Headteacher Update

Today sees what we hope will be the final week of online home learning before all our students return to school on Monday 8^th March. I would like to thank staff, students and families for what has been an excellent collective effort since the start of January. Whilst working at home and online is of course no substitute for being in classrooms I think the quality of provision we have been able to provide has been of a very high standard and the effort put in and progress made by students has been admirable.

We have a busy week ahead in terms of testing our students in readiness for the full return on Monday 8^th March. We sent information out on Friday about what students should expect when they arrive for their test, I have attached this again and would be grateful if all families could read this carefully. In summary there will be staff available to greet students when they arrive on site and to help support throughout the process. When students have had their test they will leave school again and return home. If parents are bringing students to school for the test they will need to wait in the car park whilst students go for the test. Families have already been given the two testing slots for each child but I will also put a reminder in this bulletin each evening. Tomorrow sees Year 11 and Y13 will morning testing slots before Year 7 and Year 9 arrive in the afternoon.

Coronavirus Testing – What to expect

We are delighted to say that we have over 1400 consent forms completed by families, thank you.

I am also now in a position to add information from Public Health York in terms of the additional community testing that is available at the three sites across the city. This may be helpful should families miss their slot in school for whatever reason. The city booking system may be extremely busy given that some schools will be relying on this facility more than others.

Testing is voluntary but if you wish your child to be tested we are able to offer asymptomatic testing onsite at school and also at one of three sites across York at the locations at the bottom of this letter.

You must book an appointment before arriving at the test centre. This can be done using the link Symptom-free coronavirus testing – City of York Council from Sunday  28^th February for first appointment  week commencing 1^st March. As well as your child getting tested, we would encourage all family member who are aged 11years and over to book a test.

Asymptomatic testing will support the risk reduction measures which are already in place in school and in our community and everyone should continue to adhere to ‘hands, face, space’ to protect themselves, our friends and family.

Testing locations in York:

York Saint Johns University
York St John University Foss Sports Hall
Clarence Street
York
YO31 7PJ 

York Stadium Leisure Complex
Kathryn Avenue
Monks Cross Drive
York
YO32 9AF  

University of York
James Way
Heslington
York
YO10 5NA

A copy of the latest Pathfinder newsletter is available online at:
https://pathfinder.academy/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Pathfinder-Weekly-Newsletter-26.02.21.pdf

Head of Year Awards for last week

From the RE Department
On Wednesday many of our students attended a live webinar for LGBT+ History Month with Dean Atta a British writer, poet, author of the Stonewall Book Award winning book ‘The Black Flamingo’ and patron of LGBT+ History Month. We were extremely proud of our students attitudes and reflections to problems such as prejudice- based bullying and how they can actively challenge all forms of prejudice and discrimination. Dean Atta set all the students who attended the webinar a challenge to reflect on everything they heard, learnt and thought about and then to complete 3 sentence starters (I walk, I laugh and I dance) . If you would like your entry to be sent to Dean and the Anne Frank Trust then either send them to khollinger@archbishopholgates.org or send a message to your RE teacher on Google Classroom.

Head of year update – Mr Kincell and Year 7
I hope you have all had a great first week back, whether that it is in school or online. This week, I feel the weather has mirrored the mood and it has been so lovely to have the sunshine and Spring time vibes coincided with the roadmap which offers hope and some positivity. Whilst I know online learning can be tiring and we seem to spend all day looking at screens, it really is beautiful outside and the vitamin D does wonders for both your physical and mental health so please do prioritise time outdoors.

KEY NOTICES:
STEM MORNING Friday 5^th March. This is your Y7 Careers Enrichment and is usually done at school but to ensure you don’t miss out, we will be holding the morning online. You have been invited to watch a live Zoolab session and should all have now received a letter home with which period you will be attending. The lesson will take place in your Y7 Careers Education Classroom, which you were sent an invite for, if you do not have that classroom you will need to accept the invite.

There will also be an assembly from Mr Avery to watch, Please watch this after your Zoolab session has finished. The morning shows the varied options there are for a career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. Zoolab’s presenter’s role is just one of the many careers there are in Science, whilst also learning and seeing some unusual animals and learning about how they live. A reminder that whilst this is likely to be very exciting, usual rules and expectations of live lessons apply.

WORLD BOOK DAY Thursday 4^th March: World Book Day is upon us! Those of you in school will have a whole host of activities to go alongside your pop-up-library and if you want to come to school dressed up as your favourite Roald Dahl character on Thursday please do, or if you are at home, please take a photograph of either yourself dressed up, or one of you holding up your favourite book. Please send them to your form tutor. Please read the library newsletter at the end of this bulletin to read more about all World Book Day Activities.

