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Head of School’s Blog – 16 June 2023

16 June 2023

If you are going to the festival make sure that you look after yourself and your friends. It’s going to be very hot based on the weather warning that we have received. Therefore the general advice of sun cream, plenty of water, a hat, find some shade etc are vital to follow.

We are closed on Monday apart from exams. Make sure that you allow plenty of time to travel in for these exams, keep us informed if you are going to be late.

Year 13, please remember to buy your Prom tickets for the event on Thursday 29 June, as we have to confirm numbers to Landguard Manor, over 100 have been bought so far.

Keep safe in the sun

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Head of school’s Blog – 9 June 2023

9 June 2023

Dear Students, Parents and Carers

Hopefully, revision is going well for Year 12 as they build towards their end of year exams, remember there are after school revision support sessions available.

We are looking forward to welcoming Year 11 students (our new Year 12 from September) for Pre-Enrolment on Wednesday 5 July, between 10.30 am and 12.30 pm. Students can finalise their subject choices, collect their enrolment information for September and speak to staff if they have any last minute questions. If you can’t make it on the day, we will post the information to you.

We are also looking forward to welcoming Year 10 students from Medina (6 July) and Carisbrooke (10 July) to an introduction to VI Form, more details will follow via assemblies and letters.

Year 13: Hopefully, you are looking forward to the last few exams. Please remember to buy your Prom tickets for the event on Thursday 29 June, as we have to confirm numbers to Landguard Manor.

Keep safe in the sun.

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Head of School’s Blog – 26 May 2023

26 May 2023

Dear Students, Parents and Carers

Year 13 exams are now well underway, if you are finding anything challenging or struggling in any way, please come and speak to us.

Year 12 trial exams start in a month’s time, you should be going over your notes and burning the knowledge into your long term memory. It is your job to remember the content and our job to help you with understanding and exam technique. Ask for help if you need it, there are revision workshops you can attend and revision materials avaiable for everyone from reception.

The UCAS application process for Year 12 is now open. The VI Form buzzword for 2024 applications is ‘Popcorn’. Entering the buzzword will then link your application to the school making it easy for us to help and support you, add your school reference and your predicted grades. Everyone thinking of applying should create an account and get their basic information and GCSE results entered before we break up in July.

You will then have plenty of time to choose your six universities, start planning open day visits and complete your personal statement. I will be going over this in assemblies and Student Services will be running workshops to support you. If you are not going to university you need to be creating a CV and a draft letter of application – the equivalent of your personal statement. Student Services will also be available to help with this.

Have a great break, HWPO (Hard Work Pays Off)

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Head of School’s Blog – 19 May 2023

19 May 2023

Dear Students, Parents & Carers

Congratulations to all of our leavers on completing your studies, just the exams to go. Remember that we are here to support you until the end of term in July – just because you have ‘left’ doesn’t mean we are not available to help if needed. Best wishes from all of us for the future.

Congratulations again to all of the winners who received their awards at the Celebration assembly we held on Thursday, we have some truly amazing students. Award winners and citations are available to view in the article here. The Year group photograph is available from Reception and Student Services if you missed out on picking one up at the celebration assembly.

Tickets for your Prom are on sale via the School Gateway App – £30 per ticket for this event to be held at Landguard Manor on 29 June, including a Hog Roast and a DJ.

Year 13 Study leave has now started (unless you are still attending BTEC lessons to complete coursework). Please ensure that you have collected your individual exam timetable from Student Services and that you have shared it at home so that everyone knows your exam plans. Revision materials are still available to collect from reception if needed.

One more week of lessons for Year 12 before half term from Monday 29 May to Friday 2 June. When we return on Monday 5 June there will be 3.5 weeks before year 12 trial exams start on Thursday 29 June. Start revising now – plan your revision and start early.

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Year 13 Leavers’ Awards

Year 13 Leavers’ Awards 2023

It was wonderful to have Year 13 together on Thursday 18 May for a final assembly. As well as sharing some important end of term information, it was a pleasure to celebrate our students and their successes by giving out the Leavers’ Awards.

