Kenya's Lanyard and IPhone

Kenya left her lanyard in W9 yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon - has anyone found it? Also, she's having a bad day and has lost her phone this morning. If you find either of these two items, please hand in to the Sixth Form Office. Thanks!

Opportunities to volunteer at Festival of Imagined Worlds 9th February

Thank you very much to all the people who have volunteered so far to help with the Festival of Imagined Worlds on Friday 9th February. We are still looking for volunteers to help with the following stalls. They are good opportunities to talk to academics in areas which may be of interest in terms of university applications, or to pursue interests in particular authors.  

University of East Anglia Centre for Science Fiction and Fantasy: making passports to imagined worlds

King's College London Classics students: Making Narnia snow globes

Harry Potter coinage stall helper

Dragon's Egg stall helper

British Tolkien Society helper

East Oxford Primary School helper

Bodleian Library Fantastical Maps helper

Shakespeare's Imagined Worlds helper

Please get in touch with Dr Robinson or Mr Gimson if you'd like to help with any of the above stalls. 

Y13 Subject Evening – Thursday 5pm to 7pm - CORE MATHS CLASS

Please make your appointments ASAP.  The evening is being held in Brighouse building.

Ms Barry is very keen to see her Core Mathematics students to make appointments.

Year Thirteen EPQs

If you are part of the final group of EPQers presenting on Friday 2nd March, and I have not spoken to you in the last couple of days, please see me on Tuesday 30th January - I need to make sure I haven't left anyone out before the exam entries are made on Wednesday.  Many thanks.

UNIQ

THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS FOR THE UNIQ PROGRAMME IS FAST-APPROACHING!

 

We just wanted to remind you that applications are open for the University of Oxford’s free widening access programme, UNIQ. This year, alongside the summer school, we have an expanded programme which includes a Spring Conference and a digital learning portal enabling up to 2000 students to take part.

 

Each element of the programme is academically intensive and challenging but also a lot of fun. Importantly, every programme run by UNIQ is completely free of charge; the University covers all accommodation, food and travel expenses and any associated academic or social activity costs. A great many of our previous participants have gone on to make successful applications to Oxford, Cambridge and other Russell Group universities.

 

UNIQ is open to applications from UK state school and college students in their first year of further education. Detailed eligibility and selection criteria can be found on our website. We particularly welcome applications from students who:

 

·         Have the potential to perform well academically and attained good GCSE grades

·         Live in areas where young people are less likely to progress to higher education and where there is a greater degree of low socio-economic status households

 

By taking part, UNIQ participants:

 

·         Receive current advice on all aspects of Oxford admissions

·         Gain confidence in their own abilities

·         Are better equipped to submit strong applications to competitive universities

 

For more information about UNIQ, an electronic copy of our brochure is available online here.

 

APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN NOW AND CLOSE AT 11PM ON WEDNESDAY 31 JANUARY.

 

If you would like further information, please visit our website www.uniq.ox.ac.uk or contact us at uniq@admin.ox.ac.uk.

 

Yours faithfully,

The UNIQ Team    

 

Women in Science Day

Please share the following event with interested staff and students

Women in Science Day

23^rd February 2018 (booking closes 5^th February)

On Friday 23rd February 2018 Trinity College and Jesus College will be co-hosting a ‘Women in Science’ day for Year 12 pupils. Our goal is to encourage more young women into STEM degrees.

The event will run from 10:30am-3:30pm and will be an opportunity to further your scientific knowledge and skills, and will give you a valuable insight into studying a science course at university. It will be a day crammed full of science lectures and seminars, led by top academics. Any year 12 pupil who identifies wholly or partially as feminine or transfeminine, or any other gender minority (such as: non-binary, trans, genderqueer, a-gender) who are currently studying science A-levels is welcome to sign-up to this event. Everything is free, including lunch in two of the University’s beautiful old colleges – Jesus and Trinity. Besides academic enrichment, participants will meet current undergraduates who will share their experiences and tips for making competitive applications.

For more information, and to apply, please visit www.trinity.ox.ac.uk/women-in-science.

Festival of Imagined Worlds Friday 9th February

We will be welcoming at least 400 external visitors to Cheney for the Festival of Imagined Worlds on Friday 9th February (the day before half term) from 3-6pm. All members of the Cheney community and their families are very warmly invited to what will be a very exciting festival featuring Narnia in the Library, JRR Tolkien in Brighouse, JK Rowling in Lane and Lewis Carroll in L1. There are many opportunities to help and volunteer for community service - please let Dr Robinson or I know if you would like to do so. Thank you to the many students who are already involved.

