Talk on Civil Service opportunities L14 2.30 to 3.00pm Tuesday 4th April

Radhika Ganesh, who is currently completing the Civil Service Graduate Fast Track scheme, will be giving a talk on Civil Service opportunities from 2.30 to 3pm next Tuesday, 4th April in L14.  If you are interested in working for the government at any level, please attend.  Let me know in advance that you are planning to come.  

12-TU3

Please register with me at tutor time today as Miss King is not in

Competitive Universities Group Meeting Period Two Thursday L35

I have written to invite students whose statistical predictors at A2 are AAA or better to come to this meeting unless they have DofE or another taught lesson, but have missed some people out as I don't have their e-mails.  I want to emphasise strongly that any student aiming at the most competitive courses/Russell Group universities, regardless of predictors, is very welcome.  Daniel Powell, Admissions and Outreach Officer from New College Oxford will be speaking.

Miss King and Miss Jackson tutor groups

Both tutor groups please register with Miss Dix for tutor time today (Tuesday 28th)

Year 13 DofE

A reminder to all Year 13 DOfE students that there is a catch up session to help get you signed off in the library from 1:30pm today.

See you there :)
Miss B

Year Twelve Personal Statements

Thank you for the excellent draft Personal Statements which you have submitted to Ms Dix and your tutors.  They are not yet where they will be by September, but they are a very good way of identifying your strengths and what you may want to do between now and then.  Work Experience and relevant reading stand out at two major areas in which you now have the opportunity to improve.

If you have not yet submitted your Personal Statement, you must do so this week.  You won't feel fully satisfied with it at this stage, but much better to have something to work on now, and to fill any gaps, than to start from nothing in September.

In2Science programme

I have received the following e-mail about a programme to encourage students from underrepresented social groups to get involved with science.  A Cheney student took part last year and had a very interesting time. 

I was wondering if you had any year 12 students who might like a 2 week summer placement at Oxford University in the areas of biology, maths, physics or neuroscience? 

I run the in2scienceUK scheme which organises summer placements for students and we would like students from Cheney to apply. This year we are organising 25 placements, its free for schools (its funded by the university and the council) and students get a lunch and travel bursary. 

If you think your students would like this opportunity, please do get them to apply online at www.in2scienceuk.org. I also attach a slide/poster for you to show your students or pin up in your classrooms here http://bit.ly/2nHpkij

We have a rolling deadline so students should apply as soon as possible. 

Oxford Brookes Summer Schools 3rd and 4th July

Details about four Oxford Brookes Summer Schools are available at www.brookes.ac.uk/summerschools - Cheney students who have taken part in the past have very much enjoyed them.  If you haven't organised work experience for the week of 3rd July I strongly recommend that you consider these - they cover Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, the Arts, working with Horses, and Animal Behaviour.  The closing date for applications is Monday 29th May, but I would recommend going ahead and booking a place.

National Citizen Service

If you are interested in National Citizen Service, please visit www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ncs to find out more about the exciting opportunities available.

Admissions Talk

If you are interested in applying to Oxford or Cambridge, and are able to come to a talk by Daniel Powell, Admissions and Access Officer at New College, in L35 during Period Two this Thursday 30th March (almost all of you are free), please send me an e-mail headed 'Thursday Period Two'. It will be a very good opportunity to get some advice - please bring your Personal Statement draft with you.

Mock Referendum

Should the United Kingdom keep its current voting system, or introduce proportional representation?

The referendum is taking place tomorrow - Thursday 23th March - just outside L6.

You will be able to cast your votes during break and lunch 

Registering:

In order to make this mock event mirror the real world we required you to register to vote. This will happen at the polling stations on the day. If you do not register then you will not be allowed to cast your vote. Registering to vote is easy...all you need to do is fill out a form. You will then hand your form into the students running the polling station.

Messages from both campaigns:

Proportional representation

What is it?

