TAHS Weekly Newsletter.
Headteacher’s Blog
I very much enjoyed attending the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme presentation on Wednesday night. Congratulations to the young people who have been successful in attaining their bronze, silver or gold awards and thank you to parents for your support during the programme. We had the pleasure of listening to a keynote speech by Harry, one of our ex students, who has moved on to work in the fire service. It was a passionate and inspiring speech. Harry will be one of the staff supporting the trip to Aberdovey in the New Year.
I would like to pay credit to the work of Mr Crum. We are very fortunate to have Mr Crum lead the team of volunteers who enable our children to complete the programme. He, and his team of volunteers, offer their time with generosity and kindness. The photograph below of Jess, who attained her gold award at St James’ Palace, is a testament to her determination, the support of her family and the work of the volunteers. It is an amazing achievement – well done Jess.
The Aberdovey trip runs during the first week back after Christmas. Coaches will depart from the school at 8.40am. We ask that all students report to reception at 8.30am on the 6th of January. We are missing a few medical forms, please ensure these are completed and returned as no one can go on the trip without this. The 6th January is a school inset day when we are closed to all other students.
Congratulations also to all students who participated in the House music evening on Thursday it was wonderful to see so many students involved and such a broad programme. Thank you to Mrs Todd for organising the concert.

Assemblies week commencing 2nd December
Heads of House will be leading assemblies this week on the theme of ‘ ‘Celebration’
These assemblies are in houses as normal and for year 10 only. They will take place in the sports hall, can tutors be mindful of the noise being made moving through the school with their class as mock exams have begun. Where possible try to move through the school avoiding exam venues.
Thought(s) for the Week
“If you are working on something that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.” Steve Jobs
“Celebrate the idea that you don’t fit in. Find your own fit. Stay unique.” Betsey Johnson

As a school we are always happy to receive opportunities for our students. The following have come in to us this week and we would like to share these with you.
Radio / media opportunity
We have been offered the opportunity from Jo Jesmond and Ed Nell (formally of Free Radio) to come and speak to Sixth Former’s about careers in radio/media etc. If anyone is interested in this opportunity please see Mrs Walton in the Sixth Form Office to register your interest.
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Staffordshire Youth Commission
Voluntary and Work Placement Opportunities
The Staffordshire Youth Commission are recruiting to their ever-growing team.
New project year starts in March 2020, and they are looking for 20 new young people to join their team.
To apply go to : tinyurl.com/SYCapply
Any questions : please contact olivia.lucas@staffordshiure.gov.uk
All the details are on the flyer in the Sixth Form area
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Leadership volunteering opportunities for sixth form pupils
Summer Camps Trust are an organisation that provide affordable summer camps for young people. The trust are looking for sixth form students to be volunteer leaders on these camps and are keen to recruit more volunteers. If you are interested in getting involved please visit https://www.summercampstrust.org/volunteer The website also includes further information about the work of the trust.
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Opportunity for Year 13 student after Sixth Form
RBA Wealth Management – High Street, Uttoxeter will be in a position to take on a member of staff within their administration team, and are keen to either take on an apprentice or school leaver.
If anyone is interested, please can they see Mrs Walton in the Sixth Form office for further details.
Please contact Mrs Young at sixthform@tahs.org.uk for further help and support.
Sixth Form TAP activity w/c Mon 9th December.
Year 12
Log onto Unifrog and make a university shortlist. If you haven’t already, also look at European and American universities. Courses and fees can differ greatly.
Year 13
Complete and update your UCAS applications, or work on your Unifrog competencies or CV builder. Remember the UCAS deadline is looming.
Revision Tips
Cognitive Load Theory….. be enlightened as to how this can held you.
December Mock Examinations
Year 11 and 13 are now in their period of trial exams- Thank you for all your hard work so far.
Exams start at either 8.50 or 11.20, so please ensure you arrive on time. If a student is too unwell to attend school, please let the school office know as early as possible.
It is important that you have revision materials with you every day, as there may be occasions when you are able to revise in during lesson time.
Christmas Concert
Congratulations to all pupils who took part in the Christmas Concert last night, both back stage and on stage, for a highly entertaining and enjoyable evening. You all worked incredibly hard and did a fantastic job. Well done to you all.
Data Collection/Photo Consent Reminder
If you have not yet returned updated data collection and photo consent sheets to the school office would you please do so as soon as possible.
Order your Alleyne’s Turkey Now!!!
Christmas turkeys available- Fully cared and prepared by our year 10 students, £7 per kg. Email deakingallimore@tahs.org.uk to order yours now! Thankyou for your continued support to the school farm!
Public Health England Advice
Public Health England have seen an increase in reports of increased diarrhoea and vomiting in schools across England since Mon 18th November which remains sustained.
There is no specific outbreak in Thomas Alleyne’s, and the majority of children who have been off from school have reported having coughs and colds, however the guidance below is appropriate for all.

