TAHS Weekly Newsletter.
Headteacher blog
I have had many questions this week about the new building which is being constructed at the back of the school. The walls for the changing rooms and toilets are now fitted as is the glazing and roofing. We hope to open the building in November and at that point we will have 3 new classrooms, a gym, changing rooms and showers. Students have been excellent around the site and we thank them for their consideration.
I would also like to pass on my thanks to our school farm staff and the team of student volunteers who support them. They do an incredible job running our farm which, over the last few years, has become increasingly self-sufficient. This is only possible due to the support they have from the community. Agriculture is such an important employment route for many people in our area and I feel very fortunate to have such a unique resource on our school site.
Assemblies: 16th of September
Mr Godwin will be leading assemblies this week on the theme of ‘ ‘Focussing on Success’
Thought(s) for the Week
“It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” –Vince Lombardi
“We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.” – Maya Angelou
Fresh Starts! We all need them and they give us all a level playing field. Motivate yourself to do better and to remember the strategies that worked well last year and bring them to your work this year. If your work was not as good as it could be then strive to improve.
This was the message that Mrs Catterall gave in her assembly to Year 12 and 13 this morning. As teachers we always want our students to do their best and to challenge themselves to improve on previous work. This way of working will allow success to occur and for each student to take ownership of their own journey through our Sixth Form.
As we are a Sixth Form we do have policies around uniform, and for the most this policy is followed. For those students who choose not to wear the correct uniform, as given out to them previously, we will be asking them to change it. This may mean you discussing the style and type of skirts that are being worn. They cannot be short, lycra skirts. They must be of a reasonable length, nearer the knee, and be suitable to wear to school. We have had some conversations this week and may need to have some more next week. Please help us by supporting our uniform policy.
There are many areas around the school that Year 12 and 13 can use, these are quiet spaces and allow students the opportunity to complete tasks set by teachers or wider work that the students have chosen to complete to add to their knowledge. As they have some many areas I would like to reinforce the statement made in assembly that Ross House is not an available area for Sixth Form students. Lessons and meetings take place in these rooms so they must always be empty and ready to use.
The Common Room is a great place to work and talk about subjects, there is a small kitchen area, while some in the Sixth Form seem to spend time at the end of the day tidying and washing up after other students this is not their responsibility. Please can all Year 12 and 13 students who use this space ensure that they leave it clean and tidy for others.
Last week Mrs Walton issued Code of Conduct forms. These are lilac for Year 13 and yellow for Year 12. A large percentage have been returned but we are still waiting on some. Could I ask that bags and blazer pockets are turned out so that these forms can be returned to us by the beginning of next week.
Year 13 students should be looking at Unifrog on a regular basis to look at updates on apprenticeships, university choices and how to improve their personal statement. This is a great platform that we have bought in for all our students in the Sixth Form to use. If you would like to see how useful it is then please speak to your child and ask to go through it with them. Year 13 already have access to this and Year 12 will be getting in the next couple of weeks.
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Insight Parental Logins
Access emails are being sent to year 9 parents for whom we hold an email address and should be received by Wednesday of next week. Keep an eye on you junk / spam folders.
If after this time if you have not received or are having issues please email insight@tahs.org.uk. You will be asked a few security questions to confirm your identity before we activate your account. The same goes for any existing parents who do not have a login.
If you have simply forgotten your password please click the forgotten password link on thomasalleynes.org
Music
Please can all students who would like to start instrumental or vocal tuition, return their consent slips to Mrs Todd as soon as possible, thank you. Any students who wish to start lessons, please see Mrs Todd for a letter, it is not too late. A reminder that funding is available for PP students.
All music groups begin next week and all students are welcome, as are members of staff. All groups will take place in room 67 at lunchtime, from 1.30 until 2. Please feel free to bring your lunch for 1.20. All instruments can be stored in the music room before form time.
Monday Orchestra
Wednesday Strings
Thursday Jazz
Friday CHOIR.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Mrs Todd
A heartfelt plea on behalf of the PTA
You will be aware that schools and education are under more financial pressure than ever before. The role of PTA has changed from raising money for treats and special occasions to buying essentials like text books, equipment and tools that are fundamental to your child’s education.
However, our PTA is now just a group of about 6 (some whose children have left TAHS) and struggling to survive. The school and children need your help. We know that you are busy and under pressure (we are too) so here are some key things that will make all the difference. Taking part, providing support & helping us survive will create a brighter future for every child in school.
Become a member of the PTA
We simply need more people to share the load and bring in new ideas and skills. We hold just 1 meeting per half term and the load is light (even lighter the more members we have). Sadly, we are not able to raise anywhere near enough funds to support the school as we would like, so your contribution would be fabulous. If you’d like to talk it through first, please call Emily (Vice Chair) on 07736414425. Otherwise join us on September 23rd from 7pm in the staffroom for a coffee & chat. Our meetings only take an hour.
