newsletter Issue No 11 | 2014-15 | Friday 20 March 2015 Follow us on Twitter: @SPFSchools Page 1 Dear Parents A particular highlight of the past fortnight has been a Charity Concert, organised and staged by sixth form students, Claudia Comyn, Kristie Leung and Nicole Sowa. They put together an eclectic programme from Debussy’s Hommage a Rameau to Dylan’s “All along the Watchtower”, which was very well received by parents and friends. At a time of year when perhaps it is very easy to focus solely on one’s own needs, they demonstrated a drive and social consciousness which was deeply gratifying to see. Those with public exams in the near future are gearing up and the academic focus is, as it should be, palpable. There is much hard work to be done between now and the end of June, and students would do well to remember the popular saying that genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. Upper Sixth students have been successful in achieving offers for over 80% of the university courses applied for. Given the increasingly global competition for entry to top universities alongside steep increases in applications for subjects such as medicine, this is an excellent figure. However, the pressure is now clearly on them, as it is on all students facing public examinations, to achieve their goals. The message is very clear that there can be no substitute for a great deal of systematic hard work over the holiday period. Similarly Lower Sixth AS students would do well to remember that universities are increasingly clear that prior attainment whether in external examinations for AS or internal ones for IB, are key sources of evidence in supporting applications. We recognise that this is critical time for students and are very much here to help. At the end of the Spring Term, I am most grateful, once again, to the staff and the students for providing the atmosphere that characterises our sixth form. It is always a tough term, with a continuous run of university admissions news, the conclusion of the Upper Sixth Internal Assessments for the IB students and the wind-up to examinations. Having written the IB reports for this year group some time back and having started on the A Level reports, I can genuinely say that this is a purposeful and engaged year group and I wish them all the very best as they take their final steps with us. For me the working week will end with a visit to the Art Exhibition on Friday evening. Really, I can’t ask for anything better. With kind regards, Stuart Jack Director of 6th Form Introduction - Director of 6th Form
Transcript
newsletterIssue No 11 | 2014-15 | Friday 20 March 2015
Follow us on Twitter: @SPFSchoolsPage 1
Dear Parents
A particular highlight of the past fortnight has been a Charity Concert, organised and staged by sixth form students, Claudia Comyn, Kristie Leung and Nicole Sowa. They put together an eclectic programme from Debussy’s Hommage a Rameau to Dylan’s “All along the Watchtower”, which was very well received by parents and friends. At a time of year when perhaps it is very easy to focus solely on one’s own needs, they demonstrated a drive and social consciousness which was deeply gratifying to see. Those with public exams in the near future are gearing up and the academic focus is, as it should be, palpable. There is much hard work to be done between now and the end of June, and students would do well to remember the popular saying that genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. Upper Sixth students have been successful in achieving offers for over 80% of the university courses applied for. Given the increasingly global competition for entry to top universities alongside steep increases in applications for subjects such as medicine, this is an excellent figure. However, the pressure is now clearly on them, as it is on all students facing public examinations, to achieve their goals. The message is very clear that there can be no substitute for a great deal of systematic hard work over the holiday period. Similarly Lower Sixth AS students would do well to remember that universities are increasingly clear that prior attainment whether in external examinations for AS or internal ones for IB, are key sources of evidence in supporting applications. We recognise that this is critical time for students and are very much here to help.
At the end of the Spring Term, I am most grateful, once again, to the staff and the students for providing the atmosphere that characterises our sixth form. It is always a tough term, with a continuous run of university admissions news, the conclusion of the Upper Sixth Internal Assessments for the IB students and the wind-up to examinations. Having written the IB reports for this year group some time back and having started on the A Level reports, I can genuinely say that this is a purposeful and engaged year group and I wish them all the very best as they take their final steps with us.
For me the working week will end with a visit to the Art Exhibition on Friday evening. Really, I can’t ask for anything better.
newsletterIssue No 11 | 2014-15 | Friday 20 March 2015
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During the spring term Mrs Wilshaw and seven 6th form students made a mural painting for the Dementia Unit at St George’s Court Care Centre in Cambridge, as part of their CAS Visual Arts course.
