Weekly Information - Friday 8th November 2024

The following students celebrated their achievements with Mr Blanchenot this week, congratulations to them all

Hot Chocolate with the Head – 08.11.24

We’ve had a brilliant start to the first week of term, made even better by celebrating the achievements of our pupils who have demonstrated the school’s core values. Mr Blanchenot was thrilled to see so many pupils enjoying a Hot Chocolate and sharing their stories with the group.

The first group of nominations were for Jamie, Henry, Alice, Erin and Harriet in Year 7 who told Mr Blanchenot about how they had been recognised for demonstrating excellent time management skills; one of the schools key employability skills. Henry shared that he found the Employability Skills session really interesting and how it gave him a better understanding of different career paths available in the future. Well done to you all for showing your time management skills.

Next up was Hannah in Year 11, who was nominated for her perseverance when competing in the NSEA Championships in Windsor. Hannah explained how she had come up against many logistical challenges in the run up to the competition. This included injured horses, a broken down horse box and team members unable to compete. Mr Blanchenot was really proud of Hannah who despite these challenges still had an extremely successful competition. Well done for showing your perseverance. To read more about the Equestrian Teams performance at the NSEA Championships, click here.

Next Mr Blanchenot spoke to Andrew, our Head Student in Sixth Form. Andrew had been nominated for his tenacity in organising the new Sixth Form games. Mrs Bonnett who made the nomination said ‘Andrew almost single-handedly devised a new programme of Sixth Form house games. This has taken a huge amount of organisation, including student voice, liaising with teaching staff, with SLT and other Sixth Form students. He took into consideration risk management, health and safety and resolved a number of problems along the way. The games were extremely successful, it has been a huge undertaking that Andrew has led on and he has done all of this whilst keeping up with his studies (and always smiling throughout!). Well done Andrew for showing integrity, kindness and perseverance. To read the full article about Andrew’s event, click here.

Lastly, Caitlin in Sixth Form explained how she wanted to help make the ‘new to JTHS’ Sixth Form students feel really welcome as she recognised it can sometimes feel daunting starting a new school. To tackle this Caitlyn devised a new programme of half-termly ‘check-ins’ with the new students. Mrs Bonnett who nominated Caitlyn said ‘Caitlin felt there was a gap in ensuring new students in Sixth Form were supported and settling in well. Caitlin has liaised with Sixth Form staff and leadership to create a fantastic resource of ‘check-ins’ and events that ensure our new external Sixth Form students know who the house leaders are, know their ‘friendly faces’ and have the support they need to fully integrate into our school community and thrive during their time at John Taylor High School.’ Well done for your kindness Caitlyn.

If you would like to nominate a student for demonstrating Kindness, Respect, Integrity or Perseverance please email [email protected]

Dear parents/students, 

We are proud to be supporting and raising funds for 'The anti-bullying alliance' as part of the national Anti-Bullying Week, that will take place from Monday 11th Nov: https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/anti-bullying-week-2024-choose-respect 

Please see below the activities that will be taking place. Donations throughout the week can be made to tutors during registration:

Monday 11th November

- Tutors will launch the awareness week to students during PD with the theme of 'Choose Respect'. 

Tuesday 12th November

- Pupils will put together their Pledge to 'Choose Respect' in registration. The best pledges will be chosen and displayed across the school. 

Thursday 14th November 

- 'Pets in Odd Socks' competition launch! We are asking students to send in a photo of their pets in Odd Socks. Please send entries to [email protected] by Wednesday 20th November. 

Friday 15th November

- Students can wear Odd Socks to school - and make a £1 donation.

- We will also be sharing our highlights from the week in the newsletter and informative links for parents/carers who need additional support.

Dear parent/students, 

We are commited to come together as One Community when raising funds for much-deserved charities. Please see below events that will be happening across the school which we hope you will support us in. 

Children in Need Activities on Friday 15th November

Ice Bucket Challenge - Students can donate £1 to vote for which teacher(s) they would like to see do the gruelling challenge! These will be videoed and shared with forms so all students can watch! Students it time to get thinking of what teacher you would like to nominate!

