South Sefton 6 th Form College Newsletter First Edition February 2010 The students of South Sefton Sixth Form College, played host to a royal visitor for their official opening. Her Royal Highness, The Countess of Wessex, was there to unveil a plaque to commemorate the occasion. This duty was completed after she had been on a tour of the college’s state of the art facilities. Upon her arrival, waiting at the front door was a welcome party, which included Principal, Laetitia Shemilt and Student Council Member, Tom Atherton. Tom presented the royal visitor with a bouquet of flowers, which was accompanied by some well-chosen words of greeting. On the tour, the Countess took the opportunity to speak with staff and students. She visited the dance studio, sports hall, library, science laboratories and other classrooms, taking a keen interest in all the activities taking place. The visit concluded in the atrium, where all the students and invited guests had assembled to watch the unveiling and the signing of the visitors’ book. When the formalities of the day were complete, Mrs Shemilt expressed her thanks to all, stating, “This was an historic day for our new college. We were delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness to share in our celebrations. It is a day to say thank you to our wonderful students and staff, as well as all those who helped to create this magnificent place of learning. We are immensely proud of the college - the future is very exciting.” ROYAL SEAL OF APPROVAL WHERE ASPIRATION MEETS OPPORTUNITY SIXTH SENSE South Sefton 6 th Form College
Transcript
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South Sefton 6th Form College Newsletter First Edition February 2010
The students of South Sefton
Sixth Form College, played host to
a royal visitor for their official
opening.
Her Royal Highness, The
Countess of Wessex, was there to
unveil a plaque to commemorate the occasion. This duty was
completed after she had been on a
tour of the college’s state of the
art facilities.
Upon her arrival, waiting at
the front door was a welcome
party, which included Principal,
Laetitia Shemilt and Student
Council Member, Tom Atherton.
Tom presented the royal visitor with a bouquet of flowers, which
was accompanied by some
well-chosen words of greeting.
On the tour, the Countess took
the opportunity to speak with
staff and students. She visited
the dance studio, sports hall,
library, science laboratories and other classrooms, taking a keen
interest in all the activities taking
place.
The visit concluded in the
atrium, where all the students and
invited guests had assembled to
watch the unveiling and the
signing of the visitors’ book.
When the formalities of the
day were complete, Mrs Shemilt expressed her thanks to all,
stating, “This was an historic day
for our new college. We were
delighted to welcome Her Royal
Highness to share in our
celebrations.
It is a day to say thank you to
our wonderful students and staff,
as well as all those who helped to
create this magnificent place of
learning. We are immensely proud of the college - the future is very
exciting.”
ROYAL SEAL OF APPROVAL
W H E R E A S P I R AT I O N M E E T S O P P O RT U N I T Y
SIXTH SENSE
South Sefton6th Form College
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In the October half term, a
party of AS level Geographers
blazed a trail that we hope will
become a well-worn path. The
group became the first from
the college to take part in a
residential trip.
The students stayed at a
beautiful youth hostel at
Arnside, with magnificent
views overlooking Morecambe
Bay and the Cumbrian Fells. All
worked extremely hard and
with total respect for the local
community.
Field work is central to the
study of Geography A Level and
allows students to apply theory
studied in the classroom. At
Ambleside students were able
to explore changing physical
environments, conducting
surverys and interviewing local
people and visitors to the area.
In addition they then had to
measure rock erosion in the
cold rivers of Kendal!
Weather permittting,
students still smiled
throughout.I am delighted to
report the field trip was a
complete success and I told
them I would be happy to take
these young people anywhere
in the world. Now they are
trying to decide where that
might be!
BRYN WILLIAMS
SSSFC’S B BOYS BEAT THE BEST!Come hail, rain, shine or even snow, every Wednesday afternoon sees Laura Forsyth (the only assistant coach in high heels) and her beloved B Boys on the football pitch. The college B team, managed by Tom Holland and ably assisted by Laura, have beaten some of the best teams around. This included a victory for the red side of the city, when they stunned the Childwall Everton Academy by coming away with a 2-1 victory. There will be more fixtures after half term and if Jon Kavanagh would stop stealing our players for the A team, who knows where we could end up! Come along and watch the B Boys... we’ve beaten the best, now let’s beat the rest!
Geographers
enjoy an early
morning explore.
STAY AWAY GROUP SUCCESS
RYAN CLARKE SCHOLARSHIPCongratulations to RyanClarke, former St Michael’s pupil for gaining a privileged place (on an Army Military Scholarship) at Sandhurst!
