Our term was brought to a close by a tasty turkey dinner, where the turkeys were hand reared by our students, a Christmas concert full of good cheer and the close of our Year 11 examinations. Year 11 have done us proud with the way in which they have conducted themselves throughout the period and we think moving the mock examinations to before Christmas has worked well for them. It has been my privilege, to meet over 60 students at our Headteacher breakfasts this week. At the breakfasts we had the opportunity to thank students for their commitment this year – the school is a better place because they study with us.
If you haven’t already seen the plans for our new build this Summer please see the article
‘See first design images of new state-of-the-art sports facility at Thomas Alleyne’s High School’ in the Derby Telegraph.
We wish you all a wonderful Christmas and New Year and look forward to seeing students back on the 8th January.
Uniform
A reminder to all students, parents and carers.
Hooded sweatshirts are not part of the uniform at Thomas Alleyne’s High School. We encourage all students to wear a v necked blue or black school sweatshirt over their shirts, especially now that the weather has turned cold.
We encourage them to also bring outdoor coats, and gloves. If they do bring hooded sweatshirts to school and wear these beneath or over their blazers these will be removed from them to be collected by parents as they are not part of the school uniform. We appreciate parents support with ensuring these sweatshirts, which are not part of our uniform are not brought to school.
ART GCSE EXAM EVENING
Students and their parents/guardians are invited to attend the art deptartment ART GCSE exam evening Wed 9th Jan 6:30-7:30pm in the school canteen. A reminder that the art GCSE papers wil be given out on this date plus lots of helpful tips and advice about preparing over the exam period before the 10hour controlled conditions in May.
ART GCSE COURSEWORK DEADLINE
ART GCSE coursework deadline is Monday 14th January 2018, 3:05pm. This forms 60% of your grade, the other 40% is the Externally Set Assignment (exam) unit which starts in January- please attend the evening on 9th Jan to receive your exam paper plus tips and advice.
Reports
Year 9, 10 and 12 reports are available on Insight.
Year 11 and 13 Mock Examinations
A huge well done to our students in Year 11 and 13 who have now reached the end of the mock examination period. We very much hope that your hard work has paid off.
Year 11 Mock Exam Results Day will take place on Thursday 17th January, period 5.
Year 9 English and Maths Internal Examinations
Please note, Year 9 exams will take place as follows:
Tuesday 14th January (English language)
Wednesday 15th January (Maths)
Thursday 16th January (English language)
Year 9 examinations are for English and Maths only and are internal examinations. This means that the results will be used by English and Maths teachers only to support intervention where required, and do not go towards final Year 11 GCSE results.
The additional purpose of these examinations is to help prepare our Year 9 students early on for Year 10 and 11 examinations by sitting assessments in examination venues instead of in their usual teaching classrooms.
The assessments will take place in the school theatre.
BTEC Animal Care
A reminder that the external exam for this subject will be taking place on Monday 14th January. There will be NO external exam for this subject in June. The specification and past papers have been given out to the students to help with their revision over the holidays. These have also been set on INSIGHT in case any students have lost them.
Revision sessions will take place in room 81 on the following dates in order to help students prepare for this exam:
Tuesday 8th January 3.05-4.00pm
Thursday 10th January 3.05-4.00pm
Monday 14th January 8.00-8.40am
BTEC Applied Science
Y12 Unit 3 Exam
The practical part of this exam will take place on Friday 11th January followed by an externally moderated assessment on Monday 21st January. Students will need to revise all the work covered this year over Christmas in order to fully prepare for this. All students have revision guides and past papers have been set via INSIGHT
Y13 Unit 1 Exam
There will be a series of three exams for this unit as follows, with each being 40 minutes long:
Tuesday 15th January pm – Biology
Wednesday 16th January am – Chemistry
Wednesday 16th January pm – Physics
All students have got a revision guide and packs of past exam questions to use as part of their revision. They will need to be revising for these exams over the Christmas period.
Online Safety
The impact of social media can be amazing – the promotion of events, the re-connection with friends from times past and the sharing of memories – are all fantastic ways of communicating.
Unfortunately social media is not always used in such a positive way.
Advice regarding uploading pictures:
Only upload pictures that you’d be happy for a parent to see (the internet is a public place). Don’t post pictures of you or your friends wearing school uniform (this lets people know where you will be). Tick the “no pic forwarding” option on your settings page – this will stop people forwarding your pictures to anyone without your consent. Who are you communicating with? Do you know? Do you really know?? Have you met them? If you know someone… who knows someone… who knows someone….. it doesn’t make them your friend.
Advice for students:
What you put on social media sites is there forever. Consider the information you share – you don’t know who your friend’s friends are… or your friend’s friends’ friends… Be aware that information on your profile could potentially be viewed by anyone. Consider you photo – what info does it give about you? Understand the meaning of ‘joint enterprise’ Be aware that university admissions and employers WILL check your internet activity.
In the event of an emergency with your child, have you got a new phone number (especially mobile)? Have you moved? Has there been a change in your circumstances? Has there been a change regarding any medical information for your son or daughter? If so, it is vital that you alert school so we can change the details on our system. Please contact school as soon as possible.
Need to Talk?
Need help and advice? Then follow this link for more information.
