Principal’s Weekly Post – Week 26

It has been another wonderful week at York High School.

We are incredibly excited about next week’s Musical Show Week and our ‘Grease’ production that our wonderful students have been prepping for over a number of weeks. A reminder that tickets are still on sale for this fantastic show and are available either on ParentPay or in school via Miss Linsey in the library E: library@yorkhigh.elt.org.uk. We hope to see you there!

A reminder that the Parent Survey is still open – it will remain open until 3.00pm on Monday if you have not completed this yet.

The survey is available via the following link – Parent Survey – March 2025

Have a great weekend everyone!

Gavin Kumar
Principal

Dutch exchange

Last week, Year 9 students from York High spent a week with exchange students from Wateringse Veld College in the Netherlands. They gave a school tour, delivered presentations on issues that affect young people, hiked together at Sutton Bank, and went bowling.

Our students represented the school exceptionally well and learned a lot about school life in different places, sharing their similarities and differences. Some of our pupils said that although it was challenging talking to new people, they were proud that they had made new friends. Well done everyone!

Religious Studies trip to Bradford for Year 7s

This week some of our Year 7 pupils took a trip to Bradford to visit the Madni Jamia Mosque. Here we met with Fatima who gave us a tour of the mosque and talked to us a little more about what it is like to be a Muslim. Pupils asked questions and successfully demonstrated their learning about Islam.

The pupils behaved impeccably and were incredibly respectful. It was a pleasure to take the Year 7s to Bradford, and to read the comments from our faith guide about our pupils: ‘I thoroughly enjoyed my session with all the children and staff today. They were a delight to teach. The children were outstanding, respectful and very engaging.’

At lunchtime, we were lucky enough to have the weather on our side and the pupils enjoyed a picnic in the park and some free time to play games. In the afternoon, we ventured to Leeds Grand Theatre to see the performance of ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicoloured Dreamcoat’. The story, which can be found both within the Bible and within the Qur’an, tells the tale of the resilient life of Joseph who was sold into slavery by his brothers but rose to success after helping the pharaoh in Egypt.

The Year 7s enjoyed singing, dancing and being on their feet at the end of the performance. The day was enjoyed by all – well done to Year 7 for such a successful trip out.

Mr Bower

Comic Relief and Battle of the Butts

We did it… 93,460 seats sat on, raising £404.59 for Comic Relief, well done everyone!

Well done to Maddie in Year 10 and Will in Year 11 who each won a pair of tickets to see York City play on Saturday!

Festival of Reading

Last week saw the culmination of two weeks of celebrating reading.

During the Festival of Reading our students took part in lots of fantastic activities including dedicated Library lessons with some great activities centred around the books our students love the most. Miss Rowbotham also held some creative sessions during break and lunchtimes where students could design their own book spines. We also welcomed the return of the Scholastic Book Fair, which has become a firm favourite with students and staff.

For our big finish to the festival on Friday 21 March we were lucky enough to welcome author and magna artist, Chie Kutsuwada, into school to talk to our Year 9 and 10 students in a follow-up to the visit back in December by author Julian Sedgwick.

Chie’s talk focused on her work with Julian and how they collaborated on their books, as well as giving students an insight into how she designs her manga panels.

In the afternoon a group of Year 7 and 8 students joined Miss Linsey on a trip to St Peter’s School for the York Book Awards where they got to hear from the finalists and see Tom Palmer crowned as this year’s winner, with his book Angels of Grassmere.

DJ Club

DJ club has got off to a really great start! We have been learning how to load tracks, fade from one to the other, adjust tempos, create hot cues, and half/quarter the loop to drop into the next track.

If you would like to come to DJ Club on Wednesday lunchtime, make sure you get your pass from Mrs Lancaster.

Drama Club after Easter

Working in partnership with Pilot Theatre, we are pleased to offer a Drama Club after the Easter holidays. This will run on a Thursday after school with the view to putting on a play at the end of the school year in July. The first rehearsal will be the first Thursday back after Easter in the Drama Studio or PA1.

If you would like any more information, please ask Mrs Lancaster.

Project: WILD CIC

Project: WILD CIC is running a fully funded, five-day Environmental Leadership Programme during the Easter holidays (7-11 April). Anybody aged 15 to 21 is welcome to sign up!

The course will be led by their resident ecologist, Nick, and a variety of industry professionals!

During the programme, you will deep dive into:

• Ecosystem dynamics
• Sustainability
• Ecologcial field skills
• Leadership skills
• Green space improvement
• Project management
• Marketing
• Outreach
• Budget management

Upon completion of the programme, Project Wild will continue to support the Environmental Leaders to develop and realise their ambitions for local environmental projects, with a budget available to each group and ongoing support from staff and the involvement of relevant stakeholders.

The projects, including their intended outcomes and measurable success, will be planned and executed by the Environmental Leaders with expert support. Projects will all be environmentally focused and are likely to include local green space improvement and community outreach.

To read more, and to sign-up, please visit the Project: Wild CIC website. 

You can also watch their short animation here, and feel free to share.

Excellence Every Day

Our Excellence Every Day rewards this week go to Bella, Evie, Maisie, Hor Kiu, Annie, Arabella, Billy, Emmie, Kathryn, Robbie, Ruby, Mercy, Milo, Harry and Patrin.

Well done everyone!

RAS Achievers

Well done to Olly, Gracie, Evie and Scarlett, RAS Achievers from Week 25, nominated by Mr Hunt, Year 7 Progress Leader.

Inaugural Excel Staff Recognition Awards

Next term, Excel Learning Trust will hold its Inaugural Staff Recognition Awards 2025 celebrating the incredible individuals who make the Trust community thrive.

These awards provide a way for the Trust to express its gratitude for the tireless effort, hard work, dedication and passion that members of its community bring to the table. There will be awards for support staff, teaching staff, leaders and volunteers, who will be recognised for the amazing impact they make and for ensuring that our children experience educational excellence every day.

One very special award is the ‘Excelling Through Parent or Community Recognition’. Awarded for those who build strong relationships outside of the Trust and for making sure that our school is not just a place for children but a hub of support and connection, this is parent or community nominated. We’ve already received a large number of nominations in this category, but if you’d like to nominate someone from Millthorpe or any of the other Trust schools, just complete this short nomination form by Monday 14 April 2025. 

The award winners will be announced at a celebratory event on 10 July 2025.

Community Cupboard

Our school is committed to helping those in need through our community cupboard, ensuring that every student and family has access to essential food/household items. Donations are always welcome and greatly appreciated, as they help us continue to support the local community.

If you or someone you know needs any support, please contact Aimee a.stewart@yorkhigh.elt.org.uk or Emma e.masterman@yorkhigh.elt.org.uk, or pop into main reception.

All requests will be handled with care and confidentiality.

The YHS Way

Next week’s focus: Routines and Habits – Punctuality