Each subject area presented an award to the most exceptional student for their progress and achievement over the course of their studies at The Island VI Form. Special awards were also presented for Contribution to Debating Life, Outstanding Academic Progress & Achievement and the Head of School’s Student of the Year. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to see details of all of the award winners.

Year 13 have now started their examinations and we wish them all the best of luck. Staff will continue to be available to support students in normal lesson periods until the final examination has taken place.

We look forward to seeing all of the hard work pay off on results day, 17 August 2023.


Award Winners

Award Student Winner Citation
Art & Design Poppy Miller Poppy has shown an incredible ability to create high quality, creative pieces in a broad range of materials. She has an fantastic work ethic and always manages to work through when things are tough. Our creative conversations are often bizarre and hilarious, and I am glad that she has decided to stay with us for her Foundation in Art course. Well done Poppy and have a fantastic Summer!
Business True Mitchell True has been a hard working, dedicated and committed business studies student throughout the course. True has shown the the ability to reach the highest level and a focus that is not easily matched. True has been a pleasure to work with as she is able to converse on a number of topics, express her opinion and take advice well. I wish you all the best for your future.
Biology Joe Reader Behind the scenes he has worked hard to develop and extend his subject knowledge to the highest level which he willingly shares to support his peers. Outwardly he has maintained a relaxed approach to his studies, maybe a little too relaxed during practical work! Well done and good luck with your Pharmacology degree.
Chemistry Anya Poerscout-Edgerton Amazing and sustained effort throughout both challenging years of chemistry. She always took on any challenging content willingly and demonstrated practical competency whilst helping her practical partners along the way. Anya has also made significant contributions to STEM club.
Children’s Play, Learning & Development Eirwen Coode Eirwen has demonstrated an outstanding level of dedication and focus. She has consistently striven for her very best efforts and her results and coursework mirror this. Eirwen will now take up a role within the Early Year profession to further her talents in supporting the development of young children.
Classical Civilisations Maddy Hemper Maddy is a lively and bright student who always has something to contribute in lessons. She has a great knowledge of the Ancient World and has been a pleasure to have in the room.
Computer Science Hallam Saunders Despite never having studied GCSE Computer Science, Hallam has shown great commitment and drive to conquer each topic. Often completed the tasks before his more experienced peers, always willing to help others.
Criminology Soraya Meadows It is very rare to encounter an individual who dedicates as much of themselves in terms of effort and commitment to work outside of the classroom as Soraya. Your work ethic, attitude and dedication to achieve will take you very far in life and we wish you all the best.
English Language Maisie Slimm Maisie has worked very hard from the first day of the course; she is organised and diligent and has taken every opportunity to develop as an English Language student. She is always willing to share her ideas with others, which she does with incredible patience, and has been an asset to the group. I wish her well in the future.
English Literature Hannah Ainsworth Hannah put a great deal into her study of English Literature from the very first lesson onwards. Her passion and deep interest in texts shone through in the exceptional standard of her written work, and her insight and attention to detail were an asset to everyone in our class. She is an excellent student and will do great things at university. Well done Hannah!
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) Hannah Flowers Hannah’s diligence and attention to detail in her important and topical research into HRT have been rewarding to see. She has absolutely made the most of the opportunity of the EPQ, demonstrating excellent organisational skills and producing a superb research project – which we will be using as an example of what a good one looks like!
Fashion & Textiles (Single) Elena Ciobanu Elena has been such a pleasure to teach. She works incredibly hard and has a thoughtful and academic approach to all her fashion studies. This work ethic will be her secret weapon going forward! We wish her much luck.
