The last week in school before the winter break is a delicate balance between excited festivities and a dedicated last push of learning.
I can’t applaud those students enough who have caught one of the many colds going around, taken some medication and got themselves in. A tired student will always learn more in a lesson, surrounded by their peers and taking in what they can, than someone who is at home but we recognise how difficult it is to come in when you don’t feel 100%. So, to our students, thank you.
Our teachers have honoured their dedication by keeping lessons going until the last day. When visiting lessons I’ve seen a mixture of students earnestly trying their best in their assessments, others intently watching an education video while poised to furiously take notes and our high expectations being reinforced by the sharing of a beautiful piece of work from a student. So, to all our teaching and support staff, thank you.
I hope your holiday is full of special moments, joy and rejuvenation. Allowing us all to make the most of what is already looking to be a very busy new year. If not please remember you are never alone and there is help if you reach out (please see below for just one example).
Finally, a gentle reminder students are not expected back in school until Thursday 5th January 2023. Take care and Happy Holidays from all of us at Thomas Alleyne’s High School.
Fundraising
Thank you to all parents, students and staff for making our annual Christmas jumper day and non-uniform day a huge success. We have raised £1121.75 to be shared between two very worthy local charities: Dougie Mac and YESS.
Support with mental health during the holidays
Please see the poster below from Mental Health Support Team in Schools with regards to accessing supoprt for mental health during the holidays.
News from the last 7 days
Other round up news this week that you may have missed:
It’s been a relatively quiet house competition term. That being said some houses have clearly been more involved than others. As we like to remind the students every point counts!
Torrance update – rewards
The winners for the final week of the credit competition are:
Elkes – 9E2
Orme – 9O2
Torrance– 10T1
Whitmore 9W1
I would like to say well done to all students who achieved their Bronze, Silver or gold award this term. Keep working hard and the rewards will follow.
Message from the team
Have a great Christmas and a happy new year for 2023 from all of the pastoral team here at Thomas Alleyne.
Stress can be a normal part of job seeking, more often than not, it’s the result of over-thinking a situation. This article is full of advice on how to prepare for an interview:
We are pleased to announce our new series of webinars for the new year to help you to learn about apprenticeship opportunities across the UK’s leading companies, hear from current apprentices and ask questions directly to recruiting managers.
Apprenticeship opportunities with bp Explore careers within Software Development, Cyber Security, HR, Trading, Shipping and more! These opportunities are available only for students studying in Greater London.
On: 18th January 2023 at 6.30 – 7.30 pm For: Students and parents of those in years 10 to 13. Career leaders and teachers are encouraged to join.
Real Estate apprenticeships with CBRE CBRE has opportunities for everyone and so come and find out what is available at the world’s largest Commercial Real Estate firm and help shape the future of the real estate.
On: 24th January 2023 at 6.30 – 7.30 pm For: Students and parents of those in years 10 to 13. Career leaders and teachers are encouraged to join.
Accountancy apprenticeships with the National Audit Office Find out about their successful Chartered Accountancy training scheme open to school leavers and gain a professional qualification combined with real work experience.
On: 31st January 2023 at 6.30 – 7.30 pm For: Students and parents of those in years 10 to 13. Career leaders and teachers are encouraged to join.
This week: Explore construction apprenticeships with our webinar
Book your place or get your students to join this Wednesday at 16:30
At Wates – one of the largest construction, development, and property services companies in the UK – students can take up opportunities in sectors like finance, design, and engineering.
On this webinar, they’ll hear from current apprentices on what they do day-to-day, why they chose an apprenticeship, and top tips on how to ace applications.
Sixth Form entry September 2023 – online application
All Year 11 students have been given access to a Year 11 Sixth Form Applications Team. This is to support them in making their Post 16 choices. Access to the online application form for Sixth Form entry September 2023 is available in this team or by clicking the following link:
Any students who haven’t returned their data collection sheet, please can you drop it into the Sixth form office.
Sixth Form Finance:
The school has been allocated a Discretional Bursary Fund (DBF) which students are able bid into throughout the academic year providing they meet the financial criteria set by the school and outlined in our DBF policy.
For the academic year 2022-2023 students are eligible for funding of up to £400 if their parental income is below £27,000 (proof required) or if they were designated as pupil premium. If a student is a looked after child (LAC) they may be entitled to up to £1,200 of financial support. Students must use this funding to support their Post-16 education. For example, Sixth Form uniform, transport costs to and from school, textbooks, revision guides, course materials, IT equipment (up to £150), educational visits, UCAS application Fee, University entrance tests etc.
More detailed information will be available in the DBF booklet which students can be obtain from Mrs Walton in the Sixth Form office or by emailing sixthform@tahs.org.uk
Work Experience Feedback
Employer Feedback: Further to the Y12 work experience scheme that took place last month:
Burton Albion.
