UTC Oxfordshire
Newsletter – 18th November 2022
Dear all,
With the drab weather around and the rain set for the next few weeks we thought we would bring you some cheer with today’s date:
Mickey Mouse’s Birthday
On November 18th, Mickey Mouse Birthday commemorates the debut of a lovable mouse that was once a rabbit called Oswald. His character got his start on film on November 18, 1928, but before that, the story begins in 1927, when Walt Disney first sketched a floppy-eared bunny while under contract to Universal Studios. The events that unravelled brought us Mickey Mouse.
Walt Disney can be an inspiration to us all with his Philosophy "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." "It's kind of fun to do the impossible." "The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.
Animation has moved on from the pencil sketch ‘flick books’ to the more complex animated films that utilise computer programming skills, animation drawing and computer engineering to deliver some amazing entertainment that we are all now so familiar with.
You can start your own animation journey here at UTC Oxfordshire with Computer Science, Product design, utilising CAD and solid works drawing tools.
Just for Fun
Year 13 A Level Product Design and Engineering student, Emily, has built UTC Oxfordshire in Fusion 360 (CAD) - Just for fun! Demonstrating excellent CAD Skills.
Parent Survey
Earlier this week we sent out a link to our Parent Survey, asking you for some feedback about your experiences at UTC Oxfordshire. Please can we request that you complete the survey by Monday 21st November. Your answers will help us to shape the future of UTC Oxfordshire and we appreciate you taking the time to complete this. Please note that only one survey needs to be completed per household.
Supporting success Year 11 Students
Year 11 parents should have received an email about our Supporting Success evening on Wednesday 23rd November. We would encourage your student to join you for the talk and if you are unable to make it, they are welcome to still attend.
Please see the email details to confirm your attendance.
Cloud School App (Parent App)
Please remember to login to the Cloud School app regularly to track your students progress. On here you will be able to see attendance, timetables, progress reports and associated information. If you are having trouble accessing the app, please contact Sarah on: smayers@utcoxfordshire.org.uk
Attendance – week ending 11th November
Here are the attendance figures for each tutor group for Term 1. 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
Penalty Notices for Term-Time Holidays
Following on from our focus on attendance, please read the following letter with regards to penalty’s for taking term time holidays: Penalty Notices for Term-Time Holidays
Extra-Curricular Opportunities
ASK 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
RAL Space Early Careers Conference 2022: Space Skills – 3h 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
Lost property
We have a lot of lost property in reception, including blazers, coats, shirts, trousers and footwear. Please can students collect any items which belong to them before the end of term.
Ever thought of being a governor?
Becoming a school governor is an invaluable role, contributing to “transforming lives through learning” of all Activate Learning Education Trust (ALET) learners. This is an extremely rewarding opportunity to make a difference and give something back to the local community. Becoming an ALET governor will allow you to use and develop your skills in a board-level environment. You would also be joining the largest volunteer network force in the country, with over a quarter of a million volunteers governing state funded schools in England.
To become a governor, you must be aged over 18 and have the necessary skills, attributes, and time to positively impact our learners. You do not necessarily need an understanding of education systems to be successful in this role as plenty of training and support is available and school governance benefits from a range of backgrounds such as from business, HR, legal, marketing and property. Our schools and University Technical Colleges in Theale, Bicester, Reading, Didcot, Swindon and Hillingdon need the benefit from a wide range of professional knowledge to provide a balanced and diverse range of knowledge, skill, and experience to be effective. As noted by Ofsted – the most effective schools demonstrate effective leadership and management, which includes the governing body.
Should you wish to discuss what this role entails in more detail, please contact Heledd Walker, Head of Governance and Compliance via email Clerk@alet.org.uk.
Elements Café
Dates for the diary
- Wednesday 23rd November – Year 11 Supporting Success Evening - more details to follow.
- Monday 5th 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