Sixth Form Gazette - May 2023

Editor: Alison King

Editor’s Introduction

Welcome to the JESS Sixth Form Gazette! As editor, I am excited to introduce you to the latest news, events, and achievements from our schoolcommunity. Our dedicated team of writers has been working diligently to bring you engaging and informative content that is sure to keepyou informed and up to date.

May has been an extremely busy month across the entire school, but especially in the Sixth form. The Year 13’s began and finished their exams this month, as well as graduated on the 20th. Now, as they embark on the next stage of their life, the Year 12’s are left sole in the sixth form until the next school year.

Despite being more thankful than ever they aren’t in exams, being surrounded by the Year 13’s and 11’s test anxiety, the Year 12’s have been hustling through IA deadlines, EE and TOK deadlines, and topic tests. Thankfully, as we near the summer holidays, motivation and resilience are strong, knowing that in a month’s time we can finally get a rest (well- sort of!).

We hope you enjoy reading the Gazette and welcome your feedback. Our team is always open to suggestions and ideas for future articles, and if you are interested in joining our team, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at 10AKing@jess.sch.ae. We appreciate your support and look forward to keeping you informed about all the exciting things happening at JESS Sixth Form. Thank you for choosing to stay informed with us!

Who was Nikola Tesla? Why should you care?

By Lena Nedeljkovic

Nikola Tesla, a namesynonymous with innovation and brilliance, was one of thegreatest inventors and electrical engineers. Tesla, born in1856, contributed immensely tothe fields of electricity,magnetism, and wireless communication.

Tesla is particularly known for his development of alternating current (AC)power systems, patented in 1888; an invention that forever changed the distribution and generation of electricity. Unlike Thomas Edison's direct current (DC) system, Tesla's AC power was far more efficient and allowed for thetransmission of electricity over long distances, leading to the electrification of theworld.

Furthermore, Tesla’s research in radio waves and wireless communication laid the foundations for the invention of theradio. Tesla was a pioneer in x-ray technology, developing the medical applications tothe tool.

Tesla’s vision of creating a worldwhere electricity could be transmitted through air, without wires, ledto the production of a Teslacoil – a device that produces high voltage and low current electricity.

Despite his immense talent and intellect, Tesla'slife was marredby financial struggles and eccentricities. Many of his inventions were never fully recognized or monetized during his lifetime. However, his legacy lives on, and his ideas continue to inspire generations of inventors and scientists.

Nikola Tesla's achievements are a testament tohuman curiosity, creativity, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. His visionary concepts and inventions have shapedthe modern world, making him atrue pioneer of electricity and innovation. Tesla's namewill forever be associated with brilliance, and his contributions continue toilluminatethe path towards a brighter future.

Amber Bettsworth+ Ranya Khurana Cyrus Fotuhi + Sara Hughes Pacheco

By Amber Bettsworth

BTEC Sport

BTEC sport is growing and growing, not just in JESS, but as a universally recognized qualification in more than 70 countries worldwide by 1 million learners every year. With BTEC being a career-focused qualification, unlike the traditional educational A level’s or IB courses, it is developing in line with the innovation and the ever-evolving world; a student enrolling in a BTEC course will end with skills and knowledge needed to upskill the workforce. They will develop their application to real life scenarios, practical knowledge all within a flexible pathway, designed for all types of learners. Here at JESS, our overall pass rate is consistently 100%, as well as receiving triple distinction stars by students every year.

Orla Lynch has been accepted into Bath university to do Sport Management and Coaching, Niccolo Consolini have been accepted into Cardiff University to do Sport and Exercise Science and Arushi into Birmingham, both outstanding achievements. I asked a few of the Year 12 BTEC students about their views on BTEC so far and if they would recommend it to the Year 11’s. Keira has mentioned that she loves ‘the coaching aspect, especially when [they] coach the Year 1s’. She said that its extremely rewarding to see their development over the course of the year. Isla McIntosh, who also does Psychology HL, said that ‘she enjoys the flexibility as it allows her to dedicate time to her other subject (Psychology) and manage her time well’. Finally, Oscar enjoys ‘creating close, new relationships with the teachers and classmates’. From their first-hand experience, we can understand and clearly see the benefits arising from taking a BTEC course, allowing them to obtain skills to carry onto further education or other pathways.

“My son is enjoying his learning! I no longer have to harass him to do his work as enjoys it.” (BTEC Parent)

"Over 10% of students going to university were doing so holding a BTEC qualification alone. A further 7.2% have a mix of BTEC and A-level / IB." (UCAS Report, 2020)

This year, we have had outstanding results from our BTEC programs.

“The BTEC plays to his strengths and gives him the chance of getting into the university he wants. The 36 IB points or A*A*A* at A-level would have been less likely than the D*D*D*.” (BTEC Parent)

Up!

By: Ranya Khurana Girl

Girl Up is a global initiative that works towards the upliftment of girls and women worldwide. It has been advocating for gender equity and justice ever since it was started by the United Nations Foundation in 2010 with its first-of-its-kind mission, and a Girl Up chapter was brought to JESS by Rhea Visaria in 2022.

