UTC Oxfordshire
Newsletter - 14th January 2022
Thank you for your patience and support this week with our staff absences. We hope to be closer to normal staffing levels next week and have secured agency teachers so that we can maintain face-to-face lessons in school.
World Logic Day
Every year on January 14th, World Logic Day brings the intellectual history and practical implications of logic to the attention of interdisciplinary science communities. The day also celebrates the idea that logic, as reasoning, is a central feature of human beings.
Logic is defined as the study of the principles of correct reasoning and was once a philosophical term. Through the years, other disciplines use logic, such as maths and computer science.
There are four general types of logic, which include:
- Informal logic: used in daily reasoning and arguments during personal exchanges with others
- Formal logic: used in deductive reasoning with premises that are true
- Symbolic logic: used to show how symbols relate to each other
- Mathematical logic: used to apply formal logic to maths.
There are many reasons that people around the world celebrate logic. Doing so encourages the development of logical research. Spreading awareness for logic helps to strengthen interactions between people that have an interest in logic. Also, logic based on the advancement of education and science promotes a culture of peace, dialogue, and mutual understanding.
The value of work experience
Since covid restrictions were introduced, it has been increasingly difficult to gain work experience, so we are particularly delighted to share the news that Alex , in Year 13, has secured a long term, competitive work experience placement at the GKN Automotive Innovation Centre, as part of their Kevin Rye Memorial Skills Initiative. Alex is working one day a week, alongside a multidisciplinary team developing his skills in electric, mechanical, power-electronic, and mechatronic engineering. The scheme runs for a minimum of 350 hours and provides excellent experience of working in automotive engineering. Alex is currently studying a BTEC Extended Diploma in Engineering as well as A level maths, with a long term ambition to move onto a degree apprenticeship.
Quote from Alex's mentor at GKN Automotive:
- “Alex is easy to chat to and listens with interest. His engineering interest is immediately apparent, and he has already helped himself by taking on a few challenges in his own time, showing initiative. He is happy to find out the results himself and has a good approach to the workplace, including Health and Safety. I felt confident to task him with jobs, which I wouldn’t expect someone of his age to complete.”
Alex commented:
- “My time at GKN Automotive has not only improved my knowledge of engineering but has given me an in depth understanding of a research and development sector. With only a few weeks working, it’s really nice to see how much responsibility I've already been given, with my own projects and problems to solve. I'm privileged to be allowed this opportunity and look forward to spending time in other areas of the company with all the amazing people I'm surrounded by.”
Covid update
Face coverings are still required in lessons and around school please.
We will again be acting as a vaccination centre for students in years 10 and 11 who, with parent consent, would like their second Covid vaccine. This will take place on 18th January in school. The consent form is now closed, so if you missed the deadline and would still like to arrange a second dose of the vaccine for your student you will need to book through the NHS booking system.
Please continue to test twice per week and record the information on both our school site and the government website: https://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result and UTC Oxfordshire Lateral Flow Test Result Form
Changes to the self-isolation period for those who test positive for COVID-19
From Monday 17 January, people who are self-isolating with COVID-19 will have the option to reduce their isolation period after 5 full days if they test negative with a lateral flow device (LFD) test on both day 5 and day 6 and they do not have a temperature. For example, if they test negative on the morning of day 5 and the morning of day 6, they can return to their education or childcare setting immediately on day 6.
The first test must be taken no earlier than day 5 of the self-isolation period, and the second must be taken the following day. All test results should be reported to NHS Test and Trace.
If the result of either of their tests is positive, they should continue to self-isolate until they get negative results from two LFD tests on consecutive days or until they have completed 10 full days of self-isolation, whichever is earliest.
Anyone who is unable to take LFD tests or anyone who continues to have a temperature will need to complete the full 10-day period of self-isolation.
Further information on self-isolation for those with COVID-19 is available.
Opportunities
- Community Badminton are holding county trials in January for both Oxfordshire county training and community sessions please see the poster here.
- Don’t forget to regularly check the opportunities page of our website for all the latest vacancies: https://www.utcoxfordshire.org.uk/opportunities/. The password is UTCOpps2022
- February 15th is the second Open Evening for students wanting to join the sixth form in September 2022. It gives an opportunity for students and parents to visit the school and meet key personnel. If you know of any year 11’s who don't currently attend UTCO then please encourage them to attend this event. The booking system will be open shortly and can be found on the events section of our website: https://www.utcoxfordshire.org.uk/events/.
- Diamond Light Source are hosting a virtual apprenticeship evening on 18th and 26th January. You’ll be given lots of information about the apprenticeships available as well as an insight into Diamond and the extraordinary science undertaken. Further details can be found here.
Consultation around Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in Oxfordshire
You are being invited to contribute to two consultations on plans to develop a more inclusive approach to supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in Oxfordshire.
Two interlinked consultations will run together between Monday 10 January and Thursday 10 March 2022:
- The council and its partners are seeking views on a draft Local Area SEND Strategy to develop high-quality services across education, health, and social care to support children and young people and their families.
- Oxfordshire County Council’s proposals for system reform for SEND include making more high-quality SEND education available closer to home, reducing reliance on out-of-county provision, and improving educational outcomes for children through closer partnerships between the council and schools.
The council would like to hear your views. There is one feedback survey in which you can respond to one or both consultations. You can find this survey and the key documents at: letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/SEND-2022
Elements Café
Lonely Laptops
Got an old laptop you don’t use anymore?
We need to have some laptop computers for a couple of classes of year 11 engineers to take apart. They will never be switched on (the project is simply about how computers are made, not about mining data) and will be destroyed after the project, so, if you have a laptop of any vintage that you don’t mind donating, even if it is broken or doesn’t have a charger please could you LABEL IT CLEARLY that it is being donated and ask your student to hand it into reception next week.
Many thanks in advance!
Dates for the Diary
School census day is Thursday 20th January. If you are entitled to FSM please would you ensure that you take your allocation on this day.
- Monday 24th January - Mid Term exams start for yr10 yr12
- 16th May until 28th June – A Level/Level 3 exam period - please note that BTEC Level 3 coursework may still be required after this end date
- 16th May until 28th June – GCSE exam period. Please note students will not be able to finish school until after 28th June.
- Thursday 18th August – A level results day
- Thursday 25th August - GCSE results day
Term dates for 2021 to 2022
- 21st to 25th February is half term
- Monday 28th February INSET, no school for students
- Friday 8th April End of Term 4
- 25th and 26th April INSET, no school for students
- Wednesday 27th April start of Term 5
- Monday 2nd May is a Bank Holiday
- Half term is 30th May to 3rd June 2022
- Monday 6th June start of Term 6
- The last day of term is Wednesday 20th July 2022
Have a fabulous weekend.
Stay safe
With good wishes
Sam