Sixth Form

Reflections on the Year & Sixth Form

By Ms Smeaton, Head of Sixth Form

As yet another academic year draws to a close, I find myself with a moment to reflect on what has been an extraordinary twelve months. As I said in my speech at this year’s Leavers’ Chapel Service, it’s safe to say that Birkenhead School has had to endure its fair share of challenges since its foundation one hundred and sixty-one years ago.

Common to them all, however, is the compassion, courage and resilience that our school community demonstrates in the face of adversity. As I look back on this year in particular, therefore, there continues to be much to celebrate, and much about which our students can feel justifiably proud.

In early October, led by our Head of Psychology, Miss Hadley, and her A Level students, we supported the Young Minds #HelloYellow event in aid of World Mental Health Day. The Sixth Form atrium was festooned with citrus yellow bunting and balloons, and students took the opportunity to don their favourite yellow accessories. The bake sale proved a huge success and, within minutes, only the aroma of freshly baked cookies and cupcakes remained and, most importantly, we had raised funds for a really worthwhile cause.

At the end of the same month, an intrepid group of Upper Sixth students set off on their Gold Duke of Edinburgh expedition. Restrictions meant that travel was limited but, as the ever-positive Mr Hill observed, it afforded our students a unique experience to see their home region from an entirely new perspective.

Fast forward a few weeks and our Sixth Form students were to be found filling washbags with much needed toiletries for the homeless, through the Charles Thompson Mission. The brainchild of two members of our Upper Sixth, the venture is yet another example of the generosity of spirit shown by our students, and by the School community as a whole.

It was with heavy hearts that the cast and crew of Les Misérables left Bushell Hall on Sunday 22 March 2020, sad in the knowledge that, just a few days before the opening night, the production would not be going ahead as scheduled. However, the Headmaster gave us his assurance that the show would go on when circumstances allowed and, true to his word, in April this year, rehearsals once again resumed. A flurry of emails was dispatched to cast members, including the (now) Old Birkonians involved and, before long, the tinkling of the ivories and the dulcet tones of our Director could once more be heard drifting across the campus. Whilst I look back fondly on every production in which I’ve ever played a part, and never cease to be amazed by the talent of our students, I know, without doubt, that this production in particular will live long in the memory. Of course, the opportunities mentioned thus far represent a mere handful. The Nicholls Lecture Series, curtailed somewhat this year, still included a number of inspiring guest speakers, such as orthopaedic surgeon, Andrew Taylor, John Barnes MBE and Admiral Sir Philip Jones, OB, to name just three. Our Beyond the Curriculum programme has featured courses in baking, ceramics & textiles, digital multi-media and film studies, whilst the Advanced Tutorial Groups in Science and the Humanities have sought to challenge intellectually those looking to apply to the most competitive university courses.

In June, Lower Sixth Formers attended our annual Futures Conference, during which they covered such important topics as university and career choices, and creating a competitive application. The event builds on the Futures programme we launched at the start of this academic year and is part of the ongoing support our students receive here. Indeed, it’s fair to say that June was a rather busy month, highlights of which include a fun-filled and adrenalin-fuelled excursion to Alton Towers, and a fancy dress and inflatable obstacle course extravaganza, both of which formed just part of the celebrations to mark our Upper Sixth students’ final weeks at school.

And at this point, it would be remiss of me not to say a few words about our leavers. I make no secret of the fact that I consider it a privilege to be Head of Sixth Form, and no more so than during the last two years. This year group has shown, in abundance, those qualities that make me so proud to have been their Head of Year, and it is with more than a tinge of sadness that I pen this farewell to them now, therefore.

For the Upper Sixth, the summer of 2021 marks a milestone in their lives: a fifteen-year relationship for some, for others, a mere two. Yet they have all contributed to the life of the School in some way, and we are richer for their having been here. They step into an uncertain world, but, as they embark on the next exciting stage of their journey, I hope it is with a certain fondness that they look back upon their time with us. Life-long friendships and memories have been forged and, in the same way that they will keep in touch with one another, I like to think they will want to keep in touch with us too.

As I bring this to a close, I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues and our parents, for the support and kindness they have shown to the School, and to me, this year. I wish all our Sixth Form families a happy and healthy summer and I look forward to seeing them again soon.

Medical Students presented with personalised stethoscopes courtesy of Peter Pennington OB

Last year’s leavers returned to the School in the Michaelmas term to collect their gift of a personally engraved stethoscope to help them on their way as they begin their courses.

We send our grateful thanks to Peter Pennington OB for donating the stethoscopes for many years, a wonderful offer that has been most appreciated. Peter's involvement stemmed from wanting to encourage new medics and show his appreciation to the medical community following treatment that he had received.

2020 Medics

John Nguyen - Newcastle University Shivank Sharma - University of Birmingham Toby Brown - University of Oxford Alex Herod - University of Birmingham

While at School they were also kind enough to attend an Upper Sixth Beyond the Curriculum session and answered questions and gave helpful advice to the next year of students who will soon be applying to go on to further study. They were questioned on how difficult the application process was, what were expected interview questions, and what to put in personal statements. Thank you to the leavers for giving up their time for the session that was extremely valuable. We wish them all the best in the studies and hope to see them again at School in the near future.

The School is very proud of the number of our students who pursue a medical profession and we look forward to presenting the 2021 Leavers during the forthcoming year.

Ed Mahoney who left in 2019 and is currently at University College London, was unable to attend his cohort’s presentation returned to be presented with his stethoscope in 2020.