College News DECEMBER 2012
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR! It’s that time of year again! The tinsel is up, the tree is decorated, and you can’t go anywhere without hearing Christmas songs! The same goes for here at the College and our staff have really been getting into the festive spirit to wish you all “Merry Christmas Everyone”. To see this for yourself, and to find out if Wilberforce College staff can actually sing, log onto www.wilberforce.ac.uk/christmas to view our Christmas video. We’re also really looking forward to the New Year, and this brand new year means that we’ll soon be welcoming lots more students to the College in September 2013. If you’ve just applied to become a Wilberforce Sixth Form College student we’re now in the process of contacting applicants and arranging interviews. We can’t wait to meet you and find out all about you, and of course you will also have the opportunity to ask questions and find out more about starting college. Don’t forget, there is still time to apply to join us at www.wilberforce.ac.uk. Enjoy the festivities and we’ll see you in 2013! THE WILBERFORCE COLLEGE LIAISON TEAM
A year of success for Top flight scholarships awarded Two former Wilberforce Sixth Form College students have started degree programmes after being awarded prestigious scholarships. Dwayne Andrews, 19, is now studying Business Management & Information Technology at the University of Hull after being awarded a Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship, whilst Andrew Selby is studying Economics & Management at the University of Oxford and has attained a Moritz-Heyman Scholarship. Both scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional academic potential, and whose family income falls below specific thresholds. Dwayne was amongst seventeen students from the local region to benefit from the one-off University of Hull scholarship scheme, which includes the backing of a full fee-waiver worth £27,000. He was nominated by Wilberforce College, which is a partner institution of the University of Hull in the Federation of Colleges and Associate Institutions Network. After receiving the award, Dwayne thanked teacher Richard Hurrell for his support in securing the scholarship, he said “I really do appreciate your contributions towards me receiving this scholarship and I couldn’t be any more thrilled.” Andrew Selby, 19, is in the first generation of his family to attend a university and he is now studying at St Anne’s College after achieving A grades in Maths, Further Maths, and Business Studies. As part of the Moritz-Heyman Scholarship, he is expected to undertake a summer internship and spend part of his time doing volunteer work. Andrew, whose story has been covered by the New York Times, said: “For me the best part is the volunteering. I want to go back to my old school and advise young people applying to university. Oxford has this stereotype as a place that is hostile to northerners and to state school graduates, and I just haven’t found that to be true.”
Wilberforce students Record Higher Education numbers Record numbers of Wilberforce College students secured university places in 2012. This academic year, 330 students from the college – a rise of 8% from last year – have now embarked upon courses at a wide range of universities and Higher Education institutions across the country. Whilst some students have chosen to study locally, other students have commenced degree courses farther afield, such as Alice Dee who is now studying Biological Sciences at The University of Durham, and Dorothy Maddock-Greene who is studying Marketing, Advertising & Public Relations at Birmingham City University. The Higher Education destinations of Wilberforce College’s Class of 2012 can be viewed on this map.
JABU MALIAMUNGU
St Mary’s College BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Travel and Tourism (D*DD) Travel and Tourism Management Huddersfield University
SARAH SU
Newland School for Girls A Levels in Classical Civilisation (C), English Language (B) and English Literature (C) English Sheffield Hallam University
KARL LYNCH
Winifred Holtby A Levels in English Language (B), English Literature (B) and Law (A*) Law (Exempting) Northumbria University
ABIGAIL PEARSON
Andrew Marvell A Levels in English Language (A), Maths (A*), and Further Maths (A*) Maths University of Durham
SARVENAZ ALAEI-HORAMDAREH
Kingswood College of Arts A Levels in Biology (B), Chemistry (A), and Psychology (A) Pharmacy The University of Bradford
REEGAN BEATTIE South Holderness School A Levels in Biology (B), Chemistry (B) and Maths (A) Biochemistry University of York
SAM PIERCY
Trinity House BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production (D*D*D*) Film and Television University of Lincoln
HELEN KAY
Archbishop Sentamu Academy BTEC Level 3 in Travel and Tourism (D*), A Levels in Further Mathematics (B) and Law (C) Mathematics Loughborough University
ANDREW SELBY
Malet Lambert A Levels in Business Studies (A), Maths (A) and Further Maths (A) Economics and Management University of Oxford
Wilberforce hosts special PCC debate A debate for the Humberside Police & Crime Commissioner took place at Wilberforce College last month.
