THE SIXTH FORM VOICE

Leila stated how she wanted to help improve the school community; particularly encouraging female students to follow their passion for STEM subjects.

Nidhi, our other VP for Faith, shared how her shy nature had "previously rejected great opportunities, however when Mrs Leese spoke of the opportunity she 'thought it would be a great opportunity to share new ideas and work within the school community'. So far Nidhi has taken part in many opportunities: supporting a student leadership retreat to Alton Castle, delivering prayer in and attending weekly student leadership meetings with Mrs Leese.

3. How do you hope this role will aid you in the future?

Nidhi: A role like this will give me an insight to how the university life of president and vice presidents will be, this will give me the skills a leader in authority and to be a great listener as one of vice president of the school.

Ruth: This role had required me to speak in front of a number of people, helping me boost my confidence. I have gathered a range of transferable skills, and expanded on my leadership skills.

Corbin: The responsibilities I have been tasked with undertaking have allowed me to understand and prepare for, future responsibilities.

This academic year has seen a change in structure of the student leadership team. Rather than Head Boy and Head Girl, STMCA is now using the student leadership structure of:
President, Vice President for Excellence, Vice President for Respect and Vice President for Faith.

Those appointed the new roles:

President- Kacper Moszczynski
Vice Presidents for Excellence- Corbin Bill and Leila Totton
Vice Presidents for Respect- Marawah Onje and Lewis Holland
Vice Presidents for Faith- Ruth Wolde-Michael and Nidhi Vikram

The sixth form newsletter team have caught up with some of those appointed to these new roles to find out more.

1. What encouraged you to become a student leader and how have you found your new role?

Ruth, Vice President for Faith, told us how she was inspired by the fact the role allowed to learn transferable skills whilst gaining experience with leadership.

Corbin: I looked forward to being able to make changes in school. Being at STM since Y7, has allowed me to see qualities of the school and areas which could do with improving- this encouraged me to apply for the student leadership team. I am proud to be a student leader and hope I can make a positive change to school life.

2. What does your role require?

Nidhi: My role requires me to champion community fundraising and to support in ensuring that every faith inside the school community is respected and treated kindly.

Lewis: A particular focus of mine is leading on student council meetings, helping lower school students and acting as a positive role model.

Written by Nidhi Vikram and Kate Chadwick

"On our first week back, the new year 13s attended Staffordshire University to find out more about UCAS, personal statements and student finance. The day prior, we had student ambassadors from the university come in to our sixth form and encouraged us to take part in team building activities, which we really enjoyed! The great egg drop was a particular highlight of the day.

During our university trip at Staffordshire University, we gained an insight into to how a personal statement will stand out to universities and how to write it effectively. As well as this, we had a talk on student finance and a look into what student life is like at Staffs.

We also participated in a campus tour- where we were taken around the accommodation and buildings they offer. Despite going on many campus tours around this university throughout our school life, it was nice to get a refresher and take in what our home town university offers."

In November, we hosted our sixth form open evening to show all of the subjects that we offer to Year 11's who may be thinking of coming here!

Each subject had it's own stand with a range of activities and information for students to look into. From the famous 'trolley problem' for philosophy and ethics to mouldy bread at the health and social care stall, there was plenty to look at and explore.

Many of our students also took part by giving subject strands a hand on the stands and hosting tours of the sixth form area

Going into Year 12 is a strange yet exciting experience; you suddenly have a lot more independence, but you can still feel lost when it comes to the workload and change from secondary school. So, here are some tips from me to you about how to survive year 12!

1.    Don’t waste your free periods! Just because you CAN go out to McDonald’s or Tesco, doesn’t mean you HAVE to. If you have homework to do, get it done during your free’s, as this will allow you to get your work out of the way and spend more time at home doing what you like or give you the chance to go out when you have nothing to do.

2.    Get to know your year group. There are now less people in your year group, who are all in the same situation as you. Of course, I’m not saying to go out with them, but don’t be afraid to make conversation with those in your lessons. It’ll allow you to feel more comfortable and possibly make new friends who you’d never have spoken to in the lower years.

3.    Don’t be afraid to talk to teachers. It’s said a lot, but teachers are here to help you. Your subject teachers will always support you as much as possible if you’re struggling and your form teachers will be willing to help you with whatever, whenever. And of course, Mr Myatt is always happy to help with anything you need, so never worry about wanting to talk.

4. Don't beat yourself up if the grades from the first data point aren't the best. The step up to A-level work isn't easy and can be very different to GCSE work. Remember the exams we sit are just to see how you're doing in the subject and not a test on how good you are. The subject is new to you and it will take a while to improve, so don't be upset if the first grades aren't all A's!

5. Research into universities early on. Don't wait until the start of year 13 for open days or research into university courses. Try to get a rough plan of what you want to do, where and look into universities as much as possible, or else it'll all hit you like a brick in year 13 if you don't know what do to.

Sixth form, as stated previously, is a huge step up, and isn't easy. You will struggle, find work challenging, and panic about exams...but that's okay! Hopefully these tips will make year 12 easier and more manageable for you, and allow you to enjoy it while you can!

Congratulations to the sixth form students who have achieved recent success.

Lucas Fraser

Lucas, currently studying David Campbell Soccer and Sports Studies in sixth form, has been called up to the Leek Town Men's first team. Leek Town currently play in the Northern Premier League Division One West which is in the 8th tier of English football. Lucas has been playing for Leek Town U18s and following a 3-1 win against Newcastle Town in the Sentinel Cup Final at the Bet365 stadium in April, Lucas finds himself in a position where he will be in with a chance of playing for the first-team. Support Lucas and Leek Town by heading down to Harrison Park.

Kacper Moszczynski and Keith He

Kacper and Keith have been tasked with taking on the responsibility of running the sixth form tuck shop. Ran at break time every day, Kacper and Keith are in charge of operating and ensuring that stock is replenished for the shop in the sixth form study area. All proceeds from the tuck shop are used to support the Y13 Leavers Event, which is due to take place in July. Kacper and Keith have done an excellent job thus far in taking on the reigns for the tuck shop business.

Lucas Fraser, Amaani Khan, Kacper Moszczynski

Congratulations for passing your driving tests this last term- stay safe on the roads!

Szymon Stawicki, Amina Ghafar, Nura Bakari, Betiel Aregay, Rahbot Wolde-Michael, Zara Farooq, Diogo Candeias

Congratulations for all being selected to participate in the Steps2Medicine programme ran by Keele University.

If you have achieved recent success which you would like to be celebrated for- please contact the sixth form newsletter team, to be featured in next term's newsletter.

If you fancy testing your sixth form and STMCA knowledge, have a go at the quiz created by Kate Chadwick below:

QUIZ LINK:

https://forms.office.com/Pages/DesignPageV2.aspx?origin=NeoPortalPage&subpage=design&id=t-DQzVt5fk2kIf4X4TB9zefNqd5Ns-BBj-pki-sFX1xUNE1aUUtGVzMwVTFMT1Q4SE42VVg0OEcxRi4u&analysis=false

MERRY CHRISTMAS, WE HOPE YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES HAVE A FANTASTIC FESTIVE PERIOD!