The PTA would like to give a huge thanks to all those who donated raffle prizes and bought tickets for our hampers. We managed to make 5 beautiful prizes which were raffled off last night at the Music Concert. We raised over £400.00 and the students and staff really do appreciate your contributions. We also have some exciting new projects coming up in 2019 and will be letting you know how you can continue to support our students through the PTA.
We are always looking for new members and would welcome anyone who is willing to help out no matter how small an amount. To get in touch please email:
This week’s Science Students of the Week selected by Mrs Faizey are:
Year 9
Mollie Beresford and Sam Bennett
Year 10
Victoria Morut and Ashton Bagley
All students were selected for their excellent effort in Chemistry.
This week’s Animal Care Students of the Week selected by Mr Gilson are:
Year 10
Abbey Moore and Alfie Clowes for relishing the opportunity to pluck and dress a turkey.
Year 11
Josh Buckley and Joseph Porritt for hard work and effort in Animal Care.
Well done!
PE
Girls Football Vs Australia
Thomas Alleyne’s hosted the touring John Curtin Football Academy on Monday afternoon. First half our girls were given a masterclass in football from the socceroos, who passed the ball around and created many scoring opportunities. Klaudia Siwek made many saves to keep the score respectable.
Second half we mixed the two teams together to create an even game and to create some friendships. There were many conversations about accents and different cultures following the game
On Tuesday our swimmers competed in the annual Moorlands swimming gala held at Biddulph Leisure Centre.
All the students excelled in their races and put in 100% effort against other strong teams.
After a hard fought competition Thomas Alleyne’s were placed 2nd overall with the year 9 boys and year 10/11 girls placing first.
Lots of gold medals were won by the following swimmers:
Year 9 Boys 50m Backstroke – Adam Bulmer
Year 9 Boys 50m Freestyle – Ben Twynham
Year 9 Boys I.M – Ben Twynham
Year 9 Boys Freestyle Relay – Duncan Craven
George Arnold
Adam Bulmer
Ben Twynham
Year 9 Boys Medley Relay – Duncan Craven
George Arnold
Adam Bulmer
Ben Twynham
Year 9 Girls Freestyle Relay_ Maddy Egerton
Zoe Hunter
Issy Punchard
Louisa Page
Year 10/11 Girls Medley Relay – Olivia Gregory
Rowan Hall
Jemima Pope
Harriet Bebbington
Year 10/11 Girls Freestyle Relay – Issy Foster
Rowan Hall
Jemima Pope
Harriet Bebbington
Year 10/11 Girls 25m Butterfly – Harriet Bebbington
Year 9/10 Girls I.M – Olivia Gregory
A huge well done and thank you from all the PE staff.
Have a lovely Christmas and see you all in the New Year.
ART DEPT HELP PLEASE!
Please could you help out the art department and our students by collecting the following items we intend to reuse and re purpose into some exciting art works.
1) thin card- cereal box type. We are looking for the insides to be white, brown or grey. Please flatten the boxes and drop off in the art dept. Year 9 will be using these to create relief collages.
2) GOLD wrappers. the type often found on chocolates- foils and cellophane. Please flatten out the cellophane/ foils and return to the art dept. One of 6th formers is doing a project next term called “ all that glitters is not gold” and intends eventually to make a fashion piece using these wrappers.
3) Fruit Netting. The packaging satsumas and lemons often come in! Again this is for a 6th former student who will want to use these in their work- based on “plastics and sealife ecosystems.”
4) Empty drinks cans. –These MUST be rinsed out so not sticky when used, and NOT crushed. We reuse the metal to create embossed designs.
THANK YOU so much in anticipation of any help you can give us.
Business Studies
Well done to all of 10D for fantastic presentations this week to our guest judge. They worked so hard to create new and origional ideas for a chocolate product and their presentations were all of a great standard. Thank you to Dawn Shirley for coming in to judge and also well done to Jacob White for taking part as a class judge, we were really impressed with your involvement.
Congratulations to Dylan James, Sam Spooner and Josh Campion who won with their idea of Choc o-lates! They designed an amazing chocolate bar and even brought in a sample for the class to try. The judges were very impressed, as were the class with the taste of the new bar. Well done!
Maths Puzzle
Answers to November Puzzle 65,72 and 97. There were no correct entries.
This months puzzle for December is
Christmas Car Sales
‘How’s the motor business’ asked Ian. Chris smiled ‘Its not usually good leading up to Christmas but sales have picked up again. We sold 56 in the first 3 weeks. The difference between the number we sold in the first and second weeks, multiplied by the difference between the second and third weeks, comes to the same as the number we sold in the first week’.
Ian was stuck as he was not in a top set maths class at school.
How many cars did Chris sell in the third week of that month?
Answers to Mr Askey
Christmaths!
In maths this week some classes have been completing maths activities with a Christmas theme.
We have been plotting coordinates that make Christmas trees, Rudolf or Father Christmas, we have been decoding Christmas messages and one group have been investigating fractals especially the Menger Sponge, Koch snowflake and Sierpinski tetrahedron all put together to make a fractal Christmas tree.
Have a look at the photos of some of our work!
Past Art Student Returns!
As ever, the Art department is thrilled to hear of our past Art & Photography students who are embarking on careers in the visual arts. Erica Poyser studied Maths, Art, Craft & Design as well as Photography whilst at TAHS, gaining a direct place on several university degree courses based on the strength of her portfolio of work created during A level Art & Photography.
