October 2011 - St Dominics | Sixth Form College

N E W S L E T T E R
October 2011 (No. 191)
St Dominic's is a Roman Catholic Sixth Form College committed to the personal
and spiritual growth of all its members based on Christian values, academic
excellence and high quality pastoral care
From the Principal
The first newsletter of the academic year marks the end of the settling in period for students. 1 st Years
have embarked on their new courses and achievement and effort grades are being collated to give the
first snapshot of progress to date. Parents have had the chance to meet tutors at the Mass for New Parents
and heads of department at the Information Evening in September.
2 nd Year students should have completed their UCAS application if they have decided to apply for a
place at university for 2012. Despite the increase in fees leading to additional taxes when postuniversity
income allows I have no doubt that a good degree will increase opportunities later in life and
the College will continue to support students’ progression to higher education in the future.
The last few weeks of the half term have been very busy for staff and students with the High 5s Netball
Competition, St Dom’s Got Talent, Fashion Show, Volunteering Fair and Learner Forums. In addition
the College had a very successful Open Day on 15 th October which was attended by more that 1,500
potential applicants for 2012-13.
Despite the future looking very positive the education funding cuts have led the College to consider all
expenditure very carefully and as a result these newsletters from now on will be emailed to parents, students,
staff, governors and the extended College community in order to save printing and postage costs.
Your feedback on this and all other aspects of life at St Dominic’s is always welcome.
Patrick Harty
NEW APPLICANTS FOR 2012
If you or a friend has a son or daughter who wants to apply to St. Dominic’s for entry in September 2012,
and were unable to attend our Open Day on 15 October, this short explanation will help you:
• If you do not have a prospectus email registrar@stdoms.ac.uk
• Apply to the College using the appropriate forms by Friday 2 December 2011
• Wait for a reply from the College
If your son/daughter is invited to an interview, they will be notified of the outcome by the end of April.
2ND YEAR PARENTS CONSULTATION EVENINGS
Wednesday 9 November, 3.30—8.00 p.m. for all 2nd Year students
Tuesday 6 December, by invitation only
CONCERT OF CHRISTMAS MUSIC
Wednesday 7 December at 7.00 p.m.
Cost £5, which includes mulled wine and mince pies
If you wish to attend please email Marie Middlemass mcm@stdoms.ac.uk

St. Dominic’s Newsletter
Page 2
Inside this issue:
Chaplaincy 2
Faith into Action 3
Red Cross Award 4
Political Consensus 4
Thorpe Park 5
Volunteering 5
London Ambassador 6
Bulletins:
• New Applicants
• Parents Evenings
• Christmas Music
• Summer Exams
From the Chaplaincy
It has been another busy term here in the
Chaplaincy. Since I last updated you, 33
students took part in the annual Westminster
Diocese Pilgrimage to Lourdes in
July. These students gave up a week of
their summer in order to be of service to
others. They spent the week helping
those less able to get around Lourdes and
take a full part in all the pilgrimage activities.
They worked hard and gained a lot from the experience. Many are
still in touch with the people they worked with during the week.
For me it is a highlight of the year and a very visible sign of the generosity
of our students. However this generosity is not confined to Lourdes. In July
we had our Fair World Week, during which nearly 100 students took part in
activities relating to social justice, whether that was having soup for lunch
and donating to charity, taking part in slum survivor raising money for
some of the world’s poorest, donating time to work on the Catholic Worker
Farm or doing a sponsored walk for the Cardinal Hume Centre.
This generosity has continued this
term as we have seen with the Harvest
collection. When we took the
food that had been donated to the
Catholic Worker Farm, Scott told us
that this would feed them there and
at their sister project for two months.
That is an amazing act of love for
those in need. The generosity continued
as on Thursday 20 October a group of 28 students and 4 members of
staff took part in a sponsored sleep-out to raise money for disadvantaged
young people. The money raised will be given to the Cardinal Hume Centre
who have a hostel for young homeless people in Victoria. When we went to
visit the group we left thinking about how lucky we are and really wanted
to help those who, just because of a few problems, are left homeless. The
sleep-out was an opportunity to experience what it’s like for one night not
to have a bed to sleep in. As it gets colder it makes you appreciate what you
actually have.
