Headteacher Update

Dear parents and carers,

It was really pleasing to be able to welcome Year 8 families to Parents Evening last week.
It is easy to forget how much things have changed over the past two years and that for many families this was the first time you had visited school since your children joined Archbishop’s. We really appreciate all the positive feedback about the organisation of the event and the interactions with teachers but also for the suggestions about how we can further adapt our arrangements moving forward, for example a slightly clearer map to help navigate the three venues.

Summer Examinations
As you are aware, advance information was published last week for some of the A Level and GCSE examinations taking place in Summer 2022. The changes vary depending on the subject, but we are confident that we will be able to use this information to best support all students in the summer exam season. Curriculum leaders are currently working to review this information, assess what it means for each individual subject and make amendments to revision plans where necessary. As part of this, we will also create a ‘student-friendly’ guide to what has changed for the summer exams. We will be sending a letter home summarising the information for each subject on Monday.

In the meantime we wish Year 11 well with the additional mocks they will be sitting in Maths, English and Science this week.

Head of Year Awards

School Uniform
As you will be aware, we have had a renewed focus on the standards of school uniform after the Christmas break. This has gone very well, with the vast majority of students complying with our expectations. After Half Term we will once again be checking students’ uniforms to ensure they are meeting the standards required by the school. As students return after the Half Term break, there will be a focus in the following areas:

• Trousers/Skirts
• Jewellery
• Makeup
• Trainers
• Hoodies
• Ties

Trousers/Skirts

• Trousers and skirts will remain unbranded due to our continued commitment to poverty proofing our uniform.
• Leggings, Jeans, short skirts and bodycon skirts do not meet the school’s uniform standards. Any student wearing these items will be asked to change into uniform provided by the school.
• School skirts should sit just above the knee
• Trousers and skirts will be purchased by school to offer students the chance to change, should they arrive at school in inappropriate uniform.

Jewellery

• Two plain studded earrings will be allowed, no more. A single plain nose stud will be allowed; however, this must not be in excess of 0.5mm.
• In the case of new piercings, students must wear a plastic temporary stud until they are able to wear the smaller nose stud.
• Any additional jewellery will be confiscated by any member of staff who sees the student wearing it. It will then be handed into the main reception. Students will no longer be allowed to ‘put away’ their jewellery.
• Students can collect their item of jewellery from the main reception at the end of the school day.
• Please note that nose bars, nose rings and septum piercings are strictly prohibited.

Makeup

• Makeup is not allowed to be worn at school. This includes false eyelashes, painted nails and eye makeup.
• Students will be provided with makeup wipes to remove any obvious signs of makeup. Students with painted or acrylic nails will be asked to remove them at reception.

Trainers

• School shoes need to be smart, black, leather like or leather shoes with no obvious colouring, patterned designs or metallic bars on the shoes.
• The wearing of trainers is strictly prohibited in school.
• Students who wear the wrong type of shoe to school will be sent to reception to change their shoes.
• Upon return to reception, shoes will be thoroughly disinfected ready to be worn again.
• For the time being, branded school shoes will be allowed, however this will no longer be the case in September 2022 in line with our commitment to Poverty Proofing.

Hoodies

• Hoodies are not to be worn around school, or at break and lunchtime. A ‘Hoodie’ is classed as a hooded jumper or an item of clothing that resembles a jumper like garment.
• The only exception to this is the AHS hoodie, which is allowed to be worn over the standard shirt, tie and Jumper.
• As part of our continued commitment to poverty proofing our uniform, AHS hoodies will be provided for disadvantaged students.
• Should a student come to school in a hoodie, parents will be called and asked to provide an alternative item of clothing for their child and an agreed deadline will be put in place. Should the student continue to wear the hoodie to school, it will be confiscated from the student and an AHS school jumper will be offered as a temporary alternative.

Ties

• Students who attend school without a tie will be lent one at the main reception. The students name will be taken and they will be expected to return the tie at the end of the school day.
• Parents of students who do not return ties will be contacted by school in order for the tie to be returned. Lost or damaged ties will be charged at a price of £7.
• Students will be able to purchase a tie at the price of £7 from reception at any time.
• If a student repeatedly comes to school without a tie they will be placed in isolation and parents contacted.

It is also essential that all students bring a school bag each day and have their planner with them. The planner is viewed as part of our school uniform.

