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TMBS News February 2020

Year 11 After School Sessions

With GCSEs fast approaching, we will be offering an after school revision programme for Year 11 students from Monday 24th February, allowing students to stay and complete some additional revision at the end of the day. Each day will have a set subject(s) assigned and students will need to sign up to these sessions in advance to allow staff to effectively plan and ensure that there are enough teachers to deliver the sessions. The sessions will run from 3.05pm to 4.15pm. It is the student’s responsibility to inform parents and carers if they are attending and arrange transportation home afterwards.

There will also be a silent study room, which will be run by the Senior Leadership Team for students to complete individual revision. Please see the flyer below for more details.

Year 10 Berlin Trip

It's not long to go now until the Berlin trip departs. To prepare the students and also hopefully whet their appetite for the trip, resources will be shared that you could look at, read and complete together. With the recent 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp, we would highly recommend taking a look at the BBC news homepage, which has a whole section dedicated to this: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/c34vxewp0ykt/the-holocaust

We will be holding a parents' information evening on Thursday 5th March at 5.00pm, where more information about the trip will be given. We hope to see you there.

Year 11s Complete Their DofE

On 18th December, twenty-five Year 11 Duke of Edinburgh students received their Bronze Award and Pin Badge to mark their achievement in completing their award.

The students have shown commitment, resilience, and a willingness to see the tough demands of the award through from start to finish. To achieve their award they had to volunteer, learn a skill, do a sport and undertake a team expedition.

Mrs Wallace, Assistant Principal and DofE Leader said, “The life skills and commitment each of the award achievers have developed will put them in great stead for their futures. I’m very proud of their achievements and to the value their volunteering has added to the local community.”

The students echoed Mrs Wallace's words about the long-term benefits of the Award.

"Completing my Bronze DofE Award gave me the opportunity to work with younger children in a coaching capacity which is something I never thought I’d enjoy, but realised that I not only love it but am also quite good at it”. “I have also learned how to cook basic meals for me and my family, a skill that I will continue to develop throughout my life”.
"Doing my DofE is one of the best experiences I’ve had in my life. It has helped me to overcome my fears and made me realise I can to do more things than I thought I could. The DofE is important because it allows people of all abilities to take part, develop skills and achieve. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget."

Exams & Attendance News

Mock Exams

  • YEAR 10: Monday 2nd March through to Friday 6th March
  • YEAR 11 – Core Subjects: Monday 9th March through to Thursday 12th March

Seated timetables will be issued after half term. Why not prepare a mock revision timetable using a Google Sheets (Schedule).

External Exams

YEAR 11 SUMMER EXAMS: Entry timetables were issued on 11 February for checking, seated timetables will be issued after Easter. The school website will be constantly updated with exams information and you will be alerted of updates by email or text. Parents’ evening on 13 February will be the final formal opportunity to discuss progress with class teachers – we look forward to seeing you then.

Attendance

Our overall school attendance is 95%, a little lower than this time last year but still ‘EXCELLENT’. We like to aim high and would love our attendance at the end of year to hit our target of 97%. We hope that you continue to support us in our endeavours.

Attendance Reminder

  • Please remember to call in on each day of absence when your child is off school.
  • Please contact your child’s tutor or head of year if you feel that your child is missing too much school – interventions may help?!
  • Please contact us if you have any concerns about your child’s attendance.

Year 10s Get Ready for March Mocks

On Friday 7th February, over 50 of our Year 10 students took part in revision workshops in readiness for their mock exams starting in March.

Learning Performance is one of the UK's leading educational companies, supporting schools with practical and engaging programmes aimed at raising achievement and inspiring a love of learning. Ian Woodward, who has visited the school to deliver several workshops in previous years, spent the day working with small Year 10 groups, exploring a range of revision strategies and memory techniques that students can apply to their own revision across all subjects. The workshops were designed to be relaxed, fun and practical, with students learning about metacognitive approaches to studying whilst also boosting their confidence.

