The Every term, I look forward to receiving the draft edition of the Millthorpian and to adding my comments as a foreword. This term, I am particularly pleased to revisit all the wonderful things that have happened in Millthorpe over the last few months. This is a challenging time for schools and teachers. There is less money to fund schools, new GCSE qualifications to introduce and uncertainty over the education system as a whole. That makes me even more proud that our teaching staff continue not only to teach well and prepare our students academically for their future, but also that they make sure there are so many incredible opportunities for our young people to develop outside the academic sphere. What better preparation for life than strong qualifications and an open mind and perhaps a passion ignited by an extra-curricular experience? “There is nothing you can’t achieve”

The Archbishop of Dr John Sentamu visited Millthorpe to talk about vocations as part of National Careers Week. The Archbishop addressed Year 10 students in an assembly where he spoke about the importance of self belief and that there is nothing you can’t achieve if you really put your mind to it. Students also had the opportunity to ask the Archbishop questions which included: Q Do you have a bodyguard? A No. Would you like to be my bodyguard? I’ll hire you. Q What is your motivation? A I don’t like inequality. That’s why I campaigned for the living wage. Q What advice would you give to a young Christian? A Read your Bible, pray, take God more seriously and yourself less seriously. Following on from the assembly, the Archbishop took part in an RE lesson discussing a range of topics. Year 10 student Martha commented “I found him very genuine and interesting. He was honest and open as well as being funny and down to earth.” Trevor Burton, Headteacher said: “We were delighted to welcome the Archbishop to Millthorpe. It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to explore what it means to have a sense of purpose in their lives. Every day we encourage our students to work hard and to keep trying to achieve success. This is important as they look to discern what careers or further study they wish to pursue.” The Archbishop said: “I love going into schools and seeing all the hard work of teachers enabling young people to discover more of the gifts and talents with which God has created them. The invitation of Jesus Christ is ‘Come to me and I will give you life in all its fullness’. I pray that all at , staff and students alike, will come to know more of the abundant life that God has created them for and in doing so will discover more about themselves too.” Bright sparks

Students from the Department of Electronic Engineering at the University of York have been sharing their knowledge and expertise with students at Millthorpe in a weekly electronics club. Harry Eddis-Webb, a third year student at the University of York said “I have really enjoyed working with the students: we all share a similar love of electronics and technology. I am really impressed.” Mr Bull, Design and Technology teacher at Millthorpe, added “This partnership provides great role models for my students. By working together they are acquiring important skills that will make them very employable in the future.”

design. Kate’s talk was particularly inspirational as she described how her own career progressed from studying Graphics at HND level to running her own business for over 14 years. Following the talk, Kate spent time assessing the student’s work. She was particularly impressed with the work of Poppy Kyle for her stunning presentation and creativity. Poppy said “It was great to see a positive female role model. She runs her own business and works on some amazing creative projects.”

Special Thanks to Adam Sawyer, was a pleasure to have him in the Product Development Engineer from department. Establishing links with Portakabin, who came into the businesses like Portakabin is a great Design and Technology department way to inspire pupils and learn about to talk to Year 11 students about careers directly.” careers in the technology sector. Having worked as an Engineer for over 25 years and playing a part in Year 10 Graphics students received a Portakabin’s global success, Adam masterclass session from was very complimentary about the professional Graphic Designer Kate coursework being produced by the Pettitt from Bivouac Design. students. Kate delivered a great session, Design and Technology teacher Mr showing students examples of her Bull added ‘Adam has been involved own beautiful work from branding in some very exciting projects and it and print work to full exhibition Congratulations to the 13 students who represented Millthorpe School at the annual Rotary Club Technology Tournament. Working in teams, the students were set the challenge of building a launcher that fired a ball into a hoop three metres high. Competing against other secondary schools in York, the Millthorpe teams placed just outside the group of winners. The students produced some excellent designs and were wonderful ambassadors for the school.