Wearing the correct school uniform is a vital part of school life. Should students choose to refuse a reasonable request to change their school uniform, or comply with the standards set out above, they will of course be supported to make the right decision. However, should students still refuse to meet the uniform expectations set out by the school, they will work in our reflection room until they agree to change their uniform. Any student who refuses to work in reflection may risk an escalated sanction. Should parents have any concerns regarding this, please feel free to contact your childs Head of Year. Should there be a need to do so, the school is in a position to support parents in providing the correct uniform for their child.

Head of Year Updates
Year 7 – Miss Kincell, Miss Powell and Miss Cooper
It is quite hard to believe we have approached our final week of the half term, we are sure our students are ready for a well deserved break after some excellent work this half term. We have a special visitor in assembly this Tuesday who will be delivering a session on the New Testament and each child in the year group will be offered one free of charge. Students always really enjoy this session and are always engaged by the interesting questions and abstract tasks.

Well done to our Students of the Week this week:

ANn: William Gelissen – for a great start in 7ANn. Well Done!
ASu: Asir Alwafi – for being extremely helpful in form this week!
Bl: Lily-Amber Cross – Well done for your Improved attendance
Cy: Thomas Taylor for giving an excellent contribution to form time show and share
Gr: Sonny Jenkinson – Excellent contribution to our Tutor discussion celebrating Holocaust Day. Thank you Sonny, your comments were greatly appreciated.
Hf: Amy Arrand – For improving her punctuality and always being kind to others.
Hv: Reuben O’Donovan- A super planner , well done!
MLn: Hannah Coventry – For your lovely poem, well done!
MPe: Grace Day for being an excellent member of 7MPe
Mr: Dylan Kettlewell for being such a positive and upbeat member of the form.
SMf: Joe Fenwick – Fantastic approach to lessons, form-time and being a member of the school community! Very mature attitude.

Well done to our Head of Year Awards:
Bethel Ogbemudia – for living the school values and being an excellent student. Well Done!
Sam Bastow – for living the school values and being an excellent student. Well Done!

Library Newsletter
Look out for the Valentine Post Box currently residing in the Y7 library. We will be writing poetry, making bookmarks and cards that can be sent to anyone in school. All you have to do is make your card/bookmark, put it in an unsealed envelope with the name and form of the person you wish to receive it on the front.

The envelopes will be delivered in form by February 14th. Don’t forget you can also make a card for your best friend, or anyone else you care about. They will be delighted to receive one on the day. I will let you know which form has the most love to give in next week’s newsletter.

Recommendations
We have a large selection of novels situated in the romance section. Don’t be put off by the genre, there are some fantastic/surprising reads in there.

A Sky Painted Gold
A Sky Painted Gold by Laura Wood (Quiz 246049. Level 5.5. Colour Green) I know we shouldn’t judge a book by the cover, but this one is really beautiful. The book tells the story of Lou, who is swept up into a dazzling world of moonlit parties and glamour.

It started with an apple. Trouble often does, I suppose, and this particular apple was a real troublemaker, red-fleshed and sweet, that I stole from someone else’s orchard.

You can read the prologue and the start of the book by opening the following link.

https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/A_Sky_Painted_Gold/amddDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover

Competition Corner
We have tried our hand at writing haiku’s in the library, and now here is your chance to win a prize for writing one together with an illustration. Remember a haiku has only three lines, and 17 syllables. The first line has five syllables, the second line seven and the final line five again. Usually there is a connection to nature, so bear this in mind even though the competition below is on the theme of towns

In my town of York,
Daises grow in pavement cracks
Walked on by Romans.

If you have a go at entering, you will be in with the chance of winning one of three canon digital cameras. There are also runner up prizes. Why not give it a go? the theme is Towns and the deadline is the 28th February.

York Book awards
We held three reading events last week so that we could vote for our favourite book from the final six on the short list of the York Book Awards. Although we would have chosen Where the World Turns Wild had we been judging the book by it’s cover. Boy Everywhere won the overall vote for the book that most students would like to read. All of the short list is part of our library collection, but unsurprisingly, after our reading event, all the books are now on loan. Let me know if you would like to be next in line to borrow one.

If there are any outstanding artworks and/or reviews, please could I have them before we break up. Thank you.

Year 8 – Mrs Avey, Mrs Mennell and Mr Handley
We would like to start by thanking parents and carers for their involvement in Parents Evening this week. The evening was very positive and our Year 8s have lots to be proud of. If you have any questions or if anything has become a concern please do get in touch with the Year 8 team and we will support. We are also grateful for the support and appreciation of our school by parents that attended.