Erica has just started the first year of her 3 year BA Hons Design Crafts degree at De Montfort University in Leicester. So far she has been exploring ceramics including throwing pottery, plaster casting as well as glass, casting, blowing and shaping the glass. The exciting course allows students to develop further skills in a variety of areas. We look forward to seeing what work Erica does over the next few years!
Any other past students who are working in the creative and visual arts sector and would like to keep in touch – please contact the office.
Links
Follow the links to; School Website, Facebook, Twitter & our Online Shop
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. If there are any changes you would like to see please let us know.
20/12/2018 – Last day of term & Christmas Jumper Day
21/12/2018 – Inset Day
7/1/19 Inset Day
8/1/19 School reopens for students
Headteacher blog:
This week, I had the opportunity of conducting interviews with year 11 students discussing their options post 16. I was impressed by both of the boys I met on Wednesday. although they are not certain of their plans, they were both clearly ambitious. One student said that he felt he had not worked as hard as he should have done in year 10 but that now it has struck him how important GCSEs are. He is looking at Physiotherapy due to his passion for Sport and Psychology. The second student is looking at working in Agricultural Contracting. He is already exceeding many of his target grades. Both students felt well supported by the staff in their preparations for their trial examinations. For students who have not revised as much as they should have, the week will have been challenging. We hope they use this final weekend to ensure they are well prepared for their final 4 days of examinations.
We are opening applications to attend our 5 day Outward Bound course in Aberdovey and can see this will be a very popular opportunity for Year 9. Once we have piloted it this year we hope to offer additional residentials for students to run alongside the fantastic Duke of Edinburgh Programme led by Mr Crum.
In our final week we will be holding our Music Concert, Christmas Dinner and Christmas Jumper Day! We will close on Thursday at our usual time of 3.05 and school will open again on Tuesday 8th January.
Uniform
A reminder to all students, parents and carers.
Hooded sweatshirts are not part of the uniform at Thomas Alleyne’s High School. We encourage all students to wear a v necked blue or black school sweatshirt over their shirts, especially now that the weather has turned cold.
We encourage them to also bring outdoor coats, and gloves. If they do bring hooded sweatshirts to school and wear these beneath or over their blazers these will be removed from them to be collected by parents as they are not part of the school uniform. We appreciate parents support with ensuring these sweatshirts, which are not part of our uniform are not brought to school.
Thursday 20th December – Christmas Jumpers
Staff & students are invited to wear Christmas jumpers on the last day of term.
£1 donation, with all funds going to TAHS YESS counselling support services.
Please note for students, the jumpers can only be worn alongside full school uniform.
Reports
Year 9, 10 and 12 reports are available on Insight.
Y9 Residential Trip to Aberdovey
All students have received a letter about a residential trip to Aberdovey week commencing 25th February.
Monday is the deadline to submit the reply slips, a ballot will take place next week for the places. A discount price is offered to pupil premium students.
Christmas Dinner
We are proud to announce that the turkeys came to the farm as day old chicks in September, they were initially kept under a heat lamp to keep them warm.
They have been fed highly nutritious pellets supplemented with fresh vegetables. Students have been monitoring their growth on a weekly basis as well as keeping their pens clean and tidy.
All this from Thomas Alleyne’s very own farm!
Also as we break up on a Thursday, Fish & Chip Friday will be in Thursday next week!!!
Online Safety
The impact of social media can be amazing – the promotion of events, the re-connection with friends from times past and the sharing of memories – are all fantastic ways of communicating.
Unfortunately social media is not always used in such a positive way.
Advice regarding uploading pictures:
Only upload pictures that you’d be happy for a parent to see (the internet is a public place). Don’t post pictures of you or your friends wearing school uniform (this lets people know where you will be). Tick the “no pic forwarding” option on your settings page – this will stop people forwarding your pictures to anyone without your consent. Who are you communicating with? Do you know? Do you really know?? Have you met them? If you know someone… who knows someone… who knows someone….. it doesn’t make them your friend.
Advice for students:
What you put on social media sites is there forever. Consider the information you share – you don’t know who your friend’s friends are… or your friend’s friends’ friends… Be aware that information on your profile could potentially be viewed by anyone. Consider you photo – what info does it give about you? Understand the meaning of ‘joint enterprise’ Be aware that university admissions and employers WILL check your internet activity.
In the event of an emergency with your child, have you got a new phone number (especially mobile)? Have you moved? Has there been a change in your circumstances? Has there been a change regarding any medical information for your son or daughter? If so, it is vital that you alert school so we can change the details on our system. Please contact school as soon as possible.
Need to Talk?
Need help and advice? Then follow this link for more information.
Natalie Stretton was the winner of this years ‘Class of 1961’ award for ‘Original Thought in Art’. The fabulous trophy was generously donated a couple of years ago by a group of past students from 1961 in recognition of the TAHS Art departments strong tradition of developing artists with a strong sense of individuality.
Natalie was awarded due to her diligence through out GCSE Art where she was often seen in the department Art Club after school. Natalie uses both analytical and expressive styles in her work is currently in year 12 working towards her A Level Art Craft and Design alongside Biology and Health & Social care.
Well done Natalie!
Year 11 Cambridge National in IT
A reminder that 50% of your course is due in to Mr Cartwright by 3.05 this coming Thursday, 20th December. As you are all fully aware work on this is NOT allowed outside of school, thus 43 will be open every lunchtime and after school next week.
