S i x t h Fo r m D i p l o m a N e w s l e t t e r
Welcome to the Autumn issue of our Newsletter This newsletter includes highlights of Sixth Form work during their recent Diploma sessions.
“The joint year group discussion really helped firstly, with tips that will help me get through the year easily but also to get to know some other students in the year above.” Finlay Kennedy
EPQ presentation evening In the middle of September, our Upper School students presented their Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), enlightening us on a wide-range of topics from ‘To what extent is Cleft Lip and Palate preventable’? to ‘How has Brutalism helped shape our perception of social housing in the UK’?
“Preparation for life beyond school including, personal development, enrichment and leadership skills is a significant part of Sixth Form life.” Antonia Geldeard, Head of Sixth Form
Introduction to Diploma and life in the Sixth Form We added to our Sixth Form Induction
The EPQ is an optional, research-based
Autumn 2021
while Maths is considered a masculine subject’ to ‘Could the emergence of cryptocurrencies spark a Renaissance in private currencies?’ “The academic project excites me because it will really help me to prepare for the structure of university. It will also help with self-reflection and working on a project for a long period of time to completion. I am also very excited to research something I am truly interested and passionate about, and produce a project that I am proud to present.” India Rodway
qualification in which our students are able to explore an academic topic outside of the classroom. Akin to university-level academic research, it is a fantastic opportunity for our students to prepare for what they may encounter when they leave Trinity and enter Higher Education.
programme for the Lower Sixth this year,
Our talented Sixth Form students
by having these students join the Upper
enjoyed presenting their own research
Sixth for a Diploma session. This was
projects, and demonstrated exceptional
designed as an opportunity for them to
academic endeavour as well as fantastic
connect, following significant disruption
responses to questions from their
and isolation over the past year, and
volunteering, so that every Lower Sixth
audiences.
student could undertake six full weeks
to discuss topical issues that they will face in life in the Sixth Form. Instead of hearing from the teachers, students were able to hear about Sixth Form life from past students and they were given the space and the time to reflect and discuss.
Lower Sixth EPQ applications Inspired by the previous cohort’s EPQ presentation evening, Lower Sixth students then began exploring initial ideas for their academic project in their Diploma lessons. They have now completed their applications for the EPQ or Sixth Form Project (a smaller, internal version of the EPQ). As last year, their ideas cover a huge range, from ‘Gender role conformity: why is English considered a feminine subject,
Lower Sixth volunteering We have expanded the opportunities for
of community outreach. Individuals were able to choose from six options: primary school outreach, mentoring training, outdoors work, fundraising, charity project work or caring for older people. “The most important and interesting thing for me within the Diploma is the volunteering work. I believe it is important to give back to the community.” Archie Galbraith
Primary school outreach We have been very fortunate to have been able to send 29 students to seven different schools this year mostly primary schools such as Park Hill Junior School, but also a special needs secondary school - Bensham Manor School. Through this experience, students have provided classroom support for set activities, helping students with reading or coaching sport.
“Working with students to help them focus and achieve something they are proud of in lessons has been really rewarding and it has also helped me develop my communication skills.” Izzy Crispin
Fundraising and project work
who feel as if they’re isolated reconnect with society, and discover and develop skills to help people who may feel they need to come back into society. Knowing that what I was doing was helping the local society brought me a great sense of fulfillment and has given me a new perspective on how I can help my own local community.”
Care for older people Students have been connecting with some of our oldest and most isolated in the local community by visiting, writing letters or designing and writing Christmas cards.
Edward Warner
Outdoor work
“Over the past six weeks, we have volunteered at Pinewood Scout Centre - this has included chopping firewood, clearing overgrown brambles, and pulling ivy off trees. Since the Scout Association is a youth organisation run by volunteers, it can sometimes be hard to look after large sites such as Pinewood; overgrown plants and old logs can easily become a hazard. It has been very enjoyable knowing that our hard work will benefit such an important movement!” Lucas Rebato
“Caring for the older residents in our local area has really given me an insight into their day-to-day lives. I’ve really enjoyed working with them as they are encouraging and grateful for even just our presence. It has helped me to develop my social skills in addition to benefiting the local community” Hari Dhoat
STEM outreach Twelve students worked hard to create their own teaching resources for STEM
Some students enjoyed talks from two
lessons for local primary schools. Having
separate charities - Beyond Conflict
undergone some training, they then
and Dog Aid. Following these talks, they
went into the schools to deliver specific
raised money to aid in the fantasic work
lessons.
these organisations are undertaking. For Beyond Conflict they ran a Dodgeball tournament for younger students, and spent an afternoon washing staff cars, raising £128.30. For Dog Aid they ran a Gauntlet and doughnut sale, raising £100. Other students have also been able to complete some work for charities such as Croydon Volunteeing Action - helping by carrying out vital research work.
