Throughout the curriculum this term:
In French;
Some of our year 7 students were asked to research the importance of language learning and create a poster to reflect their findings. We were really impressed with the results and will use these to create a fun and informative display in one of our Modern Foreign Languages classrooms. Well done, Year 7!
In English lessons this term:
Year 7 have made an ambitious start to their secondary education, wowing visitors with their extraordinary vocabulary in response to 'A Christmas Carol'. From understanding the definition of misanthropic, to characterising Scrooge as a miser, Year 7 has shown their embodiment of our TORCH values within the English classroom.
All of Key Stage 3 honoured National Poetry Day through their participation in extra-special English lessons. They experimented with 'black-out' poetry in aid of the environment and had the opportunity to enter their own original poetry to the national competition.
Key Stage 4 have showcased their curiosity this half term, participating in the live streaming of the Royal Shakespeare Company's performance of Macbeth. This extra-curricular opportunity has contributed to both Year 10's initial reading of the play and Year 11's revision in preparation for their mock examinations after half term.
A message from our Head of Science, Mr Jennings
"It has been wonderful to see the positive start that students have made in Science this year, from navigating the complexities of theory-based lessons, to working together when completing intricate practical investigations. Being new to the school, I have felt akin to some of our Year 7 students, who have all been finding their feet this half term. Yet, for the most part, they have not just managed their transition to life here at The Suthers School, they have thrived. Using the context of our oceans as a backdrop, Year 7 students have developed their skills in planning and carrying out experiments, as well as learning about concepts such as pressure (physics), acidity (chemistry) and adaptations (biology). To give just a snapshot from our other year groups, Year 8 have been focusing predominantly on learning about healthy lifestyles, from balanced diets and digestion to the impacts of drug use. Year 9 began the year by exploring the theory of natural selection to explain evolution, culminating with students preparing and delivering presentations about endangered species, demonstrating their tenacity and excellent oracy skills. School life, however, is not without its challenges, with our older students having to adapt to the greater academic demands and pressures of their GCSEs. Whether it's embarking on a new course or preparing for the rigours of mock examinations, our Key Stage 4 students have needed to demonstrate - and will continue to do so - all of the TORCH qualities that we strive for at The Suthers School. I am proud of all of the staff and students within the Science Department, working together towards the collective goal of achieving our very best, which was clearly evident to prospective students and parents / carers at the Year 5-6 Open Evening. My challenge for all students now is to reflect on the half term that they have had and to think about how they can continue to get the very best from their science education, be it seeking additional home learning opportunities, taking a lead role during group work or helping others to meet the high standards of work and behaviour that we expect. Ultimately, I look forward to seeing just how much progress our students can make throughout the year, with the continued support of those at home and their teachers in school."
In Music and Drama this term:
Students in music have been very busy this half-term developing their knowledge, skills and understanding through listening activities, practical workshops and theory lessons. Year 7 have been learning about rhythm notation, instruments, pitch and the notes of the stave, which has culminated in their first keyboard lessons where they are learning to play Ode To Joy by Beethoven. Year 8 students have been learning about chords and the elements of music; how to identify them by ear and use them in their own music. This has allowed them to create some interesting and exciting compositions which they've been performing this week. Year 9 have been focused on learning about how music is used to reflect emotions and actions in film and on the stage, these techniques have been demonstrated in their performances of 'In The Hall of the Mountain King' by Grieg. Our GCSE students have been developing their core music theory knowledge, listening skills, composition techniques and performance skills: Year 10 have produced their first composition and will be performing their first solo pieces during the last week of term, whereas Year 11 have been completing the final composition and performances pieces which fill form part of their coursework portfolio, alongside learning about the first set-work for their exam which is Africa by Toto, just the thing to accompany the rainy autumn weather!
In drama, students in years 7 to 9 have been developing devised pieces based on the theme of 'The First Day', in doing so that have focussed on developing a range of performance techniques and theatrical devices alongside developing their confidence, self-expression, abiulity to work with others and perform in front of an audience. Our GCSE students have also been finalising their devised pieces that will form part of their final examination portfolio once completed after the half-term break.
