Contact: St. Thomas More High School

St.
Thomas More High School

An Academy Trust in the Diocese of Brentwood (Reg No: 7696989)
Headteacher: Mrs G. Ackred

Kenilworth Gardens, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 0BW
Telephone 01702 344933
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.st-thomasmore.southend.sch.uk
CONTACT
No. 1361 Friday 16th September 2016
Dear Parents and Pupils,

I can hardly believe we draw to a close only the second week of term in September. Our new students and staff have
settled into school life with ease and there is much purposeful learning taking place in classes around the school.
Good new habits are forming for learning and in how to move around the school safely and respectfully.
How to be an A Level student evening for Year 12 - Last night we welcomed many of our Year 12 students and
their parents to our How to be an A Level student evening. It was great to meet so many supportive families and
dedicated students able to attend and my thanks to Ms Corr, Mrs Hudson and the large team of specialist teachers
who led sessions ensuring that both students and families are clear about expectations of sixth form study.
Charities - Changes have been made this year to the way in which we fundraise for charity. The format has been
developed by our Sixth Form Student Leaders whilst on retreat last summer. Each Form group takes its turn through
the year to have a dedicated charity week. At their Form Mass they are given a 10 stake and are being asked to use
this to raise funds for our chosen charities. Outcomes of the fundraising for each Form group will be published weekly
in Contact. We hope that, under the leadership of the Chaplaincy leader that Form groups will find innovative ways to
increase their 10 by using their talents. This week 11A have started really well and raised 30 as a class in the space
of 3 or 4 days! Well done St Andrews, a great start!
Year 7 Mass and Social Evening A reminder to parents of our new Year 7 pupils that there is a Mass, Social and
Information evening being held on Thursday 29th September at 7.00pm. Please come along if you can, as this is a
lovely opportunity for parents to meet some of our staff and other parents in a relaxed atmosphere.
11+Examination This Saturday many Year 6 pupils will be taking the 11+ examination. We shall have a large
number of pupils sitting the exam in our school hall. Parents have been requested to arrive between 8.30 and 8.45am.
Car Park This week, it has come to my attention that some parents are driving into the school car park in the
morning, at lunchtime, and after school to drop off/collect their sons/daughters. I would ask parents to please refrain
from doing this as the car park is also a pedestrian entrance/exit to the school and cars reversing in and out are a
dangerous hazard. The closest collection point is behind the fire station and I would ask parents to make use of this
and not the school grounds.
School Mini-Bus Service Please note that there will be no after-school mini-bus service to Chalkwell Station on
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week due to sports fixtures, etc. The morning service will run as normal on
these days. The driver has informed the students.
Weekly Prayer
Lord God,
your grace and love can heal any wound and bring so much joy to a broken world.
I ask you today to bring that love to the places where its needed most,
and help me to be somebody who brings healing.
Amen.
Weekly Mass - We were pleased to welcome Father Jeff Woolnough to school on Thursday for our weekly celebration
of Mass. Thank you to Form 10A who prepared the readings and prayers.
Year 12 General RE - On Monday the induction into the religious life of the school continued for Year 12 with the
launch of the General Religious Education programme. Students were given details about the course, including
information about the forthcoming retreat for Year 12 taking place on Wednesday 28 th September. Parents will shortly
receive further information about the arrangements and payment requirements for event.
Student Leadership - Students in Years 7 and Year 12 Form groups will be electing a Form Leader, Chaplaincy
Leader and Sports Leader in the course of next week. The names of elected students will be announced in Contact.
Inter House Debating Competition - A workshop was held today to prepare speakers for the forthcoming inter-House
Debating Competition. I am happy to receive suggestions for proposed motions. Although this is a senior competition
students of all ages are welcome to attend. The competition begins next Friday 25th September with St Andrews vs St
Georges House in RE4 at 1:45
Confirmation Programme - We are delighted to inform you that our Confirmation Programme for 2017 commences in
November here at St Teresas Church in Rochford. If you are Year 9 and above and would like to be confirmed next
year please email Fr Gerry ([email protected]) stating why you would like to receive this Sacrament. Fr Gerry
Drummond, St Teresas.
School Photos - The individual school photographs took place on Thursday of this week. The packs of proofs were
distributed to all students this morning. If families wish to place an order you can do so online by following the
instructions on the proof sheet or by completing your details and putting it and payment (cheque or card details) in the
envelope. This can be returned to school by next Friday 23rd September and taken to the office. Payment is NOT
made to the school. Cheques should be made payable to Tempest School Photography (as detailed on the proof
sheet). Any cheques made payable to the school will not be processed. A reminder that School Gateway will not
work for ordering photographs. Mr Maxfield, Deputy Headteacher.
AFTER SCHOOL DRAMA CLUB - Every THURSDAY 3.30-5PM starts Thursday
22nd September with JADA Youth Theatre taught by professional actors.
A fun, social class in drama where you can learn extra performing skills to help with
your other lessons such as English.
A fun way to make new friends, build confidence and be a little bit crazy.
We will cover storytelling skills, voice work, improvisation, scripts and physical
theatre.
No experience needed, but willingness to work as part of a team is. Open from
Years 7-13. Mrs Napper (Teacher of Food Technology/Personal Development and Enrichment Coordinator)
Spanish Club - All KS3 pupils welcome!

