Year 11 students were given a taste of academic life in our Sixth Form through a personally tailored Taster Day held on Friday 11th November.

The day was organised to meet the individual needs of students in true Highcliffe style and students were delighted with this bespoke opportunity. Alongside our Year 11 students, we had over 100 students joining us from other schools in the area and they were given a chance to sample a range of A Level and BTEC courses including: Sciences, Social Sciences, International Studies, English, Maths, Expressive Arts, Business, IT and Computing, Art, Photography and many more.

Students spent the day attending five taster lessons in courses that appealed to them and spent lunchtime and break-time in the school's Sixth Form Centre and Café. Here they had a chance to chat with current Sixth Formers about their own experiences and learn more about life in the Sixth Form.

Miss Swan, Head of Sixth Form said:

"The students enjoyed the Taster Day immensely and were able to experience how different it feels to be a Sixth Former at Highcliffe. We had fantastic feedback about the day from the students; not only did the students experience some of the academic rigours of Sixth Form life but they also learnt about the importance of their role within our school community, and how the enrichment opportunities complement academic study.”

To find out more about life in Sixth Form at Highcliffe, why not come and visit? The Sixth Form office would be happy to arrange this. Please contact us on (01425) 282322.

Edition 2: November & December 2016

“The Taster Day allowed me to try a range of subjects and experience what the step up is like from GCSE to A Level. I really enjoyed the academic challenge and friendly approach taken by the teachers” External candidate "It was great to be in the Sixth Form and experience what Sixth Form life is like. The taster lessons were helpful because we got to sample what a lesson would be like as well as learn how different the Sixth Form is like to the main school." Highcliffe student

Enlightening Sixth Form Taster Day ...

We are fortunate to have the facilities of Leeson House on our doorstep and the annual Biology residential programme at the Centre is a highlight of the A level course.

Leeson benefits from being in a superb location for A level fieldwork. We take full advantage of

this and over the three day course we visit Kimmeridge Bay, the River Piddle and Studland

Beach. These locations have a diverse array of flora and fauna and particular geographical

features that are ideally suited for setting up field studies to tackle specific areas of the A level

syllabus.

All students attacked the sampling work with confidence and the clear enthusiasm of the

students as they waded through rivers, splashed in rock pools and trekked across sand dunes

was highly impressive. The key benefit of this course is the mastery of a particularly challeng-

ing section of the syllabus. All students were able to show superb progress in this regard and it

was clear that the well-designed tasks and detailed theory work had enabled everybody to

grasp the key theoretical concepts.

For the full story, please click on the link: http://goo.gl/A8gVGI

“I feel that this experience has given all of Highcliffe Sixth Form A level biology students an excellent experience and a chance to learn and engage with many aspects of biology that they may not have been familiar with before. Collecting data first hand in some of the most dynamic and unique ecological areas in the United Kingdom., has increased my knowledge and understanding of the topic which I feel will be invaluable when sitting my exams in 2017.” Y13 biology student

Leeson House Biology Residential Trip

University NewsUniversity NewsUniversity News

Thinking about A level Biology?

Talk to your science teacher and find out more – or even better, talk to an A level student!

Challenge

Year 12 A level Biology students had the unique opportunity to investigate the inner workings of several key departments at Southampton University Hospital.

The day involved visits to Pathology including Histology, Biomedical Imaging and the Life Lab.

In the „Path lab‟ we saw a range of human tissues and organs that had been sent to the lab from theatre to be sectioned and checked for a variety conditions including injury and cancer growth. We watched how these were prepared for microscopic investigation so that the medics in the hospital

could be advised about patient diagnosis.

In Biomedical Imaging we used a range of microscopes and learned about the differences between scanning and transmission electron microscopy work. The transmission microscope was powerful enough to almost see an atom!

In the Life Lab we had a superb time monitoring and checking our own bodies for a variety health checks including measurements such an peak air flow into the lungs and looking at the thickness of our artery and vein walls!