Make the most of the opportunity to maximise the grade on this essential piece of work. Please also be reminded that there can be no extensions given as this deadline is exam board derived.
Year 10 French Exchange
Year 10 French Exchange partners’ details have arrived. Don’t forget the next payment is due soon.
History
Year 11 Mocks
Papers 2 and 3: don’t forget that you can collect some additional revision resources and activities to complete at home in preparation for these exams. Mrs Johnson and Mrs Young are also running lunch time and after school drop-in sessions if you have any questions.
Science
This week’s Science Students of the Week selected by Mr Beech are:
Year 9
Josh Briddon and Freya Blackman for excellent Biology assessment scores.
Year 10
George Foster and Leon Bareham for excellent scores in the Bioenergetics topic.
Year 11
Lucy Greatrex and Georgia Fleeman for excellent assessment scores in Biology.
Well done!
PE
U16 County Cup Football
Alleynes marched into the semi finals of the county cup with a 3- 0 win over well fancied Aldridge to give supporters an early Christmas present. The long bus journey didnt help our visitors as they began sluggishly, with us hitting them with 2 quick goals from Archie McNair and the flu ridden Lewis Dawson. Lewie Thornton started up front after his excellent substitute appearance in the last round and carried out the game plan to perfection. Dawson added a third before half time just before he had to be withdrawn.
The 2nd half was much more even but Alleynes showed good match awareness to close the game out and always posed a threat through the outstanding man of the match Alex Shaw. This game showed Alleynes could adapt their tactics to suit the conditions and opponents.Captain Frankie Bussell and his midfield partner Ethan Archer were instrumental in the implementation of the game plan.
The draw was made this week and after our final performance last year we have been given a bye in the first round and will face our Alleynes rivals from Stone in the 2nd round.
U14 County Cup Rugby
On Wednesday yr9 travelled to St Josephs college for our first 15 aside fixture. With great parental support we began very strongly with well organised defence and strong running. While small errors cost us against a very experienced and talented side the team can be very proud of their efforts.
Monday- U15 Football v Australian touring side (see notice board for team list)
Tuesday- Staffordshire Moorlands Swimming Gala. See Miss Jones for team list. Details will be text to parents on Monday.
U14 Basketball away at Robert Sutton- Team list on PE notice board
Wednesday- U14 Football county cup
Team list on PE noticeboard.
Swimming Gala
If anybody is interested in competing in the swim gala but has not been asked please let Miss Jones know. Full details are on the sportshall notice board.
Girls Rugby
Another excellent rugby festival was held by Mark Tolley & Burton Rugby Club at Shobnall fields. The girls competed in two competitive full pich games, drawing 2 – 2 with John Taylo and beating Robert Sutton 5-0
Holly Chatfield led the side brilliantly, also representing the school were Lydia Martin, Maddi Porritt, Jessie Johnson, Abigail Baldwin, Lucy Calladine, Jess Perry, Abbie Garland, Heather Leech, Lydia Martin, Caitlin Jones, & Beth Reilly
Maths Puzzle
Answers to November Puzzle 65,72 and 97. There were no correct entries.
This months puzzle for December is
Christmas Car Sales
‘How’s the motor business’ asked Ian. Chris smiled ‘Its not usually good leading up to Christmas but sales have picked up again. We sold 56 in the first 3 weeks. The difference between the number we sold in the first and second weeks, multiplied by the difference between the second and third weeks, comes to the same as the number we sold in the first week’.
Ian was stuck as he was not in a top set maths class at school.
How many cars did Chris sell in the third week of that month?
Answers to Mr Askey
Year 10 Maths
All of Year 10 will have a maths assessment next week based on the topics they have studied this half term.
Sets 1 and 2: Indices, angles, properties of polygons, congruence, similar shapes
Sets 3, 4 and 5: Statistical measures, indices, algebra, constructions, loci
login is the student’s usual school login with @tahs at the end eg smithjohn04@tahs
the password is triangle
They will need to bring the following equipment with them to ensure they can answer all the questions:
black pen, pencil, ruler, rubber, protractor, compass and scientific calculator.
Christmas Concert
Tickets are available from the online shop and also from Mr Power. £5 each (£3 concessions).
Excellent Year Year 13 Work
Some fantastic revision materials have been created in preparation for the Year 13 Philosophy and Ethics exam – this demonstrates a great work ethic, well done. Please see the pictures below to see good examples of thorough revision strategies.
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Links
Follow the links to; School Website, Facebook, Twitter & our Online Shop
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. If there are any changes you would like to see please let us know.
In a school week when I had the privilege of watching over 50 brilliant young people, led by our fantastic team of drama/dance teachers, perform the play DNA, and when I had the chance to watch our Year 10 girls’ victory in netball, I feel incredibly proud of our young people. In both drama and sport, the students embodied the essence of teamwork beautifully.
Our RE staff will be opening up on Saturday, welcoming in their Year 11 students to support them in their final preparations for their mock examinations.
I would like to pass on my thanks to all staff for the opportunities they are offering our students both academically and in Sport, Art, Drama and Music.
We wish everyone well with their trial examinations next week.
Uniform
A reminder to all students, parents and carers.
Hooded sweatshirts are not part of the uniform at Thomas Alleyne’s High School. We encourage all students to wear a v necked blue or black school sweatshirt over their shirts, especially now that the weather has turned cold.