In our whole year group Act of Collective Worship this week we had a talk on the impact of social media on the mental health and wellbeing of young people. There is a large amount of research on this topic that indicates excessive and inappropriate use of the internet and social media can negatively impact on a person’s mental health. This is even more likely in young people who are still growing up and learning about themselves and others around them. Over use of social media can lead to anxiety, fear or missing out (FOMO), isolation and feeling insecure. Whilst it is important to recognise the internet and social media has many benefits and enhances our lives it is important to use it safely and in moderation. Some practical tips for students reducing time on social media include:

• Limiting the number of hours spent on technology and setting screen time caps on smart devices
• Setting a reasonable time for turning off phones and not having it bedrooms at night time
• Seeing friends face to face outside
• Turning off phones during events and when spending time with friends and family.

There has been lots to celebrate and praise this week including the Year Inter-House 8 Swimming Gala in which most of the Year group were able to take part. The PE staff have said the year 8s conducted themselves excellently. The results for this are:

This week also saw the school host the first Year 8 rugby match of the year against Manor. Despite a hard-fought game Manor came out on top but our team did themselves proud. This is another team that had to be put together on short notice. The Team coach, Mr Norris, has said that they gave it their all and were excellent ambassadors for the school.

The PE department have been in touch with us to highlight to students and parents opportunities for AHS students to get involved in local clubs if they enjoy rugby:

• Heworth ARLFC – Joel Clarke 07535429282 – heworthrl@gmail.com
• New Earswick All Blacks – Dawn Shore 07446993855 – secretary@neab.club
• York Acorn – Craig Lucas 07792846757 – craiglucas@live.co.uk
• York Lokomotive Masters – Simon Moat – yorklokosmasters@hotmail.com

As well as all the sport that has been taking place this week, we also had four Year 8 girls take part in the National Finals of a Cyber Security competition in Barnsley on Saturday 5th February. Getting into the finals was a brilliant achievement and the girls should be immensely proud of themselves. The girls involved are Tilly Mills-Wood, Elysia Aylett, Sophie Beard and Ava Gane – well done to these four and Mr Appleyard for their success.

Finally, we wanted to remind parents about the opportunities available with the North Yorkshire Youth Commission:

“The Youth Commission allows young people to get involved and have their say about policing, fire and crime where they live. The North Yorkshire Youth Commission enables young people to support, challenge and inform the work of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. This is a very important role, because it helps the Commissioner, police and fire service to make better decisions to meet the needs of young people.”

To find out more and to sign up, please follow the link below.

https://www.northyorkshire-pfcc.gov.uk/for-you/young-people/youth/youth-commission-seeks-new-members/

As ever, thank you for your continued support. If you have any issues regarding your child in Year 8, please do contact school reception to get in touch with Mrs Avey (Head of Year 8), Mr Handley (Assistant Head of Year 8) or Mrs Mennell (Year 8 Pastoral Support Worker).

Year 9 – Mr Arthur, Mr Deamer and Mrs Deacon
We have now reached the final week of the first half-term of spring. When looking back to this time a year ago during the third national lockdown, I am very thankful that school is fully open and that things really are beginning to look somewhat ‘normal’ again.

A huge part of this return to normality that I am very thankful of is the return of external visits, which Year 9 are really benefitting from this year. This Thursday sees the second round of the Year 9 Cultural Experiences Visits. As I have mentioned previously, Year 9 is an important transition year within school and we firmly believe it is important that every child has the opportunity to explore their personal development and deepen their cultural experiences. These trips are an opportunity for students to not only review a local arts exhibition as part of the Silver Arts Award, but help students to progress on their AHS Journey, with the focus for Year 9 being on ‘Understanding yourself and others’.

The locations for these three trips are…

• Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield
• The National Science and Media Museum, Bradford
• The Royal Armouries, Leeds

The second rotation of these trips will take place on this Thursday, 17th February and all students in Year 9 will be out of school for the day. This is a mandatory visit as part of the student’s Silver Arts Award Qualification. Here are a few important things for students to remember in preparation for Thursday…

• Students must arrive to school in their uniform, however they can wear comfortable footwear (trainers) if they so wish.
• Students travelling to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park will need to ensure they wear boots/wellington boots or footwear they do not mind getting muddy as they will be outside on grass for most of the day. Students on this trip must also ensure they wear plenty of warm clothing.
• Students must bring their own packed lunches to school for the day. Students who are Free School Meals will have a packed lunch provided for them by school. Students must also not bring any food with them that contain nuts as some students on the trips do have allergies to nuts.
• Students arrive to school at the normal time, and they will register in there form rooms. Students will then be making their way to the Main Hall where we will head off to the buses for the different trips.
• Each coach will have a supply of face masks and we strongly encourage that students wear face masks on the coach and in crowded indoor spaces. However, the wearing of masks will not be mandatory on this trip in line with government guidance.
• Students must bring any medication/inhalers etc… they need with them – they will be their responsibility for the duration of the trip. If they need support from a member of staff, they should let the bus/trip leaders know as soon as possible.
• The buses will return to school for 3pm in time for students to make their usual way home from school.

