This term has seen the start of the warmer weather, albeit still with a fair amount of rain! This has meant that we can make a start on the transformation of the garden area, now known as 'The Suthers Sanctuary: Kitchen Garden and Retreat'. The Christmas break saw the free installation of the paths by Freddie Allen landscapes (with materials donated by MKM building supplies), and this term we have started to plant the hedgerow which has been provided free by The Woodland Trust. As we move into the summer term, we are officially setting up as an enrichment option, where we will be splitting our time between building up the outdoor facilities and planting seeds for growing in our raised beds. We are aiming to gain The Woodland Trust Green Tree Award, as well as working towards the RHS Campaign for School Gardening Award, through our activities. We welcome any support from our school and local community; if you would like to help us out in any way, please contact me at the email below!
Mrs Sarah Chewings (schewings@suthersschool.co.uk)
Miss Berrington and a mixture of Year 10 and 11 students attended a Girls Lead Football Event at the University of Nottingham on Friday 23rd February, where the girls were learning how to become Football Activators. The morning included the girls writing their mission and visions for what they want to achieve with Football in their school as well as discussing Role Models and what a good role model looks like. The afternoon was practical based, where they took part in sessions led by Mansfield Town Football club, and they were also able to plan and deliver their own practical sessions to each other. Overall, it was a wonderful experience for the girls, and they represented Suthers School perfectly!
We had a Year 10 England Netball tournament, which was held at Toot Hill School and was attended by 9 other schools! The schools were all from around Nottingham. The girls played two matches in their pool against Newark and West Bridgford, unfortunately resulting in losses. However, this then led them to play in a further pool against two Toot Hill teams. They ended up drawing against Toot Hill Reds 6-6 and won their last game 13-3 to Toot Hill Blue. The girls showed an incredible amount of resilience during the tournament and showed off their character throughout. Their commitment to training week in and week out is something to be so proud of! Keep up the hard work girls!
Our girls Football team had a match against South Nottinghamshire Academy at the beginning of March. Although the match resulted in a 3-0 loss the girls showed an amazing amount of teamwork and hard work throughout the game. The team shows an incredible amount of encouragement and confidence on the pitch, which is great to see and a pleasure to watch! Keep up the hard work.
Mr. Sykes-Wood is still running Hockey Club on a Tuesday after school and would like to arrange some matches against local schools. If you would like to take part, bring your PE kit and come along on Tuesdays to get match ready!
Drama - Year 11 performed a range of plays to a visiting examiner in February. This is worth 20% of their GCSE and they are marked on performance skills. They are the first cohort here at The Suthers to perform in front of a live examiner and they really did themselves proud.
Nottingham Arts ‘Les Miserables’
Our very own Tony Foad was successful in auditioning for Nottingham Arts ‘Les Miserable’ and played one of the lead role’s, ‘Enjolras’. The performance was outstanding and Tony was by far one of the most talented performers on the stage. The complex narrative and characters challenged Tony as a singer and actor, yet this did not phase him the least. Watch out- we will be seeing much more of Tony on the stage and hopefully in the West End!
THE ADDAMS
The Suthers School's third school musical and, full disclosure... each year the production gets ever more exciting! This year, the cooky and mysterious Addams Family followed the story of Wednesday Addams, played by Kestra Parkes who fell in love with the completely ‘normal’ Lucas Beineke, played by Ben Gosney, leading to hilarious consequences amongst the Addams family and their ancestors.
To stage this outstanding production, students from all year groups have worked collaboratively every week from September - the talent, commitment and professionalism we have seen this year has been incredible. For each performance, our stage management and tech crew led the show, including lighting, sound and backstage management showing professionalism, leadership and commitment to ensure the show ran smoothly. They have all developed an understanding of a variety of technical elements and they are now an integral part of The Suthers Performing Arts Company.
Our talented students performed to two appreciative sell-out audiences on the evenings of 5th and 7th March as well as two matinee performances to students from Chuter Ede primary schools during the same week, receiving standing ovations and many rave reviews. We couldn’t have been more proud!
