Weekly Information - Thursday 21st October 2021

Dear Parents/Carers,

Please find below some useful information from Staffordshire Police regarding County Lines.

Kind regards,

Miss N Dean

Head of Upper School/Designated Safeguarding Lead

Attitude to Learning Grades

As we approach our first reporting cycles, we have reviewed our ATL criteria and have written clear descriptors so all our stakeholders can be clear on what each grade means. For more information, please see below.

1 - Excellent 

Demonstrates the core values consistently in lessons, and goes above and beyond in the classroom and with homework. 

2 - Good 

Demonstrates the core values regularly in lessons. Classwork and homework are completed to a good standard. 

3 - Needs to Improve 

Does not always meet expectations of the ethos and core values, classwork and homework are not always completed to an acceptable standard. Work is sometimes submitted late. Teacher reflections recorded on Go4Schools. 

4 - Concerns 

Does not meet expectations of the ethos and core values. Classwork and homework are often incomplete or missing. Teacher detentions and CAL detentions are recorded on Go4Schools. Deadlines are regularly missed

The Report Harmful Content service has been around for a while now. Essentially it's a helpline where students (13+) can report harmful (but not illegal) content in order to have that content removed. It is run by dedicated and experienced online safety practitioners, it is completely free, and their success rate is fantastic. 

We will be adding the button to our school website for parents and students to utilise. 

Please can we remind parents that students should not be dropped off or collected from school site at the start and end of the school day, unless prior arrangement has been made with a member of school staff. 

We have a number of minibuses, buses and coaches that use our school site at these times and our turning circle is incredibly busy. For the safety of all members of our community it is important that we reiterate this message. 

Please can parents consider dropping students in a safe and convenient place that is also considerate towards our local neighbours. 

Girls Badminton Club

This club has run weekly since coming back to school in September. The number of pupils from KS3 and KS4 have regularly been over 30 each week.

The improvement and confidence gained by the younger students in Year 7 and 8 has been amazing, they have clearly shown our school values of perseverance and this is clear to see in their skill levels.

I have also been impressed by the leadership skills shown by the Year 11 girls, they are running and organising an end of term tournament for the rest of the students during the last two weeks of the half term.

It has been a real pleasure to see the numbers of pupils turning up each week, but also the kindness and friendship seen by students, meeting and playing against others from different forms and even year groups.

Well done to all who have turned up to Badminton Club this half term and well done.

Mrs Berry

PE Department. 

At the end of our first half term at John Taylor the vast majority of Year 7 headed off to Beaudesert Activity Centre on the edge of Cannock Chase for 'Year 7 Bonding Day'. The day was an opportunity to develop new friendships outside of our teaching groups, tackle some challenging activities and, really importantly, have some fun. At the end of a long half term, and through Covid times when opportunities like this for any group trips had been few and far between, an opportunity to have some fun was very welcome by all. 

The pupils did themselves, and our school proud; with fantastic enthusiasm and determination, as well as excellent behaviour. We certainly did embody our school values of Integrity, Perseverance, Respect and Kindness, even though we were miles away from the classroom. 

But please don't just take my word for it! Here are Bea and Connie to tell you a little bit more about the day: 

"When we went to bonding day, we did lots of fun activities including go pedal carts, fire lighting, different climbing activities and archery. Once we had got off the coach, we were put into groups of 15 and learnt who our teachers were for the day (my teacher was Mr Hulley).

The climbing wall was my group's first activity, we got into our harnesses and put on our helmets. I was one of the first people to have a go at climbing, there were 3 people doing things at the same time. Two of the group were responsible for pulling the ropes whilst the other person climbed. After that we had 2 minutes or so for break time and then we went down for our next activity (archery). It was really fun; some people even got the gold circle in the middle. Even Mr Hulley had a go - he got 4 gold circles, the best anyone did in our group.

After archery we had lunch, there was not a lot of room but some people ate outside. After lunch it started to rain but we still went to our last activity (my last activity was go pedal carts), this one by far was my favourite activity. We did lots of races and times; it was much more fun than it should be because of the rain. This meant when we were driving, we skidded around a lot that made it much better . Then it was the end of an amazing day." Bea, 7T. 

"Bonding day was really fun although at the end of the first half term we have already got to know lots of different people. We did a range of activities, with a couple involving climbing; up trees and on crates which did not involve much teamwork other than supporting each other.  Despite this the climbing activities were enjoyable and good fun, for those of us who did not mind heights. Bonding day was fun and a great trip."  Connie, 7T

Thank you Bea and Connie for your reviews of the day and we are pleased you (and Mr Hulley) enjoyed yourselves. 

As Head of Year I would like to pass on massive congratulations and thanks to all of Year 7 for the way that you have all conducted yourselves through the first half term. You have made an amazing start to your time at JTHS and have been an absolute pleasure and privilege to work with. I would also like to thank parents and carers at home - we never underestimate the vital support that you offer your children and are really grateful for supporting us as your school. As our vision says, "We are one community - striving for personal excellence".  Please do keep in touch so we can continue to do our best for your children. 

We are already looking to the next half term, where we start form competitions: let's show why your form is the best! We will start charity fundraising and year council with our new student representatives Nathaniel Bull and Jessica Neachell, as well as our deputy student representative Joe Bolton and Habibah Shan.  Each form has also elected their own representative, so we ensure that everyone can have their say. Congratulations to these students on their new roles and I hope you and your families have a safe healthy and relaxing half term. 

Kind regards, 

Mr S. Markwell

Head of Year 7.