Dear families,
The highlight this week has been our assemblies, led by students speaking passionately and clearly about the value of friendship, reading, the joy of perseverance with a hobby such as dance and studying a language.
Our linguists have been taking their GCSE and A Level speaking and listening exams this week and have displayed remarkable resilience and confidence; our PE students have had their practical assessments and our IT students had their Digital IT exam. The exam season has truly started.
We wish you all a lovely Bank Holiday weekend and fingers crossed for some sun!
Communications Survey
This year we have made a number of changes to the way we communicate.
For example we have provided more opportunities to meet teachers at year group subject teacher evenings and events about our support for students with individual needs. We also email a single email with the main messages for families each Friday, have added more information to our website, and have reminded staff, students and families about our commitment to better communication, as summarised at https://tgschool.net/communicate
At the start of the year we asked for your feedback and suggestions on communication and we would now welcome an update on your views. It is a very quick and simple form, please click use this short survey to let us know how communication has been over the last 6 months.
https://forms.gle/g9At2YHr9beVxhtV7
Youth Opportunity Event - Tuesday 9 July
https://tgschool.net/news/youth-opportunity-event-tuesday-9th-july
This is a wonderful opportunity for students aged 15+ to visit the University of Suffolk in Ipswich.
Online Safety Newsletter - May 2024
Please take some time to look at the latest online safety newsletter. You will have seen and heard the increasing discussions in the news regarding the clear link between the alarming rise in poor mental health and the amount of time our young people spend on their smartphones. One recent study in Bradford reported that 10% of Yr 7 students were clinically depressed. The average time spent on social media by these students was five hours a day. The DFE are currently looking at the practicality of a smartphone ban in our schools but as parents we can take steps today to support and protect our young people. Please check the information on the "Internet Matters" link if your child does have a smartphone.
https://tgschool.net/news/online-safety-newsletter-may-2024
Free School Meal Vouchers for May half term
These will be sent from Suffolk County Council to eligible families by May 24th. Any problems please contact Free School Meals directly - freeschoolmeals@suffolk.gov.uk
Further information - https://tgschool.net/news/household-support-fund-extended-until-september-2024-free-school-meal-vouchers-for-may-half-term
Prom Dress Give-Away
This Sunday there is a Prom Dress Give Away in the main hall of the Stanway Lakelands Centre, from 9:30 to 2, https://www.facebook.com/NESupportTeam/posts/pfbid0hf63iQ61dUSf8WTLhD392VXT3FgVGTiQ82f3ptziwu75g3tCKRHMBiLACaP2gQQkl
Year 10 Work Experience
For any Year 10 student who has not yet arranged work experience please encourage them to email Mrs Cook asap on pcook@tgschool.net with a few ideas of jobs they would like to try out. If students are struggling with ideas, the career platform Morrisby should be able to help them, they can give parents access at the bottom of the home page.
If you have arranged your own work experience for your young person please let Mrs Cook know as she needs a month's notice to get the paperwork in place, if they are taking time out of school. Attendance will need to be at or over 95% if you are taking time out of school but alternatively you can arrange it during a holiday, just remember to complete the paperwork so you still get credit for that experience. Students are allowed up to two separate weeks during term time avoiding 20-25 June for their end of year exams.