Welcome to this week's newsletter
What a beautiful week of weather and great work that I have seen this week. I was privileged to be in a Year 9 History class this week and it is always great to see polite students who are focused and working well. The classroom was a lovely place to be, where students were involved in an enquiry about the evacuation of Dunkirk. The students were taking a critical eye to historical evidence about this event. This might have been a one-off, but these are situations that I see reflected across the whole school. From lessons that I walk into, to the feedback I receive from other members of the senior leadership and teaching and learning teams, our students are working hard and being challenged to make mistakes and learn in a supportive environment. In Term 6 of the academic year, this is great to see and hear. It is a massive credit to the wonderful young adults we have here and the staff who are supporting their learning.
This week it has been great to get updates from our French trip to Paris, which is a great city to visit. The regular feedback has been great - the students are having a wonderful time and experiencing a different culture, as well as seeing world-famous places in person. The students who have travelled have been a credit to the school and the feedback from our travel guide has been very complementary about the maturity and conduct of our students. It is great to hear that they are maintaining the high standards of the school when Manor is on tour. Thank you to Mrs Way, Mr Hill, Mr Smith and especially to Mrs Thompson for taking the students in this life-changing trip.
Once again, we had Manor students representing the school as Sports Leaders at the St Peter's Sports Day. As they always do, the were mature and responsible and they represented the school brilliantly. The feedback from St Peter's was that they were helpful and encouraging to primary pupils, making the event flow smoothly. Well done to all the Sports Leaders who have represented the school so brilliantly this year. They give their time selflessly and make important events run smoothly.
Enjoy the weekend and the lovely weather, but take care as well. See you next week.
Adam Crawte, Principal
School timings feedback
Following the consultation on changes to the start and end of the school day from September 2025, we wanted to report back to you on what the thoughts of our community were and to address the common concerns that were raised by some respondents.
Please click the following link for our feedback report.
Year 11 Prom
Our Year 11 students celebrated completing their exams with a fantastic prom on Friday 4 July. Thank you to Mrs Towers, Mrs Ireland, Miss Bishop and Ms Hammond for organising the event and ensuring the night ran smoothly.
Click below to watch a video of all the evening's highlights.
Healthy Minds blog
Please click the following link for this week's mental health blog.
Understanding gaming
As we approach the summer break, we would like to recommend a short read from the Young Minds website, which offers a helpful guide for parents/carers on the topic of gaming and its impact on young people's mental health. This page explores both the benefits and potential risks of gaming, offering practical advice on how to support healthy gaming habits. It’s designed to help you better understand the role gaming plays in your child’s life and how to encourage balance, communication, and wellbeing.
Results day freebies
A Level results day is on Thursday 14 August, and many popular chains across the UK offer special freebies and discounts to celebrating students on day. Click the link below for a roundup of all the best deals students can get on A Level results day this year.
Sports news
Athletics
On Tuesday 8 July, a group of Year 8 students took part in the District Athletics competition at Wollaston School.
The Wollaston staff praised all our students for both the empathy and humanity they demonstrated when other competitors were nervous before their event. Our students also showed great determination to do their best and aspire to be the best in their event.
Congratulations to the following students:
- Darci C for winning her 200m heat
- Emily M for winning the 800m, with Phoebe C finishing second
- Lexi Y for finishing third in the 200m
- Tommy N for coming second in his 200m
- Maxwell H for finishing third in the 800m
A huge congratulations to all of our athletes for their effort and enthusiasm: Scarlet W, Olivia F, Darci C, Emily M, Phoebe C, Lily A, Lexi Y, Mason C, Tommy N, Maxwell H, James E-Y, Harley F, Jack M and Noah S.
Sports Leaders
On Wednesday morning a group of our leaders went to Stanwick Primary to assist in their sports day and were once again a credit to Manor. Mrs Bannard accompanied the students and said they were all ‘superstars’. Well done to Evie M, Lucy B, Amelie B, Olivia M, Isla R, James EY, Harry B and Erin U.
On Thursday morning we sent some of our older sports leaders to St Peter’s to help with their sports day where Mr Innes informed us that they were a fantastic help and made a big difference to the smooth running of the event! A big thank you and well done to Darcy C, Jack S, Hollie H, Olivia C and Hallie M.
Also on Thursday, a separate group of our wonderful Sports Leaders were invited to attend an experience day at the University of Northampton, which was also a reward for their leading this year.
The group started the day in the sports lab where students were finding out how much wattage they could muster on the watt bikes which then could power normal household appliances. This was followed by a tour of the campus where the students got to see student accommodation and the facilities of the university.
The third session was called “Do you see?” and was focused on how important vision is to making decisions in sport. Despite the hot weather on the 4G, the students excelled in their efforts for this session particularly. The day ended in a much appreciated air-conditioned computer room for an e-sports session where students were tasked with planning an e-sports event.
At the end of the day, all visiting schools gathered to give some final celebrations of our leaders across the district, with our awards going to James E-Y and Emily M who were chosen for the number of times staff at events have gone out of their way to tell Miss Hustwait how good they have been whilst leading.
Summer Reading Challenge
We are holding a summer reading challenge to encourage students to spend time reading during the upcoming holiday. Please share the information in the poster below with your child(ren) and encourage them to take part.
Extra-curricular timetable
Let's Get Active
Staying active and engaged is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, especially during the summer months. The "Let's Get Active" calendar provides a variety of fun and creative activities to keep individuals and families moving throughout July. Each day features a unique challenge or activity designed to promote physical fitness, creativity, and social interaction. From playing sports with friends to creating art from natural materials, this calendar offers something for everyone.
Community opportunities
Raunds Summer Picnic
Raunds Market
Open University Mars events
As part of the Milton Keynes International Festival, The Open University is delighted to host a three-day event celebrating science, art, and learning.
At the heart of the event will be Luke Jerram’s stunning Mars installation, an immersive sculpture of the Red Planet that has captivated audiences. The installation will be on display at the Open University’s Walton Hall campus for the duration of the weekend.
In addition to this spectacular artwork, they will also be offering:
- Four public lectures by leading OU and European Space Agency academics on Mars, planetary science, and space exploration
- Guided tours of their science labs and research facilities
- A hands-on exhibition day on Saturday with interactive activities designed for all ages — ideal for families, science clubs, and curious minds
The lectures and lab tours are free to attend but do require a ticket. The hands-on activity and Mars installation are free to attend with no booking required.