The generosity evident in the College is a living sign of our Catholic Ethos.
As a Catholic College we have a duty to be living out Catholic Social Teaching
and encouraging our students to do this. As we are taught “the fundamental
message of Sacred Scripture proclaims that the human person is a
creature of God, and sees in his being in the image of God the element that
characterises and distinguishes him” (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of
the Church). This means that we have a duty to recognise God in everyone
around us and if someone is struggling we have a responsibility to do what
we can to aid.
Our students really care about others and want to help and this is a fantastic
part of my role as Chaplain to help encourage this outward looking attitude.
Angela Clapham, Chaplain

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St. Dominic’s Newsletter
Students Put Faith Into Action
Building and sleeping in their own improvised shacks, working at a soup kitchen and helping at a refuge
for asylum seekers has given our students a real taste of what it’s like to be hungry and homeless.
About 70 young people from St Dominic’s took part in a Fair World Week, co-ordinated by College
Chaplain Angela Clapham, in response to the Holy Father’s call in September for Catholics to be concerned
with social justice.
A team of 27 students and six staff abandoned home comforts to spend 24 hours living in a ‘slum’ built
from old pallets, cardboard and plastic sheeting and without luxuries such as running water, mobile
phones or make-up. The experience gave the group a glimpse of what life is like for the one billion people
worldwide who live in slums.
“It’s difficult to live as they do and we haven’t even done it properly!” said Sinead, 17. “It’s made me
appreciate what I’ve got right now” added Chandini.
For many of the group it was the limited diet of bread, rice
and vegetables that had the biggest impact.
“I’ve never been so thankful for two slices of bread in my life”
said Daniel. The normally energetic Kemi was subdued: “I was
so hungry I didn’t care what I was eating. I think we take a lot
for granted, like if we are hungry we can just go down to the
shops to get food. ” she said.
The group has raised over £2000 in sponsorship which will go
to two charities, Toybox, working with street children in Latin
America and Revelation Life, whose work is changing the lives
of children in the slums of Uganda.
A second group of 20 students and staff swapped life in the
classroom for an insight into a day in the life of a homeless Londoner. Working with the community
based at the London Jesus Centre they experienced at first hand Christianity in action and spent time
serving food and listening to the amazing life stories of some of the Centre's clients.
Nancy Parsons, Head of Religious Studies, said "the work that the community do is truly remarkable.
The lengths they go to support and enhance the lives of the visitors knows no bounds"
For students Anita and Michaela the experience was a real eye-opener "the day was very humbling and
has made me reflect on what I have but more importantly on what I can give" said Anita. "it is very
easy for us to give money but giving time is far more valuable. We all have a responsibility to those less
fortunate and it's all too easy to think that it could never happen to me" reflected Michaela.
At the Catholic Worker Farm in Rickmansworth Scott and Maria Albrecht share their home with ten
destitute female asylum seekers and their children. College Principal Patrick Harty and a group of ten
students spent a day helping on the farm and seeing how this family live out Catholic social teaching
through practicing the works of mercy.
The day made a deep impression on Joe “I really admire the work Scott and his family do here and the
visit has inspired me to try and be as selfless and caring as them” he said. “The work that is done at the
Catholic Worker Farm is such an inspiration and their dedication is simply outstanding. I am proud to
have had the opportunity to help in such small but important ways today” agreed Hannah.
Erica Penman, Assistant Principal: Quality
SUMMER EXAMS 2012
A2 exams will take place right up to the end of June. 2nd Year students should make sure they do not
arrange to take holidays until the first week of July. 1st Year students are reminded that they must attend
College in the first week of July. Holidays must not be taken during term time

October 2011 Page 4
Red Cross Award
Fresh from her promotion success at Annual Camp, plucky 17 year old
Cadet Colour Sergeant Augustina Eburay–Anteson was presented on
Saturday 8 October with the British Red Cross Humanitarian Citizen’s
Award for her First Aid work. The ceremony, which took place at
Bishopsgate Institute (City of London), recognises remarkable and outstanding
actions. Liz Page, a member of the British Red Cross senior
management team, presented the award.
