Celebrating a Term of Growth and Leadership
From Academic Achievements to Charitable Acts
It has been another excellent term for pupils in Middle and Upper School, and the examination period in January served as a testament to our pupils’ resilience. Our pupils applied their knowledge and skill sets well across the subject range, and subsequently, their response to feedback with notable improvements has been pivotal in equipping them with the tools necessary to excel.
Our pupils have been involved in various charitable initiatives, dedicating themselves to bettering the local community. They have demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities, with the prefects assuming vital roles within the school and serving as role models to their peers. Once again, our pupils have experienced an incredible term of intellectual growth. Mr Glover and I have frequently conducted learning walks, witnessing remarkable lessons. Pupils have engaged in various creative activities and consistently demonstrated their passion for learning. It is also wonderful to see the many opportunities presented to pupils so they can broaden their horizons.
Numerous school trips, career events, and enrichment sessions have given pupils a range of experiences designed to enhance their education and expand their understanding of the world. I trust you will enjoy this term’s newsletter, which delves into our pupils’ captivating experiences and phenomenal accomplishments.
The Vital Role of Prefects in Enhancing Our School’s Learning Environment
We are delighted to share our prefects’ work to lead our pupil body and support the school’s development. Taking on the prefect role offers pupils valuable opportunities to cultivate essential leadership skills while actively contributing to the school community. As exemplary figures, prefects serve as role models for their peers, playing an integral part in fostering a positive learning environment.
Our current team of 13 prefects has already made a significant impact on the school community. They have been actively providing constructive feedback and representing the collective voice of their fellow pupils and have diligently undertaken various responsibilities, assisting staff members and fellow pupils throughout the school. This invaluable experience enables them to assume leadership positions within the school and develop the necessary skills for future endeavours.
Notably, our prefects have dedicated their time to supporting younger pupils in the Lower School. Every Thursday morning, they help younger pupils with reading and facilitate a smooth transition into the school day.
Looking ahead, we have planned a series of leadership workshops for our prefects after the Easter break. These workshops aim to cultivate individual development further, nurturing their potential to become pupil leaders who can positively impact the school and broader community. We look forward to their continued growth and the invaluable contributions they will make throughout the summer term.
If your child is in Year 9 to Year 11, we invite them to apply for the perfect position. We strongly encourage you to discuss this opportunity with your child, as it has the potential to provide a rewarding experience. Should you require further information, don’t hesitate to contact Mr. Taylor.
Transforming Classroom Dynamics: Staff Adopt Cutting-Edge Strategies for Student Success
As a school, we are committed to ensuring that our teachers provide the highest-quality education to our pupils. Therefore, we have a comprehensive and rigorous Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programme. The primary objective of our CPD programme at Tower College is to equip our teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to stay updated with the rapidly evolving education landscape. By actively participating in CPD activities, our teachers can exchange best practices and enhance our school’s outstanding teaching and learning practices.
During the past term, our teachers have engaged in various CPD initiatives. These initiatives have already yielded benefits within the classroom, supporting your child’s further progress and development. Mr Abbott led an insightful CPD session on knowledge recall and retrieval, emphasising its vital role in enhancing our pupils’ ability to retain critical information. As a result, knowledge retrieval techniques are now consistently implemented across various subjects, and numerous pupils have expressed that these strategies have significantly supported their learning process, boosting their confidence levels.
Mrs Poole delivered a highly informative session on stretching and challenging our pupils. By exploring a range of practical strategies to challenge our students, teachers were able to evaluate and implement approaches that cater to the individual needs of every learner, encouraging each pupil to reach their true potential.
Mrs Turner and Miss Riley organised a session exploring the application of Conti’s approach to teaching and learning languages across multiple subjects. This session provided teachers with many innovative activities that enhanced pupils’ engagement while introducing new content. Consequently, these pedagogical techniques have led to heightened progress among our pupils.
We are exceptionally proud to witness such dedication and enthusiasm among our staff as they actively research and deliver these valuable CPD sessions. Their commitment reflects their passion for education and guarantees the continuous improvement of teaching and learning within Tower College.
