Dear Families,

Firstly, I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for all of your support during this first term of the academic year. Wednesday 30^th August seems so long ago now!

Much has been achieved, and this newsletter is a reflection of the term’s work and all of the opportunities that students have been involved in.

Over the last term, I have been listening intently to what parents, students and staff have been saying to us.  One topic that has continually arisen has been the timing of tutor time. 

Discussions have been around whether this would be better placed at the start of the day.  There are many advantages to this.

• Students know that they are going to the same place every morning upon arrival at school - this helps particularly the younger students. This helps with organisation.
• Tutors will support students at the very beginning of the day to address any issues there may be and to set the day up for their tutees.
• Enables tutors to ensure their tutees are ready to learn at the start of the day, with equipment and uniform.
• Enables assemblies at the start of the day to set the tone for the day.
• Easier for the pastoral team in school to find students that they wish to support, as the students start in the same way every day.

It is important to note that late arrival to tutor time will result in the same sanction that is currently applied to students who are late to school and that students should continue to be prompt to all sessions, whether lessons or tutor times.

The structure of the school day will change slightly to the below-

Wishing you all the very best for the festive season, and we look forward to seeing you all again on the 8th January 2024.

Mr S Greiff

Tutor Time Reading Programme

The Tutor Time Reading Programme is well underway now and students have been enjoying reading the variety of texts on offer.

At the beginning of the year, all students started off with a collection of non-fiction articles on a range of different topics. The articles were short enough to be read within a single session and were supplemented with comprehension questions to gauge understanding.

After all forms completed the non-fiction booklet, they moved onto their first text of the year. This year we tried something different: we have two fictional stories, a collection of short stories and a short play. This gives students an opportunity to be exposed to different forms of literature during the year. We hope you have enjoyed the books we have selected, and we are always open to suggestions/recommendations.

Finally, a massive shout-out to B5 who were the first form to finish their text.

New Study Centre Achievement Leader

Manor High School would like to welcome and introduce our new Study Centre Achievement Leader, Mrs Farina Osman. Mrs Osman has just completed a stock take of over 4000 books and has also altered the layout of the study centre to create a more aesthetically pleasing learning environment. Here’s a little bit about Mrs Osman:

I am the new Study Centre Achievement Leader. I embarked on my educational journey with a profound dedication to arouse imagination; something that sparks curiosity so inherent that not to engage in delivering it and making it alive would be unthinkable.  Seeking knowledge is a key pathway to success; continuous learning cultivates adaptability, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.  Reading empowers young learners to articulate and learn new perspectives about the world they live in. My experience has evolved, and I am looking forward to creating an enriched learning environment and contributing to the educational growth of young individuals.   Education goes beyond the classroom, instilling curiosity, resilience and a passion to learn.  I plan to implement strategic initiatives focussed on student engagement, personalised learning and fostering a collaborative atmosphere.  Additionally, I aim to establish strong partnerships with educators, parents and the community to create a holistic support system for students.

Mrs Osman.

Debating Competition

On Monday 11th December, Miss Jordan hosted a debate competition between Leicestershire schools (Manor High, Lutterworth High, Gartree, Abbot Beyne and Welland Park). 8 of our inspirational public speakers in Year 10 were firstly provided with full training for the Parliamentary debating style before researching and speaking on issues such as social media and its potential harm, and whether parenting classes should be mandatory! A huge well done to Tania, Niamh, Edward, Yusuf, Zeina, Maryam, Mia and Zara- a true display of excellence in action.

Writing Competition

The writing club have been preparing for their spring writing competition. The challenge is to write an interactive mystery story in an escape room format.

Mrs S Goddard

European Day of Languages

On 26th September, we joined schools all over Europe in celebrating the European Day of Languages, an initiative led by the Council of Europe to promote linguistic diversity and to achieve greater intercultural understanding. Students at Manor High School participated in a house competition to find more about the linguistic diversity of staff in the school, and our colleagues in other departments displayed dates and titles in a variety of languages, including German, Italian and Welsh. There was also the opportunity to sample delicious albóndigas from Spain and ratatouille from France that day in the school canteen! 