The Millthorpe Cooking Club has continued to grow in popularity with over 20 students now attending each week. Held on a Thursday after school for students in Year 7, the club aims to encourage independent cooking skills and make cooking as fun as possible. Miss Dyson said “We have cooked some amazing dishes this year including: pizza, pancakes, soup and a range of party food. The students are building up their confidence and developing some great skills. My hope is that they will make these recipes at home and share them with friends and family.” Stay tuned Haute cuisine

This term, the two GCSE catering groups have been busy preparing for their practical exam. The task was to plan and cook a two course meal that reflects the cuisine of another country. The photos show some of the dishes that the students made within the three hours they were allowed. We had French coq au vin, Chinese pork dumplings with homemade pastry, Italian tiramisu made with homemade sponge cake, and Mexican homemade tortilla chips and dips; some students even made their own pasta. As you can seen all the food looked amazing and tasted even better! This year’s audience were treated to all round including two rock bands, their many and varied talents. an eclectic mix of talent at the annual some impressive gymnastics, and Performing in front of such a large Spring Concert. Students from Years 7 skilful soloists, as well as the ensem- audience helps build confidence and to 11 took to the stage with dancers, bles of the Junior Band, Keyboard develops their skills as performers. singers, musicians and gymnasts all Club, Ukulele Club and Jazz Band. What makes the concerts so special is showcasing their skills in front of a Mr Jackson, Head of Music said, the variety of talent we have at packed out main hall. “The concert provides a fantastic Millthorpe. It makes me extremely There were excellent performances opportunity for students to showcase proud of the work we do.”

