UTC Oxfordshire
Newsletter – 5th May 2023
Dear all,
Despite being a short week, it’s been very productive, we’ve had more exam booster sessions and Geography Field trips. We even saw the RAF Puma fly over in preparation for the Kings coronation!
Celebrations are afoot this weekend with people gathering in London, preparing for street parties and celebrating the crowing of our new monarch. We would really love to hear about what our students and families are doing to celebrate this historic event. Please feel free to send us some pictures and we'll share our favourites.
National Space Day
National Space Day dedicates the first Friday in May to the extraordinary achievements, benefits, and opportunities in the exploration and use of space. The goal of the observance is to promote math, science, technology, and engineering education in young people, The hope is to inspire them to pursue a career in science, especially a career in space-related jobs.
#NationalSpaceDay
Careers in space involve a wide range of specialties. Going to space requires many working parts, and that’s not just the parts that go into space. All kinds of engineers build the equipment, computers and make the computations. Accountants and public relations manage the books and the press. Meteorologists, chemists, physicists, and biologists analyse data and doctors monitor the health of the astronauts. As preparations are underway, photographers and writers record the events.
Geography Fieldworks Trip – Earth Trust
This week our year 10 and 11 Geography students went on a trip to the Earth Trust. The purpose of this fieldwork is to contextualise the theory and underline the importance of field research in testing and modifying theories when new information is uncovered. The task for the visit was to measure the changes in a river channel along its course.
Parent Survey
Please can we remind anyone who hasn’t done so already to complete the Parent Survey by Friday 12th May. 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.
Exam Boosters for Business and Geography
To offer extra support for your student during this important time, we are running Booster Sessions for all Y11 students attending GCSE Business and Geography.
These sessions will take place during lunchtime in school as follows:
Geography: Every Wednesday 1:20 – 2:00 in FT 42
Business: Every Wednesday 1:20 – 2:00 in FT 32
Students can bring their packed lunch with them but no hot food is allowed in the classroom.
We would be grateful if you would encourage your student to attend these sessions. Thank you for your continued support.
Congratulations
Congratulations to year 10 student Noah, who qualified last weekend to compete as part of Team GB at the World Kickboxing Championships in Calgary Canada.
This is an incredible achievement and shows how hard he has worked showing dedication, commitment to training and pushing himself to succeed.
Use of AI in assessments
There has been considerable discussion around the use of AI in coursework assessments. JCQ have produced the following document: AI Use in Assessments: Protecting the Integrity of Qualifications
The use of AI is of concern particularly with the BTEC assignments when used inappropriately.
Some of the following will be reminders but please can you remind your students of the following:
a) Explain the importance of students submitting their own independent work (a result of their own efforts, independent research, etc) for assessments and stress to them the risks of malpractice
b) Remind students how they should reference appropriately (including websites);
The JCQ guidance on referencing can be found in the following: The Information for Candidates documents Information for candidates documents - JCQ Joint Council for Qualifications
c) Reinforce to students the significance of their (electronic) declaration where they confirm the work they’re submitting is their own, the consequences of a false declaration, and that they have understood and followed the requirements for the subject;
d) Remind students that awarding organisation staff, examiners and moderators have established procedures for reporting and investigating malpractice
Year 11 Prom – Save the Date!
The year 11 prom will take place on Friday 23rd June. More details to follow!
Extra-Curricular Opportunities
STEM Insight Weeks
Science Oxford STEM Insight Weeks aim to inspire year 10 students to pursue further education and STEM careers.
Run during half terms, they are aimed at providing the skills needed during higher education and the broader world of work, whether this is writing an up-to-date and engaging CV, how to find out about particular jobs and methods of work to suit individual students, or even mindfulness and stress management.
The next Insight week will run from 30th May to 2 June 2023.
You can find out more here: May half-term STEM Insight Week
Virtual Insight Event with RTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute) Thursday 25th May, 18:00 – 19:00
Students can find out more about what this career could look like, what it involves and how to take the next steps. RTPI are running another Work Experience programme in the summer too which they will be talking about including, how to apply and tips on applications for students. Find out more here: Virtual Insight Event with RTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute)
Oxford Physics events: May 2023
Astronomy for All Lecture: Black holes in the Universe (online)
Date and time: Wed 10 May 2023, 6-7pm
Venue: Online
Audience: No background knowledge required
Details: Prof Rob Fender, Head of Astrophysics at Oxford, will present what we currently understand about black holes, and discuss what lies ahead in the coming decades and centuries.