Our CPD programme at Tower College remains at the forefront of educational excellence. Investing in our teachers’ professional development ensures that our pupils receive the highest quality education, enabling them to thrive academically and personally.
Mr Taylor and Mr Glover
English
Mission Catastrophe: Pupils Enter National Competition with Creative Mini-Sagas
It has been another busy term for the English Department, with our pupils participating in activities incorporating the full range of Literacy skills: Reading, Writing and Spoken Language. There has been a focus on developing creative writing skills. Years 7 and 8 have produced some amazing pieces based on the theme “Mission Catastrophe”, with pupils rising to the challenge of producing a 100-word mini-saga. This work will now be entered into the Young Writers Competition, allowing pupils to see their writing published. Written work in English lessons focuses on developing the creative skills involved in the writing process, including planning, drafting and editing. Hence, the competition was an excellent chance for pupils to utilise this.
Celebrating Creativity and Eloquence in World Book Day Competitions and Beyond
There was a fantastic response to our World Book Day Writing Competition, allowing pupils to think creatively about Literature. There were many brilliant ideas, such as alternative novel endings, missing chapters and letters to characters. Congratulations to Bella, in Year 7, for her most mature and thought-provoking set of questions that she would like to ask an author about the process of creative writing. Also, congratulations to 8J, who won our World Book Day Quiz. The form showed excellent knowledge of the works of contemporary fiction for children.
Spoken Language has been central to the work this term, with Year 9 preparing for their spoken language presentations. Next term, they will be performing speeches on various topics. Developing strong communication skills is essential to English lessons across both Key Stages. Three of our Year 11 pupils, Matthew, Juswan and James, represented Tower College at the prestigious Rotary Youth Speaks Public Speaking Competition this term. This provided an excellent experience for our pupils, as they delivered a thought-provoking speech on the topic of the Minimum Wage, which was well received by the audience and the Rotarians.
We look forward to hearing Tower College’s next team entry for this event!
Years 7 and 8 have read a diverse range of texts this term. Year 7 are reading Skellig by David Almond and have enjoyed acting out parts of this text as a play. Year 8 have read Stone Cold by Robert Swindells, which has allowed them to think about the issues of poverty and homelessness raised by the text. Years 9 and 10 are reading Classic English Literature texts A Christmas Carol and An Inspector Calls, respectively.
Finally, seeing so many pupils using the library at lunchtime has been excellent. The library continues to grow and flourish; thank you to our amazing Year 9 librarians, Leighora, Katy and Isabelle, for your continued hard work and for helping to make the library a great experience for us all!
Mrs Christian and Mrs Riley
Maths
Our upper and middle school pupils have had another successful term in maths. Our targeted intervention sessions have continued, ensuring appropriate pupils have received additional support. Practice is essential for success in maths. All pupils complete recall sheets weekly to help build their retention and confidence with topics. They can continue to use TTrockstars for times tables, Eedi and Mathswatch. Eedi and Mathswatch can support pupils with topics if they need further explanations or extra questions.
Top of the Mathswatch leader boards in each maths class so far this year are:
The highest-scoring pupil over the year so far is Jiiva in year 7, with an incredible 7867 points from answering assignments and independent learning questions. Well done, Jiiva!
Revision
Before the end of term, Year 11 pupils were given revision information and past papers for maths to help them prepare for their summer exams. They also have a revision schedule timetable if they need support structuring their time.
Foundation Revision Schedule (mathswatch.co.uk)
Higher Revision Schedule (mathswatch.co.uk).
They can access the AQA Collins textbook online via Collins Connect (https://connect.collins.co.uk/school/portal.aspx).
They can use Corbett maths videos and worksheets (https://corbettmaths.com/contents/) as well as Mathswatch videos and interactive questions (https://vle.mathswatch.co.uk/) to revisit and work through topics where necessary to help them prepare fully for the Summer exams. GCSE Maths boosters will continue on Wednesday mornings until the last maths exam has been completed.