French Theatre Production

This term, the Modern Languages department was delighted to welcome French native speaking actors from Onatti Productions to perform a play for all Year 9 and 10 French students. The play was thoroughly enjoyed by all, and we even had some audience participation from our students, who were excellent ambassadors for the school. We look forward to welcoming back Onatti Productions in 2024 when our Year 9 and 10 Spanish students will enjoy the same experience.

Modern Languages Christmas House Competition

Last week, the department hosted its annual house competition, which, this year, explored Christmas traditions around the world in order to increase our students’ cultural capital. Students from all years attended to represent their houses and Clarendon won 1st place for 500 house points, closely followed by Watermead in 2nd place for 300 house points and Bradgate in 3rd place for 100 house points. Everyone was feeling festive and enjoyed tucking into Christmas chocolate whilst broadening their cultural horizons!

Barcelona 2024

This term, the department has been delighted to launch its annual foreign residential, which this academic year will be to Barcelona, Spain. 41 Year 9 and 10 students have signed up and are looking forward to a variety of activities including a paella cookery class, a tapas tasting experience, a boat trip across the port of Barcelona, a visit to Parc Güell, a visit to Poble Espanyol, a visit to Las Ramblas shopping area and the world-famous La Boquería indoor market and a full day at WaterWorld in Lloret de Mar. More updates to follow in early 2024!

Mrs P Rodriguez

Year 10 De Montfort University Higher Education Trip 

Year 10 GCSE Art and Design students got to experience higher education options at De Montfort University on Wednesday 6^th December for an Art and Design Experience Day. Students were greeted by student’s resident at De Montfort who were studying art related courses and were able to share their experiences of university life and the enjoyment of their course of study.  

Students then had a hands-on experience in a subject taster session. Students were first tasked to create continuous line drawing of each other’s faces to enable them to loosen up and have a good laugh.  Students were then tasked to design onto life size templates of hoodies, jeans and trainers in any way they wished tapping into their artistic creativity supported by a team of five lectures who have backgrounds in footwear design, fashion design, contour fashion and textiles design. The students showed resilience and excellence and were praised for their designs before shortly giving a catwalk of their final outcomes.  

Students were fully immersed in the experience enjoying a lunch from the hub together before ending the day exploring the campus with the aid of student ambassadors, this included seeing the Kimberlin Library and a Halls of Residence. 

Mrs Wilson and Miss Booth were extremely proud of how the students conducted themselves and represented Manor High School in the highest form. We look forward to further trips with the GCSE students.  

DTA London Trips

This term we had the privilege of taking several groups of DTA students to London, where they visited the National Portrait Gallery and National Gallery and took part in live sketching workshops. Following the students' projects in Art & Design on 'Stories’ and 'Identity', students had the experience of responding personally to famous traditional and contemporary art pieces from the Galleries. After exploring Trafalgar Square and some of London's most icon structures, students enjoyed lunch in Covent Garden while watching some of the impressive street theatre. Students then rounded off the day with a first-hand look at costume and set design in live musical theatre in the West End, where they watched a critically acclaimed musical, such as The Lion King, Matilda, Back to the Future and Mrs Doubtfire. A great taste of both the culture of London and the wide range of opportunities in the arts. 

Leicester Riders Basketball Trip

Our year 7 students had a great evening at the Morningside Arena where they participated in a basketball session led by Leicester Riders Foundation coaches. Congratulations to Lia and Seb who were awarded the most improved players. We then finished off the evening watching Leicester Riders vs London Lions BBL, an extremely close and exciting game. The students were lucky enough to meet the players at the end and even get their autographs! 

U16 Boys Table Tennis - County Champions

A huge well done to our KS4 boys that have progressed through to the regional rounds in table tennis. They put up a fantastic performance at the county rounds, finishing in 1^st place.

Year 10 Boys Basketball 

Congratulations to the year 10 boys who won both fixtures at the basketball central venue league. They now progress on to the county rounds. We wish them the best of luck!

