UTC Oxfordshire
Newsletter - 12th February 2021
Dear all
We have made it through another challenging term with students working hard both on site and at home. They couldn't have done this without the support of the amazing staff here and yourselves at home. Thank you for your supportive messages its appreciated and does make a difference to our working day.
As a last day of term treat, we have had an onsite dress down day and bacon sandwiches were supplied at break. Thank you to Julie for the idea and to Dave, Julie and Paula who were excellent 'butty' makers
Half Term
Over this half term we have Valentine's day to celebrate.
The history of Valentine’s Day and the story of its patron saint is shrouded in mystery. We do know that February has long been celebrated as a month of romance, and that St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition.
But who was Saint Valentine, and how did he become associated with this ancient rite? One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.
Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages, though written Valentine’s didn’t begin to appear until after 1400. The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London.
Please find attached an idea if you can't find a card to suit.
Have a cryptic Valentine's Day 😊 (print page 2 and 3 double sided on card for best results)
STEM Activity
Bees, bats and butterflies all have one thing in common — they are pollinators! Pollination is a process that is imperative to the success of nearly all-terrestrial life on earth. Humans need healthy pollinator populations to support our food system and our economy. If we lost pollinators, we’d also lose the habitats that are unique and special to the places we live and visit!
How Are Insect Populations Changing?
Are you ready to become a citizen scientist? The Earth Challenge 2020 app gives you and your students the opportunity to learn how to identify pollinators and collect data on bees in your community through pictures.
Pollinator Toolkits and Worksheets
Check out EARTHDAY.ORG pollinator resources to find out how pollinators shape the world around you and how you can protect them!
Pollinator Garden Toolkit POLLINATOR-GARDEN-TOOLKIT-2020.pdf (earthday.org)
Garden Planning Worksheet Earth-Day-Pollinator-Garden-Planning-Worksheet.pdf
Bee Conservation Toolkit EDN-Bee-Conservation-Toolkit.pdf (earthday.org)
Return to school
Monday 22nd February is an INSET day for staff so we are not expecting students to be online or in school
Tuesday 23rd February will see the return of all students to online lessons. If students would normally be in school as part of a year group bubble then we will be welcoming them on site. Students will need to have a Lateral Flow Covid 19 test when they return to site after half term. If you have not already done so please complete the consent form here
We are not expecting an announcement form the DfE until after half term as to the return of full year groups to school, but as soon as we have some information, we will let you know the plans.
Students should still follow the lockdown rules and if they have covid symptoms should take a test as soon as the symptoms appear. Please advise us of any positive tests in the normal manner
Dates for the diary
Monday 22nd February INSET
Tuesday 23rd February Virtual school and onsite bubbles
Tuesday 9th March Year 12 Parents consultation evening Virtual
Tuesday 16th March Year 10 Parents consultation evening Virtual
PPEs although we do not have a confirmed date for these yet Y11 and 13 students have received an email today from Glen with some guidance about planning and revision - please make sure they have read this important information
Stay safe over the break and we look forward to seeing you next half term
With good wishes
Sam