’s a great opportunity for students to go along at any point between 10am and 3pm on these dates to find out more and ask any questions they may have.

York College events for students with SEND

York College is hosting a series of events for those students joining them in September who may need additional support to smooth the transition. Please see below for opportunities to engage with the Learning Support Team.

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.

Raise York: Your one-stop digital hub for families in York

Raise York is a dedicated website for families, designed to make finding local information, support, and activities as easy as possible. The site acts as a central starting point for everything related to raising children in the city. If you don’t have internet access at home, you can access the site for free at any of York’s Explore libraries.

Raise York offers:

• Advice and information by topic
• Directory of activities and services
• Links to trusted specialists
• The latest news
• Work and training opportunities

You can explore everything they have to offer at raiseyork.co.uk.

Rugby for Year 7 and 8 girls

Heworth ARLFC is launching a new Under 13s Girls Rugby League team for the 2026 season. This is open to girls in Years 7 and 8 and training starts on Monday 11 May.

Further information can be found at heworthrl.co.uk or you can email heworthrl@gmail.com or call Lee on 07736 642024.

#WakeUpWednesday – What Parents & Educators Need to Know about YouTube

YouTube continues to be a go-to platform for entertainment, learning and creativity, but its vast and largely unregulated content library presents ongoing challenges. This week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide outlines how features like recommendations, Shorts and social interaction can shape young people’s viewing habits, sometimes exposing them to inappropriate or extreme material.

It also explores key safeguarding concerns, including stranger interaction, risky trends and the limits of automated moderation. With practical advice on tools such as YouTube Kids, supervised accounts and parental controls, the guide supports parents and educators in encouraging safer, more balanced and informed use of the platform.

Take a look at the guide.

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.