Parent Bulletin

Dear parents and carers,

I hope this message finds you all well. Last week, our Year 11 students commenced their formal GCSE examinations, and I am pleased to inform you that their exam conduct has been nothing short of exemplary. Their commitment and dedication in preparing for these crucial examinations is commendable. As we enter the final week before the half term break, it is important to acknowledge the number of key examinations scheduled for all students. As ever, we will continue to provide them with the necessary support during this period.

We would like to remind all Year 11 students that the early breakfast sessions in the Courtyard cafe at 8:15 am are still available. This allows students to have a drink and something to eat before their examinations. The year team and senior colleagues will be present in the room to offer support and reassurance to any student who may need it.

To ensure our students are well-prepared, this examination week has been carefully planned to include subject-specific revision sessions ahead of key exams. Form tutors will communicate the examination schedules, subject-specific revision sessions during the school day, and break and lunch times to all students on a daily basis. Should you have any questions or concerns about your child’s examinations, please do not hesitate to contact the year team, who will be more than happy to assist you.

We extend a warm welcome back to our Year 10 students who have just returned from their work experience visits. We are eager to hear more about their experiences and the fantastic placements they have had the opportunity to enjoy. It is worth noting that we have received numerous messages from external organisations praising our students for their outstanding conduct, excellent manners, and enthusiasm. This recognition is a testament to their exemplary behaviour, and we commend them for representing our school so admirably.

On Monday, we will be conducting an assembly specifically for our Year 10 students. During this assembly, I, along with Mr. Williams (Deputy Head – Curriculum), will provide guidance on the remainder of their KS4 academic journey. We will discuss various opportunities outside the classroom that students should engage in. Additionally, we will emphasise the importance of becoming exam-ready for next year. As part of their journey to success, we will highlight the significance of revision and its role in the upcoming Year 10 mock examinations, which serve as crucial benchmarks.

HPV Vaccines Monday 5th June:
The School Aged Immunization service (SAIS) will be in school again Monday 5th June for all the students that did not have a HPV vaccine on the 18th May. PLEASE NOTE: you must consent online or your child will not get a vaccine!

Scan the QR code below, or head to:
https://www.hdftsais.co.uk/

Rewards Update – Amazon Vouchers on ClassCharts
As a principle in our rewards system, we want to try and foster a sense that ‘being good is a reward in itself’, and not to focus too heavily on material rewards. The initial part of the rewards system therefore focuses on ‘recognition’ of achievements. As part of this, we have instituted a system this year using ClassCharts whereby students receive a Letter from Mr Green-Harding (Head of School) and a personalised certificate as they receive a certain number of merits. The thresholds for this are as follows…

• Bronze Award: 100 merits
• Silver Award: 200 merit
• Gold Award: 300 merits
• Platinum Award: 450 merits
• Special Commendation: 550 merits

However, we recognise that tangible rewards do act as an incentive for students and whilst we don’t want them to be the primary focus of the merits system, we do want to incorporate them into our rewards for the most outstanding students that work hard and live our school’s Christian values into being consistently.

We have now implemented a system of purchasing vouchers for those students who perform exceptionally in terms of merits, beyond the certificate and letter recognition I have outlined above. We do however have to consider this in the contexts of ever-tightening school budgets in the current climate.

We have now implemented a progressing Amazon Voucher System that students can purchase using their merits – they can either cash them in early or keep saving until they reach a higher total. However, there will be a limited number of each voucher available. The system will be…

750 merits – £5 Amazon Voucher (100 available until the end of the year)
1,250 merits – £10 Amazon Voucher (50 available until the end of the year)
1,750 merits – £15 Amazon Voucher (25 available until the end of the year)

We hope this goes some way to recognising the exceptional performance of the eligible students over a prolonged period of time, and that we are appreciative of them consistently living the school values into being and “Living life to the full” in the spirit of John 10:10.

Wellbeing

Health and wellbeing is an important part of life at Archbishop Holgate’s School, in order to read the wellbeing newsletter for this week – please click here.