This last week was National Apprenticeships Week. As a result, student in Year 9 had a talk from an external speaker on the benefits of apprenticeships in Thursday’s Act of Collective Worship. Whilst there is a long time before students have to make any final decisions about their future, we actively encourage students to explore options and consider what it is they would like to do in the future – this is a big part of Year 9’s stage of the AHS Journey, which is ‘Understanding yourself and others’. An understanding of what students want to do in the future and encouraging them to have a goal to aim for can be excellent motivation to succeed academically. Hopefully, the talk on Thursday helped to make some of the students inquisitive about apprenticeships as an option for their future.

Finally, let me take this opportunity to congratulate the winners of the Head of Year Award last week. They are…

Well done to Leah and Samson – a £5 Amazon gift card will be on its way to you ASAP!

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.

Year 10 – Mr Avery, Miss Johstone and Miss Montagu
The students in Year 10 seem a little tired this week, with the effects of a long January taking its toll on some of the students. Despite this, I have been really pleased to see that they continue to work hard in their lessons, and spirits remain good. I think it’s worth remembering that the students are completing their longest stretch in school for over two years. I reminded them of this in assembly this week, and praised them for their resilience and stoic attitude.

This week was national apprenticeship week, and the students and a guest speaker in assembly to inform them of apprenticeship opportunities. The students were engaged throughout, and learnt about some of the exciting opportunities that apprenticeships offer. The guest speaker explained that students can undertake standard apprenticeships at 16 or higher level apprenticeships at 18 (after completing A-levels). Some of our students were surprised to learn that higher level apprenticeships can lead to funded degrees, fast track promotions and an opportunity to earn well (some roles offering £22,000 starting salary) while studying. It was really nice to hear some of our students wanting to know more about the apprenticeship opportunities at excellent companies like Sky, the BBC, Jaguar and Virgin. This is something we will return to when the students are in year 11, in order to make sure they are fully informed about their career options after GCSE.

This week saw the first group of Year 10 students sit an official GCSE examination in Health and Social care. The students prepared really well, working hard in the build up to the exam and even attending some important period 6 sessions! The students were superb, working hard throughout their exam and confidence is high for their results next half term. As our exams officer Mrs Tipping said, if the professionalism and conduct of these students are an indicator of what is to come next year, she is a very happy exams officer!

As you are aware, the deadline for securing a work experience placement was 10th January 2022. We currently have 190 students placed in a variety of sectors, which is very encouraging. However, despite their hard work and persistence, we also have a number of students who are struggling to find a work experience placement this May. I am fully aware of the reasons students are having difficulty in securing a placement, especially as many companies are working from home or (in the current climate) are unwilling to accept school children into their workplace. With this in mind I wanted to offer some suggestions to aid parents in supporting your child in gaining a work experience placement this year.

1. The hotel, retail and hospitality sector are accepting students for work experience (many of our students have found placements in this sector). I would recommend that students go in and ask about work experience availability next May instead of emailing or calling.
2. If there is a concern over finance (for example travel costs) please contact me and we will see if school can support with this.
3. Students should remember that work experience is about developing employability skills such as communication, teamwork and resilience. It’s not always about securing their ‘dream’ placement or sector.
4. Often students need some additional support in making the first step, for example going into a shop and asking about work experience opportunities. If you can, please support them by accompanying them around the shops/cafes/hotels until they have found a placement.

Should you have any further questions regarding work experience please contact either a member of the Year 10 pastoral team or Meg Overton (Careers Administrator)

Finally, I have been extremely proud to see a number of Year 10 students volunteer to act as guides at the Anne Frank exhibition in school. The students have spoken with compassion and confidence about Anne Frank’s story, and the terrible consequnces of the Holocaust. The students received training from an external expert in order to deliver their talks, with the feedback being that our students are some of the best they have ever had. I know the students in lower year groups have been very impressed as they have received the tours from the students in Year 10. A huge well done to Sam Birkanshaw 10Ps, Durga Basu 10Wb, Abigail Bower 10Wb, Kathlen Butler 10Kx, Eric Linley 10Br and Joseph Yoward 10Mb for representing our year group and school so exceptionally.

