Headteacher Update

I hope families have had a safe and enjoyable weekend.  I apologise to those parents that we needed to contact on Saturday morning following notification of a positive Covid case. I very much appreciate the support and understanding shown by all parents. Thank you.

Lateral flow testing
A home lateral flow test remains a crucial tool in helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within school. Identifying positive asymptomatic students early allows us to isolate their close contacts to help keep our school community as safe as possible. We really appreciate the ongoing support from families with this endeavor. You may be aware that nationally there are now  videos on social media which show methods of using household products to obtain a false positive result on a lateral flow test. As parents and carers will be aware, a positive case in school often involves other students having to self-isolate, disrupting not only their education but also family lives as well. Whilst we know that our students carry out the lateral flow tests correctly, going forward we will be asking any student who tests positive to carry out a second test under the supervision of a parent or carer. We hope you understand the reason for this precautionary measure, by doing so we aim to keep as many students in school as is safe to do so.

Update on Music Enrichment from Mrs Morrison
I’m delighted to have had such a fantastic response to the new Music Technology and Ukulele courses, funded through the Arts Council. Our students have loved the two different aspects of Music Technology on offer, both in the studio recording sessions and learning how to compose music using the software we have in the Music Department and they are enjoying improving their performance skills on the Ukulele.
There are still spaces available for the FREE Rock Band Taster sessions for years 4, 5 & 6 and 7 & 8, taking place on Saturday the 10th July. Please visit: www.rockgodacademy.com for more information and to sign up.

The year 8 Soul Band have been rehearsing with Mr Morrison over the last few weeks -they are very much looking forward to performing at Primary schools over the next four weeks.
We’ve had some fantastic music workshops at AHS over the last few weeks, both for years 7 and 8 and the Music GCSE groups in year 9 and 10, and also as part of our Transition work with Year 11. These have included:

1. Recording studio session 2. Samba Drumming. 3. ‘Funk’ Music Performance & Improvisation session 4. Song-writing workshop

 Over the next three weeks, there will be a number of music workshops taking place at our feeder Primary Schools across York, funded through the Arts Council as part of the COVID Recovery Plan – including:

1. African & Samba Drumming workshops. 
2. Singing workshops – Beauty & the Beast songs to be included in our school show ‘film’. 
3. AHS Year 8 Soul Band performance. 
4. Ukulele workshops. 
5. Rock band workshops

We are also inviting Primary school students to take part in a creative arts competition over the next 3 weeks with categories such as: Happiness, Well-being, Hope, Olympics, Euro 2020, Summer, Holidays. There is a chance to win vouchers and record their music in the AHS Recording Studio. The deadline for this is: 16^th July 2021

Please find attached the latest Wellbeing Newsletter. As ever I hope it is helpful.
WB. 5th July Wellbeing Newsletter 20

Head of Year updates
Year 7 – Miss Kincell
I have been absolutely thrilled with Year 7 Parents evening this week, I am not at all surprised by the wonderful things I have been hearing about our students. The overall behaviour, effort, talents and uncompromising resilience this Year Group have demonstrated is absolutely incredible and it has been an absolute honour to lead them. If you would like to follow up on any conversations, or would like any further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch. 

We would like to request a couple of moments of your time to ask you to complete Parent View, this is an independent, anonymous, quick multiple choice survey by Ofsted. It is a great way for other parents to ascertain informed and objective data regarding our school and supports them in making judgments on where to send their children. Please find the link here: https://parentview.ofsted.gov.uk/login?destination=/give-your-views

We would also love to hear from parents, the cancellation of transition events caused lots of disappointment and worry last year for all of our new families, however Year 7 has absolutely thrived. It would be great if we could have some parental quote from yourselves which may alleviate worries for our new families regarding the care and support your child received, or just how they managed the transition really well. Please send these ot akincell@ahs.pmat.academy.

