THE SIXTH FORM VOICE
ST THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC ACADEMY
CAREER READY
Sixth form careers programme
The Career Ready enterprise is a national social mobility charity, it describes itself as being “at the heart of a network of educators and employers who all believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to kickstart a rewarding future”.
The programme is fronted by Mrs Kerr and involves a number of guest speakers and mentors from the world of work. There are seventeen year 12 students in the current cohort of the programme, which is one of the highest number of students STMCA has seen on its career ready programme.
Each student is assigned a mentor who is a professional specialist working in an industry connected to the Y12 students' aspirations.
The programme is a popular and hugely successful initiative which helps young people to broaden their career aspirations and aims to enable students to become advanced young professionals.
Former St Thomas More Catholic Academy student, Tom Baker, achieved great success following his time on the programme: See Article below:
Career Ready students are given the opportunity to attend regular masterclasses aimed at improving employability skills.
The sixth form broadcasting team popped into one of the masterclasses to gain a first hand account of how the programme operates.
The first note of interest was the charisma of the guest speaker; this person described their past, present and future in detail with the class.
This helped the students to understand their futures in relation to someone who had amassed a lot of experience. The lecturer spoke on how to improve interview skills; giving examples of her experiences and what the students could take from them.
The students started with an exercise of a mock interview, students paired up for a few minutes at a time and took turns in interviewer and employee roles.
The class then developed their understanding of workplace interviews by sharing their previous group discussions with the class.
A valuable masterclass session which will help to enable sixth form students to ace interviews for both university and the world of work.
Megan Salt, a current Y13 and career ready student from 2020-2021 academic year has been nominated by her mentor for the Career Ready Student of the Year Award.
Megan is to attend an awards evening in London on Wednesday 27th April to find out the result of her nomination.
We wish Megan the absolute best with the awards evening and look forward to hearing about her experiences from the event.
GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES DAY
Keele University Experience
On Wednesday 6th April, twenty-six Y12 students accompanied by Mr Myatt and Mr Barnett, attended a unique Global Opportunities Day event at Keele University.
The day was the first of its kind and promoted the significance and accessibility of global opportunities available to students when at university.
Keele, as well as other universities offer a range of international experiences to allow students to broaden their skills.
These opportunities include:
-Spending a semester in a country abroad
-Studying at a university in another country for a full academic year
-International summer school opportunities
At the start of the day, students were asked to place a sticker on a world map indicating where they would like to travel to globally, if they could catch a flight tomorrow.
A range of locations were pinpointed, including California, New York, Australia, China, Japan and New Zealand. See map below:
A world map scattered with dream travel destinations proposed by Y12 students
A world map scattered with dream travel destinations proposed by Y12 students
The participating students were then informed by the Keele University Global Opportunities team that the institution has partner connections with universities in the majority of the locations suggested.
Keele University overall has over 90 partner universities, across the world, whom they work with to give their students the opportunity to study abroad.
A key message from the day was that studying abroad should not only be considered an academic experience, but also a cultural, social and personal adventure which increases employability prospects.
Keele University American Politics lecturer, Jon Parker, addressing STMCA students with the benefits of studying abroad.
Keele University American Politics lecturer, Jon Parker, addressing STMCA students with the benefits of studying abroad.
Other speakers at the event, including a representative from multi-national company, Vodafone, spoke passionately about how university global experiences can encourage employability prospects for companies such as Vodafone.
The finances regarding studying abroad were also a key focus of the day- aiming to extinguish taboos about the financial burden which global experiences can cause.
Through grants provided by initiatives such as the Turing Scheme, students can seek financial support to aid their time spent abroad. Financial costs should not deter individuals from experiencing global opportunities.
Y12 students, Xander, Jakub and Kacper comparing international costs on travel and living
Y12 students, Xander, Jakub and Kacper comparing international costs on travel and living
Student ambassadors from Keele University were on hand throughout the day to share their experiences of studying both abroad and in the UK.
The day concluded with a campus tour of Keele University in which students were able to fully explore what the institution has to offer via the guidance of student ambassadors.
Jakub, Kacper and Keith outside the famous Keele University 'Freshers Gate'
Jakub, Kacper and Keith outside the famous Keele University 'Freshers Gate'
SIXTH FORM AWARDS
In the last week of spring term, the sixth formers of both year groups were awarded for their hard work with a complimentary breakfast and a string of awards for excellence and respect.
This would be Y13s last rewards breakfast together as a year group and so it was a perfect opportunity for them to socialise and celebrate their hard work so far this academic year.
