Dear Parents/Carers,
We have had a very busy two weeks at Dr Thomlinson Middle School.
Anti Bullying Week
14th November to 18th November was Anti Bullying Week and this important event was marked through our Odd Sock Day on Monday, November 14th – all pupils who wore odd socks to school were awarded with house points for their efforts. The theme of this year’s anti bullying week was “Reach Out” and in PHSCE during this week we looked at how we all have a part to play in reaching out to people we trust if we need to talk about things that are troubling us and how we need to reach out to people we think are upset. We looked at how it is important to reach out to be the change we want to see in the world.
Football
There have been only two really important football matches taking place over the last fortnight and they were our U13 Girls Football team and our U13 Boys Football team playing at Ponteland High School. Well done to our Girls football team who played three matches on 15th November. Goals from Maisie and Zara in Year 8 saw a great win over Ponteland B.
On Wednesday November 23rd our Boys U13 team played Ponteland High and played really well in a 4-0 victory. I was really pleased with the football we played with Gus Dodd putting an imperious display of ball control and passing in the centre of midfield.
Cross Country
Well done to the 12 pupils in KS3 who qualified for the Northumberland Schools Cross Country Championship in very, very difficult conditions on Friday, 18th November. We were so proud of all our pupils who participated. Many congratulations go to Danny; Miles; Cecily; Emily; Amber; Emma; Mary-Anne; Samantha in Yr 7 and Michael and Nieva in Yr 8 – these children go forward to the next stage of the competition on 17th January, 2023.
Children in Need
Thank you to the many pupils who organised a host of fund raising activities on November 18th for Children in Need. the school raised over £500 and we had a lot of fun in doing so. There was a real buzz and excitement about the school.
St Aidan Day – November 25th
On November 25th the members of AIdan House celebrated the life of their patron saint in a church service planned and written by the Aidan House Captains. A huge well done to Ben and Michael (ably supported by Will and Toby in Yr 8). We look forward to the Bede and Cuthbert Saint Days in 2023.
Thank you
Thank you to all those pupils who made a donation to Sport in Mind – a charity whose mission is to improve the lives of people experiencing mental health problems through sport and physical activity – by wearing England colours on Monday, 21st November. We raised over £120. Often the excitement of England opening a World Cup campaign is seldom matched by the performance, however Monday’s match proved an exception. Let’s hope such form is carried on into the rest of the tournament.
Top Awards
14/11/22 – The theme this week was Compassion
5T Iona
5H Harry
6O Grace-Mae
6M Grace
7I Emily
7L Joe
8N Nieva
8S Laney
Well done to Poppie who won the P&Q award
21.11..22 -The theme this week was Humility
5T IArchie
5H Bobby
6O Rosie
6M Jake / Emily
7I Poppie
7L Sam
8N Oscar
8S Hannah
Well done to Zara who won the P&Q award.
We are all looking forward to Christmas – especially as our Yr 8s are currently taking part in our annual Christmas Cake Decoration activity. Please find enclosed a letter detailing the other school Christmas events scheduled.
I hope you have a good weekend.
Take care,
Liam Murtagh – Headteacher
