Headteacher’s Update

Dear Families
This week has been a calm and purposeful one. The weather has been less variable than last week. Whilst it is still cold I remind you to ensure that your chid arrives at school with a coat, and not a hooded top- these are not part of our school uniform. We thank the vast majority of parents for ensuring their children arrive for school suitably attired within our school uniform policy, your support is greatly appreciated.
As well as being a productive week in classrooms, we have had some enrichment and character building activities take place in school this week. St Edmund Hall from Oxford University visited and spoke to our students about what university life is like. It is important that we are aspirational for students and give them access to the very best advice and this is only one part of our programme of providing students access to careers guidance. More is planned, and for various year groups.
Keeping to the subject of character development, our Ski Trip departs this weekend and we hope that students enjoy what is a wonderful experience, ably led by Mrs Watson and Mr Lansdale. This trip not only develops students’ skills on the slopes it also builds key character traits such as resilience- a one of our core values.
We continue to develop our school site, supported by our Trust- OAK Trust. There have been several building projects that have taken place on our site over the recent weeks and months, including solar panels being placed on our current gymnasium roof, to a new kitchen and of course our sports hall is progressing well, with the brickwork now almost complete. In addition during the course of next week Brookside Primary will complete their external fencing project which will see gated access to their site being completed. This means that there will only be access to their site through the bottom gate and not through the car park or through our entrance at the top of the site. If you have students at their school please note there will be no access through the car park to their site. This will make our car park a much safer space. Also our students will not be able to access Brookside’s site through the gated access. Therefore please ensure you make arrangements to collect any children yourself and not ask a sibling to collect- students are not permitted to collect. With this in mind, I ask again for your consideration in picking up and dropping off around the school site. It is busy with a primary school on site and our students are more than capable of walking to a nearby street to be collected should this be their method of transportation.
I remind Year 8 parents that we have a subject parents’ evening coming up next week on Thursday, details have been emailed directly about how to book appointments. In addition I take the opportunity to give you an early indication that we have Year 7 coming up on 13th February, details will be released a fortnight before the evening takes place. We have increased the number of opportunities for interaction with the school as a result of parental feedback and there will be Year 7-10 online tutor evening that will take place in April also where there will be the opportunity to discuss pastoral matters with your child’s form tutor. In the meantime, if there is ever any requirement to contact school, please email your child’s form tutor- this is the best way to make contact. There is a flow chart at the bottom of this newsletter explaining who to contact with different queries.
With best wishes
Mr S Greiff
Oxford University
It was great to welcome Luke and Calum from St Edmund’s Hall, Oxford University on Tuesday 14th January. Year 11 students were able to hear about what to expect around university life in general, what to expect when at university, why should they choose Oxford or Cambridge, University life at Oxford (including the collegiate system and tutoring) and what universities like Oxbridge are looking for in students.
It was a really inspirational and engaging talk. Our students also had time to ask questions.
We are hoping for more opportunities in the future.
SEND Reviews
We are delighted to let you know that the SEND reviews are going to be taking place as we are now coming to the end of our first cycle of interventions. The reviews have been organised with either the form tutor or a member of the SEND team, we endeavour to have these arranged by the 7th of February. These reviews are a really great opportunity for us to work together and an important time for parents/carers to be able to discuss the interventions their child has received, as well as working with us collaboratively regarding next steps. As this is the first time that a large number of students have had a review, we kindly ask for your understanding and patience as we go through this new process together.
Year 11 – Positive Steps 16 site (PS16)
Year 11 students have been sent their log in details to the PS16 website. These were sent to students’ school email accounts. This is the site students use to make applications to schools and colleges in Leicester and Leicestershire.
We have also shown our students a simple guide of what to do once logged in to the site. We showed this during assembly. This has also been shared on ClassCharts so that students, parents and carers can refer to it (it is a Power Point).
Please ensure that students keep their log in details safe. Students can now start using this site as set out on the Power Point – ensuring their personal details etc as well as personal statements are up to date on the system.
Mandarin Club
As part of Chinese New Year celebrations, our Mandarin teachers are interested in running a slightly different Mandarin club on Tuesday 11th February only. The session could include paper cutting, Chinese calligraphy, lantern/face mask making etc. All students who are currently signed up to Mandarin Club will have their usual place. If anyone else would be interested in attending this session please email Mr Croucher. We will run the spaces on a first come first served basis.
