Weekly Information - Friday 6th December 2024

The following students celebrated their achievements with Mr Blanchenot this week, congratulations to them all!

Mr Blanchenot welcomed six star pupils for a hot chocolate this week and was delighted to discover there was a variety of reasons where pupils had gone above and beyond both in and out of the classroom.

Rebekah (Y8) was nominated by Mr Mitchell for demonstrating the values of respect and kindness by spending some of her half term holidays supporting the British Trust for Ornithology. Rebekah explained how she had attended a residential camp that is aimed at learning more about birds and their habitats, but also looks at all aspects of the natural world and what we can do to help protect it. Rebekah said her favourite part was weighing, measuring and tagging the birds. Well done Rebekah, your desire for learning is truly commendable.

The next students to share their story with the group were Brooke (Y7) and Isaac (Y7) who has been nominated by Mrs Crutchley for writing and delivering speeches to over 300 prospective parents, carers and students at the school Open Evening. The students projected their voices beautifully on the stage and spoke with confidence in front of such a large audience. Brooke shared with the group that this was the first time she’d done public speaking and thoroughly enjoyed it. Whilst Isaac has done public speaking before, it has never been infront of an audience of this size. Well done Brooke and Isaac, you represented the school wonderfully and showed respect and integrity in abundance.

Ariah (Y7) was the next pupil to tell the group about her nomination from Mr Markwell, for her achievements as part of the Great Britain Kickboxing team. Ariah has now achieved World Champion status and is looking forward to the next World Championships which will take place in Australia next year, which she has already qualified for. Well done Ariah, you have shown commitment and an incredible amount of perseverance which you should be really proud of.

Scarlett (Y7) who was nominated by Mrs Findon, told the group about being the winner in the Geography Department’s Year 7 Antarctica Flag Competition. The students were asked to help raise awareness of the threats facing Antarctica by designing a flag which would be taken out to Antarctica and photographed by scientists. Scarlett explained that because Antarctica is owned by multiple nations, the country doesn’t have it’s own flag and this was the inspiration for her design. We are excited to see the winning designs in Antarctica – well done Scarlett for showing personal excellence.

Finally, it was a pleasure to hear from Zoe (Y10), who has been nominated by Miss Evans for placing 3^rd in the Burton-upon-Trent Photographic Society Open Competition 2024 and being Judge’s Choice. Zoe said her entries into the competition were of the beach in Porthcothan in Cornwall where she captured the most beautiful sunset taking into consideration different angles and lighting. Well done Zoe, what a fantastic talent you have. 

If you would like to nominate a student for Hot Chocolate with the Head, please email [email protected].

Mrs Ball Subject Leader CEIAG (Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance) was delighted to welcome Burton College back today to speak to our Year 8 pupils. The session covered topics such as career pathways, T-levels and apprenticeships which helped to give our pupils a wider understanding of different routes post-16, and possibly aid their decision when considering their options for GCSE.

It was great for our students to hear the variety of courses and facilities available at Burton College including industry leading facilities & equipment to provide real life working environments. Some of the new facilities include, a mechatronics and cyber security lab, a new games development suite, a health simulation studio, a makeshift nursing home for health & social care, an immersive learning suite and much more.

Thank you to all the students for their participation & engagement throughout the assembly. For further information about our careers provision at JTHS please visit: Careers at JTHS - John Taylor High School

We’re delighted to share that our termly Community Afternoon Tea was yet again a huge success. Over 30 local elderly residents joined our Sporting Young Ambassadors for an enjoyable afternoon of delicious cake, hot drinks and Christmas fun.

During the event the guests had the chance to play some games which included skittles, curling and table tennis, listen to our student pianists and chat with students and other guests. Our school’s Sporting Young Ambassadors took an active role in welcoming, signing in, serving refreshments and creating a relaxed atmosphere for everyone.

