Mrs Rogers' Words Summer Week 4

This week I challenged Year 12 to ‘step up’ now that Year 13 are on study leave and focused on their exams. And stepping up encompasses a variety of expectations.

Year 12 are now moving to the top of the school; they are role models, ambassadors and an inspiration to others. There are currently leadership opportunities for them to apply for including positions as Heads and Deputy Heads of School, Learning Ambassadors and Sports Captains. All of these posts give students the opportunity to build the soft skills and competencies central to their personal development. Qualities including maturity, resilience, collaboration, problem-solving, persistence and resilience will all be enhanced.

Of course, an important aspect of the step-up is related to their studies. The demands of their courses increase, the importance of each piece of work becomes greater and the focus on working effectively as independent learners intensifies. The support of their subject teachers and form tutors continues to provide the encouragement, nurture and accountability the students thrive under and the expectations of them to ‘aim high’ is a constant theme. Assessments in class during the w/c 20 June are a precursor to the autumn internal exams in September. Results from these assessments will inform UCAS predicted grades and consequently, the degree courses and apprenticeships students can apply for. I have been working 1:1 with Year 12 students this week to establish effective study through flipped learning and taking responsibility for their work as well as discussing what they are interested in doing at the end of Year 13. The next 12 months will fly by and as well as enjoying the myriad opportunities on our extracurricular programme, I will be encouraging each student to achieve their very best outcomes.

Almost half of our Year 13 students have been coming in for revision lessons this week, working with their teachers on past papers, honing specific exam techniques and preparing for their final exam papers. It is a week since our wonderful celebration of their time in the Sixth Form and I look at this photo (below) frequently as I am missing them so much.

Enjoy the weekend when you get there.