RETURN TO SCHOOL 8^th March: Whilst you will have received comprehensive information from school in general, I just wanted to make sure you heard from the Year 7 Team that we are here for whatever you need to support your transition back into school. Many families we will be contacting in advance but if there is anything we can do please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

FACEMASKS: Children will be expected to wear their face masks all the time except when they are outside at break and lunch or sat down eating. Those who are medically exempt will need confirmation if this from their parents and will need a lanyard. With this in mind, it would be really useful to think about the children in school who are hearing impaired and the impact this may have on them, we need to be really considerate at all times.

BRIGHT SPARK CHALLENGE: We have more outstanding Bright Sparks winners to announce but also the next set of challenges have been posted to Google Classroom, please take a look. We have loved what we have seen so far!

Head of Year Awards:

In School Students of the week:
BS1 Zaki Traboulsi  7Cm – For consistent effort in lessons and good behaviour for learning this week.
BS2 Faisal Al- Sadeed 7Cy – For working hard and having amazing behaviour. It is lovely to see your sense of humour.
App1 Damien Sparkes 7Hv – For improved independent learning and attitude to your lessons.

Special mentions from teachers:
George Chapman – George’s work this week has been amazing! He chose to make his own instrument as his challenge for this week, and it is just brilliant! He even sent in an audio of him demonstrating the sound of the instrument.
Brandon Kovac for showing us and discussing the super hero comic he is reading.
Alex Driffield for making animals out of soap. The dinosaur was especially brilliant.
Connie Robbins– fabulous work in English.
Ava Gane and Hannah McFarlane have both been amazing in German – they did very well to their test, are extremely enthusiastic and, each in their own way, they keep going the extra mile in and out of lesson time.
Tilly Platten deserves a shout out for the effort she put in to understand some tricky algebra concepts.
Matthew Martin for Great effort in English during the lockdown. He has produced some top-notch work!
Alex Phillips for Wonderful attitude to his learning, with great work produced over the lockdown in English.
Amy Luck, Oliver Meakin, Flic Munzer and Conlan Orton for their engagement and thoughtful responses whilst attending a webinar on tackling prejudice and discrimination for LGBT History Month.
Claudia Ackerley for consistently working hard in RE
Finn Cullivan for always engaging in discussion in RE
Thomas Iddon and Max Moody for excellent effort at online Orchestra!
Ava Gane, Hannah Macfarlane, Isaac White and Sienna Parkins for excellent online work on Buddhism.
Faith Abell-Weck – for thoughtful answers and excellent work in RE.
George Chapman – for always trying hard and writing great answers in RE.
Olivia Lister – Great engagement in live RE lessons. Thoughtful, reflective and helpful to others. Brilliant effort always.
Teegan O’Neill – Great use of chat function in live RE lesson. Working really well and presenting some really good work. Well done Teegan!
Jesicca McDonald – Consistently great across the board. Working really well in live RE lessons, using the chat function respectfully and thoughtfully. Helpful towards others through the chat function. Great effort!
Evie Hawksby for her great video submission of her pop up book mechanism.
Full 7Gr Spanish Class for a fantastic 1st live lesson!
Otto Kearns – for being an absolute star in his German lessons- always hard working and enthusiastic.
Matthew Martin for an excellent attitude to his German work and a great first live lesson.
Ruby Overhill-Cossu was great in her live lesson today in geography – excellent contributions throughout.
Thomas Brisson – excellent work in Geography live lesson today
7BL for their first Geography live lesson they were fantastic! Super engaged, answered lots of questions and excellent behaviour and I am also pleased to report we reached the summit of Mount Everest successfully
Miss Price 7A3: Such a lovely lesson with my year 7’s. They were really engaged and tried really hard at the new algebra topic. We had time for a social chat at the end about pets and they were just great

Bright Sparks Winners:
Tom Cain
Thomas Iddon
Willow Pedley
Ala Elgabou
Yoonroh Lee

Library Newsletter:
Thank you for all the lovely feedback on the book bags that were sent out on request. Glad you all enjoyed the choices. All the books in the bags are on accelerated reader, don’t forget to complete a quiz for each book you finish.

