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Our Manor 16-20 October 2023

Welcome to this week's newsletter

Please, if you can, watch or listen (in the car) to the videos which accompany this letter to get the more personable version of the explanations and information below.

Dear families,

Thank you to all students and families for your continued support and appreciation as we strive to make further improvements at Manor School. Your feedback has been invaluable and has led to many of the fantastic opportunities we are giving your children. This week we have shared with students the following positives:

  • bespoke Curriculum Day for each year group, including a timely focus on study skills for Year 11 on study skills as they prepare for their impending trial exams
  • increase of indoor spaces and board games for lunchtimes
  • access to the 3G pitch at lunchtime
  • start of the Duke of Edinburgh Award programme for Year 9 and 10 students
  • news of an upcoming singing workshop for Year 7
  • a fantastic opportunity to attend a water sports trip for Year 9 students
  • announcing a theme park trip in July for all students on 97%+ attendance
  • the opportunity to become a Sports Leader

In addition to all of the above, we also held achievement assemblies this week to celebrate the students nominated by their tutors and Progress Leaders for their demonstration of our REACH values. We also had a vast number of students who received a certificate for 100% attendance and for having 0 behaviour points. Congratulations to all of the following students:

  • Year 7: Elsabeth H, Florence H, Sara H, Violet P, Ewan L, Maisey B, Isabella D
  • Year 8: Alex H, Jessica K, Amelie B, Erin U, Faye M, Freddy R, Lily K
  • Year 9: Ewan C, Hollie M, Kian N, Maddie S, Poppy L, Amy C, Lyra S
  • Year 10: Holly S, Jessie R, Phoenix M, Evie K, Chloe G, Leah Jane N, Sam F, Karan S K, Isla H
  • Year 11: Lilly L, Dylan P-T, Luke C, Lois L, Miles B-T, Elsie S, Lila M
  • KS5: Chloe A, Isabella W, Charlotte B, Mei-Ling W, Rose W, Antonia D, Harry I, Oliver R

Today also saw students who were part of last academic year's winning house (Quercus) and/or achieved their Gold REACH Award attending a spooky movie reward, complete with fizzy drinks and popcorn! It truly has been a fantastic end to this term.

In this week's newsletter we would like to draw your attention to the Sixth Form Open Evening on 16 November and ask that you review your contact details on Arbor. It is your responsibility to ensure you and your family's details are correct, especially if we need to contact you in an emergency. Thank you.

Finally, would you please make sure that when students return to school on Wed 1 November after the holiday break that they are dressed smartly in full uniform with shoes, without gel nails and only with studs (not hoops).

Thank you, stay safe and have a great break.

Dr Louise Newman, Principal

Curriculum Day

Students were out of subject lessons on Wednesday 18 October for the first Curriculum Day of this academic year.

Year 7: A celebration of me

There are always lots of introductions to be made when joining Year 7, with the forming of friendships often influenced by what students have in common with each other. The first Curriculum Day of their Manor journey was therefore the ideal opportunity for students to get to know each other even better, with the day’s theme being ‘A Celebration of Me’.

Students began the day by thinking about the characteristics they have that make them who they are, and recognising that they should be free to be themselves without the fear of ridicule or discrimination. This involved learning about the characteristics and identities that are protected by law under the Equality Act 2010. Students then took on the roles of Manor School policy makers by coming up with ideas on how we can increase awareness of these protected characteristics so that they are at the forefront of how we treat each other.

In their next session, students participated in a ‘get to know you’ bingo-style activity where they had to try to find people within their class who met the criteria on their grids, such as someone who likes baking or has a pet dog. This was followed up with a discussion on how varied people within the class are.

They then went on to prepare a short verbal presentation about something they consider an important part of who they are such e.g. a characteristic, hobby, achievement, talent or general interest. After working on their speeches, presentations were delivered within their classes, with some students putting their name forward for the afternoon’s ‘big share’ event in the main hall.

Year 8: Enterprise

Developing an entrepreneurial spirit is a core component of our curriculum. Year 8 students therefore spent the day participating in a variety of activities inspired by Young Enterprise’s Launch Pad challenge. As well as building business skills, the day’s tasks also provided the opportunity for students to improve their time management and teamwork skills.