“Max is one of the best work experience students we have ever had- he is absolutely amazing. Nothing has been too much trouble for him and he has taken the initiative with groups he has had. He has always been polite when we have gone into other schools and even said to one headteacher thank you for having them and how well behaved the students were in his school. All of the coaches who have worked with Max this week have commented on how he will go far if he continues the way he is. He smashed it.’’
Date for your diary 2023
Y12: Parents Evening Thursday 2nd February 4-7pm – letters to follow
Y10 have been comparing two texts about travel, in particular how different books written by a comedy actress (Julie Walters) and a Victorian traveller (Isabella Bird) might be. Rami M made some interesting points about the different authors in his planning below.
Revision
If you get chance to watch any of the ‘Essential English Viewing’ suggested by Mrs Hunt below, why not mind map how these shows and performances link to your key texts, in particular ‘A Christmas Carol’. There will be plenty of useful context to help you with your AO3 criteria.
Otherwise please remember to utilise GCSE Pod or to watch some videos from Mr Bruff who has some great free revision resources for power and conflict poetry and all the key texts.
Bedrock Shout-outs
The competition for the December awards is heating up… we’ll not publish final results until the first Roundup of the New Year, but at the moment we have 5 students vying for the top spot. All have over 50 points in the last week, so super shout-outs to Maria-Grace (9HD), Esmee (9UA), Hollie (9US), Amelia (9UA) and Fran (9UL). There are about 50 students hot on their heels with many crossing over the threshold to qualify to enter Bedrock’s external competitions, too. Keep it up, Year 9!
Bedrock Words
Don’t forget to look out for our December Bedrock words ‘in the wild’ – so far there have been very few sightings and we’re getting restless! To remind you, the words that qualify for the “words in the wild” competition are (in no particular order):
The English Department have really enjoyed playing Elves this week, with an early Christmas present of a book for each and every Y9 student. Pictured are some of 9HS, who were so keen to get stuck into their books that they couldn’t resist reading the back covers whilst Mrs H took the photo!
Book Recommendation
Our recommendation this week is Marcus Rashford’s “You Are A Champion.” Chosen by 61 of our students, it was the most popular BookBuzz choice.
It’s described as “an inspiring, positive and practical guide” for young people, covering positive thinking and confidence building.
Essential English viewing over Christmas
Whilst we may not get excited for the delivery of the Christmas TV Times in the way we once did, the English Department have been avidly scanning the TV listings for things to watch over the Christmas break. We strongly recommend:
– Enola Holmes 2 (on Netflix): perfect if you love mystery films, or are a fan of Sherlock Holmes. We challenge you to find the best reference to An Inspector Calls, as well – talk about intertextuality! Other book to film/TV adaptations include The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse and His Dark Materials (both BBC1), with a documentary about the author/illustrator of The Boy, The Mole… following on BBC2.
– The Man Who Invented Christmas (on PrimeVideo): the story of Charles Dickens and the way he has influenced our Christmas traditions. Similarly, Miriam’s Very Dickensian Christmas (Channel 4) takes a slightly different angle, with a “Scrooge-like” host exploring Dickens’ influence in a very practical way. Or, head over to Disney+ for the 30th Anniversary extended cut of the Muppet Christmas Carol – remarkably faithful to the text but with bit of Muppet mayhem for good measure. We challenge you not to shout the key quotations out as you watch! All together now… “he was a tight-fisted hand at the grindstone… a covetous old sinner….” A more serious version is the Gatliss’ one, also available at the cinema, which is showing on BBC4 on Christmas Day.
– If you have a Sky subscription or access to Now TV, Romeo and Juliet is available on demand. It’s the National Theatre’s production, and well worth a watch.
– If you find yourselves near a Cinema, Mark Gatiss’ stage version of A Christmas Carol has been filmed and just released, or for something a little lighter there’s always Roald Dahl’s Matilda: The Musical.
Students have come home with a revision schedule that will seem them through to the end of April. This covers all of the specification and will allow lessons to be adapted to sure up gaps in knowledge.
Extra revision and coursework spots
In addition to code club on a Monday lunch time and Computing homework support on a Wednesday lunchtime, I am now able to offer an additional revision session on Thursdays after school in C3. Sessions will run from 3:05 – 4. Any problems that would interfere with attendance please let me know.
Photopea Christmas cards
We had a very reduced class last week in year 11 IT due to a large number of students in exams. We took this as an opportunity to go extra curricular. The students are very excited to share with you their Photopea Christmas Cards.
They enjoyed it so much they threatened to start their own club, warm, inside. I think I can see where the temptation is now. There are litterally thousands of guides to doing this on Youtube if you wanted to give it a go. The website is: https://www.photopea.com/
It is with great pleasure I have been asked to share this thoughtful charity drive with you.
