Dear Parents and Carers

I just wanted to write to you as the holidays begin to thank you for all your support over the last term and to look ahead to returning to school after Easter. It is always a humbling experience to walk from lesson to lesson and see the fantastic behaviour and work ethic of our students on display. Their enthusiasm for learning, for asking questions, exploring ideas and pushing themselves to achieve, is something that we are very proud of as a school. This term in particular, it has been amazing to see students engage with the different activities that have taken place. From the numerous sporting achievements, both individually and in terms of our school teams, to the Year 10  10X challenge raising money for local charities. Through our themed days such as the Year 8 STEAM and Humanities days and of course it was lovely to see students and families bringing donations for the Ukraine appeal. Finally, the involvement and performance of so many students in both the End of term services at the Minster and the Easter concert was a privilege to see.

It is great to see such events thriving again after the restrictions that have been in pace for so long.

I know that none of these successes would be possible without the care and support of parents, carers, family and friends and so I would just like to take this opportunity to thank you for everything you do to support and extend the learning experiences that take place in school.

Looking ahead to the next term we want to make sure that we start in the same positive way that we have ended this term. In order for this to happen it is important that all students arrive at school with the correct equipment to access lessons and wearing the correct uniform.

Please can you support us in making sure that your child brings the correct stationery, exercise books, vocabulary books and PE kits to school when they are needed. In addition, I know many of you will be buying new items of uniform over the holidays and therefore wanted to take this opportunity to remind you of the following:

• Shoes should be a black sensible leather type shoe. Trainers, such as Nike Air Force 1s, are not acceptable footwear.
• The school skirt is a Castle Grey Tartan Senior Stitch-Down Pleated Skirt, in length 20” or 22”. It must not be rolled at the waistband, or the hem raised.
• Hoodies are not allowed as an alternative to a coat.

The full uniform list can be accessed here https://www.minster.notts.sch.uk/attachments/download.asp?file=5091&type=pdf

Also a reminder that false nails are not permitted to be worn in school, not only are these a health and safety issue in practical subjects with students not being able to participate in the planned​ activities but also causing issues when using keyboards.  We ask that you ensure that any false nails that are applied during the holidays are removed prior to the start of the summer term. 

Looking forward to next term, the MSPTA have organised a night of stand-up comedy and laughter on Friday 6^th May at 7pm. The acts include Steve N. Allen and Jonny Awsum with Spikey Mike as your compare for the evening. Tickets are on sale via evenbrite and can be booked via the link below.  

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mspta-live-stand-up-comedy-night-tickets-310057820287

50:50 Spring Draw:  For £10, you could be in with a chance of winning some lovely spending money. Last term, three winners shared over £800. With a first prize win of just over £400.00! 

To join in, log into Parentmail (https://pmx.parentmail.co.uk) and go to 'Payments' then 'Shop'. The £10 entry for the 50/50 draw should appear here. Half of this fundraising goes into the prize draw, which you could win, and the remaining half benefits our pupils.  Full draw details and other ways you can support our fundraising are here: https://www.minster.notts.sch.uk/mspta

Finally, I would just like to wish you all a very safe and enjoyable Easter.

Thanks

Andy Wall