• Proportional representation is the idea that seats in parliament should be allocated so that they are in proportion to the votes cast.
• Different PR systems have different ways of electing candidates. With some it is possible to vote only for a party, with others directly for candidates.
• Rather than the winner-take all approach of other systems, PR ensures that votes carry equal weight. To do this, a single area elects more than one representative. The size of this area can vary according to the system, ranging from the size of the whole country to a county or local area

Advantages:

• Minority parties and independent candidates would have a better chance of winning seats in parliament (e.g. Green Party)
• Parties would have to appeal to their core voters rather than ‘swing voters’ in marginal seats
• Fewer votes are wasted as more people’s preferences are taken into account
• You vote for what you want rather than against what you don’t
• Could encourage greater turnout, reduce apathy and increase political engagement
• PR ensures greater continuity of government and requires greater consensus in policy-making
• More representative than first past the post where candidates can be elected with a very small share of the votes while all other votes cast in the constituency are wasted

Common misconceptions:

• “It breaks the constituency links”- more people get a representative they voted for and it is far easier to hold those MPs to account – there are no taken-for-granted ‘safe seats’ in PR. A democratic voting system strengthens the link between voters and their representatives as every vote counts and MPs have to fight for every vote.
• “It gives small parties too much power”- under proportional representation small parties gain political power based on their share of the vote. Under First Past the Post meanwhile, a small group of people who happen to live in seats not nominated by any party get to dictate the manifestos and policies of the government. With first past the post, geography is more important than democracy

First past the post

What is it?

• FPTP is the voting system used for the election of MPs to 'seats' in the UK Parliament. It is a system in which the 'winner takes all' and usually gives a clear majority both at constituency and national level.
• This means that a candidate in a constituency only needs one more vote than the nearest rival to win the seat. Similarly, political parties only need to win one more seat in the House of Commons to have a majority.

Advantages:

• It’s simple to understand.
• It doesn’t cost much to administer.
• It’s is fairly quick to count the votes and work out who has won; meaning results can be declared relatively quickly after the polls close.
• In a political environment, FPTP enables voters to clearly express a view on which party they think should form the next government.
• FPTP is ideally suited to a two-party system and generally produces single-party governments, although the 2010 UK General Election was an obvious exception
• Single-party governments by and large don’t have to rely on support from other parties to pass legislation, though as the UK has found that is not always necessarily the case as the current Coalition Government demonstrates.
• Some would argue that FPTP voting systems encourage broad-church centrist policies and discourage extremist points of view

Common misconceptions:

“You need majority to win” - The winning candidate does not need to achieve a majority of votes (50%+1) in their constituency. For example in 2010, Labour candidate Glenda Jackson won her seat in Hampstead and Kilburn with only 32.8% of the vote

Year 13 DofE

All those who have not completed their DofE logs in order to gain the award MUST attend the session on Monday 1:30pm onward to work with myself and Ms Meredith from the South East DofE center to help you get everything completed. The catch up session will be held in the library.

I will see you in your lesson on Thursday and give a reminder to those of your who MUST attend.

Best Wishes,
Miss B

Left Art Work

We have a collection of work from last year’s GCSE students in the Art Dept. Please come and collect by Friday 31^st March.

There is some we can identify: Sanna Iqbal, Sofia Sherwood and Samir Limbu, but there is more that we cannot identify.

12-Tu6

Dear Year 12 -Tu6,

I'm sorry but I will not be in school today.  Please register with Miss Dix.

Best wishes,
ERA

Cover Work for Year 12

Dear Year 12,

I'm sorry I will not be in school today.  Please take a copy of the research task on the front desk in BR01, complete it and bring it to the lesson on Thursday.

Best wishes,
ERA

Personal Statements Paper Copies to Ms Dix and your tutor today

Thank you for making very good use of the trip to Brunel on Thursday and the Personal Statement writing workshop on Friday, and for your action plans for the next five months, which I am handing back to your tutors today. My main point of feedback is to make them more specific and less general in some places - work out exactly what you plan to do and add dates when you will do them.  Please remember to hand a paper copy of the first draft of your personal statement, with your name and tutor group clearly stated at the top, both to Ms Dix and to your tutor today.  

Model UN

Thanks for your interest in the Model UN.  If you and in Year Twelve and would like to take part in a team of five, please e-mail me as soon as possible so that I can get you entered.  Please come to see me in the Library in the second half of lunch on Monday without fail as I will need to work out whether to enter one or two teams.  

Year 12 DOfe

Hi All Year 12 DofErs,

Next Wednesday 22nd March the Marines will be back. However DO NOT FEAR they will NOT be doing the fitness session like they did last time. Please meet in the canteen.

