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New Sixth News WELCOME to the first issue of the New Sixth News, providing you with updates on the progress of this exciting new development in education in our area. The building of Phase One of the New Sixth, which includes a state of the art learning centre for our sixth formers, six classrooms, two laboratories and admin space, is now well underway. This part of the project has been made possible by £2.4m in funding from B&NES Council and almost £400k in grant from the Government via the Dioceses of Clifton and Bath and Wells. Phase One will give us the accommodation we need to open our sixth forms in September. Despite a few days lost to the snow, our main contractor ER Hemmings is making very good progress and the main timber frame should be put up around mid-February. We were delighted at the end of last term to receive 125 applications for the New Sixth from students from St. Gregory’s and St. Mark’s, as well as some external students. This was a major vote of confidence in what we have to offer. Last September, some parents and students were asking if we would be able to provide as good an education in the sixth form as we offer up to the age of sixteen - after the Open Evening in October, not many people were asking that question. There is a strong belief that the New Sixth will provide what parents and students have been demanding for years: a high quality state sixth form in B&NES with a strong Christian foundation, committed to high academic standards, outstanding pastoral care and a vibrant and varied enrichment programme. The students in the lower years at St. Gregory’s and St. Mark’s have already expressed a great deal of interest in the new development and many of them will certainly see the New Sixth as a natural progression for them. Many external students, who adhere to or support Christian values, have also expressed an interest in what we have to offer. We look forward to keeping you posted as we prepare to open this September. We also look forward to your support for Phase Two, which you can read about in this edition.
Raymond Friel, MA (Hons) NPQH National Leader of Education
head students, ben and hannah at the launch of the new sixth fundraising campaign Students of St Mark’s and St Gregory’s stole the show at the public launch of The New Sixth, held at The Forum in Bath. The purpose of the event was to raise awareness of The New Sixth and to start our campaign to raise the £1.5m needed to build Phase 2, which will provide the auditorium and chaplaincy centre. In attendance were the Chair of Bath and North East Somerset Council and the Mayor of Bath. Also attending were the Leader and members of the Council and representatives of local churches.
issue 1 executive headteacher raymond friel phase one - opening september 2013 heads of sixth mrs christine boardman and ms rachel purnell on planning for september 2013 phase two - the gateway at the new sixth financing phase two - the gateway campaign
The New Sixth Administrative Centre Combe Hay Lane, Odd Down, Bath, BA2 8PA Tel 01225 832873 Fax 01225 835848 email info@newsixthbath.org.uk www.newsixthbath.org.uk
Phase One
The New Sixth is a unique opportunity for “ students of both schools to be a part of something new in the educational landscape, we will be laying the foundations for the future of The New Sixth for generations to come.
” head of sixth at st mark’s, rachel purnell
the good news... Phase One of The New Sixth is entirely paid for by £2.4m statutory funding from Bath and North East Somerset Council and £400k Government funding. It will open in September 2013, providing a learning environment of the highest quality for post-16 study. Students starting in September will come from both St Gregory’s Catholic College and St Mark’s Church of England School, with a number also coming from other secondary schools in our area.
September 2013 by head of sixth at st mark’s, rachel purnell, and head of sixth at st gregory’s, christine boardman
planning for the future This state-of-the-art facility will provide students with:
two new science laboratories;
The opening of the New Sixth is now only months away and the beginnings of the building work on site no doubt make the prospect of post 16 study here a reality for our students. Whilst the building may have only just begun, many students and staff have been involved behind the scenes in planning a unique Post 16 Provision for the young people of Bath.
a learning resource centre;
subjects on offer
six classrooms;
As part of our commitment to personalised learning, we have worked closely with our Year 11 students at both schools, through a series of one to one meetings and whole year group guidance sessions, to ensure that we are offering the subjects that they are interested in and to support them to make the right decisions. Not only are we able to offer the full range of A Level choices that you would except from a successful sixth form, but in addition we are providing Level Up, a bespoke learning programme for our students who are not yet ready to access Level 3 courses but do still wish to be part of the New Sixth.
modern, dedicated teaching areas;
recreation area and study space.
construction under way on the new sixth
Building work is already well under way on groundwork, laying services and building the foundations. Our contractors, ER Hemmings, have made considerable progress over recent weeks and work is due to start shortly on constructing the main frame of the building, using the latest modular building technology. We will soon see rapid results!
pastoral care Staff will be able to access the new facilities over the summer holidays, giving them plenty of time to settle in to their new surroundings, before the first wave of students in September.
