Dear Parents/Carers,
We have had a lovely and productive first one and a half weeks at Dr Thomlinson CofE Middle School following our Summer break. At the start of the academic year I always feel like shouting “Happy New Year!” as it is indeed the start of new time in our lives.
We have all been very impressed with the attitude and behaviour of our new Year 5 pupils.
It was also wonderful to see familiar faces in Year 6; Year 7 and Year 8 as well as welcoming some new starters in these Year groups. We look forward to a great year ahead.
P&Q Award Winner
Children are awarded a P&Q slip for good behaviour in our corridor. Each week these awardees are placed in a grand draw with the winner winning a book selected from our new stock bookshelf.
Well done to Emme & Kai who won our first two P&Q awards.
TOP Award Winners
Every week a child from each form class who especially shows qualities of key weekly core value receives a TOP (Thomlinson Outstanding Pupil) award certificate. Our school key values this year being Hope; Friendship; Service; Creation & Koinonia.
Week beginning – core value: Hope
5T Jehrule
5H Caitlin
6O Morgan
6M Iona
7I Annabelle
7L Lucinda
8N Bethany
8S Noah
Week beginning 18th December – core value: Service
5T Libby
5H Georgia
6O Sophia
6M Jasper
7I Oscar
7L Teddy
8N Laila
8S Florence
Well done to all of these award winners!
House Captain Elections 2024/25
Applications are now open to Year 8 pupils who wish to stand for election for the role of House Captain.
This is a list of duties and responsibilities that successful applicants will be expected to fulfil:
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Uphold the values of our school at all times;
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Raise awareness and educate pupils on the life and works of their House Saint, including planning the respective Saints Day service;
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Represent the school and their house at school events both in school and outside of school – a key event being the laying of a memorial wreath during the Rothbury Remembrance Day Service for which attendance is expected;
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Collection and recording of house points;
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Share progress and achievements of their house with the school;
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Update members of their house on news and events, in meetings and through newsletters;
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Organise fundraising events;
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Work as part of a team with other house captains;
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Lead by example in attitude to schoolwork, homework, uniform and courteousness to all others;
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Be prepared to speak in front of pupils, parents, teachers and visitors;
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Use their talents for the benefit of the school, and inspire and encourage participation in events and clubs from house members;
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Liaise with teachers in the organisation of house competitions;
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Attend regular meetings to discuss house and school matters alongside school form representatives
Interested applicants should write a formal letter of application no shorter than 300 words on both their ability to fulfil the above position; their experiences in the areas described and their ambitions for the role. This formal letter should be addressed to the Headteacher and be submitted both as an email to the school admin address ([email protected]) and in hard copy to the Headteacher.
The prospective candidate should also make a maximum two slide presentation on how they wish to support the school if they are successful in their application which should accompany the letter. Please note that this presentation both in terms of content and in their speech must be respectful of the school community including the work of previous House Captains.
Deadline for applications is Monday, 16th September 12pm . Speeches will be to the whole school on Monday (Aidan); Wednesday (Bede); Thursday (Cuthbert)
I hope you all have a lovely weekend..
Take care,
Liam Murtagh – Headteacher
Dear Parents/Carers,
I hope this finds you well. We have had another very productive week at Dr Thomlinson Middle School.
Well done Year 6
Well done Year 6 for all their hard work during this week of Key Stage Two tests. We have all been so impressed with their energy and enthusiasm throughout the week. It made me feel very proud.
Green Power North East Goblin Car Race
On Monday, May 20th 12 Year 6 pupils are taking part in the Green Power North East Goblin Car Race at Gateshead Stadium. Working with our DT teacher – Miss Rutherford – they have constructed their car using the theme of endangered animals as their inspiration. We wish the team, and their snow leopard car, the very best of luck.
KS2 Parent Evenings
Thank you to all the Year 5 parents & carers who came to our Year 5 parent evening on Tuesday, May 14th. We look forward to welcoming parents & carers of Year 6 parents on Tuesday May 21st.
TOP Award – Week beginning May 13th
The theme for this week’s award was Koinonia
5T – Jasmine
5H – Finley
6O – the whole of 6O for their hard work during SATS week
6M – the whole of 6M for their hard work during SATS week
7I – Charlotte
7L – Laila
8N – Mary-Anne
8S – Xanthe
P&Q Winner – Annabel
Well done to all these award winners!
I hope you have a lovely weekend.
Take care,
Liam Murtagh – Headteacher, Dr Thomlinson Middle School
Dear Parent/Carer,
I hope this email finds you well. We have had a very productive week at Dr Thomlinson CofE Middle School.
Netball Success
Well done to our Year 7 & Year 8 netball teams who achieved duel success in their respective tournaments this week. Our Year 7 team triumphed after wins against Ponteland A (4-0); Ponteland B (2-1); Chantry A (3-0); Chantry B (2-0) and a draw against Newminster (1-1). Our Year 8 team achieved their victory laurels after beating Ponteland A (1-0); Newminster (2-0) and drawing against Ponteland B (2-2). Mr Atkinson, who coached both teams, said, “Both teams played some excellent netball. All were a credit to the school.”
Well done to our Year 8 Rugby League team
On May 3rd our Year 8 Rugby League represented our school with distinction at a school Rugby League tournament. Playing schools from Hexham; Ovingham; Ponteland and Bolden, our team won two matches and lost three. The eyewitness report I received of the games reliably informed me that Lewis was our stand out player. On one occasion, during the tournament, he scored a try whilst being tackled simultaneously by six players. Well done everybody for their great efforts.
