Dear Families,
I hope this update find you and those closest to you in good health. There is always so much happening beyond the taught curriculum at Derby Moor and this week has been no different to that. There are updates below about our Year 11 Graduation, the Inspiration Day, a visit to the NET tram in Nottingham, virtual work experience, Year 12 taster day and transition for Year 6 students amongst others.
Derby Moor PTFA: Uniform, PE kit and textbook appeal
If you are renewing your child’s uniform and do not have anyone to pass your old uniform on to, we would love you to donate it to our Parents/Teachers/Friends Association (PTFA). We are looking for donations of good quality uniform clothing including PE kits. We would also be grateful for any old textbooks, kit bags and stationery etc. All donations can be dropped off at the school reception either the last week of this school year or the first of next. Al donations will be recycled to provide affordable solutions for families in need.
Transitions: Year 12 and Year 6
Our Sixth Form opened its doors for induction and taster sessions today for potential Year 12 students starting in September. The day was particularly well attended this year with students enjoying a variety of different lessons from their chosen options and taking in a sample of how sixth form life is at Derby Moor. Feedback from both internal and external applicants was really positive and they felt the sessions were engaging and have inspired them ready for September.
Our Year 6 transition days take place next week, Tuesday to Thursday in line with other schools across the city. The parents event will take place on Wednesday evening and will be a chance for families to meet some key staff, sample our catering menu and learn a little more about how things will work for your children in September. If your child is in Year 6 and you require further information, please contact school reception.
NET Tram visit
Our Innovation group enjoyed a wonderful visit to NET Trams in Nottingham this week as part of their Sustainability topic. They spent time with experts learning about the transport system within the city and how the Council is trying to improve the environment whilst meeting transportation needs. The students really enjoyed visiting the workshops but their favourite activity by far was having the chance to drive the virtual simulator trams. Some quotes from the group: AA – “I enjoyed looking around the tram depot, I found the controls fascinating.” TR – “I loved driving the tram, but it was really hard to slow it down.” LH – “The trip was really good and I liked learning about the way trams are made.”
YES Project
Year 7 students took part in the YES (Youth Engagement Scheme) with Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service this week. The experts running the project said “the young people have shown enthusiasm and have engaged really well with the project. They have been up fire service ladders used fire hoses, rescued dummies from fire scenarios alongside physical fitness exercises and classroom based learning round fire rescue. They have all shown determination, teamwork skills and communication skills throughout and have grown in confidence.” Students experienced their passing out parade today in front of families and staff from school where all their hard work was recognised. We are very proud of them.
Year 11 Graduation
Our Year 11s enjoyed a magnificent Graduation Day on Thursday to mark the end of their time with us in main school. It was a pleasure to see our young people arrive to the ceremony in style, looking fabulous and being treated to a real red carpet experience by members of our wider community. The event was thoroughly enjoyed by all with some walking away with a trophy or two. Most of our students will return to us as Sixth Form students in September but for others we say farewell as they embark on the next chapter of their learning, either at college or onto an apprenticeship. Thank you to the Ivy House staff and students and the members of the community who came out to support the event too, as well as Ms Hrncic, Mr O’Connell and all the other staff who worked to make this event such a special day.
Duke of Edinburgh
It has been a busy week for Year 11 students, none more so than those taking their Silver DofE award as they headed out to the Peak District yesterday on expedition. We wish them the best of luck with their endeavours. I’m sure there will be updates on their twitter page along the way.
For the Year 8s who attended the DofE Information Evening and have signed up, your ParentPay is now all set up ready for the Welcome Pack payment.
Inspiration Week
Year 8 students have been following our inspiration week lessons this week in preparation for their assessment day on Monday. The theme of the week has been flight with each group tasked with creating an flying vehicle. They will be assessed and guided by industry experts as outlined in the careers update below with the winners having an opportunity to meet pilots of the Typhoon fast jet later down the line.
Careers Update
This week the job of the week is an ‘Upholsterer’ and you can watch the video here.
We are looking forward to our Year12 virtual work experience programme next week. A huge thanks to our businesses: Alstom; HSBS; Cooper Parry; DCCT; Morrisons, Flowerworld and Derbion who have already put a huge amount of work into the preparation. The students will be set a business challenge in the form of a project brief that they will have to prepare and present to an employer panel. In addition, they will get to meet a range of staff from the business in order to learn about the different roles as well as the skills, qualifications and entry routes.
We are also welcoming partners from Alstom and Rolls Royce as well as a number of our alumni back from university to support our Year 8 Inspiration Day on Monday. They will be encouraging our students to develop their employability skills as well as providing feedback and helping to assess the skills on show.
Finally, this weeks ‘The Derby Moor Dispatch #8’ has been emailed out to all Year 11 and Year 12 students. There are lots of opportunities available for work experience, apprenticeships and summer schools so please encourage having a look through what is available. If you have not received this, please contact the Sixth Form team who can add you to their distribution list.
Wishing you a restful weekend,
Scott Doyle
Principal