On the day, L1 will be closed from 11.15 to allow for the setting up of the room for the Festival.  Further stalls will be set up in the Lane Foyer from 1.30 onwards.  Please buy your lunch during morning break on that day or bring  your own sandwiches.  L2 and L6 will be open as normal. The downstairs part of Brighouse will also be closed during lunchtime and Period Five, and there will be some classroom changes which will be advertised in due course.  Thank you very much for working around these. I hope that you can come and enjoy the many activities at the Festival, from Quidditch to our visiting owls.

Phone found in Sixth Form Area

I have it in the Sixth Form Office.

Sixth Form Assembly today - 2.20-2.50pm - Assembly Hall

Don't forget - Sexual Health Assembly in Assembly Hall today at 2.20pm. Please don't be late! Come in quietly and sit in your tutor groups. We have an external speaker coming to talk.

Voice of Oxfordshire's Youth Mental Health Event

Please contact Rosie Boyes if you are interested in attending the event outlined below:  

My name is Rowan; I am a young person working with “Voice of Oxfordshire’s Youth” or VOXY. This is an advocacy group that allows young people to talk about their views on issues that affect them, with people that have the power to make change. We work with the county council, Oxfordshire youth, Oxfordshire University Hospitals and many other organisations.

We have an upcoming event for all under 18s on Friday 16^th February (in half term) in county hall, discussing Mental Health. I was hoping that students from your school might be interested in coming along to talk about their thoughts or experiences to people who work in the services that aim to combat these issues.

The event is being co-ordinated by Rosie Boyes, so any students- or yourself on their behalf, can either contact me on this address, or her directly at: Rosie.Boyes@Oxfordshire.gov.uk if they are considering attending.

I hope that your students are interested in this opportunity.

Yours sincerely,

Rowan Ibbotson

Opportunities at Courtauld Institute, London

There are some interesting Art courses at the Courtauld Institute in London on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday of half term.  Please see http://courtauld.ac.uk/learn for details.  Priority will be given to students from groups which are underrepresented in Higher Education.

Interested in applying for Medicine or Veterinary Medecine?

Are you thinking of applying to study Veterinary Medicine or Medicine at university? Come to a free seminar where experts from a range of Universities will be giving their top tips on how to make a successful application.

• When? Friday 23rd February 2018, 7pm – 9.15pm
• Where? St Helen and St Katharine, Faringdon Road, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 1BE

Email: highereducation@shsk.org.uk

Don’t miss out! Book your place by completing the electronic response form before Monday 19th February:

https://shsk.org.uk/Home/Record-Response.aspx?ID=7DCD763C-2391-4229-AE19-6A099078E853

Year 12 Assembly today - 2.30pm

There is a Year 12 Assembly today at 2.30. Please come promptly to the Assembly Hall and sit in your marked tutor rows. We have an external speaker, so please come in quietly and in an orderly fashion.

Year Twelve Competitive Universities Applications - meeting on Friday

If you are interested in applying to the most competitive universities, you may be interested in a student-led Open Day at New College Oxford (which some of you visited on 11th May 2016) on the first day of half term (Saturday 10th February) from 10.00 to 16.30. It won't be a school trip but I will be on call during the day in case of any medical emergency, and you will need to sign up through school. If you would like to take part, or if you are interested in applying to any highly competitive university (Oxbridge etc.), please come to a meeting on Friday at lunchtime in L14.  Do see me if you have any questions.  Most successful applicants have mostly As and A*s (or 7-9) at GCSE but don't be absolutely put off if your grade profile isn't perfect - if you have great strength in your main subject, it may outweigh poorer results in less relevant GCSEs.

Gate - fixed!

Work to attendance gate has been completed earlier than expected.  The gate is now back in use.

In addition to forming a larger gate, we’ve networked gate card controller (6^th formers can now update their card) and fitted a ‘push to open’ button which is time restricted (only available from 3.30 pm onwards).

JRR Tolkien and Terry Pratchett

If you are an enthusiast for either of these authors and would like to help the JRR Tolkien Society or Discworld stalls at the Festival of Imagined Worlds on 9th February (3-6pm) please let me know.

Access to school - Monday/Tuesday

The main gate is being worked on today/tomorrow. If you are coming into school after 8.30 tomorrow, please come through reception. If you need to leave school before 2.30, again please go through reception.

13Tu3 - Ms King's Tutor Group - A reminder

Please can the guys register with Dr Rayment in J03 and the gals register with Mr Etheridge in J38.

