Weekly Information - Friday 26th May 2023

In Summer Term 2, from Monday 5th June 2023 the school are focusing on uniform to check and ensure consistenty and also reiterate the uniform expectations to our school community. 

In registration this week, students have been reminded of the school uniform expectations and a further reminder of these will take place on our return after half term. Uniform checks will be taking place in registration throughout the remainder of the year. 

We appreciate your continued support, and ask you have a conversation at home with our young people to ensure they have their uniform organised and fully understand the uniform expectations. Please see the attached PowerPoint for your information.

Uniform Expectations during the School Day

As we approach Summer, please look out for 'blazer off' day annoucements to accomodate for the warmer weather. 

Please note the full transition to the new school uniform and PE kit will be complete for all year groups from September 2023. 

You can find full details of the Uniform Policy and Guidance  and our uniform stockists on the following webpage:

Policies and Procedures - John Taylor High School (jths.co.uk)

The following students celebrated their achievements with Mrs Cochrane this week, congratulations to them all!

The Year 9 Football team played the District Cup final on Wednesday 24th May against Paulet High School. The game was played at Stapenhill FC which provided a nice grass pitch with great spectator facilities.

This team are the reigning District and County champions and went into this match following the disappointment of losing in this year's County Cup semi-final. This fact was emphasised to the boys during the Oli's (captain) team talk just before kick off. The message being that 'we are not losing this game!'

It seems the talk worked and the team settled very quickly into a good team shape, keeping possession well and defending solidly. The teams seemed to be very evenly matched with equal possession. John Taylor started to look more threatening and opened the scoring when Lucas broke beyond the defence to receive a pass and loft the ball over the keeper's head into the far top corner. A fantastic finish for a  1-0 lead.

This settled the team down and they created more chances, causing issues for Paulet with their constant pressing. The score was soon 2-0 following a fantastic turn and left foot finish from Jenson. Both centre backs were given a torid time all game by Jenson's constant pressure and dribbling skills.

Excellent pressure caused a defensive mistake which Jenson pounced on to make it 3-0 and a perfect first half ended with this score.

The message at half time was to keep it tight for the first ten minute and try to get the next goal which would be key. Not only were we tight, not conceding much possesion, but we created a number of chances which we just could not convert. Joe, Ollie, Jenson and Ethan caused their defence consistent issues supported by calm and effective passing from midfield by Lucas, Archie, Charlie and Dylan.

As Paulet worked harder to create chances, which they did, the defence had to maintain their concentration. Fin, Alfie, Ollie and Adam were all excellent, marshalled with impressive leadership by captain Oli. Will in goal provided a calm assurance behind them, starting lots of plays with his effective passing.

The game finished 3-0 for us to retain our District Cup and finish the season on a massive positive.

I would like to commend the team and all boys who have played across the season for their outstanding effort, attitude and teamwork. Not only are they a very accomplished team, they are a wonderful group. They are a credit to themselves, their families and the school and I am proud to coach them.

Phenomenal Philosophy: RE subject competition

As Spring dawned, pupils across JTMAT were encouraged to awaken their inner philosopher with the JTMAT Subject Excellence RE competition.

Our secondary pupils had the chance to flaunt their philosophical talents in an essay writing competition, responding to one of three statements:

• ‘Going to war is never acceptable’
• ‘The government should not have say over a woman’s decision to terminate a pregnancy’
• ‘The death penalty should be reinstated into British law’

Pupils from across our secondary schools impressed with their capacity handle the complexities of these issues, presenting well-balanced reflections and employing a well-researched balance of philosophical and religious viewpoints. The job of judging was not easy for independent judge, Jonathan Head of Keele University.

At John Taylor High School, KS3 prizes were awarded to:

• Laura Y7 - GOLD "This is an excellent essay that reflects the complexities of the issues involved in considering the moral acceptability of going to war. The essay balances both religious and secular perspectives to come to a considered conclusion".
• Rhianna Y10 - BRONZE "An excellent essay that considers the question of the ethical acceptability of going to war from a variety of philosophical and religious perspectives. The essay comes to a balanced conclusion, which is justified well on the basis of both historical examples and the consideration of various theoretical viewpoints".
• George Y12 - SPECIAL MENTION "A very good essay that reflects upon both religious and secular viewpoints on the question of the ethical acceptability of going to war. The essay draws upon both theoretical approaches and real-world examples to provide a discussion that illuminates well the difficulties faced by those who wish to morally evaluate war".

