A message from Mrs Rothenburg
It’s hard to believe that the final day of term and the school year is here!
It’s been an incredible term ending on a real high this week as we implemented our new school day timings and enrichment programme. At the request of our students, this week was a bit of a rehearsal in readiness for the start of the new school year in September – and it could not have gone any better! The students (and staff!) adapted to the new schedule brilliantly and we were really pleased to see so many students making the most of the vast range of enrichment opportunities on offer at the end of each day.
This week, students have had a flavour of gardening, dance, band, British Sign Language, darts, netball, debating, board games, drama, mindful colouring, creative writing, arts and crafts, STEM, table tennis, football and more! To see the full programme of enrichment activities available in September, please click here. You can also read a full account about this week’s enrichment activities in the Millthorpe Messenger which will be with you tomorrow.
Below you can hear what some of our students thought of the new arrangements, which will be fully implemented in September.
On Tuesday, as part of our Careers programme, a group of Year 9 and 10 students visited GMI Construction to learn all about the trade. They had a tour of a construction site and got to ask questions of a Project Manager, whilst kitted out in hi-vis vests and hard hats of course! Thank you to everyone at GMI Construction for hosting them.
The Summer Concert held on Tuesday evening was a spectacular celebration of Millthorpe’s musical talent. It was a joyful evening and a brilliant way to round off the term. A huge thank you to everyone who came to support, and congratulations to all the performers – you were fantastic!
Congratulations to those students who were nominated by their faculty to attend the last Principals’ Breakfast of the term with me this morning, including: Tracy, Jack, Jenna, Elsa and Arwen.
We’re looking forward to seeing Year 11s in school on Thursday 21 August when they will be able to collect their GCSE results. I know how hard they have worked, so we’re keeping everything crossed that they get the results they want – they deserve every success!
In September, Year 7s and Year 11 Student Leaders will start the Autumn Term on Tuesday 2 September with all other students returning on Wednesday 3 September.
Until then, it just remains to say I hope you all have a fantastic summer break!
With best wishes,
Kavina Rothenburg
Principal
Welcome to the Summer edition of Sensations – Excel Learning Trust’s newsletter
As the summer term and school year draw to a close, we wanted to share a selection of news items with you to update you on what has been happening across the Trust over the last few months.
You can read the newsletter here.
I hope you and your families have a wonderful summer break and we look forward to seeing you again in September.
Kind regards
Mark Hassack
CEO, Excel Learning Trust
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
Year 7 has been studying Women in Science – looking at the achievements of Rosalind Franklin, Katherine Johnson, Dr Hayat Sindi and Cynthia Breazeal amongst others. Students have been recognising gender stereotypes, suggesting reasons why there are so few women in science and explaining how we can change the narrative. Year 7 have also been completing a variety of project-based learning, working on their disciplinary knowledge.
Year 8 – Global
Conversation starters
- Computing: Students have been using the programming skills they have learnt to build a calculator using Python.
- French: Students are learning about francophone culture through studying a film set in France. Can they talk about the film and what they liked about it in French?
- German: Students are studying German culture through a film project. Can they describe the film?
Year 9 – Humanities
Conversation starters
- History: What was The Cold War? Can you explain the differences between Capitalism and Communism? How are we living through the long-term consequences of the Cold War tensions from over half a century ago?
- RE: Students are thinking about the issue of poverty and starvation, and making a decision about whether they think religious buildings should be sold to feed the starving.
- Geography: Students have been wrapping up their topic on climate change. Can your child tell you something about how we adapt to and mitigate climate change?
Year 10 – Performance
Conversation starters
- Music: After a busy term of preparing for mocks and writing their first compositions, this week’s focus has very much been on the summer concert. Most of Year 10 were actively involved in the performances and those that weren’t, were involved in the organisation of the concert.
- Drama: Drama students have ended the year by completing a devised assessment using verbatim theatre within their performance – this has involved students collecting their own spoken testimonies which they have then built a non-naturalistic performance around – please do ask them to explain more!
- PE: After a busy few weeks completing their mock exams, students have changed their activity blocks and have been developing their skills in cricket, softball, rounders and tennis up until the summer holidays.
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.
Sports Day 2025
I would just like to say a huge well done to all the students for an amazing Sports Day. It was my first Millthorpe Sports Day and we were so impressed with all of the competitors and how all of the students came together, demonstrated our school values and competed with smiles on their faces.
The event was all about participation and it was great to see so many students stepping up to compete and be the best they could be, earning points for their forms. We celebrate success but this is not solely about finishing first, second or third, it is about those students that step up to have a go and have some fun at the same time.
It was amazing to see so many records broken as some of the Millthorpe records still stand after 35 years.
Our record breakers this year are as follows:
- Y7: Esme L, 200m, 26.0 seconds
- Y7: Georgia C, 300m, 51.07 seconds
- Y7: Charlie G, Javelin, 19.55m
- Y8: Immy B, 100m, 13.64 seconds
- Y8: Immy B, Javelin, 21.7m
- Y8: Marianne L, 1500m, 5:09:00 seconds
- Y8: Rosa B, Triple Jump, 9.35m
- Y8: Rosie D, 800m, 2:29:14 seconds
- Y8: Hugo A, Triple Jump, 11.23m
- Y9: Sophie N, Triple Jump, 11.57m
All of those records will get added to our records boards.
Overall results
We wish everyone an enjoyable summer and look forward to seeing you again in September.
Kind regards
Mr Nicholson and the Millthorpe PE Department
Charity Day – fundraising total
The final total from the Charity Day fundraising last week is a whopping £627.96!