As always, should you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to contact one of the Year 10 pastoral team. I hope the students have a relaxing and enjoyable half term when it arrives – they’ve earned it!

Year 11 – Miss Turvey, Miss Reeder and Miss Chambers
Thank you for your support during another busy and productive half term. Students have continued to work hard this half term in lessons and no doubt the half term break will be a welcome respite for everyone.

A huge well done to those students who sat BTEC external exams last week in Enterprise (Business), Health and Social Care, Travel and Tourism, Engineering, and IT. Teachers of these subjects have been extremely complimentary of the conduct and work ethic of their students leading up to these exams. It is clear to see how hard individuals have worked for these and they (and their families) should feel very proud.

This week, our main focus will be on the upcoming mock exams in English, Maths and Science. These exams will offer another opportunity for students to check their progress following the Christmas mocks and, in English, a chance to test themselves. Students should be aware of the mock timetable (see below) and copies are on display in classrooms around school, including every form room, as a reminder if needed.

and retention research overwhelmingly supports the fact that staying up late and ‘cramming’ revision is not particularly effective!

Given that the mocks are taking place in the final week of half term, we know that students will be feeling tired and we might anticipate the need for some extra support and TLC at school and at home. Reminding your child that it is absolutely justified for them to feel this way, and that it is also normal to be feeling stressed or anxious around their exams, is a supportive way of encouraging much-needed resilience. However, please let us know if you feel your child is not coping which is a very different matter. At school, students are always welcome to talk through any worries twice a day with their Form tutors, as well as coming to seek pastoral or medical help before school, after school and during break and lunchtime.

Following the mocks, we are very excited for our ‘Fun Run’ taking place on Thursday Period 5. Students should go to their lesson first to be registered, after which all Year 11 students will come down to the back field with their teachers. We will begin with the Fun run (or walk, for those who choose!), followed by a friendly Football match which Mr Mansfield has kindly offered to referee at the request of students. This should hopefully be a lovely opportunity to prioritise mental health with the opportunity to unwind, get some exercise and catch up with friends. There will also be an opportunity for group photographs to be taken for the Yearbook. Please remind your child to dress warmly, bring their trainers and, if possible, bring along £1 to donate to the School Prom.

Thank you for your continued support and we wish you a safe and restful half term when it arrives. If you have any issues regarding your child in Year 11, please do get in touch with Miss Turvey (Head of Year 11), Miss Chambers (Assistant Head of Year 11) or Mrs Reeder (Year 11 Pastoral Support Worker) or contact school reception.

Post 16 – Mrs De Lashley, Mrs Walton, Miss Balmer and Mr Charlton
Happy Half-Term – Wishing all of our students and their families a restful break of over half-term holiday when it arrives next weekend. It has been a productive half-term and students have worked incredibly hard.

Y12 Mock Results – Year 12 students were issued their winter mock results in lessons last week. There will be several parental meetings in the coming weeks to support progression plans for some of the students. Parents Evening is Wednesday 16th March.

Y13 Leaver’s Celebrations – Students were issued a letter last week detailing the planned events to mark the end of Sixth Form for Y13. A Level students will be stood down on Friday 20th May with exams commencing Monday 23rd May. BTEC students will be stood-down on an individual basis as they complete coursework and finish resit exams. There has been an amendment to the advertised date for the Leaver’s Service, this is now going to be Thursday 19th May. Please ensure that deadlines for payments for Prom and Hoodies are met.

Shoutouts

Collective Worship
This week the theme of our Form Tutor Collective Worship is entitled Expanding the Borders of Love and marks LGBT+ month. Our daily quotes explore themes of love, difference and diversity.

Monday: “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)

Tuesday: “We tend to think love is a feeling, but it is not. Love is an action; love is something we do for others.” (Desmond Tutu)

Wednesday: “It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.” (Audre Lorde, American writer, feminist, and librarian)

Thursday: “Don’t accept the world as it is. Dream of what the world could be – and then help make it happen.” (Peter Tatchell, human rights campaigner)

Friday: “We should indeed keep calm in the face of difference, and live our lives in a state of inclusion and wonder at the diversity of humanity.” (George Takei, actor and activist)

The Wellbeing Newsletter Issue 43