Sixth Form News - Royal Alexandra and Albert School

ISSUE
01
Autumn Term
October 2011
Sixth Form News
Written for Students by Students
Congratulations!
Big congratulations to Sinead Carroll,
Katherine Needham and Davina Tijani
who all successfully passed their Open
University Level 1 module. The Level 1
course gives students an insight into
what university work is like. They have
demonstrated that they can cope with
this level of study which is excellent
preparation for university life. The
areas of focus included ‘Perspectives
on Leonardo da Vinci’, ‘Shakespeare’
and ‘The Story of Maths’
Competition!
As you can see we have
created a Sixth Form Newsletter
because you are reading it right now!
It will come out every half term and
we need your help. If you think you
can come up with a winning name for
our Newsletter it will not only feature
on the front of the Newsletter but you
will also win a £25 voucher of your
choice!
Send your entry (one entry per person)
to Mr. Pawson at :
matthewpawson@gatton-park.org.uk,
Good Luck!
Win
£25
The New Term
The new term is a new beginning, a new
experience and a fresh start for the Sixth
Formers who started in Year 12. This is the
second year of the Sixth Form at RAAS and
the first year of the ‘suits’ dress code for
students. Students have quickly adapted
to the independent learning environment
and are beginning to enjoy the more adult
approach.
‘’The new term has been really successful,
the subjects have been demanding but
I’m enjoying the challenge’’ says Elizabeth
Hudson in Year 12.
The workload has increased dramatically and
is a big step up from GCSE however students
are using their free periods constructively
and are looking forward to achieving the
best results possible. They are currently
taking their mock exams, so good luck to
everyone!
University applications
Many of the Year 13 students are in the
process of putting the finishing touches to
their university applications. This is the first
ever group of students leaving the new
Royal Alexandra and Albert School Sixth
Form to go off to university and excitement
and anticipation levels are high.
Students’ university applications, complete
with ‘personal statements’ have gone
through a thorough and stringent checking
process to give the best possible chance of
success.
Although the national deadline for UCAS
applications is 15th January, Mr Pawson and
his team of tutors are working to ensure the
majority are sent before October half-term.
More news to follow next time…
Mr Pawson
Ro y a l
Al e x a n d r a
& Al b e rt
Sc h o o l

Community Sports
Leadership Award
Nineteen students in the Lower Sixth
have started a sports leadership course
to help them develop and enhance
their leadership skills. The course runs
throughout the year and covers areas
such as planning and leading sport/
activity sessions, organising sports
competitions and learning how to
adapt sports activities. By the end of
the course, students will have learnt
the fundamentals of leading young
people in safe but fun environments.
The course is recognised by UCAS and
will help students when they apply
for universities.
Mr Pawson
“I thoroughly enjoyed the session and
learnt a lot including leadership skills
and learning to work with my peers. I
feel this programme will make me be
a better person as it covers so much,
for example leadership and how to
teach sport. It is particularly helpful
as I aspire to a career in teaching.”
Harry Skinner
Gym
A large number of the Lower Sixth have been attending gym
sessions every Wednesday at the Nuffield Centre in Redhill.
There is a choice of working out on the cross trainer, toning
up on the bikes or some full-on cardio on the treadmill.
Weights are also available and are proving to be a very
popular choice with the boys. Students really enjoy going to
the Gym as it a great way to unwind after working hard on
A Level studies. ‘Going to the gym is my adventure of the
week’ comments a student. Gym afternoons are one of the
enrichment activities arranged for Sixth Formers.
Kay Gurung
Year 12 at the Nuffield Centre
Under 18s Rugby
It has been an exciting beginning half term
for the Sixth Form Rugby team. Putting a
team together in just a few weeks was
not easy, especially when we are only in
the second year of having a Sixth Form,
however we found 15 keen rugby players to
represent the school in its first ever Under
18s match. The score of the first game was
63-0 to Reigate Grammar School. Whilst
this was a disappointing start the team’s
performance was outstanding, especially
that of the forwards who worked extremely
hard beating RGS in most of the rucks and
scrums.
Training continued for our next game against
Claremont. We started strong, scoring
our first ever try coming from an offload
from Kelvin Roberts and a finish from Iain
Milne but the final score ended up at 8-5
with Claremont emerging as winners. Play
was strong but lacked concentration and
structure in the dying embers of the game.
There are many games to look forward to
and a bright season ahead.
Dylan Semmelhaack
Girl’s Netball
In October our Sixth Form team took part
in their first competitive netball game of
the season against Reigate College. They
dominated the first quarter, not only by
taking the lead but by having most of the
possession and working extremely well as a
team. Despite their hard work, Reigate took
the lead in the last two quarters, with the
final score being 10-8 to Reigate College. In
spite of their frustrations with such a close
game, the team were proud of their efforts
and held their heads high. Well done girls!
Jess Vincent
Editor Jessica Vincent Design by Matthew Van-Noort-Pendleton