The session will consist of:

1. Video Tutorial
2. Q&A session
3. Ration packs and nutrition
4. Leadership

You will be in the same groups as last time and this is the order of the day:

Group 1 - 9.00am - 1.30am

BENNYCHAN KUZHIMULLIL, Edwin

EL-JAOUNI, Dania

ERBEN, Shama

GARDEN, Cathy

GRACIE, Lara

HOLLIDAY, Thomas

IRVINE, Ed

MCKIRDY, Fergus

MIGAHED, Saif

MURGATROYD, Milo

NZOUKANI, Kassee

PILAPIL, Queen

PODGORSKI, Anna

REHMAN, Habib

SIMMONS, Joshua

TABOROSI, Jakob

VARGHESE, Jithin

WITTS, Maria

ALLISON-DRAKE, Rowan

Group 2 11.00am - 12.30pm

CROWDER, Rachel

CULLEN, Josh

DAVIES BUSBY, Hayden

GHAFOOR, Waris

GODFREY, Jasmine

HAMO, Dara

HENEGHAN, Lara

HOWARD, Rohaan

KOZLECKA, Magda

MASIH, Jessica

MUMTAZ, Yusra

MUNRO, Katelyn

NAJEEB, Madihah

NARAYAN, Sanjana

NASEEM, Humzah

PORTER, Inez

RANA, Mudassar

SADIQI, Musa

SINGH, Angad

BLACKIE, Chris

DRIAJ, Sameda

Group 3 1.00pm - 2.30pm

BENTO, Kimberley

EZEOKE, Sashka

FREEMIRE, Alyce

GARDEN, Joel

GIBBONS, Nathan

GURUNG, Avilasha

MCCANN, Alexander

MUTAHI, Vickie

NUZI, Elorida

SARWAR, Zain

SELIM, Rania

STARR, Jacob

STEVENS, Florence

STEWART, Erin

THEURI, Cindy

THOMPSON, Chris

TRUSCOTT, Thomas

WILLIAMSON, Lucy

WOMACK, Sean

VICKERS, Peter

DGi Tutor Time and History cover; Monday History Trip

I am not able to be at tutor time on Thursday because of the Brunel trip.  You do not need to attend - see you all on Friday.

History work for Period Two is on Edmodo along with the letter about Monday's trip.  Please return your letters for the trip on Friday without fail.

Honour Among Thebes: talk by author and broadcaster Natalie Haynes

On Tuesday 14th March, 3 - 4pm, novelist and broadcaster Natalie Haynes is talking on "Honour Among Thebes", exploring the characters of Jocasta, Antigone and Ismene in Sophocles' great tragic play, Antigone. She will also be bringing copies of her latest novel, "Children of Jocasta", which people will be able to purchase and get signed.

The talk will be of particular interest to students of Classics, Drama and English. It will take place in the Classics Centre, and all are very welcome.

Magdalen College School's MUN Conference on 31st March to 2nd April 2017.

If you are in Year Twelve (or just possibly Thirteen) and would like to take part in this weekend Model United Nations event, please let me know.

Introduction to University, Apprenticeship and Job Applications for Year Twelve Wednesday, Thursday, Friday this week

Summary of Events:

Monday:  all students going to Brunel on Thursday should register for the UCAS Convention online
Tuesday:  competitive universities talk L21 and IntoUniversity visit
Wednesday:  introduction to post-18 opportunities for students and parents, Assembly Hall, 6.00 to 7.30pm
Thursday:  trip to Brunel University UCAS Convention 9.30 to 3pm
Friday:  Personal Statement Writing Workshop Assembly Hall 9.30 to 12.50

Details

Please register today Monday 13th for your ticket for the UCAS Convention at Brunel on Thursday by going to: https://www.ucasevents.com/UCAS/media/uploaded/EVUCAS/event_1702/7WLO_student_step-by-step_guide_150217.pdf

It only takes about 30 seconds and will allow you to walk straight into the exhibitions without having to queue.  You will also be able to use your free e-ticket (which you can get on your mobile or print out) to request information from universities and employers at the Convention.

