Happy half-term break!
As ever, we wanted to say thank you for all your support this half term. It’s been great to get back to more ‘normal’ procedures and activities, and although it hasn’t been without its challenges, we’ve had a great few weeks! We have been particularly impressed with how incredibly well students have responded to the need to wear face coverings again.
The first week back after the half-term break will be a B Week. School will therefore finish at 2.10pm on Wednesday 3 November for staff Continuous Professional Development.
Covid-19 – vaccinations and testing over half-term
The DfE is encouraging students to continue to test twice-weekly over the half-term break and preferably take an LFD test the night before they return to school. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
NHS England will also soon be opening an additional offer for 12 to 15 year olds to get their COVID-19 vaccine. Parents of children aged 12 to 15 will receive a letter from the NHS with more information on the vaccination programme shortly, including information about how to book an appointment.
Proposed merger consultation
A reminder that the consultation on the proposal for South Bank Multi Academy Trust to join with South York Multi Academy Trust will run until 3.00pm on 12 November 2021.
This letter contains full details about the proposal and consultation and you can complete the feedback form here (please note this will download as a Word document). Please email your completed form to consultation@southbanktrust.co.uk by the deadline.
Secondary school applications
Just a reminder for anyone with a child currently in Year 6, that applications for a secondary school place should be made by 31 October 2021.
Full admissions details can be found on our website or on the City of York Council website.
Post-16 Guide
CYC have issued the “Planning your future” post-16 guide for 2021-2. It outlines all the different options available to Year 11 students when they leave Millthorpe. It is available to download here or from the Careers section of the school website.
Archbishop Holgate’s Sixth Form Open Evening
Archbishop Holgate Sixth Form Open Evening will be held on Tuesday 2 November, from 6.00-8.00pm.
Full details can be found here.
Sports practices
As lunchtime is only 40 minutes long, students do not need to get changed into their PE kit, but they will need a change of footwear (trainers for the Sports Hall and plastic studded boots for the AGP). Students should come straight to practice and decide how to manage their lunch as they will not be able to eat in the Sports Hall or on the AGP. They may wish to eat a packed lunch at breaktime or just before or after practice.
After-school clubs take place between 3.20-4.20pm. Students should change into their kit in the Sports Hall changing rooms.
Everybody is welcome to come along. If you have any questions, please speak to one of the PE teachers.
Roots to Success
Roots to Success is a programme run by the universities and colleges of York. Its aim is to encourage more students to consider Further or Higher Education as an option when they leave Millthorpe. They are now inviting applications from students in Years 8-9 who wish to join the programme.
Please see this letter which outlines the eligibility criteria. The closing date for applications is 7 November 2021.
ISSP lecture – What is endocrinology?
The first ISSP lecture of the 2021-2 academic year will take place on Thursday 25 November. The topic will be “What is endocrinology?” As the lecture is virtual, it is open to all students in Years 7-8 – please see this letter which contains the link to register.
Snapchat safety warnings
Our police school liaison officer has asked that we make you aware that we are dealing with an increased prevalence of fake accounts that are being set up on Snapchat. These accounts are being used to contact students to attempt to engage in sexualised and inappropriate conversations and exchanges. We are also investigating reports of adult sexually explicit content sharing with young people via Snapchat.
Please support us in sharing the message that young people must not add others they do not know. We ask you to check your child’s phone regularly, in order to keep them safe. Please also be aware that without care taken with phone settings, others can locate your child via this app.
Please follow this link to a parent guide on how to keep your child safe on Snapchat.
How to keep safe on social media
All students in school have been provided with a booklet from CYC to help them keep safe online. This has been produced through a joint project between York St John University and the City of York Safeguarding Children Partnership.
Please ask your child to show you this booklet and discuss its contents with them. If your child has not received one, please ask them to speak to their Form Tutor after half term.
Student Diversity Group showcases Black British success
Millthorpe’s Student Diversity Group is a newly formed group of Year 11 students who have been working together to showcase Black British success and community work in the past and present. They recently shared their work with their peers in form groups during Black History Month.
The group, which was founded by students and supported by Ms Garner Steel, wanted to celebrate Black History Month by reminding us all that there have been influential Black British people for centuries. The group chose individuals who reflected their own interests and then shared their thoughts on what that person’s story meant to them.
Next half term, they will invite interested students from Years 9 and 10 to join them on their upcoming projects. You can read some of their reports here: Do you recognise the individuals from their photos?
Did you crack the code?
Well done to all who cracked the code!
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