The trip is a tremendous insight into careers for students thinking about university degrees in any of the biomedical sciences, especially medicine, biomedical science, physiotherapy and other allied health professions like midwifery and occupational therapy.

We would like to thank Southampton University Hospital for giving us this opportunity and in particular Dr. Anton Page in Biomedical Imaging for setting up our schedule.

“ “

“

I really loved the trip; it was so interesting to learn about all the research behind what happens in a hospital. The day really gave me the opportunity to see the other side to the hospital and how people besides the doctors and nurses use science to help contribute to the care of patients.

Y12 A level Biology trip to Southampton University Hospital

“

A great experience and a unique opportunity, I am so glad I got to go!

“It's very easy to think, not having come from a private Sixth Form, that applying to Oxbridge is something completely out of reach. I am pleased to say that Highcliffe have been instrumental in showing me that this is not the case. Throughout my time at Highcliffe, I felt encouraged to realise my full potential in an environment that was endlessly friendly and supportive. I am ex-tremely grateful to my teachers who went the extra mile to make the next step in my academic life a fulfilling and exciting one.”

Alice Ritchie, former Sixth Form student

In preparation for the forthcoming Oxbridge University and medic interviews, Professor Vincent May kindly came into school for the day to put our Year 13 students through their paces. He interviewed them rigorously for an hour and then gave them feedback. The students all found this very valuable, especially being given an unseen extract to analyse. We are most grateful to Professor May for his time and commitment to the school. At the time of going to press we have heard that 4 of our students have interviews at either Oxford or Cambridge Universities.

All Year 13 students are working hard to complete their university applications and many students have already received offers for their chosen courses. Our Year 13 cohort is following in the diverse footsteps of previous year groups with an array of specialist courses being applied for, including: Material Science and Engineering, Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies, Information Management and Business, Computer Science and Mathematics.

We wish all our students every success in their applications and interviews.

News BitesNews BitesNews Bites

What‟s happening now and in the near future...What‟s happening now and in the near future...What‟s happening now and in the near future...

Enrichment activities on offer...

24th Jan - Y12s Twilight Chemistry practical sessions at the Teaching Laboratory, Southampton University

23rd Jan - 24th Feb Y13 Art Textiles Exhibition 2nd Feb - Private View

1st-4th Feb - School and Sixth Form Production - Little Shop of Horrors!

15th - 19th Feb Y12 & Y13 Art, Design and Technology Trip to Paris

26th Feb - 1st Mar Y12 & Y13 Business Live Disneyland Paris trip

2nd Mar - BTEC Music Solo Evening

23rd - 27th March Y12 & Y13 Geography & Biology Iceland Trip

James Mascord, looking to study Engineering at Oxford, Beth Allum, hoping to

study Materials at Oxford and Pat McCarthy, aiming to study Chemical

Engineering at Imperial College, have taken on duties as STEM assistants in

school in their desire to promote their love of STEM and to give back to the

school.

The launch of the "Tech Club" happened on Wednesday 30th November in

Sc1 when sixteen Year 8 students turned up to start the „Shell Bright Idea

Challenge‟: to design a city powered with entirely renewable energy sources.

The students spent time after school eagerly searching for ideas on how

hydrogen fuel cells work as part of the introduction to the project. The students

stand to win significant prizes if they come up with the best idea as judged by

the panel at Easter!

Y13s launch new Tech Club

Eight year 13 Economics students attended an Economics Strong Foundations workshop at the Vue Cinema, Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth on the 22nd November. The workshop, ran by the specialist Business and Economics workshop, www.tutor2u.net, focused mainly on the skills required to be successful in the forthcoming A level exams. A combination of exam technique and current Economic issues such as Brexit and rental shortages in the UK meant that students were thoroughly exhausted by the end of the day!

