Headteacher’s Update
Dear Families,
I think it is fair to say that the summer has passed and we have had to very quickly embrace the rapid advancement of autumn. The weather has presented its fair share of challenges for us this week. Not only did the weather try to make us inaccessible to some this morning, by closing major roads to us, it has presented us with some operational challenges. We have managed to navigate these choppy waters (!) and keep positive
The nature of the weather has, regrettably, resulted in some adjustments to our usual routines. Our commitment to promoting outdoor activities during lunch breaks has been challenged during this week, resulting in some ‘indoor breaks’, which we try to avoid, but our outside canopies have been defeated by the weather on occasions. It has also resulted in our school field being restricted due to health and safety considerations. Also, the adverse conditions have impacted our ability to conduct certain PE lessons as originally planned. Nevertheless, the positivity of our pupils and staff, who have never complained, and continue to approach each day with enthusiasm and good humour shone through. It is a shame that the sun has not followed suit!
Despite these meteorological challenges, we have a positive week. The weather tried (and failed) to ‘dampen’ our Open Evening. It was not a ‘wash out’ and proved to be a resounding success, largely due to the remarkable contributions of our pupils. The event saw an impressive turnout of families and student volunteers, each eager to showcase our school to prospective parents. Their testimonials and pride in Manor High were truly inspiring, serving as a powerful endorsement of everything we do. We also thank parents who braved the storms to come and collect their children after open evening at 8pm last night.
In addition to the Open Evening, I have had the pleasure of conducting numerous open mornings for parents over the past fortnight. These visits have consistently reinforced my pride in our school. The energy and enthusiasm within our classrooms, combined with the ever-present smiles of our pupils, have not gone unnoticed by our visitors, who frequently comment on the positive atmosphere permeating our corridors.
This week also marked the European Day of Languages, an occasion embraced by our students and staff. Our catering team rose to the challenge, serving up dishes of Ratatouille and Albondigas to commemorate the day- I can confirm very tasty! Our languages department set up a series of events to mark the day, details of which can be found below.
As we experience seasonal change I politely remind you of our uniform policy. Hoodies, are not part of our official school uniform and are not permitted. We do, however, encourage the use of appropriate autumn/winter jackets when necessary.
Finally, I would like to draw the attention of our Year 7, 8, and 9 parents to an important communication regarding iPads. You should have received an email containing exciting updates on this matter, and I strongly encourage you to read this information at your earliest convenience.
I wish you all a restful weekend, and look forward to more settled weather next week.
Mr S Greiff
Modern Foreign Languages
It has been been an exciting week in Modern Languages as we celebrated the European Day of Languages on Thursday 26th September.
The week started with a Key Stage 3 House competition on Tuesday after school, with 32 students from across the four houses competing to build the best Eiffel Tower from paper straws and cellotape! Winners were announced yesterday with house points awarded as follows:
- 1st Clarendon 400 points
- 2nd Watermead 300 points
- 3rd Bradgate 200 points
- 4th Knighton 100 points
All members of the winning teams also received some MFL prizes and Class Charts points. Thank you to our Year 11 helpers for making the event a success!
On the special day itself, tutor groups across the school participated in a tutor time European Day of Languages quiz; winners will be announced early next week!
Our wonderful catering team also prepared two delicious Spanish and French dishes for the lunchtime menu; albóndigas and ratatouille. The meals went down a treat with staff and students alike!
The day ended with an opportunity to showcase our department to prospective parents and students at the school’s Open Evening. Visitors could sample an array of French and Spanish foods, have a go at some French and Spanish tongue twisters, pose in our photo booth, play a game of pétanque and enter a competition in order to be entered into a mystery prize draw.
Watch this space as, on the back of the success of last year’s Barcelona trip, the department will soon be launching our much anticipated 2025 trip to Nice for Y9 and 10 students!
Mrs Rodríguez
(Head of Modern Languages)
Student Ambassadors at Open Evening
Thank you so much to all of the amazing students who volunteered to help out at our open evening last Thursday (26th September). We could not accommodate all students who wanted to help but we will have more opportunities in the future. We are so grateful to have so many students who have such great pride in promoting our school.
Chess Club
Just a reminder that Manor High School is hoping to re start our chess club again. Please could any students who are interested in joining this sign up with Mr Croucher. We may even have a tournament coming up too!
Year 10 Work Experience
In the next few weeks we will be sending out information to do with work experience for our Year 10 students only.
Please note that although year 10 will be engaging with work experience during the last week of the academic year, we will be sending out information and applications forms in the next few weeks. We will also set a deadline for these forms to be with us. This deadline is set by the LEBC* to ensure all paperwork can be processed and placements can be coordinated.
*LEBC – the company who coordinate work experience for us to ensure all placements during school time are safe and appropriate for our students.
Year 11 – Post 16
We have created a list of open events at local Post 16 providers (schools and colleges). Please note this list covers a lot of providers but not all of them. We advised that all students should look at a range of different providers to help them make a more informed decision about where they will apply next year. We have sent this list of open events to students via class charts as well. Please click the link below to view the information.
We will be in touch in the next few weeks about the Post 16 application process.
Safeguarding Update
This week we are continuing to focus on staying safe on line, with the focus on sextortion. Sextortion is the financially motivated sexual extortion (often referred to as ‘sextortion’) is a type of online blackmail. An adult (or group of adults) threatens to release nude or semi-nude images of a child unless they pay them money, or do something else to benefit them. It is a form of child sexual abuse. The attached fact sheet tells you more about this as well as signs to look out for.
Ms Newbery Lead DSL
Extra Curricular Activities
Lost Property
Our reception team have received quite a lot of items to put in lost property. If you have lost anything at school can you please check with reception as it may have been handed in.
Toilet Passes
Please be aware that toilet passes are only issued to the few students who have a medical need to have free access to the toilets, ensuring they are able to go at any point during the lesson. Medical evidence will be required.