Safe Drive Stay Alive

Today, a significant  number of our Year 12 students attended the 'Safe Drive Stay Alive' campaign in Oxford.

This is produced by a road safety partnership including Thames Valley Police, local councils, and Thames Valley’s emergency services.  This campaign aims to reach new and pre-drivers in an emotive and hard-hitting way, influencing behaviour and attitude on the roads.

The statistics on accidents involving young drivers are very disturbing:

• Last year,  over 841 people aged 16-19 were injured on Thames Valley roads
• Last year, an average of 3 young people per week were killed or seriously injured.

• Young drivers are much more likely to be involved in a crash on the roads, often due to inexperience and a lack of knowledge of the risks.

• Around 1 in 4 deaths on the roads is aged 17-24. This summer Thames Valley Police also caught 69 drivers under the age of 25 for drink driving!

Post 16 Studies at The Cooper School is committed to raising awareness of safety for our valued students.

Money issues ..... Children in Need

Making our students financially aware

As part of the Year 12 Speaker programme, today we had a presentation from 'Credit Action' on key financial issues students will need to consider.  The talk covered topics on the need to budget, reduce outgoings and increase incoming income, be aware of APR, to prioritise financial needs and ultimately to start saving!!

The key financial messages can be downloaded for free from creditaction.org.uk.

Children in Need ....

Supported today by Year 12 students who came to school in a vareity of wonderful costuems and colours. All monies collected will go towards supporting the vital charity work that this fund raising  day supports.

2012 Post 16 Open Evening

 

The 2012 Post 16 Open Evening was held last night . We were overwhelmed by the numbers of prospective students. Over 200 students attended with members of their family and it was 'standing room only' in the performance hall for the presentation.

Current Year 12 & Year 13 students supported departments and explained the courses to the new students. I received many compliments from visitors about the enthusiasm of our sixth formers and also the content of the courses. Parents repeatedly stated how impressed they were by the Post 16 facilities, the staff and also the professional manner of the current sixth formers. It was a very positive evening and an absolute delight to have welcomed so many current Year 11 students to the school and to give them an insight into the range of courses we are offering Post 16.

 Thanks go to all the students and the staff for their continued motivation and commitment to Post 16 education at The Cooper School.

CELEBRATION ASSEMBLY

On the news this morning I heard a brief headline about the need for teachers to raise the ambitions of students. Interestingly, our assembly this morning was planned to celebrate the achievements of Post 16 students. For this, selected students inYears 12 & 13 were chosen by staff across the school for notable achievements within subjects. These chosen students have impressed their subject teachers with their commitment to their studies and their determination to do the best during lessons and in private study.

There were so many awards to distribute, that it took the Head boy and Head girl with the leadership team more than 15 minutes to hand them out. It was good to hear the reasons cited which for drive and ambition

This was a good end to this term. Students have also been given their reports for Term 1 and this will provide an opportunity to use the half term wisely and productively.

TERM 1 DRAWS TO A CLOSE

As term 1 draws to a close it is interesting to reflect on Post 16 life with the school's first complete cohort. The atmosphere continues to be lively and positive. It is always busy in the cafeteria but this is counter balanced by students working independently and in small groups as they approach the challenges of their KS5 academic studies.

SFLT
The Sixth Form Leadership Team have delivered assemblies to all of the lower school on Post 16 life and were impressive in their confidence and poise. They were overwhelming vocal in their support of the school and the positive impact that their studies have had for them.

UCAS APPLICATIONS
We have also now begun the UCAS application process and Year 13 students are busy completing their personal statements or having practise interviews for Oxbridge. It is exciting to report that offers of places are now coming to our students. A special mention has to go to Sam Bosley  as he was the first to complete his UCAS application and the first student to receive an offer of a place. CONGRATULATIONS

GOLD Duke of Edinburgh Award
Over 30 Year 12 students have now signed up for the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. They will be having their practise expedition in 10 days time - Good luck to all of them.

SCHOOL OPEN EVENING

School Open Evening

Last night was the first time that we had Year 7 through to Year 13 on site, showing prospective Year 5 / 6 pupils and their parents around the school and discussing their own experiences of education here. Some Post16 students acted as guides, whilst others served refreshments or worked within departments. There was also a delightful masked performance entitled The Park' performed by Year 12 students in the post16 centre.
This was another significant moment for the school as it marked the first occasion when we are now officially a full, comprehensive school educating students up to the age of 19.

Staff Pride

There was a strong sense of pride from the staff in seeing these poised Post16 students, interacting with parents, answering questions with confidence and maturity and taking a responsible role in supporting the school and its future students.

Parent comments

Parents commented repeatedly to me about how impressive the sixth form students were in helping them explore the different subject areas. A parent stated that she felt the school was 'enriched' by having post16 students and that there were an excellent role model for the younger students.

I would like to personally thank all of Years 12 &13 for their time last night - hope you enjoy the chocolates!

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.