Rhea has fostered an incredibly supportive environment for the girls at the club, helping them to build confidence in their capabilities, develop their leadership skills, and realize and act on their potential. Through open in-club discussions about feminism, gender equity and human rights, the girls are becoming more socially aware about issues concerning women on a global level. They are using this awareness to make talk shows, podcast scripts, are even working towards writing a book together right now! They are also very excited about their plans to make Girl Up pamphlets in the future.

Rhea is also joining Girl Up UAE on its road towards the Cop28 goals and is looking forward to participating in their upcoming UAE-wide project to make a lasting impact and bring about change for good. She says that so far, it has been a “truly rewarding experience to work with guys and girls around the UAE to expand the Girl Up community”, and that she wants to “continue to coordinate with other schools and work towards bigger projects” in the future. Other JESS students have also been getting involved in many Girl Up events outside of school, in order to show support for the mission.

Through its commitment to female empowerment and its collaborative efforts, the Girl Up club at JESS is definitely making a significant contribution towards a more progressive future where every girl, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive and succeed. Girl Up is still open to both boys and girls of any year; you can email 10RVisaria@jess.sch.ae if you want to join and be a part of this amazing community!

By: Cyrus Fotuhi Courses

and careers

In addition to all the IB schoolwork and tests that we have to cope with, we must also decide what to study at university and then go on to choose a career. In addition to the mindbeat morning that we just had, choosing a university course becomes even more important when choosing a career path. It can be overwhelming and even I find it daunting. Choosing a university course can be a challenging process, but there are several steps you can take to make the decision easier:

Evaluate your strengths: Assess your skills, strengths, and abilities. Consider what you are naturally good at and what you excel in.

Research potential majors: Use online resources like university websites, course catalogues, and program descriptions to research potential majors that align with your interests and strengths. Attend university lectures when they visit our school as well as lots of useful information is provided.

Consider career prospects: Evaluate the career prospects for the majors you are considering. Research job opportunities, salaries, and career growth potential in your chosen field.

Talk to academic advisors: Seek guidance our school university counsellors and professors in the departments or majors you are considering. They can provide valuable insights and advice on the courses and programs offered.

Explore extracurricular activities: Consider extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations that align with your interests and potential majors. This can provide valuable hands-on experience and help you determine if a major is right for you.

Consider your future goals: Think about your long-term goals and aspirations. Consider how your chosen major can help you achieve these goals.

We need to focus on these as although our schoolwork and revision is very

By: Sara Hughes Pacheco

Dubai Opera trip

On the 27th of April, drama students across the school had the opportunity to go to the Dubai Opera to witness an unforgettable and live performance of West Side Story. The musical tells the story of two rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, and the forbidden love between Tony, a former Jet, and Maria, the sister of the Shark’s leader. As the lights dimmed and the curtains lifted, everyone was immediately swept up in the energy of the opening number, “Prologue.” The choreography was dazzling, Bernstein’s musical score was electrifying, and the tension between the two gangs was palpable. Everyone watched in awe as the Jets and the Sharks danced and fought across the stage, their athletic movements both dynamic and perfectly synchronized.

As the story unfolded, Tony and Maria’s love for each other stole everyone’s hearts with their pure and powerful voices. Riff, the leader of the Jets, was a complex figure, torn between the loyalty of his gang and his own sense of morality.

Anita, Maria’s loyal confidante, was a fierce and loyal ally to the Sharks, even as she struggled with her own conflicting emotions. But it wasn’t just the story and the characters that was captivating. The production itself was a feast for the senses. The set design was breath-taking, instantly transporting us to the gritty and rough urban streets of 1950s New York City. The costumes were stunning, capturing the essence of the era while also adding a modern twist. One of the most memorable moments of the production was the iconic “Dance at the Gym” scene. The energy in the theatre was electric as the two gangs faced off in a dance battle, each trying to prove their superiority.

As the show came to a close, the audience erupted into applause. The performers took their final bows, and the theatre emptied out into the night. Everyone left feeling inspired by this unforgettable experience. For drama students to have the opportunity to watch live theatre at a professional level, it is both inspiring and enriching. Seeing the combination of incredible talent, hard work and dedication that goes into working in the performing arts industry has brought a wave of newfound appreciation amongst the cohort, as they now can’t wait for future performances to come.

Highlights

Upcoming Dates:

Important dates to add to your calendars for the month of February.

 June 2nd – English HL essay first draft submission

 June 12th – Final biology IA submission

 June 19th – TOK exhibition

 June 26th – English HL essay final draft submission

 June 27th – Arafat Day

 June 28th – June 30th – Eid Al Adha

 July 3rd &4th – EE Café

Fun fact of the month – As of May 2023, there were over 7,800 IB programmes being offered worldwide, across over 5,600 schools in 159 countries. Contact

"The only person who is educated is the one who has learned to learn… and change”.

- Carl Rogers