TAHS Weekly Newsletter. 

 

Year 12 virtual Parents Evening

Many thanks to all parents who joined us for the Year 12 parents evening. It was a very successful evening with high attendance. Anyone who was unable to attend the evening and would like to receive feedback regarding your son/daughters, progress please email sixthform@tahs.org.uk.

Thinking of a career in Medicine?

Have a look at Medic mentor: https://medicmentor.co.uk/

Medic Mentor is a non-profit social enterprise made up of a UK-wide network of doctors, medical students, secondary students, parents and teachers. It is a great online resource, which offers lots of support and free events for students considering a career path in Medicine. There is an opportunity for students in year 10-12 to apply for FREE virtual medical work experience with The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham via this link:

https://medicmentor.co.uk/university-hospitals-birmingham-trust-virtual-work-experience/ places are allocated based on the quality of the application, which we are happy to support with.

There is also a “Get into Medicine” Summer School: https://medicmentor.co.uk/medic-mentor-get-into-medicine-ucas-summer-school/ The summer school comprises of a 6-day residential programme at the University of Stirling (in Scotland) or East London Docklands (Central London).

Thinking of a Dentistry career?

Dentist Mentor is offering an opportunity for students in year 10-12 to apply for FREE virtual dentistry work experience via this link:  https://medicmentor.co.uk/dental-live-virtual-work-experience

The live virtual work experiences will take place every 2nd Saturday of the Month. The first session will be held on Saturday 13th March. So complete the application below as soon as you can! It will run for a 4-month period offering students 24 hours of valuable work experience. Please note, by completing the application you are committing to attend all 4 sessions.

Thinking of a Veterinary career?

Veterinary Mentor is offering an opportunity for students in years 10-12 to apply for FREE virtual Veterinary work experience via this link:  https://medicmentor.co.uk/veterinary-virtual-live-work-experience

The live virtual work experiences will take place every third Sunday of the Month. The first session will be held on Sunday 21st March. So complete the application below as soon as you can! It will run for a 6-month period offering students 30 hours of valuable work experience. Please note, by completing the application you are committing to attend all 6 sessions.

If you need any help or support with these opportunities – please contact Mrs Dodd dodd@tahs.net or Mrs Featherstone featherstone@tahs.net

Year 12 & Year 13 TUTOR ACTIVITY PROGRAMME

Please read, engage and take part in the PowerPoints for the next 2 weeks (this week and the first week back after half term) to cover your tutor activity time:  Session 3 – The Difference (celebrating your uniqueness rather than fitting in to someone else’s idea of ‘normal’; and Session 4 – Be Daring (dare to be yourself).  Attached on Insight and Teams is the student workbook that you had in your paper packs from school and the PowerPoints to go along with the paper copies that include video clips from motivational speakers and more.

Year 12 Unifrog pastoral workbook

You will receive a Unifrog workbook.  You need to register yourself on Unifrog if you have not already done so.  Instructions on how to do this are in the workbook. On page three you will see three tasks which you will need to complete.  Your form tutor and the Sixth Form team will be tracking your progress on Unifrog and support you if needed.

What GCSEs should I take

The BBC have put together a website to assist with options called What GCSEs should I take to become a… ?

Take a look here:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zmskpg8

Pastoral Update

On the last day of term in their final lesson of the day students took part in a virtual assembly to celebrate some of the amazing achievements and efforts our students have made during what has been such a difficult time. I was so proud to see the number of students that teachers wanted to reward and praise.

There has been some negative press surrounding young people and their ability to engage fully with online learning. I feel as a school we are able to confidently say that our students are most certainly engaging and many are going further than that. I appreciate this is a team effort and I would therefore like to extend my thanks to all the teachers, pastoral staff and most of all families that have continued to support the students with their home learning.

I hope that you all have a restful break and can enjoy some time together. We cannot wait for the students to return and do hope that this will be very soon.

Calling Year 9 Art Students

 The Art Department is running a 3 week competition to find the best Illustrative Portrait … Three winning entries will receive £10 Hobbycraft vouchers… Challenge yourself, be creative and have a go!!! – All entries sent to Mrs. Simmonds-Vaughan. MORE PRIZES AND COMPETITIONS ARE ON THEIR WAY… GOOD LUCK

Drama Stars

Well done to all students for adapting so well  to new approaches to learning in drama this term. 