The Prince of Mathematics
8J and 9B were encouraged to research information about the life and discoveries of Gauss. Gauss was chosen as our first ‘famous mathematician of the term’ as he was dubbed the Prince of Mathematics and made many discoveries during his lifetime. One of our year 9 pupils wrote this:
Further Maths Pupils Inspired by Leading Experts at Regional Maths Conference
Mrs King and Mr Abbott enjoyed taking the year 11 Further Maths group to the Chester Maths Inspiration Event, joining many other year 11 and 12 groups from around the region. This event is an opportunity to listen to some renowned mathematicians. The speakers this year were Katie Steckles, James Grime and Colin Wright.
Katie is one of the authors of the regular monthly ‘Mathematics of Life’ column in New Scientist magazine. She spoke about how we can use math to help us share fairly and explained why always turning right will help you get out of a maze. James spoke about Bits and Pieces: Secrets of a Digital World, which included how we can all use our mobile phones, Bluetooth, and WiFi without interference, how messages are transmitted from space without mistakes, and how a scratched CD can keep playing.
James looked at the hidden maths behind the digital world, from World War II to WiFi.
Colin is a company director specialising in marine software radar. He uses maths to guide marine vessels safely. He also juggles and uses these skills to help demonstrate patterns and predictability. He reminded us that our brains naturally look for patterns, which we use to help us in everyday life. Colin and his juggling skills were chosen as our further maths group’s favourite speakers of the morning. We all had a great time; it was an excellent opportunity for our pupils to see maths applied beyond the classroom.
Science
Celebrations and Experiments: Science Department Welcomes New Teacher and Achievements
Plenty has been going on in UM science this year. We welcomed Mr Leigh as the new biology teacher at the start of the school year. He has settled in brilliantly and has been made to feel very welcome by our pupils. Congratulations to Mrs Poole (née Stedman) on her marriage over the February half term, and good luck to Mr Leigh for his upcoming wedding.
All three science teachers have been aiming to do as much practical work as possible, and we have seen different year groups do plenty of activities. Year 10 have been learning microbiology and developing their aseptic technique, while the year 8s have been burning crisps to find their energy content. In chemistry, year 7 has been separating rock salt, while the year 11s completed their making copper sulphate crystals, and titrations of acids and bases required practicals. In year 9, pupils got a taste of the specific heat capacity required practical for GCSE physics, learning about the properties of metals with applications in engineering. Year 8 learned about light using mirrors, lenses, colour filters and prisms.
Mond Trophy
In January, Tower College had the opportunity to enter two teams of year 10s for the Mond Trophy at Cronton College. While neither of the teams won, the pupils had fun and learned how to work as a team. Our year 10 teams got to try coding, difficult maths problems, and fun practicals, including chemical reactions and wind turbines. Well done, Amber, Sarah, Nayantara, Deyang, Lucas, Joseph, Eden and Sophia, for your strong efforts, and thank you to Cronton College for the opportunity.
Tower College Marks British Science Week with a Timely Exploration
British Science Week at Tower College took place from the 11th to the 15th of March, with the theme being Time. It was a huge success with engagement from pupils across the year groups. The assembly, about adapting to change over a person’s lifetime, was followed by a week of different form time activities.
The Upper and Middle Science teachers invited Years 3 to 6 to do different activities with us over three days. With Mr Leigh, pupils tested and measured their own reaction times; with Mr Thorn, they built a 30-second timer (the closest measured time being 29.97 seconds!); and with Mrs Poole, they tested how surface area affects the reaction rate. The pupils enjoyed themselves, and we had fun meeting them all.
Science Department Gears Up for In-House Science Project Competition: An Opportunity for Pupil Ingenuity
Alongside the activities for British Science Week, we have been hosting two different competitions. The poster competition for entries into the national BSW competition is wrapping up at the time of writing, and some beautiful posters have been submitted.
The project competition (just for Tower College pupils) still has a long way to go before the 16th May deadline. Check the parentmail (subject: British Science Week—8th to the 17th March 2024) from 6th March or ask Mr Thorn for more information.