D&T - volunteers needed!

We are looking for volunteers to help with:

• creating resources
• organising health and safety in the workshop
• weighing ingredients or preparing ingredients for demonstrations

It's a fun place to work - and you'll get something to eat as well.

Please see Ms Hardie or Ms Allison in J5 or talk to your tutor in tutor time.

Brookes Engage - Group B - Wednesday 24 January

Next week's Brookes Engage session for group B (Wednesday 24th January: Healthcare and Maths) is a slightly different one, with a later start and finish time. Please arrive at reception no later than 5.45pm and we should be finished by around 8.15/30pm.

We have some Brookes Alumni coming in to talk about their career as part of a 'speed networking' event, so students will get the chance to speak informally to a range of professionals about what they do as part of a small group during 10 minute slots. We have people working in a range of careers from Nursing and Physiotherapy to Web Development.

Sixth Form Assembly TODAY (Friday) at 1.30pm in the Assembly Hall

Caroline Lucas, Green Party MP, will be joining us for Sixth Form Assembly today at 1.30pm in the Assembly Hall. Please come along promptly, and find your seats QUIETLY AND QUICKLY.

Please take the opportunity to ask questions.

There will be a number of stalls to have a look at from 2.30 to 2.50 in the Assembly Hall, and Green Workshops from 3.00pm.

There will also be a short survey form to fill in - please bring a pen!

Nutrition & diet presentation - Tuesday 23 January - Assembly Hall 12pm

Mrs Hart has an external speaker coming in to give a presentation on Tuesday 23rd January at 12pm on nutrition and diet. All SPORT BTEC/ Health and social Care students need to attend. It will be in the Assembly Hall. If anyone else is interested please see Mrs Hart.

Volunteers interested in dance needed - asap!

Mrs Hart is looking for any students interested in dance to support in a year 10 BTEC course. If anyone has a dance background and could help students put together a dance showcase please could they see Mrs Hart ASAP to discuss. 

Materials Science Taster Days 2018 - Opportunity for Year 12s

Oxford University Materials Science Taster Days are now open for applications. These will run on 13^th, 14^th March and 17^th April and are aimed at Yr11 and 12 students studying or intending to study maths and physics at A level who are interested in materials science and/or would like to find out more about Materials Science at Oxford.

Further details can be found here.

If you are interested in applying, please can you get in touch with Dr Rayment .

BMW Apprenticeships

BMW Apprenticeships 2018, Oxford

https://www.bmwgroup.jobs/gb/en.html  filter Job Type: Apprenticeship

                                                                                          Location: Oxford

Apprenticeships currently being advertised are;

·        Motor Vehicle Technician

A minimum of 5 GCSE’S (or equivalent) at a higher grade C (or above) or grade 5 (or above) in the new grading structure including Maths, English and Science (Physics would be an advantage).

·        Maintenance Technician (Engineer)

A minimum of 5 GCSE’s (or equivalent) at a higher grade C or grade 5 (or above) in the new grading structure, including Maths and English. 

A technology related subject or a BTEC level 3 (60 credits plus) or equivalent in a relevant Engineering or Technology discipline would be advantageous but is not essential. 

A minimum of 5 GCSE’S (or equivalent) at a higher grade C (or above) or grade 5 (or above) in the new grading structure including Maths and English.

·        Fire Safety and Facility Management

A minimum of 5 GCSE’S (or equivalent) at a higher grade C (or above) or grade 5 (or above) in the new grading structure including Maths and English. 

·        Engineer Technician (6^th form student)

A minimum of 5 GCSE’s (or equivalent) at Grade B or grade 6 (or above) in the new grading structure including Maths and English.

Plus a minimum of 2 AS Levels (or equivalent) at grade C (or above) or a BTEC level 3 (60 credits plus) or equivalent in a relevant Engineering or Technology discipline. 

·        Business Technician (Logistics) (6^th form students)

A minimum of 5 GCSE’s (or equivalent) at a grade B (or above) or grade 6 (or above) in the new grading structure, including Maths and English.*

A minimum of 2 AS Levels (or equivalent) at grade C (or above) or a BTEC level 3 (60 credits plus) or equivalent. 

*If you have already taken your GCSE's and have not met the required B/6 grade for Maths and English but are currently predicted/attained a C grade (or above) in A-level (or equivalent) Maths or English then you are still eligible to apply. 

·        IT Technician (6^th form students)

A minimum of 5 GCSE’s (or equivalent) at a grade B (or above) or grade 6 (or above) in the new grading structure, including Maths and English. 

