Welcome from the Head of Year 10 - Mr McLintock

Welcome to all Year 10 students and their families. As a proud leader of Year 10 at Cardinal Newman, I’m passionate about bringing our year group together, creating a stronger sense of community, and making sure every voice is heard. My goal as a leader is to inspire teamwork, encourage kindness, and help us all make the most of every opportunity that comes our way—whether in the classroom, on the sports field, or during school events. I believe in leading by example, listening with empathy, and working hard to make Year 10 a year we’ll all remember for the right reasons. Our fantastic team of tutors, welfare team and the wider school community, are always here to guide and support you and we are passionate about providing you the very best at our school.

The Year 10 Tutor Team

10HSE	Mrs H Stowe
10SNL	Miss S Neville
10EWB	MR E Webb
10LNN	Mrs L Norman
10KJB	Miss K Jacob
10APT	Miss A Panait-Ghita
10NML	Mr N Minshull
10RKR	Ms R Kaur

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the greatest strengths of our Year 10 journey is the fantastic tutor team that guides us through it. Each day, they create an environment that’s welcoming, understanding, and focused on helping us grow—both academically and personally. Whether it’s advice on managing workload, support with emotional wellbeing, or guidance in preparing for key assessments like the English Language exam, our tutors are always there when we need them.

Their dedication goes beyond just form time. They take the time to understand each of us as individuals, helping us make informed decisions about our pathways, encouraging our ambitions, and celebrating our successes. With their encouragement and expertise, Year 10 isn’t just a stepping stone—it’s a year where real progress happens.

With their support and my commitment to student leadership, I’m confident we can make Year 10 one of the most successful and rewarding years yet.

One of the things I’m most proud of as Head of Year 10, is the incredible range of talent, dedication, and achievement across our year group. Whether it’s in sports, academics, or giving back to the community, Year 10 students consistently go above and beyond - showing that success comes in many forms and that we all have something valuable to offer.

Our football and rugby teams have shown not only skill and teamwork on the pitch, but also resilience and sportsmanship—qualities that reflect the best of our year group. In netball, our players have represented the school with pride, showing fierce determination and strong collaboration. All of our teams reached multiple finals over the last three academic years and this was also reflected in many individual successes across athletics and cheerleading.

In athletics, many of our students have pushed themselves to new personal bests, representing our school in competitions and showing what it means to work hard and stay committed. Meanwhile, our students who take part in cheerleading, have brought energy, creativity, and school spirit to their performances—reminding us how important confidence and passion are in everything we do.

Academically, we’ve seen some outstanding achievements in mathematics competitions, where students have demonstrated critical thinking, problem-solving, and a love of learning. These achievements are a reminder that excellence isn’t just about grades - it’s about curiosity and a willingness to stretch ourselves.

Perhaps most inspiring of all is the number of students involved in volunteering. Whether it's helping at local events, supporting school initiatives, or contributing to causes outside of school, Year 10 students have shown genuine compassion and a desire to make a positive difference.

These achievements don’t just happen - they’re the result of hard work, dedication, and a strong sense of community. As a student leader, I’m incredibly proud to stand alongside such a talented, driven, and kind group of people. Together, we are proving every day that “opportunities don’t happen, you create them.”

The pastoral programme at Cardinal Newman Catholic School enables all students to develop Personally, Socially, Emotionally and Spiritually. During our tutor time each morning, all students will access their PSHE curriculum, participate in discussion based activities through out ‘Talking Points’, engage in continual reflection regarding their attendance and behaviour and have access to high quality careers information, advice and guidance.

At Cardinal Newman Catholic School, we are passionate about developing the whole child and ensuring that they are aware of the wider world around them. Our pastoral programme is designed in a manner that deepens our students understanding of how to keep themselves safe not only emotionally and physically but also virtually.

Our students complete work in their pastoral books, which allows them to keep a record of all the important topics they cover and also refer back to it when they complete their PSHE assessments. Also, throughout Year 10, students will be given extra support with English language intervention during pastoral time and Period 6 every fortnight.

The Year 10 year group motto reads, "Opportunities don't happen, you create them.” This is more than just words on a wall—it’s the mindset we live by. We’re not waiting for success to come to us; we’re actively building it through our effort, determination, and creativity. Whether it's through academic progress, leadership roles, or trying something new, every student in Year 10 is encouraged to take initiative and make things happen.

What makes Year 10 so unique is the energy, diversity, and individuality of the people in it. We come from different backgrounds, have different strengths and ambitions—but we’re united by a shared commitment to growth and a willingness to support one another.

This year, we’re preparing for our English Language examination, a key milestone in our academic path. I want to help make sure every student feels confident and supported, whether that’s through peer revision sessions, sharing strategies, or simply offering encouragement when it’s needed most. We’re also beginning to explore career pathways and subject options that align with our goals. With guidance from our tutors and careers team, and through opportunities like work experience, we get a real sense of the world beyond school. I’m committed to helping my peers make informed, empowered decisions about what comes next—whether it’s Sixth Form, college, apprenticeships, or a future career.

One of the most exciting parts of Year 10 is the chance to take part in work experience. It gives us the opportunity to step outside the classroom and into the real world—to develop confidence, communication, and workplace skills that no textbook can teach. As a leader, I want to help make sure everyone has access to meaningful placements and feels ready to make the most of them.

Beyond the classroom, extra-curricular activities play a huge role in who we are as a year group. From sports and performing arts to clubs, competitions, and volunteering—these experiences help us grow as individuals, discover new passions, and build lasting friendships. I’ll always encourage students to get involved, try something new, and enjoy everything school life has to offer.

As Head of Year, my ambition is to mold enthusiastic Year 10 students and I’m committed to guiding our year group toward success—both academically and personally. With the upcoming Year 10 English Language examination approaching, I aim to foster a supportive environment where every one of us can prepare confidently and perform at our best. Whether it’s through one-to-one study sessions, group revision sessions, or sharing writing strategies, I’ll work to ensure that we all feel ready to excel.

Looking ahead, we're also at the exciting stage of starting our new subject options. I plan to help make this process less overwhelming and more empowering. From offering further support into each subject, ensuring teachers are sharing all resources and ensuring positive communication with parents and guardians.

Together, let’s make Year 10 a time that we enjoy - with confidence, clarity, and a community that thrives on mutual support and well-considered choices.