A message from Mrs Rothenburg
It feels like we blinked and another half term is already over! For a short half term, we’ve certainly crammed a lot in.
Yesterday we held the second in our enhanced transition events programme, with Year 6 (soon to be Year 7) students enjoying some design technology activities. Thank you for your hard work and enthusiasm – our staff and students were very impressed with your skills, but most importantly, your willingness to give everything a go. Thank you also to the families who attended the session in the hall – we hope you found it informative. We’re really excited to welcome you all to our school and can’t wait to see you again for our Transition Evening on Monday 30 June when you will get to meet your form tutor for September and the rest of your tutor group.
Our assemblies this week, which were delivered by Mr Morris, focused on York Pride and were both informative and thought provoking. We’re really looking forward to taking part in the York Pride parade once again on Saturday 7 June. For those wishing to join us, further details will be circulated after the half-term break.
I have to give another shout out to our Year 11 students who are now over halfway through their GCSE exams and continuing to impress us with their commitment to revision and exams. Keep up the great work over the half-term break everyone, but don’t forget to make sure you enjoy some well-earned downtime too! Information about Prom Breakfast and our Leavers Assembly should be in Year 11 parent/carers’ inboxes now, or you can see a link to the letter later in this email. We can’t wait to celebrate with our outgoing Year 11s at these two great events, although we’re sure there will be a few tears too as we all say our goodbyes!
A huge thank you to all our families for your continued support this half term – it really does mean a lot to all of us. I’m also incredibly grateful to our staff for their hard work, dedication, and commitment, not just over the past few weeks but throughout the year. Most of all, I would like to thank the students for making this the very best school to work in.
I hope everyone has a lovely half-term break and that the sun makes an appearance for at least some of the week!
We reopen on Monday 2 June with an ‘A’ Week.
With best wishes,
Kavina Rothenburg
Principal
What is my child learning at the moment?
Please see below to find out what your child has been learning this week in order to have productive discussions about their education:
Year 7 – Science
Conversation starters
This week has been revision week for the upcoming Block 3 Standard Assessment Piece (SAP). Students will complete their assessment w/c 2 June. Classes have been studying a variety of topics in Block 3: Rocks, Reproduction and Energy. Can students name examples of igneous or metamorphic rocks? Can students name the eight stores of energy? Reproduction is always a topic that elicits lots of great questions – can students give two changes that occur in both genders during puberty? Can students describe what fertilisation is?
All Year 7 Science lessons are uploaded to the Year 7 Science Google Classroom. All Year 7 students have weekly Science homework to complete on Sparx Science – this is due every Thursday at 9.00am.
Year 8 – Global
Conversation starters
- Computing: We have started our first programming unit during which students will be introduced to the Python programming language. We’re also learning how to save user inputs into variables.
- French and German: We have started revising for our end of year assessment after half term, where students will complete a listening and reading test on everything they have learned this year in languages. They should be practising their listening skills and revising vocabulary using their knowledge organisers.
Year 9 – Humanities
Conversation starters
- History: We have been studying the US Civil Rights Movement. Ask your child whether Martin Luther King should be remembered as the man who won civil rights – or is it a bit more complicated than that?
- Geography: What conflicts occur in glacial environments? What is the future of tourism in the Alps?
- RE: Students are starting their new unit on religious buildings. The key question, that is woven through the unit, is about whether religious buildings should be sold and the money given to feed the starving.
Year 10 – Performance
Conversation starters
- Drama: Students are working hard perfecting their performances of two scenes from Willy Russell’s popular play ‘Blood Brothers’, ready for their performance PPE – please do continue to help them rehearse at home.
- Music: Students will spend their lessons this term working on their free choice composition.
- PE: In core PE, students have been developing their sporting skills in athletics, cricket and softball. In GCSE PE, students have been learning about physical training in particular components of fitness, methods of training, fitness testing and principles of training. In the summer term they will be completing their personal exercise programme.
