A message from Mrs Rothenburg
We’ve enjoyed another fantastic week at Millthorpe! Our students continue to impress us with their positive attitudes and commitment to our school values both in and out of lessons. My colleagues and I are all thrilled with how well they’ve settled into the new academic year.
I have enjoyed spending time talking to students this week and listening to their views. They have told me that the movement time between lessons is helping them to arrive at lessons on time and start learning quickly. This is backed up by our data which tells us that the vast majority of students are arriving punctually.
It has been lovely to see so many students already getting involved in our extra-curricular clubs and activities. There really is something for everyone, so please encourage your child to have a look at what is on offer. Further information is available below.
I was lucky enough to be able to go along and support our Year 11 boys football team earlier this week as they took on All Saints in the U16 York Schools League. You can read about the result below, but I just wanted to say thank you to all the families, students and staff who came along to support – it was a fabulous atmosphere! I’m now looking forward to seeing School of Rock this evening in York, which stars two of our students, Kurtis Moss (Year 8) and Esther de la Pena (Year 9). I’m told there are tickets still available if anyone would like to go along.
Rehearsals kicked off this week for our school production, ‘Matilda’, which will take to the stage on 17, 18 and 19 December. Please save the dates in your diaries if you would like to come along. Those involved in the production should keep an eye out for rehearsal news and updates on the Google Classroom which Mrs Sladen has created please. We’ll also publish rehearsal details in the weekly email and on our social media accounts.
I hope everyone has a lovely weekend. We’ll be back in school on Monday for a ‘B’ Week.
With best wishes,
Kavina Rothenburg
Acting Principal
Please see below to find out what your child has been learning about in the first couple of weeks of this new academic year in order to have productive discussions about their education:
Year 7 – Faculty: Maths
Conversation starter
Where might you come across negative numbers in real life? Can you think of:
- Two numbers you can add together to make a negative value?
- Two numbers you can multiply together to make a negative value?
- Two numbers you can subtract from each other to make a negative value?
Year 8 – Faculty: Science
Conversation starter
Classes are studying a variety of topics in Block 1: Health and Lifestyle, Acids and Alkalis, and Sound.
- Students who are studying Health and Lifestyle: you can ask them to list the different food groups, describe the function of each food group in the body with examples and explain why a balanced diet is important.
- Students studying Acids and Alkalis can be asked: people sometimes put toothpaste on bee stings. Toothpaste is alkaline. What does this tell you about bee stings?
- Students who are studying Sound: you can ask students to describe the difference between longitudinal and transverse waves.
All Year 8 Science Lessons in Block 1 are available in the Year 8 Science Google Classroom.
Year 9 – Faculty: Global
Conversation starters
- Computing: We are reviewing Python Basics including variables, inputs and outputs, concatenation, data types and operators.
- German: We are studying music in German and talking about being in a band. What is your favourite musical instrument and can you talk about it in German?
- French: We are studying healthy lifestyles in French. Can you talk about what you eat and what exercise you do to stay healthy, in French?
Year 10 – Faculty: Humanities
Conversation starters
- History: Why is Kaiser Wilhelm II a controversial figure? The Kaiser was an autocratic ruler; what does this mean? How did the rise of the SPD threaten the Kaiser’s rule of Germany before World War One?
- Geography: What are the four layers of the Earth? What four factors affect hazard risk?
- RE/Ethics: The problem of evil: if God is loving why is there evil?
Year 11 – Faculty: Performance
Conversation starters
- Drama: Students have begun their final group devised assessment performances, worth 40% of their final GCSE – please do ask them to talk you through their creative ideas.
- Music: Students have started their final set work, Africa by Toto. We began by performing the piece and moved on to detailed analysis. By half term we will be looking at exam style questions on this repertoire.
- PE: Students have started their PEP (Personal Exercise Programme) looking at their introductions and aims. They have taken part in their event and completed a number of fitness tests ahead of their six-week training programme. Students will be writing up the first part of their PEP in the next couple of weeks.
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.
Expectations around uniform, nails and makeup
We would like to thank you for ensuring your children wear the correct uniform every day. Only a few students have needed to use our uniform provision on their way into school, and everyone looks so smart as we embark on an exciting new school year.
