I hope the making of revision notes, flashcards, mindmaps etc. is going well? Remember, we recommend that you have finished creating these as soon as possible (Easter break) so that revision can switch to repeating rather than creating.  Repeating means; going over your notes again and again to burn it into your long term memory.  No-one can do this for you. Teachers will be helping with exam technique and marking criteria to help you get the highest possible grade.

2 weeks until Easter break – 8th April
8 weeks until Year 13 study leave for exams – 20th May
13 weeks until Year 13 exams finish and Year 12 end of year exams start
18 weeks until Summer holidays – 22nd July

If you are struggling with revision, mental health or anything else, please speak to us (Teachers, Mentor or Student Services). Exams can be stressful, so ask for help, revise, sleep well, eat well and exercise.

The Year 12 Virtual Parents’ evening is coming up on Thursday 7th April and further details will be shared with you next week.

Have a great weekend. 

Mr Mumford

It was lovely to welcome Emilie Smith from the Student Finance team at the University of Portsmouth, to visit us in person yesterday. She delivered a very informative presentation to Year 13 students who have applied to University this year and followed this with a parents’ presentation later in the evening, which is attached below for any of you who missed it. The information that she shared is extremely important to both Students and Parents when it comes to making an application to Student Finance and the arrangements for repayments in the future. Please take a few moments to view the information – there are a lot of myths surrounding this specialised funding and some of the links shared in the presentation are very helpful when it comes to students setting budgets and expected living expenses. 

Student Funding Presentation

As you are probably aware, absences are high at the moment and this is creating an additional workload for staff. It is the students’ responsibility to communicate with us. Thank you to those who are getting in touch to notify us of their absence. However, there are still a large number of students who aren’t doing this. If a student is not able to attend a lesson, please let us know by either phoning in on 01983 522886 (Option 1) or emailing:

vi-student-services@iwef.org.uk.

I’m sure that all students have noticed the ongoing decoration and refurbishment of the VI Form buildings, over a million pounds is being spent over the next couple of years. 

• All classrooms are being redecorated, new carpets fitted and new LED lights with motion sensors. 
• Windows and doors repaired or replaced
• New heating system installed 
• Currently we are just finishing decorating the upper common room, totally refurbishing reception and turning the stage area into a drama studio

Thank you for your understanding as these improvements continue.

Hopefully we will all enjoy a sunny Spring weekend. 

Welcome back, I hope that you had a restful break and managed to fit in some revision for the exams coming up in the summer.

As I mentioned before the break, we are celebrating the finale of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) for this year’s cohort and simultaneously launching it to our current Year 12’s. The presentation event for students will be on Tuesday 8th March in our main hall during period 5. This will give Year 12 the opportunity to find out more and speak to students and staff who are completing / teaching the EPQ this year.

Below is a link to a guide to applying to University (UCAS) as this may help some questions Year 13 have about finance (page 18-27) as offers start to come through and also to provide general advice about the process for Year 12 students. We will share further information and go through this in more detail in the summer term. We will also be hosting a specific Student Finance funding talk from a local university representative. This event that will be held mid-March, will deliver a presentation to students during the school day and also include an Information evening for parents. https://www.paperturn-view.com/uk/upreach/new_aspire-guide-2020?pid=MTE111704&p=19&v=9.1

Finally, I would like to thank the students and staff who attended the TEDx talks on Wednesday at The Riverside Centre. It was a great event and students found it enjoyable and rewarding, as well as being an experience to add to their personal statements for UCAS. The link below takes you to full coverage of the event as a live stream, presentations are about 10 minutes long and if you struggle with planning / organising yourself, the presentation at 52 minutes 45 second from James Green  is well worth a watch.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oj3a8NFqpLU&t=432s

Last Blog for this half term.

Make sure that the half term holiday involves some school work / revision.  

Year 13 students and some Year 12 students will be sitting exams in the summer.  Exams are stressful, so you need to help and support yourself and your own wellbeing by preparing early for them.  The most effective revision is done over a long period of time, as this enables you to keep repeating it, burning it into your long term memory.  Plus by preparing early, you will be helping your own mental health and overall wellbeing.

We suggest that all revision notes: flashcards, mindmaps etc. are completed by Easter at the latest, to allow enough time for the repeat, repeat, repeat part of revision in the build up to the exam season.

We will be launching the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) to Year 12 after half term.  It is voluntary, equivalent to an AS qualification and generates UCAS points.  More details after half term.

Best wishes