In addition to an excellent academic offer, we will continue to provide the outstanding levels of pastoral care that our students have become used to. Students will be supported by
The New Sixth Administrative Centre Combe Hay Lane, Odd Down, Bath, BA2 8PA Tel 01225 832873 Fax 01225 835848 email info@newsixthbath.org.uk www.newsixthbath.org.uk
We are offering students a wide range of “ courses that will appeal to universities and employers. This includes upto 25 different A Level subjects, so that there really is something to appeal to everyone.
Phase Two
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head of sixth at st gregory’s, christine boardman
the challenge... a dedicated tutor who will provide the support and guidance they need at this stage in their education. We have also planned an exciting enrichment programme encompassing a range of activities to build the skills needed for life, whatever route is taken after the New Sixth. As you would expect, students’ spiritual health and well-being will also be nurtured, with dedicated chaplaincy provision and a physical space for students to find support and guidance – The Well, another unique provision of The New Sixth.
new beginnings
Phase Two, which we have named ‘The Gateway’, is expected to open in 2014/15 and will complete The New Sixth project. It will be a prominent addition to The New Sixth site, enabling us to create a truly landmark building at the southern entrance to the World Heritage City of Bath. This additional accommodation will comprise: A 250-seat auditorium and performance space;
As both students and staff will testify, there is nothing more exciting than being part of something new from the very beginning and playing a significant role in shaping its future. We look forward to welcoming you in September 2013 and creating something very special together.
Additional teaching areas and practice rooms; The Well - a unique social and spiritual centre; Cafe and refectory for students, also creating a community hub for out-of-hours events. Extended entrance.
Phase Two, The Gateway, will cost £1.5 million and will be entirely funded through The Gateway Campaign, our dedicated fundraising project, supported by the governing bodies of St Gregory’s and St Mark’s.
it’s still a part of St Gregory’s and “ StAlthough Mark’s, it’s new and exciting. It will allow us to carry on learning with people we know and have grown up with but at the same time gain independence and become more self-reliant.
A substantial amount has already been pledged by governors and parents and we are looking to build on this over the coming months through our school community and beyond. St Gregory’s and St Mark’s are aiming to raise 10% of the total budget, £150,000, through our own fundraising activities. The remaining 90%, £1.35 million, is expected to be raised from fundraising from local, national and internationally based individuals and organisations.
” niall, st gregory’s
The New Sixth Administrative Centre Combe Hay Lane, Odd Down, Bath, BA2 8PA Tel 01225 832873 Fax 01225 835848 email info@newsixthbath.org.uk www.newsixthbath.org.uk
The Gateway FundraisingCampaign DIRECT GIVING Anyone can make a financial donation to the Gateway Campaign. This can be in the form of a one-off payment or spread over a number of years. Our target of £150,000 is 10% of the total building cost, but it is the key that opens many doors. If we can raise this from within the resources of the schools, we can access major funds from trusts, charities, businesses and government. A major source of funding is through personal giving. The great thing is that donations from individuals are ‘Gift Aided’ by the government, effectively giving back the tax that you have already paid on earnings. So we gain an extra 25%. For example for a gift of £800, the government will add £200 Gift Aid, for a total gift of £1000. It is also possible to pledge in relatively small amounts over a period of time, for instance £3.08 per week, or £13.33 a month, with Gift Aid, grows to £1000 over five years! Join those already giving. It is really easy. We will provide the two forms and step-by-step guidance. You decide how much you want to give and for how long. It just needs your name, address and a signature.
FUNDRAISING EFFORTS Over the coming months, there will be a range of fundraising events and activities for you to get involved in at both schools.
JOIN THE PTFA EFFORT Both PTFAs have pledged to help support the Campaign with their own fundraising efforts. Come along and support an event happening in your school soon, or why not join the PTFA and help to organise an event? Maybe a film night, disco, car boot sale or help revitalise the Summer Fair?
MAKE AN INDIVIDUAL EFFORT Organise an individual or family fundraising event - a sponsored skydive perhaps? Or something less ambitious such as a sponsored slim, swim, cycle or walk?! Maybe you could invite 10 people to dinner at £10 per head?
SUPPORT STUDENT EFFORTS Encourage students to organise their own events - a school cake sale, whole school sponsored event or a community car wash?
WILL YOUR EMPLOYER HELP OUR EFFORTS? Many firms and employers donate to local causes, particularly if they are linked to, or suggested by, their employees. Ask your employer if they run a business workplace scheme that will match your donation Does the company that you work for support charitable donations to employee linked causes? Do you know anyone else outside of our school community, who may be interested in supporting our Campaign?
The New Sixth Administrative Centre Combe Hay Lane, Odd Down, Bath, BA2 8PA Tel 01225 832873 Fax 01225 835848 email info@newsixthbath.org.uk www.newsixthbath.org.uk