PRINCIPAL’S REPORT – SUMMER 2024
Welcome to our Summer Newsletter
Despite the less-than-ideal weather, our spirits remained high, and we successfully navigated another eventful and busy term. It is with great pleasure and immense pride that I introduce our end-of-year newsletter, which reflects on the remarkable achievements and unforgettable moments we have shared. I hope you enjoy reading this newsletter, as it truly demonstrates that our school has a very bright future ahead.
Celebration Assemblies
We have enjoyed celebrating with the children in our final assemblies and I have had the great pleasure of giving the children awards for their achievements. Seeing their academic progress, confidence, and sporting accomplishments has been heartwarming. Our pupils have shown themselves to be ready to rise to any challenge! Please click on any image below to enlarge.
Creative Genius: James’s Astronomy-Inspired Design Takes Top Prize
As you know, the school tower has been undergoing reconstruction work. To engage our pupils, we invited children from Preschool to Year 10 to participate in a competition to redesign the Tower.
The response was incredible, and we were delighted to see the creative flair and innovative designs that our talented pupils brought to this competition. Encouraging creativity and design thinking is a vital part of our curriculum, and this competition provided a wonderful opportunity for our pupils to showcase their artistic skills.
After much anticipation and careful consideration, we are excited to announce that James is the winner. His design is inspired by an astronomy tower and features an impressive dome that allows for clear views of the sky. His imaginative and thoughtful design stood out among many fantastic entries.
James will receive a fantastic prize of a One for All Voucher worth £100!
Year 11 Prom at Rainhill Hall: A Fitting Farewell
The night was filled with elegance, joy, and a few tears as we bid farewell to an exceptional group of young people who have grown and achieved so much during their time with us.
For the pupils, the prom marked the culmination of years of hard work, friendships, and personal growth. It was an opportunity to celebrate their achievements, reflect on their journey, and look forward to the exciting futures that await them. For the staff, it was a poignant reminder of their impact on these young lives – seeing their pupils transformed from eager newcomers into confident, accomplished individuals ready to take on the world.
We eagerly await their GCSE results on Thursday, 22nd August, confident that their dedication will be rewarded. We wish them all the best for the next stage of their academic journeys.
Joyful News: Fabian’s Successful Treatment and Incredible Fundraising Efforts
In addition to our celebrations, we received some truly fantastic news! Fabian Morley’s cancer treatment has been successful, and he is set to return to school in September. We send our best wishes to Fabian and his family. This wonderful news has brought immense joy to our entire school community.
I also want to extend a special thank you to the parents for your incredible fundraising efforts for Mr Southward. You raised £2000 above Mr Southward’s Just Giving goal. We wish Mr Southward the best of luck in his Iron Man challenge in September—he has been training six days a week!
From Gala Days to Paris Popcorn: Cherished Memories for Our Pupils
This term has been filled with exciting events, including a gala day, day trips, and numerous workshops. A highlight for me was visiting the children in Paris. They were wonderfully behaved, and it was lovely to see them manage and conduct themselves so well in a different environment. It was a positive experience for everyone, and I was even invited back to the Year 5 girls’ room to enjoy some popcorn! These experiences have enriched our pupils’ education and provided them with unforgettable memories.
Heritage Group: Unearth and Preserve Our Fascinating Past!
In September, Mrs Turner and Mr Jack will lead a Heritage Group dedicated to developing a timeline of Tower School’s rich history. This project, in collaboration with the Oxley family, our school Alumni and the local community, promises to be a fantastic addition to our school.
Join the Tower College Heritage Group!
Are you passionate about history and eager to uncover and share stories of Tower College and its surroundings? We are looking for enthusiastic individuals to join the Tower College Heritage Group. This dedicated community will explore and celebrate the rich legacy of The Tower—the home of Henry Baxter, built in 1880, a vital VED hospital during the war that treated over 2000 patients, and now the beautiful Tower College school, founded by Charles and Muriel Oxley in 1948.
We are creating a special area onsite to showcase memorabilia and display the fascinating timeline of The Tower’s history. We will also host half-term talks on various topics, from the Tower’s prestigious artwork to the great steam train trials.
What We’re Looking For:
- Tales: Share memories and stories related to The Tower, its fascinating history, and the surrounding area.
- Artefacts: Contribute photographs, documents, or any items that highlight the heritage of The Tower and Rainhill.
- Maps: Help us piece together historical maps and layouts to better understand the evolution of this remarkable site.
Join us in preserving and celebrating Tower College’s unique history! In September, we will send out a ParentMail with more details about the project and how you can join the group.
Exciting Outdoor Adventures Await
A Message from Mrs Boyd
Get ready to embark on incredible outdoor adventures in our beautiful Tower College grounds!
We’ll be rolling up our sleeves to build bee, bird, and bat boxes, and crafting deluxe bug hotels. Our green thumbs will shine as we collect leaves, aid the natural decomposition process, and observe our very own wormery up close. We’ll create vibrant wildflower patches, set moth traps, and don our wellies for some fun-filled pond dipping, all contributing to detailed insect audits – perfect for our budding nature detectives!
