REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2007-2008 - Pershore High School

The Sixth FormReport by Jason Howell, Head of Sixth FormDuring a hectic year, the Year 13 students have been making successful applications to a range ofuniversities and courses. Most have received offers from their first choice universities and look set tomeet the terms of those offers in the summer. Year 12 students kick-started their research of highereducation opportunities by attending the UCAS Higher Education Convention at Worcester Universityin March. Those students considering applying to Oxford or Cambridge have attended a full day'sconference at Cheltenham Racecourse and also listened to a very informative talk given by a recentgraduate. Futures' Days in June give Year 12 students further opportunities to gather information andbegin the difficult but critical task of writing personal statements. Finally, in the last week of term, a tripto Cardiff University will give Year 12 a chance to explore a university campus and ask importantquestions.Sixth Form students have been involved in a range of charity fundraising activities during the year.Particularly active has been the work done with the Red Cross; younger students have had valuableexperiences, significant money has been raised and well-earned awards have been presented.Over the summer break the Sixth Form will undergo significant development. Furniture will continue tobe upgraded in all areas of the Sixth Form Centre. In particular, the Sixth Form ICT Suite will berefurbished with 40 new PC workstations. Following the removal of the 'chocolate and crisps' vendingmachines, the school canteen will begin trialling homemade, ready meals and healthy snacks in newcarousel machines in the Sixth Form Centre.Dublin Trip 2008For the eighth year running studentsfrom Years 12 and 13 enjoyedanother absorbing educational visitto Ireland's capital. During a veryhectic three days, students visiteda plethora of historical and culturalsights including the infamousKilmainham Gaol, the Irish Museumof Modern Art and the GuinnessStorehouse. A visit to the AbbeyTheatre to see Romeo and Julietwas also another highlight as wasa trip to seaside resort, Howth,nine miles outside of Dublin.Students learnt more about famousDubliners including James Joyce The Irish Museum of Modern Artand Oscar Wilde and had thechance to visit Trinity College and its famous Book of Kells. An open-top bus ride around the city gavea brilliant insight into Dublin's colourful characters, such as Molly Malone, and the many attractions.Once again, all students had a superb, if somewhat tiring, time and a ninth trip is already beingplanned for next year.New York 2008On 8 th February 2008, 32 studentsand four teachers travelled over theNorth Atlantic Ocean to New York.We had all been looking forwardto this from the previous year sowhen the day finally arrived wewere all bouncing off the walls inour tracksuit bottoms and hoodies.The flight was a long seven hoursin limited space but we were able toput up with the cramped space forthe wait was finally over. When wetouched down it was the weirdestthing ever.Central Park, New York