We look forward to a new term with our wonderful pupils and wish our year 11s good luck with the revision for their upcoming exams.
Mrs Poole, Mr Thorn, and Mr Leigh
Computer Science
As we approach the end of another engaging term in Computer Science, it’s a pleasure to share with you the exciting progress and achievements of our students in Years 9, 10, and 11.
Year 9: Exploring the Ethical, Legal, and Environmental Impact of Technology
This term, our Year 9 pupils delved into the profound implications of technology on society, focusing on its ethical, legal, and environmental dimensions. The pupils have enriched their understanding in thought-provoking discussions and activities, analysing the responsibilities that come with technological advancements.
Next term, they will transition their understanding into practice as they align their knowledge with AQA GCSE questions. This application-oriented approach will deepen their comprehension and prepare them for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Year 10: Mastering Python Programming
Year 10 students have been immersed in Python programming, where they’ve honed their skills in problem-solving using sequences, selection, and iteration. They’ve embraced practical experiences, applying their knowledge to tackle real-world challenges confidently.
Looking ahead, they will continue their journey by exploring string operations and advanced programming techniques. This summer, they will put their skills to the test with a mini-mock Paper 1, paving the way for a comprehensive understanding of the subject and success in their future endeavours.
Year 11: Rising to Challenges and Maximizing Potential
Our Year 11 students have demonstrated remarkable resilience and dedication, particularly in response to feedback following the Mock exams. They’ve engaged in rigorous recall activities, consolidating their understanding of key concepts throughout the specification.
As they gear up for the final stretch before the May half-term, we wish them the best of luck as they use active revision techniques for both Paper 1 and Paper 2. Their hard work and commitment are commendable, and we have every confidence in their ability to excel.
In conclusion, this term has been filled with growth, exploration, and achievement in Computer Science. We’re immensely proud of our students’ progress and look forward to supporting them as they rise to their potential.
Thank you for your ongoing support and involvement in our Computer Science programme.
Mr Glover
Art
In Art, pupils have studied various topics, including Marine life, Surrealism, and more. They can experiment with various materials in their projects, making 3D pieces, painting, and sketching.
Year 7 pupils have been constructing a marine animal from recycled materials. They have chosen an animal inspired by our artist, Tamara Phillips, and are creating their own version of this using plastic bottles, cardboard, and other recycled products. This will be their final design, which they have planned and brought to life before moving on to our next topic, which will be cultural art.
Year 8 pupils have just completed their solar system topic. We focused on the artist Larisa Murariu and how she includes surrealism in her space-inspired artwork. Pupils have spent several lessons experimenting with different media to create multiple solar system artworks. They have just completed their final piece, an A3-sized solar system study in watercolour, which has been displayed.
Year 9 pupils have finished their 3D project on their topic of architecture. They have spent 10 weeks planning, constructing, and painting their structure to create the effect of an abandoned building/house. They have carefully selected furniture they have moulded using various materials to suit their desired design. The effort they have put into their structures is evident, and they should all be extremely proud of themselves.
Year 10 has focused on their portfolio work and working on their chosen topic under the title pattern. Pupils have been working hard, experimenting in their field of choice, and showcasing a range of skills in and outside the lesson. They will continue to explore their topic further while experimenting with a final design to bring their topic to a close.
Year 11 has been working hard to finish their coursework and plan for their GCSE practical. All pupils have shown a willingness to explore their ideas through various media and are displaying their talents through their ideas. They will continue planning and experimenting for their exam as they enhance their ideas and express their creativity.
Miss Carr
History
Year 7 studied the nature of kingship and religion in the Middle Ages. We studied the characteristics of various rulers of the time, the importance of pilgrimages, and the disagreements over what caused Thomas Becket’s tragic death. Pupils are working hard to develop their skills in sourcework analysis. The pupils also enjoyed their recent exploration of Skipton Castle to study the impact of the Norman Conquest on England.
Year 8 has been studying the lives and culture of Native Americans and their early contacts with European settlers and analysing sources about those peoples.
