Thought for the Week

Absence from School

Letter-to-parents-absence-policy-update-Sept-17

Summer 2017 Exam Certificates

Hamper Donations

It is year 11 parents evening on 30th November. Bookings for these are to be made via insight, thus you as parents will have to have activated your account. Look out for an email from insight@tahs .org.uk with your details. If you have any issues please email the same address.

A reminder again that appointments can only be made via a PARENTAL login and not via the students.

Thank you to all those parents who attended Parents Evening on Tuesday, if you were unable to attend then please contact the Sixth Form team on sixthform@tahs.org.uk.

The Student Finance Talk for parents took place this week, again this was received very well. If you were unable to attend then please visit this web address for further information https://www.gov.uk/student-finance.

Work Experience is an asset. It enables young people to view, participate and contribute to the running of a business. It can take many forms and often we here of very bad examples where the participant has had a very negative experience.  At Thomas Alleyne’s we encourage students to arrange their own work experience. We help sign post them to organisations that we know will be beneficial to their future career aspirations and lastly we facilitate the opportunity to access the work experience placement by allowing, if necessary, them to partake in the learning during term time. There has been an abundance of research to show how important Work Experience is. So far this year we have had students working in schools, nursing homes, hospitals (on the wards with the doctors) and within companies who specialise in design and technology.

We received an email from a company this week that spoke so highly of one of the Sixth Form students, who had been on Work Experience that I felt it needed to be shared so you could see how valued our students are both in and outside of the school.

‘Ellie is a most marvellous young person and a credit to Thomas Alleyne’s. We are no slouch to work experience and have 6-10 young people each year coming in for a few days. What sets someone apart however is the thirst and passion they throw into their time here, we are a fun, ambitious and fast paced business and Ellie has shown such energy, engagement, openness, innovation and a wonderful spirit which I am sure is her nature but should also be considered a trait of the school’.

They go on to state that they feel that all young people should ensure that while they are in the Sixth Form that they should find the time to ‘try out’ industry and to make the most of these types of opportunities.

If you would like to find out more about Work Experience then please contact the Sixth Form Office.

An update on UCAS applications: we are approaching December which means that all UCAS forms must be completed and sent before the end of this term. A number of students have already started to receive offers from universities. We have students sending off portfolios of work and essays to assist in their application, a few have been for interviews and have come back feeling very positive and not to forget those that have had to sit exams to gain entry on to their competitive courses.  Some of the universities who have offered places, out of the 35 students that have applied so far 29 of them have received one or more conditional offer from universities such as; Nottingham Trent, Durham, Derby, Chester, Glasgow, Edinburgh and York to name just a few.  We are very proud of these students and cannot wait to see more offers flooding in for other students when their applications have been submitted.

Harry Alcock, a past student who currently works for the Fire Brigade, delivered a ‘hard hitting’ assembly to Year 12 and Year 13 students today. It was on road safety and road awareness.  It was difficult to listen to the encounter that was shown about a firefighter who had been called to the scene of a Road Traffic Accident. He described what happened and the cause of the crash and then went on to explain that he knew the injured driver of the car. The short film has been produced to make young people aware of the dangers of driving at speed, using their phones or concentrating on what music to listen to or chatting with friends in the car instead of focusing on the very important task of driving safely. The message was to ensure that all people in the car have their seatbelts on, to be focused on driving and arriving safely, and lastly if you are running late then speeding may not get you to your destination any quicker.  We hope that the students took on board what Harry said and we, the Sixth Form Team, feel that this assembly was very important as we have many students that have passed their driving test or who are currently taking lessons.

World Challenge Craft Fair – Sold Out!

Luke and Tom have had local artisans and craftsmen and women eagerly booking stalls for their event which is now fully booked. It promises to be an excellent opportunity to buy unique Christmas presents along with enjoying homemade cakes and a hot drink. The boys will also be serving homemade soup and crusty bread if you fancy lunch whilst you browse. The festive atmosphere will be created by a local youth group choir, along with the opportunity to buy handmade fresh door wreaths. Each stall holder is donating to the raffle which will ensure there is an excellent selection of unusual prizes to be won. Entry to the fair is free. There is ample parking at Alton village Hall.

 

Year 9

Max Hayes and Callum Mee for excellent marks in their first biology assessment

Year 10

Georgia Cocke and Rachel Spence for excellent class work and homework in biology

Year 11

Sophie Howe and Oliver Stainsby for being above target in all their biology assessments to date

This week’s BTEC Animal Care Students of the Week selected by Mrs North are:

Shannon Davies and Richard Wason for an excellent start to the course

This week’s Environmental Land Based Science Students of the Week also selected by Mrs North are:

Charles Froggatt and Chloe Brown for excellent class work and test results

Well done!

