Lest we forget

2nd November 2018J Godbolt

Oathall students & staff have marked the end of the First World War and remembered and honoured those who have paid the price for our freedom.

Students in year 9 spent the morning watching Peter Jackson’s First World War film ‘They Shall Not Grow Old’ after which the whole school gathered around the Oathall Field of Remembrance for a period of reflection and silence. The last post was played on the bugle by one of our students.

In recognition of the centenary of the end of the First World War, 100 crosses provided by the Lindfield branch of the Royal British Legion have been placed out in a field of remembrance. Each cross will be dedicated to an individual who has been nominated by members of the school staff and student body and a donation will be made to the Royal British Legion.

DRONE 500 Challenge

2nd October 2018J Godbolt

Oathall students and staff have attended the launch of this year’s Mid Sussex STEM Challenge. The event took place at Mid Sussex District Council offices and was officially launched by the High Sheriff of West Sussex Caroline Nicholls. The Drone 500 challenge has been developed to encourage an interest in STEM subjects amongst young people and to help them understand how these subjects will be applied in industry in the future.

In the first year, the challenge was won by Year 9 students from Oathall. In this, the second year of the competition, more schools from across Sussex have entered for the chance to win. Over the next six months, each school is being tasked to build a drone for £500. The drone will be required to meet a number of very specific requirements which will be tested at the final next March. As well as this each team will be required to produce a business case which they will pitch to a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style panel. Each team will be supported and mentored along the way by members of the local business community.

Head of Art and Design Technology, Pete Robinson said,

“This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to gain an insight into the world of engineering and design. Not only does it encourage an interest in STEM but it develops team building and a work ethic at an early age. We will, of course be working hard to retain our title!”

 

 

 

Processing of Further Education Applications

12th September 2018Mrs K Ferros

Following attendance at the further education colleges’ open evenings in October and November, Year 11 students will be completing their application forms.

Please note the following:

  • It is advisable to make applications to at least two colleges.
  • Students considering an apprenticeship should also make a college application as a back-up measure.
  • MONDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2018 – The deadline for all paper application forms to be given to Mrs Ferros in Reception, as grades and references need to be attached before they are sent to the various colleges.
  • FRIDAY 7 DECEMBER 2018 – The deadline for all online applications to be submitted.

Please find attached a booklet that has been produced to help guide you through the post 16 transition.  It includes information on the processing of applications and dates of all the colleges’ open evenings and detailed information on the wide range of qualifications and options available to you when you leave Oathall, including work-based learning and Apprenticeships.

Post 16 Opportunities Booklet 2018-19

Post 16 Opportunities Evening Presentation 2018

Careers Drop-In Service

If you require any help with completing application forms or have queries regarding which subjects or courses to take etc, you are very welcome to attend our drop-in service in the Careers Office on Wednesdays after school throughout October and November.

In addition to these sessions, Mrs Ferros is always available in Reception if you have any general queries.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE:  If you are planning a summer holiday, please be aware that students are required to be available soon after the GCSE exam results are issued on 22 August 2019 as colleges hold taster days, interviews and enrolment sessions before the beginning of the autumn term.

Post 16 Information and Advice

12th September 2018Mrs K Ferros

Following the recent Post 16 Opportunities Evening, students in year 11 should be planning their choices for continuing their education after their final year at Oathall.  A booklet containing advice and information about colleges, qualifications, apprenticeships and the application process is available under ‘Work Related Learning’.

Students are advised to check course information and entry requirements on the colleges’ websites as prospectuses are printed some time before and details do change. 

The deadline for all paper application forms to be given to Mrs Ferros in Reception  is MONDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2018.  

 The deadline to submit online applications is FRIDAY 7 DECEMBER 2018.

If you are unsure about anything connected with this process please speak to Mrs Ferros.

Oathall takes delivery of brand new minibus

12th September 2018J Godbolt

Oathall was delighted to take delivery this week of a much-needed new school minibus. The acquisition of the new minibus was made possible by the kind generosity and support of Fairfax Properties who fully supported the purchase for the school.

The minibus has been designed specifically for school use and can transport up to 17 people; it has also been adapted so that it is fully accessible by wheelchair users.

Handing over the minibus keys, Fairfax Director, Jon Ball, said:

“We are proud to be able to support our local community in this way.”

Headteacher, Edward Rodriguez said:

“We are incredibly grateful to Fairfax Properties for their support of the school in this way. This new bus will be used extensively by the school and especially the PE department where it will enable teams and reserves to be transported to school fixtures without incurring additional transportation costs.”

