Welcome to this week's newsletter
The week has flown by, and it has certainly been a busy one! I’ve had the pleasure of leading two parent/carer tours of the school, and I continue to be impressed by the hard work and dedication of our students and staff. From a Year 10 music lesson, where Isobelle wowed our visitors with an amazing solo performance, to a Year 11 food & nutrition lesson where Mia confidently explained her process of testing different cupcake recipes, our students showcased their focus and positive attitude to learning.
I also dropped into an English lesson where students were producing their own creative writing; Year 7 and Year 9 maths lessons where students were problem-solving; Year 10 PE lessons where students were demonstrating their skills; Year 8 science lessons carrying out practical experiments; and a Year 10 French lesson conjugating verbs. Our visitors were able to see a wide range of subjects in action, with students across the school working hard and pushing themselves — supported every step of the way by their teachers.
Moments like these, along with our successful Open Evening last week, make me a very proud Principal. They highlight the warm, vibrant community that exists here at Manor.
On Thursday, I attended the Meridian Trust Principals’ Meeting at Swavesey Village College in Cambridgeshire. It was a great opportunity to meet other Principals within the Trust and to see first-hand the level of support that will be available to us as we continue Manor’s journey of improvement. We also welcomed visits from Meridian’s team of specialist Curriculum Directors, who will provide additional support and challenge for our subject leaders. We remain on track to join Meridian next year, and I’ll share more specific dates as soon as I have them. There’s a lot of work happening behind the scenes to make sure that, when the time comes, the transition will be seamless.
On Wednesday, all teaching staff took part in training on new ways to support students with homework. A new initiative will be launching soon, so please look out for more information over the coming weeks.
Have a wonderful weekend, and I look forward to seeing everyone next week.
Adam Crawte, Principal
Year 7 Settling in Evening
Our Year 7 Settling in Evening is taking place on Thursday 16 October, 4-6:30pm. We are looking forward to the opportunity for you and your child to meet their tutors to discuss how they are settling into life as a Manor School student - an important aspect of our commitment to provide you feedback, and an opportunity for you to ask questions or provide us with further information about your child.
Bookings for meetings with tutors must be made using the Arbor online portal by following the link to the Consultation Evening on the dashboard. The link is now live, and will close on Wednesday 15 October at 12pm.
Geography competition
We have been given the exciting opportunity to send two flags designed by our students to Antarctica as part of the Antarctica Day celebrations. We are challenging students to design a flag that encapsulates the continent, be it the wildlife or the work of the scientists that are based there.
Please share the details below with your child and encourage them to take part.
Sports results
Boys football
Our U14s put in a gutsy performance on the evening of Friday 3 October in tough, wet conditions away at Parker E-ACT Academy in the County Cup.
With just the bare 11 players available, the boys showed incredible character and resilience throughout the match. The only goal conceded came in the first half from a well-taken corner that was headed home by the opposition.
Despite the setback, the boys dug deep and kept pushing. With just minutes remaining in normal time, Tommy N produced a moment of magic, curling a superb free-kick into the top right corner to level the game and send it into extra time.
In the added period, Harley F continued his outstanding form, making a crucial save to deny Parker in what was their only clear-cut chance of extra time. There was also a strong shout for a penalty at the other end which, on another day, could have gone our way.
With nothing to separate the sides, it went to penalties. Credit to the players who stepped up to take spot-kicks in a high-pressure situation — it’s never easy in a knockout cup tie. Unfortunately, Parker edged the shootout, bringing our County Cup run to an end.
It was a spirited display against a strong side who perhaps shaded the match overall, but the boys can hold their heads high after such a determined team effort.
* * *
Our U14 boys were back in action on Wednesday 8 October where they travelled to Rushden for their next round of fixtures, once again with only a 11-strong squad due to injuries and illnesses.
The first game was against the hosts on a tricky, bobbly grass pitch. Despite the conditions, the boys took control from the first whistle and dominated throughout. Their pressure paid off with two well-taken goals, first from Tommy N and then Ronnie E, securing a deserved 2–0 victory and our first points of the season.
With little rest, the boys were straight back on against a strong Hatton side. Physically bigger and more imposing, Hatton made life difficult, but the 3–1 scoreline didn’t truly reflect the balance of play. Our build-up was excellent at times, though perhaps a little too unselfish in front of goal — more shots might well have brought us closer.
Our goal came when a strike from Tommy N deflected kindly into the path of Mason C, who kept his composure and finished smartly. Despite the defeat, the performance showed real positives to take forward into the next fixtures.
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On a blustery evening at Rushden School, our Year 11 boys put in two gutsy performances on a difficult pitch — leaving unbeaten and full of confidence after a 2-2 draw with Rushden and a superb 3-1 win over Sir Christopher Hatton.
The opening game against hosts Rushden was a tale of frustration and fine margins. After falling behind early, the boys showed great composure to turn things around, taking a deserved 2-1 lead thanks to sharp attacking play and tireless work in midfield. However, heartbreak struck in the dying seconds as Rushden snatched an equaliser with virtually the last kick of the game — a cruel blow after a disciplined display.
Undeterred, the team regrouped for their second match of the evening — a rematch against Sir Christopher Hatton, last year’s final opponents. This time, there was to be no repeat of that result. From the first whistle, the boys were sharper, stronger, and more clinical. They pressed high, passed with purpose, and took their chances brilliantly to record a 3-1 victory — a result that underlined just how far the squad has come.
A special mention must go to Bobby L, one of the standout Year 10 players, who rose to the occasion with three goals across the two matches. His composure in front of goal and relentless energy epitomised the spirit of the team.
All in all, it was an excellent evening of football — full of resilience, teamwork, and quality — leaving the squad unbeaten and full of momentum heading into the next fixture.
Girls football
Manor's U13 girls booked their place in the next round of the County Cup after a dramatic penalty shootout win against Wootton Park School, following a hard-fought 1–1 draw in normal time.
The visitors thought they had taken the lead midway through the first half, but their goal was ruled out for offside. Moments later, however, Manor were punished for not reacting quickly enough to a cross into the box, and Wootton Park took a deserved 1–0 advantage into half time.
After the break, Manor came out determined and created several chances, with both Amelia I and Emily C coming agonisingly close — one effort striking the woodwork. The pressure finally paid off when Amelia I coolly finished to bring Manor level. In the dying moments, Tilly A nearly snatched the winner, only to be denied by an excellent save from the opposition goalkeeper.
With the scores level at full time, the tie went to penalties.
- Emily C saw her first spot-kick saved, before Wootton Park converted theirs
- Hannah S scored Manor’s second, keeping the team in it as Wootton Park doubled their lead
- After the visitors missed their third, Amelia I kept her composure to make it 2–2
- A crucial save from Isabelle handed Manor the advantage, leaving Shannon S to seal the victory — and she did so in style, firing into the top right corner to send Manor through 3–2 on penalties
The match was played in excellent spirit by both teams, with plenty of quality on show throughout. The opposition selected Amelia I as our Player of the Match, whilst Miss Hustwait’s Player of the Match went to Emily C.
A big thank you also goes to our brilliant officiating team — Emily M, Tommy N, and Harley F — who conducted themselves with professionalism and maturity, representing Manor School superbly.
Extra-curricular timetable
We have a new German for beginners club running every Wednesday lunchtime with Mrs Thompson in Room 43. All years are welcome.
Please note that there will be no netball club after school on Tuesday 14 October and no girls football club after school on Thursday 16 October due to fixtures taking place.