Students succeed at UK Maths Challenge

26th February 2015J Godbolt

In early February, 58 Oathall students in Years 9, 10 and 11 took part in this year’s UKMT Intermediate Maths Challenge. This competition, organised by the charity UK Mathematics Trust is recognised nationally as one of the largest and most prestigious maths competitions.

We are pleased to announce that this year, Oathall’s high performing mathematicians were awarded 4 gold, 11 silver and 15 bronze certificates. Gold certificates were awarded to Lucas Foreman, Kathryn Hook, Matt Keeble and John Moore. Only the top 40% of students nationally go on to receive a gold, silver or bronze certificate in the ratio 1:2:3.

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To Kill A Mockingbird – review by Charlotte Weller

2nd February 2015J Godbolt

On Friday 23rd of January, 50 pupils from year 11 piled onto a coach and journeyed to Chichester. We went to see the Chichester Festival Theatre’s production of ‘To Kill  Mockingbird’, the groundbreaking and literary classic written by Harper Lee.

To_Kill_a_Mockingbird_54181775675db‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ is one of the exam texts that two of the year 11 English Literature classes are studying. Seeing the book in front of us visually in the form of a play was a fantastic opportunity for us to consolidate our knowledge on the plot, the key themes of the novel and the main characters. This is all essential information we need to understand and include in our English Literature exam.

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Year 11 Parents’ Evening

8th January 2015J Godbolt

The year 11 Parents’ evening will be held on Thursday 22 January 2015 from 5.00 pm – 8.00 pm. Parents’ evenings are held to discuss the progress of students based upon their academic grades. To get the most from the discussions we encourage parents and students to attend together. Parents will be able to book appointments online by logging into their INSIGHT account from Wednesday 14 January.

Year 11 Parents’ Evening Letter 

Online booking instructions

Post 16 Information and Advice

16th September 2014J Godbolt

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. Advice and information about colleges, qualifications, apprenticeships and the application process are all available under the work related learning section.

Students are advised to check courses and entry requirements on the colleges’ websites as their prospectuses may already be out of date with the new A levels being introduced over the next three years.  

The deadline for all applications is Monday 24 November 2014.  All applications must be brought to Ms Hart in the Careers Office. (The exceptions being St Paul’s and Collyer’s.) If you are unsure about anything connected with this process please speak to Ms Hart. 

The 12th National Students Art Exhibition

14th July 2014Mrs L BRUCE

Katy Gardner beside her portrait at the Mall Galleries

Congratulations to Katy Gardner, whose GCSE artwork was selected by the Royal Society of British Artists judging panel to be exhibited at this year’s National Students Art Exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London.  This is an incredible achievement, particularly as both large scale pieces made the final selection.

Congratulations also to Zakiyra Begum, Kieran Ross, Hassana Akther-Tuhra, Freya Way and Marjana Akther-Bushra whose submitted artwork was highly commended.

Brand new graduation ceremony for Oathall’s students

17th May 2014J Godbolt

Class of 2014 Oathall students received graduation certificates in front of family, friends and representatives from the local community at the first ever Oathall Graduation Evening on Thursday 8 May.

Pete Waterfield - Group picture

From left to right: Headteacher Mr Rodriguez, Deputy Head Boy James Habineza, Head Girl Shannon King, Year Leader Mr Wright, Peter Waterfield, Nile Jones Head Boy and Keris Self Deputy Head Girl.

Mr Wright, Year leader created the ‘Oathall Challenge’ scheme for students in his year group to provide a way of celebrating and recognising students who showed commitment to the core values of the college, above and beyond academic achievement. To succeed at the challenge, students through years 10 and 11 had to demonstrate acceptable levels of punctuality, attendance and behaviour as well as taking part in activities such as prefecting, mentoring younger students, helping out at school events and organising their own charity function.

The keynote speaker at the event was Mr Peter Waterfield, British Diver and Olympic Silver medallist 2004. Addressing the audience he gave an inspiring speech about dedication to the task and personal achievement. Afterwards he said:

“I am simply amazed at how committed the students here are; taking part in and leading extra-curricular activities and in supporting their school.”

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Certificates and Awards Galore!

15th November 2013Oathall
Pippa with her award on the night

Pippa with her award on the night

Former students and their families gathered in the school hall on the evening of Thursday 14 November for our annual GCSE certificate and award presentation evening.

Special guest Sir David Davies CBE presented the certificates and afterwards he gave a potted history of his varied career and an overview of his roles as President of the Royal Academy of Engineering and as a special advisor to the Ministry of Defence.

He finished with some words of advice about the future saying: “Think broadly and think long term about your futures.  In all likelihood you will be working for the next 50 years, perhaps even longer.  Things will change in your career and if you have the right skills and an open mind who knows where life will take you next.”

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Super Swanage Trip

9th October 2013Mrs L BRUCE

In September a group of Y11 Geographers went on a residential field trip to West Lulworth and Swanage, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coast.  The students designed surveys and collected data for their Controlled Assessment about the impact of tourism on West Lulworth.  They also studied the coastal landforms and processes which attract the tourists to the area.  This included a walk to Durdle Door along the Dorset Coastal Path.

They enjoyed an overnight stay at the Swanage Youth Hostel, relaxing with an evening of ten pin bowling.

 

Student has a great showing at Edenbridge and Oxted

29th August 2013Oathall
Katie and Pylon Ambo at the show

Katie and Pylon Ambo at the show

Oathall Community College student and Young Farmer, Katie Russell, has had a brilliant few days, displaying both her academic prowess and her livestock showmanship skills.

At the Edenbridge and Oxted show held over the bank holiday weekend, an Ayrshire calf, “Pylon Ambo” trained and shown by Katie and loaned by David and Jeanne Heasman from Lane End Farm Sheffield Park was the Champion Ayrshire in the calf classes.

In addition Katie, aged 16, won the DSC trophy for the champion handler in the showmanship classes. Katie is a volunteer on the school farm and chairs the young farmers club.

The previous week Katie recorded outstanding grades in her GCSE examinations finishing with 11 GCSEs, four of which were A grades including her Environmental and Landbased studies course based on the farm which counts as 4 GCSE equivalents.

Head of Farm Howard Wood said: “These results demonstrate the all-round and balanced education we offer to students of all abilities at Oathall.  Congratulations to Katie.”

From Oathall to John O’Groats to Lands End!

22nd August 2013Oathall
Holly and her Dad at the end of their two week trip!

Holly and her Dad at the end of their two week trip!

Some people might take the opportunity to sit back and relax after taking their GCSE exams but Oathall Community College student and former chair of our Young Farmer’s Club Holly Farrage decided to do just the opposite.

Over the summer Holly and her father participated in a charity bike ride from John O’Groats to Land’s End raising a good sum of money in the process.

Holly has been a brilliant club chairman and member of Oathall Farm and we will all miss her as she goes off to Sixth Form College in Brighton.