Head of Year Awards

Year team messages to parents and carers

Each week, the pastoral year teams will communicate any key messages, successes and upcoming dates to be aware of in this section of the parent bulletin.

A message from the Sixth Form pastoral team

BTEC Stand-Down
For our Year 13 BTEC students that have not yet completed their coursework and been signed -off, they must attend school each day to their timetable BTEC lessons and when not in a timetabled lesson we have a planned study space for them to continue working on their coursework to meet our very tight deadlines before we submit final marks. Students that do not meet the deadline will not be able to claim their qualification this year. It is important that they continue to attend.

REMINDER Y13 Leavers’ Key Dates:

• Prom – Friday 23rd June Hilton, York
• A Level Results – Thursday 17th August (invites sent last week)

REMINDER A Level Exam Timetable

Please find below the next two weeks of exams leading up to and following the May half-term break. The rest of the timetable will follow each week. Students have individual timetables also.

• Students to arrive 15mins before the exam start time
• All students to go to the Black Square to check the seating plans and then go to their location

Possible locations:

1. Sports Hall
2. Drama Studio
3. SFS
4. SF Library
5. SF Café

REMINDER Competitive Admissions Tests

Y12 Upcoming dates

• A Level Mock Exams – wc 3rd July
• Y12 Enrichment Week (off timetable) – wc 10th July
• Y12 Work Experience (not in school) – wc 17th July

A message from the Year 11 pastoral team

This week has seen the beginning of the GCSE examinations and I have been really proud of the start the students have made. There has been a feeling of real optimism (and relief) that the exams have finally begun, and so far, the conduct of the students has been exemplary. I would like to thank parents for your continued support in getting students into school on time and for making sure they have the correct uniform and equipment to complete the exams.

Whilst not in exams, students have been benefiting from the bespoke revision sessions the school has put on for them prior to their next exam. We have managed to cover specialist teachers in every subject, so students can have a last minute revision session with their class teacher. Again, I have been very proud of the way the students have approached these sessions, making full use of the support on offer to them.

We have been delighted with the number of students who have been coming to the morning breakfast we have been providing. I think the students have been really pleased to have somewhere to go and revise, talk with friends or just have some quiet time before the exams begin for that day. I know the hot chocolate, toast and croissants have gone down really well with the students, and we will continue to run this throughout the exam period completely free of charge. If this is something you feel your child might benefit from then please let me know.

As you are aware, there is a half term break in the middle of the exam period and just as there was in Easter, revision sessions will be run by certain subjects to aid students before their exams begin again after the week’s holiday. Please look out for emails or letters home regarding these sessions and thank you for your support in getting your child to attend. This will be really beneficial for them and could have a significant impact on their grade.

Last but not least, we are busy preparing to make Prom a wonderful experience and the Prom committee have made a decision on the theme ‘Under the Night Stars’. As a reminder, Prom will be taking place on Friday 30th June at York Racecourse. Students have indicated whether they will be attending or not and we will be making the final arrangements in the coming weeks. Thank you for keeping up with the payments on ParentPay and if you need support, contact our Finance Team. (swillsden@ahs.pmat.academy).

A message from the Year 10 pastoral team

What a successful week Year 10 have had with work experience, the full year group always shines when they have additional opportunities and they certainly did last week. I just want to start by saying I am beyond proud of all our young people on work experience, I have had many an email or phone call with glowing reports on how outstanding students have been, the students I saw myself on visits were doing a cracking job and I know a few students have been offered opportunities in the future like apprenticeships, that is down to their hard work, well done Year 10, they should be proud of themselves.

I am certainly looking forward to welcoming them back in the building this week to heap on the praise of their success but also start on mock preparation.
Families will be receiving a letter this week I have written explaining the mock process, with the mock timetable attached, and steps put in place, I therefore won’t repeat myself but will highlight a few key elements:

• Form time structure will change and students will be learning revision techniques with their form tutor and receiving a booklet which tells them everything they need to revise. They will also be writing a revision timetable for half term to bring home – please ask your young person about this and check you all are aware and agree on the plan.
• Mock revision in lessons will begin for two weeks after half term.
• Mocks start 19th June for two weeks.

