Dear Parents/Carers

What a week it has been here in school — it has certainly been a full and memorable one.

On Tuesday, we were proud to host not one, but two significant events.

First, our whole school community came together for our annual Remembrance Service — a cherished and important tradition at Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School. Led by our School Chaplain, Mike Wildsmith, the service brought together students, staff, Governors, former Headteachers, former students known as the ‘Old Boys’, and honoured guests from the wider community, including representatives from the Fire Service who laid a wreath at the school cross. Our cadet students wore their uniforms with pride, and the hall was filled with a deep sense of reflection as we listened to readings, musical performances, and shared the two-minute silence at 11am. Our remarkable poppy dress, created from over 900 handmade poppies, was worn this year by Year 11 student Emmerson Smythe, who also performed with the choir. We were also moved by a solo performance from Alex Jones.

As the Boteler Family, moments such as these allow us to reflect on the sacrifices of others and to ensure our young people understand the impact of conflict on society. The respect shown throughout the service was outstanding and reflected our Christian values of Hope, Compassion, and Endurance. This continues to be a treasured moment in our school year for unity, gratitude and remembrance.

Later that same day, we were honoured to celebrate the official opening of our newly named Griffiths Library.

Jane Griffiths, our much-loved Safeguarding Governor and dear friend, sadly passed away earlier this year. Jane gave so much of her time, energy, and kindness to our school, and she is deeply missed. Naming the library in her memory felt the perfect way to recognise her compassion and her commitment to our students. The library was a space she loved deeply and the first place she visited when she joined us as a Governor. The Griffiths Library was officially opened by Jane’s sister, Anne Griffiths, accompanied by our Year 11 students Bea Fox, Head of Collective Worship, and Chloe Porter, Head of Ethos. Jane’s legacy will continue to inspire generations of students who walk through its doors.

Finally, I would like to remind parents and carers not to request that messages be passed to students during the school day unless absolutely essential. If a child has forgotten something they need, they must take responsibility and accept any consequences. Please ensure your child arrives each day fully prepared with the correct equipment — including PE kits, drama socks, and any other items required — and that their iPay account has sufficient funds for break and lunchtime purchases. Students who find themselves without enough money on their account may request a green card from Mrs Slough, which can later be repaid through iPay.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support.

Beverley Scott-Herron

Headteacher

How to Help Your Year 11 Child Revise Effectively for GCSE Maths

As the GCSE exams approach, many parents ask how they can best support their child with maths revision. Maths is a subject that rewards regular practice and good strategy—small, consistent efforts truly make a big difference. Here are some practical, parent-friendly tips to help guide your Year 11 student toward success.

1. Encourage a Regular Revision Routine

Maths is not something that can be crammed. Short, focused sessions (20–40 minutes) several times a week are much more effective than long, irregular bursts. Help your child create a revision timetable that includes:

• A mix of topics
• Time for past paper practice
• Breaks to avoid burnout

Sticking to a routine builds confidence and reduces last-minute stress.

2. Focus on Weak Topics First

Most students naturally prefer the topics they are already good at—but real progress happens when they work on the areas they find difficult. Support them by:

• Looking through their mock results (when released in January) or marked work
• Making a list of priority topics
• Revisiting these areas gradually over several weeks

It’s motivating for students to see previously tricky topics start to “click”.

3. Use Past Papers—But Use Them Properly

Past papers are one of the most powerful revision tools, especially when used consistently. Encourage your child to:

• Start with topic-specific questions
• Move on to full papers under timed conditions
• Mark answers using the official mark schemes
• Note down commonly made mistakes and revisit them

Timed papers help students manage exam pressure and improve speed.

4. Make Use of High-Quality Online Resources

There are many excellent, free maths revision platforms. These offer tutorials, practice questions, and step-by-step solutions, which can reinforce classroom learning. We recommend the MathsGenie website. 

5. Encourage “Active” Revision, Not Just Reading

Maths is a doing subject. Simply reading notes or watching videos won’t be enough. Effective revision should include:

• Practising questions
• Explaining methods out loud
• Checking solutions and correcting errors
• Reattempting questions they got wrong

This active approach builds understanding and long-term retention.

