South Sefton 6th Form College Newsletter
First Edition February 2010
South Sefton 6th Form College
SIXTH SENSE
ROYAL SEAL OF APPROVAL The students of South Sefton
was accompanied by some
Highness to share in our
well-chosen words of greeting. celebrations. On the tour, the Countess took It is a day to say thank you to the opportunity to speak with our wonderful students and staff, staff and students. She visited as well as all those who helped to
Sixth Form College, played host to
the dance studio, sports hall,
create this magnificent place of
a royal visitor for their official
library, science laboratories and other classrooms, taking a keen
learning. We are immensely proud of the college - the future is very
interest in all the activities taking
exciting.”
opening. Her Royal Highness, The Countess of Wessex, was there to unveil a plaque to commemorate the occasion. This duty was
place. The visit concluded in the atrium, where all the students and
completed after she had been on a invited guests had assembled to watch the unveiling and the tour of the college’s state of the art facilities. Upon her arrival, waiting at
signing of the visitors’ book. When the formalities of the
party, which included Principal,
day were complete, Mrs Shemilt expressed her thanks to all,
Laetitia Shemilt and Student
stating, “This was an historic day
Council Member, Tom Atherton.
for our new college. We were
Tom presented the royal visitor with a bouquet of flowers, which
delighted to welcome Her Royal
the front door was a welcome
W H E R E A S P I R AT I O N [1] MEETS OPPORTUNITY
STAY AWAY GROUP SUCCESS
RYAN CLARKE SCHOLARSHIP Congratulations to Ryan Clarke, former St Michael’s pupil for gaining a privileged place (on an Army Military Scholarship) at Sandhurst!
SSSFC’S B BOYS BEAT THE BEST! Come hail, rain, shine or even snow, every Wednesday afternoon sees Laura Forsyth (the only assistant coach in high heels) and her beloved B Boys on the football pitch. The college B team, managed by Tom Holland and ably assisted by Laura, have beaten some of the best teams around. This included a victory for the red side of the city, when they stunned the Childwall Everton Academy by coming away with a 2-1 victory. There will be more fixtures after half term and if Jon Kavanagh would stop stealing our players for the A team, who knows where we could end up! Come along and watch the B Boys... we’ve beaten the best, now let’s beat the rest!
In the October half term, a party of AS level Geographers blazed a trail that we hope will
Ambleside students were able to explore changing physical environments, conducting
become a well-worn path. The group became the first from the college to take part in a residential trip. The students stayed at a
surverys and interviewing local people and visitors to the area. In addition they then had to measure rock erosion in the cold rivers of Kendal!
beautiful youth hostel at Arnside, with magnificent views overlooking Morecambe Bay and the Cumbrian Fells. All worked extremely hard and
Weather permittting, students still smiled throughout.I am delighted to report the field trip was a complete success and I told
with total respect for the local community. Field work is central to the study of Geography A Level and allows students to apply theory
them I would be happy to take these young people anywhere in the world. Now they are trying to decide where that might be!
studied in the classroom. At
Geographers y enjoy an earl morning explore.
[2]
BRYN WILLIAMS
STEPPING OUT TO THE THEATRE In December, the Drama and Theatre Studies Department took students to see a performance of 'The 39 Steps' at The Liverpool Playhouse. This was an excellent opportunity to experience live theatre whilst developing students’ knowledge and interest in the subject. The show was enjoyed by all, owing to the fast paced comedy produced by the very talented performers. Such experience of live theatre is invaluable to our students, and we are now looking forward to our visit to Aberystwyth Arts Centre, to see the innovative Kneehigh Theatre's production of 'Hansel and Gretel'.
TIME TO REMEMBER
We have had two historical focal points since our college opened – Remembrance and Holocaust Memorial Day. These events were important to mark, not just because they remember a time in history, but also because they hold lessons for us now. For Remembrance Day students wrote a prayer or other words of hope onto a poppy, which then was laid onto a model cenotaph displayed in college. This had a particular poignancy for students, with so many of our own men and women posted overseas at this time.