Unfortunately there will be no Mandarin Club running on Tuesday 4th February.
Duke of Edinburgh Award
We will be relaunching our programme in 2025 and are aiming to run both the Bronze and the Silver Awards. We will be in touch in the new year with more information including the new costs.
We have always felt this is a really important opportunity for our young people and it goes without saying that we are excited to be launching in 2025. As a result we have taken the necessary time to ensure we move forward with a model that allows our students to enjoy and succeed with the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. More information will come out in the New Year.
Leicester Riders Ticket Offer
Manor High School have been given the offer of 50% off tickets for the next 6 home games. Simply use promo code ‘OAK50’ at checkout to claim your discount.
Click here to view the Leicester Riders Basketball website
If you haven’t been before, we would recommend giving it a try. Basketball is a fast paced game, full of excitement, that is easy to follow. Great for whole families!
Alumni
We are really keen for former Manor High School students to share their experiences of the world of work with our students.
If you, a family member or even friend who was a Manor High School student and could possibly help us with this please email us via the Admin email (FAO Mr Croucher).
Many thanks.
After School Study Centre and Interventions
Please can you reinforce to students that if they are staying behind at school to use the study centre (either to work or to wait for a parent to collect them) they must not leave site first and then come back. We have had a number of students leave site at the end of the school day, head to the shop and then arrive back at school 15 minutes later saying they need to wait in the study centre. We cannot allow students to just come and go like this as it is not safe and also not fair to staff who are supporting in the study centre.
The same is the case for interventions. If a student has an intervention session after school they must leave session 3, stay on site and then head to their intervention. Some students have been leaving site at the end of the day, heading to the shops and then wanting to be let back onto site 15 minutes later. This is also not acceptable.
Thanks for your support with this.
Year 10 Work Experience
Thank you to all who have brought forms back in. Payments have been set up on the school gateway (thank you also to those who have already paid). Please make your payment promptly so your form can be fully processed.
Safeguarding Update
Tellmi
Tellmi offers a safe space for young people to talk about difficult things and get support from others who are dealing with similar issues. Students can access anonymous, pre-moderated peer and counsellor support, as well as 1-2-1 therapy through the Tellmi app and web app. They can also connect to the First Steps ED service to get specialist support for issues relating to body image or disordered eating.
This service is funded by the NHS, so it is free and it is exclusively available to young people who live in Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland. Students don’t need a referral and there is no waiting list.
Tellmi can be downloaded for free from the App Store, Play Store or via our Web App tellmi.app
Online Safety Newsletter – January 2025
I hope you have had a good break and a healthy and safe start to the new year. Attached is some key information for families regarding keeping young people safe in their use of technology. Hopefully it will provide some great tips and hacks to support you and your child.
Increasing Incidents of Illness In Children – LCC Public Health
During the winter months, illnesses such as colds and flu are more common. The NHS continues to experience significant pressures this winter. There are a number of things you can do to help yourself to stay well, which includes getting your seasonal vaccinations, and adopting healthy habits.
Flu Vaccinations
The School Aged Immunisation Service (SAIS) is currently offering all children and young people in primary, secondary and special schools a free flu vaccine. Details are shared with parents and carers through your child’s school. It’s important that vaccines are given on time for the best protection, but if your child has missed the school flu vaccine, the SAIS team will contact you about catch-up sessions. If you or your child have missed any other vaccine, contact your GP to catch up.
For more local information about vaccinations, please visit our website
Healthy Habits
Handwashing is one of the most effective ways to stop germs from spreading. Regularly washing hands in soap and warm water for 20 seconds can help you and your child to stay well and not pass on germs.
Using a tissue to catch coughs and sneezes helps to prevent the spread of germs. Make sure tissues are thrown in the bin after use.
Make Sure You Have Self-Care Essentials at Home
Consider keeping these essentials at home: thermometer, plasters, child-friendly paracetamol and ibuprofen, antiseptic cream, an ice-pack and antihistamines. Store medicines in a cool, dry, lockable cabinet, out of reach of children and always check the dates on medicines.
Other Useful Information & PE Timetable