£292 was raised from the sale of raffle tickets and will go towards additional water fountains in school and the remaining £335.96 raised from all the other activities will go to Save the Children.
Thank you for all your kind donations.
Summer Holiday Reading Challenge
The benefits of reading are endless. It improves creativity, imagination, vocabulary, the ability to learn, concentration and attention span and writing skills. It can also reduce stress, boost empathy, develops understanding of the wider world, and some studies even report it can help us to live longer!
We therefore wanted to set our students and staff a Summer Holiday Reading Challenge. You simply need to be photographed reading a book in an obscure or unusual place over the holidays.
Please send any photographs to reading@millthorpe.elt.org.uk. Please include your child’s name and year group (their year group next year) when sending the photographs. There will be prizes for the best submissions in each year group, and one for the staff too!
We will share all entries on our social media accounts throughout the summer, unless you let us know that you prefer your child’s photo not be shared.
If you need inspiration, please see below. The top row are previous winners and the bottom row are other ideas online. Happy reading!
Good luck Rowan!
All the very best to Rowan W, Year 11, who is set to compete for England once again this weekend at the Home Countries’ International Schools’ Track and Field Championships, after winning gold in the 400m at the English Schools’ Championships last weekend.
Rowan’s dominant performance in the final means that he is now ranked number one in the Under-17 400m category across Europe.
You can read Rowan’s story here.
All the very best for the weekend Rowan!
Well done Juliette!
Juliette MJ in Year 9 also took part in the English Schools Track and Field Championship last weekend. Unfortunately due to injury, she couldn’t take part in the Long Jump, her favourite event, but was able to take part in the Pole Vault. She finished in an amazing seventh place with a jump of 2.85m, only missing out on sixth place through count back.
Huge congratulations to Juliette (pictured right)!
Congratulations Isabelle!
A huge congratulations to Isabelle H in Year 7 who took part in the 2025 Ripon Triathlon Festival last Saturday.
Isabelle completed the 300m open water swim in the onsite lake, with the 4000m bike ride following roads in the local area. The final leg, an 1800m run, took the competitors along the towpath by the stunning Ripon waterways.
At the end of the race, Isabelle got to meet the Brownlee brothers who had come along to support the event. It is an amazing accomplishment to have completed this, and we are all so proud of you Isabelle for rising to the challenge.
Job of the Week – Location Manager
Location Managers find the best locations for films, shows or other shoots. They use their knowledge of locations or venues to find the best for producers and directors to film. Communication skills are really important for this role. A degree is desirable although some people move into the field with prior experience of working in the media.
Watch this video for more information about becoming a Location Manager.
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.
On Tuesday, it was World Youth Skills Day so we thought it would be good to feature a talk about personal development. Join Scott Stevens, Commerical Director, St James Place for his talk: ‘Build the Blueprint for Your Future by Developing a Personal Development Plan’.
In this talk, Scott shares how to build your own Personal Development Plan – a practical toolkit to help you set goals, stay focused, and unlock your full potential. Whether you’re planning your next steps after school or dreaming big about your future career, this session will give you the confidence and structure to get started.
Just click the image below to view.
Preparing for Adulthood opportunities event
This event is for anyone in Year 9 or above with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities and their parents/carers. It aims to inspire them about post-16 options and employment.
Exhibitors include education providers, employers, City of York Council and other support services, such as DWP. There will also be sessions on Supported Internships and until 5.30pm, VR activities in agriculture and animal tasks.
The event will be held from 3.30-6.30pm on Tuesday 14 October 2025 at Askham Bryan College.
Anyone for tennis?
Rowntree Park Tennis Club is running free junior sessions throughout the summer. There are still places left but we suspect they will fill up quickly! You can find out more here.
Jill Le Pla is also running summer camps throughout the summer at Rowntree Park. To find out more, please click here.
York College – Future Student Hub
York College has launched a new web resource – their Future Student Hub.
This has been specifically designed for students who are starting, or thinking about starting at York College in September, and would like a little more information about what happens next, from enrolment and timetables to student life, travel and support services.
York College – ‘Getting Sorted drop-in events
York College is holding two ‘Getting Sorted’ events in the summer holidays:
- Tuesday 29 July, 10.00am – 3.00pm
- Tuesday 5 August, 10.00am – 3.00pm
These events are aimed at students who plan to start at York College in September and may be feeling particularly anxious about this and their new environment. Parents and carers are very welcome too!
Students will meet the Wellbeing team, discuss the support available, and can visit key areas of the College and their subject classrooms if they feel it would be reassuring to see where they will be based. There will also be a wide range of support teams to chat to if you have questions about travel, funding, careers choices etc.
For more information, please contact Julie Murgatroyd E: wellbeing@yorkcollege.ac.uk
#WakeUpWednesday – A guide to supporting children and young people to stay safe around water
Spending time in or around water, where is it safe and well supervised, can be a good way for children to stay active and make memories; however, it’s vital to understand the dangers. This week’s #WakeUpWednesday guide from The National College is packed with tips to help you keep young people safe around water, at home, school, and further afield.
From teaching children what beach flags mean to why inflatables should stay in pools, this guide is designed to support parents and carers in promoting water safety. Whether it’s a bath, a beach, a boating lake, or York’s rivers, being prepared can help prevent avoidable tragedies.
Mrs Cole’s assembly about “Keeping Safe Over Summer” in the penultimate week of term included top tips and clear instructions to stay away from York’s rivers, but reinforcing this at home is strongly recommended. 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.
;