We encourage them to also bring outdoor coats, and gloves. If they do bring hooded sweatshirts to school and wear these beneath or over their blazers these will be removed from them to be collected by parents as they are not part of the school uniform. We appreciate parents support with ensuring these sweatshirts, which are not part of our uniform are not brought to school.
On Tuesday 4th December we welcomed Andy Grant to speak to our Yr 12 students. He came in to tell his story and share his experiences. Andy has delivered motivational talks all over the world – from talking to Nike Marketing Team in China to the England Football team before the World Cup. Andy was in the Royal Marines as a member of the Green Beret. During active service 5 months into a tour of Afghanistan Andy got blown up. After suffering horrific injuries he spent 18 months in and out of hospital. Andy eventually decided to have his amputated from the knee down. From the moment he started talking the students and myself were completely transfixed by what he has gone through and how he had turned his life around. Andy is the fastest single leg amputee in the world over 10km with a time of 37.17. Andy’s story is a rollercoaster of emotions.
After the talk students said that it was very humbling listening to his talk and that it brought them to tears. It was an absolute privilege to listen to Andy’s presentation and to see the effect it had on the students.
We look forward to welcoming Andy to Thomas Alleyne’s again.
We have had a busy week! External visitors willing to share their wealth of knowledge and to impart wisdom upon our Year 12 and 13 students. Last week I talked about enrichment and how we have a commitment to our young adults, the feedback I have had from our students this week is that we are helping them see life from many directions. Mrs Walton has provided an account regarding the inspiring words he imparted on the Year 12’s on Tuesday. It seems that Commando humour is something we all need and humility and courage will always serve you well, I wish I had been able to listen, I hope we are lucky enough to have him back.
On Wednesday, staff from T3 Drug & Alcohol Advisory Unit visited Year 13 as part of their wellbeing programme and our commitment to our educate on matters where we know we are not always the specialist. I was not teaching so I was able to listen to this talk, I found it interesting but also very concerning about how many illicit substances there are. Adam was able to speak clearly about the dangers surrounding drug misuse and also explained how useful the T3 programme is. T3 is a free and confidential service for young people up to 18 years old in Staffordshire. They help young people make informed choices about their alcohol and drug use, and to raise awareness of all the risks involved. This includes providing high quality and responsive support and assistance to parents and carers, schools and colleges, reflecting an inclusive approach to care co-ordination.
AS you know we are committed to helping within our local community and one way which we are doing this is by donating unwanted glasses to the Uttoxeter Lions, today they collected 13 pairs of glasses from our school. They stated that this is ‘an impressive result on top of the 21 pairs collected last month’. Thanks to all those people who donated and thank you to Mrs Bell who helps organise these events..
We are looking for Year 12 students who would be interested in being an accelerated reading mentor. This will involve being assigned to a lower school student who is struggling with their reading and literacy skills. They will listen to them read and give them strategies to improve (training will be given). This is a very worthwhile project and they will get to see their mentee improve in reading age (students take an online test after reading each short book). It will take place during registration once per week in the library. This is also excellent to put on their personal statements/job applications about a time when they have made a difference, overcome obstacles, helped others etc. If anybody is thinking of becoming a teacher or healthcare worker, there are also opportunities to learn about dyslexia and other special needs. We have run this support to Lower school for many years and feel that it is beneficial and worthwhile.
Over the next two weeks we have our Year 13 mocks. All Year 13 students should be ready to sit these exams. Please reiterate to them that it is ok to feel nervous and anxious, others will be feeling the same. We ask that all students turn up to the exam in plenty of time, all students are expected in lessons if they are not in an exam. All students must bring the correct equipment to their exams and behave accordingly. After Christmas there are some BTEC external exams, again ensure that they are revising for these, they are important and do count towards their final BTEC qualification.
“On Tuesday 4th December, the Y13 A Level English Language group were lucky enough to have a session delivered by Dr Barbara MacMahon from Derby University. They learned about advanced Theory Of Mind as enrichment towards their Child Language Acquisition module. We look forward to continuing this successful partnership with Derby University.”
JCQ Exam Contingency Day – Wednesday 26th June 2019
For the Summer 2019 exam series a “contingency” exam day has been arranged by the examination awarding bodies which all students need to be aware of. This contingency day for GCSE and/or A Level (or equivalent) examinations has been put in place “in the event of widespread, sustained national or local disruption to examinations during the June 2019 examination series.” The decision comes following the tragic events of last summer, namely the Manchester attacks and the Grenfell Tower fire.
The Joint Council for Qualifications have decided that they need the option to postpone an exam in the event of an incident and rearrange for a later date to allow all students a fair and equal chance. The date that has been set aside as the contingency day is Wednesday 26 June 2019. This means that all exam candidates must be available to sit exams from the date of their first exam until Wednesday 26 June 2019.
This decision is not a school decision and does apply to all candidates in all schools. Please can all students/parents/carers make a note of the new contingency exam date in the event that an awarding body needs to invoke its contingency plan.
Christmas Dinner
We are proud to announce that all the turkey provided for this years Christmas lunch in the school canteen has come from the school farm where they have been cared for by the Animal Care students. Our turkeys have also been sold to other local schools in the area for their Christmas lunches.
History
Year 9 have reached the end of their first unit of work and are completing assessments on this. It is clear that there has been a lot of revision, and, as a result of this, Mrs Johnson and Mrs Young have marked some excellent examination papers. Revising properly for Year 9 history assessments is an important part of learning which revision strategies will work at GCSE.
