For several years Dr Thomlinson has linked up with a school in Zambia. Through the Zambezi Trust Dr Ts has raised money for and formed a friendship with Linda College, a school in rural Zambia that educates pupils from the age of 5 to 18.
As well as sending letters to the pupils, once a year we set up a video call between the two schools – in February 2026 some of year 6 pupils spoke with children from Zambia to get a better idea of how conditions differ between our two schools.
The pupils asked a series of questions and found that in Linda Community College there can be as many as 75 pupils in one class compared to our high 20s. Living in rural Northumberland some of our pupils’ journeys can be quite lengthy however many children in Zambia walk over 2 hours to and from school. And where our journey can be hampered by potholes and animals on our roads, children in Zambia must navigate lions, leopards, hippos, crocodiles and elephants.
We look forward to receiving more pen letters from our friends in Africa and gaining a greater understanding of where they live.
On February 27th pupils in Aidan House celebrated the life of St Aelfflaed in a church service at All Saints Church, Rothbury.
st Aelfflaed (pronounced “A-Fled”) was born in 654 AD and spent most of her life as a nun. Raised under the guidance of Hilda, Aelfflaed lived in Whitby becoming skilled in surgery. She eventually became Abbess of Whitby in 680 AD.
Aefflaed was a friend of St Cuthbert. It is said that Cuthbert gave Aelfflaed a belt that saved her life.
Aelfflaed was renowned for being a bridge between people and a peacemaker – skills that are always much needed in our world.
Aelfflaed died in 714 AD and was buried in Whitby Abbey. Her feast day is on February 8th.
Dr Thomlinson’s is pairing its House Saints – Aidan; Bede and Cuthbert with female Northern Saints. This was a decision taken after a request from pupil voice. Bede House celebrated the life of St Hilda on November 28th,
Dr Thomlinson pupils are being supported in how they treat others by taking part in the forty acts during Lent
February 18th sees the beginning of Lent and some people think about what they can give up. Whilst such abstinence (a word that means when you give something up) is admirable, there is another way of looking at this period. Instead of giving something up, why not think about doing something “extra”? The idea of reverence is the proper response to the mystery of life and what better way to show deep respect than really looking to care for each other deeply?.
All Form Classes have been given a list of suggestions that would show both a deep respect and which would show a thankful attitude to others in our school community. The list is called the “40 Acts” as each of suggestions of how we can help each other represent one of the 40 days of Lent.
Santa Dash – Friday, 12th December, 2025
On Friday 12th December, 2025 all the pupils at Dr Thomlinson CofE Middle School will take part in a festive Santa Dash. Joining pupils from surrounding first schools, pupils will be encouraged to do a lap of the entire school field to promote winter fitness. We ask children to come in their PE kit. Children are invited to also wear a Christmas Jumper as well as festive headwear. Please note that the jumper and/or headwear is not statutory – there is no need to make a particular purchase for this occasion.
Dr Thomlinson Christmas Church Service – Tuesday 16th December, 2025
Parents/Carers are invited to join us for our Christmas Church Service at All Saints Church, Rothbury. This will begin at 1:45pm. Children will be dismissed from school at the end of the day at 3:30pm. If parents/carers are attending the service and wish to take their children home at the end of the service then please click HERE to complete the google form before the cut off point of 9am on Tuesday 16 December. These children will be dismissed by Mr Pickup and Mr Murtagh at the end of the service.
Dr Thomlinson Christmas Dinner Day – Wednesday 17th December, 2025
Children will take part in our Christmas Dinner Day with the school serving a Christmas lunch to those pupils who have pre-ordered the meal (please see letter to parents/carers 17th November, 2025). Please note that children who are not taking part are asked to bring a packed lunch. On Christmas Dinner Day all children are allowed to come to school in a Christmas jumper. We ask children who do so make a suggested voluntary contribution of £1 – the money raised going to the Cash for Kids charity. This will be a second opportunity for children to wear a Christmas jumper -the first being 12th December, 2025 – and this is a result of a request by pupil voice.
Dr Thomlinson’s Got Talent – Thursday, 18th December 6:30pm start.
We have over twenty different acts step forward to take part in Dr Thomlinson’s Got Talent following our audition on Thursday December 4th. Our annual Dr Thomlinson Got Talent Final is being held on 18th December at the school and starting at 6:30pm. Parents/Carers and extended family are very welcome and we are looking forward to a great evening. Refreshments will be served. Please note that those children taking part in the competition are asked to arrive at 6pm and go into the dining hall upon arrival.
Christmas term finishes on Friday, December 19th at 3:30pm. Our school reopens on Tuesday, 6th January, 2026.
St Hilda of Whitby (or Hild) was born in 614 AD.
She was the founder and first abbess of Whitby Monastery. Hilda was a very important figure in Anglo-Saxon England during which the country converted to Christianity. Hilda was Abbess of several convents and she was recognised for wisdom and advice that was valued by many Kings. She is considered as one of the Patron Saints of learning and culture.
