Headteacher Update

Dear parents and carers,

I hope families have had a safe and enjoyable Bonfire Weekend. As you will have seen from Newsletter 414 we have had a busy and productive return to school. We are looking forward to the Beauty and the Beast School Show Premier on Monday evening and are busily planning for the return of the Christmas Fayre on Friday 3rd December. We are also currently exploring how best to match the Ice Rink which was the whole school Christmas Reward last year and I look forward to updating families on the outcome of these deliberations next week.

I would also like to thank everyone who attended the Post 16 Open Evening on Tuesday which based on the feedback given by families was very well received. We will continue to support Year 11 both with their preparations for the forthcoming mocks and their Post 16 choices in the weeks ahead. On Friday Miss McDermott and I (mostly Miss McDermott!) delivered the Y11 assembly where we tried to keep things really simple, stressing that the most important thing in the mock exams is trying your best. We explained that students can do this by:

1. Attend school every day possible
2. Ensure they are working as hard as they can in lessons
3. Complete their homework, which will be linked to revision
4. Attend Period 6 in the period up to the mocks. We are recommending two or three a week.

We were also very clear that students are in very safe hands at AHS, we are really good at supporting students through the next six months and that this will be a key priority for everyone in school.

I am also delighted that we have been able to return to Bewerley Park this year with the first of three Year 7 trips taking place last week.

As ever the latest Wellbeing Newsletter is attached which we hope you find helpful.

Head of Year Awards
Please find the Head of Year Awards for this week below:

Year 7 – Miss Kincell, Miss Powell and Miss Cooper
What a lovely first week back we have had, very eventful and ending with some beautiful weather ready for bonfire night.

Our first week back has consisted of our first trip to Bewerley Park and the students’ first experience of UK Parliament week. Please make sure to check our twitter to see all of the adventures Year 7 have been getting up to on their residential.

In school we have been focusing on the British Value of Democracy and school value of justice. The theme for this Year’s UK Parliament Week has been Small Actions lead to big changes. We thought this was especially pertinent for young people, as sometimes it may feel that they may not have an influence over politics and big issues in the country and the world, but we are trying to show them how everything can have an impact and add up. We have shown this through assemblies, through Acts of Collect Worship, film club and quotes each day. A quote which illustrates our message perfectly:

For want of a nail the shoe was lost,
for want of a shoe the horse was lost;
and for want of a horse the rider was lost;
being overtaken and slain by the enemy,
all for want of care about a horse-shoe nail.

Well done to our Students of the Week this week:
7ANn – Evan Nobel – for demonstrating fantastic debating skills at the Parliament Week debate. Well done!
ASU – Ollie Bradbury- Well done for Getting involved and trying new things at Bewerley park and always being helpful
Bl – Leo Deighton – being part of the school football team and taking part in the cross country competition.
Cy – Jacob Ashby – for being compassionate to others in form time.
Gr – Jonas Norman – Thank you for really trying and working so hard this term.
Hf – Kian Murray – For enjoying his reading and always being polite and kind.
Hv – Lucas Berry-D’arcy – Working hard and always polite
MLn – Oscar Dawson – For having the highest number of merits last half-term and his amazing participation in Cross-Country.
MPe – Meyra Mehmed – For having the highest amount of merits for Half Term 1. Amazing work!
Mr – Toby Coyle – for his sporting activities in and out of school. Showing perseverance and resilience when taking part in challenges.
SMf – Amelie Hetherton – A brilliant passion for learning and really establishing herself as a valued member of Year 7 in her peer group.

Well done to our Head of Year Award winners this week:
Well done to Liam Woodward in 7ANn for showing compassion to the school in thanking us for your first half term, we are so glad you have enjoyed yourself and hope you enjoy the next half term just as much.

Well done to Joe Fenwick in 7SMf for your letter addressed to York City Council about deforestation and climate change. The effort and quality was exceptional, and the writing was so passionate. Well done also for your attendance and contribution to Eco Club!

Library Newsletter:
We have a very busy month coming up in the library. We will be celebrating Bonfire Night, reading the Spooky Story entries, recognising Remembrance Day and observing National Tongue-Twister Day. We have eased our way into this half term by colouring in firework posters. The main message is to enjoy yourself and stay safe.