Year 11 – Creative
Conversation starters
- Design Technology: Food Preparation and Nutrition students need to continue revising for their final exam. There is a range of revision materials on Google Classroom and students are also welcome to take their books home to revise if they wish. We would love to see every student attend the upcoming wraparound revision sessions which will undoubtedly have a big positive impact for all who attend. All students in other subjects have now completed their coursework and their final exams.
The Creative Department would like to thank all of our students for their engagement and hard work – you have truly been a fantastic year group to work with and we wish you all best for your future endeavours.
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.
School day timings rehearsal
A reminder that we will be trying out the new timings of the school day in the last week of the summer term. After half term, we will be sharing details of the enrichment activities on offer and we hope that there will be something for everyone to enjoy. As noted before, we understand that this is a change during the year and some families may have plans in place, so please let us know if you would like us to supervise your child until the normal finish time of 3.15pm on any nights that they are not doing a club or activity for that final week.
Staff Survey results
At Millthorpe we are committed to staff wellbeing and take the opportunity every term to formally collect feedback from staff and take action to improve our offer for them. Our most recent survey used questions from the Teacher Wellbeing Index 2024 which allows us to access the national responses from staff in schools nationally and compare the data to our responses. Some of our key findings were:
- When asked the question ‘Does the culture of the school have a positive impact on my wellbeing?’, Millthorpe staff were above the national response of yes by over 50%.
- When asked ‘Has student behaviour improved over the last academic year?’, Millthorpe staff were above the national response of yes by over 50%.
- When asked ‘Do leaders support employees who experience difficulties with mental health and wellbeing?’, Millthorpe staff were above the national response of yes by over 30%.
- 100% of staff said that they felt that their voice was always listened to.
Year 10 Pre-Public Exams (PPEs)
A reminder that the Year 10 PPEs are scheduled to commence on Tuesday 10 June and will run until Tuesday 1 July 2025.
These exams serve as a pivotal milestone in your child’s preparation for their final GCSE year. They provide a valuable opportunity for your child to experience exam conditions, assess their understanding of the curriculum, and identify areas where they may need additional support or revision.
For full information about the PPEs, please take a look at this letter from Mrs Armitage.
You can also view the Year 10 PPE timetable here.
If your child is on a trip during the PPEs we will ensure they catch up during the catch up slot on the afternoon of Tuesday 1 July.
Key Stage 3 students asked to “Keep reading, raising, and being amazing!”
In the morning form time reading session on Tuesday 3 June, we will be launching ‘Readathon’ with all students in Key Stage 3 (KS3).
Readathon is a national charity which raises money to ensure that children’s hospitals have a fully stocked library of books for young patients to read whilst they are receiving treatment, and also receive regular visits from talented ‘storytellers’ to keep them entertained during their stay in hospital. From 9-27 June, your child will be encouraged to read as much as they can, and be sponsored for doing so. Full details, including how you and friends/family can sponsor your child, are available on the attached letter and you can also view a video below:
We hope that your child is excited and motivated to begin this challenge. Not only will they be raising money for a worthy cause, but they will also be enhancing their own reading skills. In addition, our school will receive 20% of all monies raised to purchase books to further improve the literature available in our school library.
Key dates
- Tuesday 3 June (moved from the usual form time reading day of Monday as we always do a welcome back/re-set session on the first Monday back after a half term): Readathon explained to Key Stage 3 students in form time and they will receive a sponsorship card and bookmark.
- Monday 9 June: Millthorpe School’s KS3 Readathon officially begins in morning form time (but students can start their Readathon earlier if they wish). Please remind your child(ren) to bring a book or reading material of their choice to school.
- Monday 16 and Monday 23 June: Please remind your child to bring something to read to school so that they can continue their Readathon in form time.
- Friday 27 June: Readathon concludes – this is the deadline for sponsorships.
Thank you in anticipation of your support.
Prom photos
A reminder to parents/carers of Year 11 students – any prepaid prom photos must be paid for on ParentPay before Friday 6 June please.
Warmer weather – requests
A couple of reminders for next half term:
- Now that the weather is getting warmer, please send your child(ren) to school with a refillable water bottle which they can replenish at a number of points across school during the day.