KS4 Girls Basketball

We have had more basketball success with our KS4 girls winning their area tournament again this year. They now progress on to the county rounds. We wish them the best of luck!

Year 7 and 8 Rugby Festival

Our year 7 and 8 boys competed in their first ever Rugby Festival, held by Leicester Tigers in November. The team won one game and lost one game. However, it was a fantastic experience for everyone! Every Tuesday, Matt from Leicester Tigers delivers coaching sessions at Manor High School from 3:15-4:15pm. Be sure not to miss out on this opportunity.

Girls Football

Our KS3 girls have been training every Friday since the start of the academic year in preparation for the girls football league running in the spring term. We are extremely proud of their commitment even in the cold weather. Well done girls.

Girls Netball

At the start of this term, our netball teams finished off their league games and participated in some friendly competitions. KS4 girls won 14-5 against SWHS. All KS3 teams won their matches against Beauchamp. A great end to the season. The girls have continued to train every Monday, 3:14-4:15pm in preparation for a netball tournament hosted by Leicester Grammar in the spring term. We can't wait to see their progress in action.

Sports Leaders

Well done to our sports leaders who have supported the primary schools cross-country and table tennis competitions this term. Students have been completing workshops every Wednesday lunchtime with Mrs Gondwe and are now working towards their volunteering hours. A huge well done to our sports leaders who have already achieved their bronze award. Keep up the great work.

Sponsorship

We want to send our thanks to the generous businesses who have kindly sponsored our football teams and year 8 netball team. The students loved wearing a squad kit this year as they felt part of a professional team.  Our sponsors are:

• CreativeTriangle
• CBA Business Solutions
• JB Business Services
• Heitrich Ltd
• Dale Studios

House Competitions

At the end of last term, students competed for their house in either a football or netball competition run by our very own sports captains. The evening was a huge success. 

Year 7 football

• 1^st Bradgate
• 2^nd Knighton
• 3^rd Clarendon
• 4^th Watermead

Year 8 football

• 1^st Knighton
• 2^nd Bradgate
• 3^rd Clarendon
• 4^th Watermead

Year 9/10 football

• 1^st Clarendon & Bradgate
• 2^nd - Watermead

KS3 Netball

• 1^st Clarendon
• 2^nd Watermead
• 3^rd Bradgate
• 4^th Knighton

Miss L Powell

A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES - Performing Arts Showcase Evening

On Wednesday 6^th December, the Performing Arts department hosted an evening of Film-themed Music and Drama. This included a range of items from our talented performers and extracurricular groups, including Drama Club, Manor Voices, Pitch Perfect, Orchestra and Ukulele Group. Years 4, 5 and 6 were given a performance in the afternoon and then parents and families were invited to watch the evening performance. It was wonderful to have such a large audience and to see so many students taking part in the production. A huge well done to all involved.

Philharmonia Orchestra Concert at De Montfort Hall

On Wednesday evening, 26 of our musicians visited De Montfort Hall to hear the Philharmonia Orchestra play music by George Gershwin and Duke Ellington. The concert programme also included a violin concerto written by jazz musician Wynton Marsalis, performed by renowned violinist Nicola Benedetti. Our students conducted themselves impeccably throughout the concert and really soaked up the experience of hearing a professional live orchestra.

Music Exam Success

Many of our students have instrumental tuition and a strong team of peripatetic teachers offer a full range of instrumental lessons in school, including piano, keyboard, drum kit, guitar (bass, electric, acoustic), brass (cornet, trombone) and woodwind (flute, clarinet, saxophone).