You might want to read The Firework-Maker’s Daughter by Phillip Pullman. (Quiz 201620. Level 5.3. Colour Green). A young girl faces danger and adventure in her quest to become a firework-maker like her father, Lalchand. Despite her talents, Lalchand believes this is an unsuitable job for a girl. Lila disagrees, and journeys to get Royal Sulphur from Razvani the Fire-Fiend at Mount Merapi, as all aspirant firework-makers must do. You can read the first chapter by clicking on the link https://www.penguin.co.uk/articles/children/2018/oct/the-firework-makers-daughter-by-philip-pullman-extract.html If you enjoy audio books then you can listen to the first chapter by clicking on the following link. https://youtu.be/a5hkaO_iRSw Maybe you would like to listen to it and read along at the same time.

Hopefully no one in York will be burning a Guy on their bonfire. Guy Fawkes was born in York and went to St Peter’s School. St Peter’s have never had a guy on their bonfire as they don’t think it appropriate to burn an ex-pupil!

As it is Remembrance Day on Thursday, we will be looking at activities and books on the theme of war. We have a good historical fiction section in the library, many of which are based on truth. Friend or Foe by Michael Morpurgo (Quiz 204917. Level 4.6. Purple) is just one example. The book is based on the experiences of children evacuated out of the cities to live in the countryside which was deemed safer. Evacuated from London, David and Tucky feel like the war is a long way away from their new life in the countryside. Then one night the skyline of the moor is lit up with gun flashes, and the distant sound of bombing miles away brings the war to them. You can listen to chapter one by clicking on the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZoU0OmQxIw

The other obvious book to read is War Horse, also by Michael Morpurgo (Quiz 204089. Level 5.9. Green) We have several copies of this book, so maybe a few of you could arrange to read it together. In 1914, Joey, a young farm horse, is sold to the army and thrust into the midst of the war on the Western Front. With his officer, he charges towards the enemy, witnessing the horror of the frontline. But even in the desolation of the trenches, Joey’s courage touches the soldiers around him. You can read the whole book by clicking on the link below. https://somerford.dorset.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/warhorse-1.pdf

Competition Time:
For a chance to win book tokens, click on the link below and enter your email address. This was sent via my library email so you can enter with your AHS email account. https://caboodle.nationalbooktokens.com/1000-of-national-book-tokens-to-be-won?utm_source=caboodle&utm_medium=email&utm_content=trust-the-token&utm_campaign=20211027_trust-the-token

Write a Tongue Twister
It is National Tongue Twister Day on November 14th. Have a go at saying the one below, as fast as you can, but so that others listening can hear each word clearly. Then have a go at writing one! Thank you to parents for your ongoing support of the school, if there is anything further we can do please do not hesitate to contact us.

Year 8 – Mrs Avey, Mrs Mennell and Mr Handley
Albeit a few days late, the theme of the year 8 ACW last Friday was Black History month. Unforeseen circumstances had delayed the delivery of the ACW but it was deemed too important a subject to not be delivered. The key question, ‘ How far back does Black History go?’ was explored and there was a specific reference to the ‘Iron Bangle Lady’ whose remains were found in 1901 near Sycamore Terrace. Her remains dated from the Roman times and illustrates that this woman’s story does not fit into the ‘normal narrative’ of black history in Britain and demonstrates that black people are an integral part of our island’s rich history.

This week the year 8’s will receive their first interim report and the extra curricular programme for the half term officially starts in full. It is the turn of the year 8 contribution to the Newsletter this week which will feature some sporting updates and news on the development of form identities and opportunities.

Year 9 – Mr Arthur, Mr Deamer and Mrs Deacon
It was a pleasure to welcome Year 9 back to school after the half term break and to see positive attitudes, particularly in the classrooms towards the students’ ownership of their learning! As Mr Arthur mentioned in last week’s bulletin we are continuing with the ‘back to basics’. As a team, we talk to students in Year 9 a lot about ‘focussing on the fundamentals’ to ensure that we can be successful in school.