The first activity required each group of students within their class to decide which business they would buy from a list of twelve existing companies. These included a bike and scooter shop, photography studio, fitness centre, and mobile food stall.

Once their new company names were approved by their teacher, classes rotated around six workshops to help them develop their business ideas:

Developing an entrepreneurial spirit is a core component of our curriculum. Year 8 students therefore spent the day participating in a variety of activities inspired by Young Enterprise’s Launch Pad challenge. As well as building business skills, the day’s tasks also provided the opportunity for students to improve their time management and teamwork skills.

The first activity required each group of students within their class to decide which business they would buy from a list of twelve existing companies. These included a bike and scooter shop, photography studio, fitness centre, and mobile food stall.

Once their new company names were approved by their teacher, classes rotated around six workshops to help them develop their business ideas:

• Market research – competition, reviews, unique selling points

• Branding – logo, uniforms, colour schemes

• Promotion – leaflet design, promotional materials, placement

• Perfecting a pitch – writing a script, presentation skills, rehearsing

• Making a profit – revenue, running costs, projections

• Future growth – customer retention and growth, mission statement

Students completed a work booklet as they moved around the workshops so that they had a record of their designs, research and finance calculations to assist them with preparing their pitches.

During the afternoon, students went head to head within their classes to pitch their companies, with awards given by their teacher for best pitch and best business.

  • Market research – competition, reviews, unique selling points
  • Branding – logo, uniforms, colour schemes
  • Promotion – leaflet design, promotional materials, placement
  • Perfecting a pitch – writing a script, presentation skills, rehearsing
  • Making a profit – revenue, running costs, projections
  • Future growth – customer retention and growth, mission statement

Students completed a work booklet as they moved around the workshops so that they had a record of their designs, research and finance calculations to assist them with preparing their pitches.

During the afternoon, students went head to head within their classes to pitch their companies, with awards given by their teacher for best pitch and best business.

Year 9: Prison Me No Way

Year 9 students attended a series of workshops themed around making good life choices in relation to crime, as part of our curriculum’s endeavour to provide students with the understanding, skills and values needed to cooperate in a global society. The day’s activities were organised by Prison Me No Way, a charity that aims to increase awareness amongst young people about the causes, consequences, penalties and impact of crime.

  • Choices and consequences – in this session, students heard about the experiences of someone who had been in prison, discovering how poor decisions can stack up until they result in something much worse than originally intended.
  • County lines – students learnt how criminals can manipulate children into drug dealing, looking at a number of case studies to find out how easy it can be to get caught up in illegal behaviour.
  • Domestic abuse – in addition to discussing what signs to look out for in potential abuse victims, students watched a dramatised scenario that looked at inappropriate behaviour and consent.
  • Red Cross – students were given first aid tips on how simple actions can help to save someone’s life.
  • Prison – as well as being taught about the prison system, students had the opportunity to experience what it is like to be kept in jail by visiting a mobile prison cell.
  • Gangs and knives – looking at real life cases, students found out about jail terms for those involved in gang violence and how not to be drawn into joining one.

Year 10: Faith and religion

A central strand within our curriculum is recognising, celebrating and encouraging diversity. Year 10 students therefore developed their understanding of different worldviews and religious perspectives by hearing from representatives of various faiths throughout the day.

Students began by completing a spirituality quiz which aimed to show students that while some of them may not be what is considered as conventionally religious, they will have a certain degree of spiritualism.

They then attended a series of talks from guest speakers about Quakerism, Paganism, Judaism, Christianity, Humanism and Sikhism. During these they heard about each religion’s history, deities, places of worship and core beliefs. There was also the opportunity for students to ask questions such as how they pray and how important their faith is to them as individuals.

They finished off the day by discussing and creating displays showing the similarities and differences between the religions, as well as sharing what they personally believe based on all that they had seen during the day’s talks.

Year 11: Exam preparation

With GCSE trial exams taking place after half term, Year 11 students spent the day focusing on how to best prepare for them. As well as completing a mock exam in maths, students attended a workshop where a guest speaker from Elevate Education went through the most rewarding preparation tasks, revision time allocation and stress management techniques.