Year 9 has finished its studies of the First World War and its impact on various countries. We have now moved on to the peace settlement at the end of the war and its effects on Germany, and we will be looking at life in the 1920s USA. Charlie Chaplin, Charles Lindbergh, Clara Bow, Henry Ford, and Al Capone are all likely to feature.
Year 10 is studying the varying experiences of American citizens from the 1930s to the 1970s. We have covered President Roosevelt’s New Deal and assessed how far this helped the USA recover from the Depression. We will look shortly at developments in the 1950s and 1960s for different societal groups. Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan may feature.
Year 11 has finished their history course and will revise it over Easter, using the resources available on Teams, GCSE Pod, and others.
Finally, as an Upper School History teacher, it was very enjoyable earlier in the term to visit each of Years 4, 5, and 6 to watch their lessons and find out what they had been doing in their History studies. Thank you to those classes and their teachers for letting me come in, and I hope to do so again in the summer term.
Mr Jack
Geography
In Geography, we have had a fantastic term learning about the human and physical worlds. Pupils in all year groups have been enhancing their geographical skills, and it is evident that they are adopting a more geographically oriented mindset daily. Our goal in Geography is to ensure pupils acquire knowledge of diverse geographical issues and challenges. Through a creative and engaging approach to learning, we encourage them to explore the impact of these issues on our world and seek potential solutions.
Year 7 Fieldwork Skills Development
Year 7 pupils recently embarked on a school trip to develop their fieldwork skills. Fieldwork forms a critical component of studying Geography and assists pupils in comprehending how our understanding of the world is shaped. It enables them to gather accurate and reliable data to inform their opinions and substantiate the theories taught in our lessons. Moreover, fieldwork allows pupils to interact with their surroundings, extending their learning beyond the confines of the classroom.
Following the recent January assessments, Year 7 pupils completed an exciting topic exploring earthquakes and volcanoes. The pupils were tasked with constructing their own volcanic model to consolidate their understanding. Witnessing pupils enthusiastically participate in the learning journey while expressing their creativity is an absolute delight. Below, you can see a selection of their wonderful and detailed creations.
Year 8 Investigation on Weather Hazards
In Year 8, our pupils have been cultivating their comprehension of weather hazards, particularly focusing on the formation and trajectory of tropical storms. To apply their knowledge in a practical and creative manner, students were tasked with producing a weather forecast script. This script aimed to accurately depict and explain the hurricane’s path, formation, and the precautions residents should take as the storm approaches. It is incredibly gratifying to witness our pupils engaging in activities that showcase the real-world application of geographical skills and encourage the creative application of their knowledge. We can proudly say that we have some aspiring weather presenters among our pupils.
Year 9 Study of Natural Hazards
Year 9 pupils have been immersed in a comprehensive exploration of natural hazards, which bears immense relevance considering the constant presence and impact of such hazards in our world. Our focus has been on tectonic hazards and how the movement of the Earth’s crust continues to shape both the physical and human realms. Through their study, students gain a deeper understanding of the ongoing influence that tectonic activity exerts on our world.
Year 10 Investigation of River Landscapes
In Year 10, pupils have studied river landscapes and their significant role in shaping the world around us. They have been uncovering the processes behind the creation of various river landforms and exploring the causes and, more crucially, the management strategies for river flooding. An exciting highlight for our pupils was the opportunity to construct river landforms using Play-Doh, allowing them to recreate and effectively explain the formation process physically. This practical approach sparked great enthusiasm among our pupils.
Year 11 GCSE Examination Preparation
As Year 11 students continue their academic journey towards the GCSE examinations, they have dedicated themselves to comprehensive preparation. With the course now covered, pupils actively apply their acquired knowledge and hone their skills by completing practice exam papers. This dedicated effort aims to position them in the best possible position for success in the upcoming summer exams.
These exciting developments are a testament to the outstanding progress made by our geography pupils across all year groups.
Mrs Griffiths and Mr Taylor
RE
Pupils have shown great progress in their study of Religious Education during the previous term. Topics have provided pupils with comprehensive knowledge and understanding of various religious beliefs and perspectives. The aim is to equip them with a greater appreciation for the spiritual aspects of our society and culture, enabling them to comprehend the world better. Moreover, pupils are encouraged to think critically during RE lessons, utilizing their acquired skills to expand their knowledge and form reasoned opinions on significant ethical matters.