Sixth Form Non-Uniform day - Each sixth form student can donate £1 to wear their own clothes. (Years 7-11 must wear their full uniform, however can wear Odd Socks as part of Anti-bullying week). 

Cake Sale - We are asking for donations for the Cake Sale which will take place at lunch-time in the Hall. Students & staff can then buy some delicious cakes to enjoy. Please note: Cake donations must be shop bought with the packaging/list of ingredients visable and on display. Unfortunately we cannot accept home-made cakes due to allergies. 

If you are a member of Cadets, you are invited to wear your Cadet uniform on Monday 11^th November as part of Remembrance Day. All other students should wear their FULL school uniform.

On Monday, at 11am in school, a bell will ring to signal the start of a 2 minute period of silent reflection. The bell will ring again at 11:02 to end this period. The Act of Remembrance is brief and non-religious, making it exceptionally well-suited to personalised commemorations. 

Many Thanks, 

Mrs Spencer

Deputy Headteacher

Exploring Iceland’s Layers: A Deep Dive into Fire, Ice, and Beyond
John Taylor High School – Geography Educational Visit to Iceland 2024

Written by Mr Simmons: Director at The John Taylor SCITT

Over October Half Term 40 students and 4 staff immersed themselves in Iceland’s extraordinary landscapes, geology, and culture, making memories to last a lifetime.

Our journey began early on October 29th, with students assembling at school, donned in their lanyards and trip hoodies. We had a smooth check-in and flight, and, upon arrival in Iceland, were immediately captivated by the country’s stark beauty. Our first stop was the exhilarating Fly Over Iceland experience, where a virtual flight tour introduced us to the nation’s dramatic landscapes and fascinating cultural history. Dinner at the Hamburger Factory wrapped up our first day, complete with the fun addition of hoping to see an advancement of Iceland’s “live population clock.”

On day two, we explored Raufarholshellir’s Lava Tunnel, witnessing first-hand the formation of Iceland’s lava tubes. We then trekked into the geothermally active valley of Reykjadalur and visited the stunning Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi waterfalls. Reynisfjara, the iconic black sand beach, was an eye-opener on the force of nature with its “sneaker waves” and towering basalt columns. Our evening concluded with a one-of-a-kind Icelandic Lava Show, where students felt the intense heat of molten lava safely behind barriers—an experience they won’t soon forget.

Day three took us to Solheimajokull glacier for a guided Glacier Walk. Equipped with crampons and ice axes, students explored ice formations and deep crevasses. They were visibly awestruck by the beauty of Skógafoss waterfall and engaged eagerly at the Lava Centre, where they learned about Iceland’s seismic activity. Urrioafoss waterfall and Selfoss town provided further insight into Iceland’s natural and human history. Within the evening of Day Three. the most unforgettable moment of stepping outside under a clear(ish!) night sky to witness the Northern Lights in all their glory—an ethereal dance of greens and purples that left everyone in awe. It was a humbling reminder of the beauty and mystery of nature, and a perfect finale to our day in the land of fire and ice.

Our final full day included the scenic wonders of the Golden Circle. At Kerið crater lake, Gulfoss waterfall, and Geysir, students observed Iceland’s unique geological features, including the famed Strokkur geyser’s reliable eruptions. We then explored Thingvellir National Park, where students stood between two tectonic plates—a powerful way to wrap up our geological journey. Students had quick hour in Reykjavik for some shopping prior to meeting at the famous Hallgrímskirkja Church.

Our last morning in Reykjavik featured the city’s cultural sites and the stunning Perlan – Wonders of Iceland exhibition. With interactive exhibits including an Ice Cave and panoramic views from the observation deck, it was a fitting end to our Icelandic adventure.

Throughout, students demonstrated curiosity, resilience, and respect for Iceland’s rugged environment. This trip offered a blend of education and excitement, and I’m proud to have led such an enthusiastic group. There will be many stories and memories they’ll carry forward from Iceland!

A massive thank you to Miss Barker for organising the visit prior to her Maternity leave and to Miss Platts, Mr Williams, and Mrs Starbuck for spending their half term break supporting the students.

Mr Simmons 

Trip Leader

Director – The John Taylor SCITT

During October half-term Mr Knight, Mr Roberts, Miss O’Brien & Miss Senior set off with 38 History students to explore the beautiful Ancient city of Rome.