Mentoring training
“We spent our diploma sessions first learning safeguarding principles and then undergoing training on how to coach, with a particular focus on the needs of the younger years. This will help us to talk to them in a non-judgemental way when we start mentioning. We now have begun planning our first session which I look forward to later this term.” Beau Brendon
“I have really enjoyed volunteering in charity project work, I was working with the charity Croydon Voluntary Action who try and help people form a connection to their community by providing them with voluntary work options. This is incredibly important for the wider society as it allows people
“Planning and teaching the lessons to primary school students showed me how to break down problems and really cater to different abilities. It was so rewarding to deliver our hard work to children and see them so curious and engaged with discovering something, such as the relationship between the diameter and circumference of a circle and their fascinated faces that come with it.” Simran Goel
Upper Sixth electives During the first twelve weeks of term, Upper Sixth Form students completed two elective courses in their Diploma lessons created and delivered by teaching staff on their areas of expertise. These courses are designed to supplement student’ A Level studies; either to boost their understanding of subjects, or to permit engagement with a topic that will increase an individual’s broader education and expand their interests. We have offered more electives than ever this year, resulting in a great diversity options.
Elective courses offered: An introduction to Greek language An introduction to Seismology A study of words, linguistics and semantics Africa in the European Imagination Anatomy of motion Capitalist crisis & postcapitalism Crises facing Latin and Central America Critical approaches to film Economic geographies of fashion and food Gender, power and identitiy across time Is Law reasonable? Mathematical modelling
Mental Health Science: anxiety and depression Physics plus Political theory: A whistle-stop tour Politics & aesthetics: WWII & beyond The politics of Art: Greek Art & Architecture Psychology for all Smart investing for your future Stuff you wished you knew about climate change Ethics The evolution of buildings and
“In Critical approachese to film we learnt about the different approaches to filming. Learning about these techniques has made me look at films in a more analytical way and consider what the director is trying to achieve by shooting in that angle. This analytical skill is important as when reading sources it’s crucial to look at the intention of the author and what they are trying to achieve.” Maya Night Perez
structures
“I have really enjoyed my elective on Greek Language. I learnt all of the Ancient Greek alphabet, verbs, nouns, and so on. Not only have we explored the Ancient Greek language, but we have also explored the applications and similarities of Ancient Greek to other subjects. For example, I presented on the similarities in forming words in Chinese by combining multiple single characters, which is similar to the Greek formation of words.” Barnaby Corry
“Having set debate topics in my Debating elective, allowed me to enhance my perspective of how to develop an argument from both sides rather than from the point of view I agree with. I have no doubt that this elective will aid in my aspirations to become a lawyer and support my A level subject as they require clear anddetailed thinking.” Christopher Green
“Mathematical modelling introduced me to concepts in maths that I had not encountered on the A-level maths course. I didn’t realise that maths was a universal language and even a possible method of communicating with extra terrestrial life, through pulses. It amazed me to think that we could deduce how intelligent a civilisation was just by seeing to how many decimal places they could give a recurring number to.” Surya Vijayanand
“From my elective on Mental Health Science, I feel that I can better approach research studies, and have gained an insight into the different models that I feel can be applied to real-life scenarios and which will aid me in my future endeavors in medicine.” Tate Nicol
Coming up in Spring Term Diploma lessons The Lower Sixth will spend the first half of the Spring term of working on their academic projects. During class they will enjoy a series of lessons focusing on the skills needed to complete their academic writing; whether for the EPQ or the Sixth Form Project. The second half term will involve sessions on sexual health & relations, mental health & employability. Meanwhile the Upper Sixth will undertake sessions designed to prepare them for examinations and life beyond Trinity. For instance, there will be sessions on managing finances - including budgeting, contracts and tax. In addition to this there will be sessions on how to support their own mental health, manage stress and also reviewing different revision strategies.