Examination season has begun for many of our students and it has been pleasing to see their commitment to their learning in the lead up to their examinations.

Inside and outside of the examination halls, it has been another busy week for our students and I am pleased to share recent highlights and student success stories with you below.

Students embrace the Power2Inspire

We have participated in the Power2Inspire Powerhouse Games for many years now. The inclusive sports days are designed to be accessible for people with, and without, disabilities to compete in. Last week, our Year 10 sports leaders travelled to Cambridge University Sports Centre and supported with the delivery of the day. Students from across the region were invited to take part in boccia, kwik cricket, sitting volleyball, touch rugby, walking football and more. Our students led with enthusiasm and made sure all participants were included in every game. I am so pleased to see that they embraced the truly inclusive community spirit that we have worked hard to generate at the College.

Our latest alumni Theatre star

Students who enrol in our Performance School are able to combine the academic rigour of the International Baccalaureate with regular coaching, performances and one on one time with industry professionals. This week, I was delighted to learn more about the success of former Impington student, Ryan Hutton. Ryan left the College in 2012 and has established himself as one of the leading actors on the British theatre circuit. After his time with us, he graduated from the world renowned, Italia Conti. He then when on to play the role of Rodney in Only Fools and Horses – the musical for around four years and he starred alongside legendary Paul Whitehouse. More recently, he’s played Lysander in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, where he earned himself a 5-star review in The Guardian. He is now in rehearsals for the acclaimed production of Duncan MacMillan’s People Places and Things which will be on at the National Theatre. Congratulations on everything you are doing, Ryan – we are all so proud of you. What an inspiration for our students!

Junior mathematics shine

Our mathematicians have been excelling recently and have enjoyed taking part in a number of lectures, interactive activities and competitions. On Thursday, it was the turn of our Year 7 and 8 students to showcase their mathematical proficiency in the UK Maths Trust’s Junior Maths Challenge. The hour-long, multiple-choice challenge encourages students to utilise their mathematical reasoning, precision of thought and fluency to answer 25 questions, with students from across the country competing against each other. Our students performed with tenacity and I look forward to sharing details of their results over the coming weeks.

Best of luck, Year 13 students

The Summer term is an important period of many of our students’ learning journeys, with exams taking place across the College. This week marked the beginning of our Year 13’s IB examinations and I’d like to wish all of them the best of luck. I know they have been working hard revising to ensure that they are well prepared for their examinations and I am sure that they will do the College proud. We have a documented history of performing well above the national average in our IB scoring and I look forward to sharing news of their results are published in July.

Protecting our environment every day

Finally, on Monday, it was Earth Day, which was a fantastic opportunity to reflect upon some of the environmental initiatives that students and staff have implemented across the College. Many of our students are incredibly passionate about protecting our planet, and, as a College, we are in the process of working towards achieving accreditation as an official Eco School.

In October, students formed our first College Eco Committee that has seen 33 students from across the College meet regularly to plan our activities. They have conducted an environmental review and have identified ways to increase biodiversity across the College, lower the amount of waste we generate, and reduce our energy consumption. They have already implemented energy and carbon reduction schemes, and regularly take part in litter picking, both onsite and in our surrounding community. On top of this, they have also secured wildflower seed donations from local garden centres that will be planted on the College site to increase biodiversity and have lined up a ‘No Mow May’ that will see areas of the College grounds going un-mown throughout the month to encourage greater diversity of fauna and flora. How amazing?! I am so incredibly proud of them all!

Next month, on 18 May, our Eco Committee will be travelling to Cambourne Village College to visit its Eco Festival. Cambourne Village College has already achieved status as an official Eco School and the event will be an opportunity for our students to learn more about the practices that have been implemented and participate in a range of environmentally friendly activities. The event is open to all so do join us if you are interested in learning more about sustainability.