After a long first day of travel the group checked into their hotel for the duration of the visit and went out for a bite to eat at the Rome Termini food hall where they sampled some of the best street food that the city has to offer.

Day 2 of the tour began with a visit to the world famous Colosseum which is part of the Palatine Hill complex and is one of the most ancient parts of the city. There was a lot of enthusiasm amongst the group as they walked around the Colosseum aided by their very knowledgeable guides who enriched the tour with historical facts about what went on in the amphitheatre including the incredible properties of Roman concrete. The group then ventured up Capitoline Hill and the Roman Forum which was once home to the Roman Emperors, where they were able to see a panoramic view of the Colosseum and the whole of Rome. The group also visited the Alter to the Fatherland, aka the wedding cake, where the students learnt how this site commemorates the founding of modern Italy in 1870 and WW1. Mr Knight, Assistant Subject Lead in History & Educational Visits Co-ordinator said ‘it was great to hear the pupils asking so many questions and taking everything in. The extensive architecture that surrounded them left them in awe from day one.’

After a great night’s sleep the group embarked on day three of their trip where they were immersed in the rich history of the city. Mr Knight led them to the Vatican City which included the Sistine Chapel and the iconic St. Peter's Square. The students were impressed by grandeur of the buildings and the extraordinary details and decoration that stood before them. They finished the day with a visit to the Piazza Navona where students sampled fantastic Italian cuisine including some delicious traditional Italian gelato, which was much deserved after all the walking!

The final day before departure the group visited one of the best-preserved sites of all the Ancient Roman buildings, the Pantheon. This was because it has been in continuous use throughout its history and has the worlds largest concrete dome. After lunch the group then visited the Spanish steps and Trevi Foutain before finishing their trip with a spot of souvenir shopping to remember their time in Rome.

Thank you to all those involved during the trip, it was an invaluable opportunity for these students who all represented the school impeccably!

On Weds 6th November, Mrs Smoker took our Year 12 French A-level students to a study day at HOME Manchester where they got the opportunity to watch a classic French historical novel and gain a deeper understanding of language used, the period in which it was set and the vitality of the French film industry and its leading stars. The team at HOME introduced the film in French, providing background info on the historical setting of the film and its production contexts including key vocabulary to discuss a film critically in French.After the screening, the group took on a range of language tasks in French based around the story-line and disccussed the language and culture of the film. 

Mrs Smoker said 'Our Y12 French students enjoyed a fantastic, immersive event at HOME in Manchester on Wednesday led by an associate researcher from the Université d'Orléans. Following a screening of 'Les trois Mousquetaires - D'Artagnan' they spent the afternoon focusing on key aspects of the film, entirely in French.' 

To find out more about what HOME Manchester offer, you can visit their website here:  HOME 

Dear parents/students,

 Over recent weeks, the school bus companies are finding more and more students are travelling on their services without the correct bus passes. There have been cases of passengers using screenshots, claiming to have passes which are invalid and passengers trying to travel without having their passes in person.

We have been told that from Monday 11th November, drivers have been advised not to carry any student who does not have the correct pass for travel. The safety of our students is of utmost importance to us, therefore having a valid bus pass means the drivers can ensure that the correct student is using the correct service.

If you have any queries about this, please speak to your child's transport provider. 

On Monday 4^th November, our brand new science laboratories were filled with guests from our school community, including JT MAT staff, governors and science faculty staff for the much-anticipated Science Lab Launch Event.

The purpose of the event was to showcase the impressive transformation of the science classrooms which are now bright, modern and spacious to provide an invigorating place to learn. The refurbishment included a state-of-the-art touchscreen panel integrated ‘teacher wall’ in each classroom for interactive learning, and the creation of a dedicated Sixth Form study library.

To welcome the guests to the event, Mr Blanchenot was delighted to be joined by our VIP guest, Dr E Toman, who is an ex-pupil of John Taylor High School. Dr Toman passionately spoke to the guests about her journey from an A-level Science student to her impressive career as a Neurosurgeon and PhD student at The University of Birmingham. Dr Toman expressed her sincere appreciation to the staff at John Taylor High School for being the foundation of her career. She said ‘it is clear to see that the investment in the fantastic new facilities will benefit the expert teachers and enhance the learning experience for the pupils. They are a great addition to the school and I hope they inspire pupils to pursue a career in the fascinating world of science.’