Buy a School Lottery Ticket
This is a super quick and easy way to support the school. For just £1 per week, you can win cash and special prizes and this means regular income for school. Please find out more and buy online in 3 easy steps today. Join the Lottery Now Sponsor an event, raffle or project We know many of you own or work in local businesses and the support that school needs has moved beyond the occasional cake sale. Would you or your company like to sponsor the purchase of new equipment or perhaps simply make a donation to one of our successful raffles? Please contact Emily (Vice Chair) on 07736 414425.
Add EasyFundraising to your Browser
We have an EasyFundraising account that means school gets a small cut of all your online purchases. Simply add the EasyFundraising widget to your regular browser (Google Chrome, Safari or Firefox) and every Tesco food shop, holiday, clothes purchase or Christmas shop will help the school at no additional cost to you. Here is the link: Get the EasyFundraising Widget.
What Happens without this support?
Without additional support from our school community, the PTA will have to close. This means, after many years, the school will lose the additional funding it so badly needs right now. We will no longer be able to apply to local supermarkets for bag packing days, sponsorship or take part in their token based fundraising pots in store. In addition, we will not be able to supply the Science department with essential equipment, the Maths department with scientific calculators, the Humanity subjects with essential new text books or contribute to other departments like our very special farm enterprise, Art or Sport departments.
Please help the all the children at Thomas Alleyne’s get the school experience they deserve.
Thank you.
Drama
The school production this year is The Tempest by William Shakespeare. We are in particular, looking for actors and dancers from all year groups to audition. Cast and production team sign up will take place at Monday luncthime in the Ede Studio at 1.30pm (16/9/19) and auditions will follow next week.
Tuesday Lunchtime in Ede Studio at 1.30pm
Musical Theatre club.
This runs as a separate club to the production and actors, dancers and tech team are welcome to attend each week to learn short scenes and choreography.
Any questions, please see Mrs Mood
Sports News
Girls netball club – Wednesday 18th September Yr 9 & Yr 11
Netball tournament @ Cheadle Thursday 19th September
Science News
As in previous years we will be running our coveted Science Students of the Week Award. Each week two students from Years 9, 10 and 11 will be nominated by their Science teachers in recognition of outstanding effort and positive attitude towards their Science studies.
During this academic year we will be running our new termly Science Quiz. The quiz will be open to Years 9, 10, 11 and the 6th Form. The theme for the quiz will be ‘Science in Society’; details will be posted around the Science Department next week.
All entries should be handed in to Mr Mitchell by the end of school on Friday 29th November 2019. Rewards for the outstanding entries will be given out in December.
This week’s Science Students of the Week selected by Mr Milward are:
Year 10
Alfie Adams for excellent contributions in lessons.
Sam Archer for outstanding effort.
Year 11
Beth Reilly and Harry Meredith-Wood for excellent work and focus.
Year 12
Jason Lee and Neve Hall for making a strong start to the A level Biology course.
Year 13
Nick Jakes and Harriet Thompson-Smith for commitment to the course.
Well done!
As in previous years we will be running our coveted Science Students of the Week Award. Each week two students from Years 9, 10 and 11 will be nominated by their Science teachers in recognition of outstanding effort and positive attitude towards their Science studies.
Visit to Arnhem
Last week Mrs Carder was lucky to be able to accompany a group of Royal Air Force Air Cadets to Arnhem to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of “Operation Market Garden”. Every year the veterans from this operation return to Arnhem, where the people of the town along with many military personnel and thousands of others take part in a march in their honour. The cadets from all over Staffordshire, joined other cadets from around the country and completed a challenging 20km march, saluting the veterans at the start and finish line. Seeing these proud men, wearing their maroon berets, receiving salutes and respect from the 33,000 people completing the march was quite something.
“Operation Market Garden” aimed to liberate numerous Dutch cities and capture nine bridges creating a foothold over the Rhine. 10,000 men were parachuted into the area, they were lightly armed and aimed to hold the bridge at Arnhem, the last bridge in this operation. The operation was a failure due to a lack of reliable intelligence and issues with ground forces being delayed. 1,400 troops were killed and over 6,000 were captured. The story about what happened was made into the film “A Bridge Too Far”.
Whilst we were in Arnhem we also visited the cemetery where many of the troops were laid to rest. We laid a wreath and observed a minutes silence before walking round to find the graves of men from the 2nd Batallion, South Staffordshire Regiment, many of whom were local to us in this area. We learned about the bravery of Lance Sergeant John Baskeyfield who won the Victoria Cross for his actions in Arnhem where he was fatally wounded. Baskeyfield was from Burslem in Stoke on Trent and died at just 21 years of age whilst holding off German tanks single handedly. Baskeyfield has no known grave but he does have a statue in Festival Park in Stoke.
The trip also involved visits to the Hartenstein Hotel Museum which was the divisional headquarters for the troops during the battle and the National Military Museum.
Experiences like this cannot be offered to cadets without staff who are able to supervise and support them and sometimes finding staff who can give their time can be a challenge. I would like to thank Mrs Rudge and Thomas Alleyne’s High School for allowing me to take the time off so that the cadets from across Staffordshire Wing could take part in such an important event.
Links
Thomas Alleyne's high school 