Sixth Form Focus

#Hylands7yearjourney

This has been a long, busy, and successful term for our sixth-form students. Our year 12 are now 1/5 of their way through their sixth form journey and have made a really promising start.

The focus for our year 13 students has been on their next steps after sixth form. To support our students in their university applications, we invited Sean Costello who is the UCAS coordinator at Eton College (yes, where Prince William & Prince Harry went to school) to Hylands to run a personal statement ‘masterclass’. This was a hugely successful workshop which resulted in our students writing some fantastic personal statements. I’m delighted to announce that the vast majority of our year 13 students considering university have successfully made their UCAS applications nice and early and many have been involved in interviews and have started to receive some really exciting offers. The UCAS official deadline for applications is January 31st 2024.

Sean Costello from Eton College with some of our students that benefited from the personal statement ‘Masterclass’. Earlier this half term all of our sixth form students sat mocks exams. I was delighted with how all of the students approached these exams, and the early analysis of the results would suggest that many of our students are heading towards some fantastic results this summer. Year 13’s sit their final ‘gold’ mocks the week beginning 26th February. Our Senior Sixth, which is made up of students from year 12 & 13, have been very busy organising various events and raising money for charity. Harvest Festival Food Bank Donation

During the Harvest Festival, the senior sixth organised a harvest festival food bank donation to the Trussell Trust to help out the less fortunate. Throughout the week, students, teachers, and families donated what they could, and we collected 182 Items for the food bank. Children In Need

For ‘Children in Need’, on the 17th of November, the senior sixth hosted a wear something spotty or colourful day to raise awareness for the charity. People also kindly donated and we raised £80 for children in need.
Christmas Jumper Day

For ‘Save the children’s Christmas Jumper Day’ the senior sixth raised £114. By dressing in Christmas jumpers, the students raised awareness of the important contribution this charity makes, some students even created their own.

‘Giving Back’ As part of their sixth form journey, our sixth form students are strongly encouraged to ‘give back’ to the school for the benefit of others. I’m thrilled that many of our sixth form students have dedicated some of their valuable time to supporting others. Examples of what our students have chosen to do include: mentoring younger students; helping younger students with their reading; assisting teachers in KS3 & 4 lessons; helping out at local primary schools. Thank you to all of the students that are involved.

Peer Mentoring Since the start of this academic term a selection of pupils from year 9 to year 13 have volunteered during their tutor time on a Friday to assist Miss Field with her ‘peer mentoring’ scheme. .The mentors are paired up with a younger student and they meet weekly to discuss a range of academic or non-academic concerns the mentee may have. This has turned out to be extremely beneficial to the students as it has allowed them to create connections around the school. Additionally it has allowed the older students to support the younger students with any lifestyle, education or general worries or concerns they might have.

Christmas Quiz To end the term George Dingley and Dylan Neal (Head and Deputy Head students, both in year 13) organised this year’s annual sixth form quiz. It was a fantastic event with much fun and Christmas spirit had by all!

Above: Dylan hosting the quiz in our main hall. Mr Hewlett, Head of Sixth Form.