Bra Collection for Kenya
I am taking part in a Girlguiding service project in Kenya in February, running a summer school for the children, redecorating the classrooms, and helping out at a wildlife centre.
The people in the village of Kididima, near Mombasa have very little. It has been suggested that we bring bras for the women and girls as this is something they would never be able to afford normally.
If you decide it’s time to get rid of your unwanted bras – used but reasonable condition is fine – we would be extremely grateful if you would donate them.
They can be left in the box by the front office or in the 6th form block during January.
We would like to congratulate Year 11 and Year 13 students on completing their trial examinations.
It has also been excellent hearing of the positive experiences that Year 12 students have had during their work experience placements last week.
As we approach the end of term, we would like to notify you that the school will be closing at 1.15pm on Friday 16th December. Buses have confirmed that they are able to pick students up at this time.
However, if any student needs to stay in school we will supervise them until 3.05pm. The buses will not be available at this time however.
We look forward to welcoming students back on 5th January.
We hope you have a wonderful Christmas.
Support with mental health during the holidays
Please see the poster below from Mental Health Support Team in Schools with regards to accessing supoprt for mental health during the holidays.
News from the last 7 days
Other round up news this week that you may have missed:
Please see below information on apprenticeships, careers, courses and degrees.
AECC University College
Based in Bournemouth, we offer courses that lead to health care careers where you can really make an impact and help people. Why study at AECC University College and become a Chiropractor, a Radiographer, a Sports Psychologist, a Sports Scientist or an Exercise Scientist, a Diagnostic Radiographer, a Therapeutic Radiographer? To make a difference.
We have an active schools team who can help provide you with resources on these professions. There is also plenty of resources available on our website which can be seen here.
Here are some of our videos to help give you a taste of what we can provide:
Become a Chiropractor Diagnose, treat and prevent mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Improve the health of patients and help improve their quality of life.
Become a Sports Psychologist Impact athletes’ performance, participation and wellbeing through psychology. Help people to become more active, healthier and happier.
Become a Sports Scientist Travel the world, work with high-profile people and experience the feeling of being in a stadium full of people. There’s nothing like it!
Become a Sport Rehabilitator Develop knowledge, skills and expertise in preventing, assessing, diagnosing, and treating sports and physical activity-related injuries.
Become a Diagnostic Radiographer 95% of people will interact with a diagnostic radiographer. Transform lives of patients, working at the cutting edge of healthcare.
If you are interested in these health care careers, and want to study in a small, specialist university college close to the beach we’d love to show you around. We also have an open day coming up next Saturday 10th December. For more details of our open days please visit here.
Apprenticeship Week starts on Monday 6th February 2023.
Here on the Jobs Live News Channel we are hosting NAW 2023 LIVE which is an array of broadcasts that celebrates and showcases apprenticeship programmes and the apprentices achievements.
Companies will be joining us each day and will be discussing the stereotypes of apprenticeships and highlighting the opportunities they have within their organisation including degree apprenticeships. This is a great chance to hear directly from current apprentices about their very own experiences.
What’s new? Medical doctor If you are interested in becoming a doctor, during this level 7 apprenticeship you’ll learn to apply the principles and procedures of medicine to assess, prevent, diagnose, care for and treat patients
New apprenticeship vacancies to apply for We’ve put together a list of new apprenticeships currently available across the country, including equine groom, pharmacy assistant and customer service
Each month we will look at companies and learning providers who deliver apprenticeships and see what they can offer your students. This month at Sky, combine what you love with what you do best to shape a brilliant career.
Anna awarded Student of the Year at FIS awards With her career in construction, Anna Belle won the Student of the Year Award at Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) Training Awards, held in November.
This year we’re sharing our National Apprenticeship Week 2023 resources with you even earlier than usual, so you can make the most of planning this side of Christmas!
We’ve got brilliant new and updated resources to share with you. Read on below for full details!
But that’s not all…
We’ll be back in the new year to release even more resources, including an exciting new area on the website we’re sure will be extremely popular… Get the 11th January in your diaries now!
If you don’t have much time, take a couple of minutes now to watch our quick and informative explainer film, highlighting everything that’s available to you!
Creating bold, pioneering products and services that redefine global defence Get hands-on experience and training that will equip you with the skills and knowledge to kick start your career. To help protect those that protect us, we make products that are relied upon by our armed forces, day in, day out. Join us as an engineering apprentice and you’ll be playing a vital role in the manufacture of those products, making a difference and having worldwide impact.
Join us and become a technical expert in a discipline like welding, painting, or scaffolding. We’ll fund your qualifications and give you all the support and guidance you need.
You’ll find meaningful, rewarding work as part of a collaborative and supportive team, with endless opportunities for career progression. We take pride in providing first-class training, coaching, and lifelong development to everyone in our team.