Where the World Turns Wild Colour Black. (Quiz number 239139 Genre Fantasy) is the Y7 recommended read. I know Mrs Short sends out recommendations, but as usual I’ve included it here just in case you missed it. Animals, trees, flowers, our city forbids them all… Juniper Greene lives in a walled city from which nature has been banished. While most people seem content to live in such a cage, she and her little brother Bear dream of escaping into the wild. To the one place humans have survived outside of cities. To where their mother is. Will they ever find the home they’re searching for? You can read a short extract, synopsis and a review of the book by opening the link below. https://bookmurmuration.wordpress.com/2020/02/03/where-the-world-turns-wild/

As you will be aware we are now in Lent, the time of year when a lot of us ‘give something up.’ However, we feel that we have given up so much this year and have decided to do something different this year. Instead of giving something up we’re giving something out. Nothing in monetary terms, but in terms of time. So why don’t you take the time to think about someone else and how you can do something nice, or make someone feel appreciated each day. We’re always think about reading to others, so why not choose someone to read to each day. Below is the link again to a 10 minute read that you can sign up to. When the email with a chapter pops into your email box, it will remind you to go and read it to someone. Why not give someone the gift of your time and try this throughout lent. Y0fUEuF_UPu4https://www.10minutereads.com/?fbclid=IwAR0xW-KHf0fDythHRiAT4BTh4st3vD2MYFYWi3CATrq-Qo-Y0fUEuF_UPu4

We’ve signed up to the Chicken House Book Newsletter and I’m sharing the link below with you that formed part of it. On opening it you’ll find lots of links to different authors. Some authors are reading extracts from their books and others are talking about what inspires them to write. Some are better than others, but click on a few of them and I’m sure you’ll find something interesting to listen to, and maybe discover a new author that you’d like to read. Still on the theme of spending time with someone, why not choose something from Chicken House to sit and listen through together? https://www.chickenhousebooks.com/schools/coopedupkids/

As usual, please send us  a review if you have really enjoyed a book, or even if you hated it! You could also tell me if you have read to anyone, and if so what, and to whom? Also, don’t forget to complete a quiz for any books you have read. You can access Accelerated Reader quickly by using the following link https://ukhosted83.renlearn.co.uk/1893564

Remember that you can still borrow virtual books from York Explore using your library card. To find out how to borrow books and apply for a card, click on https://www.exploreyork.org.uk/

Finally, have a go at the two challenges below. Words to help you with the Roald Dahl writing competition are on the final page. Good luck!

Design a post card competition. Design and draw a new cover for a book you really like on the front of a postcard, and then write on the back in the address section who you’d like to recommend it to, and tell them why in the space on the left.

Can you write a story of about a hundred words in the style of Roald Dahl? You could even make up a few words of your own. If possible highlight the Roald Dahl style words. Please send stories to smurphy@archbishopholgates.org by Tuesday 9^th March.

Words from Roald Dahl’s Dictionary
Zippfizz (verb) to wizz along as fast as you can.
Gruntle (noun) A bird that nests in a tall tree.
Dillion (noun) A very large number.
Electric Fizzcockler (noun) A sweet that makes your hair stand on end.
Frogglefrump (noun) A quiet animal.
Flushbunking (adjective) Something that makes no sense.
Grimesludge (Noun) Thick dirty mud.
Hornswoggler (noun) A dangerous beast.
Kicksy (adjective) Very strong and powerful.
Jumpsy (adjective) Nervous and jumpy.
Poisnowse (adjective) Poisonous/venomous.
Replusant (adjective) Something vile and disgusting.
Tottler (noun) A young child.

We are looking forward to seeing you all again very soon, but please do be in touch if there is anything we can do to support you.

Head of Year Update-  Mr Williams and Post 16
Director of Sixth Form Update
After this week’s announcement regarding the return to school, I know how excited students and staff are at the thought of the Sixth Form returning to school. Many students have expressed their relief that they will be back in the classroom and resuming a degree of normality. Equally, teachers and the Sixth Form leadership team are really looking forward to the day to day contact and relationships returning which help the Sixth Form thrive. However, there are naturally lots of questions regarding the return to school and the potential impact this might have.

All students in Year 12 and Year 13 will return, full time, from Monday 8^th March. At this time, we will give specific guidance, outlining further additions we have made within the Sixth Form to ensure everybody stay safe at all times. We will continue to liaise with all parents over the next week but if students or parents have any specific concerns related to the Sixth Form and the return to school, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.

Lateral Flow Testing
As you will be aware, the government has placed considerable emphasis on the importance of in-school testing and you will already have been notified about the testing schedule commencing on Monday 1^st March. We urge all Sixth Formers to take these tests for both their own and other people’s benefits. The schedule allows us to complete two tests before students arrive in school on Monday 8^th March. This will obviously require students to miss some online lessons as they travel to and from school and teachers will be aware of who is missing from which lessons. If you have any questions, please do get in touch.

Year 13 Exam Arrangements
Ofqual have announced, after an extended period of consultation, that this summer’s qualifications will be provided through teacher assessed grades. We appreciate that students and parents will have a number questions regarding how this will work and the potential impact on Year 13 within school, their progression next year and the plan for the remaining school year. We are currently working through the guidance carefully and creating a plan which we will share with students and parents as soon as possible. We thank you for your patience with this matter.

