We have received an invitation from Lancaster University for pupils and their parents to attend a Law Taster Day on Saturday 22nd October 2011.

The event is entitled ‘Taste of a Law School’ and is designed to offer students and their parents the opportunity to get a closer look at what is involved in a university law degree and also to get a glimpse of life on campus. The day begins at 12:15 with an arrival and welcome session in the Faraday lecture theatre, and is due to close with refreshments and an opportunity to talk informally with university staff at 4:30pm. The day includes a moot trial, mini-lectures and seminars, campus tours and general information about the law degree at Lancaster. There will also be an opportunity to meet current students and for parents to talk to the admissions staff.

As the event takes place during the half-term break, students and parents would be expected to make their own way to and from the event, but could perhaps arrange for friends to travel together.

If you would like to attend, please complete this reply slip and return it to me at school by Friday 23rd September so that I can book places in advance.

Many Thanks,

S. E. Minta

Head of Sixth form

On Thursday 24th March, a group of VI Formers and Year 11s embarked on a trip to Lancaster University. There, we were going to listen to a lecture by a professor from the Philosophy and Ethics Department (one of the rare few who were not on strike!), focussing on Civil Liberties. We were introduced to the subject of civil liberties: who instated them, what they are and what they entail, which includes our right to freedom of speech and the right to privacy.

What we learned was that, in fact, a lot of our ‘rights’ have been eroded significantly as a result of legislation passed by recent governments. We watched several clips from the film ‘Taking Liberties,’ a short film exploring how the government is in fact taking our human rights away from us, and using national security as an excuse.
I thoroughly enjoyed the group discussions, mainly because it was good to hear other people’s perspectives and consider points I may not have considered myself. We then were given the opportunity to put our questions on civil liberties, as well as other political questions, to the previous Home Secretary, the Right Honorable Charles Clarke.

Alex Cordery

On the last day of last term, all Year 12 students presented their Independent Learning Projects to a panel of judges, including Jim Mcgrath, our Chair of Governors and Mr J Worsley from the Rotary Club. Topics included a diverse range of subjects, including "Are Electric Cars the Future?" "Facebook: A Blessing or a Curse?" "How Do Drugs and Alcohol Affect the Younger Generation?" and "University: A Priviledge for the Rich?"

All the presentations were delivered professionally and with confidence, and were a credit to our students.

The selection of the new Leadership Team is now underway. Several students in year 12 have applied for the positions of Head Boy/Girl and their Deputies. Candidates have been asked to write a letter of application and will be attend interviews next week……Watch this space!

Most students in Year 12 are currently having a break from the academic world of exams and lessons and are completing a week’s work experience in the local community. Placements range from local engineering companies to national charities; our thanks go to all those who have kindly offered placements to our students.

All students in Year 12 have now registered on the UCAS system and have their sights firmly set on Higher Education. Many students will be attending Open Days over the coming weeks so that they are in a position to send off their application as soon as we return to school in September.

20 students from Year 11 got a sneak preview of University life earlier this term when they visited York University for the day. The students took part in a range of activities all designed to introduce them to Higher Education and to raise awareness of the wide range of degree courses now on offer. The students were also able to tour the campus and meet current undergraduates.

On Saturday 24th April, Students from Years 8 - 12 gave up their Saturday afternoon to pack bags in Morrison's Swinton on behalf of St Anne's Hospice. The Students raised an amazing £800 in just two hours! Well done and thank you to all those involved.

On Thursday 25th March, 8 students from Years 11 and 12 visited Corpus Christi College at Oxford University for the day. Activities included a tour of the college, a seminar about applying to Oxford and a question and answer session about student life and higher education in general. After leaving Corpus, students then spent some time in Oxford, visiting the famous Bodleian library and the Sheldonian Theatre. Students found the day very informative. (Look out for their group photo in the next Oxford prospectus!)

 Click here for more pictures

On Friday 26th March, all students in Year 12 presented their Independent Learning Projects to a panel of external judges. The students had been researching their chosen area of study for several weeks and project titles ranged from ‘Diabetes – is there a cure?’ to ‘The influence of celebrity culture on society’. Each student was asked to introduce their topic via a PowerPoint presentation lasting no more than three minutes and then had to answer questions from the panel for a further two minutes. Each student’s performance was judged on content, delivery and overall presentation. The judges were both extremely impressed with the standard of the presentations and we would like to thank them for giving up their time so generously.

The Year 12 and 13 RS students joined forces this term to go to a Jewish Museum and then later on a Hindu Temple. Although neither of these trips referred directly to our AS course, we learnt a lot that will most definitely help us broaden our minds and get ahead for next year's course. At the Jewish Museum, we learnt about the history of Judaism and its origins. We also had an insight into the everyday life of a traditional Jewish family and saw displays of Jewish memorabilia collected from different points in the past. This trip was rounded off by a short trip to Starbucks whilst waiting for the minibus to collect us!

A few weeks later, we were back on the road to the Hindu Temple. Here, we saw the magnificent artwork which we were informed was especially designed for this specific temple, inspired by the Gods worshipped here. We learnt about the different methods of praying, different Gods and, similar to our findings at the Jewish Museum, the everyday life of a traditional Hindu family. We were also lucky enough to view the different traditional garments of which the Hindu priest would dress the sacred statues of their Gods in at different times of the year. These were fabulous as they were covered in sequins and made with special material, all bright and vividly coloured. On our departure, we were given bracelets by the Hindu priest and also goody bags to remember our trip to the Hindu Temple. We feel that from both of these trips we have benefited immensely as it has helped us to grasp a better understanding of two completely different religions in today’s society which we are sure will benefit us in many ways in the future.

Georgia Gagan & Laura Hardman 12W

All students in Year 12 have begun work on an 'Independent Learning Project'. Over the next few weeks, they will research a topic of their own choosing based around an issue of social conscience. Their findings will then be presented to an independent panel of judges on Friday 26th March via a three minute Powerpoint presentation.

On Tuesday 23rd March, all Year 12 students will attend the UCAS Higher Education Convention at Manchester Central (G-Mex) from 1:30pm onwards

Year 12 / 13 Parents' Evening will be held on Tuesday 16th March in the Drama Studio

A Higher Education Evening has been arranged for all Year 12 students and their parents on Thursday 11th March (6:45 - 8:15 pm). The Guest Speaker, Mr Julian Skyrme, Head of Undergraduate Recruitment from the University of Manchester, will join the Head of Sixth Form in outlining the UCAS process and giving advice on personal statements and financial matters.

AS and A2 January Module results are due in school on Thursday 11th March

On Wednesday 3rd March, all Year 12 students will travel to Abbey Gate College in Chester, to take part in a Young Enterprise Day along with 150 students from across the North-West

On Tuesday 9th February, the Schools Liaison Officer from Peter House College, Cambridge University, will come into school to deliver a short presentation to the Year 12 students about applying to Cambridge and student life at the University.

Year 12 are currently planning an expedition to Equador which will take place in the summer of 2011. The expedition will be oprganised through World Challenge, a company that arranges life-changing experiences around the world.  Each student must raise their own travel costs (a total of £3695 per student) and the students are currently working hard to organise a series of fundraising events.

Not only will this be a rewarding experience in terms of new skills but it also has the potential of earning them 70 UCAS points which could prove to be vital when applying to universities.

As we continue with our preparations for the trip we will update you on what’s happening.