Friday 30th September
This has been a hugely positive week where we have all enjoyed showing the visiting Ofsted inspectors our rigorous teaching ethos, robust safeguarding policies and enthusiastic and confident students.
I have been incredibly proud to be able to demonstrate the quality of our teaching and our professional approach to all that we do, all within the warm and welcoming atmosphere that we enjoy at S6C and I would like to thank everyone who has been involved for their support.
I am very much looking forward to sharing the outcomes of our inspection when we are able to do so and I am confident that these outcomes will help to inform discussions as we move through the academic year.
Regards
Ben
Head of College
Life Skills and Pastoral Care
Rebecca Anderson – Pastoral Lead
Our Life Skills sessions are themed on a pathway through from Year 12 to Year 13 and beyond.
Year 12 begins with a series based on our college vision of supporting students to Be the Best Version of Yourself. We started with a session considering how a combination of ideals and practical considerations can shape our life and career plans. This week the Pastoral Lead, Rebecca, delivered a year group talk on how we can all support the LGBTQ+ community at S6C and in wider society. The talk was requested and shaped by members of our S6C LGBTQ community, and our SU Equality and Diversity rep, over the last few years, with a particular focus on trans, non binary and gender questioning identity. S6C supports our shared values of rule of law, freedom of speech, tolerance and acceptance, diversity and equality, and encourages students to be themselves whilst supporting others – we encourage students and staff to listen and learn all the time. If you’d like to know more about support for this community (or for any other student groups or individuals in need of support) or would like to know more about the content of any of our Life Skills sessions, then do get in touch with Rebecca.
Year 13 are forging ahead with their Destinations sessions – with practical tasks to be completed by all students, whether they are aiming to go straight into employment or apprenticeships or uni (or for those who are unsure). Resources and personal help is at hand from tutors, Rebecca, our careers lead Rosie, and our external careers advisor who can be seen via a booking. If you’d like to know more, then do ask your young person to show you the recent slide presentations and this should give you all you need to know, and plenty of resources to look at together. Do get in touch anytime if you have further questions.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Development Day Tuesday 11 October
This will be a full compulsory day in college for all students, to develop our skills in looking after ourselves and each other, as an S6C community. We will be programming the day around the NHS 5 Ways of Wellbeing with a mixture of activities and workshops, some offering instruction, and some putting it into practice. One of the.ways to promote wellbeing is by GIVING and we are going to arrange a clothing exchange and donation bank, with students able to take items they may need, and then also sort donations for local work by Alabare, support for local Ukrainian visitors, and donations for asylum seekers. Anything left over will be taken to charity shops. Please do start collecting anything you may be able to donate – clothes, gift items, toiletries, blankets, sleeping bags – all in good condition please. A more detailed list will follow with details of when to bring the items in. Thank you for being part of our day.
Clubs and Societies
Emma Thompson – Teacher of Sport
Clubs and societies have now launched at S6C with an exciting mix of activities on offer. We have had lots of year 12 students sign up to the football team, who have been training with year 13 ready to compete in the U18 Wiltshire Schools League this year. The netball team has attracted students who are trying the sport for the first time alongside some very skilled players. Current student Jamie Redsey is running the environmental club who are set to start some local litter picks and plant seeds around the site. Students and staff have enjoyed games of snooker, volunteering at WSE and as part of our enrichment programme, students have begun learning to knit, the video and board games club has been full of competitive energy and there have already been a number of games of badminton.
Art and Photography
Sophie Bellars – Teacher of Art and Photography
Year 12 Art and Photography students took their first gallery trip to Southampton. Viewing a range of work, from graphic novels and character development to sculptural installations and mixed media landscapes, there was something for everyone.
“While I was on the college trip there were several points that inspired me and kicked off my creativity. One of the things that was very inspirational was the “Black” exhibition at John Hansard Gallery which really inspired me because it proves that even if you really mess up you can always turn your life around and spread a message.”
Abigail Wood – Year 12 Fine Art
“I enjoyed sitting in front of the Guildhall and doing some observational drawing. I chose to draw the surrounding buildings, which I found resonated with our gallery visit to Southampton City Art Gallery, as it included many geometric shapes. I found it relaxing to be able to draw what I could see freely, without worrying too much about it being perfect or completed.”
Immy Coleman – Year 12 Fine Art
Photography from Emy Pottier and Leo Lowe