February saw international musician with him. Our students then got to Carlos Peña come to Millthorpe’s perform in a Latin style on all of the Music Department to do a Latin instruments. Carlos has performed in workshop. Our GCSE musicians were 60 countries across the world and lucky enough to hear Carlos sing, even performed with the legendary perform and play a myriad of Latin Stevie Wonder, so privileged we instruments which he had brought in certainly were. Council Apprenticeship Recruitment evening on Thursday 2 March. This Year 9 students have this year not only event offered young people and their had their Options evening to help families the chance to meet and talk to them gain more information about the local and regional employers and Our Year 11 students spent two days at courses available to them, but also a apprenticeship agencies to get further the start of the term attending ‘Taster’ number of lessons offering them information, advice and independent sessions at our local Post-16 providers. guidance and support in making their guidance on apprenticeships as a Students applied directly to these choices. Feedback from the students pathway to employment. institutions, which provided a taste of has been that these lessons have If you have any questions, or would life as a student in Further Education, helped them through this process by like to know more about apprentice- in addition to attending lessons in the enabling questions and discussions, ships please contact Miss Sowter on specific subjects which interest them. giving them confidence in making [email protected] Year 11 attended days at , their GCSE subject choices. and the sixth forms at All Saints, Archbishop Holgate’s, Huntington, We had lots of activities and events Fulford and Joseph Rowntree. All We have also introduced Year 9 to the taking place in school during Careers these institutions, along with Askham start of our careers and post-16 work. Week. Students in different year Bryan College, have also run Open They have attended assemblies groups started researching careers Evenings for students and their explaining what Further and Higher linked to different subjects as an families to attend. Since then, our Education are and have had an exploration into where their lessons students have been making those big introduction to what apprenticeships can lead them in the future. decisions about what to do next and are and how they link to the world of Displays throughout school are in the process of applying to their work. As a follow up to the assembly emphasised these pathways and chosen provider or are submitting on Higher Education, all students in included information on particular applications for apprenticeships. Year 9 spent a day at York University. jobs through 60 second interviews. York College came into school on Whilst there, students were given a We were also lucky to have many several days during National Careers guided tour of the site, including a trip guests come in to talk about their jobs Week to provide drop-in sessions for to the new sports site, and information and how to get into specific industries: on finances and social life while at  Richard Pitwood spoke to Year 10 university. They had an opportunity to GSCE French students about his ask questions and chat with university work as a translator. students who served as guides for the  Shino Kojima spoke about her work day. Year 9 also completed an online as a Japanese translator and session on careers using the Fast interpreter with Year 8. Tomato programme, aimed at helping  Luke McCrum met with some of young people to start investigating our Year 11 GCSE Sport Studies and researching potential careers. students to discuss opportunities to continue studying sport, at both Further and Higher education Apprenticeships are fast becoming a levels, at . popular and accessible way for people  Andy Caulfield from Ordnance to continue learning whilst they are Survey spent a whole after- earning. Year 10 and 11 students have noon in school meeting with attended a number of workshops, various groups of students assemblies and information sessions to discuss the diverse on what apprenticeships are, the levels nature of his role as a available and have received guidance surveyor. Having on how to search for vacancies and the established strong links application process. We have had to geography, ICT and great feedback following the sessions, maths, Andy also took the with increasing numbers of students time to talk to our Duke of expressing an interest in pursuing an Edinburgh Award students apprenticeship in the future. about free compass and For anyone interested in considering map apps available to an apprenticeship there is further support them. information available on our website,  Clare Brint from Network along with current local vacancies and Rail gave assemblies to a contact form you can complete to Years 7 and 8 about her job receive more personalised vacancies as an engineer, assessing directly to your inbox. A number of and preventing landslides our students attended the City of York on the mainline network. students wanting support or guidance although some students talked for any results and this needs them to in choosing their courses and complet- much longer! It was very rewarding identify and evaluate their skills, ing the application process. We also watching lines of nervous students interests and experiences. As students encouraged students to attend the transform into smiling, confident often believe they don’t have many ‘Shape Your Future’ event at Fulford young people having finished their skills this was a rewarding experience school at the start of the term. This interview. Almost every student said as it proved just how much they have was a joint project with Archbishop they not only felt more confident after to offer a potential employer. Holgate’s, Fulford and Millthorpe in their interview but that they actually conjunction with York City Council. enjoyed the experience! The evening offered students and The employers were very impressed In an increasingly competitive job parents the chance to meet with with our students, saying they were market, we are being encouraged to numerous employers and education smart, prepared and engaged. The look at areas of growth within local providers all in one place! next step for our Year 10 students will business and industry. Key Stage 4 be their Work Experience placement students attended an assembly at the end of the summer term. explaining what labour market Our Year 10 students have had a term information is and how to use it. full of careers activities. In January Students were also given a link to the they all had lessons on how to fill in Year 11 is a difficult time for students Shape Your Future site and a booklet application forms (a vital skill for our with a lot of pressure on work levels with more information. This is also current Year 11s!). This included the and achievement at the same time as available on our website. importance of good literacy skills and making life changing decisions about presentation and also gave students their futures. To help support our guidance on recognising their skills students, we have offered individual Mr Bull has hosted numerous visitors and strengths and on how to careers interviews with Mrs this term, creating his very own provide examples of these. Morgan and Mrs McCulloch, version of live TED talks for Key Stage At the start of March all our careers advisors from 4 students! Speakers have included Year 10 students took part Shine. They have helped engineers and graphic designers from in a day of career related students focus on what companies including Portakabin, activities provided career area they might Shepherd Engineering, Bivouac, Aone through NYBEP (North like to enter and the best and ARUP. Yorkshire Business and routes to get there. They Enterprise Partnership). have also provided During the ‘Preparation for guidance and information on Employment’ day, students college and sixth form courses learned about interview techniques, and the entry requirements. The National Citizenship Service came skills employers are looking for All Year 11 students have also had a into school at the end of January to (organisation, team work, enthusiasm lesson on using START, an online explain their programme to students and resilience), routes into further and careers guidance portal. Students had ahead of the summer’s events. The higher education, including appren- mixed results with some highly rating service offers unique opportunities to ticeships, and finally a session on the its predictions whilst others were less 16 and 17 year olds, both in the UK rules around employment for young convinced. The main reason for using and abroad, during the summer people. For some, the highlight of the START is that it asks students to holidays. This is a chance for young day was learning an appropriate hand- complete four sections prior to getting people to embark on exhilarating shake whilst others loved hearing the challenges, make their mark and build route progression story of a young skills for work and life. For more accountant. details please visit www.ncsyes.co.uk. The mock application forms students completed in January were passed on to NYBEP who organised mock interviews for every student. On Wednesday 22 March, the Main Hall was full with 20 employers from the local area, including Nestle, York University, City of York Council, the armed forces, Atkins, Dale Power, Hethertons and Access to Music. Each student was issued an interview appointment card to remind them  what time to attend. Each interview lasted approximately 15 minutes,