Mrs Berry who co-ordinated the event said ‘not only was it great to see so many new faces enjoying themselves, but it was a joy to watch our students interact with them. They demonstrated our core values of respect, kindness and integrity and represented the school wonderfully. Local primary Year 6 pupils from Thomas Russell Junior School, The Mosley Academy, Needwood Primary School & Rangemore Primary School also attended and joined in with the various activities. They were an absolute credit to their primary schools, mixing well and handing out raffle tickets. Thank you to everyone, staff & students, for volunteering your time and making the event a success.’

As the afternoon came to an end, the guests were presented with cake & biscuits to take home and a hand-written Christmas Card from our Sporting Young Ambassadors which included a free ticket to the upcoming JTHS Christmas Concert. The guests were blown away with the kindness they’d received throughout the afternoon and made even better for one guest for winning the raffle. Thank you to the team at Skinny Kitten in Barton for your generous ‘Afternoon Tea for Two’ raffle donation.

Mrs Berry has a host of activities planned with the Young Sporting Ambassadors throughout the year, including Christmas deliveries, primary school events and volunteering opportunities which underpin our ‘one community’ ethos.

On Wednesday 4^th and Thursday 5^th December our Year 10 cohort got the opportunity to embark on a 2-day work placement, meaning pupils were able to experience the world of work first hand. The main objective was for them to gain skills, knowledge and experience of the working day, as well as developing their understanding of employer expectations such as getting to work on time, making a useful contribution to their team and being enthusiastic about the work that they have been asked to carry out.

Well done to all our students who secured some fantastic opportunities, here are a handful of local and national companies where our students have been placed:

Rolls Royce, Birmingham Airport, Taylor Wimpy, Pirelli, McLaren , Greene King, Phase 2 Gym, Skinny Kitten, Ministry of Doughnuts, Hill Helicopters, Indulgence at Barton Marina and a number of local Primary Schools.

Here's what some of our students said:

Ben, Go Digital Dental Ltd

'During my placement I used 3D software to design a Crown for a client's tooth and had it 3D printed in the workplace. It was great to come into school and show my teachers the model of the teeth!'

For those students who stayed within school Mrs Ball put together an impressive schedule of activities for them to get involved in. This included psychometric testing, CV & cover letter writing, enterprise activities, the festival challenge, employability skills and an evaluation & presentation to conclude.

Thank you to everyone who represented the school so wonderfully whilst out in the community on placement. We have received some fantastic feedback from employers about your valuable contribution at their company!

On Thursday 28th November, over 100 Year 11 Geography students were joined by two members of Lichfield District Council to discuss considerations in town planning, community involvement and residents views & feedback. 

The team from LDC shared their personal career pathways and current projects they were working on including the exciting plans for the redevelopment of key areas within Lichfield City.

The students were shown some key questions that Lichfield District Council will be asking residents, which will help aid the decision making process throughout the redevelopment project.

• What do you think Lichfield District should look like in 2043?
• We will need to build new homes, where do you think they should be built in the district?
• Where do you think development that will provide employament and new job opportunities should be built in the district?
• What infrastructure do you think we need or needs improving in the district?
• What do you think it is important that the new local plan protects? 

Each student was then given the following leaflet so they could see the type of communication that residents would receive and what considerations a council would need to make to complete a project of this size.

On Friday 29^th November, our Year 12 Environmental Science students visited Meynell Langley Hall in Derbyshire, to discover the stunning countryside and carry out a number of fieldwork tasks.

The Meynell Langley site is a hidden gem which helps brings classroom learning to life. Helen and Godfrey Meynell have a great depth of knowledge and experience to carefully deliver educational visits to support the curriculum and specific topics.

After the group had finished their tour of the farm with Godfrey, they explored the extensive grounds which are home to wildlife and cultivated plants that are grown there. They discovered the functions of the environment and conservation areas and looked at textures and types of plants. The group found it fascinating when looking at the moisture and infiltration rates and the soil compaction.

Mr Atwal who accompanied the students said ‘it was a fantastic trip and the students really benefited from visited Meynell Langley. We were incredibly lucky to arrive to beautiful winter sunshine which made the views and environment even more appealing to carry out our fieldwork in. Thank you to all the students who were highly engaged throughout the session.’