 

Year 11 Post 16 Opportunities Evening

5th September 2018Mrs K Ferros

Year 11 students and their parents are invited to the Post 16 Opportunities Evening on Wednesday 12 September at 6.00pm in the hall.

This important event will begin with a short presentation about the range of routes and choices that young people can make post 16.  There will then be the opportunity to talk to representatives from all the local further education colleges and other training organisations about the range of courses that they have to offer.  This can be followed up by attending open evenings at the colleges during October and November.  A booklet with further details, including dates for college open evenings, will be distributed during the evening.

Students celebrating excellent results

23rd August 2018J Godbolt

Oathall students are deservedly celebrating their excellent GCSE results. Across all areas of the curriculum, the college has seen impressive outcomes.

In English, 75% of students achieved a grade 4 or above whilst in mathematics 77% of students achieved a grade 4 or higher. In science, 74% of students achieved 2 good science GCSE passes.

There were some exceptional individual performances with 10% of the cohort achieving 7 or more passes at grades 7, 8 or 9. This is all the more noteworthy given the recent reforms to the GCSE curriculum and the significantly more challenging examinations. Moreover, 22% of all grades awarded were 7 or higher.

Students of all abilities have excelled and achieved results of which they should be very proud. It is clear that their progress and attainment is significantly positive.  

Headteacher, Edward Rodriguez said,

“I would like to congratulate all students and staff on their hard work and commitment. They have responded so well to the challenges of the newly reformed GCSEs. These exceptional results are a testament to their enthusiasm and perseverance.“

Information for new students starting in September 2018

31st July 2018J Godbolt

Welcome to all of our new students.

Transition team

Our transition leaders, Mrs Jane Newnham and assistant Headteacher, Mrs Faye Hatchard have been working with our local primary schools to prepare students for moving on to secondary school. On July 10, your child will attend the induction day and meet their tutor. Your child’s tutor will be responsible for your child’s pastoral care. Mrs Newnham also works with our team of Assistant Heads of House. They provide pastoral support for all of our students.

  • For enquiries about transition arrangements please contact Mrs Jane Newnham, Transition Coordinator jnewnham@oathall.org.
  • For enquiries/discussion about children with medical conditions please contact Mrs Polly McDonald pmcdonald@oathall.org.
  • For all other enquiries, please contact office@oathall.org. Your message will be directed to a member of Oathall staff who is in the best position to help you.

Information 

Parents of new year 7 students have been sent information packs in May. These contain forms and information about the transition process. Please refer to these if you are unsure about any of the arrangements for starting at Oathall.

In late August, we will contact you again with further information about the online systems we use for homework, timetables, school reports and our online payment system.

You may also find this information of use.

Starting Secondary School – A Parent’s Guide

Starting Secondary School checklist

Equipment 

Students need to be prepared for lessons at all times. Our ‘Be ready for learning’ leaflet provides you with details of the equipment that we expect students to carry with them in school.

In your first fortnight, you will find out what you need to bring for DT or PE lessons and your teachers will be happy to help you if you’re not sure.

We recommend students check their timetables the night before to ensure they are prepared for the next day.

Uniform 2018

New students starting at Oathall in September 2018 will be required to wear the Oathall uniform. All new students will be expected to wear a white collar shirt and Oathall tie as part of the uniform. 

Full details can be found here.

Food and drink at school

Students are expected to remain in the college during break and lunch times. Students may bring their own food to eat or they may eat in the canteen. Students will be registered with a canteen account on their first day. Information about the canteen and how this works is included in your information pack. Online payment details will be sent out in late August.

Travel to school

We expect all of our students to travel to school using sustainable transport. Most students walk to school or arrive by school bus. Students should enter by the Washington Road footpath, the Albemarle Drive or the Appledore Garden entrance. There are no other entry points into the school.

We expressly ask parents not to drive onto the school site to drop off or collect students in the morning or after school. The vehicle access into Oathall is narrow and not designed to allow for a large number of vehicles to arrive and turn around at the same time. This entrance is used by the school buses which must take priority over other vehicle users. The narrow drive entrance is also located in a residential area and a build-up of traffic at our entrance causes congestion and inconvenience to our neighbours. If you have to drop your child by car please drop them off or collect them at the Washington Road roundabout entrance where there is more space.

For evening events we allow parking on site.