Message from the Vice Principal
Thank you to everyone for your support as we start to approach the end of term. We have lots planned for students in the final two weeks, including Sports Days and a special REACH celebration for students who have accumulated the most amount of REACH points this academic year.
On Thursday we had our third Curriculum Day of the academic year, with a variety of opportunities for students across each year group. You can read about the activities the students took part in later on in this edition of Our Manor - thank you to all of the staff and guest speakers that supported and delivered a great day.
Yesterday we were very lucky to have our virtual one-to-one appointments with our upcoming Year 7. We cannot wait to welcome the new students into the Manor family.
We also welcomed our new members of staff who will be joining us in September. They are:
- Ben Mitchell-Bunce - Teacher of Science
- Carrie Jolley - Subject Lead for Culture and Ethics
- Edward Parker - Teacher of PE
- Laura Jenkins - Progress Leader
- Lisa Freeston - Teacher of Health and Social Care
- Rebecca Whitby - Teaching Assistant
A well done to Year 10 and 12 students who have now completed their trial examinations as part of the process to celebrate and review next steps as we head into their examination year. Students will receive their results in their WWW lesson on Wednesday 14 July.
We have sent a letter to parents/carers of Year 11 and 13 students today regarding the plan for the two results days and the appeals process. Please ensure you read the information carefully. If you have any queries, please contact exams2021@manor.school.
I hope you enjoy the football this weekend, and remember: "It’s coming home".
Glenn Martin, Vice Principal
Curriculum Day
Students were out of lessons on Thursday 1 July for the final Curriculum Day of this academic year. The day saw each year group participate in a variety of talks, workshops and projects related to a specific branch of Manor’s Work.World.Wellness. curriculum programme.
Year 7 - Ecosystems and biodiversity
Year 7's activities were based around the values of being an Eco-School, with students looking at how we can promote biodiversity in our local ecosystem. Guest speaker Liz Williams from Stanwick Lakes and former Y13 student Huw delivered a presentation about the work they do to maintain biodiversity, with students able to look at a variety of samples such as animal skulls, leaves and preserved specimens of species that are found in the local area. Activities included making insect refuges and investigating the daisy population of the school field. Students also designed a bee-friendly garden as part of Radio 2's Big Bee Challenge.
Year 8 - Charities
Year 8 students learnt about the role that charities play in making the world a more equitable place. Guest speakers from four charities (Hannah Pennock from the British Heart Foundation, Jodie Gardner from Rushden Mind, Kate Archer from Animals in Need, and Louise Gardner from Cransley Hospice Trust) spoke to students virtually about the work that they do both as individuals and as organisations, with students able to ask questions about their fundraising methods and challenges that they have faced during the pandemic. Students then spent the afternoon coming up with their own ideas for a charity, creating posters that outlined their mission statement, how they would raise funds and why people should donate to their cause.
Year 9 - Diversity
Year 9's activities were centered around the theme of diversity. Lesley Lock from Autism East Midlands, Andrew Moffatt from No Outsiders, Councillor James Hill (Chair of the West Northants Diversity Community Forum), deaf awareness speaker Emily Andrews, and Leon Brathwaite & Shaka Hislop from Show Racism the Red Card spoke to students about the many ways in which people can differ, why it is important to talk about discrimination and inequality, and how they can better support each other and members of the local community. Students rounded out the day by considering what they had learnt, how it will help them in the future, and what they pledge to do going forward.
Year 10 - Financial education
Year 10 students spent the day rotating around a series of financial education workshops. Topics included budgeting, spending priorities, how we pay tax and what it pays for, types of borrowing and interest rates, currency exchange rates, types of payment method and what they are best suited for, as well as saving and investment alternatives. Students then had to use the information they were given during the day to judge if their life goals/aspirations were realistic and how they may need to be altered in light of the costs associated with them.
Year 12 - Planning for the future
Year 12 students had the opportunity to attend a number of different sessions throughout the day. Ms Verma and Mrs Matthews ran EPQ focus gatherings where students could work on and receive help with their EPQ projects, a local nurse delivered a sexual health presentation, as well as a personal statement writing workshop for those applying for university.
School transport
A reminder to parents/carers of route 1 and 4 users to check the letter sent on 25 June regarding a trial of new times from Monday 5 July for 1 week only.
If you require this letter to be resent, please email nbannard@manor.school.
Student crowned National Champion
A huge congratulations to Leah M in Year 10 who competed in the wakeboarding National Championships on Friday 25 June and came first in her class (U18 Junior Ladies), making her National Champion. We are immensely proud of her achievement.
Summer music video
This year we are putting together a summer music video showcasing the talents of our students. If they would like to be involved in the video, where they will be required to perform a piece of their choice lasting between 30 seconds and 1 minute (this can be as a soloist or as a group), then they should let Miss Barron or Miss Bishop know by Wednesday 7 July. They will then be contacted with further details.
Manor Maths Challenges
It's all about noticing patterns in sums in this week's edition of Mrs Radd's blog. They get more challenging as you scroll down the page and so will certainly get your brain thinking.
NMPAT Saturday Centres
Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust is excited to be re-launching Saturday Centres in September 2021.
After a year of Virtual Centre, they will be re-opening their doors to members from pre-lockdown, as well as whole new groups of students. They are delighted to be able to offer all students a fully funded first term of activities (from September to Christmas), so there is nothing to stop them getting involved.
Registration is via an online form (please download the PDF below) where students can tell us which Centre they’d like to attend as well as a little bit about their interests. NMPAT will then be in touch to confirm the finer details before the start of term in September.
If parents/students would like to have a look around their local Centre, there will be an open morning from 10-11am on Saturday 11 September, with a full morning of activities starting on Saturday 18 September.
There will be no charge for the first term of activities. Following their fully-subsidised first term, subscription for membership of the Centre for one term (where there are three terms in the year) is £80 for the full morning.
For more information please visit www.nmpat.co.uk/centres
PE notices
Extra-curricular clubs
With only a few weeks left before the summer break, why not try to get out to one of our extra-curricular clubs. Remember that everyone is welcome and all sessions are free!
Sports days
Next week sees the start of our sports days which will be held in year groups. On Friday 9 July, Year 8 kick us off during the first session of the day. All students will be competing in their houses across three different sporting activities. Please could all students in Year 8 come to school in their PE kit for this day.
Following this, Year 10 will be on Monday 12 July, Year 9 on Tuesday 13 July, and Year 7 on Thursday 15 July.
Sport leaders
Last week, Miss Hustwait emailed all current Year 7 students and current Year 6s (who will be joining us in September) to share the exciting opportunity of being part of a sports leadership group in September. If students are in Year 6 or 7 and would like to be part of the leadership group, they should email Miss Hustwait (thustwait@manor.school) with their 250 word letter as to why they feel this is for them.
Pastoral Support Officer vacancy
Manor Sports and Leisure clubs
Youth club
We are delighted to be launching a new service for young adults, in partnership with Raunds Town Council, here at Manor Sports and Leisure. Launch date: Thursday 22 July.
Under 18s boxing club
This exciting new club will be launching in September, delivered in house at Manor by the Sports Centre team. More details coming soon.