Students additionally looked at different revision techniques and tips in order to identify what is likely to best work for them based on what kind of learner they are. They also created a revision plan that best suited their style of learning, as well as putting what they had learnt from across the day into practice by using the revision materials they had brought into school.

Key Stage 5: The employment process

Sixth form students took on the roles of potential employers and employees for the day as they learnt everything that is involved when it comes to job applications.

Year 12 students began the day learning about the importance of CVs and how to write them, as well as developing their interview skills and exploring the job application process. After researching the different job roles on offer, they went on to write a CV and cover letter as part of their application for the role they were most interested in.

Whilst they also received tips on CVs and interviews, Year 13 students created job adverts and person specifications as well as putting together questions and tasks for the Year 12’s to experience in their interviews.

Following a jobs fair in the LRC and a 1pm application deadline, interviews for the roles took place in the afternoon, with Year 13 students acting as the employer and Year 12 students as the applicants.

Learning and assessment

Teacher assessments and reporting

Teachers are currently completing their assessments of student attainment and progress since the start of the academic year. Early next term you will receive your first 'Data Collection Report' from us which will include some key information about your child. Following consultation with parents, carers, students, staff and the wider Nene Education Trust family in the last academic year, we have altered the data that will appear on these reports to further improve the progress and attainment of students. We will share lots more information about this in the newsletters in the first weeks back.

In the meantime, we would like you to consider your child's attitude to learning with them. For each subject, they will be awarded an attitude to learning (ATL) grade of 1-4 by teachers. ATL is not a reflection of behaviour (following the rules and routines of the classroom, being Ready, Respectful and Responsible). ATL is an indicator of the effort that your child is putting into their learning and education. The guidance for what each grade represents is shown below. We would particularly like to highlight the grades 2 and 3:

  • An ATL grade of 2 means that students are proactive in their learning
  • An ATL grade of 3 means that students need prompts to work or is slow to respond

A student can follow the rules but appear passive in their learning and receive an ATL of a 3. If your child is proactive in their lessons and fully engaged they will be awarded a 2 or 1.

November trial exams

Please see the provisional timetables for the November trial exams below.

This provisional timetable shows the trial exams that are taking place across the school for Year 11 and 13 students. We also encourage you to watch the video below, with your child, which includes key information about:

  • The timetable and start times
  • Regulations for exams
  • Key tips for revision, including some information from our Elevate Education event that took place this week for Year 11 parents/carers
  • Some key advice on what to be doing with your child between now and their trial exams
  • Information about access arrangements
  • Information about exam worries (and how this is normal among students sitting exams!)

Tassomai

A reminder that all students in Years 7-11 should be completing their weekly goals (3 per week) in maths, English and science. We are thrilled that students are now answering over 25,000 questions every week but there are still some students not yet signed up. In the first week back you will receive an email if your child has not yet completed their weekly goals. Please support your child to access this material as part of our compulsory homework for all students in these subjects.

GSCEPod

Finally, linked to Year 10 and 11 achievement, we are pleased to have taken advantage of an offer from GCSEPod that offers access to materials for students in Years 10 and 11 to use as an additional tool for revision of science, maths and technology subjects. More information will be available for students and parents/carers in the newsletters after half term.

Winter weather plan

Wednesday 1 November – Friday 16 February

Due to the colder weather setting in, we would like to provide students with a warm, friendly and comfortable additional indoor space where they can spend their lunch break. This is in response to student voice and our commitment to creating a sense of belonging and ownership of space at lunch time.

The field will become out of bounds, with the 3G pitch being opened for all those wishing to play football. Students who are not playing football will not be permitted on to the 3G. Students will still have access to the MUGA. When on the 3G students must not swing, hang on or move the goal posts, and be sure to pack away and leave when the staff on duty blow the whistle; this is to ensure they arrive on time for lesson 5.

Food and indoor space arrangements

No hot food should be eaten outside of the canteen and restaurant. The expectations in these spaces remains where students need to be seated at a table to eat, with coats off and bags on the floor.