Just a reminder that we will be meeting at 9.30 in the Assembly Hall on Thursday, right after the end of Period One, for a briefing from Oxford Brookes University staff on how to make the best use of the day, before leaving soon after 10am. We will be arriving at Brunel by 11.30 and returning soon after 1.30, so that we should be back at Cheney by 3pm.  Please bring a packed lunch with you or money to buy something to eat.

On Friday, we will be back in the Assembly Hall from Period Two to Period Four for an introduction to writing Personal Statements.

If you haven't yet returned your slip or paid for the trip, please do so urgently.

I am very much looking forward to working with you on your career and university/apprenticeship/training plans.  The meeting for students and parents on Wednesday from 6.00 to 7.30pm is intended as our main introduction to the whole process - please come if at all possible.

Year 12 Gold DOfE

Hi All,

The following students are now behind on their logging hours on the edofe website. By Monday 13th March I expect to see all of those from the following listing logging in and uploading evidence.

Elorida - not logged on for 60 days

Ann Podgorski - Not logged on for 38 days

Erin Stewart - not logged on for 28 days

Thomas Holliday - 46 days

Kimberly Bento - 65 days

Rachel Crowder - 35 days

Sanjana Narayan - 36 days

Chris Thompson - 37 days

Kase Nzoukani - 30 days

Dara Hamo - 32 days

Lara Henegan - 39 days

Edwin - 20 days

Fergus McKirdy - 27 days

Vicki Mutahi - 32 days

Those who fail to do so will be chaving an after school detention with me to get the work done and home will be contacted.

Thank you,

Miss B 

DGi Tutor Group Friday 10th March

Many apologies as I am on a trip and don't expect to be back until 3pm. Please register with Ms Dix and then go to L2.

Ms Hamnett/ Ms Reynes Y12 tutor group

Dear Y12
Really sorry but on a course today, please go and register with Miss Dix and I will see you next week
Thanks
Ms Hamnett

12C EPQ study skills lesson Period Five Friday 10th March

I am sorry that I am on a trip Period Five tomorrow. Please register with Ms Dix and then work in L21 on your reading lists, e-mailing me a copy by the end of the lesson.

Competitive Universities Talk

There will be a talk for students in Years Ten to Twelve about applying to the most competitive universities in L21 from 2.30 to 3.15 on Tuesday 14th March.  Please do attend if you are interested in Medicine, Law or Russell Group universities/Oxbridge - it would be helpful if you can let me know that you are coming by e-mail or in person. 

Antigone talks double-bill: Tom Mackenzie and Natalie Haynes

The classics centre is hosting a double-bill of talks themed on Sophocles' Antigone next week. On Monday 13th March, 3 - 4pm, Dr Tom Mackenzie from UCL is coming to talk about "Cosmic Justice in Antigone".

On Tuesday 14th March, 3 - 4pm, novelist and broadcaster Natalie Haynes is talking on "Honour Among Thebes", exploring the characters of Jocasta, Antigone and Ismene. She will also be bringing copies of her latest novel, "Children of Jocasta", which people will be able to purchase and get signed.

Both talks will take place in the Classics Centre, and all are very welcome. Please speak to me or Mr Gimson if you would like to attend, or email me on lorna@irisproject.org.uk

Exam Clashes

If you have noticed that you have exam clashes on your exam entries please go and speak to Ms Fischer in the Exams Office ASAP. 

She would like to see the following people before Friday: 

Khadeeja AFZAL

Jenny BROWNE

Coral DALITZ

Toby EDMUNDS

Jack FARNELL

James FINCH

Ruchika GANESH

Bella GODDEN MELENDEX

Jasmin GODFREY

Rebecca HANN

Naomi HINDLEY

Jun JEWELL

Jeffrey JOHNSON

Eleanor KRIGE

Morgan LEAVER

Andrei LIDOV

Zita LLOYD-SHOGBESAN

Kyeisha NERO

Frank O’BRIEN

Kamil OGRODBY

Ioanna PATSOURAKOU

Zayyan QURESHI

William ROBINSON

Ameera SARWAR

Pia SAUNDERS-PATEL

Serene SHIBLI SEXTON

Aldrei SOLIMAN

Hebe YORK

If she doesn't hear from you by the end of the week, clashes will be resolved by the exams office without your input.

year 13 tu4 - tutor time

Apologies I'm not in today. Please register with Miss Dix and work in L1/2. Miss Gleen.