Year 9
Jess C and Aimee S for superb attitude to learning and insightful contributions in class discussions. 

Year 10
Benjamin, Taylor and Zita showed excellent independent learning their efforts with their devised drama planning.

Year 11
A big thank you to Alyssa and Finley for taking part in the Drama Options Q and A session for year 9. You were excellent ambassadors for the Drama Department and your support and advice was really valuable. 

History

Year 11 – well done for all the revision and preparations you put into the History assessments. 

Elkes

Parents, please feel free to have a look at this half-term’s celebration assembly – teachers have nominated those students who’ve really applied themselves this half term, and those teachers’ names are at the top of each slide so you know which ones to look out for.

Thanks, and have a restful half-term break. Mr Parker

Internet Safety Week

This week marks the annual Internet Safety Week aimed at ensuring young people understand and mitigate for the risks associated with an online life. There are two videos to watch here:

The official Internet Safety Day Virtual Assembly:

This short film from Staffordshire Police:

PE Update 

Year 9 Options – In Core PE we have run Live presentations on the option subject we offer for PE, Entitled BTEC Tech Sport Activity & Fitness. This will be on Teams and will give students the chance to find out more about the course and ask any questions.

We hope you are keeping active- Please share your exercise plans on Teams. We are mindful that everyone enjoys different forms of exercise, but it is important you are keeping active and if possible getting fresh air each day. You can run, walk, bike or skate but try and get in a routine of being active each day.

Joe Wicks is running “PE with Joe” on Mon, Wed and Friday at 9am on YouTube – “The Body Coach TV” This is a simple way of getting your day off to a good routine. The sessions are available on demand if you have live lessons at 9am.

We also have a range of Fitness Challenges you can try on our Core PE Teams pages. We also have a number of healthy eating videos on Teams which you can try.

It is important you are trying to get 60 minutes of physical activity and eating healthily each day. Why not have a go at making your own fitness or healthy cooking video and send it in on Teams? For Ideas and inspiration have a look at files on the Core PE Team.

This week students have been sent Netball and Basketball specific activities to do at home on Insight. Each week will have a different sporting focus.

BTEC Sport

** We have purchased on line learning resources for BTEC Students in Yr10, 11, 12, 13. Please see Teams for Log In details and how to access the resources **

PE student of the week – Mya Priestley

Year 10 – Students are now working towards coursework on Injuries and Rehabilitation.

Year 11- We have been really impressed with attendance at Live Lessons this week. As you know February exams have been cancelled. Students need to be working on Leadership Coursework (Component 3) All resources required are on Teams. Due to the nature of BTEC students need to complete all 3 Components to get a grade at the end of the course. We are waiting for information from the government about how students can improve their exam grade.

Year 12-  Students are now working on Unit 3 developing understanding of the sports industry. Students should now be using homework and independent study time to work on their Coursework.

Year 13- Students have received an individual mark breakdown via email. It is important that they use this to access lessons and resources they require. With uncertainty around summer exams it is vital students are fully prepared for the units they are taking to give them the best chance of their highest grade.

Science News

This week has seen the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2021 designated by the United Nations.  It is a global celebration of the women who are involved in all forms of Science. 

To discover more click on the link:

 International Day of Women and Girls in Science | United Nations

Spotlight on Professor Alice Roberts

Alice Roberts is Professor of Public Engagement in Science at the School of Biosciences, Birmingham University.  Alice studied anatomy and medicine and originally worked as a doctor, before studying for a PhD in paleopathology – the study of disease in ancient human remains. 

Professor Alice has presented many science-based television programmes and this evening (Friday) at 9 pm on BBC Two will be presenting Stonehenge: The lost Circle Revealed.  Cutting-edge research has uncovered the last puzzling secrets of the iconic bluestones, which Alice describes as ‘an astonishing discovery’.

To discover more about Professor Alice Roberts, click on the link:

https://www.alice-roberts.co.uk/

COVID-19 Vaccine

Women scientists have been at the forefront of research at the University of Oxford developing the vaccine against COVID-19, performing vital roles in all aspects of development and vaccine trials.  However, at present less than 30% of science researchers are women and approximately only 30% of female students choose STEM-related (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects in higher education.

In the Science Department we are helping to promote science to our young female learners.  When we are all back in School look out for the new posters displayed around the Science Department.

