08WinterDec 2013

ISSUE

Oxbridge applicationsThe Sixth Form encourages students to aim high and this year four students have made applications to Oxford or Cambridge University. After making an application the next stage is to be invited for an interview and all four have been successful in securing interviews. The interviews will take place in the next few weeks and then the students will have to wait to hear whether they have been given an offer.

Three students have applied to Cambridge University with Amy Fernando aiming to read Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, Itse Onuwaje hoping to read Natural Sciences and Yolanda Sotuminu planing to read Law. Head Boy, Jacob Sayers, has applied to Oxford University to read Biochemistry.

Applying to UniversityMany Year 13s are currently applying to university, which involves completing their UCAS (The University and Colleges Admission Service) online application. The application contains various sections such as personal details, university choices, previous education history, personal statement and reference. Some students started working on their application during the summer

term and the Sixth Form has achieved its aim of sending the majority of applications

by November despite the national deadline being the middle of January. Once an application is sent to UCAS, students just have to wait for universities to make their decision in whether to offer a place or not. In some cases, students can hear from all 5 university choices within the space of a week.

Students are encouraged to be role models for the younger members of the school community. They assist in various ways around the school and this allows them to give back to their school community as well as helping with their personal development. Taking part in community activities helps students to better understand their own capabilities and to build on important people skills. Many offer to help in the Junior school while others offer their services to teachers in the main school (e.g. helping in a science lesson). From January students will also be helping Junior pupils with sports activities. Students are actively encouraged to think outwards and be creative in how they can make a difference to other people. By engaging with other pupils outside of the Sixth Form, they are able to acquire

valuable life skills as well as building up good experience that will help when applying to university or for employment.

Community

Royal alexandRa

& albeRt School

stop pressAnother Year 13 student, Sam King has

been called for an interview at Oxford

University to read Physics.

Sixth Form NewsWritten for Students by Students

Abolishing injustice in the 21st centuryHuman trafficking was the subject of the first Sixth Form lecture of the year. It was represented by an organisation dedicated to abolishing human slavery - the A21 Campaign.

Charlie Blythe, a young spokeswoman for the campaign, gave a very detailed and gripping presentation on human trafficking and the role of the A21 Campaign in opposing it. It was founded in 2008 by Christine Caine after a life-changing moment in Greece where she saw thousands of posters for missing people being completely ignored. A21’s approach includes: raising awareness, preventing future trafficking, taking legal action and providing rehabilitation services to survivors.

All of the Sixth Form were interested in the talk and several students were keen to ask questions to further their knowledge on the matter. Almost all took away free information guides.

“We are called to speak for the weak, for the voiceless, for the victims of our nation” –Martin Luther KingBECAUSE: 1-2% of victims are ever rescued.BECAUSE: 1 in 100,000 European traffickers are ever prosecuted

Managing the School Council elections Sixth Form prefects took on the task of running the School Council elections for the whole School in September. Each tutor group elected their representatives based on speeches made by each candidate. Once the campaigning

stopped and the voting commenced, the work really started with prefects handing out voting slips and making sure the whole process ran smoothly. There was a high turnout and the School Council representatives were elected

without incident thanks to the diligence and integrity of the prefects.

Study SkillsHow to study? Do Sixth Formers really need to be taught that? In short: yes! The senior members of the Sixth Form staff held three different presentations (which were a great eye opener for all students) to teach the Sixth Form how to study.

Most people lacked knowledge on how to study efficiently and the study skills sessions outlined common misconceptions and tips on how to learn more independently. The presentations focused on how to read, take notes and mind map.

Mr Brackpool gave the reading presentation which outlined the different ways to read so as to save time and efficiently select information. The presentation on note taking from Miss Kemp-Gee focused on efficient highlighting and how minimised note taking helps preserve a lecture into a memory and Mr Pawson gave a lively, interactive presentation on mind-mapping (for when note taking just isn’t enough!)

Celebration Lunch Sixty students in Year 12 and 13 attended the Celebration Lunch in Gatton Hall. Teachers

across every subject chose two students in each group based upon a range of criteria

spanning exceptional levels of progress, impressive academic performance or determined effort and perseverance. The catering staff put on an incredible spread of food to mark the occasion, which also included a few words from the Headmaster and Vice Chair of Governors.

An example of a mind map

Higher Education Talk (HE)Year 12 had a talk from David Winstanley, Head of Undergraduate Recruitment at the University of Sussex. The talk was a general introduction to Higher Education and university life, which included a look into the process of application.

David was charismatic and engaging. He was clear that students should not choose a university simply because of its status, but that they should choose a university that was best suited to them. ‘The best in the country may not be the best for you’.