Please look our for details of our forthcoming Summer Showcase and details of next year’s audition process over the coming weeks.
DESIGN CLUB
This year for our annual whole school show, The Addams, we decided to make our costumes, set and props. Students worked tirelessly to find resourceful ways of making items for the show that looked as professional as possible. Here are just a few examples that were made and used to full effect! Well done to all.
A big well done to Theo from year 7.
Theo represented Notts in his indoor athletics on the 2nd March and came second in his 2x 400m relay race. He was particularly proud of his achievement as he was running in the 13 and under category therefore was up against some older boys.
The 13 and under boys team for Notts came 3rd overall.
Darcy from Year 7 represented the school yesterday at the NSEA dressage qualifier competition.
They were 4th overall against other schools from Nottinghamshire, York and Lincolnshire but also won the individual section for Nottinghamshire.Darcy and her Pony Bertie have now qualified for the finals at Hickstead East of England showground in May.
As the seasons change, we continue to explore the fascinating dynamics of our planet and its interconnected systems. Here is just a glimpse of what we've been learning throughout KS3 / KS4.
Year 7: Exploring Earth's Spheres
In our natural resources' unit, students have been delving into the intricate balance of Earth's spheres. From the Lithosphere to the Hydrosphere & Atmosphere, students are discovering how these spheres interact and influence each other. Through hands-on activities and investigations, they are gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of preserving our natural resources for future generations.
Year 8: Understanding Development
Our Year 8 students are exploring the complex process of development and how countries progress over time. We've discussed the 'multiplier effect' & 'Clarke Fisher model' to understand how economic growth leads to increased development. This included analyzing data from the UK census 2021, through the local lense of Newark & Nottingham. Additionally, we've examined the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's) & how they can drive positive change by addressing issues such as poverty, inequality, & environmental degradation.
Year 9: Embracing Sustainability
In our sustainability unit, students have been inspired by the Sky news documentary "The Plastic Nile" to explore the impact of plastic pollution on our environment. Through discussions & research, they are discovering the three pillars of sustainability - environmental, social & economic - and how these principles guide our actions to create a more sustainable future. Additionally, we've been examining Earth's natural climate cycles and how human activities exacerbating climate change.
KS4
Our KS4 students are deeply engaged in exploring the complex urban issues & challenges faced by cities around the world. Year 10 students, in particular, are delving into the contrasting urban landscapes of Lagos & London. By examining these two dynamic cities, students are gaining valuable insights into the diverse social, economic & environmental factors that shape urban life. From rapid urbanisation & infrastructure deficits to social inequality & environmental degradation.
Meanwhile, our Year 11 students are eagerly awaiting the release of the AQA pre-release document, scheduled to be unveiled just before Easter. This highly anticipated document will provide crucial context & stimulus materials for their upcoming examinations.
As we continue our journey through the world of geography, we encourage students to stay curious, ask questions, & seek solutions to the challenges facing our planet. Together, we can make a difference and create a more sustainable and equitable world for all.
Keep exploring.
On Wednesday 20th March, I was lucky enough to graduate at the Sheldonian Theatre. I gained my Diploma in Social and Local English history from the University of Oxford. The qualification took me two years, part time whilst teaching, to complete. With written assessments throughout to check my knowledge and understanding of the topics taught. The teaching occurred over weekend lectures, which were fascinating to delve into and revisit after the weekends teaching. I am now about to choose which Postgraduate course to follow and apply for at Oxford to continue my learning journey whilst also continuing my career at The Suthers School.
Nathan in year 10 is a massive fan of Lincoln City FC, so when he got the chance to be the matchday announcer for the game against Bristol Rovers, he made the most of it. Nathan is well known for being able to offer an interesting fact or two about The Imps, so this was a job that came naturally to him - and to add to the excitement of the day, his team won by a staggering 5-0! Nathan has since had a lot of positive feedback from the club and fellow fans, along with a possible job offer for the future - what a fantastic representative of our school, we are very proud of him! Well done Nathan!
Mrs Chewings & Mrs Adams'
The Suthers School
Train to teach with the Nottinghamshire Torch SCITT