St Hilda died in 680 AD and was buried in Whitby. Her remains were later moved to Gloucester Abbey as it was feared they would be removed by Viking raiders.
Dr Thomlinson’s is pairing its House Saints – Aidan; Bede and Cuthbert with female Northern Saints. This was a decision taken after a request from pupil voice. Aidan House will celebrate the life of St Aelfflaed on February 8th.
House Service commemorating the Venerable Bede and St Hilda
Dear Parent / Carer,
Please be aware that tomorrow (Friday 28 November) members of Bede & Hilda House are commemorating the lives of their saints with a church service at All Saints Church, Rothbury. The service will last for thirty minutes. Children will be escorted to and from school by school staff.
The service has been written by our House Captains. They have asked children in Bede/Hilda house to come in either green or purple – colours synonymous with the two Northumberland Saints.
Thank you,
Mr Murtagh – Headteacher
Our House Captains represented the school on Sunday 9 November at Rothbury’s Remembrance Day Service and laid a wreath on behalf of the school at the War Memorial.
On Tuesday 11 November the whole school took part in a Remembrance Day assembly and then held a 2 minute silence.
Our Art Ambassadors, along with Mrs Healy, created the display below.
Students at Dr Thomlinson C of E Middle School have been busy crafting a woodland of their own, through an inspiring community art and environmental project involving hundreds of handmade felt mushrooms.
This creative initiative is part of a wider effort to support the Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s campaign to purchase and restore the Rothbury Estate, including the Simonside Hills area, all near Dr Thomlinson’s site.
Connecting Creativity, Learning and Nature
As part of their Forest School lessons, every student in the school has made two mushrooms each, resulting in a spectacular collection of around 400 felt creations. Led by Jane Austin-Walker, Teaching Assistant and Forest School Leader, the project used a mix of felt and locally sourced wool, encouraging children to explore both craft and sustainability.
During half term, on Tuesday 28th October, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, the felt mushrooms will form a stunning woodland scene on stage at the Jubilee Hall in Rothbury. The event will bring together the Northumberland Wildlife Trust, community groups, and local residents to celebrate the landscape and raise further awareness for this important cause.
The Northumberland Wildlife Trust project to restore the Rothbury area is a £30 million project that has already raised £10 million. The aim is to protect and rewild the area, encouraging biodiversity and replacing non-native pines with native species to create a more resilient, wildlife-friendly environment.
Back at school, a mini display in the entrance hall showcases some of the mushrooms sprouting from logs, creating a delightful Harvest Festival feature. The students received an assembly showing the importance of involving the community and the ecological benefits of the project. In addition, students are shown photographs taken of their work, installed amongst nature at Simonside, providing a powerful symbol of teamwork and creativity.
Jane Austin-Walker, Teaching Assistant and Forest School Leader, said:
“The pupils loved it, they had a great time making their mushrooms. It was a creative thing to do and a collaborative project. What I particularly like is that everyone is working together and all doing our little bit, making something amazing together that we wouldn’t be able to do individually.”
Learning for a Sustainable Future
Through this project, pupils have been learning not just about art, but about ecology, sustainability, and community responsibility. They’ve explored how local actions, from reducing sheep numbers to protect plant diversity, to reintroducing native trees after storms, contribute to a healthier landscape.
This ethos of hands-on learning and environmental mindfulness reflects the Cheviot Learning Trust’s commitment to nurturing curiosity, creativity, and a sense of stewardship among its pupils.
After the Jubilee Hall exhibition, children will be able to take their mushrooms home as a memento, a reminder that small actions, when combined, can create something extraordinary.
It’s great to see students learning about the impact and importance of celebrating what makes the Rothbury community special.
Dear Parents/Carers,
Please be aware of the ways we support children and parents with issues related to the use of social media. As laid out in our behaviour policy we:
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Explicitly teach ways of staying safe using technology in the 21st Century in PHSCE and the wider curriculum;
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Ensure school staff are required to undertake regularly updated safeguarding and child protection training, which includes understanding, preventing and responding to cyberbullying;
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Arrange regular visits to school by external partners such as external safeguarding partner – Clennell Education;
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Plan opportunities when the school can raise awareness through activities such as Safer Internet Day;
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Ask all Parents / Carers to closely monitor their child’s internet activity and information communications technology (e.g. mobile phones, emails etc.) ;
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Provide opportunities for training for Parents & Carers on e-safety
If parents wish for any further information or support in this area, do not hesitate to get in touch.
Take care,
Liam Murtagh – Headteacher
Dear Yr 8 Parents/Carers,
Please find enclosed a letter from King Edward VI High School detailing a set of resources to help you with the admissions process to their school.
Please also find attached to letters we have already sent separately to you. The first is a letter explaining the admissions portal which closes on October 31st, 2025 and the second a letter explaining schools in the region that offer provision at “atypical points of entry.”
Take care,
Liam Murtagh – Headteacher