Students had an extended form time this week along with items being mentioned in assembly to make sure they are successful at getting the following right:

• Attendance – to be in school every day.
• Correct uniform every day – including shoes, hair and jewellery.
• Being on time to school and throughout the day to all lessons and form time.
• Covid-19 requirements – such as regular hand washing and mask wearing.

We are here for students to make sure they are successful in all these areas, please let any of the team know if there is anything we can do to support your young person in school to ensure their success.

This week’s assembly was based around our British Value of Democracy – COP26 has started in Glasgow bringing together 25,000 delegates including world leaders to tackle climate change, we know this is something our young people are passionate about therefore it was well placed to demonstrate democracy in action.

Already at COP26 world leaders have agreed to end deforestation, become carbon neutral and reduce methane gas levels. This highlights to our young people that despite differences we can come together and help one another, a key skill as they move forward in their journeys through school is collaboration and it is crucial to demonstrate this in the real world.

We also emphasised that even though these agreements have been made, it does not mean the solutions are there, time and team work will be needed along with resilience when times are tough to truly come together and make a difference to the planet. This is applicable to a range of scenarios even if that is getting through a difficult assessment at school or an issue at work in the future. Students should push through when times are difficult, even if that is having a go when not sure or seeking out help, whether that is with school, home or friends.

Furthermore, Year 9s goal for their journey this year is ‘Understanding themselves and others’, discussing conferences such as COP26 demonstrates how students can bring their viewpoints forward in appropriate forums as well as taking the time to listen to other’s viewpoints. We encourage students to get involved in discussions whilst being respectful of others opinions and listening openly, these skills transition well academically but also further down their journeys in school and out, I have certainly seen this demonstrated in some lessons and I look forward to seeing how students demonstrate these skills even further.

Thank you for taking the time to read this parent bulletin. If you have any issues regarding your child in Year 9, then please do get in touch by emailing aarthur@ahs.pmat.academy (Head of Year), mdeacon@ahs.pmat.academy (Assistant Head of Year) and/or rdeamer@ahs.pmat.academy (Pastoral Support Worker); or alternatively, you can call Main School Reception and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Thank you – Miss Deacon

Year 10 – Mr Avery, Miss Johstone and Miss Montagu
It has been great to welcome our students back to school and to hear what they have been up to over half term. So good to see them coming back relaxed and refreshed. Our first week after half term has gone very well and we are delighted at the effort they are putting in to their lessons. We encourage everyone to continue maintaining a high attendance record.

Our River Trip before half term was a highlight. We took all the geographers to the river Maybeck to do some field work. For many it was the first opportunity to do an out of school trip for 18 months. Something different, fun and exciting! Getting into the water and seeing some of the geography we have been learning about come to life.

In ACW this week we had our ‘celebration’ assembly. It was a moment to celebrate the achievements of our Yr 10 students and to recognise their hard work. It is also very positive to see so many of them involved in sports and extra-curricular activities. There are lots of opportunities at AHS and we encourage everyone to have a look and see what they can do.

Should you have any queries, please feel free to contact either Mr Avery, myself or Mrs Johnstone (Pastoral Support Worker) and we will be happy to arrange a phone call or a face to face meeting in school.

Year 11 – Miss Turvey, Miss Reader and Miss Chambers
It was lovely to see so many of you on Tuesday night at the Sixth Form Open Evening and I hope it was useful in helping your young people think and reflect on their Next Steps. As you will know from the talk given by Mr Daly and Ms De Lashley on the evening, or from reports across various printed and social media, AHS Sixth form is an exceptional place to study; however, it is all too easy for a Y11 student to drift into the sixth form at the school where they have previously been learning and I would again advise that you look at other sixth form providers in the city so that your young person is making an active and researched choice to proactively decide to come to Archbishop Holgtae’s Sixth Form.

You hopefully received a copy of the Y11 Mock Examination timetable; if not then please let me know and we can email a copy across to you. There is also a copy of the mock timetable attached to this newsletter. The examination period is quite intense and it is completely normal for those taking exams to exhibit signs of anxiety or concern.