Our Summer newsletter marks the end of a school year and reflects on our pupils’ individual and collective achievements. There have been many extraordinary moments this year; we will share some of these with you below. Equally as significant as the exceptional moments is the consistent excellence demonstrated by our pupils every school day.
Since the 6th of September, 34,000 house points have been awarded to pupils, an average of 117 per pupil. There have been 34,000 moments when a pupil in this school has excelled in lessons and extracurricular activities, participated above and beyond in sporting events, musical performances, and public speaking, and perhaps most importantly, showed kindness and compassion to other pupils.
We want to congratulate every pupil for completing another year of education. It is no small feat, and this accomplishment signifies their dedication and ability to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing environment.
Our pupils have displayed resilience, integrity, scholarship, and enrichment throughout the year. They have demonstrated the ability to face challenges head-on, maintain a positive attitude and never give up. It is truly inspiring to witness their growth during their educational journey.
Reflecting upon the highlights and moments of success, we have seen pupils triumph in numerous ways. Some have worked diligently to improve their assessment grades, demonstrating perseverance and a commitment to excellence. Others have succeeded in grasping complex concepts that had previously proven challenging, showing great determination and intellectual growth. The experiences gained through attending school trips have widened their horizons and allowed them to explore and learn beyond the classroom environment.
We must also acknowledge that challenges have been encountered along the way. However, it is essential to utilize this message to celebrate the strengths and accomplishments achieved. By doing so, we instil confidence in our pupils, reaffirming a belief in their abilities and providing them with the motivation to overcome any obstacle that may lie ahead.
Our excellent teaching staff have reflected on the varied and countless achievements and developments across the school year, and we are delighted to share these with you now.
Art
In art, pupils in year 6 have been studying the work of Van Gogh and experimenting with a range of materials, recreating some of his famous artworks, such as the Old Vineyard and the Red Fields. All pupils have shown a keen interest in this topic, produced exceptional work, and taken pride in their books.
Year 7 pupils have been continuing with their work of Tamara Phillips. They are experimenting with watercolour and the use of collages. We have been studying marine life and creating artwork inspired by our chosen artist. All pupils have created unique work showcasing their creativity and talent within the classroom.
In year 8, we studied the solar system using various media. Pupils have experimented with acrylic, spray paint, watercolour, and many more materials. All the pupils have worked extremely hard, and their work has been displayed as a fantastic example of excellent artwork.
Year 9 have completed their haunted house 3D project, which included the construction of their model, painting and adding graffiti. All pupils have worked extremely hard to complete their model in time for the summer, with some pupils spending additional time on this during lunchtime. The standard of their work truly displays their creativity and passion for art. Well done, year 9.
Year 10 have continued building up their portfolio of work, delving into the topic of Natural forms. Pupils have produced an A3 study of a chosen area within natural forms, displaying their drawing/sketching skills. After the summer, we will be continuing with this topic by exploring other areas of natural forms, such as crystals and caves. Pupils will be producing a piece of crystal resin artwork as one of their final pieces for their portfolio.
I look forward to seeing their work as they enter year 11.
Miss Carr
Chemistry
I just wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all pupils learning chemistry in middle and upper school for giving me such a warm welcome since I joined in April. Teaching here has been an absolute joy, mainly because I have the privilege of working with students with an outstanding work ethic and an insatiable desire to learn. Year 6 students have embraced learning scientific skills, especially during practical lessons. Despite the strong smell of vinegar, the students enjoyed making volcanic eruptions!
In the past few months, the Year 7 students have embarked on an incredible journey, delving deep into the fascinating world of the particle model. I am beyond impressed by their enthusiasm.
In year 8, pupils built atomic models and delved deeper into elements, compounds, mixtures, and the periodic table. Well done to all students in this year’s group for bringing so much energy and passion into my classroom.
Year 9 students have who have put in immense effort to understand atomic structure, isotopes, and the fascinating history of the atom.
Lastly, our incredible year 10 students have worked consistently hard to complete the topic of organic chemistry in paper 2 of the GCSE course, showcasing their exceptional abilities and immense potential. Well done to all pupils for achieving excellent results in the Chemistry Summer Assessment. Congratulations to Matthew Sharma and Aariz Syed for achieving 90% in this exam (the highest percentage score). I cannot wait to continue supporting this year group in their GCSE Chemistry journey next year.