Well done to our Head of Year Awards this week:

7CAd Will Lightfoot
7Hv Kiki Braidley
7NTh Faith Abell Weck
7Cy Casper Goodwin
7Bl Scarlett Ruddock
7Gr Connor Stephenson
7Hf Abigail Nowell
7CMp Callum Cowling
7Mr Goutham Sunil
7WNo Leo Crossman
7Cm Josh Rhodes

And Well done to our students of the Week this week:

Jess McDonald – Well done for consistently living our school values and supporting your peers. Keep it up.
Lincoln Keith – Well done and Thank you for keeping the social area clear and being a respectful and kind member of the community. Keep it up.

Library Newsletter
How fantastic would it be to win £1000 worth of books for the library?  Well, here’s your chance. All you have to do is design a mask for a superhero. The competition coincides with the launch of a third book by Sophy Henn called Pizazz vs Perfecto. The lucky winner will also receive a full art kit and a complete set of the Pizazz series! If you would like to enter either click on the link to download the details and a template. https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/p/pizazz-superhero-day-competition

We’ve been sent cardboard templates from the publisher so you can collect one from the library. The closing date is 24^th July, but if you would like us to post them off for you than please get them back to me by Wednesday 21^st July. There is also a poster in your form room with details about the competition. I have attached the poster to the bottom of this newsletter.

I will be beyond excited if one of you wins a prize!

And Other Superhero Books Are Available…
The Astounding Broccoli Boy by Frank Cottrell-Boyce (Quiz 229182. Level 4.5. Colour Purple)

Rory Rooney likes to be prepared for all eventualities. He knows that just because something is unlikely doesn’t mean it won’t ever happen. But Rory isn’t prepared when he suddenly and inexplicably turns green. Stuck in an isolation ward in a hospital far from home with two other remarkably green children, Rory’s as confused by his new condition as the medics seem to be. But what if it’s not in their genes, or a virus, or something they ate? What if turning green actually means you’ve turned into a superhero? Rory can’t wait to make it past hospital security and discover exactly what his superpower might be.

You can read the first 46 pages by clicking on the link below.
https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Astounding_Broccoli_Boy/GLWYBAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover

Lunchtime of Calm
As you requested we are still holding a Lunchtime of Calm every Thursday Lunchtime. Don’t forget as well as the usual colouring/jigsaws, we also have a great selection of ‘how to draw’ books, and guides on how to achieve good mental health.

Time Capsule
The clock on the time capsule is ticking away. Look on the notice board in your form room for ideas of what to put in, or call into the library and write something in there.

Book Quiz
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

Overdue Books
Please return your library books, we still have over 480 outstanding. Remember, you will not be in trouble for a late return. We will be delighted to see both you and the book again! Some of you are telling us that you have left your books in your form room. If you have, please can you return them to the library, otherwise the system will show that the book is still on loan to you. Other books of course will be languishing under your bed. Please have a look and return any lates before we break up for the summer.

Keep Calm and Colour In
If you have a printer at home you can access a colouring book for free by opening the link below.
https://www.stress.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Stress-Relief-Adult-Colouring-Book-%C2%A9-Sam-Antolik-2020.-All-rights-reserved.pdf

If you would like some colouring pictures to use in the library or take home, either help yourself from the shelf, or ask me for a selection.

Year 8 – Mr Arthur
As always I hope this bulletin finds you safe and well. In this last week, our Collective Worship for Year 8 centred around Mental Health and wellbeing – an area that we as a society are only just beginning to get comfortable in talking about. We all face challenges in our lives, and this is exemplified in Isiah 43:2 “When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through fire, you will not be burned; the hard trials that come will not hurt you.”  Mental wellbeing is something that we encourage students to monitor for themselves and amongst themselves and their peers all the time. This collective worship was designed to give students the tools to support with their mental health, by considering how they use their phones, how they use social media, how they monitor their physical health, and how they look after themselves and think positively. Students have lots of places where they can go in school for support with their mental health, and I would encourage them to speak to a member of the Year 8 pastoral team if they are struggling at all with their mental wellbeing.