Plus a minimum of 2 AS Levels (or equivalent) in a Technology, Business or Science at grade C (or above) or a BTEC level 3 (60 credits plus) or equivalent in a relevant Engineering or Technology discipline. 

A good working knowledge around all MS office packages in particular excel and access data bases would be advantageous. 

Year 12 Opportunity - High Achievers' Summer School - University of Nottingham

The High Achievers’ Summer School is an opportunity for high achieving Year 12 students to experience student life at the University of Nottingham.

Participants will attend bespoke academic taster sessions in their chosen subject strand, receive admissions guidance and take part in a range of social activities whilst staying in one of our catered halls of residence.

In 2018 we will be offering the following subject strands:

•               History of Art

•               Modern Languages

•               Music

The next High Achievers’ Summer School will take place from Sunday 1 to Wednesday 4 July 2018 and is free for students to attend. Students who successfully complete the High Achievers’ Summer School programme will be eligible to receive an unconditional offer to study a relevant course at the University of Nottingham, provided they make us their firm choice on UCAS.

To be eligible to apply for the High Achievers’ Summer School, students must have a minimum of eight GCSEs at grade A or above (or equivalent, where grade A is equivalent to grade 7 for new GCSEs). To apply students will be required to complete a short application form which can be found here. Applications are now open and will close on Friday 2 February 2018.

Further information about the High Achievers’ Summer School, including entry criteria for each subject strand and further details about the unconditional offer, can be found on our website. If you have any questions about the summer school please do not hesitate to email the High Achievers’ Summer School team or phone 0115 951 5794.  

Message from Dr McHugh at St Hilda's College - please sign up if interested

St. Hilda's College will run another event in its Neuroscience/philosophy seminar series on Thurs 25th Jan 5-7.15pm entitled 'Memory and the Brain'. Please pass the information on to any 6th form (or younger) students, or teachers that you think might be interested and please ask them to register (for free) on the link below if they would like to come along.

 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/brain-and-mind-memory-and-the-brain-tickets-42231066256

Venue: Jacqueline du Pre Music Building, St Hilda’s College, Cowley Place, OX4 1DY.

 

Also, if you know of anyone who attended previous events in the series, we'd love to hear their feedback, good or bad. Please pass on my email address to anyone that has feedback!

Y13 students for English re-takes

English

The following Year 13s need to see Mrs Broom on Thursday after school in C-03:

• Mohammed SALUM
• Dania EL-JAOUNI
• Kavya PRAMOD
• Jacob STARR
• Homayon NOORI

Brookes Engage - Group A - Wednesday 17 January

Next week's Brookes Engage session for group A (Wednesday 17th January: Social Sciences, English and Business students) is a slightly different one, with a later start and finish time. Please can students arrive at reception no later than 5.30pm. We should be finished by around 8.15pm.

Some Brookes alumni will be coming along to talk about their careers as part of a 'speed networking' event, so students will get the chance to speak informally in small groups to a range of professionals during 10 minute slots. A range of careers are represented, from a Social Worker to a Photographer, a Graphic Designer to a Film Director and a Writer.

Updated Y12 Mocks timetable

Here is the updated Y12 mocks timetable for next week:

Miss Gleen is out on a trip today

p5 Sociology - work is on show my homework.
Tutor - please register with 6th form!

Sorry!!

13Tu3 - Ms King's Tutor Group - FRIDAY

Ms King is still not well. Please can you register in the Sixth Form Office again today. Thanks.

EUROPEAN YOUTH PARLIAMENT UK

Please could the students below collect a letter from Miss Rabbitts today regarding representing the school at European Youth Parliament UK:
Inez Plugge Porter
Thomas Truscott
Erica Dorrel-Stern
Rani Race
Anisah Rokib
Emily Tadesse
Gabe Smith 
Jenny Burrell

The letters will be in Miss Rabbitts' pigeon hole in the humanities office if she is not around.

Many thanks

13Tu4 - Ms King's Tutor Group

Please can you register in the Sixth Form Office today, as Ms King is not in school. Thanks!

Oxford Summer Schools for potential applicants

THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS FOR THE UNIQ PROGRAMME IS FAST-APPROACHING!

 

We just wanted to remind you that applications are open for the University of Oxford’s free widening access programme, UNIQ. This year, alongside the summer school, we have an expanded programme which includes a Spring Conference and a digital learning portal enabling up to 2000 students to take part.

