TAHS Weekly Newsletter.
Headteacher’s Blog
We would like to share with you the outcomes from Ofsted this year.
It is a credit to the hard work of students and staff that this is the 3rd year that the school has been placed in the top 20% of schools nationally. Thank you to everyone for your support.
Please see a copy of the 2019 Ofsted Inspection Data Summary Report below:
Subjects Guidance
- Science value added (0.5) was significantly above the national average and in the highest 20% of all schools in 2019 as well as 2018.
- Humanities value added (0.8) was significantly above the national average and in the highest 20% of all schools in 2019 as well as 2018.
- The subjects of the EBacc form a strong academic foundation to the KS4 curriculum. The EBacc entry rate in this school was 28%. the subject that appears to be the greatest barrier to more pupils studying the EBacc is languages (32%).
Progress 8 Guidance
- The mathematics element of Progress 8 (0.5) was significantly above the national average and in the highest 20% of all schools in 2019 as well as in 2018 and 2017.
- The EBacc element of Progress 8 (0.5) was significantly above the national average and in the highest 20% of all schools in 2019 as well as in 2018.
- The open element of Progress 8 (0.5) was significantly above the national average and in the highest 20% of all schools in 2019.
The open element includes subjects such as RE, Design Technology, Art, Drama, Music, Health and Social Care, Animal Care, Child Development, Business, and ICT.
We have also attached a link to our Ofsted report. We are delighted with the outcome, but are not complacent and continue to reflect on the previous year’s work to ensure that our young people make the best progress they can in all aspects of their school life.
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 9 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
All Year 13 students are conducting themselves very well during this anxious and stressful time. Mock examinations can place a lot of extra pressure on to the students. We feel that they have prepared well and are showing themselves to be mainly mature and sensible, hopefully the effort of all students will be rewarded with exceptional mock results.
Week commencing the 3rd February 2020 all Year 12 students will have an assessment week. This is where all class teachers will provide an hour long test. This could be an essay or a variety of questions. It will be based on knowledge learnt so far. For example the Year 12 history students will be completing an essay in timed conditions for both of their teachers. We feel that this is a midway point and therefore it is good opportunity to test the skills and the knowledge that they have acquired so far. As the assessment week is at the beginning of February we do recommend that they revise over the Christmas break.
Many of our Year 12 students have shown an interest in becoming Senior Prefects. A perfect opportunity for them to show their commitment to the school is to attend the ‘Light Up Uttoxeter’ conference being held at Uttoxeter Race Course on the 6th January. We require 25 students to come and support the event. If you know that your child is interested in this then please instruct them to speak to Mrs Walton next week.
On Thursday we invite our previous Year 13 students back to school to celebrate the success of their BTEC and A Level qualifications and to see what they are doing now. We have had a great response and look forward to sharing the photographs of the event with you all next week. Once a TAHS Sixth Former always a TAHS Sixth Former.
Over the last couple of weeks we have been asking for Year 12 students to sign up to Unifrog, we still have some students that have not done this, please encourage your child to do so. It is needed by all students in Year 12 and 13. You, as parents, can also log on. We sent the details of how to do this a couple of weeks ago. If you would like help with logging on then please contact us. sixthform@tahs.org.uk
Next week we will also be sharing with you the success that our Year 13 students have had in planning their next chapter. I will be looking at UCAS and providing information of how many students have applied, how many have heard back from their choices and what sort of offers are being made. When we have information about apprenticeships and employment we will be sharing this as well.
Sixth Form TAP activity w/c Mon 16th December.
Y12 and Y13 Revision Focus
Getting to 3A revision status. Make a revision plan for over Christmas and build in any deadlines eg course work. Use apps like My Study Plan or a paper copy.
Request for parental support
Please ensure that your son/daughter comes to school in a blue or black school jumper if they wish to wear a jumper/sweatshirt to school. Any jumpers/sweatshirts with logos or hooded sweatshirts will be removed from students if they are worn in the building. We will request that they are collected by family members at the end of the school day.
We would also appreciate your support in reminding your sons and daughters that make up and acrylic nails are not allowed in school.
Non School uniform/Christmas Jumper day Wednesday 18th December
A donation of £2.00 would be much appreciated for our non school uniform day. All proceeds will be donated to counselling for our students and a charity of school council’s choice.
Reminder
School will be closed to students on 6th January for a training day.
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.
Year 11 Parents Evening
The Y11 Parents Evening will be rescheduled to Thursday 23rd January 2020. We will provide further information re appointments next week.
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.
Christmas Lunch – Wednesday
PTA Thanks
The PTA wish to thank everyone who supported the Christmas Raffle by buying tickets. We raised nearly £800.00 and this will make a huge difference to our students by providing for example, additional learning opportunities, transport to future events and specialist equipment for pupils. Your continued support of our school community is very much appreciated by staff and pupils alike. Our next fundraiser is our annual quiz which will be held on Friday 7th February and we look forward to seeing you there. Further details will be available in the New Year.
