Welcome to this week's newsletter
Term 4 is progressing well. It is good to see Year 11s and 13s back in lessons after their trial exams, reflecting on the last two weeks. For our Year 9 students, the process of selecting their KS4 preferences for Year 10 and 11 has begun. We had 80% of our Year 9 students, parents and carers attend the Guided Choices Evening on Thursday. They now have over a month (before the deadline on 29 April), to get their completed form submitted. The evening was a great opportunity to speak to teachers about what the different subjects would look like next year. Mr Cooper was able to provide parents and carers with detailed information about the process and how to go about making informed choices. I would encourage these students to ask lots of questions, to seek out advice and to take their time over the process. It is understandable that many of them may not know exactly what they want to do for a job or career yet. Knowing what they will enjoy studying for two years and what kind of careers it is useful for are important things at this stage. Staff are always on hand to help students with their choices. Please remind students of the wide network of people who can help them to make informed choices.
We have also had more sixth form trips this week. On Tuesday, Year 12 attended the Elephant Group launch event in Cambridge. This great opportunity gave our students an insight into the opportunities that going to university provides. On Friday, some Year 13 students went to Star City in Birmingham for subject enhancement sessions for business studies and sociology, which will support them in their upcoming exams. Finally, our Year 13 geographers spent most of the week in the Lake District in great weather climbing mountains and engaging in field work. A big thank you to Miss Pell and Mr Smith who supported these students over the four days away.
It is also great to see students interacting with the SPARX platform for maths, English and science homework. Using SPARX gives students instant feedback and concentrates on the things they need to focus on to improve in these subjects. Alongside the new Mosaic KS3 curriculum in maths, this will highlight to students what important knowledge they need to make progress.
I hope you have a restful and relaxing weekend.
Adam Crawte, Interim Principal
Music festival
Congratulations to Little Big Band and State of Mind for their fantastic performances at the recent Music For Youth Regional Festival. Both groups performed to a very high quality and received excellent feedback from the music mentors. Well done to all involved.
Year 12 trip
On Wednesday 19 March Year 12 students attended the spring conference of the Elephant Group, who are an organisation with the purpose of supporting the top third of state school students to apply to the top third of universities in the UK. Students learned about metacognition, study skills and UCAS personal statements, and went on a tour of Trinity College, Cambridge.
LRC competitions
Please encourage your child(ren) to participate in the two competitions that our librarian is running if they have not already done so. Both competitions close on Friday 4 April, and prizes will be awarded to the winners. Details can be found below.
Sports news and PE messages
Boys football results
This week saw our U13 boys football team play away matches against Weavers and Ferrers.
Our first game of the afternoon was against Weavers, where we found ourselves on the back foot for much of the match. Despite being second best, we managed to hold our ground in a hard-fought game with few clear-cut chances. On another day, we might have lost 3 or 4-0, but we could just as easily have snatched a win. In the end, the game finished 0-0.
The second game against Ferrers was a complete contrast. We dominated possession and capitalized on most of our opportunities, securing a comprehensive 7-0 victory. Hat-trick hero Mason C led the charge, with makeshift striker Jack B (who begged to play up front) scoring twice, and Ronnie E and Charlie B also finding the net.
Next week, we'll be back at home for our final two league opponents.
Girls football results
Our U15 girls football team were back in action this week, travelling down the road to Higham to take on both Ferrers and Weavers.
In their first game against Weavers, the girls triumphed with a commanding 5-1 victory. Golden boot Darcy C showcased her exceptional skills by netting four goals, each demonstrating remarkable composure and finesse in front of the goal. Olivia M capped off the scoring with a stunning strike, adding to the team's impressive performance.
We then played Ferrers straight after, but the girls showed no signs of fatigue and secured another victory with a 4-1 scoreline. Libby W opened the scoring with two spectacular goals from outside the 18-yard box, eliciting 'wow' exclamations from the spectators. Alanna B added to the tally with a perfectly timed run, calmly slotting the ball low to the keeper's left in a one-on-one situation. Darcy C then capped off the scoring, adding another goal to her tally after subbing back on.
Whilst the goal scorers obviously get mentioned, it is also worth noting that we had a lot more opportunities to score as Olivia M, Kimberly L and Erin U also kept the keepers busy in both games with shots of their own, as well as solid performances in defence by Summer S, Isla R and Jenna S with her stint in goal. Another great team performance with our girls also showing sportsmanship combined with competitiveness!
Next week we face Huxlow, who are currently top of the league by goal difference (we are second, tied on points). We'll also be taking on Wollaston, who are in third place in the league.
Netball results
Our Year 7 netball team continued their unbeaten run this week beating Rushden 7-3 and drawing with SCH 5-5. Year 8 lost to SCH 14-0 but drew with Rushden 1-1. Some excellent team work all round so keep up the good work girls! Next week's games are away at Ferrers.
Sports Leaders: Primary basketball event
A big thank you to Tommy N, Mason C and Mia B who ably helped run the R&H Primary Basketball event on Tuesday. All were an absolute credit to the school.
We have another primary basketball event taking place on Monday 24 March so this was a great practice for them in preparation for this.
Student selection for events
The PE team at Manor is proud of our ability to enter sporting competitions and provide sports leaders for various events, however this is becoming slightly more challenging due to students not notifying staff until the day of the event that they cannot participate.
The general process for selection to an event is follows:
- Students are verbally told by the lead teacher of their selection
- A paper copy of the selection is put onto the PE notice board
- An email via Arbor communications is sent home approximately a week prior to the event to notify parents/carers
- Students are expected to let the lead teacher know prior to the event if they are unable to participate so that we are then able to find a replacement or offer the space to someone else
Please could we ask for the support of our Manor community in ensuring that this process is followed so that we can continue to enter the competitions and events with full teams and personnel.
Safety in PE
It is really important that students are not wearing jewellery when participating in PE, and that all long hair is tied back. It would be beneficial to the start of lessons if students with long hair came to school with it tied back. Students must also have appropriate footwear for the lessons - school shoes are not appropriate for wearing in PE and do result in a kit detention. It would be greatly appreciated by the PE team if this message could be reinforced at home.
Extra-curricular timetable
Please note that the following after-school PE clubs may not run on the dates shown due to other events taking place:
- Monday 24 March: KS3 basketball, Dance
- Thursday 27 March: Gymnastics
We will endeavour to inform students as soon as possible whether they are still running or not. Please be prepared to make alternative arrangements for your child to get home.