“I’m really thrilled to receive this award,” says Augustina, “it was just
normal to help someone in need and first aid is one of the huge number
of things that you learn at cadets, I am so grateful.”
Augustina, who has been an Army Cadet at Willesden’s 208 Royal
Regiment of Fusiliers Detachment since 2008, was at the time (April
2010) a pupil at the Convent of Jesus and Mary Language College in
Harlesden when she saw a young girl fall over, cut her leg and injure
her wrist.
She managed to check the girl’s response levels, get a bystander to get
help and reassure the girl until help arrived. She also managed the incident
making sure that the girl was not crowded by other students in the area while also treating the
girl’s cut leg and possible sprained wrist.
Staff Sergeant Instructor, Alex Stock Commanding the Willesden ACF Detachment commented
“Augustina is a true credit to her school and the ACF in having taken this action. She is a 4 star (top
level) first aid qualified cadet who has represented her sector in the London Regional First Aid competition,
has assisted on a number of first aid courses. She takes the subject very seriously – even to the
extent of always carrying her own first aid kit in case of emergencies such as this”.
At annual camp in Norfolk this Summer as well as completing the Senior Cadet Instructors course she
was also presented with the St John Young First Aider of the Year Award by her Commandant of the
North West London Army Cadet area Colonel Ian Denison. She was also the subject of a film about the
Army Cadet Force.
Peter Jenks, Assistant Principal
Political Consensus Building
On 15 September 76 AS level Government and Politics students visited the Houses of Parliament.
The first part of the day involved a Tour of the Houses of Parliament during which we marvelled at the
palace’s breath-taking Gothic architecture. The guides covered what seemed like everything from art
to politics to history and constitution, and also squeezed in some very interesting stories about prime
ministerial assassinations and tales concerning visits from the Pope and Barack Obama!
We sat in the public galleries of the Commons and Lords where we witnessed Harriet Harman making a
statement on famine in the Horn of Africa and the peers scrutinising a report on the Banking Commission.
The day concluded with an interactive workshop concerning the challenges that face politicians in
building a lasting coalition. The students and teachers formed political parties and attempted to reach
policy-consensus which proved very hard to do! However, the only opinion that really mattered at the
conclusion of the day was the consensus among the students that their theory studied in lessons had
been brought vividly to life.
Lee Arnold, Politics Department

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St. Dominic’s Newsletter
Thorpe Park
In September the BTEC Business group took a trip to Thorpe Park with our teacher Yvonne Martin.
During our day there we got a chance to go on the rides which was good as there weren’t big queues and
we got a chance to go on all the rides we wanted to go on without having to wait. Our favourite was
Rush! We then had a talk which helped us with the unit we were doing about recruitment in Thorpe
Park. The man spoke to us about their business and when and how they recruit people which was key
information for our task. We were then given some information from the Human Resources Department
about when they are busy and what the process was for employing staff.
We found out about how they recruit people for Fright Night; they do this by sending out adverts as
well as advertising in the local newspaper - as they would prefer to employ those who live close by as
this would mean that they do not have to travel long distances and would hopefully be there on time.
They recruit people from all ages, even those who are in school from 15-16 years, with permission from
their parents and their school. They are mainly looking for
people who are team players.
During the talk we took part in a team building activity
with a hoop which is something they use in their assessment
centres. After the talk we had the opportunity to go
on more rides, some of us went on the water rides and on
the roller coasters.
The day was really enjoyable, we had an educational talk
as well as having fun!
Natasha Desouza (AAM)
Volunteering
We were delighted to welcome Alderman Cllr Keith Toms to an assembly at College on Thursday 13
October aimed at encouraging our students to consider volunteering. He presented a Diana Award to
Faizan Ullah Joya (AMI) for his dedicated service to a number of charities, including Cancer Research,
St. John Ambulance and Activenture.