Lower 6th student Saskia created her design based on a landscape painting by David Hockney.
Staff and residents at the Care Centre have been delighted with the results, commenting that visitors have also been impressed with the piece of work.
CAS Visual Arts – Mural Painting for Care Centre
Saskia at the St George’s Court Care Centre
The Spring Concert takes place on Tuesday 24 March at 7.30pm, and features performances by the Symphony Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, Big Band, Year 7 Choir, Middle School Choir, Middle School Chamber Choir, Jazz Singers and Senior School Chamber Choir.
There will also be a performance of Poulenc’s Concerto for two pianos.
If your son or daughter is a member of one of these groups they will have already received (or will do so shortly) a letter with full arrangements for rehearsals.
Everyone is welcome and complimentary tickets are available from reception.
Spring Concert at West Road Concert Hall
Tuesday 24 March 2015West Road Concert Hall7.30pm
Stephen Perse Foundation presents
Spring Concert
Featuring Poulenc’s Concerto for two pianos
plusBig Band
Concert OrchestraSymphony Orchestra
Year 7 ChoirMiddle School Choir
Middle School Chamber Choir Senior School Chamber Choir
newsletterIssue No 11 | 2014-15 | Friday 20 March 2015
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Last week saw a successful field trip for both AS and IB Geographers. The focus was on rebranding rural areas that are in danger of going into decline.
The two groups are taught separately, but on this occasion worked together to collect primary data, analyse secondary data and, using this information, draw conclusions about how to rebrand a rural area so that it is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.
newsletterIssue No 11 | 2014-15 | Friday 20 March 2015
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Model United NationsTwenty-one students (18 from 6th Form plus three of our Year 11 pupils) took part in the 600-strong Bath International Schools Model United Nations last weekend, where they faced the challenge of debating global issues at an extraordinarily high level. For most of them it was their first visit, and it was interesting to see how variously they rose to the challenge of debating in a large group.
It was certainly an exercise in resilience, and some rose to the challenge more easily than others. In preparation for the event the group had taken on the role of UN delegations from quite diverse countries: Angola, Australia, Chile and Pakistan. Developing since September their understanding of a range of current world challenges, they were then given countries to represent at Bath. This required them to have familiarised themselves with their particular country’s stance on issues ranging across human rights, the environment, economics, health and disarmament amongst others. The most challenging committees are always Middle East and Security Council, where the demands on the students are huge.
The educational value of this trip is enormous: not only do students learn a great deal about international relations, but they develop their critical thinking and debating skills, including how to perform under great pressure. Their teamwork and collaboration – not only with each other but also with potential allies on the geopolitical stage – developed as their confidence grew, but it was interesting to see how difficult they found the challenge of pushing to be heard. One of the most important things they learned is that they have to take risks if they are to get fully involved in high-powered, fast-moving discussion and negotiation.
As last year, the debrief back at college was interesting. The students have proposed that we need to invest more time in public speaking from as early as Year 7; they also have suggestions on how to take MUN forward across the school from Year 9, and are enthusiastic about becoming involved in this. They were unanimous in feeling it is an extraordinary educational experience, just as staff always are when they see this terrific event for themselves. It would be wonderful to see MUN continue to grow, given all the excellent spinoffs it provides, and given its unique ability to deliver exceptional citizenship both inside and beyond the classroom.
newsletterIssue No 11 | 2014-15 | Friday 20 March 2015
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Three recent leavers came for an impromptu visit to school on Monday, all of whom left in 2013 to go onto either Cambridge or Oxford University.
Louisa Scott is now reading medicine at Worcester College, Oxford, Rosie Shennan is reading Geography at St Peter’s Oxford, and Freya Sanders is reading English at Murray Edwards Hall, Cambridge.
A whistle-stop tour of Senior School followed, meeting teachers including Mrs Payne, then lunch in the dining hall “Vegetarian burritos were my favourite” said Freya, and the visit culminated in Rosie and Freya helping Mr Armitage deliver a geography lesson about globalisation and glocalisation at our 6th form to IB Higher Geography students.