Wednesday 13.40-14.05 Spanish Club Mrs Terry and Mrs Foster (starting 21/09/16)
Videos/songs/films plus help with Speaking and Writing.
Hasta luego!
Seora Terry
Pupils will be sharing their European heritage with their forms during 26 th-30th of September, for The European day of
Languages, discussing the European language and culture from home and presenting it to their form members. Please
encourage your son/daughter to become involved. Thanking you in advance, Mrs Terry.
MFL GCSE Drop In
French GCSE drop in sessions - Monday lunchtime in MFL2 with Mrs Terry and Mr Braxton
Spanish GCSE drop in sessions - Thursday lunchtime in MFL1 with Miss Cooper-Smith
Use these sessions to get help with preparation for controlled assessments and speaking practice. Mrs Lindsay.
Instrumental Lessons - Tuesday evening saw the launch of our Music Academy for instrumental lessons with
Morleys Music. It was lovely to see many students and parents enthusiastic about learning an instrument and
discussing with tutors. As ever our free instrumental hire scheme proved a popular option, there are however still
trombones and string instruments available.
Lessons are still also available by contacting: [email protected]
Or ask Mr Riches in the Music Department at break or lunchtimes for more information.
Mr Riches (Head of Music) & Sam Thompson (Head of Morleys Music Academy)
16 19 Bursary Fund - The 16-19 Bursary Fund is a scheme to help young people facing financial hardship to stay
on in full time education after Year 11.
The Scheme comprises two parts:
(i)
Young people in care, care leaver, young people in receipt of income support and disabled young people in
receipt of Employment Support Allowance who are also in receipt of Disability Living Allowance
(ii)
Bursary awards should be targeted towards young people facing financial barriers to participation, such as the
costs of transport, meals, books, and exam re-sit fees and equipment.
A student must be aged 16 and under 19 on the 31 st August in the academic year in which he/she starts a programme
of study.
A student must be on a full time programme of study.
How to Apply:
The application is for the academic year. Students should apply each year.
Students should complete the 16-19 Bursary Fund Application Form. This should be done at the start of each
academic year.
Students will need to provide appropriate evidence to support their application:
For the Bursary this might include:
o A letter referring to the benefit to which the young person is entitled;
o Written confirmation from the LA of the young persons current or previous looked after status.
For the Discretionary Bursary Award this should include evidence of benefits/allowances/grants or household
income.
Once students have had the Discretionary Bursary Award approved they can complete the short application form
at the start of each term to request further grants of money.
Application Forms can be downloaded from the school website Headline >Publications.
Parents and Staff Association News - You are warmly invited to our first Parent Staff Association meeting at 6.30pm
on Tuesday September 20th. Access is via the rear car park and a member will direct you to the room.
Feel free to come along and hear what goes on, if you have any ideas, we would love to hear.
Can't make it but want to help on tea/coffee rotas? email: [email protected]
SPORTS FIXTURES
DATE
19/09/2016
20/09/2016
21/09/2016
22/09/2016
FIXTURE
Year 8 National Cup Football v Baddow (AWAY)
Year 7 a,b,c,d Football v Southend (AWAY
1st XI Football v Plume (AWAY)
Lee Valley Cross Country
Year 10 & 11 Football v Southend (HOME)
Year 8 & 9 Football v Southend (HOME)
23/09/2016
NO FIXTURES
TIME
4PM
2PM
2PM
4PM
EXTRA CURRICULAR SPORTS TIMETABLE

Time
Monday
8am-8:30am
Lunch:
12:45-1:20pm
3:30-5pm
AFTER SCHOOL
(SPORTS HALL)
3:30-5pm
AFTER SCHOOL
(FIELD)
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Sixth form & Year 11 Year 10 Basketball

Basketball
training (SP)
(GL)
Year 8 basketball
(SB)
Year 9 basketball
(EJK/TH)
PE Department
meeting
National Cross
Country squad
training (SP)
Year 7 basketball
(GL)
Junior Racket
Sports (SB)
GCSE Revision
BTEC catch up (TR6)
(SP/EJK)
GCSE
Weightlifting
(SBR)
GCSE Archery
(GL)
Senior Racket Sports

(NS)
Year 7 Basketball
(NS/GL)
Sixth Form
sporting fixtures
Basketball Training
(GL invite only)
Badminton Club (SG)
Football Training
(all years fixture
dependent)
(EJK/TH/SB/SP/TW)
Sixth Form
sporting fixtures
Junior Rugby
Training (Years 7-9)
(SP/MT)
Staff Football
Sixth form
Basketball and
Year 11 (GL)
Tuesday
Cross Country
training (all years)

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St.

Thomas More High School

Headteacher: Mrs G. Ackred

Dear Parents and Pupils,

Spanish Club - All KS3 pupils welcome!

EXTRA CURRICULAR SPORTS TIMETABLE

Sixth form & Year 11 Year 10 Basketball

Senior Racket Sports

Badminton Club (SG)

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