UTC Oxfordshire
Newsletter – 13th January 2023
Dear all,
Now that we’ve settled back into the new term we are focussing on our student’s professional conduct. This not only covers their behaviour but also they way they present themselves. Please refer to the email sent yesterday or to our website: Dress Code to see the expectations. We would appreciate your support with this.
National Milk Day – 11th January
Whilst many of us take milk for granted, there is a significant amount of science and engineering that has gone into its production and distribution over the years. While cattle were domesticated as early as 12,000 years ago as a food source and as beasts of burden, it took until 1878 for someone to think of filling bottles with milk and sealing them with waxed paper.
The milking machine with rubber cups patented by Anna Baldwin then paved the way for mechanical methods of milking in 1879.
Milk, with its nine essential components, is now regarded as a basic meal, capable of supporting human existence without the addition of any other food groups to balance it out.
Technology Story of the day - La Niña
New data shows that 2022 was the fifth hottest year for Europe since records began.
But scientists are warning that 2023 could be even warmer, as a climate phenomenon called La Niña - which has been suppressing global temperatures - comes to an end. Find out more here: What are El Niño and La Niña, and how do they change the weather?
Attendance
We are still seeing a high level of absence due to illness and whilst we appreciate that this may be as a result of more seasonal infections, we would like your support to enable students to manage their symptoms by using paracetamol (which can be carried in their bag) and other over the counter medicines. It is well known that symptoms are worse first thing in the morning and in the evening, so please encourage your student to attend if they are well enough.
If students are suffering from a fever or are acutely unwell then they should remain at home but please do send them in once they are in the recovery phase.
We also notice a high level of stomach upsets and sickness bugs – if your student is suffering from this frequently, please seek medical advice to rule out an underlying condition.
Your student’s Head of Year, tutor or I will be in touch with you about frequent absence due to illness. A referral to the School Health Nurse may be considered. Thank you for your support - Paula Ramsbottom, Attendance Officer
Extra-Curricular Opportunities
As we approach National apprenticeship week, some local firms are running open events:
Tue 17 Jan 2023 | 18:00-19:00
Apprenticeship at Jaguar Land Rover – What’s in it for me? https://pathwayctm.com/event/apprenticeship-at-jaguar-land-rover-whats-in-it-for-me/
Wed 18 Jan 2023 | 18:00-19:00
Virtual Insight Event with Lloyds Banking Group https://pathwayctm.com/event/lloyds-banking-group-insight-event/
Wed 25 Jan 2023 | 18:00-19:00
Virtual Insight Event with GSK
https://pathwayctm.com/event/virtual-insight-event-with-gsk/
Fri 27 Jan 2023 | 10:00-15:00
Deutsche Bank in Person Taster Day – Canary Wharf, London https://pathwayctm.com/event/deutsche-bank-taster-day/
Fri 27 Jan 2023 | 18:30
Diamond Light Source virtual open evening to discover engineering technician apprentices.
https://www.diamond.ac.uk/Home/Events/2021/Apprenticeship-Open-Evening-27-January.html
Tue 7 Feb 2023 | 16:30-19:30
UKAEA Apprenticeship Scheme Annual Open Evening
UKAEA Apprenticeship Scheme Open Evening - February 2023 Tickets, Tue 7 Feb 2023 at 16:30 | Eventbrite
Wed 8 Feb 2023 | 17:00-20:00
Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Open Evening, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rutherford-appleton-laboratory-apprenticeship-open-evening-2023-tickets-482430662097
Thurs 9 Feb 2023 | 17:30-20:15
‘Get into Apprenticeships’ and evening for students and parents to gather information about the apprenticeships available to school leavers.
https://mcusercontent.com/1cc6e1401c1fd3731e573806c/images/ea19ce4b-097a-e0bd-b894-b290cad15af8.png
Thurs 9 Feb 2023 | 17:00
OAS Apprenticeship Open Evening, OAS Training Centre
https://www.oas.ukaea.uk/apprenticeships/events-and-open-evenings/apprenticeship-open-evening-february-2023/
Apprenticeship & Work Experience Opportunities: https://pathwayctm.com/opportunity/
The Festival of Tomorrow - Friday 17 & Saturday 18 February 2023, 10am-5pm
The Festival of Tomorrow is an action packed exploration of the wonders of science, innovation and the arts to share new discoveries and technologies to help choose the future we want to see. Centred in Swindon, the hub of UK research and innovation, they share the knowledge and research which will shape the future of the World.