Reminder – Children’s Cancer Run, Sunday 19th May 2024
We are all looking forward to the Children’s Cancer Run at Newcastle Racecourse on Sunday 19th May. Our start time has now been confirmed as 10.05am.
If you haven’t already registered, please do join us if you can, or come along and support those taking part – it really is a great event and day out, and all for a good cause!
If you are able, please complete an online entry form to join our team:
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Log on to https://childrenscancernorth.
org.uk/event/childrens-cancer- run-2024/ -
Select ‘Sign up here’
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Select your registration preference (as an Adult, Child, or Family)
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Under ‘Create or Join a team’ select ‘Find’ and type in our school name. Click ‘Join’ next to the school name.
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Complete the remainder of the registration form for you and/or your family.
The cheapest and easiest option (£9) is to enter a child in the 1 Mile Mini Run, as this also includes a free adult entry (normally £16). All participants receive a medal and Greggs snack pack on the day, and all children receive a Children’s Cancer Run t-shirt. Alternatively, both children and adults can enter the 3 or 5 mile routes (although children aged 11 years must be accompanied by a responsible adult on both of these).
Online registrations are open until midnight on the 15th May, and you can even register on the day.
KS2 Parent Evenings
We are all looking forward to our Key Stage Two Parent Evenings over the next two weeks. Tuesday May 14th sees our Year 5 parent evening and Tuesday May 21st sees our Year 6 parent evening.
TOP Award – Week beginning May 6th
The theme for this week’s award was Friendship
5T – George
5H – Sophia
6O – Louie
6M – Imogen
7I – River
7L – Abbi
8N – Leo
8S – Gabriel
Well done to Poppy who won this week’s P&Q award.
Communication about Family Help Workers
Please find enclosed a leaflet about Family help Workers – “When your child needs extra support, we want to find the best way forward for them and you as soon as possible.”
I hope you have a lovely weekend.
Take care,
Liam Murtagh – Headteacher
In March 2024, our school underwent the Statutory Inspection of Anglican and Methodist Schools (SIAMS).
The inspection makes judgments on the quality of religious education, collective worship, and pupil’s spiritual, moral, social, and cultural (SMSC) education in Church of England and Methodist schools.
We have received our report and are delighted to hear about our strengths and show that our efforts to live up to our Christian values are recognised.
The report was overall very positive with some areas of development, which we plan to work on to ensure that they are continuously uplifting and promoting Christian values throughout the school.
School Strengths
The report noted how evident Christian values are at the core of the leaders’ actions and decisions, as well as the curriculum being well-focused on the Christian vision.
In addition, collective worship was seen as “the heartbeat of the school,” with many opportunities for both students and teachers to develop spiritually. The religious education (RE) curriculum was also granted as relevant, well-planned, and as an avenue that gives the pupils a chance to communicate their voice.
The report highlights the impact that the school’s Christian vision has on the flourishing of its whole school community. The report noted that this was especially prevalent through the caring culture within the school and the inclusivity of all students, including those with special educational needs.
We were happy to see that the inspection was also able to acknowledge our use of the forest school and the beautiful rural area of our school to help pupils “appreciate the wonder of God’s creation.”
Overall, the school is very pleased with the final report and will continue its commitment to ensuring that the standards of the school are upheld!
Dear Parents/Carers,
I hope this email finds you well. It has been a wonderfully busy week at Dr Thomlinson CofE Middle School.
Well done to our Mock Trial Team
A huge well done to our Mock Trial team who took part in the area heat of the competition on Saturday 16th March, 2024. The Magistrates’ Court Mock Trial Competition helps young people understand how the law touches every aspect of their lives, gaining an insight into how the legal justice system works. Schools are given access to resources, including a specially written criminal case, to help teams prepare legal arguments. After preparation, our school team took part in a head-to-head trial with another school to prosecute and defend a case – on this occasion it was a case involving an assault on a taxi driver.
All 17 pupils who took part did very well, special mentions going to Dillan and Emily who took the part of witnesses in the case and Samantha who played the part of a lawyer in a very convincing way.
Dr Thomlinson Sport Success
Well done to the Dr Thomlinson Boccia and Ten Pin Bowling Teams who enjoyed medal winning success in their respective competitions. Boccia is a precision ball sport, similar to bocce, and related to bowls and pétanque. The name “boccia” is derived from the Latin word for “boss” – bottia. Dr Thomlinson entered two teams with Edward; Tyler; Daniel and Beth winning two of the five group games.
Our other team, comprising of Ethan, Leo and TJ, won four of their five group games and then the resulting semi final and final – making them Regional Boccia Champions. Very well done to all involved.
Dr Thomlinson Literary Success
Well done to our triumphant Lit Quiz team who won the regional round of the International Litquiz competition. Competing against 24 other teams; Dr Thomlinson finished in first place – three points in front of Yarm School.
This tremendous success is the first time we have won the competition which, as a result of our victory, takes our team of Xanthe; Gabriel; Cecily and Jonah, into the national Lit Quiz final in London in June.
Our other team composed of Annabel; Charlotte; Gabrielle and Leon finished in an impressive 14th place which augurs well for their chances in next year’s competition.
The winners of the national Lit Quiz final round head to Australia to participate in the International final. We wish this team the very best of luck in their future exploits!
Wednesday 27th March, Easter Church Service
Parents/Carers are very welcome to join the school for our Easter Church Service on Wednesday 27th March at 1:45pm at All Saints Church, Rothbury for our school Easter Service.
I hope you have a restful weekend.
Take care,
Liam Murtagh – Headteacher