"The day helped me to understand how to revise," one Year 10 said, "and a range of different strategies to try if one doesn't work for me. I loved learning about mind palaces and it's definitely something I'll try in my revision."

Ian finished the day off by running a short, metacognitive workshop with some of our highest-achieving Year 11s, as a final boost before they go into their Literature mocks next week.

Both he and I were really impressed by the students' enthusiasm for the sessions and their willingness to try new approaches and learn more about their own brains and memories. Good luck in your mocks, Key Stage Four! Miss Moreland

Maths Revision Evening

Well done to all those students and parents who braved the cold last Thursday to attend the Maths Revision Evening for our current Year 11s. With over 80 parents attending, the workshops hopefully provided parents with some practical advice on how they can support their child with their maths preparation. One student looked particularly happy when she was told "she was getting a break from her household duties to focus on revision." As the summer approaches and students turn their attention to a focused revision programme, it does pay to start early and take the pressure off later. Thank you. Mr Henstock

Help Prevent Hacking

As the world of technology continues to develop, it is vital that we continue to carefully track and monitor our students' use of the internet. Leicestershire County Council have informed schools that the National Crime Agency have begun working with the East Midlands Police to help work with young people who may have become a victim or a perpetrator of hacking. The logos below are ones to look out for on computers, as they indicate that hacking programmes are being used, or have been used on that computer or device. When these young people are identified, the police then work with them and use their valuable skills as a way to challenge hacking in a positive way. This can also lead to opportunities in the world of employment in the future. If you notice any of these symbols on any devices at home, please let us know so that we can offer support with the next step.

Running to raise money

On Saturday 11th January, Jude ran 7 miles from Market Bosworth to Fenny Drayton to support his friend in his efforts to raise money for the people and animals affected by the bushfires in Australia. The sponsorships they gained raised over £1300! The money has been sent to the NSW Rural fire services. Well done Jude!

Swimming Sensation

Year 8 student, Leah has just finished her third weekend of Leicestershire County Championships and with a fabulous haul of medals has become County Champion in 5 events.

She won 5 golds to become County Champion in:

  • 50m Backstroke
  • 200m Freestyle
  • 400m Freestyle
  • 200m Individual Medley
  • 400m Individual Medley

She won 5 silvers in:

  • 1500m Freestyle
  • 100m Individual Medley
  • 100m Backstroke
  • 200m Backstroke
  • 100m Fly

She won 2 bronze in:

  • 200m Fly
  • 50m Freestyle

She has also gained 10 qualifying times for the East Midland Regional Championships in April. What an amazing achievement, Leah - well done and good luck for the Regional Championships!

Young Chef Competition

Eleni represented TMBS in the second round of The Rotary Young Chef competition. She was up against stiff competition with 16 students representing schools across the county. Her starter: garlic prawns, main: steak with peppercorn sauce, roasted potatoes and asparagus and pudding: chocolate lava cake were cooked to perfection. Well done Eleni - Keep on cooking!

Sew grateful for donation

A big thanks to Ronan Cox, from Coats, for providing the textiles workshop with a very large sample of top quality threads! Both staff and students are thrilled to bits!

Alumni Success

It's always nice to hear of the success of former students and we were particularly excited to hear about former media student, Ben Cookson. Ben is the director of a new WW2 film trailer, 'Waiting for Anya', due for cinema release next month.

Based on the novel by War Horse author Michael Morpurgo, Waiting for Anya tells the story of Jo Lalande (played by Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp), a 13-year-old shepherd, his grandfather (played by Leon star Jean Reno) and a widow (played by Academy Award Winner for Prizzi’s Honor Angelica Huston), who help smuggle Jewish children across the border from occupied southern France into Spain during World War II.

A tale that will resonate with viewers of all ages, Waiting for Anya will be released in select UK cinemas from Friday 21 February courtesy of Kaleidoscope Entertainment. If you would like to view a trailer of the film please click on the link: https://youtu.be/PZmEOhEn9Iw

We hope you all enjoy a lovely half term.