Y13s Economic Workshop

Inspire

Year 12s hear from Victim Support

Five Highcliffe Sixth Formers participated in the EU wide Juvenes Translatores competition.

Highcliffe School is one of only 70 schools in the UK selected to take part in the European translation competition, Juvenes Translator-es. This is the third year running that Highcliffe has been chosen to take part. Last year two students were awarded a Special Mention Award (top 10% across Europe). Good luck to all of the students who have taken part this year:

Beth Allum Felix Mitterer Sarah Boscolo Catherina Ramoner Fridolin Maier Maria Gatscher Results due soon—watch this space!

EU Translation Competition

In PSHE (Personal Social Health Education), our Year 12 students recently learnt about the work and support provided by Victim Support; a British charity, supporting those who fall victim to crime or traumatic events. The students appreciated the practical advice given to help them avoiding becoming victims of crime. They also gained a greater understanding of how to protect them-selves in the face of crime if they plan to go to university or start a career. The students learnt about the importance of staying safe whilst drinking and going out with friends.

Rugby Academy under U19s festival

To read about the day, please click on the link: goo.gl/7YuBe0

Year 12 & 13 students have

been working towards a show-

case this term. The perfor-

mance work includes a variety

of theatrical styles. The students

have worked under pressure in

a professional rehearsal

process. A big well done to all

the students for their hard work.

Drama—Performance Showcase

Highcliffe School, Parkside, Highcliffe, Christchurch, Dorset. BH23 4QD Phone: 01425 282322 Email: sixth@highcliffeschool.com Visit: www.highcliffe6thform.com Twitter: @HighcliffeSch

Excel Our A Level students who went on to read courses related to the Science subjects in 2016Our A Level students who went on to read courses related to the Science subjects in 2016Our A Level students who went on to read courses related to the Science subjects in 2016

Thomas Mahy Swansea University Chemical Engineering

Edward Maidment Portsmouth University Mechanical Engineering

Alan Manning Cardiff University Physics

Amy Marshall Cardiff University Physiotherapy

Oscar Marshall Southampton University Psychology

Samuel Maskery Loughborough University Chemical Engineering

Katie Nash Anglia Ruskin University Nursing (Child)

Lelia Nazar-Zadeh Southampton Solent University Psychology

Victoria Nickson Bishop Grosseteste University Psychology and Counselling

Meg Power Harper Adams University Bioveterinary Science

Benjamin Radford Exeter University Marine Biology

Hannah Richards Greenwich University Equine Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

Annie Rickman Oxford Bookes University Occupational Therapy

Gemma Tandy Warwick University Biochemistry

Saskia Thorne Southampton University Psychology

Eleanor Wyeth Exeter University Psychology

Rosie Ashley-East Sussex University Zoology

Jennifer Atherton Brighton University Nursing (Adult)

Hannah Brennan Bath University Natural Sciences

Charles Brewis Coventry Automotive and Transport Design

Cristina Cassella-Hall Royal Holloway, University of London Psychology

Charlotte Colehan Plymouth University Nursing (Mental Health)

Flynn Cooper Glyndwr University Chemistry with Green Nanotechnology

Emily Cryer Bath University Biomedical Science (with placement)

Cameron Dodd Bath University Biology (with professional placement)

Erin Finch Bristol, University of West of England Criminology and Sociology

Megan Freeman Southampton University Physics with Astronomy

Emma Garland Bournemouth University Biological Sciences

John-Luke Greenacre Anglo-European Col. of Chiropractic Chiropractic

Hannah Hall Plymouth University Conservation Biology

Carys Hartigan Portsmouth University Civil Engineering

Bronwyn Inns Greenwich University Paramedic Science

Jessica Kydd-Coutts Brunel University Physiotherapy

Tyler Leyland-Jones Bath Spa University Environmental Science

In our next editions..

University places

gained in:

English

International Studies

Business/

Economics & Computing

Expressive Arts

Art, Design &

Technology

May we take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Successful New Year!