Oathall’s Sporting Superstars

15th February 2019J Godbolt

It has been a fabulous sporting start to 2019 for Oathall’s PE teams. We have been successful against local schools in Football, Futsal, Indoor Athletics, Indoor Cricket and Hockey to name but a few.

Here’s a quick summary of some of the highlights

The U12 boys’ hockey team (pictured above) played in the annual tournament in Crawley with 5 other schools, with a combination of U13 and U12 teams. Despite being the youngest team present they finished unbeaten with 4 wins and 1 draw.

Our Indoor Athletics teams were successful in the Mid-Sussex round of the Countywide indoor athletics competition with the Year 7 Girls & Year 8 boys winning their rounds.

The Under 12 Girls Football team have completed all of their West Sussex league fixtures and have finished the season unbeaten.

Keep up the good work everybody!

If you need a reminder of our Autumn successes in the performance faculty catch up with their newsletter here.

Speed dating for career inspiration

14th January 2019J Godbolt

How do you get over 200 Year 9 students to find out about a wide range of careers? Get them to go along to a Careers speed dating event!

Students in Year 9 have just taken part in our annual Careers Speed Dating event, during which they had the opportunity to speak to a wide range of professionals and representatives from the world of work.

This event is organised to inspire our future workforce about real jobs; practise those all-important communication skills, and hopefully dispel some myths and challenge gender stereotypes. Small groups of students were given 5 minutes to meet and learn about the occupations of each of our 26 visiting professional guests representing a wide range of employment sectors including banking, engineering, surveying, medicine, hairdressing, publishing, veterinary, medicine, uniformed services, scientific research, sport, nursing, physiotherapy and more. Feedback from the employers has been extremely positive. All our year 9 students were enthusiastic and made a good effort to ask lots of interesting questions.

One of the many positive comments from attending guests was: ‘The pupils were an absolute pleasure and without exception friendly, polite and chatty.’

Hairdresser Jade Laker from Pruners commented that refreshingly it was the boys that seemed more interested in hearing about her career than the girls!

Dr Sarah Bruce reported how impressed she was at how engaged and well behaved our students were during the session.

Thank you to all the business volunteers for giving up their time so generously to support our students.

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 2018A Oathall

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 2018A Oathall

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.”