Another busy week in College this week, with lots going on inside and outside of the classroom!
Reminder: ELA Term Date Trial- feedback
As I mentioned last week, in the 2024/25 academic year, Eastern Learning Alliance is conducting a trial whereby we are shortening the Autumn term – we have extended the October half term by two days and will be breaking up for Christmas three days earlier. The teaching hours this creates (referred to as “disaggregated” time) are being used to provide a variety of academic support, interventions, and extra-curricular clubs outside of the normal school day, spread across the school year.
This means we are able to offer an enhanced programme of extra-curricular clubs and academic interventions in each school using contracted teacher time.
In order to set our term dates for 2025/26, we are collating evidence as part of an evaluation to help us decide whether to take a similar approach going forwards.
This section of our website outlines the context and thinking behind this trial, together with how we are evaluating it: https://tela.org.uk/information/term-date-trial/
Part of the evaluation involves collecting feedback from staff, students and parents. We would be grateful if you could fill in the form below to give us your views: https://forms.office.com/e/Kp60VjT7NH
Remembrance
After a week of assemblies led by our History department, this weekend year 12 student Charlie B. represented the College at the Histon and Impington Remembrance Service, and laid our wreath at the memorial. We were also very proud of all our students who participated in the Parade, representing a variety of organisations and conducting themselves incredibly well. We marked Remembrance Day in College on Monday, with a two-minute silence and the Last Post, played beautifully by Ms Macleod and Sofia V. in year 7.
Year 11 Mocks
Our year 11 students have been working hard in preparation for their mocks, which started this week. As always, the mock exams provide students with a really useful benchmark during their revision, as well as helping to alleviate nerves in the final exams, by embedding strong routines and expectations. We are very proud of all of the students, who have made a flying start in their mocks, and we are looking forward to seeing how they have got on!
Girls’ Physics Trip
On Wednesday, a group of our year 9 girls were invited to a bespoke programme at the Cavendish Laboratory, at the University of Cambridge Physics Department, designed to encourage diversity in physics. The day consisted of a morning tour of a Cambridge college, followed by information about studying at Cambridge, and advice on Higher Education and applying to Cambridge. This was followed by a physics activity at the Cavendish Laboratory, where students participated in a practical session and listened to presentations on curriculum physics as well as exciting research topics.
Elemental Poetry Workshop
Also on Wednesday, we were pleased to be represented by a group of students at Cambridge University’s Elemental Poetry Writing workshop, held at the Leys School. As part of the initiative, which is for secondary school and sixth form pupils, students have the chance to take part in workshops led by Peter Carpenter, local poet, which are designed to develop students’ poetic skill and confidence around the theme of the natural elements. By the end of the workshop series, students will be invited to publish their work in an anthology. We can’t wait to read it!
Model UN: Munich
Finally, our sixth form students have been representing the College this week at the Munich Model United Nations Conference. A highlight of our IB Global Politics calendar, as well as participating in the MUN event, the students have been able to visit some of the key sights in Munich, including a variety of government and royal buildings, churches and more.
Sports Leaders: Panathlon
Last Friday, our year 10 Sports leaders did an incredible job leading two back to back Primary Panathlon multi skills events in our sports hall for local children. We received lovely feedback from the organisers, South Cambridgeshire School Sports Partnership, about the students’ excellent communication skills, empathy and ability to motivate the children throughout the events. They really did us proud!