 Millthorpe has been working towards lunchtimes. The final stage, becoming leaving them with little or no money. raising awareness about Fairtrade. a FairActive school, will be achieved Fairtrade gives these farmers a place Our goal is to become a FairAchiever next term when students plan to to fairly sell their cocoa beans helping School, which means that we must change the tea and coffee in the staff them rebuild their lifestyle with the complete three different stages of room to Fairtrade and introduce new and fair income they have. They raising awareness for Fairtrade: Fairtrade bananas to the canteen. are given support so they can help becoming a FairAware school; a Fairtrade events are being planned their children get a good education FairActive school; and a FairAchiever and will be held later in the year. and grow their farming business. school. We are working to achieve these Only 5% of Farmers are supported by We already achieved the first stage Fairtrade goals but what is Fairtrade Fairtrade, which means that the other last term when Year 7 students were and what does it do? Fairtrade does 95% are still living a difficult and encouraged to ‘make a switch’ in their incredible work to help the cocoa challenging life. Therefore, every little daily lives to ensure they were buying farmers across the world get fair deals donation will help make a difference. Fairtrade foods. To complete the for the cocoa they produce after Every penny that is donated is put second stage, students who are spending so many backbreaking hours towards helping those 95% of farmers Fairtrade ambassadors have been on the cocoa farms. When these get access to the income and support selling Fairtrade chocolates bars and farmers sell their bags of cocoa they they deserve. hot chocolate drinks during break and are often forced into unfair deals At Millthorpe we have raised over £230 and we will continue to raise awareness and take action. To find out more information about the FairAware School Award and Fairtrade Foundation visit www.fairtrade.org.uk. British Science Week is a nationwide event organised by the British Science Council to celebrate every- thing that is great about Science. The Science Department at ran a series of events to celebrate and promote Science around this year’s theme of ‘Change’. To begin the week, all Key Stage 3 students had an assembly on the positive changes Science has brought to all of our lives. The Science Department also ran lunchtime activities every day for a week on the theme of change. The whole department got involved and helped organise and run some fantastic sessions: Mr Mallen and The Year 10 Young Enterprise team a trade stand, being interviewed by a Mr Burrell captivated students with have pitted their business acumen panel of judges and giving a their investigation of how energy against eight other teams at the Local presentation to the judges, guests and drinks affect the heartbeats of Young Enterprise Competition. other teams, which were mostly made daphnia insects; Dr Powell and The team of students have set up up of Sixth Formers. Mr Weatherall wowed students with their own company called Nu Life There were eight awards up for grabs their dancing goo; Miss Jackson and which specialises in upcycling tin cans and I am pleased to announce that the Mr Ferguson took students into a range of products including team won three of them including somewhere and pencil holders and flower pots. overall winners! Well done for your brightened lunchtime with a range The competition involved setting up hard work and commitment. of colourful science experiments. The already successful Bird Club ran their weekly club in support of Science week and looked at how birds migrate with an exciting game. Science Club runs for all Key Stage 3 students every Wednesday, and during Science Week a bumper crowd investigated how items stretch and deform with Mrs Neale and Mrs Macklam, two of our wonderful Science Technicians. It was great to see so many of our students enjoying Science outside of their normal lessons and beginning to realise that science is so much more than just a subject to be learnt at school. The Science Department are already looking forward to next year’s Science Week and are busy planning an even more inspiring event. Congratulations to the girls’ cricket team who have bowled their way into the County Final of the Under 15s Lady Taverner's Championship having won the District competition. The indoor 8-a-side, 8-over game was a competitive, high scoring affair with Millthorpe beating Manor in the first round by 98 runs to 91 and then dazzling Huntington 78-23. In the second round, Millthorpe lost to Huntington by 2 runs but beat Manor again by 15 runs, becoming champions of York. They now play St. Aidan's later in the year to see who will be the champions! Miss Sarah Watts, PE teacher, said “This is a particular achievement because we fielded such a young team. Our team consists of two 9 Year girls and the rest are Year 8s!” She added “I am very proud of the girls; they played with real spirit and were an asset to Millthorpe.” The Year 11 football team ended their impressive North Yorkshire Cup run with a narrow semi-final defeat to in Scarborough. The team had more chances from open play than their seaside opponents but failed to convert them and ran out losers 2 - 1. A special well done to all the Year 10 and 11 players who were part of the cup run. Throughout the campaign their resilience and team spirit was a key factor in their success. All the squad should be very proud of their achievements.

