Following the exciting news that the College has been listed by The Times as one of the top 10 comprehensive secondary schools in the UK, it has been another week packed full of student successes, highlights and activities.
A picture-perfect success story
The Cambridgeshire Area Young Artists Competition (CAYAC) is an exhibition and competition that celebrates the work of young artists from throughout Cambridgeshire. Students from across the county are invited to enter their works and I am delighted to share that two of our students won their categories! Another one of our students was also highly commended. Congratulations to students Lilly M. and Bobby R. who won the Year 7 and Year 8 categories respectively, and to Eunice H. who was highly commended in the Key Stage 4 Photography category. Well done also to all of the other students who entered – I am incredibly proud of you all.
Do keep an eye on the College Instagram page as we will be sharing the winning artworks shortly.
ACTION! Students visit film festival
Our Sixth Form Film students are able to develop a robust International Baccalaureate (IB) education while continuing to pursue their passion for film. Last week, they enjoyed an enriching visit to the Watersprite Film Festival. Now in its 16th year, the student film festival invites attendees to view innovative and leading student developed film projects from around the world. Our students viewed two screenings titled Beneath The Surface and Family; focusing on a variety of topics. They found the experience both inspiring and rewarding and I am looking forward to witnessing the impact of the festival in their future projects.
Digging for knowledge
Elsewhere, our Environmental Systems and Societies students visited local farm, Burwash Manor, to bolster their knowledge of soil systems and terrestrial food production. The visit provided them with the opportunity to experience what It’s like working on an organic farm. They also learnt more about the colossal effort that goes into producing the food that we eat each day. Despite slightly muddy conditions, the students embraced the opportunity and I am sure that the trip will have a positive impact of their studies.
World Book Day
Yesterday was World Book Day, and students from across the College took part in a wide range of activities to mark celebrate all things literature. A cohort of students even had the opportunity to visit the renowned Cambridge University Press and Assessment (CUPA), where they took a tour of the facility, before being set a challenge by the Press team. Our students were given the brief of working together to outline how businesses, schools and universities can communicate their values to their communities. They developed mood boards and presented their findings to representatives from the organisation. The day culminated in a careers carousel that featured professionals from across CUPA, and I know our students relished the opportunities from the day.
Year 10 Progress Evening – thanks for joining us
Our Year 10 students are in an important part of their preparation work for their final GCSE examinations next year.
It was a joy to welcome parents of our Year 10 students to the College on Wednesday for their Progress Evening. Events like this provide us with important opportunities to discuss progress, whilst giving you a forum to ask any questions that you may have about your child’s studies and their GCSE progress. Thank you for joining us.
Planting the seeds of a better tomorrow
Each IB programme includes an element of service learning, which helps our students to develop a willingness to support causes beyond their individual needs and to build a greater sense of responsibility for their surrounding communities.
In the past, a number of our students have donated time to supporting the local Abbey Fields conservation project, and another opportunity to support the local ecology of Histon and Impington has arisen. On 14 April, our surrounding community has asked if anyone is available to support with the maintenance of around 1,200 trees that have been planted in the field near the Holiday Inn and B1049. If you are available between 10am and 3pm to maintain some young trees for an hour or so, it would make a great deal of difference to the local fauna and flora. There is no need to sign up or register – just turn up on the day and wear appropriate footwear.
National Careers Week
Finally, this week is National Careers Week, which has provided the opportunity for me to reflect upon the wide range of post-College opportunities available to our students. I truly believe that gaining an IB education is the best way for students to be prepared for a fast-changing workplace of the future because of its focus on both academic and personal development.
I am incredibly proud of all of our College alumni who have gone on to establish themselves in their chosen careers. From the West End stars and international athletes, to the scientists, doctors and engineers, many of our alumni are having a hugely positive impact on the world and this is a testament to the power of an IB education.