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In December, the Drama and Theatre Studies Department took students to see a performance of 'The 39 Steps' at The Liverpool Playhouse. This was an excellent opportunity to experience live theatre whilst developing students’ knowledge and interest in the subject. The show was enjoyed by all, owing to the fast paced comedy produced by the very talented performers. Such experience of live theatre is invaluable to our students, and we are now looking forward to our visit to Aberystwyth Arts Centre, to see the innovative Kneehigh Theatre's production of 'Hansel and Gretel'.
PAUL FITZPATRICK
Sean Occleston,
Tom Holland, Kyle Harrison & Danny Heart in
the LRC
We have had two historical focal points since our college opened – Remembrance and Holocaust Memorial Day. These events were important to mark, not just because they remember a time in history, but also because they hold lessons for us now.
For Remembrance Day students wrote a prayer or other words of hope onto a poppy, which then was laid onto a model cenotaph displayed in college. This had a particular poignancy for students, with so many of our own men and women posted overseas at this time.
Holocaust Memorial Day was marked by a tutorial session that explored ideas around prejudice and discrimination, not just in the Nazi era, but also today. Students then wrote a pledge about how they will challenge prejudice and discrimination. These pledges are displayed outside the chaplaincy and stand as a symbol of how our young people will ensure the world is a place of justice for all.
Alison Benson
TIME TO REMEMBER
STEPPING OUT TO THE THEATRE
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SUPER BRAINS ON SHOW
In November, four of
our strongest
Mathematicians took part
in the Senior Team
Mathematics Challenge.
The students were
competing against
schools and colleges
throughout the
Northwest, in a
competition designed
to test mathematical,
communication and
teamwork skills.
The college team
collaborated impressively
and came up with
numerous strategies for
solving and posing
problems, which helped
display their
mathematical skills in a
good light. The quartet
out performed most of
the opposition, despite
the other teams being
made up of experienced
mathematicians. In the
end an excellent result
was achieved and we are
eager to return next year,
to improve on the
exciting start we have
made.
CHRISTINE LAKE
TARGET SWEDEN
Seven of our
outstanding French
students are currently
representing the college
in the UK Linguistics
Olympiad. This is a
prestigious, world-wide
competition in which
students have to solve
puzzles in languages they
have never studied, for
example, in Abma, a little-
known Austronesian
language. Each student is
competing with the
exciting prospect of
representing the UK in
the International
Olympiad, which will take
place in Sweden in July.
Bon courage!
CLAIRE FORBES
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
It is important for
the college to
look at the
world around
us and to try in
some way to make a
difference. The charities
group in college has led
the way by organising a
number of fundraising
events for The Salvation
Army, World Aids Day,
Children in Need and The
Shoebox Appeal.
For Children in Need
students ran a sweet and
cake stall which raised
over £100 on one day.
Also, they collected 114
shoeboxes to help make
Christmas better for
those in need. Simply put,
the college cares!
ALISON BENSON
Generous
response to
The Shoebox
Appeal
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APPRENTICE ENTREPRENEURS
A number of college
students have been
developing teamwork
skills and their creative
ability by running a
business. The students
came up with a wide
range of enterprise ideas
and decided to call their
business - 'Randoms'.
Fund raising began
with a car wash enabling
the young enterprise
team to raise capital.
From here they then sold
shares. With this money,
Randoms bought
stationery items to sell
around the college. They
invested all their profit
back into a raffle for an
ipod. It was hard work,
but everybody gained and
business is booming!
ANITA MALONE
NETBALL ACHIEVEMENT
The Netball team has
had a very successful and
enjoyable year so far. The
girls show great team
spirit, enjoy the
competition and the
social aspect of the
game. Training
sessions are fun and
are aimed at
improving skills and
teamwork. There
have been regular
home and away
fixtures with colleges
and schools
throughout Sefton and
Merseyside. The team
has taken part in a South
Sefton Tournament where
they narrowly missed out
reaching the quarter-
finals. The girls will
continue to progress and
we can hopefully start
filling up the trophy
cabinet!
RACHEL DYSON
Enterprise
group plans
next business
move!
Alex Royal excellent netball success
Fancy dress raising money for
Haiti!
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Liverpool Echo Education Reporter Ben Turner paid a visit to the newly opened South Sefton Sixth Form College in Litherland which is offering individual support to ensure all students achieve their aspirations.
The saying goes “it’s the little things that make the difference”
Just ask 17-year-old South Sefton Sixth Form College student, Ashleigh Kielty.