He talked in detail about the fact that there must be a focus on personal statements. Year 12 students should start looking into part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and doing more to show that they are well-rounded individuals. The School gives students in the Sixth Form many opportunities to do activities, to show leadership qualities and confidence, which will give them something to write about in their personal statements.

Sofia Bruschi, Year 12 student, plans to study Psychology and English Literature. She thought the talk further reinforced her options, and it was good to get more advice about the UCAS process and what universities are looking for in a candidate. “It was good to get an insight into the whole process.”

CoachingOn the 26th November, twenty-four students in the Lower Sixth were put through their paces as they were taught the basic essentials of coaching. Students spent the day undertaking intensive training under the watchful eye of a coaching professional, covering important skills such as active listening and questioning. Coaching skills will help students to deal with difficult situations and give them the tools to better communicate and get more out of their relationships. Students are now using these skills across the school as they coach students in Years 3 – 11.

DiwaliGatton Hall Sixth Formers celebrated Diwali on 28th November. Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most important Hindu festivals of the year. It is usually celebrated by the lighting of small earthenware lamps to represent goodness over evil, and light over darkness.

The evening began with the release of ten eco-friendly lanterns that had been covered in prayers, affirmations and the names of family and friends which the students and staff wished to remember and think of. The beautiful lanterns then gracefully took flight over the back of Gatton Hall.

Students then returned to Gatton Hall to feast on some amazing cuisine which was

generously provided at minimal cost by the New Gurkha Kitchen in Reigate. It was a very special and memorable evening for the Gatton Hall Sixth Formers and the staff involved.

Safe Drive Stay AliveOn Friday 15th November, Sixth Form students were encouraged to attend the performance of Safe Drive Stay Alive, which took place in Dorking Halls.

With 1 in 5 young drivers crashing within the first year of getting a driving licence, it is essential for Sixth Formers to be aware of the consequences of careless driving.

Safe Drive Stay Alive is a live show based on a filmed reconstruction of a road traffic collision. Members of the emergency services speak about their experiences working with road accidents. However, it was the

personal stories from those involved in road accidents that were the most hard-hitting, emotional parts of the Safe Drive Stay Alive experience. The stories from the volunteer speakers were eye-opening and brought home to Sixth Formers the importance and seriousness of being safe on the road.

Students attending the Safe Drive Stay Alive Course

FootballThe football team have had a promising start to the new academic year; going from strength to strength in each successive game. The team have only played 4 games but already demonstrate individual talent, as well as cooperative team work. The team has so far played with The Heathland School in the English Schools FA cup, Hampton School for

the County Cup, and The Ashcombe School and Glyn School in the League. It was against Glyn School where the team had their biggest victory, with an impressive six goals scored. The key moment to note for the season so far has to be a goal from the halfway line, scored by Mike McCulloch. There are great things yet to come from this team.

Olympic Medallist Opens Fitness CentreMark Lewis-Francis came to open the School’s new Fitness Centre in October. Mark was a member of the Gold medal winning 4x100 relay team at the Athens Olympics in 2004. Mark started his morning at the School with a training session for the School’s many aspiring athletes, teaching them important sprinting techniques. He then spoke to 400 pupils, explaining how he had achieved sporting success and overcame difficulties.

The School’s new Fitness Centre has state-of-the-art equipment, including running, rowing and weight machines. The Centre was partly funded by a legacy left by Mrs Margaret Hanchett. Her connection to the School is a bit of a

mystery, but pupils across all years have benefited from Mrs Hanchett’s generosity.

Sixth Formers are also able to take advantage of the fantastic new equipment. There are time slots every day which are for the use of Sixth Formers only. The Centre not only gives them somewhere to exercise, but it has also become a place where some go for a break from their A Level studies.

Horse Riding In the first half term, four Sixth Form girls participated in various equestrians events. These included Hunt Training at Warren Barn Farm in Warlingham and Cross County training at Littleton Manor.

The School offers a Horse Management BTEC qualification aimed to give students the knowledge and skills to be able to work in the equestrian sector. They get hands-on experience but also get an understanding of the business side of the industry. Students taking the course learn about horse behaviour, health and welfare, as well furthering their riding skills.

One of the current Horse Management students is Elley Crittenden who joined the School in Year 12. Elley’s ambition is to become a professional show jumper. She explains, ‘I’ve decided that I don’t want to go to university. What I enjoy most is being around horses and working with them. I’m down at the stables every day, and it’s giving me so much experience for the future.’ Elley also rides in her spare time, taking part in equestrian events along with other Horse Management students. All of the practice she’s getting seems to be preparing her well for her chosen career.