Welcome to this week's newsletter
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone in our community for their support in the last week of last term with our remembrace and celebration of Callum Woodcroft’s life. We raised a total of £719.13 for We Mind & Kelly Matters.
This week we have had a positive start to the term, not least in terms of the eagerly awaited developments with the repairs to our damaged gas pipe. Next week sees the start of phase one of the repair. This will have a slight impact in the day-to-day running of the school. For the next six weeks, the gate next to the entrance will be closed. Instead, the gate as you approach the school (near the bungalow) will be open for students. Main reception and the Park Street entrance will be open as normal.
There is lots happening in school next week. We have potential candidates that we will be welcoming into school on Tuesday and Wednesday for the Principal job. This will be a great opportunity for staff, students and other stakeholders to learn a lot about the prospective candidates and hopefully select the new leader for our community. We also have our Key Stage Three Performing Arts Showcase to look forward to as well as the Raunds Annual Town Assembly. Sporting fixtures also continue to come thick and fast, week on week.
We are very conscious that many of our students will soon be starting their examinations. Lots is happening in terms of preparing the students for this time of year and we continue to wish them well for what is to come.
Enjoy the weekend.
Lee Towers, Head of School
Industrial action
A letter regarding the industrial action taking place on Thursday 27 April and Tuesday 2 May has been sent to parents/carers via schoolcomms. Please ensure that you read this important letter carefully.
BTEC expedition
Year 13 BTEC Uniformed Services students took part in an expedition between 29-31 March which they planned as part of one of their coursework units on the development of aviation across the East of England from World War 2 to the present day.
Day 1 involved visiting RAF Marham and the City of Norwich Aviation Museum to learn about the history of RAF bases and other military facilities across the east. Everyone had a tour of a Nimrod and Vulcan bomber which was delivered by ex-services personnel who had flown or built the aeroplanes, which really provided a context of times of conflict and peace. Day 2 involved students taking part in a 15 mile hike around Thetford and the surrounding areas of Lakenheath and Mildenhall, looking at RAF and American Air Force bases, as well as spending a night under canvas at a campsite with a view of the runway, watching cargo planes taking off and landing regularly.
This was a fantastic trip which was well organised by the students and which has concluded their two-year course on a high. Well done to everyone for completing the hike and showing resilience, humanity and empathy throughout - a great team effort.
Writing competition winners
Congratulations to Year 7 students Ella L, Jade K, Mia B and Olivia E who each won a voucher and certificate in a short story competition hosted by Raunds Library.
Food tech recipe booklets
We apologise that there have been inaccuracies with the food recipe booklets previously sent home. These have now been rectified so please disregard any booklets or information you have previously been given. Further details and the correct schedule will be uploaded to Arbor next week. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. If you have any queries regarding food technology lessons, please contact Miss Ireland on rireland@manor.school
Word of the Week
Each week, the English department focuses on encouraging students to use one ambitious word – it is displayed in classrooms and discussed during teaching. It would be great if adults at home could try to encourage the use of this word too. You could try to fit into a conversation or even question your young person on the meaning. It will be fantastic for the students to see us all working together to help improve their language. Thank you for your support.
The Word of the Week for 17-21 April is epiphany.
Exams information
A letter will be sent to all students and their parents/carers on Monday 24 April that includes key information about the summer examination series. Parents/carers should look out for this letter and read it carefully when it arrives.
Mini London Marathon
Students will be participating in the Mini London Marathon within PE this term, which will involve running or walking one mile. The event is hoping to break the world record for the most pledges received for an exercise campaign in one month, which currently stands at 241,675 participants.
KS3 Performing Arts Showcase
Our KS3 Performing Arts showcase is taking place on Tuesday 25 April at 5pm in the main hall. Students will showcase their brilliant talents in music, dance and drama - with some additional performances from our KS4 dancers! It is set to be a wonderful evening, so be sure to book your tickets before they sell out.
Year 9 vaccinations
Year 9 HPV vaccinations are taking place in school on Wednesday 26 April. The consent form from last year's vaccination will be used. If parents/carers haven’t consented, contact will be made by phone on the day to gain consent. To give verbal consent prior to this, please call the Admin Hub on 0800 170 7055 and select option 5.
Work experience
A reminder that Year 12 students interested in taking part in work experience between 3-14 July must return their paperwork by Tuesday 2 May. If students have any questions they should contact Miss Smedley.
Moulton College construction event
Moulton College is holding a construction taster event on Tuesday 25 April, 5-7pm. The event is for anyone in Year 11 who is considering studying a construction subject at the college this September (whether they have applied already or not). Students will get to meet course tutors and take part in a practical activity related to the course.
For further details and to register for the event, please download the following document.
NCS information evening
The National Citizen Service (NCS) are hosting a virtual information evening on Thursday 4 May to provide parents/carers with an insight of what they offer and what their programmes look like.
For more information and to register, please see the letter below.
Credits:
Created with an image by industrieblick