Dear families,
We were very pleased to welcome so many students back to school after the Christmas break, and are exctied about all that the Spring term has to offer.
Careers Events
Next week we have the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary giving a virtual talk about careers working with animals on Thursday 11 January during the lunch hour. This is available to students from all years, and students can sign up by speaking to or emailing their tutor.
On 15 February we have our next Enrichment Day and Careers will be running Mock Interviews for Years 10 and some Sixth Form students. We have 24 employers signed up so far but would love more. If there are any parents or friends of the school who are able to help interview students on that day, please email Mrs Osborne on kosborne@tgschool.net, we will need you in school from 09:15 until 15:15, and lunch is provided.
To find out about other career related webinars, talks, work experience etc please see the weekly Careers Newsletter.
Online Safety Newsletter - January 2024
The start of January is a perfect time to reflect on just how safe your child is online. Perhaps they have received a new device for Christmas? Now is the time to check that the parental locks are in place as they were on the previous device. If your child has received their first device, it is the ideal time to create good safe habits right from the start of their online journey. Perhaps the whole family could agree to make online safety routines part of family resolutions?
However you approach online safety, please take the time to read this first publication of the year, it is attached and available on our website at www.tgschool.net/news/online-safety-newsletter-january-2024
Extra Curriculuar Clubs for Spring
The first draft of our Extra Curricular Timetable for Spring is attached, and the updated version will always be available at www.tgschool.net/enrichment.
These clubs are excellent way to develop new skills and confidence, build deeper friendships and prepare students for life. Unless specified, students can turn up at the rooms for clubs at 3:15. Clubs usually end at 4:15, and students can use late buses as listed on our transport page at www.tgschool.net/transport. While they await to be collected students are always welcome to use the library until 5pm, and then the Sports Centre reception after 5pm, where there are always staff available.
For students attending clubs away from school they can also collect merit award sheets from student services.
Cold weather kit for PE
A reminder that students are allowed to wear plain black tracksuit bottoms, as well as the black TGS sports quarter zip tops when taking part in activities outside. We do also allow students to wear a baselayer under their PE kit if they desire, but this must be black. Students can also wear gloves and woolly hats if the weather is cold, but this is activity dependent. No other uniform is allowed to be worn in lessons. Base layers and school PE tops can be ordered online.
Bugs or Butterflies: Sessions to help you, as parents, to understand how to support your child with attending school
We are all trying to do the best by our children, and as parents, it is sometimes difficult to know when you should keep your child off school and when you should send them into school! This virtual session will help you to recognise if actually, it’s all about feeling a bit worried about going to school rather than being unwell! Packed with practical ideas and tips about supporting a ‘nervous’ child who sometimes struggles to leave you, or who is worried about going into school or both! We have contacts with wellbeing professionals who can offer simple strategies for you to use which will support your child to grow in confidence and cope with the everyday ups and downs of school life. There will be a chance to ‘chat’ and ask questions online and find out when you book an appointment with one of us. Full details of the workshops and how to book are at www.unitysp.co.uk/parent-workshops/
Our final attachment are slides used in assembly today with year 11, and will be used next week with students in other years, on how to manage our own mental wellbeing. It illustrates useful strategies that many of us find helpful when me meet the natural challenges of life.
We wish you all a great weekend, and good rest for all our students preparing for actual and mock exams next week.
Regards,
Thomas Gainsborough School