- Can we also ask that students are protected with suncream (applied before they come to school please) if they expect to be outside during the school day, either at social times or for PE lessons.
National ‘Thank a Teacher’ Day – Wednesday 18 June 2025
National ‘Thank a Teacher’ Day is celebrated on 18 June. We know that many students, parents and carers are really grateful for the effort that our staff in school go to on a regular basis to provide the best school experience possible. If you would like to send a thank you card directly to the member of staff, totally free of charge, please complete the brief form available here.
Please remember that whilst it is entitled ‘Thank a Teacher’, messages of thanks can be passed on to any adult in school whether they be TAs, admin, support staff, pastoral and inclusion, site staff, lunchtime supervisors, cleaners and so on.
It would be lovely for lots of our colleagues to be recognised by students and/or their families this way, so please do take the 2-3 minutes to send a card if you can and would like to.
We will continue to provide students with the chance to send an appreciation card to a member of staff in school, as we do at the end of every term, in July, but this is another way for the efforts of our hard-working staff to be recognised and celebrated. Thank you.
School production – a message from Mrs Sladen
As we move towards the end of this school year my thoughts naturally turn towards next year’s musical production – my most favourite time of the year! I am very excited to announce that, in response to the huge pool of incredible talent we have in our school community, next year we have decided to use a slightly different format – ‘Millthorpe’s Night at the Musicals’! This will involve students performing a range of songs/scenes from a variety of different musicals, old and new, and will enable a wider range of students to take on a leading role within their number, whether this be a solo, small or larger group performance.
For next year, we have taken the decision to run our school production in the Spring Term with auditions in November/December and rehearsals running from January until our three performance nights before the Easter holiday. I will be asking students to audition a song they would like to be considered for the performance and the final show list will be a combination of songs the students have auditioned for/suggested and those cast from a wider list by staff involved. Students may perform in more than one song/scene.
Year 11 Leavers Assembly and Prom Breakfast – Tuesday 24 June
We’re excited to give our amazing Year 11s a proper send-off with their Leavers Assembly and Prom Breakfast on Tuesday 24 June! Students should arrive at 9.00am via the Philadelphia Terrace entrance (but not before, please!). We’d love them to wear their prom outfits again to keep the celebration going, though it’s not a must. There’ll be breakfast, a look back at their time at Millthorpe, and the chance to sign shirts and take final photos. All students will leave school by 11.00am via the rear gate.
We’d love it if students could bring in any pre-loved uniform, PE kit, or revision guides to donate – our Eco Laundry and future students really appreciate it. We’ll have donation points ready on the day.
You can read the full letter here.
Tennis coaching
We’ve been delighted to welcome Jill Le Pla into school recently to deliver tennis lessons to Year 7 girls. Jill is a Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) coach who has used funding from the LTA to offer sessions in school to help develop the tennis skills of the Year 7s and to offer valuable training to teaching staff.
On 3 and 4 June, Jill will be coming back into school to deliver two lunchtime sessions. Any Year 7 girls wishing to attend should see Miss Watts.
Year 7 Bolton Abbey trip
A reminder to parents/carers of children in Year 7, that consent should be given and payment made on ParentPay by 20 June please, ahead of the trip on 4 July. Full details about the trip can be found here.
Wimbledon Trip
Dates: Monday 30 June – Tuesday 1 July
Departure time: 6.00am from Millthorpe on Monday 30 June
Return: ETA late afternoon on Tuesday 1 July (depending on traffic)
Transport: Coach
Students will need to pack enough suitable clothes for an overnight stay, plus a rain coat, sun cream, hat, clothing and suitable footwear as there will be lots of walking around. They may also want to bring their school rucksack to keep their food and drink in on the first day.
Wimbledon is a cashless site so students will need to use their bank cards if they wish to purchase anything. If a student doesn’t have a bank card please let Mr Nicholson know so alternative arrangements can be made. It is advised to take lots of food and drinks with them as it is expensive once in Wimbledon. There are water stations for students to fill up their water bottles.
