UTC Oxfordshire
Newsletter – 25th November 2022
Dear all,
We’ve had lots of extra-curricular activities taking place including a year 12 trip to Reaction Engines as well as welcoming Empowered Youth into school to lead a workshop on success habits for KS4.
Year 12 visit to Reaction Engines
Six year 12 students visited Reaction Engines in Culham this week to meet their mentors who are supporting the group on their quest to complete a heat recovery project. The students were able to look at some cutting-edge technology being developed at Reaction Engines to cool and recover heat in the aerospace, energy and motorsport industries. The innovative cooling systems were developed as a biproduct of Reaction Engine's aerospace research programme.
Reaction Engines’ goal is to deliver a truly versatile propulsion system – a hybrid air-breathing rocket engine that can power an aircraft from a standing start to over five times the speed of sound for hypersonic flight in the atmosphere, and over 25 times the speed of sound for space access. With its wide range of operation and scalability, the Synergetic Air-Breathing Rocket Engine (SABRE) represents a defining moment in powered flight. More information on the work of Reaction Engines can be seen here: https://www.reactionengines.co.uk/
The science and engineering research that our students Angus, Charlotte, Floyd, Hannah, Maddie and Thomas are undertaking during their employer led project time could lead them to an Industrial Cadet Gold Award from the Engineering Development Trust.
Your Game Plan
We have recently launched Your Game Plan to our year 10 and 11 students. This is an online careers platform that’s mission is ‘to ensure that every student has the confidence and support they need to make the best decision about their future when they leave school.’
Students are being encouraged to create an account and access the online resources to enhance their knowledge and skill set. Some of the courses available include Behaviours for the workplace, Career Planning and Application and interview. Once completed, they receive a certificate that can be used to improve their CV.
Out of 800 schools signed up to the program, UTC Oxfordshire is currently ranked as number one in terms of student engagement.
Please discuss the platform with your student and encourage them to use it’s bank of resources. We will be supporting students each week during tutor time on a Friday so please ensure they have their laptops with them.
Oxbridge Interview Support
Is anyone able to offer some support for our students applying for Oxford or Cambridge this year? We’re looking for someone who has attended either of these universities or has knowledge of the interview process. We’d like to arrange some mock interviews over Teams. Please get in touch if you think you can help: admin@utcoxfordshire.org.uk
Attendance – week ending 18th November
Here are the attendance figures for each tutor group last week. We are seeing a high level of absence due to illness and whilst we appreciate that as we move towards winter there will be 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 too unwell to stay, we will contact you.
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
Apprenticeships
The Higher and Degree Vacancy Listing
The higher and degree apprenticeship listing showcases hundreds of vacancies from a variety of employers starting in 2022 and 2023. The variety of vacancies listed range from Nuclear Scientist to Nursing Associate – there’s something for everyone.
https://amazingapprenticeships.com/app/uploads/2022/11/Higher-Degree-Listing-NOV-2022.pdfASK Information Webinar: How to register and apply for apprenticeships - 6 December
This webinar is the fourth in a series of learning and development sessions brought to you by the ASK Programme and is funded by the Department for Education.
The session will present a step-by-step guide to the Find an Apprenticeship site and share some useful tips for the application process.
You can register your place here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4U6xj9ziR7KcCUgnQeXKeA
Extra-Curricular Opportunities
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
Thales Virtual Insight Event - Tue 6 Dec 2022
Thales are a global technology business operating across Aerospace, Defence and Security, Digital and Security, and Transport, they help keep the nation safe.
Did you know two out of three aircrafts in the world take off and land using Thales technology?
Join the Thales UK virtual insight evening – a fantastic opportunity for you to explore their different business areas and what their apprenticeship programmes can offer you.
https://pathwayctm.com/event/thales-virtual-insight-event/
Ceres Reimagine Competition 2023
Ceres is a leading developer of climate technology, enabling the world’s most progressive companies to deliver clean energy solutions at scale and pace.
It’s going to take a whole world of collaboration to reach net zero and some ideas we haven’t even imagined yet.
Ceres, in collaboration with STEM Learning UK, is again launching our clean energy competition for secondary schools in the Southeast. The competition asks the next generation to REIMAGINE our world with a creative animation demonstrating an original idea for a clean energy solution.
Open to secondary age school pupils with the brief to create a video – no more than three minutes long – Reimagine is the perfect platform to showcase your scientific idea that could tackle climate change and support the net zero mission.
To find out more visit and register your interest at: ceres.tech/reimagine
RAL Space Early Careers Conference 2022: Space Skills – 30 November
The Early Careers Conference brings together space professionals to share their experiences with those who are interested in space careers. Further details can be found here: Reserve a spot
If you are unable to attend the live event, but would like to watch a recording, please subscribe to the RAL Space YouTube channel to receive a notification when the video is available, shortly after the event.
Invitation to screening of Star Makers - 29 November
In December last year the world’s largest and most advanced fusion energy experiment, JET in Culham, broke the record in produced fusion energy. In the run-up to the successful experiments, a documentary, Star Makers, was filmed that follows researchers and engineers on their endeavours to realise the record. Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeKzQccOngM.
Women in Nuclear Central England with support from UKAEA has organised two free screenings of Star Makers on 29 November at 4pm and 6.30pm including a 30-minute Q&A with the main persons featured in the film. The event is open to all, and tickets are available now, for free, from Cornerstone: https://www.cornerstone-arts.org/whats/star-maker-energy-tomorrow
Mince Pie Meet Up / Certificate Collection Class of 2021/22
We will be hosting a Mince Pie Meet Up / Certificate Collection for last year’s Year 11 and Year 13 on Thursday 15th December, from 16:00 to 17:30. Email communication has been sent out, please encourage students to RSVP.
Christmas Jumper day
The last day of term is Friday 16th December and school will finish at 13.00. Students are encouraged to wear Christmas jumpers and we will be running a collection for the food bank. We will be collecting tinned food donations that week so that we can build a tinned Christmas tree tower.
Elements Café
Dates for the diary
- Friday 2nd December – PPEs start for years 11 and 13
- Thursday 15th December – Mince Pie Meet Up / Certificate Collection - class of 2021/22
- Friday 16th December – Last day of term, 13.00hrs finish. Christmas jumper day and collection for the food bank.
Term dates for 2022 to 2023
- Autumn Term 2: Monday 31 October 2022 – Friday 16 December 2022
- 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/
Have a good weekend
Stay safe
Best wishes
Emma