After school revision sessions are continuing for Year 11 and it is lovely to work with students in small groups to help them consolidate their understanding and practice examination skills.
Mrs Johnson and Mrs Young are also available after school or during non-contact lessons for Year 13 students.
Science
This week’s Science Students of the Week selected by Mr Milward are:
Year 9
Elizabeth Shaw and Josh Ratcliffe for consistent hard work and progress in Biology.
Year 10
Josh Rogen for excellent scores in the Biology test.
Freya Hadgett for excellent progress.
Year 11
Jess Bailey and Tara Wilkins for excellent effort and good progress.
This week’s Animal Care news and star students selected by Mrs North:
Thank you to all the Year 10 students who have worked so hard this week plucking and dressing the turkeys as well as making Christmas wreaths. In particular, Taylor-Jane Bailey and Issy McLeavy have been brilliant.
Year 11 have been working very hard towards their external assessment in Animal Care after Christmas, in particular Jenna Timmis and Kensie Paterson who have produced some excellent revision materials.
Well done!
PE
Netball
Our first home game of the season saw our Year 10 team extend their unbeaten run in the East Staffordshire district league with wins against John Taylor’s A and B team.
Bolstered by a big home crowd TAHS soon settled and got over any early nerves and made their mark on the game. John Taylor A were put under great pressure whilst they were in possession of the ball, with the girls allowing very few passing options, with great positioning marking their opponents and strong arms in front of the ball. TAHS often won the ball back through interceptions or winning a penalty for a held ball.
Amelia and Eve showed great team work in their circle defending to restrict the John Taylor shooters efforts at the net. Together with Jess and Frankie the ball was moved quickly upcourt to our own shooting third. Alice & Holly fed the ball effectively into Freya & Anna who were hungry for goals & delivered scoring from different areas of the D. The final score was 15-4 to Thomas Alleyne’s. A thoroughly enjoyable watch as both teams displayed a high standard of netball.
Fortunately there was another game for the crowd to enjoy as the girls then faced the John Taylor B team. Determined to gain the full 6 points TAHS continued with the same levels of intensity and raced to 18-3 victory. A result which has left Miss Jones beaming all week.
Evie, Holly, Halle, Eve, Anna, Amelia & Freya travelled to John Taylor to participate in a coaching session. Commonwealth gold medal winner Beth Cobden delivered some fun warm-up activities and some technical drills on how to beat a defender, followed by some games. All the girls thoroughly enjoyed the session, which ended with a Q & A session and some photo opportunities with the gold medal & Beth Cobden.
Year 9 East Staffordshire Futsal Championship.
The pictures tell the story… 1st and 2nd in the district.
Year 9 Rugby
On Wednesday 12th December Year 9 have a boys rugby fixture against St Josephs college away. Team list below. Team will require parents to arrange lifts meeting at 1.20 at school and getting to St Josephs for 2pm. Game will finish at approx 3.30pm.
Address of pitch is – Rose Tree Avenue Trent Vale Stoke On Trent ST4 6NL
Team to see Mr Barrow Monday registration to confirm availability.
Tim Hensman, Toby Minshall, Charlie Ratcliffe, Ben Ogden, Connor Buxton, Blake Plant, Adam Bulmer, Leo Hemmings, Driss Chouhibi, Lewis Tomlinson, Luke Watt, Charlie Allcock, Duncan Craven, Toby Patterson, Hal Thornton, Aiden Moorfield, Ben Pagett, Ethan Hudson
Maths Puzzle
Answers to November Puzzle 65,72 and 97. There were no correct entries.
This months puzzle for December is
Christmas Car Sales
‘How’s the motor business’ asked Ian. Chris smiled ‘Its not usually good leading up to Christmas but sales have picked up again. We sold 56 in the first 3 weeks. The difference between the number we sold in the first and second weeks, multiplied by the difference between the second and third weeks, comes to the same as the number we sold in the first week’.
Ian was stuck as he was not in a top set maths class at school.
How many cars did Chris sell in the third week of that month?
Answers to Mr Askey
Christmas Concert
Mr Power is after more acts. If you have what it takes to be in the Christmas Concert this year please pop and see him ASAP!
Tickets are available from the online shop and also from Mr Power. £5 each (£3 concessions).
SUPPORT YOUR SCHOOL LIBRARY!
We are excited to be able to offer parents and students an exclusive offer at TheBookPeople.co.uk. This offer will get you £5 off a £25 spend. The Book People offer a large range of books priced well below RRP and every purchase you make will help raise funds for our library!
And we’ll receive a commission on your order and you’ll receive £5 off your order (when you spend £25)!
For orders over £10, you’ll get free delivery too with the code:
ELF10
After school drop-in session
Struggling with how to revise? Want a quiet revision space? Academic referencing boggling your mind?
The library will now be opened after-school on Wednesdays from 3:05 to 4 from now until the end of term for students to get help with their studies. Many different types of support can be offered, including:
Tips for effective revision
A quiet workspace
Academic referencing support
Essay writing tips
Exam timing
Establishing a revision culture
Sourcing wider reading
And more!
Links
Follow the links to; School Website, Facebook, Twitter & our Online Shop
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. If there are any changes you would like to see please let us know.
This year’s school play sees approximately 50 TAHS students take a role as cast or crew in an adaptation of Dennis Kelly’s DNA. The play is the GCSE Drama set text.