As I have mentioned previously update, homework is a huge focus at AHS. Not only does this allow students to make progress outside of the classroom environment, but it will get students into good working habits that will be extremely beneficial as they move up through the school (not forgetting that students will be starting their GCSE options subjects in September!) Staff are also working hard to make sure students are sufficiently supported with homework, and that it is purposeful and recognised through marking and feedback in lessons. The majority of the year group are coping with the demands of homework extremely well, and the shift to using Google Classroom – and this is excellent to see. Myself and Mr Deamer are keen to maintain the highest possible standards with homework, and we are continuously supporting students in order to make sure they are meeting deadlines and producing homework of an excellent standard. Homework Club will run all year from Monday to Thursday in IT5, 3:05-4:00. This is not only a place where homework can be completed, but where students can get help and support where necessary. We thank you for your continued support as we strive to instil a strong work ethic at home that will help students to make continued progress as they progress through the school.

Congratulations to the winners of the Head of Year Award this week – they are…

Thomas Smith (8MHe) – For continuously showing a positive attitude to learning, and always showing compassion towards others. Well done!
Macie Ellisson (8JHe) – For doing exceptionally well on a recent Maths assessment. Really well done!

Well done – a £5 Amazon Gift Card will be on its way as soon as possible!

Thank You for taking the time to read this bulletin. If you have any issues regarding your child in Year 8, please contact me on aarthur.ahs.pmat.academy, or Mr Deamer (PSW For Year 8) on rdeamer@ahs.pmat.academy

Mr Avery and Year 9
Unfortunately this week we have had a stark reminder that Covid is not going away, as we have had to send home a number of students from Year 9 to self isolate. However I have been really pleased with the positivity shown by those who are having to self isolate, and indeed those in school who are carrying on as normal. Although the importance of preventing further spread of the virus cannot be questioned, I know how difficult some of the students are finding it to isolate at home once again. However the work ethic of the students remains fantastic,with teachers very pleased about the quality of work that is being produced by students in the year group while at home. I am hoping (and already seeing signs of) the students becoming more independent and self-reliant due to the challenges of working from home, which is (at least some) good news as we head into the important GCSE years. We are aiming to call the students to check in with them at least once while they are isolating, and should you be concerned for your child’s wellbeing, please contact me on navery@ahs.pmat.academy.

On a brighter note the students continue to look forward to the excellent events we have lined up for enrichment week this year. I am delighted to announce that students will have the opportunity to take part in a careers day, that will see them have a day of timetable to take part in activities and hear talks from external specialists regarding their future career opportunities. This should hopefully provide some clarity to the students as they approach Y10 and the opportunity to take part in work experience. We are also looking forward to Sports day in the last week of term, and activity day, which will give the students the opportunity to try new sports, crafts, games and educational activities. This will hopefully act as a significant reward for those students who have worked hard across the year.

This week the act of collective worship was based on the ‘digital footprint’ we leave when we use the internet. The students were informed that they should not feel worried about this, but be aware that once they say or do something on the internet, it’s very hard to remove it. This is all part of our continued focus on behaviour online and the consequences of our actions, which links directly to the ‘understanding ourselves and others’ Year 9 journey.

As always please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have. I am looking forward to seeing the isolating students back as soon as possible, and I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend.

Miss Turvey and Year 10
A huge congratulations to Y10 students for surviving their exam fortnight either in school or at home. We are looking forward to welcoming back those who have had to isolate on Monday; please remember your exam papers or exam answers so we can get them to your subject teachers to mark. The results of the Y10 exams will be sent home to parents and carers in the final week of term,usually on the Wednesday, so the 21st July. If there are any queries arising out of the results then please contact school on 01904 411341.

The final week of term is enrichment week, which brings a work experience and careers opportunity to Y10 so they can begin to think about their Next Steps once their main GCSEs are finished. We will also have their final sports day,which is a long way from their first sports day, when there were egg and spoon races and everyone was a winner,but I am hoping that the sun will shine and I’ll be able to take some great photos ready for their Year Book in Y11. 

