21 February 2025
Before half term, we welcomed S6C Governor Dom Simmons for a morning looking at Behaviour and Attitudes, in particular our students’ attitude to independent study, a key curriculum focus in order for our students to develop and improve independent learning and research skills,.time management, self awareness and motivation. Dom met with students and staff and visited classes and he commented on the productive and studious atmosphere at the college. Thank you to Dom for taking the time to visit us and taking such a keen interest in S6C. Thanks also to S6C Governor John Hawkins, who visited us a couple of weeks ago to look at the work staff put into our students’ Personal Development, ensuring each student progresses and develops both academically and personally, thriving as individuals and as part of the college and wider community. Our aim is for students to leave S6C with the knowledge, skills and strategies needed to keep safe, promote mental and physical wellbeing, and take an active role in society. And finally, we must not forget the tireless work put in by our Chair of Governors, Anita Esser, whose remit is to report on Quality of Education. During Anita’s last visit, she observed classes and spoke to staff regarding quality assurance, student voice and assessment results. Thank you to all our Governors for your incredibly hard work ensuring S6C is providing the best possible education and care for our students.
Last term we also welcomed a number of prospective students to an interview evening, the perfect opportunity to meet teachers and ask them not only about the courses we offer but also our extra-curricular activities and college life at S6C. Our next interview evenings take place on Wednesday 12 March and Tuesday 01 April. We look forward to seeing you!
A real highlight last week was the Assisted Dying Debate, hosted at S6C and attended by Bishop Wordsworth’s Sixth Form (BWS), Salisbury Sixth Form (S6C), South Wilts Grammar School (SWGS) and Shaftesbury School. During the morning students from all schools worked with expert witnesses from Dignity in Dying, Dorothy House Hospice, Salisbury Hospital Chaplaincy, a Muslim cleric from the ecumenical and inter-faith chaplaincy team at Roehampton University and a Palliative Medicine Consultant from Salisbury Hospice, to create arguments for the afternoon debate, which was chaired by the Bishop of Ramsbury. Students from BWS and S6C engaged in a thought-provoking debate on the ethical considerations of assisted dying for terminally ill individuals, the central question posited: Does terminal illness justify ending a person’s life at their request? Two students from each school presented well-researched arguments for and against assisted dying. A third student from each team provided a concluding statement and addressed questions from the audience.
BWS (for assisted dying) emphasized individual autonomy, dignity and quality of life. They argued that terminally ill individuals should have the right to choose how and when they die, especially in cases of extreme suffering. S6C (against assisted dying) raised concerns about the potential for coercion and abuse, the impact on the doctor-patient relationship and the sanctity of life. They highlighted the importance of palliative care and argued that assisted dying could lead to a decline in the quality of end-of-life care.
Highlights:
– The debate showcased the student’s impressive research, critical thinking and public speaking skills.
– Both teams demonstrated respect for opposing viewpoints, fostering a constructive dialogue.
– The Q&A session allowed the audience to engage with the arguments and express their own perspectives. Questions addressed financial pressures, potential misdiagnosis and examples of coercion.
– Both teams effectively used statistics and examples to support their arguments.
– The event sparked lively discussions among students both during and after the debate, demonstrating its impact on their understanding of the complex issue.
Please click here for student articles from the day and images: Assisted Dying Debate
Fine Art, Photography and Animation
We have a show! Please come and see the work of our year 12 art, photography and animation students on display at the Salisbury Schools Exhibition at The Young Gallery/The Library, Market Walk, Salisbury SP1 1BL.
Articulation Prize
Ash Natelson-Carter – Student
On Thursday, 6th February, the regional heat for the Articulation Prize was held at Roche Court New Art Centre. The articulation prize is a public speaking event that aims to encourage the discussion and appreciation of art.
There were eight of us at the event who participated, each giving around a ten minute long speech on an artwork or artist. There was a broad range of artworks that people talked about, including a sculpture called The Wish Hounds, a 1862 painting called The Unequal Marriage, and Lucian Freud’s Girl with a Kitten, which I did my talk on. The talks finished with a very passionate speaker delving into the meanings behind contemporary art installation Can’t Help Myself by artists Sun Yuan & Peng Yu.
It was really interesting speaking with the other participants, learning a bit more about why they chose that specific artwork, and listening to their talks introduced me to lots of new artists and insights on how they interpreted the artworks differently.
