A Note from the Chair of Governors

Change of Chair of Governors

After being a Governor at Thomas Alleyne’s for around 22 years and Chair of Governors for 6 years I’ve decided to step down when my term of office expires in September.  It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work with such a strong and committed group of governors, such a tremendously dedicated staff group, and of course a body of students who are a credit to our school and the town. 

It has been a demanding 6 years, dealing with Ofsted visits, with tough challenges as funding for schools reduced year on year, with decisions on academy status, and, most importantly, with the responsibility for appointing a new headteacher four-and-a-half years ago when we welcomed Mrs Rudge to the school. 

Now I am delighted to see Alleyne’s going from strength to strength as a founder member of The Uttoxeter Learning Trust, a Teaching School, a school rated ’Good’ by Ofsted and, most importantly, a school giving its students an excellent academic and extra-curricular experience.  Achieving funding for classroom building work is the icing on the cake, and I hope the funds can be raised to save the swimming pool for future generations.

My successor is Mike Prescott who will bring a wealth of wisdom and experience to the role.  I wish him and all students, parents, staff and governors well, and look forward to hearing of the school’s future successes. 

Alison Trenery

Thought for the Week 

 Headteacher blog:

Swimming Pool Crowd Funding

We need your help to save our school Swimming Pool.

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/save-our-uttoxeter-swimming-pool-/

Here is our award winning vlogger Max telling you why we should save our pool.

https://1drv.ms/v/s!AgF2gDAKrgyFa70gknOnDYLn53E

Dates for your diary

I love the last week of term but probably not for the reasons you think. It is a hive of activity, lots to do and excited students at every turn. Teachers and students ensuring loose ends are sorted and that we are all prepared with our ‘to do’ list for over the summer break. I have been able to revamp my classroom displays and ensure that resources are prepared for September, although I still have quite a bit to do over the next few weeks. This year has seen many Year 12 students facing their fears. For many this year has been a roller coaster of emotions, bridging the gap between GCSE and A Level, the amount of work needed to achieve their target grade, the extra work put in by those that are reaching for the stars and lastly Mrs Walton who faced a very large and very real fear on Wednesday. Mabel was very well behaved, she did not answer back and she did as she was instructed. Mabel is a Tarantula. Mrs Walton is petrified of spiders and she saw Mabel being brought into the Sixth Form Common Room she did have a knee wobbling moment. Mabel looked at Mrs Walton and she seemed determined to help her overcome her fear. The pictures that were taken and that I’m sharing with you do not fully show how scared Mrs Walton was but I’m sure you will agree the look of relief when Mabel was given back to Mrs North speaks for its self. As well as Mrs Walton doing this for our forever charity, Douggie Mac, I held Mabel alongside some very brave students. Mrs Walton raised close to £100.

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This week Jess Poole and Rachel Clemett organised for a Holocaust survivor to come in and talk to all of Year 12 students. Martin Sturn works with the Holocaust Education Trust (HET) and delivers educational talks to students all around the country on his experience. It was clear from the account that Martin gave that he owes his life to luck, from his mother dropping anti-Nazi propaganda in front of a Nazi Brown Shirt on a train and him just helping her to pick up her leaflets without reporting her to his name being missed off a transport list which was destined for Auschwitz. As a child, Martin and his sister would have been sent straight to their deaths in the gas chamber. It was very thought provoking and Martin was also kind enough to relay some of his early life to four classes of Year 9 and 10 English and RE students. Euan Walsh in Year 10 spoke to his English teacher after and thanked her for the opportunity to hear Martin talk. This sentiment was relayed from Year 12 students. I would like to thank Rachel and Jess for all their work on the Lesson from Auschwitz programme; they have gone above and beyond in all aspects.

Finally I would like to share with you an extract that we received from a Year 13 student, Rhiannon Kenny. The words are very genuine and the message resonated with all of us in the Sixth Form Team.

‘My teachers have given me the most important and supportive life advice and the confidence and belief in myself that was sometimes missing. Now leaving Sixth Form, I’m going into a career I never thought I’d be confident enough to pursue…This would not have been possible without the careers advice and UCAS guidance that we were given during the most crucial times of the application process. And it’s not only me, I don’t think there’s a single one of my friends that hasn’t grown and achieved success during their time in the Sixth Form.’

So on this positive note I would like to wish all our Year 12 students a lovely holiday, but don’t forget to work on coursework and read through subject content during the holidays. We look forward to seeing them all return as Year 13

House Competition 2018

As we published last week the results are as above, but Max has been at it again and here is his report on the biggest sporting event of last week:

https://1drv.ms/v/s!AgF2gDAKrgyFaQFXejrYlsu_y9Y

 

Girls Summer Coding Camp

For the 2nd year, Vodafone is running a 4-day coding workshop for girls aged 14-18, as part of a global programme spanning 26 countries. This programme will give girls the skills, confidence and encouragement to learn, develop and thrive in STEM fields and occupations. They will be taught the technical skills to build their own website including Html, CSS, GitHub and JQuery.

The Manchester course will take place at Atlas House, Monday 6th – Thursday 9th August.

Applicants must identify as a female/non-binary, be 14-18 years old, and have the necessary English language skills to complete the programme.

CLAG leaflet

A Maths Reunion

Six years ago as I said farewell to my year 13 maths class, they suggested we have a reunion in July 2018. They bought me a notebook and put the date in, clearly they had known me long enough to realise that my memory would fail over that length of time. Well that date was last Saturday. I was delighted and honoured that they took time out of their busy lives to travel back to Uttoxeter to meet up. They looked so well……and grown up! All working and incredibly successful. I heard all about their jobs, the different places that they are living, travel plans and career plans. How proud….and old I felt, what incredible young people. It was a lovely afternoon.

Thank you folks.

Jewellery Designer Visits Art Dept

 

Art Trophy Awarded to Lizzie Steele (Year 9)

 

Last week we shared with you the news of Lizzie’s award, so why did she win it? Well here are some examples of her work and I am sure you will agree they are fantastic!

 

20,000 Doves Project

 

Music Concert

Well done and thank you to all pupils who were involved in the music concert on Thursday night.  A range of talent was on show throughout the 2 hour performance, it was excellent to see all year groups working together to put on a great show.

 

Internet Safety

As we fast approach the summer holidays the students ill have more time to be on social media. Please see below parental fact-sheets for the main sites to assist you with your understanding.

 Facebook_Flyer(oct 17)AHV9 –

interactiveInstagram Safety

InteractiveSafer Internet Day 2018 –

Parents and Carers Pack – Factsheet

Snapchat Checklist interactive

Twitter Checklist-Interactive_0

 

Uniform at Thomas Alleyne’s

Students need to keep their locker key if they are keeping the same locker in September.

Careers

Links