 

Each element of the programme is academically intensive and challenging but also a lot of fun. Importantly, every programme run by UNIQ is completely free of charge; the University covers all accommodation, food and travel expenses and any associated academic or social activity costs. A great many of our previous participants have gone on to make successful applications to Oxford, Cambridge and other Russell Group universities.

 

UNIQ is open to applications from UK state school and college students in their first year of further education. Detailed eligibility and selection criteria can be found on our website. We particularly welcome applications from students who:

 

·         Have the potential to perform well academically and attained good GCSE grades

·         Live in areas where young people are less likely to progress to higher education and where there is a greater degree of low socio-economic status households

 

By taking part, UNIQ participants:

 

·         Receive current advice on all aspects of Oxford admissions

·         Gain confidence in their own abilities

·         Are better equipped to submit strong applications to competitive universities

 

For more information about UNIQ, an electronic copy of our brochure is available online here.

 

APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN NOW AND CLOSE AT 11PM ON WEDNESDAY 31 JANUARY.

 

If you would like further information, please visit our websitewww.uniq.ox.ac.uk or contact us at uniq@admin.ox.ac.uk.

GCSE Maths and English re-takes from November

The results will be ready to pick up from the Sixth Form Office tomorrow (Thursday 11 January) morning, from 8.30am.

Books to pick up in Sixth Form Office

Neda Dousa
Abdul Nougdalla
Alyce Freemire
Ridwan Rahman
Sameda Driaj
AM Trafford
Saleh Mohammed
Mohema Begum
Chris Blackie

Couple of Sixth Formers needed to show new students around next Tuesday 16 January

Have you got a study period in P2? Can you help show some prospective new students/parents around the school? Come and see me in the Sixth Form Office if you can help. Thanks.

Year 12s - Interested in studying in the US?

Sutton Trust US Programme

The Sutton Trust US Programme closes for applications this weekend on Sunday 14 January. This is the last chance for year 12 students (S5 in Scotland, Year 13 in Northern Ireland) to apply to join the programme. 

Students can apply now: https://us.suttontrust.com/

Last year, we helped 62 students gain places at top US universities, with the costs covered by financial aid and scholarships. http://www.fulbright.org.uk/news/us-success-for-british-state-school-students

You can see biographies of successful students now studying in the US here: https://us.suttontrust.com/wp-content/myimages/2017/07/Sutton-Trust-US-Programme-Participants-Attending-US-Universities-in-2017-18.pdf

Students currently on the programme have made this video about why they would recommend other students apply: https://youtu.be/tJLh8OyqYLQ

What is it?
The Sutton Trust US Programme is an 18 month-long programme for talented Year 12 students from across the UK. It includes two residentials in London to help programme participants explore US study, before all 150 students spend a week doing the Programme's summer school at US universities (last year we stayed at MIT or Yale), during which we visit a number of universities in the US. As the students go into Year 13, if they want to apply for US universities alongside their UCAS options, we will support them, their families and their schools with the application process, including further UK residentials.  

So far in five years, we have helped more than 250 British students go to top US universities with scholarships from the universities.

The programme is delivered by the Fulbright Commission, who are experts in helping students in the UK study degrees in the US.

How much does it cost for the students?
The programme is FREE for students - including travel, food, accommodation, admissions test preparation and more.

Who are we looking for?
We select 150 students to take part each year. These students will:

• Currently be in Year 12 or equivalent (eg S5 in Scotland, Year 13 in Northern Ireland)
• Attend a state school or college
• Not hold US citizenship
• Be from a low-income family (generally, this will mean a household earning £45,000 or less)

We are looking for applicants that meet all or most of these criteria:

• England and Northern Ireland: Have achieved at least eight GCSEs at grade A or 7 or above
• Wales: Have achieved at least eight GCSEs at grade A or above
• Scotland: Have achieved at least six B passes at National 5 or above
• Show a commitment to the programme and interest in US culture and higher education
• Have a strong school reference

We welcome applicants from across the UK, and individuals from a broad range of ethnic, religious and socio-economic backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

When is the deadline for students to apply?
Students must submit their application by Sunday, 14 January 2018.
However, we strongly advise they get started earlier, as the application form requires some thinking!

Where can I find out more and apply?
There's lots more information on our website: https://us.suttontrust.com and the application form can also be found there.
For student videos about their US week summer school:
https://youtu.be/xfuhmuILZBE
https://youtu.be/-0-cF4LXs_I

I am interested in learning more about US study, where can I find out more?

Aside from the Sutton Trust US Programme, Fulbright offers advice and support for students, teachers and parents looking at US universities. Check out our guide to US study and also College Day in September 2018.