See below the list of students awarded certificates in both year groups:
Y12
Biology
Alina Rehman & Marawah Onje
Law
Molly Horton & Freya Willmott
History
Ruth Wolde-Michael & Ellie Wallbanks
PE
Kyle Till & Daniel Holland
Applied Science
Molly Lynch
Health and Social Single Award
Molly Lynch & Halishba Fareen
Chemistry
Alina Rehman & Marawah Onje
English Lit
Lewis Holland & Isha Mahmood
Business Studies
Thomas Holland & Nathan Yorke
Physics
Corbin Bill & Kacper Moszczynski
Psychology
Marawah Onje & Ellie Wallbanks
Philosophy and Ethics
Kurmaal Jan & Leah Stubbs
Sociology
Amaani Khan & Alisha Caurser
Maths
Nidhi Vikram
Digital Media
Liam Griffiths & Isha Mahmood
Y13
Biology
Fahmida Faiza & Parsa Mousazadeh
Law
Iqra Nazar & Subhan Akhter
History
Taren Sayer & Poppy Hallam
PE
Freya Broadhurst & Danyal Ateeq
Health and Social Single Award
Shannon Leyland
Chemistry
Mohammed Ismeil Jalal & Thanush Murugadas
English Lit
Naomh Weston & Aishah Ghafar
Product Design
Kieran Lowe & Lewis Deaville
Business Studies
Hassan Hussain & Chrispin George
Physics
Lewis Deaville & Ayan Mahmood
Psychology
Meg Salt & Taren Sayer
Philosophy and Ethics
Gia Carrarini & Aishah Rasool
LIBF
Ben Cowen
Sociology
Olivia Mayer & Owen Leyland
Maths
Chrispin George
Digital Media
Ashley Copestake & Silver Chukwuagozie
Geography
Saqib Hassan & Connor Berrisford
MOCK EXAM RESULTS
Year 12 & 13
This term saw both sets of sixth form years complete their mock examinations. This is important for both year groups, but thanks to additional exam-board information. This years mocks are hugely important for the year 13s in particular.
The week approaching the exams, the sixth form area was filled with anticipating students. Some chose to revise in groups, while others found their form in solitude. The front of the sixth form was adorned with a new display consisting of a Countdown styled timer signifying the countdown to the final A-Level exams.
From speaking to many busy students in the sixth form, the broadcasting team found a common occurrence, especially in year 13 students. Students had now digitally attached a countdown to their smart phone home-screens. We thought this was a brilliant idea as it allows for constant reminder.
As the time for the mock examinations start to grew closer, the previously mentioned buzz dulled down into a mellower atmosphere. Heads began to drop further into revision guides and note taking became a common sight.
With every passing day, more and more students completed their exams and the mood in the college became much more relaxed. Students seemed to have got the hang of the exam routine once again. Lest we forget that the current year 13s haven't completed a formal examination since the SAT's in 2013/14.
After a few weeks of worried waiting, the year 13 mock exam results were in. After all their hard work, the sixth formers were able to see the fruit of their labour and can feel more confident approaching the formal exams in the summer.
Well done everyone!
STMCA
VS
ARCHBISHOP BECK
David Campbell Soccer Showdown
STMCA 0-2 ABCSC
29.04.22
David Campbell Soccer is a unique footballing course offered as part of the STMCA sixth form. The students are not easy to miss with their bright blue kits and footballing flair.
The programme offers a full time course for young adults in Sixth Form wanting to train for a professional career in the sports industry. As featured in recent editions of the Sixth Form Voice, a number of David Campbell students have achieved contracts to live and coach in the USA this upcoming summer.
Alongside the Stoke-on-Trent course hosted at STMCA, David Campbell academies are also located in Northern Ireland, Carlisle and Liverpool; allowing for 'footy mad' youngsters across the UK, the opportunity to be involved.
The David Campbell team from Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports College in Liverpool, travelled down in the early morning ahead of their tie with the STMCA students.
Our STMCA team were adorned in a less familiar, bright green kit with white trim. Whilst the ABCSC team wore a darker blue kit with similar white trim. The teams met on the grass field for a chance at a photo opportunity before kick-off.
Jacob Grattage, the broadcasting teams' very own editor was chosen to play for the STMCA side, here is his post-match report:
" Our team was captained strongly by Year 12 student Lucas, who rallied the players before kick-off.
FIRST-HALF
The first half saw the STMCA team launching long-ball attacks with help from Liam and Joe at the back. The hungry forwards eagerly attacked these chances, the Archbishop Beck backline was however strong.
