Welcome to this week's newsletter
We have stirred away from using this space in the newsletter to mention COVID-19, however, the recent changes in restrictions, which were communicated this week, has prompted us to share the school's view.
We are still going to encourage staff, students and visitors to wear face coverings in classrooms and in communal areas. However, it will only be an encouragement. Masks will continue to be available at school gates and in reception for those that wish to take one.
The local COVID-19 situation is proving a significant challenge in a number of schools nearby, as well as in other Trust schools. At points last term we were in a similar position where we were doubling up classes, putting colleagues on extra lessons and trying to get supply teachers in school. Whilst our context at the moment is not as extreme, we are by no means counting our chickens just yet.
Please can we urge you all to respond to the request for information relating to IT facilities at home. Please find the link here.
On a lighter note, thank you to all those parents that attended the virtual Year 10 Consultation Evening this week. It is always a great opportunity to engage with families. We are also running parent forum sessions this term, more information on which can be found below.
Have a great weekend.
Glenn Martin and Lee Towers, Co-Principals
Parent forum
It was a real pleasure to meet so many families through the Meet the Principal sessions that we hosted before Christmas. There has been lots of positive feedback coming back into school through this forum. Equally, we welcome those meetings where families would like to discuss what could be better. Both Mr Martin and Mr Towers see these conversations as an opportunity to ensure they are listening and are acting accordingly so that the school - and the people in it - can be the very best it can be. The dates of our upcoming sessions are listed below:
- Friday 4 February
- Friday 25 February
- Friday 11 March
- Friday 25 March
If you are interested in attending, please send your request to principal@manor.school.
Consultation Evenings
Thank you to our Year 10 students and their parents/carers for their impressive turnout at the virtual Year 10 Consultation Evening last night. The feedback received so far has been positive and we look forward to continuing to work on the processes around these as the system use is increased.
We are really keen to understand what is working well with these events and what could be further improved. Please fill out the feedback form to share your views.
The next virtual Consultation Evening takes place on Thursday 10 February for Year 9. A letter with full booking details will be sent via schoolcomms in advance.
Duke of Edinburgh Award meeting
There will be a meeting for all D of E students in the Main Hall during tutor time on Wednesday 26 January. Please can you prompt your child to attend the meeting.
Northampton Saints rugby opportunity
There is an exciting opportunity for Year 8 and 9 students to participate in a rugby event hosted by Northampton Saints next month.
The day would consist of 2 or 3 10-a-side matches against each other, followed by a chance to watch the 1XV team train the day before the big derby vs Leicester Tigers. They would then wrap the day up with a stadium tour.
If students want to get involved and have a chance at getting picked for this then they must attend rugby after school on a Thursday.
Manor Maths Challenges
There's a seemingly simple yet unsolved (so far...) puzzle to get your head around in this week's video, but don't worry, there's also some slightly easier problems courtesy of Mr Barton Maths.
Free maths webinar
Rachel from 'Mr Barton Maths' is presenting a webinar next week which will offer a series of practical strategies parents/carers can use to help support their children when solving non-routine questions.
The free webinar takes place on Thursday 27 January at 7:30pm. You can join by clicking the link below.
KS3 Performing Arts enrichment
A number of additional KS3 performing arts groups have been added to our extra-curricular offer. A poster containing details of these can be found below.
Sports fixtures and results
It has been a busy few weeks already for our PE team with a number of fixtures having taken place. Below are the results from the games we have had, plus details of what else is coming up - we are sure there will be more added to this as the weeks continue!
Recent results
- Year 8 Boys Football vs Ferrers – won 2-0
- Year 8 Boys Football vs Wollaston – lost 4-0
- School Games Year 7/8 Boys Futsal tournament – 2nd place
- School Games Year 7/8 Girls Futsal tournament – 5th place
- School Games Year 9/10 Girls Futsal tournament – 2nd place
Upcoming fixtures
- Tuesday 25 January – Year 8 Boys Football vs Wollaston (home)
- Wednesday 26 January – U14 Girls Hockey vs Prince William (away)
- Wednesday 26 January – Year 9 Boys Football CV tournament (home)
- Thursday 27 January – U14 Girls Football vs Wollaston (away)
- Monday 31 January – Year 9/10 Boys School Games Volleyball (home)
- Tuesday 1 February – School Games Year 11 Boys Futsal (home)
- Wednesday 2 February – U14 Girls Hockey vs Bishop (away)
- Thursday 3 February – School Games Year 11 Girls Futsal (home)
- Thursday 10 February – U14 Girls Football vs Wollaston (home)
- Tuesday 1 March – Year 7/8 Netball @ Wollaston
- Wednesday 2 March – Year 7/8 Sportshall Athletics team & Sports Leaders at the Winter School Games
- Thursday 3 March – Year 9/10 Handball Competition (away)
- Monday 7 March – U16 Boys Hockey vs Bishop (away)
- Tuesday 8 March – Year 7/8 Netball @ Ferrers
- Tuesday 15 March – Year 7/8 Netball @ Manor
- Tuesday 22 March – Year 7/8 Netball @ Manor