All of our secondary pupils should be proud of the high quality, academic and thoughtfully written pieces they submitted.

Miss Roach at Chase Terrace, who led the competition, would like to thank all pupils for their incredible hard work and participation.

We are delighted to share that Mollie Timmis of year 13 has gained one of only ten places on the Royal Academy of Art Summer Drawing School in London. She will spend six days in the summer holiday studying with Royal Academy tutors. This will be a fantastic experience to help prepare her for her degree studies in Fine Art. We are very proud of this achievement. 

Ben Carty, Year 12

I joined cadets nearly 5 years ago now, in that time I have been on many events and earned many rewards. A list of things I have done in that time are things like going to Belgium, Ypres in October 2018 to commemorate 100 years since the end of World War one and visit many burial sites and parade at the Menin gate during the last post. Other things I have done in the cadets is going on camps and earning badges such as: Master's qualification, rank of Sergeant, gliding badges, flying badges, marksman shooting badge, achieved advanced first aid qualifications, radio skills, Leadership and method of instruction awards, Field craft skills and more. A lot of the camps I have been on have allowed me to earn these progressive badges and has shown myself what I’m capable of, giving me once in a lifetime experiences such as getting shown around military bases and seeing the military operate. Recently however, I have been honoured a prestigious award called Mayors Cadet, making me the Mayors Cadet of Lichfield, this award is the second most important role under Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet. This gives me more responsibilities within not only Cadets but the Lichfield City Council as I will attend events and civic duties with the new Mayor of Lichfield. I have been given this because I was recognised to be a good leader within my squadron, teaching and training newer cadets on Drill and other things they will need as well as other life skills and sports that cadets can teach you.  

Personal Development 

Please see the information in the link below detailing the topics being covered in Personal Development during summer term 1 (April - May).

This community safety flash focuses on how to contact emergency services for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. A fire safety advice booklet has been included and a link to a fire safety video with sign language is included in the 999 BSL attachment.

Staffordshire Fire & Rescue offer support and guidance through our Community Advice Team Monday – Friday 8am to 5pm either on 0800 0241 999 or [email protected]

On Behalf of Staffordshire Fire & Rescue ESDG Prevent Team

If you are looking for an activity to support Duke of Edinburgh awards, volunteering work experience, or a new way to take up a sport or make new friends we may have just what you're looking for......... opportunities for students and parents available.

Barton under Needwood RUFC Annual General Meeting (AGM) is being held on Thursday 15th June, 7pm start, at Holland Park sports club in Barton under Needwood. 

We are always looking for new volunteers for the committee, senior players, mini/ junior players or club patrons. Come and have your input into how your local club is run. Enquiries welcome with regards to committee positions eg treasurer, junior chairman and membership secretary as well as other voluntary positions eg grounds assistant, fundraising committees, coaching, etc

 Come and join our ever growing local club. 

Enquiries to [email protected]

Following the Year 12 assembly on Monday please see links below.

Free Summer School
 
This year, Murray Edwards College is once again hosting its annual She Talks Science STEP Summer School.
 
The aim of the summer school is to give students a good idea of how to prepare for the exam by working in small groups with staff at Murray Edwards College, Cambridge, including the college Director of Studies, Admissions Tutor and some teaching staff who double as examiners for STEP. The school will run at Murray Edwards College, Cambridge from Monday 14 August - Wednesday 16 August 2023. It is free for students to attend, with board and food included.
 
Applications are welcomed from students who identify as women who are currently in Y12, and who will apply to study maths at a university that uses STEP as an admission criterion. We have space for 50 students this year.
 
Official information and the application form can be found at https://www.murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk/outreach-and-events/she-talks-science - applications will close at 16:00 on Tuesday 13^th June.

A more comprehensive description about what we offer can be found at https://www.evevidalis.com/step-summer-school

We have a job advertised for a Level 3 Sport Apprentice TA at our School in Streethay, Lichfield, commencing September 2023.  It is currently being advertised on WM Jobs or the Shaw Education Trust website if you would like to apply.  If anyone would like to come to school to have a look around, they can call us to arrange on 01543 396180.