Our forest school will have us working together on exciting projects like building tree swings, hammocks, and shelters. We’ll also master whittling tools to make bows and arrows, fostering teamwork and creativity. Orienteering activities around our picturesque grounds will include various tasks and activities at each station, catering to different ages and enhancing our pupils’ navigational skills.
Dear Mrs Boyd
Please find below your Schools For Nature certificate, signed by Sir David Attenborough, to thank you for helping nature.
Over the last academic year, you and your pupils have shown how much you care about nature and wildlife. You’ve done amazing things, and these may have already been recognised through our national nature conservation organisations.
Parent Code of Conduct
A strong partnership between parents, staff, and pupils is essential for creating a positive and productive learning environment. Our Parent Code of Conduct is a vital component of this partnership, outlining the expectations and responsibilities that ensure respectful and constructive interactions within our school community. By familiarizing themselves with the Parent Code of Conduct, parents can contribute to maintaining a supportive and harmonious atmosphere that enhances the educational experience for all pupils. Your understanding and adherence to these guidelines are crucial in helping us maintain a safe, respectful, and collaborative school environment where every child can thrive. Please click the button below to view.
Parent Code of ConductCelebrating Our Young Writers: Winter Wonderland Success
Last term, the children of Lower School eagerly participated in the Young Writer’s Winter Wonderland competition, where they were challenged to write about the enchanting theme of wintertime. Writing is a fundamental skill that nurtures creativity, improves communication, and enhances critical thinking. We are delighted to announce that many of the participants received their own purchased copy of the book featuring their wonderful stories.
A special thank you to Miss Midgley for organizing this fantastic event and promoting a love for writing among our pupils. Well done to all the participants who entered the competition!
Model United Nations Successes
I am delighted to share the outstanding achievements of our pupils who participated in two Model United Nations (MUN) events this summer term. Our pupils demonstrated their debating skills and engaged deeply with global issues at a ‘mini-MUN’ event at Cheadle Hulme School and a larger conference at Withington Girls’ School.
These events required our pupils to step into the shoes of international delegates, representing various countries and debating complex topics such as biodiversity, language education, young women in STEM occupations, overfishing, planning for natural disasters, and the use of AI in education. It was inspiring to see our pupils speak confidently and tackle these mature topics, often competing against older and more experienced pupils from other schools.
At the Cheadle Hulme School mini-MUN, we had a stellar lineup of participants:
- Brandon and Leighora (Year 9)
- Anushri and Malaika (Year 8)
- Bella, Charlotte, Connor, Joshua, Robyn, and Stelios (Year 7)
Congratulations to Charlotte and Stelios, who were awarded Highly Commended Delegate honours for their exceptional debating skills.
At the larger MUN event at Withington Girls’ School, our participants included:
- Sarah and Taylor (Year 12, Tower College alumni)
- Brandon, Isabelle, Jessica, and Leighora (Year 9)
A notable mention goes to Sarah, who was awarded Highly Commended Delegate from her committee. This marks her fifth individual award at MUN, surpassing the previous record set by Luke from our class of 2017.
These achievements would not have been possible without the dedicated support of our staff. Thank you to Mrs. Potter and Mrs. Christian for accompanying our pupils to these events and providing invaluable guidance. Moreover, I extend special thanks to Mr. Jack, whose tireless work in preparing our pupils is remarkable. His commitment and passion for MUN have been instrumental in our pupils’ success and development.
Model UN will resume as a lunchtime club in September. Introducing a new topic will allow pupils to investigate and debate fresh global issues.
Please click on the image to enlarge.
Top of the Class Schoolwear – Bespoke Service and Convenience!
We are delighted to announce the opening of Top of the Class Schoolwear at 16 Dane Court, Rainhill, L35 4LC. This initiative was set up by Mr and Mrs Noone with the belief that our fee-paying parents deserve a bespoke and enjoyable experience when purchasing uniforms for their children.
The shop aims to recreate the excitement of our previous on-site uniform fittings. Starting this Friday, the website will be live, offering convenient 30-minute appointments to ensure parents receive personalised attention. Top of the Class will also provide delivery and click-and-collect services for added convenience.
Visit Top of the Class Schoolwear and book your appointment today. We look forward to providing you with a top-notch uniform shopping experience! Please click on the images to enlarge.
And finally …
As we look ahead to the next academic year, we are excited about the opportunities and challenges that await. We will continue to strive for excellence in all areas, ensuring that Tower College remains a place where pupils are inspired to learn, grow, and achieve their full potential. Our commitment to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment where every pupil feels valued and supported remains steadfast.
I’d like to express my thanks to the staff for always going above and beyond to create enriching and fulfilling experiences for our pupils. Their commitment to excellence in education and passion for teaching are evident in pupils’ success and well-being. I am deeply grateful for their unwavering dedication.
I’d also like to thank you for your continued support and partnership. We have created an exceptional school community, and I am honoured to be a part of it. I wish you all a restful and enjoyable summer break and look forward to welcoming you back on Tuesday, September 10th, for another exciting and successful school year.
Ms Bingley