New courses The curriculum at Wilberforce Sixth Form College grows year on year, with new courses being added to ensure that students can successfully progress on to their chosen course at university, or on to meaningful employment. Recognising the developments taking place in the engineering and construction industries locally, the college has introduced a Level 2 BTEC qualification in Engineering and it is expected that this provision will be extended to Advanced Level next year. Offering courses across a range of different levels is important to the College and following on from the success of the introduction of Beauty and Hairdressing courses last academic year, Wilberforce now also offers both subjects at Levels 2 and 3.
Prospective candidates, including the Rt Hon Lord John Prescott, attended a Question Time style debate at the college on Monday 5th November in the college’s theatre. The event was chaired by the BBC’s Blair Jacobs and filmed by ITV’s Calendar News, it was also attended by over 150 students. The audience asked the candidates questions about a whole range of issues, including the role of the commissioner, youth crime, and the impact of funding cuts on policing. Afterwards, the students commented that they had learnt a great deal about what each of the candidates would bring to the role, they also said that they felt more informed about the issues facing the newly elected commissioner.
This September, a Vocational Studies course at Level 1 was also added to the curriculum, which gives students the foundation to progress on to a Level 2 vocational programme here at Wilberforce the following year. New courses in English and Maths have also been added to run alongside GCSEs, which aim to give students the necessary numeracy and literacy skills needed to make it further in education and the world of work. New A Levels in Religious Studies, Government & Politics, and Economics have been launched. The College now offers A Levels in over 30 subjects, making Wilberforce one of the best providers locally for A Level provision. Accompanying these A Levels are new BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diplomas in Social Sciences, ‘Children’s Play, Learning and Development’, Music Technology and Musical Theatre, the latter two being delivered in our new, state of the art, performance and music technology centres. Additionally, for students looking to progress beyond Level 3, we have introduced a Foundation Diploma in Art. This course allows students who have completed a Level 3 Art qualification to build up their Art portfolio prior to progressing on to university.
Sport gets bigger and better at Wilberforce Staff profile Wilberforce Sixth Form College has appointed footballer Adam Bolder as its College Sport Maker.
The experienced midfielder, who started his career at Hull City, is set to get the local community active and promote physical activity as part of his new job at the college. The appointment comes after last month’s announcement that Sport England has selected Wilberforce College as one of 150 Active Colleges nationwide to each benefit from over £100,000 of National Lottery funding over five years. The key aim of colleges involved in the Active College scheme is to ensure that all young people they are connected with are participating in at least one session of exercise per week for at least 30 minutes. As the dedicated Sport Maker, Adam will be based at the Saltshouse Road campus, helping to raise student participation in sport, especially with those between the ages of 16 and 18 years old. Adam, 32, signed his first professional contract for The Tigers in 1998 and then went on to play for Derby County, Millwall, Sheffield Wednesday, Bradford City and Burton Albion. In a Football League career spanning 14 seasons and 300 appearances, he was also named Club Captain at Queens Park Rangers where he helped to steer the team away from relegation. The Hull-born footballer, who was brought up in Bilton, is already a familiar face at Wilberforce College, having been in post as Sports Technician for the past two months where he has been tasked with motivating students to play sport in their spare time outside of the classroom. Adam, who continues to play semi-professionally for Harrogate Town, said: “I am really looking forward to this new exciting role, and having the opportunity to inspire and encourage the students to take part in sport and exercise.”