Biomedical Engineering Open Day - Wed 22/03/2017

Biomedical Engineering is a new and rapidly growing area, which involves engineers collaborating with doctors to develop novel medical devices, technology and systems capable of delivering substantial healthcare benefit, and to translate new engineering technologies into clinical practice. As a discipline, it lies at the intersection between the physical, mathematical and medical sciences.

Biomedical engineering is presently attracting a lot of attention as a career option, because of the opportunities it affords in innovation and entrepreneurship. We have taken the initiative of organising an Open Day, specifically targeted at pupils in Years 10-12, aimed at introducing them to everything biomedical engineering has to offer and the qualifications and degree subjects that will enable them to build a successful career in this field.

In my role as Director of the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Oxford, I am writing to invite pupils from your school to attend this Open Day, due to take place on
Wednesday 22nd March 2017  at the University’s Old Road Campus in Headington, from 10:00am.

The morning will consist of mini-lectures interleaved with demonstrations conducted by researchers within the Institute, ranging from the use of mobile phones to monitor health to delivering ultrasound for non-invasive cancer treatment.

Yours sincerely,

Prof. Constantin-C. Coussios, Ph.D. (Cantab.)

Director, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oxford

If you would be interested in attending please email Ms Elias with your name and she'll let them know to expect you. You will also need to complete the appropriate form from the 6th form office and have permission from a parent/guardian. 

12-TU2

Mr Hibbert Tutor Group

Mr Hibbert is not going to be in tomorrow during tutor time. I am expecting all students to register with me at the start of tutor time (not earlier) and then get on with work in L1. 

Medicine & Biological Sciences Opportunity

We are offering the opportunity for students in their gap year to be a research assistant (RA) in a laboratory at the University of Oxford from September 2017 to September 2019. The role of the student would be to provide technical help to a D.Phil. student that has spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and is therefore restricted in certain physical abilities. 

This position is perfect for any individual interested in pursuing a career in medicine or biological sciences as it will provide invaluable laboratory research experience at one of the best universities in the world. Potential candidates available for any period of time during that 2 year period should contact Melissa Bowerman (melissa.bowerman@dpag.ox.ac.uk) with a letter explaining why they are interested in the position and when they would be available.

We are looking forward to hearing from you. 

Mock Referendum

If anyone is interested in helping out with this year's Cheney Mock Referendum, please attend a meeting on Monday (6th March) lunchtime in the BR Block meeting room.

We need as many people to help as possible- whether that's running campaigns, or managing polling booths. It's a great opportunity to get involved in the school community, and we'd really appreciate as many helpers as possible!

Hope to see you there,

Aisha

HG

Y12 Mentoring

Many thanks to all the year 12's completing mentoring in lessons still. Please keep this going. I have has some amazing feedback from teachers and you are making a huge difference to some student's lessons. 


If you are interested in becoming a mentor we still have lots of opportunities. Come and find Mr Tattersall down in Science. 

Geography Lecture this evening at Oxford University

To those who have already told me they are attending:
5pm, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QY

There is bike parking. There is a bus strike on so severely limited service!! 

Year Twelve and Thirteen to Assembly Hall at 2.10 Monday

A well-known visitor is coming to Cheney on Monday.  Years Twelve and Thirteen will be attending an Assembly with him in the Assembly Hall from 2.20 to 2.50 or very slightly after, finishing by 3pm at the latest (in time for briefing). Afterwards, he will be meeting with Cheney debaters in L14 and judging a debate on whether the History curriculum is too Anglocentric, before leaving at 5pm.  

Staff teaching YearTwelve and Thirteen Period Five will bring their groups to the Assembly Hall at 2.10 so that the Assembly can start punctually at 2.20. Please can students who do not have a lesson Period Five come to the Assembly Hall by 2.10 at the latest.  

DGi

Letters for Y13

There will be a letter for all year 13 students about UCAS, student finance, results day, and applying for September 2018. 

They will be handed out by tutors in tutor time tomorrow. Spares will also be outside the 6th form office 

LGBT Assembly

There is an assembly during tutor time today, it is going to be held in the canteen please go straight there at 2:30