Miss Stedman
Computer Science
Year 7 Computer Scientists have covered various digital skills, from using Office 365 applications to programming and understanding computer networks. Next year, they can look forward to Python programming and budgeting using spreadsheet-editing software.
Year 8 has been learning all kinds of new things this year. Since Mr Thorn took over in January, we have been learning about computer systems and how all the different parts interact to make a seamless user experience. The year 8s then moved on to cybersecurity issues, including drafting a phishing email with all the tell-tale signs that give them away (thank you to Jess Barry for producing this brilliant example).
The pupils then began learning about web development through HTML and CSS, and they got the hang of it. Next year, the pupils will form some of the content they will need for their GCSEs should they decide to take computing for year 10.
Pupils in Year 9 have tackled challenging content this year and developed their programming skills to enable them to access this content at a GCSE level. Over the summer term, Year 9 pupils have investigated technology’s ethical, legal and environmental impact and applied this to new technologies, including Autonomous Vehicles and Artificial Intelligence. In the Autumn term, those who opted to study GCSE Computer Science can look forward to a term in Python programming and algorithms.
Our Year 10 Computer Scientists have just over 40 (101000 in binary) weeks until their GCSE exams begin, and they have worked incredibly hard to cover the depth and breadth of content over the course so far. They have recently completed the final advanced programming content and will spend the Autumn term covering content from component two: Computer Systems. Attending Booster sessions in the autumn term and starting timetabled revision in the evenings and weekends will be crucial to maintaining their momentum as we quickly approach the January Mock exams.
Mr Glover
English
It has been another busy term for the English Department, with pupils engaging in various exciting literacy-based activities.
Year 6 pupils have spent the term developing their poetry analysis skills, combined with a range of drama work based on reading the classic poem “The Highwayman” by Alfred Noyes. The pupils transformed the original text into a play, developing drama skills such as mime, gesture and tone of voice. Their finished performances were a pleasure to watch, with all pupils understanding how to present to an audience effectively, give and respond to feedback, and work as part of a team.
We look forward to incorporating more drama and spoken language into our English lessons next term.
Years 7 -9 have been working on their creative writing skills by participating in an exciting Young Writer’s Mini Saga competition entitled “Unsolved Crime.” The competition posed the challenge of writing a crime mystery piece in just 100 words. Next term, we should see the best pieces appear in print!
Reading is at the heart of everything we do in English, and pupils have continued to enjoy a wide range of texts. There has been a strong focus on developing a critical understanding of the historical context of works of fiction, looking at texts such as John Boyne’s “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas ” and John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men”.
The increasing popularity of the new library as a tranquil and relaxing place to enjoy reading has been a delight to see. It was sad to say goodbye to our wonderful Year 11 librarians, and their tireless work, helping to create a beautiful space we can all enjoy, will not be forgotten. Before they left, they ensured their excellent work was in safe hands, ensuring a smooth transition to our new Year 8 librarians. Year 8 pupils Isabelle and Leighora have already started working on a few ideas to continue developing the library, and we are sure they will be superb librarians! Our library sessions are very popular with several pupils, and we are delighted to announce that starting in September, the library will be open every lunchtime, allowing more pupils to relax and curl up with a good book.
Mrs Christian and Mrs Riley
Geography
Year 6 has had an excellent term learning about our planet’s global challenges. The students have been exploring these challenges and considering a range of potential solutions.
In Year 7, our pupils had the opportunity to learn about the continent of Africa. They have been developing an understanding of the challenges faced in its development and the vast array of opportunities that make Africa a global powerhouse for the 21st century.
Moving on to Year 8, our students have been studying biodiversity, including the threats different species face and the global management strategies employed to protect biodiversity. Year 8 pupils have thoroughly enjoyed engaging in a fieldwork investigation on biodiversity within the school grounds and a field trip to Chester Zoo.
In Year 9, students have been exploring ecosystems and have recently conducted a physical investigation into the interdependence and conditions affecting ecosystem health.
In Year 10, our students have been developing an understanding of the reasons behind disparities in wealth between different countries, as well as analysing the strategies nations employ to reduce the ‘Development Gap’.
Our aim for the upcoming academic year is to continue developing key geographical skills among our pupils while providing them with exciting opportunities to explore the subject in greater depth.
One area of focus in the next year will be the development of key geographical skills. A solid foundation in these skills is essential for a comprehensive understanding of geography. Therefore, our lessons will provide numerous opportunities for pupils to enhance their skills through various engaging activities.