The canteen will remain open for Years 7-10 to sit in here as their first indoor space option. Year 11 and KS5 have the restaurant as their initial space.

In addition to the canteen or restaurant, the LRC will be open to students to sit with friends and play a game or read a book. There will also be one classroom space for Year 7-10 to utilise - these rooms will be:

  • Year 7 – M8
  • Year 8 – M9
  • Year 9 – M10
  • Year 10 – M11

Packed lunch may be eaten in these classrooms and the LRC provided students are sitting down. There will be a limit on the number of students permitted in these rooms which will be based on the number of seats available; students will not be allowed to sit on tables or the floor, or stand in spaces. Students should not eat or loiter in any of the corridor spaces around school, instead making use of the number of spaces provided to eat and meet with friends.

Students will be asked to vacate these rooms by 2:10pm to allow tables to be wiped ready for lesson 5.

No lunch time clubs will run in the sports hall during this time.

Students must also remember that lunchtime is also the time when they should be using the toilet and collecting items from lockers that might be needed for lesson 5 (e.g. PE kit).

Break time – extreme weather

During instances of extreme weather that impacts the 20-minute break time earlier in the school day, an emergency alert will be shared with teachers to open classroom spaces. These spaces will be determined on the day, rather than planned in advance, on a needs basis.

Arbor data checking

It is important that the data we hold for parents, carers and students is correct on the portals. In particular, we must hold up to date and accurate emergency contact details for parents and carers. As such, please ensure that you log onto the parent portal and check the details that we hold are correct, amending them as necessary. It is the responsibility of the legal guardians to update these records via the portal.

Raising expectations

Please click here for information on raising expectations for Manor School students.

Duke of Edinburgh Award

We are pleased to let you know that we are offering the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) to students in our Year 9 and 10 cohorts. ​

The DofE is a great chance for your child to broaden their horizons, discover new interests and talents, have fun with friends, develop essential skills for their future and achieve an internationally renowned Award. ​

All parents/carers of Year 9 and 10 students have received a letter detailing more information about the award and how to sign up. ​There will be an information evening on Thursday 2 November from 5pm–6pm for those interested in achieving the award. ​

If you would like any further information in the meantime, please contact Miss Pell by emailing spell@manor.school

Singing workshop

The music department are very excited to welcome the Voices Foundation to Manor School on Friday 10 November, where all Year 7 students will engage in a one hour singing workshop. To celebrate their wonderful work from the day, we will have a 15 minute showcase at 3pm in the Main Hall. Please email Miss Barron (mbarron@manor.school) if you wish to attend the showcase.

Sports Leaders

Students who are interested in assisting with various sports events throughout the year should email Miss Hustwait (thustwait@manor.school) by Friday 3 November. When emailing, students should describe their experience of leading so far, and what they feel they could learn by being a Sports Leader at Manor School.

Any student in the school can be a sports leader, but should bear in mind that there will be times where lessons may be missed. It is therefore the student's responsibility to ensure that they catch themselves up with any work missed.

Sports results

Here are the results from this week's sports fixtures:

  • Tuesday 17: Year 9 netball team drew 3-3 against Huxlow but lost 5-2 against Wollaston, whilst the KS4 netball team beat Huxlow 10-5 as well as Wollaston 5-2
  • Tuesday 17: Sixth form boys football team won 5-1 against Weavers
  • Wednesday 18: U15 boys football team won 1-0 against Huxlow but lost 4-0 against Wollaston
  • Thursday 19: U15 girls football team won 4-0 against Wollaston and drew 1-1 against Huxlow

Miss Hustwait and the PE team would like to say well done to all of our sports teams for their commitment and passion. A special congratulations goes to the U15 girls football team for winning their league - they will now face Huxlow in the district finals.

League tables

Year 9 water sports trip

Click to enlarge

Sixth Form Open Evening

Half term activities

Click here for more information

Halloween and Bonfire Night safety

Northamptonshire Police and Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue have produced a seasonal newsletter to help keep families safe as they celebrate Halloween and Bonfire Night. You can view it by clicking here.

Dates for your diary

House points

As of 19 October