Welcome to this week's newsletter
What a great week we have had at Manor. There have been lots of positive stories and conversations going on this week. Our Year 11 futsal team (coached by Mr Sturgess) won three matches in a local tournament and were overall winners. The new Student Council have started thinking about their responsibilities and what they can do help the school develop. I also had a great catch up with our Head Students on Thursday to discuss some big ideas to help our students and make our site brighter and better for everyone.
The number one highlight of the week though came on Monday as we took Year 7 to London to visit the Science Museum and then for short walk to Hyde Park via Imperial College and the Royal Albert Hall. Driving through central London also provided highlights as we drove past Lord's Cricket Ground, round Marble Arch, down Park Lane and past Harrods in Knightsbridge. For many students it was their first visit to London and the range of questions from students was brilliant. In the Science Museum there were a range of exhibits from Health and Medicine to Transport and Communication. To see a mobile phone that I used to own in the section on mobile communications made me feel very old, but I was able to explain to students exactly how it worked. They were surprised that it only made calls and texts - an iPhone it was not! Students were taking photos and adding information to their workbooks to develop their knowledge and experience. A great day out for staff and students.
Students have now been issued with their 'Be Ready' bags. It is great seeing students who are well prepared for their learning and being fully involved with their mini-whiteboards, which help them communicate their learning quickly with teachers, so that misconceptions can be picked up quickly.
Next week is the final week of Term 3 and we will end the term next Friday (the 14th) with a charity jumper day as part of 'Hand on Hearts' day. Students can wear red/pink jumpers/tops with their normal school uniform along with a voluntary contribution to raise awareness of life-saving CPR techniques.
Have a good weekend.
Adam Crawte, Interim Principal
Homework platforms
Please see the following information regarding the learning platforms that Manor School uses for homework.
Please note that these learning platforms do not replace Arbor as the platform on which homework is set. Arbor continues to be the place to check if your child has been set homework. If you have any questions about homework being set, you should initially contact the classroom teacher.
Seneca
Seneca Learning is an online platform where teachers can set assignments to students, with self-marking questions. Manor School uses this platform for some subjects, so you may see work being set on Arbor that directs your child to Seneca Learning. So that you can better support your child in completing work on this platform, you should receive an invite from one of your child’s class teachers, or from Mr Turner. The invitation email should look like this:
From the link, you can sign up for a parent account by clicking here:
Sparx
Musical rehearsal
Please note that students who are involved in our production of High School Musical will be involved in a full-day rehearsal in the main hall on Monday 10 February.
Year 9 Consultation Evening
Thursday 6 March, from 4pm
Bookings for meetings with teaching staff must be made using the Arbor app or online portal by following the link to the Consultation Evening on the dashboard.
You will be able to start making appointments at 9:00am on Tuesday 25 February, and the system will close to new appointments at 12:00pm on Wednesday 5 March.
If you have not already done so, the simplest way to register is to sign into the parent portal - please visit https://login.arbor.sc/ and select 'Forgotten password'. You will then be sent an email containing further instructions. Once you have registered, you can download the app from Google Play or the App Store and log in with your details.
If you have any queries or concerns regarding this event, please contact M. du Pille by emailing mdupille@manor.school
Invigilators vacancy
We are currently seeking dedicated and responsible individuals to join our team as casual exam invigilators. For full details and to apply, please click here.
Year 7 London trip
On Monday 3 February, 145 Year 7 students visited the Science Museum and Hyde Park in London.
The Science Museum showcases the history of science and technology through iconic objects such as the Watson and Crick DNA model, Stephenson's Rocket, and early steam engines, with a focus on how scientific advancements have impacted everyday life. Our students were in awe when looking at the Soyuz spacecraft used by UK astronaut Tim Peake and absolutely loved the space exhibitions.
Students completed a work booklet whilst exploring the museum, with six students being selected to receive a Science Museum notebook for their excellent work:
- Bishone B
- Jerell J
- Ettie Y
- Layla W
- Megan E
- Callum C
To finish the day off, our students walked around a selection of historical sites in Hyde Park that amazed them all.
Futsal results
U13 girls
The U13 girls team were in action on Thursday 6 February and came out victorious with a 3-0 win over Huxlow and a 4-1 win over Ferrers. This means they will now be facing Weavers at the futsal final next week. If the girls win this final they will go on to represent the WAEN district at the Winter school games after the half-term break.
The girls all showed great determination and teamwork and once again did us proud. Well done to Emily M, Mia B, Maisy B, Lexi Y, Amelia I, Sofia M and Isabelle P.
U17 boys
After winning this event last year, we took the same team of U17 boys over to Wollaston for the 2025 futsal tournament. The matches were played outside on a cold afternoon across two artificial pitches.
Our team won all three of their matches, scoring a total of nine goals and conceding only three. It was a great performance from the boys - well done on winning the event for the second year in a row.
Safer Internet Day
Hands on Hearts Day
Careers information
Year 9 apprenticeship assembly
In response to our Year 9 students’ feedback from the apprenticeship assembly they took part in at the end of January, we would like to share the following information about the Northampton Town Foundation Degree in Community Football Coaching.
Work experience webinar
Year 12 students have the opportunity to take part in work experience in July, and so may find the below webinar helpful in their search for a placement.
National Apprenticeship Week
Next week is National Apprenticeship Week, and in addition to one of our local apprenticeship providers coming into school to speak with interested students across Years 11, 12 and 13 on Wednesday 12 February, there are also the following opportunities for students.
Warner Bros. Championing Apprenticeships - Monday 11 February, 6pm
Warner Bros. Discovery’s Early Talent Team is hosting a virtual event in support of National Apprenticeship Week. Students/parents can register for this early evening session here.
Unifrog Apprenticeship Fair - Wednesday 12 February, 4pm
Get involved with National Apprenticeship Week by attending the Unifrog Apprenticeship Fair and speaking to over 30 employers in just over two hours. Learn all about the world of work by exploring the latest opportunities, attending live sessions with employers, and chat to experts and apprentices from organisations including BBC, NHS, British Army, KPMG, Lloyds Banking Group, EY, and Unilever.
Students should sign in to their Unifrog account and follow the link to register for this online event. Any students without an account who want to sign up need to see Miss Smedley.
Next Tech Girls Career Conversations - Friday 14 February, 9am
Join in with this online panel event in partnership with global media agencies Publicis Media and Digitas. Attendees will hear from current and former apprentices from both companies about their careers so far, including why they chose apprenticeships, what apprentices do day to day, and what it's like working for an international advertising agency.
Whilst this is during school hours, the event will be recorded - students who sign up to attend can request the recorded video to be sent to them.
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If you would like to support our apprenticeship programme by coming into the school and speaking to the students about your own experience, please email lsmedley@manor.school for more details.
Extra-curricular timetable
Please note that there will be no PE clubs on Thursday 13 February due to Year 8 Consultation Evening.