Sixth Form Community

Introduced by Sean Roberts - Senior Student

I am pleased to have the opportunity to write to prospective students about our Sixth Form. I am now in the Upper Sixth, having just completed my term as Chair of the Sixth Form Committee.

The Sixth Form has been an exciting time for me personally, and also my fellow students, and in describing what it is like to be a sixth former, I should like to begin by introducing our Sixth Form Centre.

Our Committee

The Sixth Form Committee is another example of our college style. The Committee has been functioning for the past 25 years and, each year, is elected by all members of the student body. It is the prime vehicle for making its voice heard, and for creating student social opportunities. The Committee is run professionally and gives its members invaluable insights into meetings and how they are organised.

Sporting Events

The recent opening of our new Cricket and Sports Centre with fitness room, dance studio, sports hall and modern male/female changing facilities will offer a wide range of opportunities to our Sixth Form. Students will be able to use the centre after school and, by arrangement, during free periods. Students will be able to organise their own activities; e.g. ladies keep fit and aerobics and men's five-a-side. This year there has been a charity football event and an 'Olympics' fun sports day is planned for the summer.

"If you decide to join our sixth form, these, and many other opportunities are open to you. The Sixth Form is what you make of it. It can be a time for learning new skills and making life-long friends."

Social Events, Clubs and Societies

The student body elects Social Secretaries whose aim is to respond to student suggestions and to organise socials, trips and visits. This year, there have been a varied number of events, including quiz nights, charity fundraising events and a trip to Alton Towers. Regular trips to the theatre are organised and a lunch time Film Club is planned.

We organised a successful Christmas revue, and there is an annual lunch for senior citizens. We publish our own sixth form magazine, Playpen and budding journalists, sportswriters, reviewers for films, plays and the music scene are all welcome to contribute. There is a Christian Union, and through the Faiths Partnership, we have launched a Debating Society.

'Counterstrike', the Computer Gaming Club meets twice a week. There are Subject Clubs for those interested in Maths, Biology and Psychology.

Students also have the opportunity to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, the United Nations Model Assembly and Roscoe Lectures. Charity Fundraising also plays an important part in Sixth Form activities. Comic Relief Day is one of the charities which is supported.

"As new members of the St Margaret's Sixth Form community we have been pleased to find an open and welcoming atmosphere that enabled us to play an active role in the running of the Sixth Form by being fully involved in the Citizenship Programme and joining the Sixth Form Committee. New students will find themselves very welcome, they will make new friends quickly and soon settle in to the very relaxed atmosphere."

Stephanie:
"I really love the relaxed atmosphere at St Margaret's, I also enjoy the mixed atmosphere."

The Students Speak for Themselves

Stephanie, Katie, Hannah, Zara, and Katie all joined St Margaret's Sixth Form from other schools. They have enjoyed their Sixth Form experience as some of them recount below:

Michael:
"St Margaret's has provided me with a great deal of support in my studies, from both teachers and fellow students."

John:
"I have found the teachers at St Margaret's to be friendly, helpful and very approachable."

Some Views on Sharing Subjects through the Faiths Partnership

Michael: Business VCE at Bellerive.
"I go to Bellerive on a Monday morning and Wednesday afternoon. This has been a great benefit for me as I have been able to study my chosen subject and have had the opportunity to make a lot more friends. I get to and from Bellerive by taxi and the Faiths Partnership pays for this facility."

Tony: Geography at Archbishop Blanch
"I attend Archbishop Blanch to do Geography. Even though Geography is available at St Margaret's it clashed with another of my chosen subjects. Luckily for me, because of the variety of subjects within the Faiths Partnership, I am able to study my three chosen A Levels. I get taken to my partner school and brought back to St Margaret's by taxi, which is paid for. I am also lucky to have gained a lot more friends."

Melissa: Sociology at Archbishop Blanch
"I wanted to join St Margaret's Sixth Form and was disappointed that they did not provide a Sociology course. However, I was given the opportunity to do the Sociology course at Archbishop Blanch and my two other subjects at St Margaret's, which was great. The school provides the transport (taxi) to get from our school and back every Monday and Wednesday. It is good being taught at two different schools because you make lots of friends and can socialise with people from both schools."

Craig: German at St Hilda's and St Margaret's
"I am really glad that I have had the chance to experience the Sixth Form from the different perspectives that you get from shared lessons at another Sixth Form. I study German at St Hilda's and St Margaret's. The lessons are shared on Monday afternoon and Wednesday morning. The experience has definitely enriched my German, particularly as additional language support, with a German Assistant, has been organised at St Margaret's. I have made new friends and see moving to another centre as a welcome change of scenery and not the stressful exercise people seem to think it is when they first hear of it."

PSHE

Additional advice and support is given through Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) which covers a wide variety of areas: study and learning skills, careers guidance, advice for applications to Higher Education (including financial advice), stress management and health issues.