Everyone’s welcome. We’re committed to recruiting the best and most diverse talent to our team, bringing their unique insights and perspectives to build a better tomorrow.
Join us – this is a place where you can make a real difference. We look forward to receiving your application very soon – and good luck!
BAE Systems Apprentice Recruitment Team
Follow Life at BAE Systems
Awarding the extraordinary: £3,000 scholarships from Bangor
Applications now open for Bangor’s Merit and Entrance Scholarships
Bangor University awards scholarships to applicants who excel in its annual Entrance Scholarships examinations. Applicants can choose to take an exam in one of over 20 subject areas and, if successful, will receive up to £3,000 to assist with their studies.
For students who aren’t familiar, Bangor University is situated in north Wales between the mountains and the sea. Bangor students can choose from world-class courses in the sciences, arts, business, law, and humanities.
UHDB – Hospital Experience Programme
University Hospitals of Derby & Burton are pleased to announce another round of our Hospital Experience Programme (HOSPEX). This is a clinical experience course held at either the Royal Derby Hospital or Queen’s Hospital, Burton site.
The programme is open to Sixth form students who have already received their GCSE exam results. In order to attend students must have achieved a minimum of 4 grade As or grades 9 – 7 at GCSE level and live or attend a school within the Staffordshire or Derbyshire border. The course takes three days and students will need to be released from sixth form to attend the programme.
The Hospex programme is extremely popular, and places are limited, so please encourage your students to apply for a place as soon as possible.
Please do not hesitate to contact the medical education team on uhdb.hospex@nhs.net should you have any questions or if you would like further information.
Journalism and Sports Journalism outreach opportunities to UK schools and colleges.
Book a virtual session with our Journalism and Sports Journalism team today.
Hear from former journalists now teaching at LJMU who are able to offer advice, discuss their own career to date and the numerous opportunities available to those interested in studying Journalism at university. Meet Tim Abraham who spent 23 years at Sky Sportsbefore moving into academia at LJMU and has a wealth of experience to share with you and your students.
This programme is for students across the UK in Year 11, 12, and 13 who have only attended non-selective state schools since age 11 and are interested in becoming a doctor or dentist.
Over the course of the 14 lecture programme students will hear from a variety of speakers to help them make the best application to medicine or dentistry possible! Last year’s lectures included the following:
· Medical and dental specialities: cardiology, prosthodontics, renal transplant, and many more!
· Q&As each week with current medical and dental students as well as a lecture dedicated to the student experience.
· A session on other careers in healthcare with six professionals currently working and teaching in the sector (nursing, dietetics, clinical science, etc.)
· September Q&A with key admissions colleagues in the schools of medicine and dentistry at KCL and UCL.
· Lectures on the application process: the UCAT, personal statements, and interviews.
Lectures will be held on Tuesday evenings at 6-7.15pm and will run in blocks of three throughout 2023. The first three lectures will take place on the 31st January, 7th February, and 14th February. The remaining three blocks of lectures will take place in Spring and Summer.
For more information and to apply, follow this link. The deadline to apply is next weekFriday 16th December 2022.
Finally, here are what some student’s had to say from last year’s programme:
Masterclasses are subject-specific hour-long sessions for students in Year 12 to get an opportunity to have a taste of university
The masterclasses are designed to introduce Year 12s to subjects that can be studied at university. The hour-long sessions will feature a lecture on a specific topic from UCL academics or students.
The sessions are interactive and we encourage those taking part to engage with the presenters, there is an opportunity at the end to ask questions about the topic presented.
Taking part in Masterclasses can be a fantastic way for students to find out more about university subjects.
There are 15 masterclasses in total, taking place between 4-5pm on the following dates:
January:·
English: Tuesday 17th January
History of Art: Tuesday 24th January
Architecture: Thursday 26th January
Languages: Tuesday 31st
February:·
Biosciences: Tuesday 7th February
Chemical Engineering: Tuesday 14th February
Medicine and Medical Sciences (1): Thursday 16th February
Astrophysics: Tuesday 21st February
Natural Sciences: Tuesday 28th
March:·
Economics: Tuesday 7th March
Geography: Tuesday 14th March
Law: Thursday 16th March
Medicine and Medical Sciences (2): Tuesday 21st March
Psychology: Tuesday 28th March
Pharmacy: Thursday 30th March Applications close Sunday 8 January 2022.
Nikki studied psychology at university and planned to become a clinical psychologist before finding out that she could use her knowledge as a user researcher in the tech industry, without needing to do any coding! She’s since worked for several companies including in travel and fashion, helping them to make their products better for users. This is your chance to ask Nikki all about her studies and career so far, and figure out if user research could be a future career for you.
How to deal with interview stress
Stress can be a normal part of job seeking, more often than not, it’s the result of over-thinking a situation. This article is full of advice on how to prepare for an interview:
Thomas Alleyne's high school 