Message from the Principal and Vice Principal
As we draw towards the end of another half term it is an opportune moment to reflect. The thing that we have enjoyed the most about this term is the relaxation of the government guidance on the wearing of face masks for students in schools. This is not a comment on whether we think students should or shouldn’t wear face masks. As we know it is now a personal choice for students. However, we have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the smiles on so many faces. Equally, it has been much easier to see when perhaps people are not quite so happy. This has provided us the chance to engage in conversation to find out why and hopefully help and support where we can.
Farewell to Year 11 and Year 13
Today we said our final goodbyes to our Year 11 and Year 13 students. Whilst we will be seeing many Year 11 students again very soon as they start their induction to sixth form, today still marks a significant point in their journey.
It was a pleasure to read and hear of their reflections on their time in school. The opportunity to witness many of them sharing their messages of thanks with peers, family and staff was both humbling and heart-warming. There have been some very emotional moments over the past few days, not least the final assemblies where the odd tear was shared amongst friends.
The last two years have been unreal. Who would have predicted what we have all been through? We must spare a thought at this time for our Year 11 and Year 13 students who have experienced learning in many different ways, been assessed for final grades in ways we could never have imagined and who have also had to prepare for the next stage in their journey in such an unknown and very different context. Without doubt they have demonstrated our school values in bucketloads. This will prepare them for life beyond school and for a future in an ever-changing diverse world, which is full of challenges. We say goodbye to each and every one of them in the confidence that they can be happy, healthy, employable and hold a positive view of the world.
Positive COVID cases
Whilst we are delighted to have had no positive COVID cases this half term, we are not counting our chickens quite yet. We know that schools locally have had cases this term and some are really struggling at the moment. We go into next term knowing that we must continue to be robust in how we manage day-to-day life in school, in line with our risk assessment.
If your child tests positive for COVID before 3:15pm on Sunday 30 May we urge you to let us know as soon as possible by completing the following form: Positive COVID-19 Form. This will enable us to complete our track and trace processes and ensure all families that need to be alerted to self-isolate have been told in a timely fashion.
Finally…
That just leaves us to wish you all a lovely bank holiday weekend. We believe the weather will be kind to us, which makes it all the more enjoyable.
Have a restful half term break.
Jay Davenport, Principal, and Lee Towers, Vice Principal
Year 13 Leavers' Assembly
On Wednesday afternoon we held our Year 13 Leavers' Assembly. Mr Carter, Miss O'Brien and tutors handed out a variety of awards, with Mr Davenport giving a speech and wishing them well for the future.
The event was rounded off with teachers and Year 12 students lining up to give the Year 13 leavers a round of applause as they left the school site.
We would like to wish them the best of luck as they move on to their next destinations, as well as remind them that we are still on hand should they need any support or guidance.
Year 11 Leavers' Assembly
Today we said goodbye to our Year 11 students with our Leavers' Assembly. Mr Brown discussed how the world has changed over the past five years, and how they too have grown and overcome challenges along the way.
There was time for shirt-signing, hugs and photos outside on the MUGA before the students left the school site just before lunchtime.
Year 11 transition
Parents and carers have been emailed full details of our post-16 transition offer. A reminder to all parents and carers of students in Year 11 to complete this form:
For students staying on in the sixth form, we have planned eight exciting days of transition. Please see the timetable below. Students have been given a personalised copy in tutor time today.
If you have any questions about post-16 transition, please email dcarter@manor.school
Year 7 Parents' Evening
Thank you to our Year 7 students and their parents/carers for their impressive turnout at the Virtual Parents' Evening last night.
Please can parents/carers complete our feedback form (link below), which asks questions about the process of a virtual evening, and also includes our school survey. Please complete this before the end of Monday 7June.
Thank you once again for your support and patience as we implement a new way of operating consultation evenings.
