POST16 STUDIES WELCOMES NEW YEAR 12

September 2012

It has been a busy and positive start to the academic year which has opened its doors to a complete and full Sixth Form.

Welcome of Year 12
The new Year 12 students have now arrived in the Post16 centre and the area is fuller and more alive than ever before. It is also very good to see the Year 13 students interacting with and welcoming the new students. Year 13 tutor groups have been paired with Year 12 groups and are becoming academic mentors to the Year 12 students as they make the transition form GCSE to the demands of A levels.

KS5 awareness evening
It was a delight to welcome the year 12 students and their parent to this evening which aimed to outline the expectations of KS5 study as well as outline the range of opportunities the school is offering for Enrichment.

Enrichment
Presentations from the 'Duke of Edinburgh Award' and 'Young Enterprise' have clearly inspired Year 12 as 36 students have now signed up for the Duke of Edinburgh award with plans for their expedition in October half term.

RESULTS!

GOOD LUCK TO ALL CURRENT YEAR 12 STUDENTS WITH THEIR RESULTS THIS SUMMER.

Year 13 enrolment = Thursday 16th August, 10am - 12pm, The post16 centre

GOOD LUCK TO ALL GCSE STUDENTS - WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU TO YEAR 12 IN SEPTEMBER

Year 12 enrolment = Thursday 23rd August, 10am - 2pm, The Post16 centre

Fit For Work Conference

Today was the last day of Year 12 for our students as next week they will all be involved in work experience. The day began with an award assembly to celebrate the many notable achievements and successes over this academic year. 

For work experience, students have all secured placements in a variety of locations as a preparation for their future plans and ambitions. These work experience placements are varied and include : Formula 1, Radio work, GP surgery, Hospital placement, Vet practice and local Government.

In preparation for work experience, all Year 12 students took part in the 'Fit for Work' conference which explored how to conduct yourself in the work place, give a positive impression and to work successfully with others to create successful teams. Students were led through a variety of activities and asked to consider their own strengths as a potential member of the workforce as well as their own personal areas for development. 

I would like thank all the wonderful Year 12 students for the positive and committed approach 

to their studies this academic year and to wish all of them a happy summer holiday. 

This year has been a joy for me - and that is because of the wonderful students that have formed our first-ever Year 12.

GOOD LUCK FOR RESULTS DAY TO YOU ALL!!!

The new Year 12 joined us this week for a 2 day induction into Post16 Studies.

Day 1 was hosted by 'Young Enterprise' and gave the students the opportunity to work together in a competitive and business environment - with support and expert advice provided by BicesterVision.

Year 13 students were on hand to work with the students and the day was a lively and entertaining experience of the business world.

Day 2 was an opportunity for the Year 12 students to have taster lessons in their chosen subjects and to begin to prepare themselves for the challenges and rewards of KS5 courses.

I would like to wish all in-coming Year 12 students a good summer and I look forward to seeing you all for enrolment on results day and then welcoming you officially to the sixth form in September.

Higher Education Evening - June 2012

Thursday 28th June was the first ever Higher Education to be held at this school.

The evening was very well attended by over 80% of students who were accompanied by their parents. The aim of the evening was for the Year 12  students to explore their future options and to consider the benefits of  Higher Education. In so doing, it is intended that students make an informed choice about their future.

The evening began with a formal welcome and a presentation from UCAS on the application journey / process. Following this, there was a carousel of talks from external speakers on key issues and considerations to do with finance, student life and advice with regard to selling yourself in applications.

Our thanks go to the following speakers for their expert guidance:

Alison King UCAS : Application Advice & Guidance

Mike Nicholson Oxford Admissions Tutor : University Life

Gabrielle Bell Oxford Brookes : Financing your Studies

Project Trust - Taking a Gap Year

Next stage in making plans for the future will be the

'Fit for Work' Conference

for Year 12 to be held on Friday 13th June

YEAR 12 Art & Technology Exhibition

AS Art 

The first ever KS5 exhibition was held last night. The Post 16 centre hosted the AS Level Art work which graced the walls of the common room. In this space, the atmosphere created was one of a formal exhibition and reminded me of the brief I gave the designers for this area last year : to make it feel like an Art gallery. This exhibition was the final stage of the vision that I had for this space. It was a delight to see the range of Art work on display - the beauty and the creativity of the students' work was evidenced from the moment you entered the room. Walking around the students' individual work I was struck by the inspiration of the school trip to Venice at Easter. Equally stunning, were the students' sketchbooks which were like opening a treasure trove of artistic delights.

Engineering

I also have to mention the Level 3 Engineering students - on display was the racing car that they have designed and been creating all year. An unexpected delight - I have been promised that I will be able to drive it in the near future and I look forward to that enormously. Photographs in due course.... watch this space.

My congratulations to all the students and also thanks to the support and hard work of the staff involved: Caroline Butler (Art), Maggie Burnand (Art), Leanne Hayes (Art), Ivan Hore (D&T)  and Graham Frogley (D&T)

SWEENEY - 2 cuts

On Monday 11th June,  the Year 12 students returned to school to commence their Year 13 Induction. This was heralded by the Year 12 Performing Arts examination for which the students created 2 pieces of theatre inspired by the tale of 'Sweeney Todd'. This was the final examined section of their AS qualification and the students demonstrated their skills of music, dance, stage craft and performance.

This was an impressive and entertaining evening and a great end to the AS level examination period.

It is also really good to have the Year 12 students back on site and in lessons full time. Once again, the cafeteria is full of the noise and bustle of our students and it feels like it has come back to life again.