Friday 28th January 2022
Dear Parents/ Carers,
I would like to thank you for your collective response in support of the #ProtectStudentChoice petition – it closed on Sunday with 108,352 signatures. A Parliamentary debate will occur and we will keep you updated about when that will take place. This is a really important step forward for Post 16 educational choices, building on the one year delay secured in November 2021 to continue BTEC/CTEC course choices.
You will have seen my note home on Thursday regarding the ending of the use of masks around the college site, as set in the guidance from the Government. We encourage our College Community to be safe and if students and staff wish to continue wearing masks around the college we respect and support their choice to do so. As we receive reports of Covid positive cases we will continue to monitor numbers in the college. All other mitigating measures have remained in the college including daily deep cleaning. The Covid risk assessment has been amended and is available to read on the S6C website.
I wrote to parents a couple of weeks ago regarding the delay in the circulating of the year 13 reports. The reports are generated by our MIS system, but due to the company being severely affected by Covid amongst their staff recently, there is still a delay in the retrieval of these reports. We are chasing and hope to have these sent home in the coming days. This may have an impact on the forthcoming year 12 reports due to be released to parents on 3rd February, but I will keep you informed regarding this if this is the case. I can only apologise for this delay which is beyond our control.
This week we had a very exciting visit on Tuesday from our new college dog, Fern. She will begin to come into College gradually to full time over the coming weeks. Fern was very well received by students and staff and was given plenty of strokes and cuddles to make her feel welcome. Research has shown there are many well-being and mental health benefits in having a dog within an educational setting, some of those include; helping to reduce anxiety, to provide companionship and a shared interest within the college community, a sense of responsibility and a friendly welcome to the college for visitors. You will see below some information about Fern.
Wishing you a restful weekend.
Best Wishes
Louise
College Pet
Nicky Miller – Teacher of Biology, SEND, SLT and Mum to puppy Fern
Hi my name is Fern I am the new college dog. I am a 12 weeks old labradoodle and I love people. I will be starting to attend college so that I can get used to the environment. I will spend most of my time in the first floor offices and will start to walk around college when I am more confident. I will be on my lead just in case anyone is worried about me being able to roam free. If you see me, check with my carer to see if you can say hello. I am new to big crowds so I may be a little nervous to start with. My carer will be able to tell you how best to approach me.
If you have any concerns about me please message Nicky Miller my carer about your concerns nmiller@s6c.mlp.college or on Google chat.
Next week we will send out a consent form to indicate that a student is happy to interact with Fern.
Careers
Rosie Roberts – School Liaison and Careers Lead
This week, Year 12s had a talk from former S6C student Josh Port who is currently completing a degree apprenticeship at DSTL. Josh shared his own experience of what it’s like to be an apprentice, he compared the advantages and disadvantages to a university degree and gave advice on how to apply.
Next week, on Wednesday 2 February from 12:15-12:45, Year 13s have the opportunity to hear from Mike Holliday from ASK Apprenticeship Service who will be giving tips and advice for making successful applications. All Year 13 students who are considering applying for an apprenticeship or employment should join this virtual talk which will be delivered live on Google Meet. Students who have not made a UCAS application should attend this talk but it is open to all students.
There are lots of upcoming careers events planned to help students with their future destinations planning. Here are just some dates for your diary where we will have visiting speakers, webinars and opportunities for students to visit a university and experience a work place (during work experience organised by the student)
Upcoming careers dates
National Apprenticeship Week 7th-13th February
National Careers Week 7th-12th March
International Women’s Day 8th March
British Science Week 11th-20th March
UCAS fair – trip to the University of Winchester which all Year 12s will attend on 7th April
Work Experience days – when all Year 12s will arrange their own placement 11th-13th July
Student Union Meeting
Hazel Wright – Receptionist and Administrator
The Student Union met on Wednesday 5th January 2022
The first Student Union Meeting of the New Year, has been a ‘to do’ list of new projects.
Members are working both independently and supported by their mentors investigating:
- How S6C can become officially titled Plastic Free.
- If we can support a new clothes collection to donate to Women’s Refuge.
- How to appropriately mark Holocaust Memorial Day.
- Working with the LGBTQ+ Society to do a shared event celebrating February LGBTQ+ month.
The final event discussed was the possibility of an end of year celebration for our Y13. A questionnaire is being offered to all Y13 to gain a feel for the popularity of this idea so wheels can be put in motion. Watch this space.
National Holocaust Memorial Day
Emily Millman – Student Union Equality and Diversity Officer
January 27th was Holocaust Memorial Day: it is the day when we collectively remember all those exterminated in those camps or killed by the Nazis – it is estimated over 6 million Jews were killed in the death camps and there were many more casualties above this figure, including the genocide and murder of those of ethnic minority, those who were disabled, and those who were a part of the LGBTQ+ community.
We remember those who tried to help by hiding or helping those that would be killed just for being who they are. And we remember that many others stood by and did little or nothing.
Yesterday was the crimes against humanity remembrance day. We remember all those that were lost and we vow that it should never happen again.
Students were asked to watch a short film made by S6C students which includes staff ands students views, and one by the Holocaust Educational Trust , and explore the websites, podcast and facebook page. We stand against anti semitism, as we also stand against racism, islamophobia, and all other forms of prejudice and violence. And we look at the lessons that history can teach us so that we remember to use our voices and actions to create the Britain (and the world) we want to live in and pass on.
Here are some of the resources that were shared:
https://www.facebook.com/HETcharity/
https://www.hmd.org.uk/resource/learning-from-genocide-podcast/
Yoga Club
Hanna Njimgye Tekumafor – PA to the Head of College and Yoga Teacher
Yoga club has been unable to use the dance studio to meet in person, due to the recent mock exams (although online yoga is still available to both students and staff). However, this week we were back together again to practice in person.
We explored Sukha – our happiness, joy and comfort, by working on poses to help increase serotonin (the happy hormone) in the body. We used twists, inversions and hip openers to help elevate our Sukha. ‘Happy Baby Pose’ (Sanskrit: ‘Ananda Balasana’) was a favourite for the class.
Baking Club
Dr Sally Tye – Faculty Lead for Humanities and Baking Club Lead
This week the baking club gave one of Dr Tye’s own recipes a go!
Super cheap, healthy and high in protein!
Why not give it a go at home!
Blueberry breakfast muffins
- 2cups/160g oats blitzed
- 2 bananas mashed
- 2 egg whites
- 1 cup/250g 0% yoghurt
- 1.5 tsp baking powder
- 0.5 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- Juice half a lemon (2 tsp of honey if you need a bit more sweetness)
- 1 punnet of blueberries
Mix and bake in a greased muffin tin for 25-30 mins at 180c