Sports News
U14 County Cup Basketball
Our year 9 boys played their first basketball game for school on Thursday going down to a narrow defeat against Sir Graham Balfour in Stafford.
Team- Owen Morgan, Joe Renshaw, Cameron Bott, Tom Lindsay, Bren Phillips, Tyler Ratcliffe, Jack Bright, Juan Brown, Caglayan Ali

Year 9 netball Vs Paget
The Year 9 league resumed with the Year 9’s playing their first home game of the season. Roared on by the home crowd TAHS played some excellent, composed netball. Rhiannon made her debut at WD and did not look out of place. The girls rotated positions in each quarter to develop different skills and positional sense. The game was won 22-0.
Squad – Kiera, Flo, Hattie, Lucy O, Lucy L, Molly. Evie, Rhiannon

Science News
‘The Big Science Question Competition’
We have a winner!!!
Congratulations to Joe Hall for his winning entry titled ‘Should embryonic stem cells be used for research and medical purposes?’. Joe researched multiple sources, evaluated the evidence, drew conclusions from his research and his work was well referenced. Joe receives our star prize of an Echo Dot.
Our four runners-up are:
Nell Wilson, Gemma Butterworth, Brett Allsup and Tom Newbury. Please collect your ‘front of the queue’ lunch pass from Mr Mitchell. Very well done!
The entry from Grace Atkin was highly commended. Well done!
Thank you for all the entries received in the ‘Big Science Question Competition’. All entrants will receive a Credit Point.
Throughout December we are celebrating success in Science and Animal Care with special nominations for our Students of the Week. Students will be selected from teaching groups across all subjects.
Students receiving our award, featured in each December ‘Weekly News Bulletin’, can pick up a hot chocolate at break time from the Science Department on the following Monday (9th December this week).
Year 9
Holly-Marie Eaton for consistent positive engagement in all activities in Physics lessons; selected by Mrs Pavey
Amy-Lee Jones for an excellent start in Biology including classwork, homework and assessments; selected by Mrs North.
Year 10
Maddy Egerton for excellent dissection skills in this week’s Biology lesson; selected by Miss Thorley.
Lara Taylor-Caine for her excellent test results for Year 10 Biology; selected by Mrs Gwynne.
Year 11
George Foster for consistently working hard in his Chemistry lessons; selected by Mrs Evans.
Callum Stockbridge for really positive work over the last six weeks; selected by Mr Mitchell.
Reuben Hamnett for consistent good attendance at after school Chemistry revision; selected by Mrs Macdonald.
Kyle Elcock for consistently working hard in his Chemistry lessons; selected by Mrs Hughes.
Chloe Yates for general awesomeness! selected by Mr Crum.
Year 12
Georgia Fleeman for consistent hard work in A Level Biology; selected by Mr Milward.
Year 13
Laura Simister for outstanding effort and extra hours of work completed in A Level Chemistry; selected by Mrs Evans.
This week’s Animal Care Students of the Week are:
Year 10
Nat Salmon for excellent commitment to her coursework; selected by Mr Harris.
Alex Keates and Isla McFadzean for excellent coursework; selected by Mrs North
Year 11
Chloe Bennett and Breanna Careless for excellent attitude to revision; selected by Mrs North.
Very well done to all students – we look forward to seeing you at breaktime on Monday!