In Year 7, pupils have covered a faith-based topic, primarily focusing on Jesus’s fundamental teachings and their ongoing relevance for Christians today.
Pupils in Year 8 have been engaged in a religious ethics topic that explores influential figures throughout history, analysing how religion has shaped their actions, thereby contributing to the betterment of society.
In Year 9, pupils have undertaken a unit that delves into key Christian beliefs, including God’s nature and explores Christian perspectives on judgement and the afterlife.
Progressing through the GCSE course, Year 10 pupils investigate the relationship between religion and conflict. Specifically, they are gaining an understanding of the Just War theory and exploring various beliefs pertaining to Holy Wars.
Year 11 pupils have successfully completed the final unit of the GCSE course, focusing on religion and life. They have explored ethical issues related to the origins of the universe and the nature of life itself.
Teaching such a diverse range of topics has been an excellent opportunity for pupils to engage in spiritual, moral, social, and cultural education. Through exposure to various faiths and religious ethical perspectives, our pupils have been able to reflect on their own beliefs and viewpoints while also learning to respect and appreciate diverse religious outlooks. The enthralling topics covered in these lessons allow pupils to gain a deeper understanding of both themselves and the world in which we live.
Our ethical units, in particular, provide an excellent opportunity for pupils to develop a strong moral compass. Through diverse activities, vibrant discussions, and engaging debates in the classroom, pupils can explore different viewpoints, critically analyze arguments, and ultimately form their own well-reasoned opinions.
Mr Taylor, Mrs Griffith, Mrs Riley and Mr Jack
Music
I am excited to share the diverse experiences unfolding within our music department this term.
In Year 7, students are immersing themselves in music technology using Band Lab, an online platform that introduces them to digital audio workstations. With guidance, they have been programming Pachelbel’s Canon and experimenting with sampled orchestral instruments, laying the foundation for their future endeavours in composition and recording.
Meanwhile, in Year 8, students are honing their guitar skills by studying popular riffs from tablature. Tracks such as “Feel Good Inc.” by The Gorillaz and “Numb” by Linkin Park offer practical and engaging avenues for students to enhance their instrumental proficiency.
In Year 9, students are delving into the early popular music of the 1950s and 60s, learning to play iconic tunes like “Love Me Tender” and “Stand by Me” on keyboard and guitar, respectively.
Additionally, enrichment lessons provide further opportunities for creative expression. Year 8 students are utilizing music boxes to notate compositions by John Williams onto treble clef stave strips, gaining hands-on experience in musical notation.
I would also like to commend pupils for excelling independently in their studies. In Year 8, Malaika achieved a grade of 5 in her piano assessment—an outstanding accomplishment. In Year 7, Bella has progressed excellently, demonstrating consistent practice improves success. Also, Nicki in Year 6 has recently achieved a yellow hub award certificate and badge on the flute, marking a significant achievement. Congratulations to all these pupils.
Mr Brown
Modern Foreign Languages
We are delighted to share the highlights from a highly successful and busy term in the Languages department. Throughout this term, we have witnessed remarkable achievements and exciting learning experiences with our pupils. To kickstart the year, our pupils performed exceptionally in their test results. We proudly announce their academic achievements, which set a strong foundation for their continued growth and development in Spanish.
Designing Dream School Uniforms in Language Project
In the upper years, our pupils delved into various engaging topics. One notable topic was our school community, where pupils could explore their creativity by designing their ideal uniforms accompanied by a description in the target language. This project honed their critical thinking and design skills. In addition to studying school-related themes, our pupils explored cultural topics that expanded their knowledge of the wider world. During this term, our focus included the celebration of San Valentin and Semana Santa. Through these cultural studies, our pupils gained valuable insights into the traditions and customs of different cultures, fostering an appreciation for diversity and promoting global citizenship.