News from PE

Literacy

  Careers

Links

Thought for the Week

Absence from School

Letter-to-parents-absence-policy-update-Sept-17

News From the Farm

Hamper Donations

It is year 11 parents evening on 30th November. Bookings for these are to be made via insight, thus you as parents will have to have activated your account. Lookout for an email from insight@tahs .org.uk with your details and if you have any issues please email the same address.

A reminder again that appointments can only be made via a PARENTAL login and not via the students.

This will go live for bookings on Monday 20th November.

Please don’t forget that Parents Evening is on Tuesday 21^st November from 4.00pm – 7.00pm. Year 13 Parents Evening has been placed on Insight, all parents are asked to log on to Insight and follow the instructions in the letter which was brought home by students last week, this will allow you to make the appointments with the classroom teachers.  If, for any reason, you are not able to attend, then could you let Mrs Walton know (sixthform@tahs.org.uk) and we will request information from the teachers and give you a brief overview of progress so far this year.  Parents Evening is vital to the success of our students, it allows us to share minor concerns or worries about your child and on a more positive note express how pleased we are with the progress that they are making. We look forward to seeing you there.

On Thursday 16^th November, we had an external speaker talk to all our Year 13 students about student finance, This was held in the theatre during period 5. In order to support parents of students wishing to attend university we have asked the same organisation to deliver an information evening on Wednesday 22^nd November at 6.00pm in the school theatre. We hope to see many of you there so that you can ask your questions and hopefully alleviate any fears you may have at this time about Student Finance.

We would like to thank all those students in Years 12 and 13 that contributed to non-uniform today. I am aware that many gave more than the £1 donation that was requested, their generosity will help another student who may be less fortunate and need further support to help them get through the week, half of the money donated will also be sent to Children In Need.

Year 12 are also Revising in RE

Have a look at some of the comprehensive revision materials that Year 12 Ethics students have been making.  It doesn’t matter what form revision takes, the more comprehensive it is the better it will help you to consolidate your knowledge and support your post-16 studies.

 

 

 

Christmas Shoe Box Appeal

Students have produced over 30 shoe boxes full of gifts that will be given to some of the most disadvantaged children in Eastern Europe. Well done and thank you.

This week’s Science Students of the Week selected by Mr Crum are:

Year 9

Aidan White and Chloe Yates for consistent high effort

Callum Plant for excellent work

Year 10

Torin Noble and Sophie Brown for consistent high achievement

James Moore for excellent effort

Year 11

Carl Hallam and Amelia Barnacle for effort above and beyond for extra-curricular work

Abigail Podmore for consistent excellent achievement

Well done!

News from PE

Literacy

  Careers

Busy in MFL

Links

Thought for the Week

Dates for your diary

Student Video Blog Sports Report

The year 9s faced Sir Thomas Boughey in the cup, semi final. It was a hard fought game, which the lads often dominated, however the result didn’t reflect this and unfortunately it finished 3-1 to Sir Thomas Bowen.

The Sports Reporter’s Man Of The Match:

Callum Stockbridge, who scored from a Set Piece after a fantastic cross by Eddie Smith.

Take a look at the video below (click the link) which includes: Game Footage, Player Interviews and Reports, your reporter is Max Hayes.

Video Link Sign in NOT required

It’s never too early to start revising!

Hamper Donations

As mentioned above we have parents evenings coming up for both year 13 and 11. Bookings for these are to be made via insight, thus you as parents will have to have activated your account. Lookout for an email from insight@tahs .org.uk with your details and if you have any issues please email the same address.

Neither evening is open to parents yet, year 13 will be the first to go live on the afternoon of Monday 13th November.

A letter has been sent home today to explain about Parents Evening which is on Tuesday 21^st November from 4.00pm – 7.00pm. Year 13 Parents Evening will be placed on Insight from Monday 13^th November, all parents are asked to log on to Insight and follow the instructions in the letter, this will allow you to make the appointments with the classroom teachers.  If, for any reason, you are not able to attend, then could you let Mrs Walton know (sixthform@tahs.org.uk) and we will request information form the teachers and give you a brief overview of progress so far this year.  Parents Evening is vital to the success of our students, it allows us to share minor concerns or worries about your child and on a more positive note express how pleased we are with the progress that they are making.

All Year 13 students are aware of the upcoming  mock examinations in January and we would ask you to encourage that they start revising at home as soon as possible so that a true picture of their progress can be captured at this time.  The mock examination process is key to establishing a beneficial pathway to the end of the course, which allows students to focus on weaker topic areas and improve on essay skills or examination question structures.

Next week, Thursday 16^th November, we have asked an external speaker to come in and talk to all our Year 13 students about student finance, This will be held in the theatre during period 5, this is a mandatory event and all Year 13 students are expected to attend. In order to support parents of students wishing to attend university we have asked the same organisation to deliver an information evening on Wednesday 22^nd November at 6.00pm in the school theatre. We hope to see many of you there so that you can ask your questions and hopefully alleviate any fears you may have at this time about Student Finance.