6. Create a Positive, Supportive Home Environment

Parents don’t need to be maths experts to help. Some simple ways to support include:

• Asking what topic they revised today
• Encouraging regular breaks
• Praising progress and effort
• Helping them stay organised

A calm, encouraging atmosphere helps students feel more confident and less overwhelmed.

7. Look After Their Wellbeing

As exam season approaches, students can feel tired or stressed. Remind your child to:

• Get enough sleep
• Stay hydrated
• Take small breaks
• Maintain a balance between work and relaxation

A healthy mind supports better focus and learning.

Final Message

Revising for GCSE Maths is a journey that requires persistence, practice, and support. By helping your child organise their time, focus on key areas, and practise regularly, you will be giving them the best chance to succeed. Most importantly, remind them that progress matters more than perfection—every step forward counts.

If you have any questions or would like further guidance, please contact rallen@boteler.org.uk we are here to help.

Year 11 Mock Exam Timetable

A Strong Start to the Half Term

The first two weeks have seen a positive rise in attendance across the school, resulting in fewer lost days of learning and a strong foundation for the term ahead. This week we also held our Rewards and Recognition Assemblies, where we celebrated students for their outstanding achievements during Half Term 1. Awards recognised excellence in attendance, attitude to learning, commitment to the wider life of the school, participation in extra-curricular activities, and much more. It has been fantastic to see so many students acknowledged for their hard work and dedication.

Please see below as a reminder of the Boteler Christmas Raffle.

We are excited to launch our Christmas Boteler Raffle and cinema trip as part of our Raise the Bar behaviour and attendance rewards, and we want to remind everyone why improving attendance truly matters: every day in school strengthens learning, builds confidence, and keeps opportunities open, but most importantly, we believe in giving every student a fresh start, and Half-Term 2 is exactly that. To be in with a chance of winning, you need a positive aggregate of conduct points (House Points minus Behaviour Points) and attendance of 96% or above; with 96% earning 1 raffle entry, 98% earning 3 entries, and 100% earning 5 entries—however, if your attendance is below 96% due to authorised absence, this will not be a concern for the raffle or cinema criteria.

By showing commitment, resilience, and making the most of this fresh start, you could win prizes including an Amazon Fire HD tablet, Bluetooth wireless earbuds, a UEFA Champions League football, a chrome trim Parker pen, a £20 cinema voucher, a £10 ASOS voucher, and more—so make every day count, raise the bar, and give yourself the best chance to be a winner this December.

Belonging at Sir Thomas Boteler – creating a culture where every child feels Seen, safe and significant

Through God, we care—and through care, we create belonging.

At Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School, we believe that every student is a child of God, worthy of love, dignity, and purpose. Our commitment to belonging is rooted in our Christian values of Hope, Compassion, and Endurance:

• Hope inspires us to see the potential in every student and to build a future where all can thrive.
• Compassion moves us to create a school culture where every voice is heard, every story matters, and no one is left behind.
• Endurance strengthens us to walk alongside our students through challenges, ensuring they feel safe, supported, and never alone.

Belonging is not just a feeling; it’s a promise. A promise that every student will be known, valued, and empowered to flourish academically, socially, and spiritually. In partnership with families, staff, and our wider community, we nurture a school where students attend not just because they must, but because they are drawn to a place where they truly belong.

You can find our Belonging Charter by clicking this link: Belonging-Charter-STB-1.pdf

You can also see our updated Anti-Bullying policy by clicking this link to the policies: Policies – Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School

Years 7 – 11 Childhood Flu Immunisations

Please click on the following link to view a letter and consent form from the Cheshire, Warrington and Wirral School Age Immunisation Service, regarding the upcoming Flu Immunisations.

https://tinyurl.com/2nyrnyt7

If you have any questions, please contact the Cheshire, Warrington and Wirral School Age Immunisation Service.

Youth Parliament

Our student leaders met with Kevin Pierce the Youth Participation Officer from WBC. Kevin leads the Warrington Youth Council and came in to talk to our student leaders about joining this as well as standing as the Member of Youth Parliament for Warrington. If your child is interested in being involved with Warrington Youth Council, they meet on a Wednesday at the Living Well Hub (26-30 Horsemarket St, Warrington WA1 1XL) at 18:00. 