DNA tells the story of a group of teenagers who do something bad, really bad, then panic and cover the whole thing up. But when they find that the cover up unites them, and brings harmony to their once fractious lives, where’s the incentive to out things. Right?
TAHS continue with their annual style of a fusion of dance, drama and live music for this hard hitting piece of performance that highlight’s today’s youth culture.
Tickets on sale on the school online shop or outside the Theatre every lunch time. Make your payment, get your receipt, reserve your seats.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Dates for your diary
20/12/2018 – Last day of term
21/12/2018 – Inset Day
7/1/19 Inset Day
8/1/19 School reopens for students
Headteacher blog:
Thank you to all parents who joined us for year 11 parents evening this week. We were pleased that 3 out of every 4 parents were able to join us for the evening this year.
We hope you found the evening helpful as your daughters and sons prepare for their trial examinations. There are already a significant number of Year 11 and Year13 students who are showing maturity and wisdom in the way in which they are organising themselves. We had one question from a parent hoping that her son hadn’t peaked too early: it was a good question. We would like to reassure you that all the advice we give students is to the contrary – the more they commit to these examinations, the increasingly expert they become in managing their time. What is asked of students in 2018, is well beyond what was asked of me when I completed my GCSEs. Many of them will sit over 25 exams in just over 5 weeks. It takes real stamina and, just like preparing for any race or competition, they can only acquire stamina through practice and taking good care of themselves and each other.
If you feel like your son or daughter is not in good enough habits as yet, please continue to encourage them and we will offer further guidance and support following the outcomes of their trials.
We wish everyone the very best, and hope that by placing the examinations before Christmas this year, everyone gets to enjoy their holiday.
If you were unable to attend parents evening, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s Head of House for an update.
This week has been busy with rehearsals for our school production DNA, Duke of Edinburgh and World Challenge training evenings. These were well attended with the World Challenge Teams starting to plan their fund-raising strategies.
We are excited to be able to share with you that we have been successful in securing 48 places on a character building programme with Outward Bound in February. Having been successful in gaining subsidies and sponsorship for the programme, it is likely we will be able to offer the week away for less than £150.00. We are also looking to acquire full funding for some families. Letters, and further details will be given to Year 9 students before Christmas. all of these activities give our students the chance to build skills in teamwork, independence and resilience: so important in the world of work.
Finally, a reminder to all students and parents. Hooded sweatshirts are not part of the uniform at Thomas Alleyne’s High School. We encourage all students to wear a v necked blue or black school sweatshirt over their shirts, especially now that the weather has turned cold. We encourage them to also bring outdoor coats, and gloves. If they do bring hooded sweatshirts to school and wear these beneath or over their blazers these will be removed from them to be collected by parents as they are not part of the school uniform. We appreciate parents support with ensuring these sweatshirts, which are not part of our uniform are not brought to school.
Over the academic year we try to encourage our students to think of themselves and of others, this may be within the school, family or wider community. As a Sixth Form we want our students to be the best and to participate in as many activities as they can. With that in mind we have been lucky enough to secure a Para-Olympian, Andy Grant to come in and speak to our Year 12 students.
‘Andy Grant has been through a lot in a relatively short period of time. More than most will ever experience or will ever imagine. At 12 years old, Andy lost his mum to leukaemia, leaving him to help his dad bring up his two younger sisters. At 17, Andy decided after a year of A levels, that he needed a different challenge and was drawn into the Royal Marines by a single TV advert.
After completing the Royal Marine Commando training, he earned his coveted green beret and served in operation in Iraq and Afghanistan for nearly seven years, before being medically discharged after some very serious injuries in Afghanistan. Andy was blown up, five months into his tour to Afghanistan, which resulted in him spending two weeks in an induced coma and eighteen months in and out of hospital before Andy eventually decided to have his leg amputated for a better quality of life and for control of his future.
Since then, Andy has practiced what he preaches and lives each day like it is his last and certainly has got back the quality of life that he desired. Andy has climbed some of the highest mountains in the world, learnt to ski and surf, and recently became the fastest single leg amputee in the world over 10km; clocking a time of 37:17. He now plans to bring that 10km time down even further and plans to become the fastest single leg amputee over 5km.’
As well as this we have organised for T3 to speak to our Year 13 students. This service is designed to be accessed by students and young people. It enables them to support those they are concerned about and give them the confidence to sign post them to the correct agency. It will help them recognise signs or triggers within friendship groups and help them stay safe whilst out with friends. Nationally there is a trend of drug and substance misuse and to educate our students now is important as they make the move from a safe and supported Sixth Form to the unknown, such as university where they may mix with larger groups.
‘We help young people make informed choices about their alcohol and drug use, and to raise awareness of all the risks involved. This includes providing high quality and responsive support and assistance to parents and carers, schools, colleges, statutory services and other young person’s services and youth and community groups, enabling effective community treatment planning that reflects an inclusive approach to care co-ordination.’
We are moving towards the school deadline for UCAS applications. Many students that have sent off their application have been offered places, condition and unconditional, please could you encourage your child, if they are planning to apply, to complete their form as soon as possible.
If students are looking at taking the Apprenticeship route then many of these Higher Level Apprenticeships are currently being offered online. You can view these on Unifrog as well as the government Apprenticeship website. If you would further information on these then please contact Sixthform@tahs.org.uk.