Dr Toman then had the honour of cutting the red ribbon before our guests had a tour of the new classrooms. The feedback from governors and JT MAT staff was incredibly positive with the brand new wall wraps being a real talking point. Thank you to Mr McFarlane for his contribution in designing these and everyone who has been involved in the refurbishment project behind the scenes.

A huge congratulations to our nine students from Years 7-12 for competing in the NSEA National Championships. Between the team they competed in 15 championship show jumping rounds and one dressage test. Mrs Brackstone who led the Equestrian team said ‘their performance was phenomenal. Over the 4 days we covered 760 miles, had three pre-6am starts and one post-10pm finish. The tenacity and perseverance amongst the students was admirable.’

Take a read below of what they achieved each day!

Friday - Our 70cm show jumping team consisting of Cara, Oliver, Grace and George who jumped three clear rounds in some speedy times to make it through to the top 8 teams in the final on Friday evening. They then jumped again in the indoor arena with a massive atmosphere and audience to bag 4^th place. They won a £40 uvex voucher and a coveted NSEA Championships bucket each.  It is worth noting that this was against 22 other teams.

Saturday- Our 80cm show jumping team consisting of Rosie, Oliver, Grace and George who jumped first thing in the morning and it was torrential rain. An unfortunate couple of poles down so we didn't make it into the top 8 for the jump off but finished a very respectable 22nd out of 45 teams.

Sunday- The Windsor finals 95-1m show jumping team consisted of Hannah, Fleurella and Bea. These girls need a special mention for their perseverance to get to the finals as their journey has been plagued with setbacks from their fourth team member leaving JTHS as she moved house to two of their ponies being injured so they jumped this final on borrowed horses.  Now, jumping 95-1m on a horse you know well is an achievement in itself but to do it on a horse you have ridden a handful of times in a championship finals atmosphere is quite an achievement so Hannah and Fleur need a special mention for that. Bea would have been second overall individually had she not had and unfortunate pole down as they really went for it time wise. The team ended up being 9^th and each got their NSEA bucket and a baseball cap as prize so all the effort paid off. 

Monday- Dressage Prelim test. This is the first time we have had a student compete dressage and get to nationals so it was great to branch out. An early time and a couple of errors of course meant we didn't place but the smile on Amelia’s face as she came out of the arena was reward enough. She got some lovely comments from the judge on her test sheet and of all the things to improve remembering the test is one of the easiest so she was very pleased.

On Thursday 24^th October we were thrilled to be joined by over 1000 prospective Year 7 pupils and their parents, for our much-anticipated Open Evening.

The school was a hive of activity and there were lots of excited pupils exploring the different faculties and discovering the many on-site resources. On arrival, guests were welcomed by our student helpers and shown to the hall for the presentation. A big thank you goes to our talented Sixth Former Kharl, who played his guitar and created a lovely atmosphere for everyone as they arrived.

Mr Blanchenot, Headteacher, began the presentation which gave the parents and pupils a real insight into life at John Taylor. This was then followed by Miss Crutchley, Assistant Head & Head of Lower School, who spoke about lower school staff, Y7 transitions, and life in Year 7. It was also fantastic to hear from Isaac, Amelia & Brooke who confidently spoke on stage about their experience as Year 7s. Well done to you all, the huge round of applause from the audience at the end said it all!

As well as the presentation, there was the opportunity for pupils to tour the entire school and get involved in the many activities that our staff had provided within their department. From naming flags in Geography, guessing the logo in Business, discovering artefacts in History, asking life’s all-important questions in Religious Studies, observing students create masterpieces in Art, getting involved in practical experiments in Science, taking on the number of sports in PE, listening to our incredible musicians in Performing Arts, watching students act out The Inspector Calls in English, participating in ‘play your cards right’ in Maths, discovering different languages in MFL, thinking like an Architect in DT, and cooking up delicious shortbread in Food Tech – there really was something for everyone to be inspired by.