Volunteering is an excellent form of work experience and a way for students to interact with their local
community in a positive way, develop new and existing skills and greatly improve CVs or UCAS application.
Volunteering is also great for encountering new positive life experiences, meeting new people
and making new friends from varying backgrounds, ages and cultures.
There are hundreds of different opportunities available. Information is
available on notice boards around College and from the Pastoral Office.
Or check out the latest vacancies at www.do-it.org.uk or
www.vinspired.com
St Dominic’s offers certification for voluntary work. Record hours on a
timesheet and a certificate will be issued to complement the UCAS/
Careers application.
Students are far too busy volunteering to do lots of paperwork so we keep
it short and simple! Record the work done for each session, where it was
done and the number of hours completed in that session. The Placement
Supervisor, the person who monitors the volunteering, will authorise the
timesheet. Submit the timesheet at any time to the Pastoral Office and a
certificate will be issued.
Anne-Marie Harvey, Pastoral Administrator

The College Newsletter is published six times per academic year. It is sent by email to all current students’
parents, staff (current and former), local schools and parishes, Harrow councillors, the Education Department,
local press and other friends of St. Dominic’s. It is also available to view on our website www.stdoms.ac.uk
London Ambassador
When I began writing this article it was 295 days 10 hours 39minutes 55 seconds until the opening show
of the Olympic Games. Around a year ago, whilst in my 1st Year of St Dominic’s I received an email
which informed me about London Ambassadors for the 2012 Olympics. At the start I was a little sceptical
about what it would involve; nevertheless this did not stop me from reading further into it. In October
2010 I applied to become a London Ambassador having little knowledge or clue about what
would happen next. The application required me answering questions on the knowledge of London,
people skills, language skills and why I would be a good ambassador. My own personal reason for wanting
to be a London Ambassador is for the experience. We are uncertain of when the Olympic Games
will return to London in the future or if it will ever return, so I thought I should grab this lifetime opportunity.
More than 33,000 people from across the capital and beyond applied to become one of the 8,000 London
Ambassadors chosen to help visitors during the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. The amount of people
which applied even exceeded Boris Johnson’s target of 25,000. A few months after applying I received
another email stating that I was one of the 16,000 short listed for an interview in Camden.
On 7 June, a few days after finishing my last AS exam, I attended an interview designed to get a better
insight into the people applying for such a position. The interview started with a team of 12. We were
given a brief introduction to what being a London Ambassador is all about and have a chance to share
our ideas of what we love about London. Afterwards, the team was divided into groups of three. These
next few exercises were designed to see how each person would handle certain situations that might occur
during the games. A certain part of the exercise was holding a two minute improvised
speech on a topic. Luckily mine was on the weather therefore as we are faced
with it in our day to day life, it was an issue I had much to say. Finally, there was a
15 minute one-to-one session with questions; again confirming information on what
it takes to be a London Ambassador.
Between April and August, 16,000 applicants were interviewed. Only 8,000 would
proceed to the next level. Successful recruits will then be trained between January
and June 2012 and equipped with the skills needed to assist, inform and welcome
visitors to London, answering questions about London and helping guide them to
the outdoor screens broadcasting the Games across central London, and its key attractions,
from museums and theatres to restaurants and shopping districts.
Last week, after months of waiting in anticipation I was offered a role as a London
Ambassador of the 2012 Olympics.
Enxhi Vladi (BAH)
Also in September Young Ambassador Shomari Bridgewater attended a workshop to help ensure that
London 2012’s ‘Moment to Shine’ campaign had a youth focus. London 2012’s aim is that over half of
the 2,012 Torchbearers will be young people under the age of 24. Young ambassadors from around the
UK visited London and covered topics such as Torchbearer criteria and the next steps of the nomination
process. Nominees will find out in December if they have been successful and will be made a conditional
offer to carry the Olympic Flame before the Games in 2012!
St Dominic's Sixth Form College
Mount Park Avenue . Harrow on the Hill . Middlesex . HA1 3HX
Phone 020 8422 8084 . Fax 020 8422 3759 . Email stdoms@stdoms.ac.uk