Excellent Online Learning…

Mr Mitchell would like to say:

‘A huge congratulations to all students successfully completing their online learning in Science this Half Term. Well done to all Year 11 students who worked through their Trial Exams online’. 

This week’s Science Students of the week:

Year 9

Mr Milward would like to nominate: Martha B for excellent work in Biology online lessons.

Miss Thorley would like to nominate: Kian S for enthusiasm in remote learning.

Year 10

Mrs Gwynne would like to nominate:

Amber H for very hard work this week.

Alistair D for excellent communication and completion of work.

Mrs Keeling would like to nominate:

Rhys R (10U2 Biology) for excellent contributions to live lessons. 

Chloe F and Eleanor W (10U1 Biology) for great work on thermoregulation.

Mr Melland would like to nominate: Harvey-James G who has worked extremely well in his online lessons this week. 

Mr Mitchell would like to nominate:

Charles F (10H1) for brilliant stop-motion animation on the formula for gravitational potential energy.

Year 11

Mrs Dykes would like to say – “To those Year 11s who overcame their emotions and had a go at the trial assessments – well done! “

Year 12

Mrs Gwynne would like to nominate: Isobel W, Adam M, Chloe C, Olivia G for particularly high scores on exam questions.

Year 13

Mr Mitchell would like to say – ‘An additional mention to the following superstars for their online work and going above and beyond goes to:

Aaron G, Emma R, Vicky C for completion of the Chemistry Olympiad – The hardest Chemistry Exam out there!

Year 10 Animal Care Stars of the Week

Mrs North would like to nominate the following students for excellent engagement in online learning:

Tom Y, Billy L, William S, Harvey-James G and Connor B.

Well done!

Calling All Medics

Anyone who is seriously considering applying for medicine or dentistry please contact Mrs North via email on north@tahs.net or via Teams.  We are running online support sessions after school during which we will discuss the application process, wider reading, work experience and answer specific questions.  These sessions are open to students in all year groups and the first one will be on Monday 22nd February.

Bereavement Support

MFL Musings

It’s not last minute yet, but it will be soon – get your last minute MFL revision tips here:https://theidealteacher.com/7-must-use-last-minute-revision-tips-for-language-exams

Try to find out why the sky is yellow in France:https://www.1jour1actu.com/france/pourquoi-le-ciel-est-il-devenu-jaune

And who is that Netflix Lupin bloke, anyway?https://www.1jour1actu.com/info-animee/cest-qui-arsene-lupin

If you have questions about French at A level or GCSE feel free to pass them on to Mr Noon, noon@tahs.net – perhaps you want to know more so you can get a job like this one selling surgical masks to French-speaking clients around the world https://uk.indeed.com/company/Lip-Hing-Metal-Manufacturing-(UK)-Ltd/jobs/French-Speaking-Business-Development-Manager-Surgical-Mask-3a7826c4b58a9cf8?fccid=fcb313f669a54b82&vjs=3

Top Students in English

The English Department would like to say well done to all those who have continued to work so hard in the final week of the half term. In particular, teachers have nominated the following students as student of the week:

Year 9: Aimee Sh, Jake B, Shanaii B, Georgie S,

Year 10: Jed F, Livvy E, Alfie H, Rhys R, Jake L, Tom Y, Sam P, Xanthe

Year 11: Erin H, Leanne P, Rebecca W

Year 12: Imogen N, Rob F

Year 13: Emma K, Torin N

Delicate Minds Mental Well Being Support

Health & Social Care students have been working on a project for improving mental wellbeing in sixth form students which has been affected by the pandemic and the lockdown.  They have put together a great powerpoint with support and resources which has been sent to all year 12 and year 13 students.  Please have a look over the half term holiday.

Looking for an apprenticeship?

Keep an eye out on the future intention’s library on the vacancies channel for apprenticeships as they get released! This week I have shared the full listing from the Apprenticeships website as well as new opportunities from BT, Vodaphone, Siemens Mobility, IBM, and many more.

Apprenticeship – Vacancy Listing

We will be hosting some workshops during the spring term to support students who are looking for and considering an apprenticeship. In the meantime, if you want to find out more, the BBC Bitesize careers page have some great information and videos. The low-down on apprenticeships – BBC Bitesize

Opportunities

• MediCamp at UWC Atlantic are pleased to be able to offer a full Scholarship worth £2,450 to one 16-18 year-old student attending a school or college within the UK.