We enthusiastically participated in World Book Day to celebrate the joy of reading. This year, our pupils enjoyed the delightful Spanglish book Gazpacho for Nacho. The book entertained and allowed pupils to explore language and cultural nuances.
Lower School Pupils Navigate Emotions Enhancing Language Skills and Emotional Intelligence
Our lower school pupils embarked on an exploration of emotions. By reading “The Colour Monsters” in Spanish, they developed their language skills and deepened their understanding and awareness of their emotional well-being. Furthermore, our lower school dedicated time to studying food, aligning perfectly with World Book Day. “La Sorpresa De Handa” (Handa’s Surprise) allowed our pupils to delve into the vibrant world of food, customs, and traditions, fostering a love for literature and cultural appreciation.
Year 7 pupils have explored different countries and nationalities in their French lessons. They have gained an understanding of various French-speaking countries and their unique cultures. The pupils have also learned how to describe nationalities and ask and answer questions about where someone is from.
Pupils have recently created presentations on French-speaking countries as part of ongoing activities. They showcased their research and presented intriguing facts about these nations. This project has improved their research skills, presentation techniques, and collaboration ability.
Year 11 Pupils Shine in GCSE Spanish Mock Exams, Setting High Expectations for Finals
Our Year 11 GCSE Spanish pupils made good progress in their mock exams, demonstrating their commitment and dedication in the lead-up to their forthcoming exams. The recent mock exams have proven highly successful, with our pupils achieving outstanding results. In particular, they coped exceptionally well during their mock speaking exams, showcasing their language skills with confidence and fluency. As we count the weeks to the real exams, we encourage our pupils to maintain focus and continue their hard work. With their impressive foundation, we are confident they will excel in their final assessments.
CPD Session on Conti’s Methodology Promises to Transform Classroom Dynamics
We have not just been teaching the pupils. All staff members benefitted from a CPD session in which we focused on Gianfranco Conti’s language teaching methodology. This session aimed to demonstrate how we have revolutionised our teaching approach by placing emphasis on listening and speaking skills, and we delivered a crash course in learning Malay to demonstrate this. We hope our esteemed colleagues found this experience insightful and gained valuable skills to implement in their classrooms.
Costa Brava Trip Promises Real-World Spanish Practice and Cultural Immersion
We are also thrilled to announce an upcoming trip in collaboration with the PE department. Our pupils will be heading to Costa Brava, where they will have the opportunity to put their language skills to the test. This exciting venture will enhance their Spanish comprehension and provide cultural experiences that broaden their horizons.
In conclusion, this term has been full of achievements and engaging learning experiences for our pupils. We are incredibly proud of their progress and enthusiasm for their language studies.
Mrs Turner and Miss Riley
Law Enrichment
Pupils learn about the law as part of a national incentive to boost legal literacy.
This month, Tower College pupils joined tens of thousands of young people across England and Wales schools to learn about the law, human rights, and the justice system.
An interactive assembly delivered by Mrs Riley (LLB Hons—University of Liverpool) helped us participate in the national campaign to start conversations about the law in schools. Created by education charity Young Citizens, with the support of international law firm Mishcon De Reya and The Law Society, our assembly explored what the law is, who can change it, and how these changes affect society.
Here at Tower College, we are proud to be joining a network of schools across the country that are committed to providing valuable knowledge and skills that will serve our pupils throughout their futures. The Big Legal Lesson will highlight the importance of the rule of law in defending our democracy and boosting our learners’ legal capabilities.
‘Ensuring young learners know their rights and responsibilities while respecting the Rule of Law is vital to securing access to justice for all. Whether or not they go on to practice law, The Big Legal Lesson is a fantastic opportunity for pupils to understand how our justice system works and why it matters to them. The Law Society is delighted to support this Young Citizens initiative, which we know will greatly impact young people, teachers, and legal professionals alike.’
Nick Emmerson, President of the Law Society
We hope that our pupils found this to be a truly enriching experience and that The Big Legal Lesson has helped to spark a lasting interest in the world of law and democracy, which will continue to flourish throughout their education.
Mrs Riley