Food technology have been celebrating the humble Egg this term.
In the 'egg'cellent challenge, students worked in teams to create an amazing dish with presentation and taste in mind. Mrs Gollin was very impressed by the quality of food that was produced.
This weeks Enrichment theme was Halloween, students produced some scary treats and got to sample their work.
Art:
KS3 have had a brilliant start to the year in Art. Year 7 have been exploring the foundations of secondary school Art & Design, with an introduction to the Formal Elements through the artist Sarah Graham. Year 8 have begun a year focused on visual communication by learning the rules of composition and framing with a focus on the game changing artist Henri Matisse. Year 9 have gone back to the first ever examples of mark making by investigating the stories communicated through cave painting and are finishing the term by creating their very own stone age narrative.
In KS4, our Year 10 group have made a fantastic start to their coursework project, researching the themes of growth & decay, impressions of surroundings and identity and beginning to experiment with new mediums such as monoprinting. The Year 11 group are at the other end of their coursework journey, with only a half term to go before hand-in! They are working hard on their design ideas ready to create their final piece in their mock exam in December.
History:
Students have continued to thrive in history this year, expanding their knowledge of the world that used to be, and making connections to the world we live in today. I have been particularly impressed with KS3's attitude towards history and their determination to try their hardest in every lesson.
Year 7s have settled in really well to history this year. They have used their primary school knowledge to support them with understanding why people invade Britain! They have recently studied two key battles: The Battle of Stamford Bridge and The Battle of Hastings. It was great to see students articulate why William won the battle and be able to write their own paragraphs to explain this. After half term Year 7s will be looking at how the Normans controlled England - including some castle making!
I am also extremely proud of how well the Year 10s have settled into GCSE History. They have taken the increase in workload extremely well and are eager to learn all about medicine through time. It has been a pleasure for Miss Shelton and I to teach the Year 10s this half term and we look forward to continuing our gory studies after the break.
Good luck to the Year 11s as they continue to revise for the upcoming mock period. Please use Teams and Seneca to support your revision, and email over any past papers you would like marking.
Artist Rory McCann visited our school this term to paint a stunning mural in our library.
'The new mural in the library depicts a journey which starts with an open book to represent learning and a twisted tree growing out from the book to represent personal development. From the tree, a tawny owl takes off and takes your eyes across a series of interconnected windows which look into the local nature reserves, which the school houses are named after (Attenborough, Skylark, Beacon and Treswell). With each of these windows, birds are flying in and out to carry on the sense of journey of the students' time at school. The final and fifth window opens right out across the computer area and shows a boy and girl looking out over the wide world to the horizon and beyond. This represents the amazing breadth of opportunities and possibilities for the students beyond (but supported by) their time at school'
'The mural took 7 days to paint with one day of planning and consultation with staff and students. In part it is a dedication to Martin Suthers who the school is named after who had a great love of wildlife and in particular birds. His favourite bird, the green woodpecker, is depicted in the Treswell window, and four Sand Martins can be seen flying across the whole mural'
Rory McCann.
The launch of the Fern library has been a huge success this term. Students are able to use the library during lunch breaks and staff are taking advantage of the facilities to further enhance the teaching of lessons.
Please follow the link to view details of a Literacy Event for parents and students being held next term in The Fern. Click here
On 20th October we held our Big Draw Event as part of the Big Draw Festival, the biggest annual drawing festival in the UK. 25 able and aspiring artists across KS3 were taken off timetable all day to spend time in the Art Department. This year’s theme “Come back to Colour” explores the way the world came slowly back to life post-covid pandemic and asks students to reflect on this transition. Students created a typography themed artistic response while learning the skills of macramé and wire manipulation.
Charity Events this term
Our annual McMillan Event took place on Friday 30th September and Saturday 1st October. We raised an amazing £550 in total through all the generous donations of cakes and the games put together by staff and students.
Our students and staff wore yellow on Friday 14th October in support of Young Minds Mental health Charity.
Date for the diary: Monday 14th November - Odd Socks Day - marks the start of Anti-bullying week.
Dates for your diary
The Suthers School
Train to teach with the Nottinghamshire Torch SCITT