UTC Oxfordshire
Newsletter – 5th November 2021
Dear all,
It's been great this week to have all the students back in school. The half term break has seen a drop in Covid cases and was just the rest that everyone needed. We hope that everyone had a good week. We will continue to maintain our Covid protocols in school with hand sanitising and cleanliness being at the fore front of our minds.
National Day
Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Day, Bonfire Night and Fireworks Night, is an annual commemoration observed on 5 November, primarily in the United Kingdom. Its history begins with the events of 5 November 1605 O.S., when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding explosives the plotters had placed beneath the House of Lords. Celebrating the fact that King James I had survived the attempt on his life, people lit bonfires around London; and months later, the introduction of the Observance of 5th November Act enforced an annual public day of thanksgiving for the plot's failure.
The day is recognised by the lighting of a bonfire and setting off of fireworks. The making and setting of fireworks is an example of a scientific industry that students might not have considered: How Its Made Fireworks -- discovery channel - YouTube
Local News
The Rosalind Franklin Institute, a new research institute based at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus has officially opened. Home - Rosalind Franklin Institute (rfi.ac.uk)
The £43m building, constructed by UKRI-STFC working with Mace, designed by IBI and project managed by AECOM, will house both the Franklin team and the cutting-edge technologies in biological imaging being developed by the institute.
National Space Strategy
The first ever National Space Strategy brings together the UK’s strengths in science and technology, defence, regulation, and diplomacy to pursue a bold national vision. The strategy also looks to support businesses in forming and developing clusters based on areas of local excellence, and identifiable domestic and international market opportunities, connecting these clusters nationally to form a networked ecosystem.
This includes two Centres of Space Activity based in the Thames Valley, Harwell Space Cluster (Oxfordshire) and Westcott Venture Park (Buckinghamshire).
An Interactive Tour of Space with Maggie Aderin-Pocock, introduced by Bridget Holligan - Sunday 7th November
Join Space scientist and The Sky at Night presenter Maggie Aderin-Pocock for an interactive Tour of Space at the Sheldonian Theatre, introduced by Science Oxford’s Bridget Holligan for the Oxford Literary Festival.
Opportunities
Students and parents can book themselves in to the next OAS (Oxfordshire Advanced Skills) open event at Culham to find out more about their apprenticeship opportunities: UKAEA Open Evening
ALET News
The elements café
Covid home testing logs
Fitness & Wellbeing Hub
The Fitness & Wellbeing Hub is a local, independent gym (Unit 7 Hawksworth, Didcot, OX11 7HR). They have the following winter offer currently available:
If you wish to find out more please go to http://www.fitnesswellbeinghub.com or call 01235 612980.
While you are there please also check out their Class-Athlon which is on Saturday 11th December (this is open to members and non-members and is a whole day of fitness classes for local charity Play2Give), the FIT IN 30 programme (which utilises high tech strength equipment), the variety of group exercise classes and junior fitness classes for the younger members of your family (age 6-15). They offer student memberships from age 15 and group exercises classes are available from age 17.
They also have 4 qualified Personal trainers to cater for all of your fitness needs. Check out their profiles on the website and get in touch for further information.
Dates for the diary
- Wednesday 10th November, 16.15 to 19.30 Year 11 Virtual Progress Consultation Evening - 3pm finish.
- Friday 12th November - Children in Need Dress down day £1.00 donation
- Tuesday 16th November, 17.00 to 18.00, Year 13 Next Steps Evening. more information to follow.
- Thursday 18th November 6th Form Open Evening and Careers Fair in school,17.00 to 19.00
- Friday 26th November ''the big sleep out''- and PPD drop down day More information to follow on both of these events
- W/b 6th December year 11 and year 13 PPE's (pre public exams (mocks))
- Thursday 16th December certificate collection afternoon tea for year 11 and year 13 class of 2021 16:00 to 17:30hrs
- Thursday 16th December Christmas end of term event for students 16:00 hrs to 18:30hrs more information to follow
- Friday 17th December end of term
Term dates for 2021 to 2022
- Winter break is 20th December to 31st December 2021
Monday 3rd January is a Bank Holiday
Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th January 2022 are INSET days
- Spring Term 3 starts on Thursday 6th January
Half Term is 21st to 25th February 2022
Further information can be found our website here: www.utcoxfordshire.org.uk/term-dates/
Have a safe and warm bonfire night
With good wishes
Sam