In her case the little thing is a light yellow plastic sheet which she has placed over a written handout setting out her tasks during a science lesson.
It may only be an A4 sized sheet but it’s an example of how the five-month old college is determined to make a big difference by catering for individual students’ needs.
A beaming Ashleigh from Seaforth explained: “I have Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome which means my eyes are sensitive to light.
“But covering work with certain colours helps me. I have access to the plastic sheets in all my lessons and can put them on all my books and work.
“At my old school I would get headaches and struggle to concentrate. But here the teachers also where possible print out work for me in that colour.
“I find it really helps me concentrate more. I feel really cared for.”
Ashleigh’s verdict is something the college is striving to replicate for all its students.
One of only a handful of local authority-run colleges, the main reason for its inception was to address a lack of A-level provision and stop a migration of students out of the borough.
It has certainly addressed that with the first cohort of more than 300 students able to choose from a wide range of A-levels.
The latest cutting edge equipment ranging from modern science labs to music and recording studios are at students’ disposal.
But at the heart of the college, is offering extra layers of help and provision to ensure every student who comes through the door has a tailored education so their aspirations are met.“We wanted to put in place a large number of support systems and pastoral help to get students to believe and raise their aspirations. It is working and we now have students who will be applying for Oxbridge,” said Dr Frank McCann, Vice Principal.
Students with additional learning needs are identified from the start.
This includes diagnostic testing of students via special computer programmes to identify those with dyslexia and dyspraxia.
It allows teachers to ensure they get additional time to hand in work, ensure they have adapted laptops while sitting tests and secure extra dispensation from exam boards.
And then there are the little but crucial things like Ashleigh’s plastic sheets.
Most students here do four A-levels as standard and are encouraged to develop critical thinking in subjects such as general studies.
Extra tutorials are offered to
students needing additional help and further support is
available in a separate study base. All students have a personal tutor who ensures they get the help they need.
“For example it may be that they get extra support on working more efficiently or using a different learning style, “ Dr McCann said.
Catch up sessions are also run including during the holidays.
Students are encouraged to make their university dreams happen.
This includes residential trips to Oxford and Cambridge, help with the Ucas application process, bursaries available, finance tips and “dispelling myths” about higher education.
An active Wednesday afternoon enrichment programme is also broadening students’ horizons in disciplines ranging from charity work to a triumphant football team.
A smiling Laetita Shemilt, Principal, said “It’s our aim to encourage all young people who believe they can go to university, to believe they really can go.”.
LIVERPOOL ECHOSCHOOL OF THE WEEK
Rachel
McCormish
& Sophie
Thompson
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We want want our students to fully develop their talents and be able to demonstrate a broad range of interests. The Enrichment Programme at South Sefton has proved to be a popular aspect of College life since September. Students have appreciated the ‘break’ from their academic work and the opportunity to partake in a wide variety of activities including First Aid, Dance, Drama, Music, Art and Duke of Edinburgh.
CATHY MURPHY
Tom Atherton &
Lydia McCartney
strictly dancing
Enr
ichm
ent
Spring Half TermFriday15th February -Friday19th February
If you are a Year 11 student, ambitious and value your future, you must check out the most up-to-date specialist A-level College on Merseyside at the first available opportunity!
Please make a date to come to our Open Event on Tuesday March 9, 2010 and see for yourself the state of the art facilities we offer in a variety of subjects. If you are unable to attend, please call us (contact details below), or drop in to reception and collect our prospectus.
Besides aiming for high academic achievement, the college offers a wide range of activities and programmes that will cater for your individual needs. Please feel free to come along to talk to one of our highly qualified and experienced members of staff. There is a programme of learning that can be specifically designed to cater for your needs.
We are aware that making the transition from GCSEs to A-levels sometimes is not an easy process and our staff have the expertise to offer you the correct advice and support to help you reach your full potential. We believe in the individual and provide student centred learning. The college also offers a high level of pastoral care, which is provided by Personal Tutors and Learning Support Teachers.
We are offering the young people of Merseyside the opportunity to secure their future with a high quality education. Don’t miss out on the College, where aspiration meets opportunity!
THIS NEWSLETTER IS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE, IN LARGE PRINT OR AN ALTERNATIVE FORMAT. CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION.
www.southseftoncollege.ac.uk South Sefton 6th Form College
Tuesday, 9th March 3.30pm-6pm
For a taste of the South Sefton experience, and the chance to look around our world class facilities, come along to our open event.