Sports News
Year 11 BTEC Tech Sport, Activity And Fitness
Last minute Christmas Present Idea- the exam board have recently released a revision guide priced at £5.90 and is available from Amazon by Jennifer Stafford Brown entitled – Revise BTEC Tech Award Sport, Activity and Fitness.
We are running a revision day and coursework support day on the inset day – Mon 6th Jan from 10am -3pm. Sign in at reception.
Registration revision sessions will also take place Tue-Thu from first day back until the exam on 4th Feb.
Reminder coursework info is on insight if you want to prepare a draft.
Netball
The U16 netball team finished the year with a fantastic performance and a win. The game was very close until the final quarter, with Deferrers leading by two goals after the first quarter and leading by one at half term. TAHS made up the goal difference in the third quarter and led by one goal with one quarter to go.
This quarter Alleyne’s started with great energy and speed, the ball was won twice off a Deferrers centre for shooters Holly and Jess to create a four goal lead. Deferrers did compose themselves and began to score but they were thwarted several times by Lydia, Hattie and Zoe in the defensive D. Teegan and Halle completed a full game at C and WIng attack to keep the game flowing at a high intensity. The game was really enjoyable to watch and ended with a 22-18 victory.
U14 East Staffordshire Rugby Championship
As you can see from the picture the drainage at Burton Rugby Clubs new ground still requires some work.! We played the conditions brilliantly and showed some fantastic defence. Connor Bassett captained the team well and pulled of some great cover tackles as well as guiding the team around the park from scrum half. Joe Rookyard and Finn Bointon made their debuts on returning from injury and ran strongly with good lines.
One of the highlights was Alfie Price charging through and giving a deft pass to front row partner Harry Foster. Both props put in a massive effort in all 3 games without a rest. Jack Bright at hooker was rucking brilliantly with numerous turn overs. Callum Ward was at times unstoppable scoring some great long distance trys. Bren Phillips was compared to Jason Robinson by one opposition coach and showed incredible pace both in attack and defence. Harry Barrett battled strongly in the forwards and Will Ball playing out of position held his width well.
All round a great team performance
Thomas Alleynes 3- John Taylor 1Thomas Alleynes 4- Robert Sutton 2Thomas Alleynes 3- Granville 2
Thomas Alleynes U14’s district champions
Science News
Throughout December we are celebrating success in Science with 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 (16th December this week).
Year 9
Charles Fradley for the most improved test score in the recent Chemistry assessment; selected by Mrs Evans.
Sylvia Stocks for outstanding achievement in chemistry assessments, 90% plus! Selected by Mrs Macdonald.
Jack Bright for an excellent start in Chemistry including classwork, homework and assessments; selected by Mrs Hughes.
Thomas Adams for curiosity and questions in every lesson; selected by Mr Mitchell.
Eva Lovatt for regularly making good class contributions; selected by Mr Melland.
Katie Fuller for excellent attainment; selected by Mr Crum.
Year 10
Charlie Hallam for his consistent hard work and resilience; selected by Mrs Pavey.
Year 11
Maddie Hudson for dedication to thorough revision and a great attitude towards her mocks; selected by Miss Thorley.
Holly Chatfield for excellent effort and attainment throughout the term; selected by Mrs Gwynne.
Year 12
Vicky Catterall for consistently achieving an A* in her organic chemistry tests; selected by Mrs Evans.
Alex Griffiths for doing very well in the circuit test; selected by Mr Melland.
Year 13
Nick Jakes for dedication to his study of A Level Biology; selected by Mr Milward.
Very well done!
We look forward to seeing you at breaktime on Monday!
Recycle For Charity
If you have a new mobile phone for Christmas, please bring the old one into school for recycling. Uttoxeter Lions recycle old mobiles, spectacles and hearing aids for many good causes in this country and abroad. You can find the recycling bin outside Mrs Walton’s office in the 6th form building or bring items to Mrs Bell in room 14.
Maths News
Earlier this year our A-level Further Maths students took part in the UKMT Senior Maths Challenge. They all did well but 2 students, Alex Ford and Andrew Pye, both qualified for the next round of the competition the ‘Senior Kangeroo’. Two weeks ago they sat the paper and the results are now in … Andrew achieved a qualification result and Alex achieved a merit award which places him in the top 25% of the very best A-level maths students in the country. Well done to both but a very special congratulations to Alex!
Robots @ Staffs Uni
Last week our First Robotics UK Team, ASSR, went to Staffordshire University for a scrimmage event prior to the regional championships in February. The day was a great success and gave a renewed impetus to the project. To see how they are getting on follow them in Instagram @assr.tahs
Links
Thomas Alleyne's high school 