The NYA are the organisation that oversee the UKYP currently, they have some info here – UK Youth Parliament – National Youth Agency

Alternatively there is our Youth Service Instagram – Instagram

And the Youth Council runs its own Instagram too – Instagram

Please email kpierce@warrington.gov.uk if your child would like to attend and copy Mrs Mawby in amawby@boteler.org.uk

Living Well Hub | warrington.gov.uk

We were delighted to welcome so many parents and carers to our Year 8 Parents’ Evening last week. The evening was a great success, with excellent attendance and positive discussions between families and staff. Your ongoing support plays such an important role in helping our students achieve their full potential. 

What’s Coming Up This Half Term 

📅 Year 7 Parents’ Evening – Monday 8th December, 15:30–19:00 
We look forward to welcoming our Year 7 families into school for their first Parents’ Evening. This will be a valuable opportunity to discuss how students have settled into secondary school and celebrate their achievements so far. 

🧠 Parent Forum – Supporting Students with ADHD 
Our next Parent Forum will take place later this month, focusing on understanding and supporting students with ADHD. This session will provide parents and carers with practical strategies for supporting focus, organisation, and wellbeing at home. We encourage all families to attend this important and informative event. 

🤝 Parent Forum Working Group – Get Involved 
We are also forming a Parent Forum Working Group to ensure parents have a regular voice in shaping our engagement work. This group will meet termly to share ideas, provide feedback, and help us continue to strengthen our partnership between home and school. 

If you are interested in joining, please complete the short sign-up form available via the link below: 
Parent Forum Working Group – Fill in form 

Check in and Chat Sessions – Warrington Parents and Carers (WarrPAC)

Please follow the link for information regarding check in and chat sessions. WarrPAC Education CAMHS Short Break sessions

Warrington’s Annual SEND Survey – Have your say!

Warrington’s Annual SEND Survey is now live – please click on the link for further information and to complete the survey. Warrington Send Survey Invite

Year 11 Exam Anxiety Workshop

This week, our school welcomed the Mental Health Support Team to deliver a special workshop for Year 11 students focused on managing exam anxiety. The session aimed to help students understand what exam anxiety is, why it happens, and how to cope with it in healthy and effective ways. Through practical activities and open discussions, the team shared useful strategies such as relaxation techniques, positive thinking, and time management skills to reduce stress and build confidence before exams. The workshop also encouraged students to speak up about their worries and reminded everyone that seeking support is a sign of strength. Overall, it was an engaging and reassuring session that left students feeling more prepared and supported as they approach their upcoming exams.

For more support around exam anxiety please click here for the wellbeing newsletter.

English Department

English revision sessions for the Year 11 mock exams

Language paper 1: Sunday 16th November 10.30-11.30 or Tuesday 18th November 15:15 – 16:15 in room 22

Language paper 2: Sunday 23rd November : 10.30-11.30 or Tuesday 25th November 15:15 – 16:15 in room 22

Christmas Comes to TCAT

On Wednesday 3^rd December 2025 our dancers and senior choir will be representing our school performing as part of Christmas comes to TCAT 2025. They are working very hard rehearsing, and it will be a fantastic festive evening. If your child is taking part you can purchase tickets from Mrs A Graham.

Physical Education

Football results:

Year 8 boys:

STB 0-1 Birchwood HS

STB 0-2 Great Sankey HS

Year 10 boys:

STB 6-0 Padgate HS

What’s on this week?

Please take a look at the Sport extra-curricular timetable below and get involved with the clubs we have on offer! Please note, that due to Year 11 mock exams, our timetable will be missing a few clubs at lunchtime for the next two weeks due to the Ball Hall being out of use.

Team Dance Is Back!

Our talented dancers are already preparing for their next performance, Christmas Comes to TCAT, which will be held at The Parr Hall on Wednesday, 3rd December.

We’re thrilled to welcome back dancers who wowed audiences in The Addams Family, as well as some new faces joining our team for the first time! Everyone is working incredibly hard on a spectacular routine set to a medley of Christmas classics that’s sure to get you in the festive spirit.

Expect plenty of energy, holiday cheer, and a few exciting surprises along the way!