PAUL FITZPATRICK
Holocaust Memorial Day was marked by a tutorial session that explored ideas around prejudice and discrimination, not just in the Nazi era, but also today. Students then wrote a pledge about how they will challenge prejudice and discrimination. These pledges are displayed outside the chaplaincy and stand as a symbol of how our young people will ensure the world is a place of justice for all.
Sean Occleston, Tom Holland, Kyle Harrison & Danny Heart in the LRC
Alison Benson
[3]
SUPER BRAINS ON SHOW In November, four of our strongest Mathematicians took part
to improve on the
exciting prospect of
exciting start we have
representing the UK in
made.
the International
CHRISTINE LAKE
Olympiad, which will take place in Sweden in July.
in the Senior Team
Bon courage!
Mathematics Challenge.
CLAIRE FORBES
The students were competing against
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
schools and colleges
It is important for
throughout the
Generous response to The Shoebox Appeal
Northwest, in a competition designed to test mathematical,
the college to look at the world around us and to try in
communication and
some way to make a
teamwork skills.
dierence. The charities
The college team
group in college has led
collaborated impressively TARGET SWEDEN and came up with Seven of our
the way by organising a
numerous strategies for
outstanding French
events for The Salvation
solving and posing
students are currently
Army, World Aids Day,
problems, which helped
representing the college
Children in Need and The
display their
in the UK Linguistics
Shoebox Appeal.
mathematical skills in a
Olympiad. This is a
good light. The quartet
prestigious, world-wide
students ran a sweet and
out performed most of
competition in which
cake stall which raised
the opposition, despite
students have to solve
over ÂŁ100 on one day.
the other teams being made up of experienced
puzzles in languages they Also, they collected 114 have never studied, for shoeboxes to help make
mathematicians. In the
example, in Abma, a little- Christmas better for
end an excellent result
known Austronesian
was achieved and we are
language. Each student is the college cares!
eager to return next year,
competing with the
[4]
number of fundraising
For Children in Need
those in need. Simply put, ALISON BENSON
spirit, enjoy the
Fancy dress raising money for Haiti!
competition and the social aspect of the game. Training sessions are fun and are aimed at improving skills and teamwork. There have been regular home and away fixtures with colleges and schools Fund raising began
throughout Sefton and
with a car wash enabling
Merseyside. The team
the young enterprise
has taken part in a South
team to raise capital.
Sefton Tournament where
From here they then sold
they narrowly missed out
developing teamwork
shares. With this money,
reaching the quarter-
skills and their creative
Randoms bought
finals. The girls will
ability by running a
stationery items to sell
continue to progress and
business. The students
around the college. They
we can hopefully start
came up with a wide
invested all their profit
filling up the trophy
range of enterprise ideas
back into a raffle for an
cabinet!
and decided to call their
ipod. It was hard work,
business - 'Randoms'.
but everybody gained and
APPRENTICE ENTREPRENEURS A number of college students have been
RACHEL DYSON
business is booming! ANITA MALONE NETBALL ACHIEVEMENT The Netball team has Enterprise group plans next business move!
had a very successful and enjoyable year so far. The girls show great team
[5]
Alex Royal excellent netball success
LIVERPOOL ECHO SCHOOL OF THE WEEK Liverpool Echo Education Reporter Ben Turner paid a visit to the newly opened South Sefton Sixth Form College in Litherland which is offering individual support to ensure all students achieve their aspirations. The saying goes “it’s the little things that make the difference” Just ask 17-year-old South Sefton Sixth Form College student, Ashleigh Kielty. In her case the little thing is a light yellow plastic sheet which she has placed over a written handout setting out her tasks during a science lesson. It may only be an A4 sized sheet but it’s an example of how the five-month old college is determined to make a big difference by catering for individual students’ needs. A beaming Ashleigh from Seaforth explained: “I have Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome which means my eyes are sensitive to light.
“But covering work with certain colours helps me. I have access to the plastic sheets in all my lessons and can put them on all my books and work. “At my old school I would get headaches and struggle to concentrate. But here the teachers also where possible print out work for me in that colour. “I find it really helps me concentrate more. I feel really cared for.” Ashleigh’s verdict is something the college is striving to replicate for all its students.