Taking place between the 31st July and the 14th August 2021 at UWC Atlantic, MediCamp is a residential 14 day medical programme delivered by sector-leading professors, clinicians, partners and practitioners to dissect the anatomy of the medical world.

Combined with adventurous personal development sessions offered at UWC Atlantic including canoeing, rock climbing and kayaking, MediCamp sets itself apart from many other summer courses. MediCamp equips young people with self-confidence, problem-solving and teamwork – all crucial skills for medics and healthcare professionals in the making. To find out more click on the link below: MediCamp Scholarships – UWC College (uwcatlanticexperience.com)

• DR.EAM Dentistry Virtual Conference 

Birmingham Widening Access to Medical Sciences society (BWAMS) is hosting its annual DR.EAM Dentistry Conference this year. The DR.EAM Dentistry Conference is a free outreach event aimed at Year 10-13 students who are considering a career in Dentistry.  

Our aim is to inspire and inform students about a career in Dentistry. We will provide students with an insight into life as both a dental student and dentist, as well as advising on next steps to prepare for an application. The day will consist of inspiring talks, workshops and panels made up of dentists and dental students from around the country. Workshops will include an introduction to clinical skills, Q&A with dental students from different universities and work experience advice.  

Widening Access at the Medical School will be helping us in the selection of these students according to the University’s widening access selection criteria, with priority given to pupils from areas with a low number of students attending University for this event.  

We encourage you to share this opportunity with your Year 10-13 students. 

This free virtual conference gives students the chance to learn more about a healthcare career and all it has to offer! 

Date: Saturday 20th February 2021  

Time: 9am to 5pm  

We believe that this event will be hugely beneficial for your students considering studying Dentistry at University. Please encourage students to apply before Wednesday 17th February 2021 12pm using the following link:  

https://bham.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/dream-dentistry-2021-application

• Success Beyond School – Parents Events – Free expert advice on guiding your child to a successful career

‘We are delighted to announce our “Success Beyond School” events for this term: free-of-charge interactive ‘Live Online’ seminars designed to help parents supercharge their children’s career potential.

Wednesday 24th February: The Skills Surgery
How to break into careers in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science

Wednesday 3rd March: The Power of Networks
How your child can build a powerful professional network’

These events are for parents of students aged 12-18 and free to attend Further Information link

Career of the week

Job title:	Robotics engineers design and build machines to do automated jobs in industries like manufacturing, aerospace and medicine.
Entry requirements:	You can do a degree or postgraduate qualification in: artificial intelligence and roboticsmechatronicsrobotics engineeringmechanical engineeringelectronics engineeringcomputer sciencemathematics You can also work in the development of artificial intelligence if you have a qualification in psychology or cognitive science. Entry requirements – You’ll usually need: 2 or 3 A levels, including maths and physicsa degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study You can do a college course, which may help you to find a job as a robotics technician. Relevant courses include: Level 3 Certificate in Robotics and AutomationLevel 4 Diploma in ComputingHigher National Certificate in Electrical or Electronic EngineeringWith further training, you can qualify as an engineer. Entry requirements – You’ll usually need: 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) for a level 3 course1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course   You could do a degree apprenticeship in a robotics specialism. Apprenticeship examples include: control and technical support engineeringsoftware developmentmanufacturing engineeringembedded electronic systems design Entry requirements – You’ll usually need: 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and college qualifications like A levels for a degree apprenticeship
What you’ll earn:	Starter: £27,500 – Experienced: £55,500
What skills will I need?	You’ll need: knowledge of engineering science and technologyknowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and softwaremaths knowledgedesign skills and knowledgeexcellent verbal communication skillsthe ability to use, repair and maintain machines and toolsthinking and reasoning skillscomplex problem-solving skillsto be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
Day to day duties:	Your exact duties will depend on what part of a project you work on but may include: understanding what customers want to automate designing processes and parts using computer aided design building and testing prototypes analysing data from robot sensors and cameras finding and fixing faults researching news ways to use robots and artificial intelligence demonstrating finished products to customers 37 to 40 hours a week, usually 9am to 5pm
Career path and progression:	You could become a lead engineer, with overall responsibility for managing a project. You could also specialise in a particular area of robotics, for example self-driving vehicles, space exploration, surgical instruments or deep ocean research.

Information sourced directly from www.nationalcareersservice.gov.uk

If you have any suggestions for a career you would like to know more about then please email me at featherstone@tahs.net

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