I must highlight that this is a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their knowledge and even just get a good understanding of how the exam process works. I must also emphasise that students are expected to independently revise at home, as well as homework. We are also putting on sessions afterschool and at lunchtime that our young people can utilise also – please encourage them to attend as we are also putting rewards in around this, 5 sessions in a week (at home or in school) equates to a £5 Amazon voucher and our top 30 students will get an additional reward in school! If you do have any queries at all please do not hesitate to get in touch with myself or the year team.

Another element to be aware of for the mocks is students must be in full school uniform to be allowed in the exam hall and after a week out of them wearing an array of work attire can I just remind parents that students need to be in full school uniform, including the correct shoes, trousers and skirts along with ties and they need to have their school jumper with them, even if not wearing it when the weather is warmer. Any concerns around uniform please just let us know.

If you have any queries regarding your young person in Year 10, then please do get in touch by emailing myself (mdeacon@ahs.pmat.academy), Mr McPaul (cmcpaul@ahs.pmat.academy) and/or Mrs Robinson (jrobinson@ahs.pmat.academy) or calling main school reception and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Thank you – Miss Deacon

A message from the Year 9 pastoral team

Another great week for Year 9 in the penultimate week of term. This week we had a fantastic act of collective worship by 9JDl looking at the coronation of King Charles III. As aspects of the coronation were talked about and every member of the form who participated in this, be it designing the powerpoint, posters of participating should be very proud of themselves.

Mr Bainbridge took our Year 9 Boys football team to Selby for the cup semi final. “Unfortunately our Y9 boys lost to Selby 5-3 in the county cup semi finals after being 1-3 up at half time!

The students put in a great performance but I was delighted when the referee commented at the end of the game to say how brilliant our students were and how they had an amazing attitude. They showed great sportsmanship and exemplary manners when they were talking to the referee. It is excellent to hear how well they have represented the school and the year group, despite the loss. Well done.

In a change to Friday’s collective worship, Mr Williams talked to the year group about the upcoming assessment period. Booklets were handed out in Maths this week that are full of information about when and how this will happen. Form tutors will also be giving dedicated time in form to look at revision strategies with their form and to help them learn how to revise.

As always, if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to get in contact with the year team.

A message from the Year 8 pastoral team

Time seems to be flying by as we enter the final week of what has been a very calm and productive half term with Year 8. We have reached the stage of the year where, looking back, it is plain to see how much our students have grown and matured as they enter their teenage years. We feel very proud of how far they have come.

This week is an important one for Year 8 as it is Assessment week. Assessment week offers a valuable opportunity for teachers to check student progress which will be shared in an end of year report next half term so that parents can review their child’s academic progress. The tool of assessment helps students to understand the importance of working hard to perform well and we begin to expose students to important rubrics and skills for revision and navigating exam periods such as they will encounter in KS4. This helps to ‘normalise’ and build confidence around exams. However, we also try to strike a delicate balance to ensure that we have age-appropriate expectations of Year 8 and also avoid causing any unnecessary anxiety for students. The Year 8 team have held preemptive check-ins with any students who we feel might be daunted by assessment week, and we have set a tone of down-playing the pressure and encouraging everyone to just do their best. For Year 8 students, there is no expectation to complete any extra revision outside of school and routine homework is enough to consolidate any revision needed. If you have any concerns about your child this week, please advise the Year 8 team so we can support.

We have the Y8 Rewards disco on Thursday of this week which is taking place in the Main Hall and Spiritual Garden from 5pm – 6:30pm. Students will need to arrive via reception to sign in and all students are required to be signed up via Parent Pay. Thank you very much for donating an optional £2 on Parent Pay to help us to cover the costs of the event. The event is non-uniform with a theme of ’90s/neon’ which students are welcome to embrace; the Year 8 team have purchased glow sticks and neon stickers for every child so nobody feels left out! Mobile phones will be permitted, however staff will be policing the sensible use of these. There is still time to sign up so please complete the relevant consent form on Parent Pay to advise school of your child’s attendance, dietary requirements and photo permissions if your child would like to come along. Hopefully, we are anticipating some lovely sunny weather in school this week; we would therefore encourage parents to ensure your child has a water bottle with them to stay hydrated, possibly a sun hat, and maybe even some sun cream!