Free school meals vouchers
Parent/carers of any student in receipt of free school meals should now have received their voucher code to cover May half term. If you have yet to receive yours, please email nbannard@manor.school.
Catering provision for Term 6
The table below sets out the day of the week each year group will offered a hot food option.
For those families who have been ordering grab bags, this provision will continue. Please continue to order the grab bag for your child in the normal way using this link: Term 6 Lunch Order Form. Your child will collect their food in the normal way from within their pod. Sandwiches will also be offered alongside the hot food options but will not be made to order on that day. Therefore, there will be no conflict with your order, using this form, and what your child collects on the specified hot food day.
Year 12 will have the option to order food in advance and it will be delivered to the Sixth Form Centre. More information for this year group will be shared with directly with the students.
Please ensure your child’s Wisepay account has sufficient funds on it.
Alan Sewell, Catering Manager
Hoodies
We would like to politely remind all students that hoodies of any description - whether these are non-zipped, 1/4 zipped or full zipped, are not permitted to be worn as normal school uniform or for PE. New PE uniform which includes options for jumpers is now available to order from the school website.
Music instrumental lessons
If your child would like the opportunity to continue with, or begin, instrumental lessons next academic year (provided by specialist teachers from Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust), then please read and complete the following document and return to Miss Barron by Friday 11 June.
The Manor Exchange
The Manor Exchange is an extension of Manor School’s strategy for Careers, Enterprise and Work-Related Learning. Our aim is to widen and enhance our links with local labour markets, employers, training providers and former students to develop the engagement our students have with the world of work and the local economy.
If you and/or your company or organisation would like to support our young people and are able to contribute to this strategy, we would be extremely grateful if you could complete the questionnaire using the following link:
New languages newsletter
Liberty W in Year 12 has created a monthly languages newsletter which includes information on culture and language for Spanish and French. The link will be shared in Our Manor each month. Please have a read and if any students wish to contribute then please contact Mrs Donovan or Miss Newman. Gracias & merci!
Manor Maths Challenges
It's half term and so that can only mean one thing - maths challenges that are all about halves. In the introduction to this week's blog, Mrs Radd also talks about how many times a piece of paper can be folded in half - get ready to experiment with toilet roll...
Police warning: drug-infused sweets
Following recent reports of children ingesting drug-infused sweets, please see the following letter from Northamptonshire Police.
MKU Hospital careers event
Milton Keynes University Hospital’s apprenticeship team are running a 4-day virtual careers event during half term.
The event will give students an opportunity to find out about the hospital and potential careers within the NHS. It will also give them the chance to ask questions and chat with specialty leads and members of the team.
The session will be held via Microsoft Teams, and any students interested can purchase free ‘tickets’ from Eventbrite, where they will be sent an invite to the Teams session via email.
The schedule is as follows:
- Tuesday 1 June, 12-1pm: Therapies careers talk
- Wednesday 2 June, 12-1pm: Nursing careers talk
- Thursday 3 June, 12-1pm: Radiography careers talk
- Friday 4 June 12-1pm: Simulation careers talk
For more information and to book tickets, please visit the MKU Hospital website.
Get Set to Go
Northamptonshire Mind in conjunction with NSport, Freedom Leisure, North Northamptonshire Council and Northampton Town FC Community have launched the Get Set to Go project, which aims to give people living with a mental health condition the confidence to get active.
There is a wide range of activities planned over the next few months, many of which don't require you to be "sporty" in order to get involved. Please download the booklet below for full details of what's on offer.
Term 6 extra-curricular clubs
Term 6 clubs start from Monday 7 June, and this term we have the performing arts department running after-school activities. There will be general music sessions on Mondays for both Year 7 and 10, with Years 8 and 9 able to take part on Wednesdays.
Meanwhile, there are some exciting new PE clubs on offer, run both by the PE team and via external coaching provided by NSport.
Students interested in archery must sign up via their PE teacher due to there being limited spaces.
For full details of our club procedure, please see our website.