We are really pleased that all three girls will be helping with our Oxbridge mock interviews and it was great to see them back at the school.
Alumnae visit
Please note this addition to this year’s concert calendar; this concert will involve those students in Years 10 - Upper 6 who are members of the Singers.
Choral Concert at St John’s College Chapel, Wednesday 29 April, 8.00pm
newsletterIssue No 11 | 2014-15 | Friday 20 March 2015
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Our latest Inspire Me event saw a panel of four speakers presenting at our ‘Third Sector’ event, chaired by Mrs Alison Wall, Head of Senior School. Our first speaker was Dame Fiona Reynolds DBE, who not only ran the National Trust, and previously the Campaign To Protect Rural England (interestingly now run by Sir Andrew Motion, another speaker we have been lucky enough to have here at The Stephen Perse Foundation) she is an Executive member of the BBC and has been actively involved with various other organisations. Fiona is now Master of Emmanuel College here in Cambridge.
We heard how Dame Fiona turned around the Trust from an organisation known for ‘looking after buildings’ to one which actively engages communities and volunteers, the 50 Things To Do Before You Are 11 3/4 campaign, and book, and all the changes in the organisation that Fiona implemented to make it more accessible across our communities. Her own inspiration was Octavia Hill, one of the National Trust founders, and her initial passion for the outdoors has led her through all these challenges with different organisations. One of the facts we learnt was that you are three times as likely to fall out of bed as a child than out of a tree - Fiona had a real passion for getting families outside, together, and doing activities that brought them closer to nature and their communities.
We then heard from one of our Year 11 students, Felicity Ray, who presented a collaborative presentation she worked on with our panel guests on the fundraising the school has done since before WWII for Barnardo’s, and how important this sort of fundraising is for charities. The school has raised over £65K and we heard about the huge changes in the charity and the way they run and deliver services, and the opportunities there are for both volunteering, and also as a career in the voluntary sector. In addition to our two speakers, we welcomed two other panel guests - Sophie Broadfield - an alumna of our school, and who worked for Barnardo’s, and now works for HM Treasury as Head of Public Service Reform, and Janet Meredith - Community Fundraising Volunteer Manager for Barnardo’s who has worked with the school on many of our Barnardo’s days. Our speakers and panel members took a brilliant Q&A, inspiring our students and parents to look at the voluntary sector as a career option, or one that can enrich through volunteering. Thank you to our audience who kindly raised nearly £100 for Barnardo’s at the retiring collection.
Please keep an eye on our website for future Inspire Me events.
Inspire Me: Third Sector
More photos from the event can be found on our News Page
newsletterIssue No 11 | 2014-15 | Friday 20 March 2015
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Inspire Me: History of Flu | open to 6th form students
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, 21st April, at 8pm (contact Leonie Hyde, 01223 842727). We will discuss ‘An Englishman in Madrid’ by Eduardo Mendoza and ‘The Hourglass Factory’ by Lucy Ribchester.
We always have a lively discussion and are keen to welcome new members. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Martha Crouch for details (07768311015 or email [email protected]).
Book Club
Inspire Me: History of FluDate: Wednesday 22 April 2015Venue: Shaftesbury Building, 6th FormTime: 4.30pm-6.00pm
Speakers:
Anna DaviesCoordinator for Cambridge Infectious Diseases, University of Cambridge (Alumna 2002)
“Deadly viruses and where to find them“Anna has researched transmission routes of disease and is now Coordinator for Cambridge Infectious Diseases.
Dr Stefan MarciniakMA FRCP PhD, MRC Senior Clinical Fellow & Honorary Consultant Physician
“One hundred years of influenza - Spanish ‘flu to the present day”A century ago, influenza killed 70 million people in a single pandemic - how can science help prevent this from happening again?
Open to students in Years 9, 10, 11, L6 and U6
This Inspire Me event will be a fascinating insight and useful for anyone thinking of going on to study medicine in the future. The talk will also extend the biology work regarding the spread of disease which students have studied in lessons.
