Dear Families,
We wish you an enjoyable bank holiday weekend.
Warm weather arrangements
We have been made aware that there have been some concerns expressed around uniform expectations in warm weather, so would like to remind families of the following points, which are regularly communicated to students.
The building is a modern building which is temperature sensitive. Our atrium windows automatically open at a certain temperature and all classrooms have windows that open to allow air to flow through the building. Windows also have blinds to provide some shade, and louvres to allow air to still enter the room.
Students are required to wear their blazers in the corridors as they go to and from lessons, which prevents them being lost or stuffed into bags.
In lessons whatever the temperature students can ask to take their blazers off.
At break and lunch on the ground floor students can remove their blazers.
In the exam hall students are allowed to remove blazers, undo their top shirt buttons and loosen their tie if they wish as there are no windows.
All students are allowed water on their desks at any time of year and we would encourage this.
If the temperature increases, as in the last two years ,we will inform parents and students that blazers are not needed.
We endeavour to take a sensible approach and would hope that families continue to support us with this. If you have any questions please contact a member of the senior leadership team.
VE Day - 80th Anniversary - Thursday 8 May 2025
Thursday 8 May will be a normal uniform day but students can wear an accessory in red, white and blue or with a Union Jack design. These could be items such as hair ties and bows, badges, ribbons, hats or that they swap their school tie for a Union Jack or red, white and blue one!
www.tgschool.net/news/ve-day-80th-anniversary-8th-may-2025
Year 11 Attendance
As GCSE exams begin to build in momentum, our attendance drive continues. Please be aware that year 11 students at Thomas Gainsborough School are required to remain in school for the entire duration of their GCSE exams; they are not permitted to sign out after exams, sign in late or take study leave. In the unlikely event that a student has a medical condition, please provide evidence of their appointment so that attendance certificates can be kept accurately up to date.
Students will continue to receive quality first teaching and revision material in their classrooms, an experience which cannot be replicated at home, therefore we thank you in advance for your support.
On Wednesday we have a Year 11 assembly planned where students will also receive final reminders about exam processes.
A reminder that the exam timetable is available on our website at https://tgschool.net/files/resources/1746214385_y11-summer-2025-exam-timetable.pdf
Year 11 Leavers
Please remember to book your year 11 students their prom ticket, yearbook, hoody and seats at graduation:
www.tgschool.net/year-11-end-of-year-2025
Careers
Mrs Osborne is now meeting with Year 10s regarding Post 16 options to ensure they have all the information they need to make an informed decision. They will all have an action plan of steps they can take to help them do this before they have to apply by the end of this calendar year. Please help them to work through these. After half term we will be running an online session for parents on this topic. Any questions please call kosborne@tschool.net.
Please encourage your young person to check through the Career's Newsletter for events both inside and outside of school to help them decide future subjects, pathways and career choices.
Free School Meals
Vouchers for the May half term will be issued by Suffolk County Council in time for the holiday. They will come from their provider Pluxee. Please note all vouchers only have a 2 month expiry date - please convert them as soon as possible. Any problems or if you do not have your voucher by Friday 23rd May, please contact Free School Meals directly - freeschoolmeals@suffolk.gov.uk
Wild in the Stour Valley - Friday 30 May
Stour Valley Education Network is holding a Wild in the Sour Valley on Friday 30th May on Friars Meadow in Sudbury from 11:00am - 4:00pm.
Further information is available from - dedhamvale-NL.org.uk or email - emma.black@suffolkandessex-NL.org.uk or
www.tgschool.net/news/wild-in-the-stour-valley
PACT - Parents and Carers Together
Suffolk SUpport group for families of children and young people with mental health issues.
Email - parentsamdcarerstogether@gmail.com or Helpline (not 24/7) 07856 038799 or website - www.parentsandcarerstogether.co.uk
Suffolk Parent Carer Forum - Annual Survey 2025
They are gathering the experiences of parents and carers on Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) in the last year, to influence positive change in Suffolk for children and young people.
The survey is open from 1-31 May to all Suffolk based parents and carers who have children and young people with SEN.
The link to the survey is here