Key Dates New website Children in Need Term 2: 2nd Nov-17th Dec Our brand new website has Due to the current restrictions, we Winter break: 18th Dec-4th Jan launched! were unable to go all out this year, Term 3: 5th Jan-12th Feb We are very excited to have like usual, but we did do a ‘Come Half term: 15th Feb-19th Feb moved to our new site and you as yourself’-themed mufti day to Term 4: 22nd Feb-1st Apr can find all the information you celebrate and promote everyone need about Tor Bridge High at the feeling confident and happy! 11th December: Students can same address: collect their GCSE certificates A huge well done goes to the from the main school Admin office www.torbridge.net whole of Tor Bridge High for raising £911.63! Christmas in a box! Tor Bridge High students and staff have done themselves proud once again. This Christmas 70 boxes equalling over 700kgs of food and drink has been donated into the North Plymouth Food bank. During October tutor groups have been collecting specific items to make up a Christmas themed food box to donate to the foodbank so families around Plymouth can enjoy a few extras during this festive period. The students were fabulous, and the generosity of the donations by themselves and families was incredible. Once all the boxes were complete they were loaded onto the mini bus ready for the next stage in their journey to a home. Mr Riley was assisted by Liam and Maisie (from tutor group 7NEL who donated 7 boxes alone), delivered the boxes to the North Plymouth Foodbank who could not thank the kindness of the donations enough. Every box was weighed in combining to a total of 714 kgs, a truly amazing amount. Well done to all the Tor Bridge High community and we cannot wait to do it all again next year. A message from the Headteacher As I write this short introduction to our first curriculum area. Many of newsletter of the 2020-21 academic year, I realise which outline how each subject that this is the latest of many communications that I has responded to the significant challenges have had with you over the last nine months or so. of delivering a high quality curriculum with the The good news this time is that the message is not restrictions of keeping everyone as safe as in response to an issue or matter that has arisen possible and moving on from the months where due to the Coronavirus COVID19 pandemic. students were not in school. As has been the case throughout the COVID crisis, we are still This year for all of us, has been a year like no receiving updates from organisations such as the other and when I reflect on the calendar year I am Department for Education and the exams regulator blown away by how fantastic the students, staff, ‘Ofqual’. Later on in this newsletter, there is an governors and parents/carers have been during this article about the changes to exams and the way time. Over the last two terms since we have been that grades will be calculated, as we know it at back, since our return in September, we have had the time of writing. As with all of the matters linked to make many changes to the way that we operate with how we operate and COVID19, we will keep but what hasn’t changed is the core structure of communicating with you as parents and carers. our day and what is happening in the lessons Your support in these ever-changing times in that are taking place. The reading programme response to the crisis is very welcome, thank you. in tutorial is still exposing students to a range of texts, ideas and vocabulary that most would not Moving away from the virus, as I have mentioned, have experienced. Lessons are starting with a Low we have been able to keep an awful lot still going Stakes Test to review core knowledge and prepare on in school although often in a different way, with students for their learning. Teachers are still being much of this, although not everything is covered clear with instruction, and students have a chance in this newsletter. While our number one priority to put this into practice in the challenging tasks has been, and still is, safely supporting students to that are set. These are all established routines recover from the lost time before the summer, much which have meant that while there is much turmoil has still been happening in school that showcases all around us, the core learning that will enable what excellent young people the students of TBH students to succeed is continuing. It is brilliant are. A real highlight was the ‘Box for Christmas when I and my senior team walk around and visit appeal’ which, only last week, saw a massive lessons to see this happening in every lesson, amount of specifically identified food items being every day. collected to be distributed in the local community. This is just one example of the TBH community Obviously there have been many challenges and thinking beyond oneself for the benefit of others. It when driving into school each morning I never was a truly fabulous achievement and thanks must quite know what news I am going to get regarding go to everyone. positive cases in school. While it is very regrettable that we have had to have students self-isolating, Finally, it leaves me to finish by wishing everyone the number of cases has been relatively low in involved with Tor Bridge High a wonderful school and we have been able to keep disruption to Christmas break and a fantastic and exciting New a minimum. This is due to the effective process we Year ahead. have employed based on the government advice. I am sure that you will share my eager anticipation Graham Roser of the roll out of a vaccine but we are not yet in a position to change any of our systems that are in place to minimise the risks and disruption. In this edition of our newsletter, unlike previous editions, there are short articles from each Remembrance Day On 11th November we joined the nation by We acknowledge innocent civilians who have lost remembering and honouring those who served to their lives in conflict and acts of terrorism. defend our democratic freedoms and way of life. We unite across faiths, cultures and backgrounds Remembrance does not glorify war and its symbol. to remember the service and sacrifice of the The red poppy is a sign of both remembrance and Armed Forces community from Britain and the hope for a peaceful future. Commonwealth. We will remember. We remember the sacrifice of the Armed Forces A special thank you to one of our students, James, community. who played The Last Post very eloquently and was We pay tribute to the special contribution of families joined by three other cadets from all three forces – and of the emergency services. Navy, Army and RAF. Engineer Education Scheme The Engineer Education Scheme (EES) is a six-month long project organised by EDT that enables 6th form students to experience and undertake an engineering project linked with a partner company. This year our team’s company was Collins Aerospace who supported the team with mentors and advice. The project was to design a semi-autonomous life vest delivery system in the form of a glider that could drop a life vest. Even with the onset of Covid in March, the team persevered and was able to develop a design to deliver the life vest. Due to their hard work they graduated the scheme and have been achieved an Industrial Cadet Gold Award. Congratulations gentlemen and good luck with your future careers! Year 7 complete their Cognitive Abilities Tests At Tor Bridge High, we wish to assess all of our teachers to plan appropriately for future learning students to ascertain what their needs are and how episodes and activities. we can best help them to learn and achieve. As part of this process we administered the Cognitive I want to take this opportunity to thank all of our Abilities Test (CAT) to all of our students in Year 7 wonderful Year 7 students for the exemplary way this term. in which they approached the tests. Entering an exam hall can be a daunting experience for anyone CAT is made up of a series of short tests which especially students who have only been in the assess a student’s reasoning (thinking) abilities in school for a short period! key areas that support educational development and academic attainment. CAT has many uses and Mr Winstone for us its primary purpose is to help your child’s Deputy Headteacher Staff farewells Mr Perry - Deputy Head of Cade, Subject Lead for Geography At the end of this term, we say a fond farewell to Mr Sambells-Perry as he embarks on his new role as Assistant Principal at Saltash.net. Mr Sambells-Perry joined Tor Bridge High in 2010 as a Geography teacher and has since had several very important roles within the school such as leader for the international theme, Head of Geography and Deputy Head of Cade. Mr Sambells-Perry has made a lasting impact on many students both past and present and we wish him the best of luck in his new job! Miss Emberson - Teacher of Science Miss Emberson will be missed by many staff and students at Tor Bridge High.