At the end, the adjudicator, an art historian and curator, gave us helpful feedback, both generally and individually, and then announced the two who will go onto the next round. Despite not being chosen, the event was a valuable experience which I found very enjoyable.
Comment by supporting friend: As a member of the audience, I found it exciting, fascinating and inspiring hearing about sculptures, paintings and even machines which the contestants passionately spoke about. I loved learning about the different cultures and history surrounding a piece of artwork. Through this immersive experience, I learned that an artwork is almost never created just on a whim, but is rather carefully thought through and constructed. It can also be used to critique society as a whole, raise important issues in the world, and say a lot about the artist, even down to a psychological level, and can be applied to modern day life too (decades later).
Teacher’s comment: Our year 12 students have all prepared for this and developed deeper critical thinking and analytical skills when developing podcasts. The Articulation Prize has given a good focus and motivation for students to deepen their understanding of art. Although we could only send one student for this regional event, I feel that the class has grown through the project. We have had amazing presentations and reflections from many viewpoints. All have shown resilience and growth mindset when facing this public speaking challenge and receiving feedback. Well done all for your efforts. We will continue to build on these invaluable skills towards the students’ personal project for their A level Art and Design.
Applications for 2025 Entry
We have now passed the application entry deadline of 31 January and whilst we still accept late applications we are unable to guarantee places in your chosen courses until enrolment has started in August. For those who submitted their application before 31 January but have not received confirmation of a completed reference your application will still be classed and processed as if completed before the deadline. Once we have received your school reference your application will be marked as completed and we will send you an invitation to one of our interview evenings. The dates of forthcoming interview evenings are 12 March, 01 April and 30 April. Following a successful interview we will offer you a place which is conditional upon achieving the entry requirements for your subject choices. You will be able to log in to your application to accept the offer. We look forward to seeing you in September!
Rebecca Anderson – Pastoral Lead
LGBTQ+ History Month 2025
This is an annual celebration of the lives of LGBT+ people of the past. It is celebrated every February in the UK, with each year’s celebration having its own unique theme. We have been marking this in life skills, tutor sessions, on the plasma screen and in all subjects.
University and Apprenticeships
– Any student needing to do an interview for apprenticeship, employment or university can come and see Rebecca to arrange some guidance and practice;
– Any student needing advice on volunteering, work experience, or wider engagement, to prepare for strong applications, should talk to their teachers, tutor or Rebecca as soon as they know what area they may be interested in;
– We offer a full support service for those applying for apprenticeships, but it has to be responsive to the job market, so there are no set dates for the different stages. This means that students need to show a high level of initiative and independence, but we are here to help and we expect to be involved – we can help search, check applications, and prepare for interviews.
New Support Service
Welcome to Zoe the College Nurse! She will be running a drop in session from 12pm to 1pm every Tuesday in the small meeting room on the first floor. She is able to offer professional guidance and support or signposting for physical, emotional, mental and sexual health. This includes managing long term health conditions (including migraine and period pain or any medical condition), contraception and sexual health consultations (she can give out contraception and testing kits), smoking and vaping, eating issues, sleep, low mood / self harm, anxiety and panic, concerns about ASD, ADHD or mental health conditions, healthy lifestyle and exercise, or any concerns you have about your general health and wellbeing. You can also ask her, or us, if you’d like to be referred for a series of sessions. Zoe will be running a confidential service and will only talk to college or your parents if there is a fear for your safety.
Smoking and Vaping Campaign
S6C students have been road testing a new smoking and vaping campaign aimed at this age group and their feedback is being used by Wiltshire Council before the material is launched. Vaping especially is a current issue and it was interesting talking to students about their reasons for vaping or choosing not to – we are keen to ensure they can make well informed choices based on factual information about the risks. Students can speak to the pastoral team or the new college nurse.
University Bursary Grants
Are you about to begin your university journey? Wiltshire Community Foundation is offering University Bursary grants to support young people in Wiltshire and Swindon with the costs of studying for an undergraduate degree. Each bursary provides £1,600 per year of your course, helping with essential expenses like travel, books, or general living costs. As long as your circumstances remain the same, you’ll continue to receive the grant for each academic year of your degree.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible, you must:
– Have parents/guardians (or yourself) claiming at least 2 Means-Tested Benefits or 2 elements of Universal Credit OR be a Looked After Child (in the care of Wiltshire Council or Swindon Borough Council);
– Be aged between 17–24 years when you apply;
– Have lived in Wiltshire or Swindon for at least 2 years (or have your family home there if you’re already at university);
– Be eligible for funding through Student Finance England;
– Be planning to study (or already studying) for your first undergraduate degree at a UK university, college, or institution.