Masks and hygiene routines
A polite reminder that all Sixth Formers will be expected to wear a face mask inside school at all times on their return. This reflects the updated guidance outlined by the government this week. If students are unable to wear a mask, it is essential you contact us this week with supporting medical evidence for exemption. This is to ensure we can provide the necessary lanyard to prevent students being challenged.  Students who forget to bring a mask will be issued with a replacement but will also have to complete a detention. We hope this will be a very short term intervention but is necessary for the safety of all students and staff within school. We would also like to remind students that they will be expected to wash their hands for 20 seconds, following the NHS guidelines, before they enter the Sixth Form and then regularly throughout the day. They should also hand sanitise each time they enter a classroom. Sixth Formers were excellent throughout the Autumn term; we know they will rise to these additional challenges on their return.

School Captains and Student Leaders
Last week we were delighted to appoint Gabby Moore and Oliver Pugh as the new school captains. We had a very productive meeting with them both this week and they have a clear vision for student leadership within the Sixth Form and main school over the coming year.

We are also delighted to announce our new student leadership group. Congratulations to the following students who demonstrated an excellent commitment to the school during interviews before half term:

Eldho Alias, Elin Alias, Holly Allison, Abi Ashby, George Atang , Lucy Austin , Sean Bazira
Tizzy Bridge, Jennifer Burlison, Mabel Carrington, Callum Childs , Lucy Clarkson, Sophie Conlon
Alice Dungey, Lily Ewan, Marta Garofalo, Idris Hadrami, Chloe Harwood, Maddy Hatch, Isobel Metson
Gabby Moore (School Captain), George Morter, Hannah O’Connor, Anna Pattichi, Oliver Pugh (School Captain)
Suyork Rai, Amie Rochester, Chloe Rowan, Connor Simpson, Millie Stevens , Gaurie Sunil, Hannah Townson
Inuki Weerasinghe, Devnara Wijertne, Ewan Wilkie, Ellie Wllcox, Ariadne Wright

Head of Year Awards
Jennifer Norman  – For being awesome and resilient, for smashing the assessment and dominating in Kahoot :). Excellent effort in home learning across the board Miss Cox

Suyork Rai – for excellent effort in home learning, for being pro-active in additional opportunities (NHS shadowing, SL interview) and for generally being a great addition to sixth form Miss Cox

Eloise Reading 13Sl – Excellent effort in all aspects of home learning, but in particular for her Psychology home learning and winning the Kahoot quiz.    Mr Charlton

Katie Atkinson 13Bm – Katie has created professional, industry-standard web content for her Film coursework in Media Studies – tremendous effort!        Mr Charlton

This week’s Shout Outs
An excellent first week back! Well done to the following for another great week of online learning:

Enrichment Opportunities
Summer School Applications
The deadline for Sutton Trust Apprenticeship (https://www.suttontrust.com/our-programmes/apprenticeship-summer-school/) and University Summer Schools (https://summerschools.suttontrust.com)  has been extended by two weeks to midday on Tuesday 16th March. This fantastic opportunity will allow students access to our new digital platform will provide a one stop show for everything students need to know about university or apprenticeships. It will guide them through different areas of support including use of our personal statement builder and opportunities to interact with current undergraduates, apprentices and Sutton Trust alumni. Students will be able to delve into our library of resources at any stage to help them explore, apply, prepare and succeed at university or as an apprentice. We will be delivering a programme of webinars alongside these resources to ensure students have everything they need to know and get all their questions answered.

Other opportunities
Law Virtual Work Experience opportunity for Easter holidays, application needed – students can find more information on the year group classroom, under HOY opportunities.

Lots of other opportunities posted regularly, e.g. Medical student webinar, Creative Arts conference, Business work shops etc.  

Career Ready Students  – interactive session where the students will meet their mentors, Wednesday 3^rd march 2.15-3.15pm. Link will be on their Career Ready Google Classroom, there’s some documents to look at in preparation.

Wellbeing Focus
This half term focuses on equipping students to create a personal “Mental Health toolkit”. This week provides links to BBC Radio 1 Feature Life Hacks – there are 165 episodes covering topics from study tips to my future. Link here (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p05zn35j ).

Student Wellbeing – Mindful Monday

Collective Worship
As we move through this half term and the Christian season of Lent we are continuing with our Pilgrim Pathways theme. Going on a journey can be a great transforming experience, but it can also be difficult. It can be physically tough and sometimes even difficult mentally and emotionally. The key item on our pilgrimage this week is a first aid kit.

Monday – Jesus said, “Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.” – The Bible, The Gospel of John 14: 27