Many of our students are practising hard and working towards their music exams. Some of our students have passed grades this term. Our congratulations go to…

• Isla for passing her Grade 8 Violin with Merit
• Jack for passing his Grade 3 Trombone with Merit
• Kirsten for passing her Grade 4 Flute with Distinction

Mrs B Woods

It has been a very busy term in humanities with some changes in roles. Mr Sloneczny has become our new Head of Humanities, and Mr Parpworth taking over as second in humanities. We are both really excited about the opportunity and look forward to implementing some new ideas into the department over the coming years. In geography, students in Y9 took part in the ‘Trainer Game’, learning to empathise with other areas of the world, and reflecting on where we get our fashion from. Y7 have just finished their topic on ‘How do rivers change from source to mouth?’ producing some fantastic ‘beautiful work’ on what they’ve learnt, as you can see in the picture. In history, we had the Black history month competition. This consisted of an in form quiz won by B3, and a poem competition, with the theme ‘saluting our sisters’, which was won by Amaraah V in W2 with a poem called ‘The mother of the civil rights movement: Rosa Parks.’

Well done Amaraah.

The mother of the civil rights movement: Rosa Parks

For years, not long ago,

People were separated by their race.

But Rosa Parks changed that,

She ended this disgrace.

The mother of the civil rights movement,

A hero for all of us.

She took a stance in her home town,

Because she sat on a bus.

Refused to give up her seat,

She spoke for all her nation.

She knew all people should have a voice,

She needed to end this segregation.

By doing so, a boycott was formed,

Seventeen thousand people, hand in hand.

A call out to stop inequality,

Black people making a stand.

Mr T Sloneczny

Thank you for your donations.  A second week of goodies for the Christmas food packs has been donated to the Oadby foodbank. Thank you to all our families for your support with this.

What is knife crime?

Knife crime is any crime that involves a knife or sharp instrument. Offences with a knife can include threatening people, a robbery or burglary, murder or assault. Simply carrying a knife – even if a young person hasn’t used it – is also considered a crime and can get them in trouble.

99% of young people in England and Wales are living knife-free. A safer Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland is possible.

Warning signs that a young person may be carrying a knife – ask yourself the following questions.

• Has their attitude to school or education changed? For example - they really don’t want to go to school, they are not doing as well as normal, they talk about school less, they stop going to clubs etc.
• Are they talking about or have new friends you’ve not heard of or met before? 
• Are they protective and or secretive with their bag and or clothing?
• Are they more reserved, quieter or withdrawn than normal or are they more ‘clingy’ to you than normal?
• Have they been overly defensive when you’ve questioned them about their possessions?
• Do they send and receive more messages than they did before?
• Do they ever get up and leave the house abruptly?
• Are they more secretive about where they are going or have been than before?
• Are they out of the house more, particularly in the evenings and at night?
• Have they demonstrated a positive attitude towards those that carry knives, for example, a kitchen knife or screwdriver?

There are many reasons why young people decide to carry a knife or weapon. These can include (but are by no means exhaustive)

• They fear being a victim of knife crime – this could be from a specific threat or a perceived fear.
• General self-defence – the ‘just in case’ reason
• Peer pressure or being pressured into carrying for someone else
• They don’t know it's wrong, or they don’t know it’s illegal.
• To intimidate others
• To earn respect
• Involvement in other criminal activities

Disposing of a knife safely

You will find amnesty bins in six different police stations across the Leicester and Leicestershire area. These bins allow anybody to get rid of knives without the fear of being punished, unless it is found to have been used for a criminal act.

• Beaumont Leys Police Station, 2 Beaumont Way, Beaumont Leys LE41DS
• Braunstone Police Station, Hallam Crescent East, Braunstone Town LE31FF
• Hinckley Road Police Station, 90 Norfolk Street, Leicester LE35QP
• Keyham Lane Police Station, Colin Grundy Drive, Hamilton LE51FY
• Mansfield House Police Station, 74 Belgrave Gate, Leicester LE13GG
• Spinney Hill Police Station, East Park Road, Leicester LE55GY

Further information

• www.livesafe.org.uk

• #LivesNotKnives - Anti-knife campaign | Leicestershire Police (leics.police.uk)
• Gun and knife crime | Childline
• Knife Crime Statistics | The Ben Kinsella Trust
• For Parents | Knife Violence Prevention Scotland (noknivesbetterlives.com)
• Home - Fearless

Mrs A Ghani