Working with partners to create opportunities for everyone to grow our understanding of how science works, and how it can shape our choices in a changing world.
More information can be found here: https://www.festivaloftomorrow.com/the-festival/info-and-booking/
The Smallpeice Trust Engineering Courses for Years 10-12
These engineering courses show young people which engineering careers are available to them and give a glimpse of life as an engineer, with hands-on projects and insights from industry experts and academics.
With a mixture of residential, in-person and online courses. Each course includes hands-on activities and gets young people working in teams with like-minded students their own age to understand the real-life impact engineers make.
More information on the courses available can be found here: https://mailchi.mp/smallpeicetrust/sponsored-places-spt-823096-my5kfgnj2o?e=7137c4b093
Is your student interested in a career with the Ambulance Service?
If so, we are very excited to announce that South Central Ambulance Service are offering a series of virtual live chats:
• Wednesday 25th January at 6pm: How to become a Paramedic
• Wednesday 8th February at 6pm: A career in our call centres
• Wednesday 22nd February at 6pm: How to become a Paramedic
These live chats are a great way for participants to learn about key roles available across the Trust and to hear from the teams who are out there doing these roles day in, day out!
On the call they will offer hints and tips on starting a career with the SCAS and allow all attendees to ask any questions to the experts!
Please register for these sessions, further details can be found on their website: www.scasjobs.co.uk or on the following poster: South Central Ambulance Service Virtual Live Events
Mathematics Masterclass Series
These Royal Institution masterclasses are hands-on interactive extracurricular sessions for Year 12 students interested in studying Maths at university, led by top experts from academia and industry. The series runs over six Saturdays from 10:00-12:30, starting on 18th February. Find out more here
Diamond Light Source Work Experience
Diamond Light Source's annual schools Work Experience programme offers a number of placements to school/college students in Years 10-13 (ages 14-18). The 2023 placements will take place from Monday 3rd - Friday 7th July 2023.
Applications for 2023 are now OPEN. A full list of projects, as well as the application form, can be found here: https://www.diamond.ac.uk/Careers/Students/Schools-Work-Experience.html
The Green Park Challenge - Sunday 2nd April 2023
The Green Park Challenge is a fun run which is estimated to be just under 3km and is open to all the family. From serious athletes wanting a shorter race, to complete beginners wanting to have fun, get fit and raise money for charity all at the same time. More details can be found here: https://www.readinghalfmarathon.com/pages/green-park-challenge
Elements Café
Dates for the diary
- 13 February – 17 February 2023 - Half Term
- Wednesday 1st March – Year 12 Progress Consultation Evening
- Wednesday 8th March – Year 10 Progress Consultation Evening
- Wednesday 22nd March – Year 13 Progress Consultation Evening
- Wednesday 29th March – Year 11 Progress Consultation Evening
- Monday 8th May 2023 has been confirmed as a Bank Holiday in celebration of the coronation of King Charles
- Monday 15th May up to and including Wednesday 28th June 2023 - Year 11 and Year 13 Exam Period
Term dates for 2022 to 2023
- Spring Term 1: Thursday 5 January 2023 – Friday 10 February 2023
- Spring Term 2: Monday 20 February 2023 – Friday 31 March 2023
- Summer Term 1: Wednesday 19 April 2023 – Friday 26 May 2023
- Summer Term 2: Monday 5 June 2023 – Friday 21 July 2023
Further details can be found on our website: https://www.utcoxfordshire.org.uk/term-dates/
Stay safe
Best wishes
Emma