H2U Vol 7 Issue 3 Jan 2008.pub - Highcliffe School

sidered. The Highcliffe students
made the most of
visiting the 8 different vocational
zones and looking
at the hundreds of exhibits
and activities
that
were on
offer. The
zones
were Engineering,Construction
and
Motoring,
Art and
Design
and Media,
Hair,
Beauty and Health, Retail
and Fashion, Tourism and
Hospitality, Business and
ICT, Land based industries,
and Armed Forces.
It was truly a hands-on experience
in every sense of
the word. There were opportunities
to have hair
and nails done – as the
photos show, the retail and
fashion section allowed us
a moment of fame on the
catwalk with the colour
purple making a comeback!
The climbing wall was a key
attraction as was the Armed
Forces zone where students
could learn about the differentcareers
within the
Army as
well as
handling
the guns,
trying a
helicopter
simulator
and sitting
the
armoured
tank.
There were too many activities
to list individually but
students had the opportunity
to design their own Tshirts,
change nappies,
groom horses, milk goats,
make bricks, engrave stone,
eat crepes, write a newspaper
article, make town planning
decisions, change
tyres, and program robots.
There was something for
everyone.
It is hoped that the Year 9
students who attended will
have a clearer idea of the
range of vocational opportunities
available to them
and may provide some
useful guidance as they
make their option choices
during this year. It is
worth noting that most
students at the Skills Festival
from other schools
were in Years 10 and 11,
but it is felt at Highcliffe
that this event is more
useful for Year 9 students
when making such important
educational decisions.
For those who did not go
there is plenty of advice
and guidance within the
school from their tutors,
subject teachers and Head
of Achievement. There is
also the Streets Ahead
software that provides details
about options and careers
advice – this is available
to all students
through the school network,
and specific options
guidance is delivered
through the Year 9 PHSE
lessons.
Social Enterprise—Students take the lead!
Make Your Mark In 60
Seconds
With a focus on social enterprise
again, the school
was able to take part in
another national enterprise
event. During Enterprise
Week, the Citizenship lessons
in Key Stage 3 were
used to let students watch
4 young social entrepreneurs,
via an on-line link,
give a 60 second pitch to
present their ideas to a
panel, on how they could
make a difference to people’s
lives in their own
communities.
The ideas were:
an internet culture café in
Liverpool – to help disadvantaged
youngsters
keep off the streets;
a youth radio station in
Newcastle, for similar
reasons; a community
football project in Yorkshire
– uniting people in
need through sport; a
theft-proof city bike store
to promote healthy living
and to reduce carbon
emissions.
All the pitches were
watched by the students
who were then able to vote
on-line for what they
thought to be the best
idea. On Thursday 14 th
November – national social
enterprise day – the winning
idea was revealed.
With Mark Bowness winning
£5000, to launch his
idea of an Internet café in
Liverpool. It was great to
see the students participate
in a national vote –
especially when the class
Page 8 H2U, Vol 7 Issue 3 - January 2008