More information and booking: Free, booking required. Please see the Green Templeton website for more information and booking.
25th Hintze Lecture: Professor Matthew Colless presents "What we do and don’t know about the Universe (and how we know it)” (in person and online)
Date and time: Wed 17 May, 5pm – 6pm
Venue: Martin Wood Lecture Theatre, Department of Physics and online
Audience: Some background knowledge of physics required, age 14+ years only.
Description: This talk will give an overview of the key facts we now know about the Universe - its size, age, constituents, origin, history and future - and explain how we have come to know these things through observations mapping the cosmic microwave background radiation from the Big Bang and the evolving 'cosmic web' of galaxy positions and velocities. More information and booking: Free event, booking required for online participation. Please see our events page for more information and booking.
62 CHERWELL-SIMON MEMORIAL LECTURE: THE MAGIC OF MOIRÉ QUANTUM MATTER (in person)
Date and time: Fri 19 May 2023, 4:30pm
Venue: Martin Wood Lecture Theatre, Department of Physics
Audience: Some background knowledge of physics required, age 14+ years only.
Details: Prof Pablo Jarillo-Herrero, Cecil and Ida Green Professor of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), will review some of the recent advances in the field of understanding of strongly-interacting quantum matter, focusing on the newest generation of moiré quantum systems, where correlated physics, superconductivity, and other fascinating phases can be studied with unprecedented tunability.
More information and booking: Free, booking required. Please see our events page for more information and booking
UK Summer School Vacancies at Oxford Royale
Oxford Royale have some vacancies for paid Counsellors for Oxford Royale's summer school courses. Please see more information here: UK Summer School Vacancies
6th Form work opportunity
Bright Sparks are running holiday camps in Oxfordshire and Berkshire and have employment opportunities for 16+ students working with primary aged children bringing science to life. More information can be found here: Bright Sparks Events Recruitment
Volunteering at the Corn Exchange theatre and cinema in Wallingford
The Sinodun Players Committee, which owns the Corn Exchange, are looking to involve people in the technical roles at the Corn Exchange, including:
- Scenery design and building (including woodwork and construction)
- Lighting and sound technicians
- Scenery painting
- Costume fabrication and seamstresses
- Stage managers
- Stage engineers and special effects
The roles are voluntary, and training will be given in all areas by the highly experienced team.
Please see here for more information or contact chair@sinodunplayers.org.uk
The Apprenticeship Guide: May 2023
For news, tips, tricks and resources for your students as they consider their future resources please see The Apprenticeship Guide May newsletter.
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.
Update from the School Health Nurse Team
Please follow this link for the term 5 Secondary School Health Team Newsletter – May 2023
Elements Café
Westmill Open Day
Westmill sustainable energy trust are hosting an Open Day this summer on Saturday 10th June from 1:30pm. This is to be a fun day for all the family celebrating community energy and how you can make a difference.
To celebrate community-owned energy, there will be a schedule of presentations and workshops for visitors together with a range of engaging activities for all ages. You’ll also have a chance to experience on-site tours. Plus, there’ll also be live music, food and refreshments and much more!
Find out more on their website: https://www.weset.org/visit/specialevents/
Coronation Party Invitation - Didcot Baptist Church
When: 8th May 1-4pm
Where: 43 Wantage Road
Cost: Free
What: All welcome, Bouncy Castle, Sports, Games, Royal crafts, Selfie with the King and Queen consort, Refreshments, Cream Tea
Dates for the diary
- Monday 8th May 2023 has been confirmed as a Bank Holiday in celebration of the coronation of King Charles
- Monday 15th May up to and including Wednesday 28th June 2023 - Year 11 and Year 13 Exam Period
- Thursday 17th August – A level results
- Thursday 24th August - GCSE results
Term dates for 2022 to 2023
- Summer Term 1: Wednesday 19 April 2023 – Friday 26 May 2023
- Summer Term 2: Monday 5 June 2023 – Friday 21 July 2023
Enjoy the long weekend
Stay safe
Best wishes
Emma