Fashion & Textiles (Double) Tia Shutler Tia has worked so hard in Fashion throughout the two year course. Her dedication to experimenting and creating innovative Textiles and Fashion deserves recognition. She is a true designer and we can’t wait to see what she does next. Bravo Tia!
Film Studies Lily Meredith Lily has shown a real dedication to Film Studies and has produced innovative and highly academic and practical responses throughout the course. She searches out additional knowledge and understanding across a wide variety of genres and is always prepared to argue her viewpoint. She has been a real pleasure to teach.
MFL – French Leon Newnham Originally nicknamed “Eeyore” due to his bright, optimistic and sunny outlook on life, Leon has gone from strength to strength in French this year, smashing all targets and staggering us all with his phenomenal memory, diligence and commitment to getting the grades he needs to get into university. Absolute superstar!
Forensic Investigation Maddie Young Maddie questions everything and once she realised we were not going to do the work for her, she flew. She consistently puts in the effort to do her best. We will miss her incessant questioning. But we are getting our own back by making her come up on stage. Well done!
Geography Owen Starling Owen is a talented and hard working Geographer will skills in both human and physical geography. His work is always of the highest standard and he has shown commitment to the subject throughout the two year course. We are proud that he is going on to study Geography at University.
Geology Chloe Cohen Completely overturning the stereotypical image of a pale, middle-aged Geologist with a beard, Chloe has worked the hardest in the class throughout the last two years to make fantastic progress. She is going to be a fabulous Geologist!
Government & Politics Fred Rust Extremely thorough and knowledgeable student who has approached the course with 100% enthusiasm from the very beginning of Yr12. Fred wrote to the Senator of Alaska.
Graphics Reuben Wallder Reuben has worked consistently hard throughout the course and has shown commitment and dedication. He has realised a fantastic portfolio that demonstrates a high level of skill when working with a range of graphic design approaches – especially digital painting! We wish you all the best for your future in the creative industry. Well done Reuben.
Health & Social Care (Single) Liv Bird Liv has been an outstanding student throughout this course. She has worked tirelessly to produce coursework to the highest standard which has become increasingly analytical and detailed. She is extremely well motivated and has always used feedback effectively. Well done Liv, you have been a pleasure to teach. I wish you well in your university course where I know the skills you have developed will be invaluable to you.
Health & Social Care (Double) Mia Yardley Mia has an amazing work ethic and commitment to the course. Mia will be pursuing a career in the Health and Social care sector and we believe she will make a fantastic health care professional. He kind, caring nature and overall ability to use and apply her knowledge to the highest standard is fantastic – all the best for the future Mia, we wish you every success.
History Emily Fedden Emily has been a committed and enthusiastic historian from the very beginning of Year 12. She always makes constructive and accurate contributions to the class. Her work has developed steadily over the two years and she is now an accomplished historian. Well done, Emily.
Law Amelia Grannum Amelia has demonstrated real commitment and consistency throughout her two years in A level law. Her work ethic is phenomenal, and this can be seen clearly in the quality of her written work and in her understanding of legal principles right across the syllabus. Well done, Amelia.
Mathematics Charlie Horner A talented mathematician who has gone from strength to strength over the last two years. Charlie always finds the time to help his fellow peers and continues to ask questions to further his own understanding and knowledge. A delightful young man who has excelled at A level Maths and has been a pleasure to teach. Good luck for the future.
Mathematics (Further) Miles Bevan-Davis An excellent mathematician who has combined his talent with hard work to produce consistently high grades in Further Maths. A quiet and modest young man that has been a pleasure to teach. Here’s wishing you all the best for the future.
Media Studies Honor Sampson Honor has shown a wonderful commitment to Media and has produced exceptional academic and practical work over the two years. Her inquisitive and questioning nature has been boundless and she is a beacon for achievement for all her fellow students. She has a bright future within the Media sector.