One of only a handful of local authority-run colleges, the main reason for its inception was to address a lack of A-level provision and stop a migration of students Rachel out of the borough. McCormish It has certainly & Sophie addressed that with the first cohort of Thompson more than 300 students able to choose students needing additional from a wide range of Ahelp and further support is levels. available in a separate study base. The latest cutting edge All students have a personal tutor equipment ranging from modern who ensures they get the help they science labs to music and need. recording studios are at students’ “For example it may be that disposal. they get extra support on working But at the heart of the college, more efficiently or using a different is offering extra layers of help and learning style, “ Dr McCann said. provision to ensure every student Catch up sessions are also run who comes through the door has a including during the holidays. tailored education so their Students are encouraged to aspirations are met.“We wanted to make their university dreams put in place a large number of happen. support systems and pastoral help This includes residential trips to get students to believe and raise to Oxford and Cambridge, help their aspirations. It is working and with the Ucas application process, we now have students who will be bursaries available, finance tips applying for Oxbridge,” said Dr and “dispelling myths” about Frank McCann, Vice Principal. higher education. Students with additional An active Wednesday afternoon learning needs are identified from enrichment programme is also the start. broadening students’ horizons in This includes diagnostic testing disciplines ranging from charity of students via special computer work to a triumphant football programmes to identify those with team. dyslexia and dyspraxia. A smiling Laetita Shemilt, It allows teachers to ensure Principal, said “It’s our aim to they get additional time to hand in encourage all young people who work, ensure they have adapted believe they can go to university, to laptops while sitting tests and believe they really can go.”. secure extra dispensation from exam boards. And then there are the little but crucial things like Ashleigh’s plastic sheets. Most students here do four Alevels as standard and are encouraged to develop critical thinking in subjects such as general studies. Extra tutorials are offered to
[6]
Tom Atherton & ey Lydia McCartn g strictly dancin
COLLEGE DATES
Spring Break Monday 29th March Friday 9th April May Half Term Monday 31st May Friday 4th June Summer Break Term ends Friday 16th July Autumn Term Wednesday 1st September 2010
Enrichment
Spring Half Term Friday 15th February Friday 19th February
We want want our students to fully develop their talents and be able to demonstrate a broad range of interests. The Enrichment Programme at South Sefton has proved to be a popular aspect of College life since September. Students have appreciated the ‘break’ from their academic work and the opportunity to partake in a wide variety of activities including First Aid, Dance, Drama, Music, Art and Duke of Edinburgh.
CATHY MURPHY [7]
OPEN EVENING If you are a Year 11 student, ambitious and value your future, you must check out the most up-todate specialist A-level College on Merseyside at the first available opportunity!
For a taste of the South Sefton experience, a nd the chance to loo k around our world cla ss facilities, com e along to our open ev ent.
Please make a date to come to our Open Event on Tuesday March 9, 2010 and see for yourself the state of the art facilities we offer in a variety of subjects. If you are unable to attend, please call us (contact details below), or drop in to reception and collect our prospectus. Besides aiming for high academic achievement, the college offers a wide range of activities and programmes that will cater for your individual needs. Please feel free to come along to talk to one of our highly qualified and experienced members of staff. There is a programme of learning that can be specifically designed to cater for your needs. We are aware that making the transition from GCSEs to A-levels sometimes is not an easy process and our staff have the expertise to offer you the correct advice and support to help you reach your full potential. We believe in the individual and provide student centred learning. The college also offers a high level of pastoral care, which is provided by Personal Tutors and Learning Support Teachers. We are offering the young people of Merseyside the opportunity to secure their future with a high quality education. Don’t miss out on the College, where aspiration meets opportunity!
Tuesday, 9th March 3.30pm-6pm Where applications are welcomed: Sterrix Lane, Liverpool L30 2DB admin@southseftoncollege.ac.uk 0151 288 6300
www.southseftoncollege.ac.uk
South Sefton 6th Form College
THIS NEWSLETTER IS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE, IN LARGE PRINT OR AN ALTERNATIVE FORMAT. CONTACT US FOR[8] MORE INFORMATION.