Don’t Miss Out! Applications close on 11 April 2025 – apply today!
Match Report
S6C Bournemouth Academy vs Plymouth PD
It was the S6C Bournemouth Academy’s first game back after the Christmas break against Plymouth PD. It was our first time playing them so we did not know what to expect. We started off slowly, getting caught in the middle of the pitch, and Plymouth quickly punished us and went 1-0 up. However we responded well by creating many goal scoring opportunities but we lacked a clinical edge. Then Max drove into the box at speed, muscling off the defender and Merritt was there for the cutback to equalise, ticking the ball top corner, 1-1. S6C Bournemouth Academy used the momentum of their equaliser to their advantage through JB playing a great over the top through ball to Travis who smashed the ball into the back of the net. 2-1.
Half Time
S6C Bournemouth Academy started the second half well with Max picking up the ball into the midfield and spotted Kinger making a run in behind. Max played an inch perfect ball to Kinger who calmly slotted the ball past the keeper. 3-1. The fourth goal came from the league’s top scorer Max. The ball is whipped in front post by Kinger where Max is there to meet the ball and flick it past the keeper. 4-1. We are now moving the ball around with confidence, which resulted in a strong shot from Shering which was tipped over the bar by the keeper. The ball went out for a corner, Kinger spotted the keeper way off his line and quickly swung it in near post with the ball just crossing the line for our fifth goal. The sixth and final goal came from an unfortunate own goal from a Plymouth defender. Max played the ball through to Kinger and he shot the ball across the goal with a defender getting the final touch into their own net.
The game has only five minutes left to play and the Plymouth number 10 is getting riled up and angry with the referee, eventually swearing at him and calling him biased, which the referee doesn’t take nicely and gives him a red card.
Match ended 6-1 to S6C Bournemouth Academy. That’s seven WINS in a row. We march on!
Match report by Ollie King – Student
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Monday 24 February
Term Begins
Friday 28 February
Animation, Creative Media and Film Studies Trip to Pinewood Studios Futures Festival 2025
Monday 03 March
Year 13 Mocks Assessment Week – Timetable
Thursday 06 March
World Book Day
Friday 07 March
Science Week
Wednesday 12 April
Interview Evening
AFC Bournemouth S6C v Exeter City C
Wednesday 19 March
Year 13 A Level Business Trip to Bristol
AFC Bournemouth S6C v Plymouth Argyle – Newton Abbott B
Thursday 27 March
Year 13 DC8 Reports published on Parent Portal
Tuesday 01 April
Interview Evening
Wednesday 02 April
AFC Bournemouth S6C v Bristol Rovers B
Wednesday 02 – Sunday 06 April
Football Trip to Inter Milan
Thursday 03 April
Year 12 DC4 Reports published on Parent Portal
Friday 04 April
Term Ends
Monday 07 April – Monday 21 April
Easter Break
Tuesday 22 April
Term Begins
Year 13 Assessment Week
Wednesday 23 April
Year 12 UCAS Discovery Day Winchester
AFC Bournemouth S6C v Newport County A
Monday 28 April
Year 12 Vocational Mocks
Tuesday 29 April
Year 12 Vocational Mocks
Wednesday 30 April
Year 12 Vocational Mocks
Interview Afternoon
Monday 05 May
Bank Holiday
Tuesday 06 May
Year 13 Art and Photography A Level Exam
Wednesday 07 May
Year 13 Art and Photography A Level Exam
Thursday 08 May
Year 13 Art and Photography A Level Exam
Monday 12 May
Mental Health Awareness Week
Monday 26 May – Friday 30 May
Half Term
Monday 02 June
Term Begins
Monday 12 June
Year 12 Mocks Assessment Week
Tuesday 24 June
Last Day of Exams
Year 12 History Trip to Chalke Valley History Festival
Wednesday 25 June
Freshers Day
Thursday 26 June
Freshers Day
Monday 30 June
Staff Training Day
Wednesday 02 July
Year 12 Psychology Trip to Marwell Zoo
Thursday 03 July
Year 12 Parents Evening
Year 12 DC5 Reports published on Parent Portal
Monday 07 July
MLP Careers Fair at S6C
Tuesday 08 July
Year 12 Destinations Development Day
Wednesday 16 July
Term Ends
Thursday 17 July – Friday 29 August
Summer Break
