SIXTH FORM

It’s fair to say that 2020-21 was a roller coaster of a ride for our Sixth Formers, but in true Lucton style, we rode it out and managed to make the most of every opportunity available. Not only did we set up a new Sixth Form Magazine, The Sixth Sense, but we had plenty of ammunition for the first edition!

Starting with our staff-student football match (did I mention who scored the winner…?), we also headed off to Oaker Wood for raft building team exercises, and introduced student-led Sixth Form Assemblies. There were free-swim sessions and sports galore, as well as Emily Watts’ 100-mile bike-ride for the Hope House charity.

A lot of adapting had to be done during the first term too; masks, bubbles, SAGs and TAGs all made an appearance before Christmas arrived and decorations filled the Common Room. We even squeezed in a trip, albeit locally, as part of the A level History course, with students visiting Richard’s Castle with an accompanying talk by Mr Goode. The term finished off with the Sixth Form Dinner; dresses were bought, suits brushed off and even if we had to put on an extra layer to compensate for all the open windows and doors, a thoroughly enjoyable time was had by all.

Then, like everyone else, lockdown hit. Undeterred, we ploughed on, harnessing the power of Teams to produce a packed programme. Our Sixth Form Assemblies and tutor time enrichment continued, with tutors becoming very skilled in the art of Microsoft Whiteboard, if not entirely skilled in art itself! We all had the cameras on/ cameras off dilemma, the ‘can you hear me?’ and the ‘can you see this?’ conversations, but more than anything, the Sixth Formers showed resilience and were extremely well motivated. Once back in the flesh, we finished the term with an Easter Egg hunt on the front lawn; proof that you are never too old for chocolate!

“The Sixth Formers showed resilience and were extremely well motivated”

Finally, the Summer term was soon upon us. By now, students were back in school, albeit with new rules and regulations. TAGs became a thing, whilst the good weather yielded new opportunities for stress-relief in the form of tennis and the great outdoors. Our theme for the Summer term in the Sixth Form was ‘The Future’, with a whole host of activities related to this. Grace even baked some “Cakes of the Future”, which were made with cricket flour. Tasty, if a little tangy.

With exams out of the way, another Sixth Form Dinner was a perfect way to round off an extremely busy term. Finally, some of our Year 13s chose to stay on and participate in our first-ever Life Skills course, which involved an array of activities including how to iron, sew buttons, participate in a formal interview, write a CV, balance their finances and much, much more. It was thoroughly enjoyable, and even if the omelets tasted a little suspect, they all learnt a great deal.

All-in-all an action-packed year, finished off with Prize Giving and the handover from one Senior Prefect Team to the next.

Mr Wolstenholme Head of Sixth Form

Easter Egg Hunt

With a cold wind blowing, the Sixth Formers took to the front gardens in search of prized chocolate eggs. Indeed, not to be outdone by the Prep School, our Sixth Form Egg Hunt featured the finest Oologists, organised by House; needless to say, much chocolate was consumed. An Easter Quiz also took place, as part of our weekly Form Quizzes.

Staff-Student Football Match

The Sixth Form boys had to lick their wounds after a 2-1 drubbing at the hands of the Staff in the Staff vs Students football match during the Autumn term. Needless to say, there were many standout performances, with Dean’s cameo in goal being a real highlight. Although they huffed and puffed, in the end the staff used all of their many, many years of experience to close the game out and bring home the trophy.

Sixth Form Assemblies

This year saw the introduction of Sixth Form Assemblies, where groups of Sixth Formers took their turn in leading assemblies, as well as Sixth Form Tutors. One such week saw some of our extremely talented musicians play a variety of pieces; from Chopin’s “Waltz in A Minor” to “The Crow Road Croft” by Calum Stewart and Lauren MacColl. We were also treated to an array of instruments including the piano, cello, flute and the little-known cittern. AmeliaSky, John and Johanna all performed to a very high standard on the piano with real depth and meaning, whilst Keira admirably brushed off the cello for “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. Forbes and Angus even played their own composition, “Red Kite’, which was hauntingly beautiful, evoking images of the Scottish lochs.

Our End of Year Christmas Quiz was a success and was even “Google-proofed”, whilst we have also had the pleasure of being able to participate in the Sixth Form Dinner. Despite it being a more distanced, curtailed event, Covid-compliant and without song and dance, we all thoroughly enjoyed the occasion, whilst looking very dapper in our finest black-tie outfits! Huge credit must go to the Senior Prefect Team - especially Forbes, Angus, Emily, Keira and Carrie for their tireless work in getting the Dining Hall looking like a scene from Harry Potter, at such short notice!

Oaker Wood Team Raft Building

Our Oaker Wood team bonding trip took place at the start of term and involved some very ropey looking rafts being constructed in order to cross a lake. Knots were tied, planks bound together and barrels strapped in place as the Sixth Formers attempted to race each other across the water. Particularly impressive was how quickly Valentin’s boat fell apart, although it’s fair to say that no one avoided getting wet. In fact, there was even time for a swim at the end; freezing but refreshing, apparently!

Forbes Wilson

Felicity Aston

Sixth Form Magazine

At the start of the academic year, a team of enthusiastic Sixth Formers embarked on a new project: the Sixth Form Magazine, aptly titled ‘The Sixth Sense’ (with no connection to the disturbing horror film of the same name!).

Indeed, the story of the magazine has been one not of horror but of much imagination, revelation and pleasure, with the team throwing itself wholeheartedly into this venture. Despite lockdown, with prolonged physical absence from school, the pupils rose to the challenge and produced enough material to fill three editions!

In the inaugural edition in the Autumn term, the magazine showcased some of the talent within our Sixth Form and varied in content from alumni news and book reviews to international recipes from one of our German students and the extraordinary art work being produced by the A Level students.

The digital magazine received great feedback and, with the enthusiasm of the editorial team and fresh ideas emerging as they gain experience, it will continue to grow in the future.

Angus Wilson

Chemistry Chaos

As part of the School’s new promotional video, the Sixth Formers were recruited for a number of scenes. In anticipation of the big day, Mr Richmond had organised an experiment featuring a perennial favourite- Dry Ice. Although on film for just a few seconds, a creepy mist filed the room with alarming ferocity; needless to say the expressions of joy and surprise were genuine!

With Keira in the art room, Amelia-Sky saluting the flag, Reubens on the rugby field, and Emily’s equations on the whiteboard, we were delighted to be able to stake our place within the video and the students had a wonderful time. A special thank you to Mr Richmond and Mr Beeden, whose unbridled enthusiasm for all things puff, bang and wow, certainly made the scene.