A full itinerary will be sent out three weeks ahead of the trip once we have received it from the travel company.
Thank you,
Mr Nicholson, Subject Lead: Physical Education
SEN and Safeguarding news from Excel Learning Trust
Every month, Sue Wight, Director of SEN and Safeguarding at Excel Learning Trust circulates tips and advice regarding SEN and safeguarding to parents/carers.
The May SEN and Safeguarding newsletter can be found here.
Job of the Week – Chef
Chefs are responsible for planning, preparing and cooking food for customers. They can work in restaurants, hotels, as part of the Armed Forces, on cruise ships, and can also be employed privately. Chefs will also work with food suppliers to maintain stock levels. If you are creative and enjoy working with food, this could be the career for you.
Watch this video for more information about becoming a Chef.
Speakers for Schools – inspirational talks
Each week, as part of our careers and aspiration-raising programme, we are featuring a talk from Speakers for Schools.
As last week was Mental Health Week, we wanted to bring you this inspiring talk – ‘When Life Gives you Lemons – The Power of Failure’ – from Sally Orange MBE, former British Army Major, multi-record-breaking adventure athlete, and passionate mental health advocate.
From running marathons on every continent to cycling the length of Britain dressed as a piece of fruit, Sally’s incredible journey proves that resilience starts in the mind. In this engaging session, she will share powerful lessons on overcoming challenges, pushing limits, and maintaining mental wellbeing, offering valuable insights for anyone looking to build confidence and resilience in their own lives.
Just click the image below to view.
York College – upcoming events
The following events are taking place at York College over the coming months. All are optional, but great opportunities for young people to increase their familiarity with the college, meet key people and ask any questions.
- The last Open Evening of the academic year takes place on Thursday 19 June from 5.30-8.00pm.
- There is an event for all applicants on Tuesday 24 June from 3.00-6.00pm called WelcomeFest.
- On Friday 27 June from 2.00-4.00pm there is an enhanced transition event specifically for new starters with SEND and their parents/carers.
- On Tuesday 29 July and Tuesday 5 August from 10.00am-3.00pm, there will be an enhanced transition drop-in event called ‘Getting Sorted’ for those students who may be feeling particularly anxious about moving to college. Learning Support staff will be available, as well as other Student Services like funding, transport and wellbeing.
Further information can be found on the York College website.
York College – enrolment information
For those going to York College in September, enrolment runs from Friday 22 August until Friday 29 August, during which time all applicants will be given an appointment to go in to college enrol.
The appointments will be scheduled in order of application, so the earlier in the year a student applied the earlier their appointment will be. Over the summer, the York College admissions team will be sending out a link with the enrolment invites which will take students to a booking page to rebook their appointment if they can’t make the date/time they are issued. During enrolment, Learning Support staff will also be available for all students who need this, and discussions can take place in a quiet space if preferred.
A colleague from York College will also be available at Millthorpe on results day in August to help students with any questions or concerns they may have.
Make Space for Girls project
Make Space (for Girls) project
The ‘Make Space’ in Rowntree Park project focuses on reducing the drop off of park use as girls enter their teenage years. Parks have numerous benefits for physical and mental health and it’s important that girls, and women, are able to access and make the most of the opportunities which parks offer.
Please take a look below for a couple of free events aimed at teenagers. A good number of Millthorpe students have attended past events and some students are helping support with their Duke of Edinburgh volunteer hours.
The brochure of free events can be accessed here.
#WakeUpWednesday – A guide to violent content online
Around 70% of teenagers say they’ve seen real-life violence on social media in the past year. Violent content online isn’t just something young people are occasionally stumbling across – in many cases, it’s becoming a routine part of their digital world. From fights and stabbings to toxic ideologies, disturbing videos are often just a click away on social media or group chats.
This week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide from The National College highlights the unseen risks this poses to children’s mental health, sense of safety, and social behaviours. With insights from a leading expert, it offers practical ways for parents and carers to respond with empathy and support – not punishment or panic. 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 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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