Newsletters

6th Form newsletter, 9 November 2018

NMADear parents and guardians

It is a very busy time of the Year at the College and as I was having lunch with some Year 12 students today we were discussing the difficulties of managing their time and trying to balance the IB, A Levels, homework and other commitments outside of College such as sport, service projects and sometimes part-time jobs.  As we know the ability to manage our time and prioritise is a vital life skill that the students need to learn but there are some ways in which we can offer support.

This week we hosted a parent seminar about study skills and time management at the College and  it was great to see many of you there. It offered some useful tips on how parents can support their children during this challenging time and I thought it would be useful to share some of them with you here. The 6th Form students have 5 study skills sessions over the two year period with an external training company called ‘Elevate’ and it is one of their trainers who ran the session.

With respect to technology and in particular the distraction of  phones and messaging services the presenter gave some good examples of apps that the students can use to prevent them from receiving messages or from accessing a particular website during a fixed period of time, these included ‘Self-Control’ and ‘Cold Turkey’.  He also mentioned apps such as ‘Moment’ and ‘Forest’ which act as a deterrent to using your phone and encouraged students to spend their time more productively.

The presenter explained the importance of reviewing class notes and making revision notes based on the work covered.  This should be done on a regular basis and not left until revision time, weekly review and note taking is important These notes then need to be fully understood and committed to memory where appropriate which can be done in a variety of ways such as practising past papers, and he recommended 3-4 weeks of simply practising past papers per subject, and using things such as mnemonics for memorising lists.  I found discussing the concepts with a study buddy and teaching them when required very helpful but this is only appropriate for students who are disciplined in their approach and won’t turn the session in to a social event!

Parents can sign-up for a free guidebook that gives information on how to support your child without becoming the enemy here: https://uk.elevateeducation.com/parents/download-guidebook

Kind regards

Naomi Atkins, Head of 6th Form and Vice Principal, 11-18

From the Head of HE Guidance

Guidance for our upper sixth students remains focused on university applications.  Of those who have already submitted their applications the majority have now received at least one offer and  many multiple offers in subjects ranging from classics to biochemical engineering. We also have our first unconditional offer of the year and we are sure there will be more to follow if the student makes that university their firm choice.

Our lower sixth students meanwhile have had a dedicated guidance assembly introducing them to the timeline of events over the next year leading to their UCAS application next October/November. In just over a week they will learn more about the destination program ‘Unifrog’ and start exploring its functionality. Providing much more than simply university destinations our sessions leading into December will help the students appreciate the vast range of new and exciting courses now available whilst beginning to consider some of the competencies they may wish to eventually demonstrate in their personal statement

Latest events

  • 11
    November
    Y10 - 13 Sunday rehearsal for Bugsy Malone
    10:00 – 16:00
    Senior School Hall
  • 16
    November
    Y12 and Y13 Tudor History Conference
    11:00 – 15:00
    Location: The Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage Arts & Leisure Centre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ, UK
    Speakers: Dr John Guy, Prof John Morrill, Dr David StarkeyStudents to make their own way there.
  • 16
    November
    Inspire me: 'Quantum Computing' talk with Professor Mike Payne
    12:00 – 13:00

    We are delighted to welcome Professor Mike Payne, from the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge, to talk to us about Quantum Computing.

    "In the 1950s, Feynman pointed out that quantum mechanics could be exploited to create enormously powerful computers. In this talk I shall present the basic ideas that underlie quantum computing, describe progress in the field and highlight some of the remaining challenges."

     

     

  • 26
    November
    Y13 Parents' Evening
    18:00 – 21:00
    Location: Stephen Perse 6th Form College, Shaftesbury Rd, Cambridge CB2 8AA, UK

SPF Christmas Cards for Sale!

Christmas cards

Please support the 6th Form Charity Committee

Artwork by 6th Form student - Rebecca Sheng. All proceeds to benefit British Heart Foundation. Cards are £5 for a pack of 8, 14.8cm square high quality matt card. 

Cards are available for sale on WisePay. To buy in cash directly, please email rponek@gmail.com

Tickets for this term’s big musical extravaganza Bugsy Malone are now on sale!

It’s 1928 and Fat Sam’s Grand Slam Speakeasy is the place to be for those in the know. Fizzy dreams of a future in show business whilst Tallulah and the girls tap dance their way through life. Fat Sam Stacetto and his Hoods are rakin’ in a tidy profit, that is until arch rival Dandy Dan turns up the heat.

And Bugsy Malone? He’s just lookin’ for the next prize fighter, oh and hopin’ to impress a certain singer named Blousey Brown.

Our show is set in a 1920's style speakeasy bar - you can choose to be a regular audience member and sit on the raised seating or, for a more interactive experience, you can book a table in Fat Sam's Grand Slam Speakeasy for up to five people.

Tickets may be purchased using the links below.

Thursday 22 Nov - https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/cambridge/senior-school-hall/bugsy-malone-thursday-evening/2018-11-22/19:30

Friday 23 Nov - https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/cambridge/senior-school-hall/bugsy-malone-friday-evening/2018-11-23/19:30


Saturday 24 Nov - https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/cambridge/senior-school-hall/bugsy-malone-saturday-matinee/2018-11-24/14:30

PFA Notices

Christmas Puddings

The Stephen Perse Foundation PFA are selling Christmas puddings again this year, now available to order through Wisepay, featuring the winning pupil design:

Pud

The number of puddings available is limited, so place your order as soon as possible! Final order date is 23 November (if not sold out before). The pudding will be delivered to the school you select on your order.

The PFA are selling puddings to help fund activities, events and equipment for SPF pupils. The team have had to move 'Christmas pudding mountains' to bring you these this year as they have taken on a new Chair and team as well as setting up new systems and suppliers.  

Please support the PFA by ordering a delicious plum or chocolate pudding this year (or maybe even both?) - please order yours via Wisepay tickets and events (full ingredients listed on the order page)!

Please go to Wisepay, tickets and events to order.

Spending PFA funds

The PFA are working with the School Councils across the Foundation to set up a process for pupils to nominate a project for PFA funds to be spent. More details will follow on Classlist.

PFA Christmas Fair

***Save the date*** the PFA Christmas Fair will be on Saturday 1 December. Please make a note in your diary to come and support this popular event. More details will be published on Classlist.

Volunteering for the Christmas Fair will be coordinated via Classlist (you can also email pfa@stephenperse.com for further details).

Classlist

Please remember to accept the Classlist invitation that was sent by email at the start of term, in order to stay up to date with parent and PFA communications, events and notices. Classlist is also a great way to stay connected to other parents in your child’s year group or class, and ask questions to other parents, as it's GDPR compliant.