Music & Music Technology Rufus Reader Rufus has demonstrated supreme commitment to the courses; he is always willing to help others and go above and beyond to create his best work. Fantastic work Rufus!
Performance Arts Wiktoria Brodowska Vicki has demonstrated that she is hard working, committed and creative. Always pushing herself to achieve in both theory and performance. Willing to help others and support others.
Philosophy Ruby Hendey Ruby has shown commitment to achieving the very highest standards in Philosophy, her dedication and work ethic is inspirational and a credit to her. She has shown a real flair for Philosophy, showing a critical eye for concepts and an impressive ability to pick apart arguments and construct her own responses to theories. With these skills, her positive attitude and integrity, Ruby will go far-congratulations!
Photography Alicia Jupp Alicia has been a delight to teach from the moment she joined the course. She has negotiated the technical element with determination and good spirits. Alicia has strong ideas for her photoshoots and surprised us with her bravery, both behind, and in front of the camera! We are not losing her completely as she is studying on the Art Foundation course in September. Have a great Summer Alicia, very well done!
Physical Education Robson Adkinson Robson is an unfailingly pleasant and polite student whose whole attitude to the course has been exemplary. He is always willing to go above and beyond to help his peers and support the PE department with running events. We wish him every success as he continues his studies in Sports Management next year.
Physics Josie Martin Josie has demonstrated an incredible enthusiasm and work ethic throughout her time here. If she is at all unsure of an idea then she will tenaciously pursue an explanation through any and every resource available until she is satisfied that it makes sense. Well done on an outstanding two years Josie.
Psychology Laila Dillon Always going above and beyond expectations and a natural psychologist in the making from the start! I am sure we will one day be teaching about the influential female psychologist Dr Laila!
Sociology Mia Toogood Mia has worked hard consistently across both years of VI Form despite adverse circumstances and setbacks. She has shown incredible resilience, persistence and grit and embodied what it means to be a great VI Form student. Well done Mia!
Spanish Grace Boulton Grace has been a delight to teach throughout the course. She has a phenomenal ability when it comes to vocab games – a fantastic memory for words and has expertly combined her love of art/graphics into her study of Spanish. Wishing you all the best for the future.
Spanish Miruna Livanu Miruna has been an outstanding student with an uncanny knack for uncovering and sharing all sorts of useful links to articles and video clips to enhance her own knowledge and that of others in the class. She has a fantastic ability in languages which should see her mastering even more in the future!
Sport Beth Blake It has been a delight to teach Beth throughout the last academic year. She has displayed real enthusiasm and commitment to the subject which is reflected in the grade that Beth has achieved. Well done.
Travel and Tourism Frankie Murphy Frankie has been an outstanding student in Travel from the onset. Her attention to detail and understanding of all aspects of the industry has been very impressive. Frankie has undertaken work experience as a writer for a travel website and has had many excellent, well research articles published. Frankie has been a delight to teach and will go far.
Contribution to Debating Life Tilly Grimshaw Her curiosity about life, the universe and everything has really paid off through her fantastic ability to discuss, debate and engage with all subjects. Tilly has impressed with her enthusiasm, ability to listen to others all her work with Student Voice, her contributions at Talking Shop, and part of our winning Mock Trial team. Well done and thank you!
Outstanding Academic progress and Achievement Matthew Penn Outstanding progress from GCSE to A level, predicted to achieve at least one grade higher than target grade.
Outstanding Academic progress and Achievement Mckenzie Cornwell Outstanding progress from GCSE to A level, predicted to achieve at least one grade higher than target grade.
Head of School Award – Student of the Year Tilly Grimshaw An active member of student voice, key member of the debating group, excellent grades, founder of the chess club, always willing to go the extra mile and more importantly she is a genuinely lovely person.
Head of School Award – Student of the Year Oleksii Bakal Having been only with us for a short time, in very difficult circumstances, he has made outstanding progress. He is a very polite and caring person who it has been a pleasure to know.