1-0 DOWN
The first half ended with a corner awarded to Beck; a lapse of concentration led to a free man in the box and a one goal advantage going into half-time".
HALF TIME
" Spirits were high in both sets of teams at the break, STMCA were only one goal behind. There was a short team talk and a well deserved water break and both teams were back underway".
SECOND-HALF
" The second half started with an uproar from the spectating students. The cheers continued well into the second half as STMCA were lauded after each successful challenge, breakaway, or shot on goal. The break saw a replacement of players including year 12 Jakub. Jakub was quick to get involved as a miss-kicked clearance fell into his path in the opposition box, he made a brace for goal... but narrowly missed. The second half was full of chances for both teams but with the spring sun continuing to beat down onto the pitch, play slowed and moods became relaxed. Both teams were losing and picking up play in the centre, it was a well balanced affair".
2-0 DOWN
"STMCA hopes were dashed when in the final 10 minutes Beck scored from a quick brace from midfield. Soon after the whistle blew and the two teams met in the centre circle for a post-match talk".
FULL-TIME
"At full-time the score was settled at 2-0 to the travelling team. STMCA heads however had not dropped, they jogged off the pitch with their heads held high and with smiles on their faces".
LAMDA
The importance of spoken language
LAMDA is one of the many enrichment options currently available to students in the sixth form on a Wednesday afternoon.
LAMDA, also known as London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art offer exams in spoken language. Those completing the LAMDA examinations are expected to create and recite three speeches.
-Speech one: A personal speech
-Speech two: A speech relating to a contemporary topic
-Speech three: An impromptu speech
Supported by English teacher, Mrs Edwards, LAMDA students have been busy polishing their two pre-prepared speeches ready for assessment by a LAMDA examiner in July.
Y12 student, Hollie Bentley has been planning and perfecting her speeches and has enjoyed her LAMDA enrichment sessions for a number of reasons:
Coming to LAMDA on a Wednesday after-school has helped massively in improving my public speaking and self-confidence. My first speech is a personal piece about a close family member. I have felt empowered to write and speak about such a touching topic.
Image: Hollie's first speech on her laptop
Image: Hollie's first speech on her laptop
Current Year 13 students may also be familiar with the LAMDA course. Many students attended timetabled lessons in the last academic year (2020-21).
When discussing the LAMDA course with the year 13 students, the broadcasting team found that many students felt that their time in the course was well spent.
Lewis Deaville commented:
Especially over lockdown, the online LAMDA lessons really helped my confidence. I was able to speak to new people and hear new opinions to possibly challenge my own".
Those delivering LAMDA speeches will be assessed by external examiners in early July. Good luck to all those involved!
Y13 PROM
Wednesday 6th July, The Upper House
A date and location has now been confirmed for Y13 prom. The announcement was made to the year 13s in form groups, an air of excitement was present as fashion, travel and destination were quick to be discussed.
After two years of Coronavirus disruption, students can finally experience a formal, prom-style event. The current year 13s sadly missed their year 11 proms due to these disruptions and so this year's prom will be one of the most widely anticipated events of the last 2 years.
Following sixth form feedback, the student council made the decision to opt for the Upper House in Barlaston as the choice of prom location. Taking place on Wednesday 6th July, Y13 students will be able to all join together before leaving the sixth form to move onto new experiences.
Y13 students, as well as staff members can now pay deposits for the prom via ParentPay. The cost of deposit is £10 and the deadline for payment is before Friday 8th April.
FPL
Readers of the newsletter will already be aware of the ongoing Fantasy Premier League competition taking place in the Sixth form.
For those who are unaware as to what an FPL is, it is a game that casts you in the role of a Fantasy manager of Premier League players. When starting, you must pick a squad of 15 players from the Premier League, who score points for your team based on their performances for their clubs in PL matches.
The table is topped by Subhan who seems to be running away with it now. But Subhan is still closely followed by Mr Myatt and Mr Stonier, could there be a surprise snatch of the title?
The middle of the table has stayed stagnant over the past few weeks with teams staying in there positions for quite some time. But relegation seems all but guaranteed for Jacob at the bottom of the pack.
Here is the table at time of publication:
1- Subhan Akhter 1994 - pts
2- Mr. Myatt 1945
4- Mr. Stonier 1937
5- Dan Ridgway 1712
6- Mr. Rankin 1604
7- Jacob Grattage 1331
8- Lucas Fraser 1215
9- Cameron Cammillare 1158
10- Jacob Colley 1007