Thank you for your continued support. The Year 8 team are on hand throughout the school day to support students and address any concerns. We try to encourage students to seek us out before school, break, lunch or after school if they have an issue they would like to discuss. If you have any queries or concerns about your child in Year 8, please call school reception to speak to someone in the Year 8 team, or you can email reception@ahs.pmat.academy.

A message from the Year 7 pastoral team

It has been lovely to have year 7s in for a full week after our Bank Holidays and to see them enjoy the end of their assessments. We are extremely proud of how hard they all worked. We have been enjoying using our lunchtime equipment in the sunshine this week and it is now really starting to feel like summer.

This week, our assembly focused on Deaf Awareness week and we learnt about how to appropriately interact with those who have hearing impairments. Students engaged brilliantly and had the opportunity to learn some sign language.

We are always so impressed by the conduct of year 7 but we would like to take this opportunity to remind students and and parents of our 5 fundamentals, coming to school fully prepares with the correct equipment and uniform each day; arriving on time to school and lessons; speaking kindly and appropriately to staff and peers; trying our hardest in lessons; and caring for our school and the people in it. Being in the year 7 team makes us proud every day, it is great to see our students living our school values, joining in and doing the 5 fundamentals each day.

As always, thank you for your continued support. If you need anything please do not hesitate to contact the year team via main school reception.

Well Done to our Heads of Years Award Hannah Wray and Phoebe Rankin who have raised money for local charity Lollipop and have been learning British Sign Language, well done – we are very proud of you!

Well Done to our Students of the Week this Week:

7ASU – Safeea Lalowski-Cumberland – for excellent presenting of the news this week!
7CMM – Leona Koay- for smashing it week after week, bringing in loads of merits for 7CMm. Well done!
7PI – Grace Rennison – for being calm and sensible in form over the last couple of weeks
7HV – Ethan Day- For helping out with the ITT visitors and for being a positive role model, well done!
7MPE – Taha Kilic – For wowing us all with a very deep and meaningful quote in form time discussion.
7CST – Henry Taylor-For always being kind in form and having great ideas and opinions to share during form time activities. Well done Henry!
7MLN – Edward Wilson – for being a trustworthy and caring member of the form, thank you!
7BL – Aleksander Kurt – for always taking part in form discussions in a mature and sensible way. I hope to see this continue. Well done!
7JHE – Lucia Nicolle – for believing in herself
7CY – Frances Lilley for taking part in the school cricket tournament
7ZBL – Abudie Hajj-Qasseem – for being on time to school every day last week! Well done and keep it up!

Word of the week

The word of the week for week commencing 22 May is:

Validity
The quality of being logically or factually sound
“One might question the validity of our data”

Collective Worship

Theme
This week our form tutor collective worship is inspired by the life of 14th century Christian mystic, Julian of Norwich. We will consider how her understanding of an immensely loving God might influence our thinking today. Our daily quotes are all on the theme of trust.

Quotes

Monday:
“Trust Him when dark doubts assail thee,
Trust Him when thy strength is small,
Trust Him when to simply trust Him
Seems the hardest thing of all.”
Anonymous

Tuesday:
“There are always uncertainties ahead, but there is always one certainty – God’s will is good.”
Vernon Paterson , American Christian writer

Wednesday:
“Keep praying, but be thankful that God’s answers are wiser than your prayers!”
William Culbertson, American Christian leader

Thursday:
“God will never, never, never let us down if we have faith and put our trust in Him. He will always look after us. So we must cleave (stick close) to Jesus. Our whole life must simply be woven into Jesus.”
Mother Teresa, Roman Catholic nun

Friday:
“When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.”
Corrie Ten Boom, Dutch Christian who helped many Jews escape the Nazi Holocaust