Dear Parents/ Carers,

I hope this email finds you well.  It has been a very pleasing week at Dr Thomlinson CofE Middle School and both my staff and I are able to reflect on many accomplishments.

Transition Days

One of these successes is the wonderful excitement and attitude of our Year 8s when they returned to us from their transition days at The King Edward VI High School.  All of them clearly had a great time and we were delighted that they all were so excited at starting at the High School in September.  They are a fantastic year group and we will really miss them but they are clearly ready for their next step which is what we all really wish for.

Equally, it was great to see our new Year 5s who will start in September.  They really enjoyed their two days with us and I was especially proud of the way our Year 6 and Year 7 welcomed them into our school.  The theme of the week was Service – particularly the great kindness that St Paul was shown by the people of Malta when he was shipwrecked there in 60AD.  So many visitors who come to our school speak of the school’s lovely atmosphere and the excellent behaviour of our pupils, so it was appropriate that in the week when we marked the feast day of St Peter and St Paul, we could show a similar kindness to our visitors.

Trips

Another pleasing aspect of this week was the enjoyment by Year 7 of their trip to Stemfest at St James’s Park.  The Science and Engineering event was particularly promoting careers that tackle and combat Climate Change and those that went on trip found it very useful.  It was great that we could offer another extra curricular trip for our pupils – as such trips were not able to be offered during the previous year.

Sports Day

One activity that we haven’t had for two years is Sports Day and a Sport Day when you can come and watch!  Our Sports Day is on Monday, 11th July and parents/carers are very much invited.  The day is always one of my highlights of the year and – even as we speak – I understand the Sports Day commentator is gargling their throat in readiness…

Please note children can come to school in PE Kit on Monday, 11th July, please ensure they bring a water bottle and sun cream.

Disco

Another activity we are once again able to offer is DISCO NIGHT!  So on Monday 18th July from 6pm – 7:30pm there will be a Disco at Dr Thomlinson Middle School for all pupils.  Entry is £3 and our Year 8’s have already chosen the music.  Incredibly I knew all the songs (why do Year 8 pupils want to hear the Eurythmics?  I remember seeing them live at the NEC in the late 80s.)  As I will be able to sing along to the songs I will be there but we could really do with Parent Helpers so if you are willing to come along please contact the office.

Readathon

‘Read for Good’: Monday 11 July- Sunday 17 July

We are stepping up to the challenge to read as much as we can next week and hopefully get some sponsors to donate an amount for this challenge.

All money raised goes towards buying books for sick children who are in

Hospital.  School also receives 20% matched funding in books for our Library.

All pupils have been given a sponsor card and free bookmark to enable them to complete the challenge.  If all money could be placed in an envelope with the name and amount,

along with the sponsorship card, by Tuesday 19 July.

We look forward to sharing and celebrating further success and achievements in the weeks to come.

My Child At School

We move over to using MCAS messaging on Monday 11 July.  If you haven’t done so already, please download the app and log in using the invitation code sent last week.

I hope you have a lovely weekend.

Take care,

Liam Murtagh – Headteacher