Name: Adam Bolder Age: 32
Job Title: College Sport Maker Background: Professional footballer Position: Midfielder Clubs played for: Hull City AFC, Derby County, Queens Park Rangers, Sheffield Wednesday, Millwall, Bradford City, Burton Albion. Current status: As College Sport Maker, Adam is tasked with raising participation in sport amongst young people, especially with those between the ages of 16 and 18 years old. Adam also continues to play semiprofessionally for Harrogate Town. David Cooper, Principal at Wilberforce Sixth Form College, said: “We are delighted to be able to appoint Adam as our College Sport Maker. This post is about encouraging young people to get involved in sport in all its forms and at every level. In Adam we’ve found someone who is a superb role-model for young people – an athlete who has achieved at the highest level and has the ability to inspire young people, both in the college and the wider community.”
A Dutch dash for tourism students Travel & Tourism students visited Amsterdam in November to explore the Dutch city as part of their studies. The group of travellers sailed on P&O ferries overnight from Hull to Rotterdam before taking the coach to Amsterdam. After arriving in the historic city, the fourteen students and two staff members explored the picturesque canals and visited some of the world-class attractions, such as Anne Frank’s House, Amsterdam Dungeon, and the wax museum Madame Tussauds.
The ‘mini cruise’ trip included a two-night stay onboard one of P&O’s luxury cruise ferries and a day in Amsterdam, with the students finding it useful to visit a major tourism destination whilst also experiencing customer service in action. Each year, Travel & Tourism students are given the opportunity to visit The Netherlands on this annual trip, which is organised by Steve Lawrence who is Head of the Business Department. Steve said, “The crossing on the ferry was really calm, the weather in Amsterdam was crisp and sunny, and everyone really enjoyed themselves.”
Songs for charity Wilberforce Sixth Form College has partnered with Winifred Holtby School and The Echoes Foundation on a song writing project. The College’s Performing Arts Department is working with fifteen pupils from the East Hull school with the task of producing an original CD for the children’s charity. When the CD is released in early 2013 it is hoped that it will raise vital funds for The Echoes Foundation, whose aim is to provide dedicated therapy sessions and sensory equipment for local children with special and additional needs. The project was set up by Head of Performing Arts Jayne Dawson and Helen Walker from the Bransholme and District Learning Partnership, with workshops run by professional musician Lucy Sutton. Jayne said, “I set up the project after visiting The Echoes Foundation and meeting some of the adorable children. I just knew how valuable our support could be to the Foundation, how our new Music Technology students could benefit from working as mentors, and how this project would also enhance the learning experience of the school pupils.”
Students meet Berkoff Students from Wilberforce Sixth Form College met the prominent actor, writer, and director Steven Berkoff in Lincoln last month. A group of A Level Performance Studies students had been to see ‘Shakespeare’s Villains: A Master Class in Evil’ at Lincoln Performing Arts Centre – a one-man tour through Shakespeare’s rogues’ gallery - when they had the opportunity to meet Berkoff after the performance. Berkoff is perhaps best known for his portrayal of villainous roles on the silver screen, including as General Orlov in the James Bond film Octopussy, as well as Victor Maitland in Beverley Hills Cop. Claire Scott, teacher of Performing Arts at Wilberforce College, said: “The night was incredible! These students study Berkoff for their drama practical and written coursework, so they were over the moon to meet the man himself and get their scripts signed as a memento!”
Enterprising college Young Enterprise students create real businesses
Students make it their business to win at enterprise masterclass Young entrepreneurs from Wilberforce Sixth Form College have shown their business credentials by scooping the top award at an enterprise masterclass. A team of Business Studies students from the college beat more than 200 other hopefuls at the Post 16 Enterprise Masterclass, which took place at the University of Hull last month as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week. Team Wilberforce rose to the challenge of creating a marketing concept for a product or service by using an object – an orange cone - as inspiration. They were given 45 minutes to come up with the name of the product, the retail cost and suitable marketing material, all of which had to be linked to the renewables industry. The six students developed an idea for a glow-in-thedark Solar Traffic Cone, naming their business ‘Solarway’. Their idea, projected sales and projected revenue figures were pitched to a panel of judges, which included local entrepreneurs and Ruth Badger of BBC1’s ‘The Apprentice’ fame. The Wilberforce College team, led by Kallum Green (18), particularly impressed the judges with their realistic and profitable sales figures, which were calculated by the team’s Accountant, former Malet Lambert student Jack Davies (16). The team also included Romilly Tucker (16), Jack Siddle (16), Bronwyn Hawkins (16) and Michael Sellers (17), who were each assigned different job roles in the ‘business’. They were presented with the top prize of
Name: Kallum Green Age: 18 Subjects: BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business, BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Law, and A Level Film Studies. Kallum also studies the Preparing for Business course. Former school: St Mary’s College Business: Mosh News (www.moshnews.co.uk) Current status: Mosh News is a website which has 20,000 hits a day from all over the world. Kallum started the news website, which is sponsored by Wilberforce College, as a hobby to keep him occupied in his spare time. Kallum said, “I plan to develop my website to include features such as a chat show, and filming local bands and celebrities coming into the local area.”
