UTC Oxfordshire
Newsletter – 7th October 2022
Dear all,
It’s fast approaching the half term break which we would like to draw your attention to, as term finishes this year on a Wednesday. We have some great opportunities for students - please see the Opportunities section below as this includes the STEM Insight week at Science Oxford.
We do have a vacancy for a minibus driver which would suit someone wanting a part time role for either morning shifts or afternoon shifts, please direct anyone who might be interested to our website: Join our team
A great way to keep in contact is through our parent face book group - if you haven't signed up then please do so: UTC Oxfordshire Parents Group
This week not only saw World Teacher Day but we have also been celebrating National Biology week.
National Biology Week
Year 10 have been on a moss safari, looking at all the microorganisms living in a variety of moss - the highlight being a feeding rotifer (see video) you can see the jaws (trophi) and the mastix (the muscle) of the jaws chewing up the captured food just beneath the 'wheels' which create the current bringing the food in. They feed on freshwater algae - Haematococcus pluvialis, a single-celled algae known for producing the orange pigment astaxanthin when the cells are stressed.
Some of our Year 11s got to witness photosynthesis in action by watching submerged pondweed at different distances from a light source. By counting the number of Oxygen bubbles produced within a set time-frame they could deduce the rate of photosynthesis and determine how light intensity affects the plants.
Attendance – week ending 30th September
Here are last week’s overall attendance figures for each tutor group. Please inform us by 8.30am if your student is not able to attend, or will be late – either by calling 01235 391587 and using option 1 to leave a voicemail, or email attendance@utcoxfordshire.org.uk. If you receive the absence text, please respond as soon as possible. If you are receiving it every day, indicating your student has not arrived by the start of tutor time, please speak to your student about the reason for their lateness. If you have any concerns, please contact our Attendance Officer, Paula Ramsbottom: pramsbottom@utcoxfordshire.org.uk or your student’s Head of Year or tutor.
Students are being awarded a ‘Friday Fry Up’ for outstanding or best improved attendance each week.
Forces careers event
On Monday we welcomed representatives from the Royal Engineers, Infantry, RAF and the Royal Navy for a forces careers event. Students were able to ask questions about careers in the military as well as try out some VR headsets, test their reactions and look over kit bags and decommissioned weapons. Thank you to all those involved.
Year 12 Industrial Cadets Gold Award Team with Reaction Engines
Some of our Year 12 students are taking part in the Industrial Cadets Gold Award team with Reaction Engines. This is a 20-week project including a university residential and a presentation / celebration at the end. There is a chance they can be nominated for an additional recommendation, and they can apply for a year's paid industry placement and achieve the platinum award. It is also possible for students to gain the Crest awards through this if they wish to do so. Good luck to all those taking part.
Opportunities
STEM Insight Week 24th-28th October half term 2022
STEM Insight Weeks aim to inspire year 10 students to pursue further education and STEM careers. Each week is a busy schedule of interactive skills-based workshops and visits to local STEM employers and facilities. More details can be found here: https://scienceoxford.com/schools/secondary-schools/insight-weeks/
Events And Open Evenings at OAS
For anyone interested in an advanced apprenticeship in engineering at Culham. There are a open event coming up: OAS Open Events
Inside Diamond - In Person Public Open Day – Saturday 5th November
The Inside Diamond open day events offer the chance for members of the public to visit the facility and see inside our particle accelerator and experimental laboratories. You will also meet some of the scientists that use Diamond and can ask them about the work they do - everything from viral proteins to engine parts and ancient texts.
Talking Science with the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory 2022-23
As part of Rutherford Appleton Laboratory's Talking Science programme, they have a fantastic series of talks lined up covering everything from the music of the stars to the science of the incredibly small.
Activate Learning - HE Takeover Week
The City of Oxford College is hosting an HE Takeover Week on 18 October, 11:00-14:00, which is a fantastic opportunity for students to discover a range of Higher Educational options available. Further details can be found here: HE Takeover Week .
Career Days For Students
Over the coming weeks there are a range of online career & work experience days for students aged 14-18 to take part in.
Hosted live from the UK and watched across the world, students are able to learn about their future careers and take part in interactive sessions where they can gain some experience to help them in their university applications.
The schedule is as follows:
- Medicine Career Day - Saturday 8th October 2022
- Dentistry Career Day - Sunday 9th October 2022
- Midwifery Career Day - Saturday 15th October 2022
- Psychology Career Day - Saturday 5th November 2022
- Business Career Day - Saturday 12th November 2022
- Architect Career Day - Saturday 19th November 2022
- Vet Career Day - Saturday 26th November 2022
- Law Career Day - Saturday 3rd December 2022
- Computer Science Career Day - Saturday 10th December 2022
- Performing Arts Career Day - Saturday 17th December 2022
Students can visit www.careerdays.co.uk to choose a session.
CAMHS Newsletter
The latest CAMHS School In-Reach newsletter - September 2022 can be found here.
Elements Café
Social Media
Dates for the diary
- Wednesday 12th October – Year 12 Progress Consultation Evening
- Wednesday 19th October – Year 10 Progress Consultation Evening - School will finish at 15.00hr
- Thursday 20 October– Friday 28 October – Half Term
- Wednesday 2nd November – Year 11 Progress Consultation Evening - School will finish at 15.00hr
- Wednesday 9th November– 6th Form open Event and Careers Fair
Term dates for 2022 to 2023
- Autumn Term 1: Friday 2 September 2022 (years 10 and 12 only) to Wednesday 19 October 2022. Whole school in attendance from Monday 5 September 2022
- 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