There’s a very small number of students who have returned to school with false/acrylic nails which are too long and/or are coloured/patterned. We appreciate that in some cases students will need the services of a professional nail technician to remove these nails and therefore ask that any false/acrylic nails be removed by Monday 30 September, which gives parents two weekends to book appointments. We also ask that all students arrive at school without nail varnish.
We understand that for many teenagers, wearing makeup can help them manage the pressure of growing up in an image conscious world. We do ask though that makeup is kept within what might reasonably be considered natural and that false eyelashes are not worn to school.
Revised break/lunch timings
From Monday 23 September, we are making a slight adjustment to break and lunch timings to improve the overall experience for students.
Following student feedback we have decided to make slight changes to the social time within our school day. Therefore, from Monday, we will be extending break time by five minutes, whilst reducing lunchtime by five minutes.The new school day timings are as follows (changes in bold):
8.30am: Gates open
8.40am: Movement time to form
8.45am: Form
9.10am: Movement time to Period 1
9.15am: Period 1
10.10am: Movement time to Period 2
10.15am: Period 2
11.10am: Year 7s to break
11.15am: Break
11.30am: Movement time to Period 3
11.35am: Period 3
12.30pm: Movement time to Period 4
12.35pm: Period 4
1.25pm: Year 7s to lunch
1.35pm: Lunch
2.10pm: Movement time to Period 5
2.15pm: Period 5
3.15pm: School ends
Students have been briefed about the new timings today.
Principal’s Breakfast
Next week sees the launch of the Principal’s Breakfast which replaces the current Friday 14s. The Principal’s Breakfast will take place during Form Time every Friday morning to allow students to maximise their learning time and start the day positively. Nominations for the Principal’s Breakfast will be shared with students via the Student Bulletin each week. There will be ten nominations from across all areas of school. Staff will nominate students who have demonstrated being respectful, ready and responsible and the nominated students will have pastries and hot chocolate with Mrs Rothenburg.
What a great way to end the week and celebrate our students being the best that they can be!
SEND update
SEND Year 7 Information Evening
Thank you to those Year 7 parents who joined us for our SEND Information Evening last week. It was a great event which allowed us to check how students on our SEND register are settling into Millthorpe.
At the event, we shared some information about how the SEND department works at Millthorpe and some key dates for the year. You can take a look at the presentation here.
SEND key dates
- 23 October: Transition Review Evening
- 21 November: SEND Review Evening (virtual)
- 30 January: Second SEND Network
- 27 February: Parents’ Evening
- 20 March: Second SEND Review Evening
- 8 May: Third SEND Network
- 5 June: Third SEND Review Evening
Communicating with the SEND team
To make sure we can deal with enquiries as effectively as possible, respond to urgent enquiries promptly and to make the best use of colleagues’ time, please only contact us via the send@millthorpe.southbank.academy email address.
Even if you normally talk to a specific member of our team, please still use the central email address. This allows us to direct your enquiry and ensures it is dealt with as quickly as possible. Thank you.
Year 11 Aspirations Day
Yesterday, every student in Year 11 had an aspirations meeting with a member of SLT or Mr Wright (Head of Year 11). Each student had prepared a self-reflection thinking about: PPE grades; learning conduct; attendance; and post-16 plans and aspirations.
We asked how we could support them and they have been so helpful in providing us with that feedback which we will absolutely take on board.
Furthermore, we know how tough this year can be, so each student left with a wellbeing card with a QR code linking them to helpful sources of support. We also reassured them that it is OK to come and talk if/when they need to.
It was such a pleasure to spend time with each and every one of them. We are incredibly lucky to be able to work with such a great group of young people. We know it’s going to be a great year!
Mandatory Geography field trip for Year 11 students
On 16 and 17 October, a mandatory Geography field trip is scheduled for Year 11 students who are currently enrolled in GCSE Geography. This field trip is a crucial part of your child’s curriculum, offering them an invaluable opportunity to apply their classroom learning to real-world scenarios.
