Congratulations

Congratulations to Rachel McMath and Philip Crookes, form reps. Who else should I be congratulating in the other forms?

Paired Reading

Prefects interested in volunteering for paired reading with younger students should see Ivor Anderson.

Duty Sheets

All of the students who have been presented with their badges will find a duty sheet in the registration folder this week. Get going on your duties. If you have bother getting started or working out what to do, or knowing whom to contact, talk to Joanne Poland, Ellen McVea or your form teacher.

Prefect Opportunity

Prefects are needed to meet and greet and serve the tea and coffee at the induction evening for the new year 8s and their families on TUESDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER. You would need to be there for 7.15, and we hope to be finished by 8.30. If you can do this one, please see Ellen McVea

Congratulations to all our prefects

Congratulations to all our prefects. On Monday each of you will receive a sheet with the duties you have taken on. Your contribution is very much appreciated. Information about how to get started, about training opportunities etc. will go onto this blog and onto the Prefect section of the notice board. Good luck.

Overwhelming Response

There really was an overwhelmingly positive response to the sessions today. I'll copy up the feedback responses anonymously and attach them so you will have a memento. Queens tomorrow and then full timetable on Friday and you can all start putting it into practice.

Great Stuff

We got some glowing reports among the feedback from the interview skills day, and some really useful advice for you in general. We also got some suggestions for individual students about more courses to check out. Well done everyone. Some of you have a deadline now of 15th October, and all of you will want to get your UCAS forms in as soon as possible so that you will start receiving replies. Get the balance right between careful research and decision making and early submission. Well done.

Some Inspiration for You

This is a new careers link with stories of the famous and not quite so famous and how they got to where they are. Have a look at icould

The Lengths Alicia will go

There is no limit to the lengths Alicia will go to inspire you all! She has just achieved her Bachelor of Arts from Queens Universty and GRADUATES next week! Alicia completed all her study part-time, working away in the evenings, while keeping you lot's noses to the grindstone during the day. We only employ geniuses on our staff, and Alicia now has her proof of status. Hugely well done. We are all very proud of you. Don't get hives from the strawberries.

you go further

Year 13s - Get onto www.yougofurther.co.uk , and meet people in the same boat as yourself.  Become online friends with UCAS and the colleges and universities themselves in order to get the facts about applying to college or university.  It's a UCAS site with access to accurate information.

Good Luck Good Luck Good Luck

Good luck to all our wonderful Year 14s, who headed off, full of fry up, to chill out and to gear up for the start of the written examinations on Monday.  Drama performances, film screenings, coursework and art exhibitions all behind them, they head into the final furlong.  Great sweatshirts - a really good idea, and please leave me the web address!  The first hand prints went up on the common room wall - colours it up a bit at last.  Year 13 are already choosing their spot.  Be your very best!

Year 13 Arrangements

On Friday 8th May, Year 13 students transfer from normal timetable to their Forward Planner.  Taught classes in each subject continue until your examination in each subject.  It is understood that you will need to negotiate with your teachers when you will be out of class for an examination in another subject or for home revision immediately before an examination in another subject.  You need to be ruthlessly honest with yourself, and be at every class you agree with your teacher.  Never sacrifice one subject to another.  

Once your exams are over in a particular subject you should see your teacher to fill in your summer contract and sign you off.  The other commitment you need to fulfil is to complete your end of year review interview with your form teacher.  Once you have the signatures of all your subject teachers and your form teacher, you are free to enjoy your summer.  

If you get stuck, get help.  Don't be mixed up.  Personal organisation at this time of year is essential to your success.

More Congratulations

More congratulations are due, this time to Grace Sargent and Conor Poland, who have both won Dr Gallagher Bursary Awards for students aim for study in a medical related field.  Both awards are well deserved, and we wish both students success in their future studies.

Andreas' Chemistry Success

We have just heard that Andreas Bitter has just won a place at the Sutton Trust Summer School in Oxford to study chemistry. Well done, you. You'll have a great time, and the experience will help decide what you want to do next.

Year 13 Review

This week students in year 13 will be receiving their review documents.  The review document is designed to help you think through your experience of year 13 and to plan ahead for year 14 and beyond.  You will have time to work on your own review before your interview with your form teacher.  It's a really useful process.  Make the most of it.

Listen Out

Listen out at Monday's assembly for details of your forward planner and your summer contract.  Once past 8th May, everyone will be on their own examination timetable, extra classes and revision sessions.  The forward planner is the document to use to negotiate with your teachers when you will be in exams, at home revising or in class or revision sessions.  Once your last exam is over, you can use your summer contract to sign yourself off with your teachers and head off for an early break.  Don't forget that the exam timetable is on the college website.  Your personal copy will come to you nearer the time when the exact times have been confirmed.

Three Weeks to go

There are three weeks left of full timetable, and our good luck breakfast for year 14 is on Friday 8th May.  A levels begin very early this year, and it is essential that everyone is in every class.  Essential learning happens in those three weeks.  Remember also: classes will continue after that date, and all students will have a study/class/exam diary to fill in with their teachers so that everyone can plan ahead to organise the perfect mix.  Student examination timetables differ wildly, depending on the subjects and boards you take, so make sure your diary is customised for yourself.  Aim high - make the most of your time!  It's a big investment which will win you the widest range of choices for the rest of your life. 

Offers

Lots of you are now holding the offer you want, with a good back up.  Some of you are still facing a wait.  Some of you who didn't feel ready to make an application by the end of January will want to put in a late application.  Whatever your situation, don't make a move without checking with Alicia.  Not that you don't know your own mind, but UCAS processes are always changing and it would be a sin to give yourself hassle when you need to be concentrating on other things.  Plan like stepping stones - don't reject anything until you have a confirmation in your hand of something you want to do more.  The few of you who really want to keep your options wide open, keep your focus and aim high.  Getting the very best grades will be your best route to opportunities when you decide what you want to do.  If you are heading off to try your fortune, set out knowing you've a great set of grades in your pocket.

Well Done Josephites

Well done in particular to all the 6th form Josephites.  You proved a professional lot in the face of the very random difficulties and turned in excellent performance.  Several of our Board of Governors who were in the audience have emailed in to pass on their congratulations.  Make really good use of the next week and a day to ensure that you have caught up with everything so that you end up with great reviews AND wonderful A levels.

Shoplifting

This sheet about shoplifting may be of interest. The main message is don't do it to yourself!