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 York 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 Millthorpe School, 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 York College, 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.