To ensure that you are informed about the details of this field trip, please check in with your child to read the letter we have handed out to them. This letter contains important information regarding the field trip.
The field trip will provide your child with practical experience, deepen their understanding of geographical concepts, and allow them to gather data for their coursework. It promises to be an enriching and educational experience.
Mr C Figures
Head of Geography Department
PE blocks of study 2024/25
Our students get the opportunity to undertake a number of activities in their PE lessons throughout the school year. To find out which block of study students have when, please visit our website and click on the appropriate link.
Please note that PE activities may need to change according to weather conditions or other contingencies.
Clubs and activities
We aim to provide a wealth of opportunities to our students so that they can grow academically, but also as an individual and holistically. Please take a look at our Clubs and Activities page on the website where you can find out more about the extra curricular activities on offer. There really is something for everyone!
Duke of Edinburgh expeditions
Well done to all the intrepid Year 11 students who completed their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Expeditions over the last two weekends. They showed great resilience, carrying all their kit on the 14km hikes on day one, followed by cooking an evening meal and camping overnight and finishing off with another long walk with full packs. Conditions were variable, with some very wet weather at times and temperatures dropping overnight. As well as making sure they were well prepared, they all showed a great positive spirit and worked to support one another within their groups.
Many thanks to Ian, Rachel and the rest of the Mid Yorks Expeditions team for running the expeditions so successfully.
Year 11 footballers bag a win against All Saints
Well done to our Year 11 boys football team who chalked up a great win against local rivals, All Saints earlier this week in the U16 York Schools League. The match, which was played in great spirit, finished with a 2-1 win for the Millthorpe team, thanks to two fantastic goals from Rowan.
Well done to the boys, and thanks also to all those who came out to support the team. It was amazing to have such a big crowd! Here’s to the next match!
Matilda rehearsals – a message from Mrs Sladen
What an amazing first couple of rehearsals we had last week – well done everyone! Next week we’ll start blocking in our rehearsals, which will take place on:
Tuesday 24 September, 3.15-4.15pm: M1 – Full Cast – singing rehearsal
Thursday 26 September, 3.30-4.30pm: Drama Hall – Principals, Kids, Big Kids – blocking
Looking forward to seeing you all then and getting this show on its feet!
Will smashes York 10km to raise money for DBA UK charity
Year 11 student, Will Rhodes, took part in the York 10km in August – a wonderful achievement for anyone, but even more so for William who lives with Diamond-Blackfan Anaemia (DBA), a very rare blood disorder.
Will and his family have been supported by the DBAS UK charity since he was very young and they do what they can to support this small charity. Will was determined to complete the 10km race and raise money in the process for this charity which is very close to his heart.
Despite some struggles with his training when he wasn’t feeling well, Will absolutely smashed his target time, completing the 10km race in 56 mins 30secs and raising a whopping £1,535 for his charity. Donations can still be made via Just Giving.
Well done Will! You show such determination and are a fantastic role model. We are all very proud of you.
#WakeUpWednesday – A parent and carer guide to Final Fantasy XIV
Final Fantasy XIV is an online game which allows thousands of players to occupy a far-reaching world simultaneously, embarking on quests and fighting monsters alongside one another, which has risen to a high level of popularity in more recent years. According to a study from the UK Safer Internet Centre, 73% of young people have experienced unpleasant or inappropriate behaviour while enjoying an online game. As an always-online game, several safety concerns can arise when playing this PEGI 16-rated multiplayer title, especially for young people.
As a trusted adult, it can be intimidating to figure out where the risks lie when dealing with such a huge and expansive game but being aware of these concerns and how to mitigate them is absolutely vital when making online safety decisions if there are younger gamers in your care, especially under-16s, for whom the game is unsuitable according to its PEGI 16 rating.
Fortunately, this week’s free guide offers expert advice on the risks present in Final Fantasy XIV, and suggests steps you can take to ensure young people are as safe as possible online.
Safeguarding
If you have significant concerns for the welfare of a child, in addition to being able to contact Mrs Cole, Mrs Cooper or Mr Beever during school hours by emailing safeguarding@millthorpe.southbank.academy, you may wish to make direct contact with the 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.
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