Dear Families
We have completed our first week of GCSE mock exams and we have been impressed by the Year 11 students' conduct and commitment to their exams. Their exams continue next week and Year 13 mock exams begin.
USE OF MOBILE PHONES
As many of you will be aware, we had a serious incident outside of school on Wednesday. This is an on-going police matter.
However, our concern is the number of students who felt it was appropriate to video the events, share those videos and post them on social media.
We regularly talk to the students about kindness and empathy and what was disappointing was to see this not being displayed by some in this situation. We have also repeatedly tried to educate our students on the appropriate use of mobile phones and social media, about keeping themselves and others safe in their use of technology and not to share upsetting images of people being hurt.
Phones provided and paid for by parents are a valuable reassurance for students travelling safely to and from school. To give you confidence that your child is using their phone safely and appropriately, we would ask that you take time this weekend, with your child, to review their social media accounts and stored files. If you would like support with having these conversations then you may find this web page helpful https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide/social-media/#Talkingtoyourchildaboutsocialmedia
We will be again addressing this issue in assemblies next week.
Year 9 Science Assessment - Monday 20 January
Your child would have been told about their Y9 mid-year assessment on Monday in the Sports Hall. This is to help us gauge progress made this year and to help decide who we should offer Triple Science as an option for Year 10. Students will be tested on: Working Scientifically, Respiration, Reproduction, Food Webs, Molecules, Forces and Speed. Full details of revision resources are on GoSchools. www.tgschool.net/news/year-9-science-assessment-monday-20-january
Students will attend their period 3 lesson as usual, and then come to the sports hall to complete the test, which takes 70 minutes. Only students whose normal way of working involves the use of laptops, or have identified medical needs, will be in a different space. The other benefit of this assessment is to give students confidence for usual exam systems.
Students will be given a reminder of their candidate number for exams by their tutor on Monday, in case this is not already written in the front of their planner.
Little Shop of Horrors - weekend rehearsal
The dates for the weekend rehearsals are Saturday & Sunday, 1st & 2nd February - sorry for any confusion caused.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Parent Workshops
We have been asked to share this by the NHS team - free virtual workshops, covering Anxiety, Big Feelings, Self-harm, OCD & TICS - www.tgschool.net/news/supporting-young-people-s-mental-health-workshops or www.nsft.nhs.uk/parent-workshops
Community Events
Learn to Row - February Half Term
Sudbury Rowing Club are offering sessions in half term to students aged 13-18 years. www.tgschool.net/news/learn-to-row-february-half-term
Girls Football Activators
Opportunity to help develop extra-curricular football for other girls, to help them experience & enjoy football.
www.tgschool.net/news/girls-football-activators or email ldalton@tgschool.net
Teen Chill Sessions at Cornard Leisure Centre
Organised by Abbeycroft Leisure - sessions for Years 6-11 on a Monday at Cornard Leisure Centre.
https://tgschool.net/news/teen-chill-sessions-at-cornard-leisure-centre
Friends of Great Cornard Library - Quiz Night
The Library in Great Cornard is holding its annual Quiz night on Friday 24th January. Information about taking part can be found here.
Careers
This week’s Career's Newsletter has lots of new apprenticeship awareness events from employers such as Dunelm, EDF, RPC Solicitors and more as well as information on up and coming employer spotlight talks , careers events, college information so please don’t miss the opportunity to browse through the padlet to find something interesting/relevant to your young person.
Work Experience (Year 10)
For year 10 students who have yet to arrange their work experience, please encourage them to visit the careers hub and speak to Mrs Cook . We have a wide range of options such as multi-trades, event planning, business management, nature reserve, hospitality and even the opportunity to redesign a company's website . Morrisby.com the school careers platform can also give them some ideas of jobs they will enjoy based on the questionnaire they answered during an enrichment. If you or your workplace are able to offer work experience to TGS students we would love to hear from you. For all work experience queries please contact Mrs Cook on pcook@tgschool.net.