Name: David Beech Age: 16 Subjects: AS Levels in Maths, IT, Business Studies, Product Design. David also studies the Preparing for Business course. Former school: David Lister Business: Eco2 Tech Current status: David set up Eco2 Tech along with five other students, which is supported by the Young Enterprise scheme as part of the College’s enrichment programme. Eco2 Tech aims to provide new and exciting technology to help make mobile phones more energy efficient, including a phone cover that uses daylight and movement to prolong battery life. David said, “Our next step is to create a prototype, this will allow us to approach manufacturers and potential commercial buyers.”
£300 worth of vouchers by Ruth Badger, which can be used towards furthering their own business ideas. Mark Brown, teacher of Business Studies at Wilberforce College, said: “This is a great achievement and I’m overjoyed for our students, especially considering the strength of the competition. They all performed brilliantly and deserved the first prize, certainly shining through as the strongest team there and even beating a team of university undergraduates!”
Raising aspirations how a collegiate university sits within a medieval city. Many students are familiar with the idea of a modern university campus, but many of the older more traditional universities have their buildings mixed in with the city. Students need to think about how they would feel living and working in such a university.” Students taking part in the Aspire programme will also have the opportunity to visit Oxford and Cambridge later in the year.
The Aspire programme at Wilberforce College is going from strength to strength. During November, students from the programme took part in a trip to Durham where they visited the Cathedral and met with a former Wilberforce student, Alice Dee, who is now studying Biology at Durham University. Alice, 19, gave the students an insight into her first few weeks as an undergraduate at the University, which is part of the Russell Group comprised of the country’s most competitive universities. Richard Hurrell, Wilberforce College Oxbridge Co-ordinator, said: “This was an opportunity for students to see first-hand
Key dates for your calendar Wed 30th January: Thurs 31st January:
Parents’ Information Evening Parents’ Information Evening
Fri 1st February: Sat 23rd February:
Interview Day (partner schools) Open Saturday
Wed 13th March:
Open Evening
Sat 20th April:
Open Saturday
Thurs 27th June: Fri 28th June:
Welcome Day 1 Welcome Day 2
Last month, students from the programme also attended the ‘Global Agendas Conference 2012’. They joined college students from across the UK to debate and address the issues currently affecting United Nations countries. The conference, held at the University of Hull, featured keynote speeches, discussions, and debates. Each student also represented a UN Country and joined a commission group to debate current issues, such as: Human Rights, Child Slavery, and International Peacekeeping. Wilberforce College student Holly Fishwick said: “The conference was fun and it has given me the skills to debate issues of the new world. I even debated about countries that I previously never even knew existed.”
A lesson in marketing Students from Wilberforce Sixth Form College gained an insight into the world of business and marketing through a special guest lecture last month. Clare Conway, Marketing Manager at Hull University Business School, talked with students about her role in marketing at the University. This included giving an overview of the targets and strategies involved in marketing as well as taking questions about what it takes to be a Marketing Manager. The lecture was attended by the College’s Business Studies students and also those taking part in the Preparing for Business enrichment course. Alex Hollis, who is studying A Levels at Wilberforce, said: “We’ve learned about business strategy and the possibilities open to us. Marketing could play a role in future my career, so this lecture has been really useful.”
Thurs 22nd August: GCSE Results Day
Wilberforce Sixth Form College. Saltshouse Road, Hull, HU8 9HD | 01482 711688 | www.wilberforce.ac.uk