Welcome to The Cooper School's sixth form blog, Sixth Sense. Here, you will find regular updates on the work and life of the students in Oxfordshire's newest sixth form.

Friday 23 March 2012

House of Lords








The House of Lords
This morning, the Post16 students were honoured to welcome Lord Mawson from the House of Lords. He joined the Post16 students as part of their 'External Speaker Programme' which has been running this academic year.

As a Representative of the House of Lords, he explained to the Year 12 students how he rose from a working class background to the ranks of the House of the Lords through his expertise in Business entrepreneurship and his support of the regeneration of the East End of London. He also explained the important role and function that the Lords play in Parliament and Government.

He outlined that the main role was the scrutiny of the detail of potential policy through the expertise of the Lords. He explained that 'the devil is in the detail' of these policies and that success is also ensured by the painstaking scrutiny of every page of documentation and policy. Further, he outlined the need for the economy to grow through investment and business to secure the future for the students.



He has also invited students to visit The House of Lords to explore the workings from close range.

Friday 16 March 2012

Year 12 Performing Arts - Production
















IT

Production


Friday 16th March 2012


7pm


The Performance Hall




The Year 12 Performing Arts students have been very impressive in their organisation, creativity and team work over the past few weeks. They are putting on the first ever 'student production' tonight.




The format of the evening will be a talent show of the very best / finest of The Cooper School's musicians and singers. Auditions and shortlisting of the talent from across the school has been intensive and rigorous over the past few weeks.




The evening promises to be an exciting and entertaining one and my congratulations go the Year 12 students for all their commitment and dedication in organising this event.

Friday 9 March 2012

9 weeks until Year 12 examinations

Examination Preparation
The 2 week examination period for Year 12 will be 14th - 25th may inclusive. Year 12 are now focusing on preparation for the last 9 weeks of AS levels. Key advice from the Post16 tutors today has been :


  • create a 9 week revision schedule outlining a rotation of all units / topics for each subject

  • study in 30 minute blocks followed by a 2 minute rest period - this will maintain concentration levels

  • reduce all 'extra' commitments to focus on exam preparation / independent study for the next 9 weeks

  • remember your personal goals / dreams - use these to motivate yourself

  • create a well organised study area at home - a learning environment

  • form 'study' groups and work together on the exams

  • visit the exam board websites for past papers and examiners' reports

  • attend all extra classes that are being organised by departments

  • use study periods wisely and effectively

  • support each other and create a 'learning' culture during private study sessions

Adolescent Mental health
Nick Luxmore, Psychologist and writer, spoke to Year 12 today about how to support each other by listening to each other - particularly during the forthcoming stress of examinations. He talked with passion and humour about the importance of anger and being able to explain your thoughts and feelings by being listened to and understood.


AS Examination results
Congratulations go to the following students for their results in the January examinations:


Excellent results:

James Allen, Shaun Bailey, Sam Bosley, Charlotte Elgar, Ellen Giles & Gaith Khan


Highly commended:

Lauren Allison, Dan Bowden, Shaun Burden, Luke Dickety, James Nellis, Stephen Rust, Savannah Seger, James White, Katherine Worsfold, Roberta Worsfold

Friday 2 March 2012



Krakow, Poland



To enhance their studies of Nazi Germany, the A level History students are currently in Krakow to visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. Perhaps the most notorious of of all the Nazi death camps during WW2, it is estimated that up to 1,500,000 people died at Auschwitz between 1940 - 1945. The site has been preserved as a memorial to these people and as a warning to society. The aim of this trip is to enhance the educational experiences and understanding of A level Historians.




A Level Geography Field Trip

Also happening this week is a trip for the AS level Geography students who are currently in Devon. This trip is a vital study experience necessary for the completion of their A Level course.




It is these A level educational enrichment experiences that will fully enhance and extend the learning of our students and we are very grateful to the staff who have given freely of their time and organised and these trips.