A big well done to the eight students who have been part of the Sports Leadership this year. They have had the opportunity to benefit form coaching sessions in their chosen sports from specialist coaches. This will develop their own confidence and coaching skills to help them to be better sports coaches. Lydia on course to compete at World Transplant Games

Year 11 student Lydia is set to take part in the 5km time trial at the 21st World Transplant Games. Lydia was born with a terminal liver disease called Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis (pfic) in 2000. Lydia first displayed symptoms shortly after she was born and in 2007, at the age of six, underwent a life- saving and life-enhancing transplant. She grabbed this second chance at life firmly with both hands and loves to ride her bike and compete. Most Sundays, she goes out on her bike, in particular seeking out hills to ride up. Lydia has been selected to represent the UK in cycling at the World Transplant Games following her stunning performance at the British Transplant Games this year in Liverpool, where she won both the Time-Trial and the Road Race in her age group and came third overall. This year’s World Transplant Games are taking place in Malaga at the end of June and, as the National Transplant Team of Great Britain and Northern Ireland are entirely self-funded, it costs around £2,000 per person to compete.

To help get Lydia to the Games school held a non-uniform day and raised £852 towards her costs. Lydia was keen that we also take the oppor- tunity to raise awareness about organ donation: with more than 7,500 people in the UK needing a transplant, more donors means more lives saved. Pottyfor Potter

The link between reading for fun and the related published scripts, we Azkaban prison - Sirius Black - and educational success is well estab- decided to adopt a theme this year and the presence of a Deatheater in that lished. A recent government report we went Harry Potter Potty! Students area; and in the History department stated that, “Reading for pleasure is were encouraged to either wear a two witches were seen casting their key to boosting a young person’s life Harry Potter costume, carry a prop, or spells on unsuspecting students. The chances. . . Helping children to wear an item of Harry Potter clothing, Head of Hufflepuff House (aka develop a love of reading and a habit with Year 7 and 8 receiving Form and Romans) proudly sported full robes of reading for pleasure every day is key House based rewards and prizes for and was not the only teacher to enjoy to ensuring we have well educated and getting involved. We offered Harry flouncing along the corridors in a literate young people by the time they Potter style glasses and face painted gown. leave school.” We are, therefore, scars to students who didn’t have a always keen to promote reading for costume or prop, which meant we had pleasure here at Millthorpe School, whole Forms involved and the and World Book Day - the annual following positives were awarded: celebration of books and reading - Hufflepuff (aka Romans) received 363 gives us a great opportunity to ramp positives; Ravenclaw (aka Saxons) also up the fun. received 363 positives; and Slytherin Over the years we have had great fun (aka Vikings) received 287. on World Book Day with quizzes, In the library at lunch time we had films, a whole school read and a Harry Potter quizzes, films clips and a successful Guinness World Record Pin the Glasses on Harry Potter attempt! We staff also have a great competition with prizes such as time getting dressed up as book stickers, badges and chocolate frogs. characters and every year students ask Staff also joined in the fun, with the if they too can dress up like they did at majority of us at least wearing glasses primary school. With this in mind, we and sporting a scar on the forehead. arranged this year’s main activity. Rita Skeeter was seen around the With an upsurge in interest in Harry English department making Potter, off the back of the play, The furtive notes, reporting on a Cursed Child, and the film, Fantastic sighting of the much sought Beats and Where to Find Them, and after escapee from The Lord Mayor of York went back to school to experience a Year 7 healthy eating lesson at Millthorpe. The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress got stuck in with students making healthy and delicious snacks like hummus and guacamole after learning about the negative effects of crisps and chocolate. Food Technology teacher Mr Dunn said “It was great for the children to be able to show such distinguished guests the good work we are doing to encourage healthy eating in school.” The Lord Mayor added “It was lovely to see young people take an interest in what they eat. The recipes were quick and healthy. I’m going to try one again this weekend!” Year 7 student Connor said “It was a really fun lesson. We made healthy snacks and worked as a team to achieve some amazing results.”

Following the sterling work done by the Millthorpe birding club to improve the school environment for birds, their efforts were rewarded with a generous gift from a local business. Bird boxes, feeding stations and accessories worth over £100 were kindly donated by Wyevale Garden Centre in Upper Poppleton, to enhance the work being done by the birding club. The club is run by Head of Science Dr Powell and friend of the school and RSPB associate Mr Bishop, who are both hoping the increase in resources will not only encourage more birds to flock to the school but inspire more like-minded students to join the club. Mike Norton of Wyevale Garden Centre said “It is a pleasure to help students develop their love and interest in birding. The grounds at Millthorpe School are a great environ- ment for birds and I’m sure that these resources will be put to good use.”