Many our Year 13 students are well on their way to sending their UCAS applications, why not ask to look at their application and talk to them about their choices. It is nice to see how far they have come. I have spoken to many students this week on why they have selected specific courses and universities and the reasons they have given are varied.  Are they making the choices for the right reason?  I would expect all students to look at courses that are aspirational as well as safe choices so that on results day they have the opportunity to select the right place for them.

Thanks to all our Year 12 volunteers who have helped support Remembrance Day and have visited all registration groups selling poppies, without them the school would not be able to make this as successful as we do. It also with gratitude that I thank those in the Senior Prefect team for reading the names of past students who have died in battle from 1914 to present day.

Latest from “Down Farm!”

This week’s Science Students of the Week selected by Mr Gilson are:

Year 9

Alice Boothby, Chloe Cartwright and Thomas Johnson for excellent Biology Assessments

Year 10

Finlay White and Callum Dreher for their continued high levels of curiosity and interest in Biology

Year 11

Amy Burrows and Tom Smith for making a superb start to year 11 Biology

Well done!

News from PE

Cross Country

Literacy

  Careers

Music Rehersals

Parent Governor Election

Links

Thought for the Week

Dates for your diary

7th November Year 11 Tutor Evening

School Council

World Challenge Christmas Craft Fair

Luke Hardwick and Tom Barraclough invite you to their

World Challenge Christmas craft fair

3rd December Alton Village hall. 11 till 3.

Selected local craft stalls providing a great chance to do Christmas shopping for those unique gifts. We have a fully booked fair with a fantastic selection of seasonal and unique items.

Refreshments will be available serving cake and drinks but also soup and crusty bread for lunch. Put the date in your diary- See you there.

Barrow Hill Visit

 

We have created a work friendly environment in the Common Room this week, we have thrown away any furniture that we have deemed ‘tatty’ and replaced them with work pods. This is to support and encourage a positive learning environment within the Sixth Form area. We have been pleased to see these pods used frequently.

This week there have been a number of students that have completed their UCAS forms and sent them off. Speaking to some of them after they had sent it, they stated that they felt relieved and that a weight had been lifted. This has enabled them to re-focus on their lessons and start making changes, if needed, that will allow them to be successful and have choices on results day.

We like to champion the variety of pathways open to our students once they have left Thomas Alleyne’s. Alex Rock is going to become a primary school teacher, most students leave Sixth Form and attend university full time, Alex has chosen a different pathway. I think that this is fabulous opportunity for Alex and one that I would recommend other students investigate.

Alex Rock: During my time at Thomas Alleyne’s sixth form I had settled on the idea of becoming a primary school teacher. I had taken a wide variety of A-levels and was looking at getting into teaching. I undertook work experience at a local primary school at the start of year 12 and continued all the way to the end of year 13 to get a better understanding of my chosen career path and gain experience that I could reference when it came to applying for university. At the time a full time university degree seemed to be the only option available to me to become a teacher but this did not completely suit me as I would be gaining no real experience whilst I was studying. I then began looking at different routes into teaching and through speaking to different people I found what I am doing currently. I knew that I would need a degree to become a teacher but I was informed that I did not have to get this through the traditional university route.

Instead of going to university full time I attend Staffordshire University at the Burton College campus one night a week on a Thursday evening. I am completing a BA Honours Degree in Education and despite being part time, this course will still only take 3 years to complete. As part of my degree I must have a placement in an education setting for at least 10 hours a week that can be either paid or voluntary. This is what swayed me to undertake this degree as this placement means that I can gain valuable experience while I study.

For my placement I work as a teaching assistant at Leasowes Primary school in Stafford. I work 3 full days and 2 half days at the school which allows me time to complete my university work, however most of the work links with experiences I gain from the school meaning that I am constantly learning.

This post 18 route has provided me with the perfect balance between a university degree and paid work which, for a while, I did not even know was possible. I would strongly recommend looking at a variety of routes into different career paths and talk to different people before settling on one as you may find a route that is perfect for you that you had never heard of.

Year 11 Revision Evening

The Physics revision timetable is available here for you to view:

Revision session outline Physics

This week’s Science Students of the Week selected by Mrs Evans are:

Year 9

Harry Cope and Elizabeth Holden for gaining the highest marks in the first Chemistry assessment

Year 10

Lucy Greatrex and Benjamin Seaman for a fantastic start in Science

Year 11

Matthew Simpson and Gabriel Eastwood for excellent calculation work in Chemistry

This week’s Animal Care Students of the Week selected by Mr Gilson are:

Lorten Flemming and Rachel Spence for enthusiasm and effort in practical and classroom work

This week’s Environmental Land Based Science Students of the Week also selected by Mr Gilson are:

Paul Finney and Olivia Bennett for their commitment to ELBS

Well done!

News from PE

Literacy

 Careers

Maths – Year 11 practice papers

MFL Revision

Links