Moreover, we will emphasise the importance of analytical skills in Geography. Pupils will be encouraged to critically analyse different sources of information, enabling them to broaden their understanding of geographical concepts. By considering challenges from various perspectives, they will develop the ability to propose effective solutions to key geographical issues, fostering their problem-solving skills.
In addition to classroom activities, we are excited to announce that all year groups will participate in more fieldwork investigations next year. For KS3 pupils, we will complete investigations within the school premises, taking advantage of our new facilities, including a newly established forest area. This will allow our pupils to explore the local environment and gain a deeper appreciation for the geographical features surrounding them.
For KS4 pupils, there will be a field trip to the Lake District. This field trip will allow them to conduct human and physical fieldwork, particularly on a river study. We believe such hands-on experiences are invaluable in consolidating classroom learning and fostering a genuine appreciation for the subject.
As teachers of Geography, we are committed to nurturing our pupils’ understanding of the world around them. We aim to ensure that every student becomes a keen and able geographer. We will strive to create a stimulating and challenging learning environment where our pupils can excel and develop a lifelong passion for Geography.
Mr Taylor and Mrs Griffiths
History
Year 6 has studied some key events and features of World War II, including the Dunkirk evacuation and children’s experiences during the conflict. I was particularly pleased with their responses to the ‘postcards from Dunkirk’ task, in which pupils were asked to write two postcards from the same individual at Dunkirk beach, one set during the war and one looking back at their memories years later.
Year 7 has finished our overview of the Middle Ages, looking at systems of crime and punishment and the state of medical knowledge in that period. We studied the ‘Black Death’ of the 1300s, its causes and how individuals reacted. Pupils then participated in a decision-making activity based on the ‘Peasants’ Revolt’ of 1381.
Year 8 have concluded their studies of the ‘American West’, encompassing the dramatic events on the Great Plains in the later 1800s. Pupils have been encouraged to think about how these events have been represented, from the ‘Wild West show’ to changing views of George Custer after his death. In the last week, we have introduced the causes of World War I, which will be studied in more detail next year. The two forms combined for one lesson to participate in a group work task, where pupils represented countries and tried to work out who their likely allies and enemies would be in the early 1900s.
Year 9 has studied aspects of the 1920s in the USA, traditionally remembered as the ‘Roaring Twenties’, and has investigated how fair that title is by looking at varied experiences of different groups of American people in that decade. We have covered Henry Ford’s importance and the US government’s actions in helping to create prosperity. In the last few lessons, the pupils studied leisure activities of the 1920s and wrote magazine articles covering individuals who achieved achievements in sports, music, cinema and other fields.
Year 10 has been studying England under Elizabeth I. Recent lessons have covered the impact of Mary Queen on England after her arrival, worsening relations between England and Spain, and how Elizabeth’s government treated religious opponents. Most recently, we have looked at the dramatic story of Francis Drake’s circumnavigation of the world in the late 1570s and the impact this had on England and other countries.
Mr Jack
Maths
It’s been another good term for maths pupils. On 17th May, we celebrated National Numeracy Day. Pupils in years 6 to 10 took part in a numeracy competition. The winners celebrated with a tasty brunch. Middle/Upper School winners were also awarded a certificate and Amazon voucher.
- Middle School – Jack Killeen, Daniel Rad & Mohammed Hilal (all scored 10/10)
- Upper School – Deyang, George, James and Rodrigo (all scored 10/12)
The end-of-year assessments have been an excellent opportunity for pupils to demonstrate their maths learning, skills and confidence. There have been some outstanding achievements. Again, our successful pupils have used Mathswatch to support their exam preparation and retention.
Graduation day saw the effort, time and resilience of pupils rewarded with their Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze awards for their Mathswatch scores over the year. These awards go to the top four performing pupils in each class. The following certificates were awarded:
Over the year, pupils have collectively spent over 3,500 hours learning, completing over 100,000 questions on Mathswatch. A huge thank you to parents; your support and encouragement with homework can make a big difference.
Our online packages continue to be available over the summer break. Pupils can access Mathswatch (yr 6-10), Eedi (yr7 & 8), TTrockstars (yr6 & 7) and Sumdog (yr 6) to support their learning and retention. A summer league runs on the Eedi platform from 24th July to 21st August. Students will build their weekly streak score by logging in and completing questions. This earns them points on the Summer Club league table. Each week, the top students are rewarded with Eedi Coins to spend in the virtual shop, and they will also be sent a bundle of Eedi merchandise for their hard work. The platform is monitored by maths tutors who will reward a star student with whom they are particularly impressed each week. They will receive prizes such as vouchers of their choice! The overall winning student with the highest streak score will win a MacBook!
