Reminder – the TT day planned for 25th June was changed to 18th December 2020 and therefore will not go ahead.
Dear Parents/Carers,
I hope this email finds you well.
Children and Young People’s Plan
During form time this week we have all been looking at the Children and Young People’s Plan for Northumberland. In 2019, Northumberland County Council and its partners reached out to schools to get their support in creating a long-term plan for Children and Young People in the county. It has been two years since the plan was created and our County’s Youth Parliament were looking for feedback from children in Northumberland about the work they have been doing on the plan. The Youth Cabinet and Youth Parliament created a short video telling us about their work and asking schools to send in questions to ask NCC and its partners about the work they are doing for young people based on the plan
The main points of the plan are that Northumberland County Council will:
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Make sure the voice of Young People will influence decisions that affects them
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Make sure children & young people have the best start in life
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Make sure services work together to tackle any form of disadvantage
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Ensure children & young people have access to the best quality education to prepare them for adult life
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Make sure children & young people feel safe & supported and are able to cope with life’s ups and downs
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Promote & support children & young people to be healthy.
Our pupils responded really positively to these ideas and we made sure their voice was heard in this ongoing work.
Please continue to test twice – weekly
As lockdown eases, taking a rapid COVID-19 test twice a week, even if you do not have symptoms, will help us stay ahead of the spread of the virus, particularly as new strains appear. Around 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 have no symptoms and are spreading the virus without knowing. This includes those who have had their vaccine.
Please can Yr 7 & Yr 8 children continue to test twice-weekly over half-term and test before returning to school after the holiday.
TOP AWARD WINNERS Week beginning 24th May, 2021. The core value was Service.
5T Harry
5H Daisy-Lou
6O Isabella
6M Emma
7I Rosemary
7L Alexander
8N Isaac
8S Noah
Well done to all of these award winners
I hope you have a good weekend. It is our half term holiday next week. We look forward to seeing you back at school on Monday, 7th June, 2021
Take care,
Liam Murtagh
May 18th, 2021
Dear Parents/Carers,
I enclose the findings from our school’s Relationships, Health and Sex Education consultation that was undertaken between Thursday, March 11th 2021 and Thursday, March 25th, 2021.
Dr Thomlinson Middle School carried out a consultation on Relationships, Health and Sex Education from Thursday, 11th March to Thursday, 25th March, 2021. Stakeholders were sent a copy of our draft Relationships, Sex Education and Health Education policy together with with the relevant Government Guidance. The consultation asked:
1. I read and understood our school’s Relationships, Sex Education and Health Education policy – you may add any suggestions for additions/changes (please see statutory guidance)
2. I read and understand our school’s Relationships and Health Education curriculum plan you may add any suggestions / additions (please see statutory guidance)
3. I understand the right Parents/carers have to withdraw their child from sex education
There were thirty four responses – 3 of which were from staff; 31 from Parents/Carers. Of the thirty four responses all said they had read and understood our policy; all said that they had read and understood our Relationships and Health Education Plan; all said they understood the right of Parents/Carers to withdraw their child from sex education.
There were three comments:
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One comment questioned the need for gender segregated teaching for sex education. We have amended our policy to say when this will take place and for what reason;
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One comment wanted our policy to recognise the validity of committed adult relationships other than marriage and we have amended our policy accordingly;
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One asked to see more guidance for children about when they meet outside of school and their behaviour, sleepovers and legal responsibilities. This will be covered in our RSE curriculum when we look at practical steps children can take in a range of different contexts to improve or support respectful relationships.
At the same time we also consulted with our student body. We received this feedback.
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What do you enjoy most about the things we learn in PHSCE? |
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Yr 5 |
The way it makes you think about your everyday behaviour;It teaches you life skills such as getting along with others; You can learn about other people such as how they feel about things; Teaches you about the dangers of life; Teaches you to a responsible citizen; Teaches you to think before you act |
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Yr 6 |
The memory games, group discussion, the new information, recaps for each lesson. Find it helpful to learn about topics that might not be covered in other lessons. Learning something about emotional development |
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Yr 7 |
Healthy Eating and Food, Meditation |
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Yr 8 |
The way it teaches self-awareness, discusses important issues and listens to the opinions of peers. It’s different to other subjects like Maths and Science, it’s interesting, helpful for life as it could save your life (Like drugs awareness), good for your mental health, modern content, might not learn these things at home, it’s about “you”, it helps if you’re stressed, good information, raises awareness of what others may be going through, you can find help without even having to ask |
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What could we improve about the things we learn in PHSCE? |
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Children requested more help on how to deal with relationships – in terms of dealing with friendships (both offline and online) and peer pressure; More time spent on basic first aid; Further discussion of ways to support mental well being particularly managing stress; More activities to support resilience More activities that focus on business and enterprise activities We will amend our PHSCE Curriculum accordingly. |
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Forthcoming KS2 PHSCE Lessons
Please note that KS2 will be learning about the changing adolescent body during PHSCE during the next four weeks: Friday, May 21st; Friday, May 28th; Friday 11th June and Friday, June 18th.
Forthcoming KS3 PHSCE Lessons
Please note that KS3 will be having Sex Education Lessons in PHSCE next term during the weeks beginning 21st June; 28th June; 5th July and 12th July
Thank you very much to all those who took part in our consultation.
