Dear families,
We hope you all had a lovely Easter break. Our exam season is upon us. Our Year 11 students have completed their GCSE practical exams this week in Art and Photography and our Year 13 have had their Drama practical exam. We are very proud of the work they produced and their positive attitude.
Attendance Moments Matter - Attendance Counts!
Positive attendance is still essential for all students, not just those who have entered into the exam season in year 11 or 13. Please continue to ensure your children arrive punctually to school and attend at all available opportunities. This does increase support for wellbeing, safety as well as improving academic and social development outcomes. As always please let us know if there is any support you need to improve your child’s attendance in school.
This online video from Dr Radha Modgil, promotes the importance of reaching out to school for support if needed, www.instagram.com/p/C3Vn4Z3I3_p/
Our website holds helpful information as a reminder to support positive attendance www.tgschool.net/attendance and here is a link for the NHS ’is my child too ill for school’ guidance. The Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty’s letter on mild illness and school attendance to schools says that a prolonged period of absence is likely to heighten a child’s anxiety about attending school in the future can be accessed through clicking the bold italics.
Help, support and advice for families & carers of autistic people
Autism Central: East of England delivered by Essex County Council
Use the link above to access the details of the events, which include peer led parental support and ‘virtual meet ups’ around a wide range of topics such as sleeping, supporting communication, demand avoidance, understanding stimming, school holiday survival, supporting eating, teenage hygiene, supporting sensory needs, supporting anxiety. You can also book one to one sessions too.
Friends of TGS and Celebrating 50+ Years of Great Cornard Upper and Thomas Gainsborough Schools
How you can support our school and community: alumni, careers, sponsorship, fundraising and event support One of the things that has made our school successful over such a long period of time has been the support of the families and community. We have a Friends of TGS charity which we would like to relaunch, having been inactive for the last couple of years, and we would also like to involve more people in celebrating and supporting the life of the school. The stories of alumni of the schools are particularly powerful in inspiring our current students Students and local companies both benefit from working together on careers activities. If you have any great ideas, would like to find out more about alumni celebrations, or how you can support the school by offering your time and skills then please let us know via this form. Friends of TGS, Alumni, Careers, Fundraising & 50+ Years of TGS/GCUS Interest Form
University of Suffolk Family Awareness Day, Y7-9, 18 May 2024
The University of Suffolk is hosting its next Family Awareness Day on Saturday 18 May. Family Awareness Day is an event open to students in Year 7, 8 or 9 and their families. It is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about university and to meet with current University of Suffolk students. During the event families will take part in a fun programme of activities and learn more about the benefits of Higher Education and Student Finance. Refreshments and lunch are provided, and parking is available. You must register to attend the event via the 'Book a place' link. The event runs from 10:00-14:30 and families are expected to attend from start to finish to enjoy all of the activities. More information will follow once you have registered. Please email apteam@uos.ac.uk if you have any questions.
The Welkin, by Lucy Kirkwood, Performance at Quay Theatre, 7-11 May
The Welkin was at The National Theatre with Maxine Peake and it opens on Broadway in May with Sandra Oh from Killing Eve and Greg's Anatomy fame. Set in East Anglia in 1759, as the country awaits Halley’s Comet, a young woman is sentenced to death for a heinous murder. When she ‘pleads the belly’ to try to escape hanging, a jury of matrons are gathered to decide whether she is telling the truth. Although only recommended for those aged 14 and over this is an excellent way to support arts in our local community. Booking details at www.quaysudbury.com/events/the-welkin/
Enrichment & Sports Clubs
Our new timetable of after school clubs, updated for the Summer term is attached and available on our website at www.tgschool.net/enrichment alongside our programme of co-curricular sessions also continues, and these are especially useful as Y11 students approach exams.
Kooth Mental Health Services
Last year the NSPCC reported a 10% increase in young people receiving counselling support for exam stress. Kooth's own data shows that almost 20% of young people visiting Kooth seek help about school/college issues or exam stress. With many young people preparing for exams this term, Kooth is here to help with any stress or anxiety they may be feeling. In April they're running webinars specifically to help parents and carers with children sitting exams - this will be appropriate for students of all ages, especially if they are worried about their child’s anxiety. The sessions take place online on Monday 22 April at 1-2pm and on Thursday 25 April 6-7pm. For more information please visit the website: www.koothplc.com
Careers Newsletter
Just a reminder to check the Careers Newsletter so as not to miss out on all the exciting careers events going on both inside and outside of school to help your young person decide on what to do next. the link is always available at www.tgschool.net/careers or can be added to the Padlet App. The latest version is available at https://padlet.com/kosborne48/tgs-careers-newsletter-19th-april-2024-da4velfjmstxavzg