We are looking forward to welcoming Mr Abbott in September. He is an experienced maths teacher and will be an asset to our department. He has already been into school this term and is excited to get started and meet pupils when they begin the new academic year.
GCSE Booster sessions will begin for year 11 in September, and the weekly lunchtime intervention sessions will continue to be available for pupils in years 7 – 11. These sessions are not bookable; pupils can drop in weekly as required.
Mrs King
Music
As we reflect on the year in music, we are pleased to witness the remarkable progress in our students’ instrumental abilities and overall musicality. Seeing their dedication to improvement and genuine enjoyment of their lessons is truly inspiring. We proudly announce that we will expand our one-on-one music tuition options next year, providing students with an even more comprehensive range of instruments to explore.
Looking ahead to the coming year, exciting plans are in store for each year group. In Year 6, students will have the opportunity to delve into Vivaldi’s ‘The Seasons Suite’ and apply various compositional techniques and devices from these works to create their short compositions, accompanied by a graphical score. Additionally, they will explore the world of music production by recreating popular songs using an online-based Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) called BandLab.
Our Year 7 students can anticipate honing their keyboard and singing skills and delving into the different periods of popular music up to the modern day. They will also begin band work throughout the year, fostering collaboration and ensemble playing.
In Year 8, students can further enhance their instrumental skills across various instruments, allowing them to broaden their musical horizons.
Finally, in Year 9, our students will build upon their mixing skills to produce sound effects and compose music for a video game. This exciting project will merge their musical creativity with technology, offering a hands-on experience in interactive sound design.
Mr Brown
PHSE
As the newly appointed lead for PSHE and RSE, I look forward to September. PSHE is an integral part of the curriculum that supports all subjects. I aim to provide a comprehensive program that supports the holistic development of our students, equipping them with the knowledge, skills and attitudes essential for their personal well-being, relationships and successful participation in society.
I intend to promote all pupils’ spiritual, moral and cultural development and prepare them to make sensible life choices, now and in the future. Our well-trained and knowledgeable staff will deliver the curriculum, and on occasion, we will welcome external providers. Lessons will be engaging and inclusive, allowing pupils to explore and express their views in a safe and supportive environment.
Mrs Turner
Physics
In year 6, pupils worked exceptionally hard, learned much about evolution, electricity and light in their general science lessons, and earned their Bunsen burner licenses. They are ready to do their biology, chemistry and physics experiments next year.
Year 6 welcomed their new friends they met during transition week, who will be joining them in September. In our introduction to physics, they learned what it means to do physics and applied it to understanding where lightning comes from while also playing around with electrical sparks. When the year 6s become year 7s, they will learn about forces, electricity and space over the year.
Year 7 has made a good start, and we will continue to see gains. A special mention goes to Zoya, who scored the highest in her year group in the end-of-year assessments, with 90%! The current year 7 are going to continue their physics journey to learn all about waves in terms of sound and light before going on to understand magnets and electromagnets.
Year 8 (going into year 9) will be going on to learn some of the GCSE knowledge behind physics and will get a taste of energy, electricity and the particle model of matter and what it means for how different substances behave. Over this year, they have learned how we hear and see, why a red book looks black in green light and how we can use electricity to produce magnetism—well done to Harry for scoring 84%, the highest of his year group.
Year 9 has been learning about one of the most important concepts in physics: energy. They understand it regarding stores and transfers, heat transfer, and energy resources used in the UK and the world. We ended the topic with the pupils writing political/economic policies to solve the energy and climate crises, with some…interesting…results. Thank you to those pupils who chose to do physics in the new school year; we will continue our understanding of electricity—well done to Deyang for scoring 82% on his end-of-year test.
Year 10 has focused much of this year on forces and waves, learning and applying Newton’s laws of motion, and understanding pressure (a tragically topical subject). In year 11, we will finish waves before exploring the useful technologies brought about by electromagnetism and then finishing their studies with space and our understanding of what we know so far—special mention for Rodrigo for scoring 89% in his end-of-year assessment.