Take care,
Liam Murtagh – Headteacher, Dr Thomlinson CofE Middle School
Dear Parents/Carers,
I hope this email finds you well.
Speak Out; Stay Safe
Trained NSPCC volunteers and staff delivered an online assembly and workshop to our Year 6 Form Classes on Thursday. The session was with the help of the NSPCC’s mascot, Buddy the speech bubble. Buddy wants everyone to know that all children have the right to:
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speak out and be heard
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be safe
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get help when they need it.
Year 6 really enjoyed the presentation.
Year 7 watch Online Road Safety Drama
Our Year 7’s were treated to a wonderful online performance from theatre group The Riot Act on the key theme of road safety. While the drama focused on the important issue of being safe on the roads there was much in the performance to engage the audience on issues such as peer pressure, being responsible, the consequences of dangerous behaviour, and much more.
Oak Academy is available across Summer 2021
Please be aware that Oak National Academy is extending its support to schools, teachers and pupils across summer 2021.
Oak’s Summer Teacher Hub and Summer Classroom will provide online resources and lessons for both face-to-face summer schools and summer home-learning.
TOP Award Winners Week beginning: 3rd May, 2021.
The Core Value was: Creation
5H Kayden
5T Harry & Sam
6) Millie
6M Ben
7I Sam
7L Imogen
8N Hannah
8S Rachael
Well done to all of these award winners.
I hope you have a great weekend.
Take care,
Liam Murtagh – Headteacher
Please be aware that following a change in guidance for schools there will be a change to requirements as to the wearing of face masks/coverings.
From Monday 17th May there is:
– no longer a requirement for secondary age children (Y7 and Y8 at Dr Thomlinson CofE Middle School) to wear face masks / coverings in school, either in lessons or in communal spaces
– there is no longer a requirement for adults to wear face masks / coverings in classrooms, but they should continue to wear face coverings when moving around school on corridors and in communal spaces
Whilst there is no longer a requirement to do so, should you wish for your child to continue to wear a face mask / covering in school then we are more than happy for this to be the case.
Dear Parents/Carers,
I hope this email finds you well. It was great to see so many of you able to participate in our three Spring Parent evenings, the final one of which was on Thursday, 29th April, 2021.
Year 8 take part in Virtual Careers Fair
On Friday, April 30th Year 8 took part in the annual Discovery Museum virtual STEAM (Science, technology, engineering, art, and maths) careers fair.
Year 8 took part in interactive career presentations from organisations that included Siemens Energy, Northumberland National Park, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Newcastle University, Virgin Money, Unipres, Dove Marine Laboratory, & Youth Art Fundraisers
This week Year 8 also took part in a workshop with Northumbria Police on Image Sharing.
TOP Award Winners – Week beginning April 26th, 2021
5H – Hylton
5T – T-Jay
6O – Nathan
6M – Libby
7L – Jemima
7I – Freddy
8N – Ava
8S – Jasper & Cerys
Well done to all of these award winners!
County Line Information Leaflet for Parents and Carer
“County lines” is a term used to describe gangs and organised criminal networks involved in exporting illegal drugs into one or more importing areas within the UK. Such gangs are likely to exploit children and vulnerable adults. Please find enclosed a leaflet for Parents and Carers written by Northumbria Police giving more information on this area of concern.
I hope you have a restful Bank Holiday Weekend.
Take care,
Liam Murtagh – Headteacher
Dear Parents/Carers,
I hope this message finds you well. We have had a good week at Dr Thomlinson CofE Middle School.
THE BIG ASK – Nationwide Children’s Survey
I enclose details of a national survey for children led by the Children’s Commissioner for England. The survey, which runs until 19 May, aims to gather children’s views and experiences on important issues and will be used to inform recommendations to Government and proposals to policy changes which affect them and their futures. Please spend 5 – 10 minutes with your child this weekend to complete the survey.
“Hi, my name is Rachel de Souza and I’m the Children’s Commissioner for England. My job is to speak up for children in England, stand up for their rights, and make sure that the people in power listen to what children need and want”
Internet Watch Foundation Campaign backed by the Home Office
Please be aware of an important campaign led by the Internet Watch Foundation and supported by the UK Home Office. Internet Watch Foundation data shows 11-13 year old girls are increasingly at risk of grooming and coercion at the hands of online predators.
In 2020, IWF confirmed 68,000 cases of self-generated imagery, a rise of 77% on 2019 and self-generated imagery accounts for nearly half (44%) the imagery the foundation took action on last year. In 80% of these cases, the victims were 11- to 13-year-old girls.
Any child, no matter what their background, with unrestricted access to internet-connected devices, is at risk.
The hard-hitting campaign, backed by the UK Home Office and Microsoft, aims to empower girls, and warn their parents and carers about the risks posed by online predators targeting children. Its aim is to build resilience to the threat of self-generated sexual abuse of children, thereby reducing the number of incidences.
The purpose of the campaign is for girls to have an increased awareness of how to respond safely to requests online for self-generated child sexual abuse material; and for parents/carers to have an increased awareness of self-generated child sexual abuse online and feel motivated and equipped to protect their children.
TOP Award Winners – Week beginning April 19th, 2021
5T – Lucy
5H – Toby / Ryan
6O – Megan
6M – Fran
7I – Hannah
7L – Emma
8N – Julia
8S – Mia
Well done to all of these award winners!
Take care,
Liam Murtagh – Headteacher
