29^th January to 2^nd February 2024

Week A

Message from Mr Whiteley

Despite the weather, 2024 has got off to a busy start. I apologise for the late notice given last Tuesday when we had snow, but my intention was to open the school up to the point where it became clear that all other Wallasey schools had closed.  At this point, I was left with no option other than to close, which is why our notice came out so late. 

I would like to congratulate those 6^th Form students who have been involved in the January examinations.  They have set an exemplary standard in their attitude to a set of exams scheduled earlier than ever before in the new year and I am sure that their grades will reflect their excellent work ethic.  

Year 7 students have been involved in a number of externally provided STEM activities, including an aircraft flight project day with the Smallpeice Trust. These engagement days open the doors to a range of opportunities for higher and further education and employment as the boys get older and we place enormous value on giving our students insight into the world of work from the very start of their education here.

I would like to congratulate all the students who took part in this year's Spelling Bee. Well over 100 pupils entered the first round, which is our biggest number in many years.  It is great to see so many pupils actively involved.  This year's Readathon has been successful in raising funds for local charities, but more importantly, it is great to see so many students engaging with books.  Reading is a skill that adds much value to a child's life, developing imagination and vocabulary, and greatly improving life chances.  After a break originally due to COVID, it is great to see the Debate Mate teams up and running and we wish them all the success in the upcoming competitions.

Following the national trend, we are in the process of installing barriers to the main toilet blocks on the A block corridor, which will allow the toilets to be closed and cleaned during lesson times.  These toilets will be open before school and at break and lunch times to allow children to use the toilets as normal.  During lesson time, although the main school toilets will be locked, teachers will be able to provide toilet passes for children to use accessible toilets at their discretion.  Any child with additional toileting requirements or currently with a toilet pass will continue to use the toilets by the SEN Department or by the main office as normal.

All Year 10 students are in the process of organising work experience placements with a deadline that is fast approaching.  The boys will be out of school on their work experience for 2 weeks from 11^th - 22^nd March, and we appreciate all the support that parents have given and would welcome any further offers of help.

For Year 9 students, the options process is underway. There is a support evening tonight for parents who have already booked. 

Parents' evening for Y9 is next week on Thursday 1^st February and I would urge you to attend with your son to discuss his progress so far and the choices he may want to make.  You will receive an email with the details of how to book on to this in the near future. If your son is interested in construction, food tech or DT he can speak to his DT teacher. Similarly, anyone interested in IT can speak to their current computer science teacher. There will also be staff available to discuss business studies.

Y9 reports will be emailed home by the end of this week.

I look forward to a happy and successful year.

Year 11 Tuition February Half Term

All Year 11 students will soon be given the tuition schedule for maths, English and science during the February half-term holiday 19^th - 23^rd February. Attending these sessions is a great way to supplement their revision for the March mock exams, as well as part of their ongoing revision. There were over 90 Year 11 students who attended at least one tuition session during the October 2023 half-term holiday, and we are anticipating a similar or higher turnout in February. As a result, we have put on additional sessions In February to ensure the small groups are maintained. The exact schedule of all sessions will be finalised by the end of next week and emailed to parents. Please contact admin@mosslands.wirral.sch.uk FAO Mr Baas for more information. 

Careers

We are delighted to have over 30 exhibitors coming to our careers fair on Tuesday 30^th January.

This is an opportunity for our students in years 8, 10, 11 and 6^th Form to engage with colleges, universities, employers and training providers to find out about the opportunities on offer.

February 5^th sees the start of National Apprenticeship Week 2024 (#naw24), please see the attached flyers for information about apprenticeships and some opportunities available.

In the last week of half-term, our Year 11 will be having mock interviews. This is an important part of preparing them for their next steps and they are developing their CVs and Q&A skills to support this.

In March, our Year 10 will be going out to do 2 weeks of work experience (11^th - 22^nd). We are currently working with the students and MPloy to make sure everyone has a placement to go to.

If you are interested in supporting any of our activities, we are always looking to expand our supporters at the careers fair and mock interviews. Please see our website for contact details.

https://www.mosslands.co.uk/page/?title=Are+you+an+employer+interested+in+supporting+us%3F&pid=538

Trips

Boys going on the Iceland trip in March should bring their passports to school now along with the signed behaviour contract. The deadline for passports and forms is Friday 9^th February. They can be given in at reception or handed directly to Miss Stewart.

A payment of £200 for the New York trip is due next Thursday 1^st February.

The second payment of £200 is due for the ski trip next Friday 2^nd February.

The final instalment for the Normandy trip is due by the end of April. Parents can pay in as many instalments as they like, but the balance must be paid in full by that date.

Debate Mate 

Our young, aspiring debaters participated in their first debate tournament on Tuesday. Twelve of our students travelled to the event in Liverpool where they faced teams from schools across Merseyside. 

For our Debate Mate participants, this was their first experience with competitive debating. Over the past several weeks, they have worked incredibly hard to develop their public speaking, critical thinking, and teamwork skills. I'm proud to say that their dedication and practice was shown off at the tournament. Our students comported themselves with maturity and poise throughout the event. 

During the debates, they presented clear arguments and responded effectively to the motions given. Their speaking skills, confidence, and teamwork were commendable, especially for novice competitors. They gained valuable experience and feedback to fuel their growth as debaters. I have no doubt that with continued practice, they will become formidable competitors. More importantly, our debaters are developing self-assurance, logic and communication abilities that will serve them well throughout their lives. 

Mr Gouldson looks forward to helping them continue to build their skills as the Debate Mate program grows at our school. 

Special thanks to Mr Bird and Mr Holland for their support. 

Library

Round 1 of the Year 7 Spelling Bee took place last Friday with just over 100 students taking part! Well done to all of those that joined in with this event and to the students who got 7 or more correct spellings and will be going through to round 2 which takes place tomorrow. A special shout out to the following students who got 10/10 and gained 110 points for their form group!

Nathan Wojtysiak 7G1

Tom Steele 7F1

Jack Dempsey 7R1

Marshall Hughes 7R1

In honour of Holocaust Memorial Day, this week's Book of the Week is Morris Gleitzman's Once. One of the most powerful children's books about the Holocaust and the first part of a series, Once follows Felix, a young Jewish boy fleeing across Nazi-occupied Poland in a desperate, heart-wrenching attempt to find his parents. An accessible must read for all students and adults.

If you would like to know the latest reading events, book recommendations and more, follow us on Instagram @library_mosslands

Duke of Edinburgh's Award

Boys in Y11 who completed their Bronze last year should have received an email this week with an update. 

PE Dept

Sixth Form basketball - Mosslands 45 - 39 Birkenhead Sixth Form 

Year 11 Football - Ridgeway 3 - 2 Mosslands

A reminder of PE intervention for Year 11 - Tuesday and Thursdays 8-8:40am in the 6^th Form centre.

Reporting an Absence 

Parents must telephone the school attendance line (0151 638 8131, option 1) on the first day of absence before 8.45am and on each subsequent day of absence. It is our duty to keep your child safe, so if you do not inform us, you will receive a truancy call. You will receive 6 further calls until you respond.  The number which will display as an incoming call is a Sheffield number, 0114 303 4042.

Year 7 & 8 VEX Robotics Club

This club runs every Tuesday in C14 3.20-4.20pm with Mr Lam.