Miss De Lashley and Post 16
Y12 Mock Week
The Summer Exams are upon us. Please see the timetable below. Attendance is compulsory. Please support your son/daughter to arrive at school in good time. Exam clashes and access arrangements have been communicated. We look forward to discussing your son/daughter’s progress with you on your scheduled appointment in August, if you are unable to make the appointment, please do get in touch. Results will be send home w/c Mon 19^th July.

Y10 Introduction to Sixth Form
As per the letter received earlier in term, you will receive an email containing an information leaflet and a recorded presentation on the AHS Post-16 offer this week. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with any questions.

Y13 Transition
The workshops were a lot of fun this week. A huge thank you to those that attended. If your son/daughter has any questions about their progression plan or needs some support, please do get in touch.

Y12 Shout Outs

 Family Matters York
Congratulations! You and your children have almost made it to the end of this really difficult year. Now we just have to navigate the summer holidays…
September may seem a long way away, but it will come quickly, and if you would like to book a place on one of our courses to give you the chance to meet other parents, think about your relationship with your child(ren) and how you might like to change things, then do get in contact with me so that you are not disappointed.

The courses we have running are:

Handling Anger in the Family
Tuesday afternoons 12.45 to 2.45pm for 4 weeks
starting 28th September at
St. Mark’s Church, Howard Drive, Rawcliffe YO30 5UZ.
For flyer click here

Wednesday evenings 7.15 to 9pm for 4 weeks
starting 22nd September, online via Zoom.
For flyer click here

Thursday afternoons 12.45 to 2.45pm for 4 weeks
starting 23rd September, online via Zoom.
For flyer click here

Time Out for Parents – the Teenage Years:
Monday afternoons 12.45 to 2.45 for 5 weeks
starting 20th September at Cornerstone at St. Georges,
Millfield Lane, Osbaldwick  YO10 3AL.
For flyer click here

Tuesday evenings 7.30 to 9.30pm for 5 weeks
starting 21st September at
The Gateway Centre, Front Street, Acomb  YO24 3BZ.
For flyer click here

Time Out for Parents – the Primary Years:
Thursday mornings 9.30 to 11.30am for 5 weeks
starting 23rd September at
The Gateway Centre, Front Street, Acomb  YO24 3BZ.
For flyer click here

Thursday evenings 7.15 to 9pm for 5 weeks
starting 23rd September, online via Zoom.
For flyer click here

To book a place or for further information please contact:
Helen Atkinson on 07393 147259 email helenatkinson@fmy.org.uk
or you can find more information about our courses on our website https://fmy.org.uk/parenting/

Do follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. And please pass the flyers on to any parents you think might be interested.
We also offer Reconnect, a 5 session couple to couple mentoring service, focusing on relationship skills to help you strengthen your couple relationship. For details contact Emma at emmamarshall@fmy.org.uk

Collective Worship
We are continuing to watch some reflection videos from the Christian charities Thy Kingdom Come and the Archbishop of York’s Youth Trust. This week in our Collective worship we’ll listen to Grace, who is a young Christian studying A’ levels, speak about Praying and Guvna B, rapper and author, speak about Accepting Help.

“If the only prayer you ever say in your whole life is ‘thank you’, that would suffice.” – Meister Eckhart; 13th C. German theologian, philosopher and mystic
“Prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God.” – Teresa of Avila; 16th C. Catholic nun and theologian
“Any concern too small to be turned into prayer is too small to be made into a burden.” – Corrie Ten Bloom; 20th Dutch Christian, writer and rescuer of Jews during the Holocaust
“God speaks in the silence of the heart. Listening is the beginning of prayer.” – Mother Teresa; Catholic nun and humanitarian
“Prayer is the song of the heart. It reaches the ear of God even if it is mingled with the cry and tumult of a thousand men.” – Kahlil Gibran; 19th C. Muslim writer and philosopher