I am delighted to welcome you all to the first Thistley Hough Academy Newsletter of this academic year It has been a fantastic start, and I am incredibly proud of how well our students have embraced the new term.
Our Year 7 students have settled in brilliantly, showing enthusiasm, curiosity, and a willingness to make the most of every opportunity It is wonderful to see how quickly they have become part of our school community Across all year groups, our students have truly embodied the values that are at the heart of Thistley Hough –respect, resilience, and responsibility Whether in lessons, around school, or through extracurricular activities, they continue to set a shining example of what it means to be part of our academy
As we look ahead, I am excited about the year of learning, enrichment, and achievement that awaits. Our students have already demonstrated a commitment to personal growth, and we will continue to support and challenge them to reach their full potential We have a range of opportunities planned, from academic pursuits to enrichment activities, that will allow every student to thrive both inside and outside of the classroom
Thank you for your ongoing support, and I look forward to sharing the successes and milestones of the year with you
With best wishes,
Noel Kennedy
Welcome Year 7
WRITTEN BY MISS HUSSAIN
I am thrilled to share that our Year 7 students have made a fantastic start to high school! From their very first day, they have settled in remarkably well, embracing new routines and challenges with enthusiasm
It's been wonderful to see them engage in their classes, build friendships, and participate in various extracurricular activities
Their positive attitudes and eagerness to learn are truly inspiring, and they are thriving in this new environment We encourage parents to continue supporting their children as they navigate this exciting transition. Together, we can ensure that Year 7 has a memorable and successful year ahead.
Keep up the great work Year 7!
Want to join?
GET YOUR APPLICATIONS IN!
The deadline for Year 7 admission applications is 31st October 2024.
We have already taken more Year 7 students on roll this year than previous years and we are expecting to be as popular, if not more popular, next year so please make sure to enter your application as soon as possible.
To submit an application for Thistley Hough Academy for September 2025 please click the link below:
Year 7 Escape Room
WRITTEN BY MISS
LIN
On 24th September, the Year 7 students took part in a fun and engaging Escape Room Transition Event at Thistley Hough Academy. This event is designed to help our new students settle in and bond with their peers!
This exciting activity has encouraged teamwork, problemsolving, and communication - all while having a great time! The escape room offered a series of puzzles and clues for students to work through together, helping them build friendships and gain confidence in their new environment
We believe this event has provided a fantastic opportunity for students to feel more comfortable in Thistley Hough Academy.
Year 9 - Think Options
WRITTEN BY MR ELIKOWSKI
In an exciting start to the school year, our Year 9 students have been excelling and accumulating an impressive number of positive points!
Their hard work and dedication are truly commendable As they continue to thrive, it's important for them to start thinking about their GCSE options. Exploring subjects that align with their interests and future aspirations will be key in shaping their academic journey
We encourage all Year 9 students to engage in discussions with teachers and peers to make informed choices for the upcoming years!
Preparingforthe
M e e t t h e t e a m
History at THA
WRITTEN BY MR BATE
First up is Mr Harrison who has been in teaching for eighteen years This graduate of Keele University is a Medieval specialist
Keele University has produced many great historians such as Mr Kumar. He specialised in Tudor history and has been at the Academy for four of his fifteen years in education
Keele University did it again with the French Revolution specialist Mr Brennan who joined the Academy just before Covid
Finally, the youngster of the department, Mr Bate, who is now in his 22nd year of teaching at Thistley Hough A Staffordshire graduate who specialised in 20th Century History
Please feel free to contact any of the team about History.
Performing Arts 2024 - 2025
INFORMATION FROM MRS EVANS AND MS LEAKE
Exciting times for Performing Arts, as preparations for the 10th Anniversary of the CET Shakespeare Festival start.
Twenty-Four students will be participating in a 40-minute collaborated performance of William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
Working alongside The Hart and Ash Green schools, our students will take on the role of the mechanicals to bring the story to life on 8th December at Abbeyfield school.
Collaborations with Ms King also progress as selected KS3 students have started to develop their design concepts for bespoke headwear following the ‘eerie fairground’ theme
The school musical has been the topic of conversation amongst the school this past week as clues have been pinned around the school, dropping hints to what the show will be
All will be revealed to the students very soon, with auditions being held after half-term rehearsal nights are Tuesdays and Fridays 2:45pm4:00pm. See Mrs Evans / Ms Leake for more info.
The Annual Gareth Jones Creative Writing Award, a prestigious city-wide competition, continues to showcase the creative talents of students across the area.
This year ’ s theme, “Change”, invited young writers to explore the concept through poetry, stories, and other forms of writing.
Get Creative
WRITTEN BY MR MORAN
We are proud to announce that Tia Thorpe from Year 10 achieved an impressive third place overall with her heartfelt poem Her work was praised for its emotional depth and powerful portrayal of transformation, standing out among many excellent entries from across the city
Additionally, Ana Moraru’s poem earned her a special commendation from the judges Her reflective and thought-provoking take on the theme of change was recognised for its creativity and originality.
Both students have made the school incredibly proud with their remarkable achievements Their success in such a competitive field highlights not only their personal talent but also the strength of our school's creative writing program. We look forward to seeing more from these gifted poets in the future.
Interested in creative writing? Please join the Creative Writing Club which runs from 14:45 from 15:45 in Room 306, every Friday after school. Competition Time
Year 11 Prom - Save the Date
WRITTEN BY MISS
LOVATT
We are excited to announce that the Year 11 Prom will take place on Thursday 3rd July 2025 at the beautiful Aston Marina
It's set to be a memorable evening celebrating the achievements of our Year 11 students. More details, including ticket prices, will be communicated towards the end of the year, so keep an eye on your inboxes for further information
Make sure to save the date, as this will be an unforgettable event to close out the school year! We look forward to celebrating with you all.
Year 11 Pre-Public Examinations
INFORMATION FROM MRS MORGAN-HALL
Year 11 PPEs will commence on Monday 11th November and will run until Thursday 21st November inclusive
All students have been provided with a paper copy of the overall PPE timetable, and will be equipped with a personalised timetable closer to the PPE start date
THURSDAY
Sport at THA
WRITTEN BY MRS BALDWIN
This half term, the PE department has been actively involved in organising and sending out numerous fixtures, including boys and girls football matches, netball tournaments, and badminton fixtures
We've had a range of results, with mixed performances in boys' football, while the girls' football team achieved an impressive 3 wins out of 3 Our netball teams also shone, becoming tournament winners
These results highlight the students' dedication and skill across different sports, and we are incredibly proud of their achievements.
The students have demonstrated great respect, resilience and responsibility throughout all the events
The PE department looks forward to further successes and continuing to support the development of our students' physical and personal growth!
For more sports news and other exciting events at THA check out our Facebook page.
www facebook com/thistleyhoughupdates
Communication
KEEPING IN TOUCH
A range of information can be found on our website at https://www thistleyhoughacademy org uk/parents/letters-toparents/ and we regularly update our social media platforms with news and events that take place at the Academy.
If you would like communication via any other channels or would like to suggest further ways of us communicating with parents/carers and the community, please email the school at enquiries@thistleyhoughacademy.org.uk and we will ensure to consider all appropriate platforms.
Dates for your diary
UPCOMING AT THA
REMAINING TERM DATES
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