Many thanks to everyone involved on the evening. To the prospective students for your enthusiasm, to our student volunteers for your help, to all the staff who had gone above and beyond behind the scenes, and to the staff who took the time on the evening to showcase what the school has to offer, answer parents questions, and be a friendly face for prospective students.  

Here's what some parents said about the evening:

 “Superb organisation. The professionalism of the staff and thought and effort that had gone into all of the demonstrations and displays was obvious. The students who were helping were well behaved, smart, polite and helpful. Well done and thank you to everyone involved”.

 “We thought it was excellent. Continue to showcase all the school has to offer (including the canteen food!) and continue with the engaging sessions in the classroom - our daughter came away with enormous enthusiasm about the school”.

 “The evening was well organised and well represented by staff and pupils alike, giving and friendly, welcoming and encouraging atmosphere that allowed us to view the school at our own pace."

 “My son thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Wasn't ready to leave!”

“Fantastic everything!”

For more information about joining John Taylor for September 2025, read more on our website: Year 7 Admissions 2024 - John Taylor High School

Our first Primary Athletics Festival of this academic year took place on Thursday 7^th November and was a great success. The event was organised by Mrs Berry, SSCO Co-ordinator, who along with the help of the Sporting Young Ambassadors & Sports Leaders, provided a fantastic session for 60 primary pupils from 5 schools within the local area.

The energy from the primary pupils was unmatched as they took on the assault courses and tasks. There was a high-level of friendly competition between the group as they cheered and supported each-other showing great communication and teamwork skills. Activities included ball throwing, skipping, long jump, an assault course and more. At the end of the heats, the pupils were given a certificate as a great reminder of being part of the Athletics Festival. Thomas Russell Junior School said ‘Thank you so much for the event tonight! The children absolutely loved it and have had a lot of fun. As always, the young ambassadors have done a brilliant job of organising and running the event. 

The role of the JTHS Sporting Young Ambassadors and Sports Leaders included setting up the activities, welcoming the groups, leading the warm-ups, refereeing races and being a friendly face for the primary school pupils. Well done to you all!

Mrs Berry said ‘well done to all those involved to make the event a great success. We thoroughly enjoy inviting our local primary schools to take part in these types of events as it cements our One Community ethos that is embedded within our school. The level of sporting skill that the primary school pupils showed was admirable and we hope it gave them a taster of the different areas that athletics encompasses’.

We are looking forward to hosting a number of upcoming events such as more athletics, dance workshops, netball, football, multi-skills, dodgeball and more.

1. Time Management - Autumn 1
2. Communication - Autumn 2
3. Positivity - Spring 1
4. Self-Awareness - Spring 2
5. Teamwork - Summer 1
6. Problem Solving - Summer 2

Incredible opportunity for Singers aged 13-19 who have experience of, and a passion for, singing, whether through individual singing lessons, membership of a choir, involvement in musical theatre, or preparing to apply for choral scholarships at university.

The event aims to reach young singers, who may not necessarily see themselves as choral singers, or have had any experience of high-level choral singing, but want to be inspired to take their talent seriously and are willing to work hard and learn quickly.

Book here: Lichfield for Singing - Lichfield Cathedral £85

Please see the flyer below for details of the John Taylor MAT Exceptional Achievement Award. The deadline for nominations for this term's awards is Friday 29th November.

Please make yourself familiar with our School Calendar which includes key dates of Events, Parents Evenings, Trips, Reports, Exams, Holidays & Inset Days 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE CALENDAR

New Shape Your Future with Confidence: School Leavers application process webinar dates are available. 

Have you been unable to attend one of our application process webinars so far? Don't worry, we've got you covered with a new set of dates!  

During the webinar, we'll walk you through each stage of the application, provide tips on how to stand out, and answer any questions you may have about the application process. 

Sign up by clicking on the date below that suits you best.

• 30 October 2024, 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
• 13 November 2024, 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
• 20 November 2024, 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
• 4 December 2024, 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
• 18 December 2024, 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

This webinar is intended for school leavers interested in apprenticeships at EY. Please note that each webinar will cover the same content. 

Don't miss this opportunity to shape your future with EY. 

Warm regards,

EY Student Recruitment Team