To find out more about Meynell Langley Hall, visit: Education – Meynell Langley Hall

Dear Parents/Carers,

We are finding in Maths that students are more often than not coming to lessons without the correct equipment needed for their lesson. Please note that detentions will be given for not having the correct equipment. 

The items needed include: a pencil, ruler, protractor, rubber and pair of compasses. If your child does forget their equipment these items can be bought via cash from the LRC for less than £1. They also need a scientific calculator however this cannot be bought from the LRC.

Thank you for your support in this matter. 

Maths Dept.

Dear Parents, Carers & Students, 

Please be aware of the topics being covered in your child's weekly Personal Development session from 09/12/24-03/02/25

Mrs Hudson, Subject Leader RSHE

You can celebrate Christmas by wearing a Christmas Jumper (under your blazer, no shirt or tie required underneath) or celebrate other religious festivals by wearing wear the special clothes you wear to that festival, to school.

Donate a suggested £2 (minimum £1) 

Every December, millions of people across the United Kingdom (and beyond!) put on a festive outfit at their workplace, school or with friends and make a donation to help give children the magical future they deserve.

Christmas Jumper Day is Save the Children's annual event which raises money for children in the UK and across the world. 

Here's an exmaple from last year!

We’re excited to invite students to a FREE online session designed to introduce them to the fascinating world of medicine through neurological examinations. This is a unique opportunity for students aged 14-18 who are interested in careers in medicine to explore the essential skills doctors use to assess the nervous system and gain insights into a potential career in medicine. 

Session Details:

? Date: Sunday, 8th December 2024 
? Time: 1 pm - 3 pm GMT
? Location: Online - Students can register here 

What Students Will Learn:

• The purpose and importance of neurological examinations in clinical practice.
• How doctors approach symptoms and systematically assess the nervous system.
• The Do’s and Don’ts of examining patients.
• A detailed focus on upper and lower limb examinations and how neurological conditions present themselves.
• Tips on applying to medical school.
• An engaging quiz and a live Q&A with healthcare professionals. 

This session is perfect for students curious about healthcare careers, giving them valuable insights into what it takes to be a doctor while boosting their knowledge of neurology. 

How to Register:

Please share this session with your students and encourage them to register using the link below:
? https://www.premedprojects.co.uk/course/neurological-examination-course-live 

Spaces are limited to 500 students, so we encourage early registration and If you have any questions or would like more information, feel free to get in touch. 

The year is rapidly coming to an end and with only two final medical school application conferences, this is the last opportunity for your students to receive a variety of free resources to support them to become doctors successfully.

Once your students have attended our free virtual Get Into Medicine conference, they can tap into extra support such as:

- Free medical work experience
- Free volunteering opportunities with the Royal Medical Benevolent Fund
- Free weekly medical wider reading webinars and recordings
- Free study skills E-learning to boost their revision for exams
- Opportunities to apply for medical school scholarships and awards
- Opportunities to apply for medical leadership programmes and extra-curriculars outside of school.
- A detailed understanding of the application process to become a doctor.

My aim is to help your students and their parents get on the right track with their medical school application and take advantage of the additional free support we've put in place.

Please forward them the details below:

Registration Link for the FREE Get Into Medicine conference and medical work experience: https://airtable.com/appgXnyzN5ZD9Iwk6/shry7MZYtt3MGPjvO

Students and parents will have the opportunity to learn about the new personal statement changes, entrance exams, interviews and meet some of our successful students to learn from their experiences. Following the conference, all students will instantly be enrolled onto the free virtual medical work experience programme (with access to post questions for doctors and medical students to answer).

Dates: Sunday 8th December 9:30am - 3:30pm, or Sunday 14th December 9:30am - 3:30pm.

All aspiring doctors in years 10-12 / S3-S5 / NI11-13 are invited to register.

These conferences offer tailored advice for medicine, covering a range of crucial topics:
- Tactically choosing universities
- Personal statements
- UCAT
- Medical school interview skills
- Medical Leadership Programmes
- Awards Programmes
- Extracurricular activities
- Work experience
- Building a CV
- Applying for scholarships

Spaces are limited, so students should register as soon as they can using the link below. For this reason, we kindly request that students only book one conference.