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Head of School’s Blog – 12 May 2023

12 May 2023

Dear Students, Parents and Carers

Thank you to Solent University who delivered a talk to Year 13 about student finance and to Year 12, a general introduction to University and UCAS. I have made a video presentation of the student finance talk if students missed it or parents wish to know a bit more: Link (scroll to the Student Finance section, towards the bottom of the page)

Our Year 13 Celebration Leavers assembly will be held on Thursday 18 from 9.50 am in our main hall. Please make the effort to attend, your Leavers photograph that was taken last week will also be shared. Tickets for your Prom are also now on sale via the School Gateway App – £30 per ticket for this event to be held at Landguard Manor on 29 June, including a Hog Roast and a DJ.

Study leave runs from the end of Friday 19 May. Please ensure that you have collected your individual exam timetable from Student Services and that you have shared it at home so that everyone knows your exam plans. Revision materials are still available to collect from reception, it isn’t too late to top up your revision notes. Remember: Repeat, repeat and repeat.

Hopefully we will all enjoy a sunny weekend,

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Head of School’s Blog – 5 May 2023

5 May 2023

Next week we will be welcoming Solent University to deliver a Student Finance talk to our Year 13 students who are planning to take up offers in September and also a ‘Getting ready to apply’ talk for our Year 12 students. Both are informative and important – please attend. We will be sharing all information from the presentations with parents next week.

Our Year 13 Celebration Leavers assembly will be held on Thursday 18th from 9.50am in our main hall. Please make the effort to attend, your Leavers photograph that was taken today will also be shared. Tickets for your Prom are also now on sale via the School Gateway App – £30 per ticket for this event to be held at Landguard Manor on 29th June, including a Hog Roast and a DJ.

Study leave runs from the end of Friday 19th May – not far away now. Please ensure that you have collected your individual exam timetable from Student Services and that you have shared it at home so that everyone knows your exam plans. Revision materials are still available to collect from reception, it isn’t too late to top up your revision notes. Remember: Repeat, repeat & repeat.

Enjoy another long weekend,

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Head of School’s Blog – 28 April 2023

28 April 2023

Dear parents, carers and students

UCAS:

What is clearing? Clearing is when Universities offer all unfilled courses/places that they have available for September 2023.

Clearing starts on 5 July and will close on 17 October 2023. You might want to look if you are worried about achieving your ‘Offer’ from your University or if you didn’t receive any offers or applied late.

Student guide

Parental guide

We have a student finance talk from Solent University which we recommend that all students planning on going to University this Year (September 2023) should attend, it will be in the hall at 10.30 am on Tuesday 9 May.

Make sure that you respond to your offers in time (8 June if you have had all of your offers by 18 May): https://www.ucas.com/ connect/blogs/think-carefully- when-you-reply-your-offers

Other key dates for Year 13: Leavers photograph (morning break) Friday 5 May, Celebration assembly (morning break) Thursday 18 May and Prom Thursday 29 June (7.00pm till 11.30pm) at Landguard Manor.

UCAS for Year 12 will be covered after half term, where we will share the “buzzword”, key dates and advice for applicants wanting to start University in September 2024.

Enjoy your Bank Holiday weekend.

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Head of School’s Blog – 21 April 2023

21 April 2023

Welcome back! I hope you had a productive Easter break.

The first exams have started for Year 13 Arts based students and BTEC examinations will be starting soon as well. This is always a very fast moving term, so make sure that you are fully prepared and ready. Remember that we will also have two bank holiday Mondays (1 and 8 May), so speak to your teachers about upcoming workloads.

Study leave for Year 13 students starts on Friday 19 May, staff are still available if you wish to see them during lesson time after this date. Please can I remind you that you need your student lanyard for every exam as proof of ID. Individual exam timetables will be shared via email with students and parents next week. Hard copies will also be available to collect from Student Services.

Also coming up: Celebration assembly and awards, Leavers photo and Leavers Prom – Thursday 29 June at Landguard Manor, tickets will be available from reception (payment via school gateway).

Year 12 students will be on study leave for the period of their trial exams from 29 June to 7 July inclusive. BTEC / Arts based students need to check with teachers when they require you to attend ongoing lessons.

Follow your revision timetables, ask for help, attend revision sessions and look after your well being (exercise, breaks, routine sleep patterns etc.)

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Head of School’s Blog – 31 March 2023

31 March 2023

Dear Students, Parents & Carers

I hope you all have a great break and get the balance right for you, between; revision, exercise, relaxing etc. Remember revision resources are available from reception if needed e.g. flash cards, highlighters etc.

I would recommend having a plan / timetable, they are always more effective than good intentions.
I know that sometimes I might get the balance a little wrong, it might seem that I’m always saying “Revise, repeat, revise, repeat” but your hard work over the next few weeks will be well worth it.

Remember that revision sessions are on during the term break and the timetable is below.

Happy Easter

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