Thought for the Week
There are no assemblies for the next two weeks due to Year 11 Mock Exams
Thoughts for the Week (on the theme of new Year: we hope that one inspires you a little
“You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call ‘failure’ is not the falling down, but the staying down.” —Mary Pickford
“The beginning is always today.” —Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
“Every moment is a fresh beginning.” —T.S. Eliot
“The beginning is the most important part of the work.” —Plato
“It’s a wise man who understands that every day is a new beginning, because boy, how many mistakes do you make in a day? I don’t know about you, but I make plenty. You can’t turn the clock back, so you have to look ahead.” —Mel Gibson
Dates for your diary
Headteacher blog:
Happy New Year.
It has been fantastic to see students back in school. We have now completed two days of mock examinations for Year 11. Many students have been working incredibly hard in the lead up to these examinations, with over 11,500 podcasts from GCSEpod streamed outside school hours. Eight students have streamed over 200 podcasts. If you son or daughter needs support in accessing the resources please ask them to speak to their Head of House. It is essential they use the last few days they have to revise.
It is always better not to leave it to the last minute and we are impressed by the Year 9 and 10 students who are already accessing the resources. Even having only been with us one term, one year 9 student has streamed 400 pods which equates to 30 hours of revision.
On the 3rd January, all staff of Thomas Alleyne’s attended the Light up Uttoxeter Conference at Uttoxeter Racecourse. The conference is focused on our aim to offer the highest quality of education to our young people. Staff were offered a choice of over 40 workshops during the day to support them in their work.
We wanted to use this opportunity to thank those staff who delivered workshops for others during the day and to the staff at Uttoxeter Racecourse who could not have been more helpful in ensuring the day ran smoothly. Finally we would like to thank our sixth formers who opened the conference and provided help for delegates.
I will be holding a question and answer session on our application for teaching school status on the 17th January at 6.00pm for any interested parents or students.
There are many opportunities offered by our PE department in the newsletter this week. However they are managing a difficult situation at the moment as we are not able to open our swimming pool. We are are working hard to find a solution, however you will understand the costs associated with repairs to the pool are extremely high.
Uniform
This week has been a short teaching week but I am still so impressed by the commitment of our 6th Formers. On Wednesday we had our annual Light Up Uttoxeter Conference which was held at Uttoxeter Racecourse. As always our 6th Formers shone. Our Head Girl and Head Boy, Iona and Ryan opened the Conference alongside Tom. All three were well spoken, confident and were complimented by many. All of the 6th Formers that were in attendance were also working hard when they were supporting staff. At break and lunchtime many staff from other schools approached us and stated that they were shocked to see all of them has brought revision materials to the conference and were revising. We were not shocked as we know this group of students very well and this is typical behaviour from them. All the hard work they put in now will pay off and allow them to access the next stage of their journey, whether it is employment, apprenticeships or university. So far 73 of our Year 13 students have applied to university with all them being able to boast that they have received at least one offer.
On Thursday evening, the Sixth Form common room was transformed into a celebration function room. Every year we invite last year’s Year 13 back to celebrate their journey through TAHS and the next steps that they have taken. The amount of students that turned up to the event was overwhelming. At least 50 students returned to hear Mrs Dodd talk fondly of their time within the 6th Forms, awards were presented and certificates given out. The staff in attendance were happy to see their past students at to discuss their experiences of employment, apprenticeships and university. Mrs Walton ensured that photos were taken so that we could share the event to all those who read round up.
15th January is the closing date for UCAS applications so if you are aware that your son or daughter is still yet to complete it then please urge them to complete it over the weekend.
The closing date for applications to attend the Sixth Form is Friday 5th January.
Children’s Play, Learning and Development
Year 10 and year 11 students studying Children’s Play, Learning and Development:
On Wednesday 10th January please go to the canteen at 12.20 (period 4) for lunch.
You can bring your own lunch or cold snacks/ sandwiches will be available to buy (hot food will not be served).
Please stay in the canteen until 12.50 when you line up for your exam which starts at 1 O’ clock.
Good Luck!
Catering Price Increases
Ski Trip Easter 2018
A place has become available on the ski trip departing at Easter this year. If this is of interest please contact Mr Cartwright as a matter of urgency.
Extra Curricular PE –
Table Tennis- Thursday 11th Jan 4pm Robert Sutton, East Staffordshire Tournament This is part of GCSE assessment.
Team- Ben Anwar, Matthew Meakin, Jack Edge, Jay Hughes Ratcliffe, Matthew Omer, Jake Welsh, Archie Whitehead, Taylor Wood, Josh Hudson, Luke Plant, Harry Johnson, Bobby Hawkes, Alfie Bednall
Cross Country- Monday 15th January at Oldfields 1pm start. Team lists attached.
Year 9 Basketball H v St John Fisher County Cup- Tue 16th Jan
Year 9 Girls Futsal- Tue 16th Jan
Year 9 Boys Futsal- Thu 18th Jan John Port CAB
U16 Basketball A v Ormiston Horizon County Cup – Tue 23rd Jan
U15 Girls Rugby at Burton RFC- Thu 25th Jan
Year 10 Boys Handball- Wed 7th Feb
Year 10 Girls Handball- Wed 14th Feb
Trampolining Club- starts Thursday 11th Jan.
House Basketball -Monday 22nd January- during P2 (yr10), P3 (Yr9), P5 (Yr11).
Girls House Football – Monday 22nd Jan. P2 Year 10, P3 Year 9.
House Badminton & Table Tennis Fri 16th Feb P1- Any students doing Table Tennis or Badminton for GCSE need to play.
House Swim Gala- we will look to rearrange when pool is operational.
PE Lessons
Due to the mock exams and the pool currently being unavailable there are some changes to the PE lessons for this half term. Please check this document below to ensure you bring the correct kit for your lessons….
East Staffordshire Cross Country
Monday 15 January –
Meet 12.20 at Sportshall, We will return to school for 3.05pm
Bring School PE kit, with old trainers or boots.
Track suit, coat etc to keep warm walking to Oldfields and between races.
Anyone for Cricket?
Fancy playing cricket then have a look at this link:
Art Exam Parents Evening
January 9th 6:30pm-7:15pm Venue change: Now in Canteen
Art staff will be presenting advice and tips for the exam element of the GCSE worth 40% of the students Art GCSE grade. The Exam papers will be released on this date.
Preparation for the exam starts immediately during the January Mock Exam period and students will be able to attend art club at lunch or after school til 5pm most days as per usual, (please check supervision is available)
Careers
Don’t forget to check out the new careers page on tahsroundup.wordpress.com
Links
Follow the links to; School Website, Facebook, Twitter & our Online Shop
Thomas Alleyne's high school 