Students and parents can register for free here: https://airtable.com/appgXnyzN5ZD9Iwk6/shry7MZYtt3MGPjvO

Here’s how the day will run:

9:30-10.00 Registration
10.00-11:00 Quick introduction to Medic Mentor, overview of the day, competition ratios, application timeline, Awards and Scholarships
11:00-11:15 Break
11.15-11.50 Introduction to the UCAS application form and entry requirements
11.50-12.25 Interactive CV building exercise and exclusive access to leadership, research, presentation, publication, prizes and scholarship opportunities
12.25-12.50 Top tips from a successful applicant (medical student)
12:50-13:05 Break
13:05-13.55 Personal Statement: New structure and how to write the perfect personal statement
13:55-14.10 Break
14:10-14.40 Entrance exams - How to ace the UCAT
14.40-15:00 How to prepare for Medical School interviews
15:00-15.30 Top tips from a successful applicant (medical student) and next steps

Our doctors and medical students look forward to welcoming your students at the conferences and they will join our network of successful students who attended these programmes over the last ten years: https://medicmentor.org/successful-student-journeys-reviews/

Are you considering a career in law? Join us for an exclusive virtual open evening with Mishcon de Reya, where you’ll gain invaluable insights into their Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme and discover how you can start your journey to becoming a qualified solicitor. 

Event Details:

• Event: Mishcon de Reya – Solicitor Apprenticeship Law Virtual Open Evening
• Date: Tuesday, 10th December 2024
• Time: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
• Location: Virtual (link provided upon registration) 

About the Event 

Navigating career options, exploring apprenticeship opportunities, and deciding where to train as a solicitor can feel overwhelming. This event is designed to make that process easier by giving you a clear picture of what Mishcon de Reya offers through their 6-year Solicitor Apprenticeship programme, from apprentice to fully qualified solicitor. 

You’ll also learn about:

• Programme Overview: How the apprenticeship is delivered and what your journey to qualification will look like.
• Life at Mishcon de Reya: The type of work the firm does, its high-profile clients, and the dynamic culture that sets Mishcon apart.
• Industry Insights: An overview of the current legal landscape, how law firms operate, and the future of the legal market.
• Real Experiences: Hear from current solicitor apprentices about their journey and what it's like to train at Mishcon de Reya.
• Application Advice: Get tips and insights from the Early Careers Team about what they look for in candidates and how to stand out in your application. 

About Mishcon de Reya 

Mishcon de Reya is one of the UK’s most prestigious law firms, renowned for its innovative approach to complex legal challenges and its commitment to developing the next generation of legal talent. With expertise spanning corporate, employment, real estate, dispute resolution, and private client services, the firm works with an array of high-profile clients from across the globe. 

Fast-track your legal career with Mishcon de Reya!

Join this virtual event to hear from current apprentices, gain insider tips from the Early Careers Team, and explore life at one of the UK’s top law firms. 

Sign up now and share this opportunity with your friends. 

Register Here: 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MdR-open-evening

Best of Burton are a new voluntary group who are bringing events to the local area that provide opportunities for:

• The community to come together
• Local people to have positive events to look forward to
• Local businesses and groups working in the area to promote their products and services
• Attract new people into the area to help build local economy

 They will be running a Christmas Market on Sunday 8 December which will include:

FREE Santa’s Grotto – This will hopefully help families to enjoy festive magical moments which the costs of these can sometimes be significant placing the out of reach given the current cost of living

FREE Facepainting | Food Stalls | Bar | Hot drinks | Craft and Small Business Stalls

Performances from: A Storytelling Ballerina ( think Nutcracker), Laura Pyatt Performing Arts, Derby Hospitals Band, Student performances from local high schools

Please make yourself familiar with our School Calendar which includes key dates of Events, Parents Evenings, Trips, Reports, Exams, Holidays & Inset Days 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE CALENDAR