We have had a busy few weeks since the October half term break with a number of special events and visitors.
On Friday 4th November we were delighted to welcome visitors from the BBC to mark the centenary of the BBC with a special BBC 100 Share your Story event for all students in years 7, 8 and 9.
Digital video journalist Jimmy Tam spoke about his experience growing up and feeling different because of his cultural heritage:
The presenters and
crew were impressed with our students who listened well and asked some excellent
questions.
Education Mass at Clifton Cathedral
On Thursday 3rd November Ms Baker, Mr McDonald and I accompanied a
group of our students to the Education
Mass at Clifton Cathedral. Our students led the bidding prayers and
represented St Peter’s brilliantly.
On Friday 11th
November staff and students paused in our work and lessons and all students
participated in a special radio assembly for Armistice Day prepared by Mr Copestake and delivered by Mr Fullerton
and Mr Lax. The focus was on the contribution of women and we observed a two
minute silence to complete the assembly.
NHS Careers Bus – School visit
The NHS Careers
Bus visited school on Friday 11th November. Approximately ninety students from years 10 - 13
visited the NHS staff to find out more about the wide range of career and
apprenticeship opportunities available within the NHS.
Students were
surprised to find there are over 350 different careers available within the NHS
and that the NHS currently employs more than 1.7
million people. It is the biggest employer in the UK, and the fifth largest in
the World. Caring for millions of people every day, the NHS workforce has
become an institution in Britain.
Students were
given careers booklets and information regarding the range of work experience
placements available within Gloucestershire NHS and all left inspired to think
about their future careers.
BAE and the Royal Navy STEM Careers
Roadshow for Year 8 Students
BAE Systems, the
Royal Airforce and the Royal Navy came together again this year for the Schools
Roadshow. The aim of the Roadshow is to
inform students about the broad and diverse range of career opportunities that
can be pursued by studying STEM Subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths)
With a continued
shortage of engineering skills in the UK and lack of diversity across the
engineering sector, the roadshow aimed to inspire our year 8 students,
highlighting exciting career opportunities on offer and how these relate to
STEM subjects.
This year’s show
focussed on “magnetism” and how magnets are used in a wide range of engineering
processes in aircraft and aeronautical equipment. A series of interactive demonstrations helped
to showcase various applications and bring the subject of magnetism to life
for pupils.
BAE are proud of
the role they play to help address the UK skills gap and, by working alongside
government, the education sector and industry partners, they are committed to
developing a highly skilled workforce of the future.
BAE employ more than 34,000 people in the UK and are one of the country’s largest employers of engineers, with around 66% of staff employed in engineering or engineering related roles.
Chelsea's Story
On 11th November Year 8 students attended a performance of Chelsea’s Story, an internationally renowned, hard-hitting Applied Theatre Production that has proven highly successful in raising awareness around the issues surrounding Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE). The play, which has now been seen by hundreds of professionals and over 950,000 young people throughout the UK, was followed by an actor facilitated post-show talk exploring the issues raised.
The play explores the story of a group of three students who discover the diary of a girl called
Chelsea. Chelsea was a 15 year old girl who, having fallen out with her friends
and family, met a man called Gary. Gary seemed kind, understanding, had a nice
car, had his own flat and listened to her. Unfortunately, Gary was not what he
seemed to be. Chelsea’s story is played out and examined by the three students
who, along with their teacher, attempt to understand what happened to Chelsea.
Themes of the play include: healthy and unhealthy relationships; safe internet use; sexting; consent; grooming processes; child sexual exploitation; the avoidance of victim blaming and shaming; and how to access help & advice.
Year 8 students got an enormous amount from the production and the discussion of these important and relevant issues.
Sixth Form open Evening
On Wednesday 16th November we welcomed many prospective sixth form students to our open evening event. Our own year 11 students and lots of visiting students visited departments and the sixth form centre, gained information about courses, extra-curricular and leadership opportunities, spoke to students, staff and former students, and heard presentations from current year 12 students.
Dates for your diary
Carols by Candlelight on 13th December at the Church
of the Immaculate Conception, Stroud at 7pm
End of term: Friday 16th December at 1pm.