Year 11 has done brilliantly in physics over this. I have seen some tremendous efforts, and I’m sure you will all get the results you deserve in August. Thank you for being such an excellent class!
Mr Thorn
Religious Education
Year 7 has studied Jesus’s life and the impact he made on those around him. We have explored why some groups of people opposed him and why he inspired so many of those he met. 7C recently participated in a ‘trial of Jesus’ and read speeches based on what might have been said if Jesus had been given a fair trial after his arrest.
Year 8 studied a selection of modern ‘disciples of Jesus’ who used his example to make a difference in the world. These have included Martin Luther King’s campaigns against segregation in the USA, Jackie Pullinger’s work in the Walled City of Hong Kong, and Father Damien’s experiences in the leper colony of Molokai.
Year 9 has studied a range of Christian beliefs, including the idea of the Holy Trinity and the incarnation of Jesus. We have also covered the importance of the crucifixion and Resurrection stories to modern Christians.
Year 10 has had a positive year exploring both religious and ethical topics. Our pupils have been immersed in diverse religious and moral perspectives that influence peace and conflict globally throughout the year. This exploration has enabled them to develop a well-rounded understanding of the many factors that shape our world. This module aimed to foster critical thinking by encouraging pupils to consider different viewpoints and analyse their impact on peace and conflict.
Following this, our pupils embarked on an in-depth study of Judaism. During this time, they gained a comprehensive understanding of the beliefs and practices that underpin the Jewish faith. The lessons have provided valuable insights into Jewish customs and traditions and the importance of tolerance and respect for different religions and cultures.
Looking ahead, we are eager to continue our mission of nurturing our pupils’ understanding of the world we live in during the next academic year. Religion plays a significant role in our society, and our pupils must have a good knowledge of different faiths. Through RE, they gain factual knowledge and develop critical thinking skills that will serve them well in their future academic and personal lives.
With a wide range of topics planned for the upcoming year, pupils must use their analytical, communicative, and evaluative skills to make informed opinions. These opportunities will enhance their abilities to think critically and engage meaningfully with current religious and ethical discussions in today’s society.
Mr Taylor and Mrs Griffiths
Spanish
The Spanish department has had a fantastic final term, with outstanding exam results across all year groups. It has been exciting and encouraging to see years 6 and 7 begin to make progress using different tenses in their work, and year 9 master this by speaking and writing in the past tense – a skill which will prove invaluable at GCSE. Talking of which, we are sad to see our wonderful year 11 pupils leave and have very high hopes for their Spanish grades and hope they facilitate them getting to the next part of their journey. Pupils put so much effort into revising and preparing for their speaking exams. It was also great to see that the Spanish movie we went to see at Home, Manchester, featured in the reading paper – definitely worth the trip!
Year 10 are just beginning their journey and prepping their speaking exam questions. Again, we have high expectations for this talented group.
Lower School Spanish pupils have all been studying the topic of holidays, travel, and festivals. They enjoyed taking part in our ‘take over’ mornings and working with Tower Tots to deliver Spanish lessons. As we studied travel and learned the words for different modes of transport, we held a very entertaining plane-throwing competition with mixed success!
Bluebirds and Reception pupils have been preparing for their summer holidays by learning topical holiday vocabulary such as ice cream ‘helado’, sunglasses ‘gafas de sol’ and sun ‘sol’. We can’t wait to hear about your holidays when you return in September.
Next year, we will continue supporting learning with weekly vocabulary tests to reinforce and broaden their range of language.
We also look forward to implementing those language skills with an exciting trip, working closely with our Language Ambassadors, and planning to keep language learning high profile at Tower College.
Mrs Turner and Mrs Reilly
And finally …
As we look towards the next academic year, let us encourage our pupils to embrace this fresh chapter with a renewed drive to learn and strive for personal excellence. Our dedicated team of teachers will continue supporting them in every step of their journey, ensuring they have the tools and guidance to reach their full potential. Let us foster an environment that promotes growth, curiosity, and a love for learning.
We want to end by thanking the wider community of Tower College members for their support throughout the year. Through a partnership with the parents and families of Tower College, we can celebrate the successes of all our pupils. Having read the comments made by each teacher above, I am amazed at the breadth and depth of experiences offered to our pupils. We wish all of our pupils at Tower College a pleasant and relaxing summer, and we look forward to welcoming you back to school in September.
Kind regards
Mr J Glover and Mr M Taylor (Assistant Principals)