JCQ Exam Contingency Day – Wednesday 26th June 2019
For the Summer 2019 exam series a “contingency” exam day has been arranged by the examination awarding bodies which all students need to be aware of. This contingency day for GCSE and/or A Level (or equivalent) examinations has been put in place “in the event of widespread, sustained national or local disruption to examinations during the June 2019 examination series.” The decision comes following the tragic events of last summer, namely the Manchester attacks and the Grenfell Tower fire.
The Joint Council for Qualifications have decided that they need the option to postpone an exam in the event of an incident and rearrange for a later date to allow all students a fair and equal chance. The date that has been set aside as the contingency day is Wednesday 26 June 2019. This means that all exam candidates must be available to sit exams from the date of their first exam until Wednesday 26 June 2019.
This decision is not a school decision and does apply to all candidates in all schools. Please can all students/parents/carers make a note of the new contingency exam date in the event that an awarding body needs to invoke its contingency plan.
Summer 2018 – GCSE Certificates
These will be available for collection from the dining area at the following times:
Thursday 6th December 9am -11am Friday 7th December 2pm – 3.30pm
Anybody unable to collect in person, can provide a short note to nominate a relative/friend to collect on their behalf. They must bring the note with them plus ID.
MFL Mock Exams
Well done to Year 11 for their French speaking exams – keep revising those speaking questions to have with the writing
Science
This week’s Science Students of the Week selected by Mrs Maingay are:
Year 10
Joshua Newbon for exemplary effort.
Year 11
Amy Podmore for exemplary efforts in revision sessions.
Well done!
PE
RE Revision
RE Revision next Saturday 10-12. Room 33A and 33B.
Drop in to go through key content, practice questions and individual support.
Christmas Concert
Mr Power is after more acts. If you have what it takes to be in the Christmas Concert this year please pop and see him ASAP!
Tickets are available from the online shop and also from Mr Power. £5 each (£3 concessions).
SUPPORT YOUR SCHOOL LIBRARY!
We are excited to be able to offer parents and students an exclusive offer at TheBookPeople.co.uk. This offer will get you £5 off a £25 spend. The Book People offer a large range of books priced well below RRP and every purchase you make will help raise funds for our library!
And we’ll receive a commission on your order and you’ll receive £5 off your order (when you spend £25)!
For orders over £10, you’ll get free delivery too with the code:
ELF10
After school drop-in session
Struggling with how to revise? Want a quiet revision space? Academic referencing boggling your mind?
The library will now be opened after-school on Wednesdays from 3:05 to 4 from now until the end of term for students to get help with their studies. Many different types of support can be offered, including:
Tips for effective revision
A quiet workspace
Academic referencing support
Essay writing tips
Exam timing
Establishing a revision culture
Sourcing wider reading
And more!
Cookies and Cakes!
The Y12 English Language students will be selling a variety of cookies and cakes (many freshly baked) outside the theatre on Wednesday 5th December. This to help raise funds for them to go to London to take part in a Language Conference, where they’ll get to listen to some top linguists. Come and along and grab a sweet treat!
Art Students work part of Lichfield Cathedral Illuminations
Some of our very talented Art students and visitors from our Open Evening for Y8’s at Middle School have participated in this impressive Art instillation as part of Lichfield Cathedral’s year of Peace events. Each student considered what ‘peace’ meant and reflected on it being 100 years since the end of WW1.
Around 20,000 children in total, of all ages, have added their decorations and messages of peace to the paper doves, which are not on display in Lichfield Cathedral.
Peter Walker, Lichfield Cathedral’s Artist in Residence who created the project, said of the responses “We are extremely grateful for your hard work and look forward to welcoming everyone to see their doves at the cathedral this advent.”
The Very Revd Adrian Dorber, Dean of Lichfield, said “The messages you have written about peace have been extraordinarily thoughtful and moving, and all of us at the Cathedral are thankful that all of you have put so much effort into making these wonderful doves.”
The doves will be on display in the Cathedral from Tuesday 27th November until Saturday 5th January. We invite every child and teacher and their family and friends to come along to the Cathedral to see their doves on display.
Y13 Artist selected to Exhibit in London with RBA and ROSL
The Lichfield and Needwood Arts Society approached TAHS in June to put forward exceptional students work forward for consideration for the Royal Society of British Artists (RBA) ‘Star Student’ exhibition to be held in collaboration with the Royal Overseas League (ROSL). Only 3 students from each society were eligible to enter so the standard was exceptional from the start.
Livia Robinson from Y13 has had her work selected to form part of a prestigious exhibition in London Next Year. From a field of 247 entries extremely high caliber students from Arts Society’s across the country, only approximately 20 were selected for exhibition. The chosen students will have their work exhibited along side professional artists and be open to the public after a VIP private view in April for the ROSL exhibition at Over-Seas House in London and July for the RBA exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London next year.
We are delighted that Livia has made it through as she is a dedicated Art and Photography student, who is currently in the process of gaining an undergraduate degree BA Hons in a creative Arts course in either design or illustration at university, this has come at a great time for her to discuss at interview and to start of her future career in the Arts with such recognition of her talents.
Her image of a skull, created using water-colour, ink and pen is both an impressive observational study and a piece full of mood and atmosphere. Well Done Livia!
Links
Follow the links to; School Website, Facebook, Twitter & our Online Shop
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. If there are any changes you would like to see please let us know.
Thomas Alleyne's high school 