Welcome to St Joseph’s College YEAR 12 PARENTS INFORMATION EVENING

Welcome MS MELISSA ROBERTS (HEADTEACHER)

Introductions & School Background MRS CAROLINE CIRINO (DIRECTOR OF 6TH FORM)

Our distinctive Catholic nature

Ø  In everything that we do our Catholic faith is central.

Ø  Our school sits in the Archdiocese of Birmingham.

Ø  Not strictly a diocesan school although monitored by it.

Ø  Founded by the Christian Brothers in 1932.

Ø  A religious congregation focused on education and one that is still active.

Ø  6 continents.

Ø  25 countries.

Ø  Approximately 200 schools, 20,000 staff and 200,000 at any one time.

“I have come so that you might have life and have it to the fullest” JOHN 10:10

Sixth Form review January 2018  Students from different cultural, ethnic, religious and academic backgrounds work very well together within a culture of mutual respect. There is a palpable sense of community.

 There is a culture of high expectation in the Sixth Form with a strong work ethic. The College sets clear boundaries for its students ensuring they develop very good work habits.

 The teacher/student relationships are very strong. Students feel very supported by their teachers and the Sixth Form Pastoral and Leadership team. Students made frequent reference to how their teachers were prepared to ‘go the extra mile’ with them.

 The College provides a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities to help students develop their skills, particularly impressive were the opportunities for developing oracy and leadership.

 Students benefit from exceptional pastoral care and learning support that helps them achieve their aspirations.

Sixth form is a time of growth

Ø  Personal growth

Ø  Academic growth

Ø  Spiritual growth

Ø  Social and moral growth

 Grades are important but they are not the measure of the person

 We hope to develop students that will go into the wider world who will be proud to

 ‘Act Justly, Love Tenderly and Walk Humbly with God’.

Year 12 Expectations MR CHRISTOPHER BANNER (HEAD OF YEAR 12)

MRS LUCY SHAW (ASSISTANT HEAD OF YEAR 12)

Year 12 Pastoral Team  Mr C Banner (Head of Year 12)

 Mrs L Shaw (Assistant Head of Year 12)

 Mrs Jo Lawrie (Year 12 Learning Mentor)

 11 form tutors for 9 form groups.

Our Approach  Education is a Christian calling for teachers.

 St Joseph’s has a holistic approach to education.

The education of the whole person.

 More than grades – “[students] leave the sixth form ready to make a contribution to the world around them.” Ofsted 2014

What are our Expectations?

Ø  Expectations at St Joseph’s are very high and we are upfront about this.

Ø  An environment for young working professionals.

Ø  Mutual respect and professionalism.

  “We understand rules because we follow them.”

Attendance

Absence & Attendance

 Attendance is crucial in securing student progress and success.

 A 2014 government study stated that students with the lowest rates of absence (less than 5%) are 4.7 times more likely to achieve the highest grades at both GCSE and A Level.

 Home-school relationship should be one of clear communication and mutual trust.

Absence & Attendance  Contact the Sixth Form office (currently option 2 on the telephone system) on EVERY day of your son / daughter’s absence, unless it is a pre-authorised absence.

 Students who are ill during the day are NOT to take themselves home until they have permission from (A)HOY.

 If a student requires leave from College for more than one day they must collect a Leave of Absence form from PIP or Fideliter Reception.

Authorised Absence

Ø  Family circumstances

Ø  Religious Festivals

Ø  Driving test

Ø  Dental/ medical appointments

Ø  Work Experience

Ø  University Open Days

Authorised Absence – Catch Up  85%

 Letter Home

 Arrangements made for students to “Catch Up” in school.

 Catch-up is not a sanction; it is an intervention strategy.

Unauthorised Absence  A short term zero tolerance system.

 However, most of the time there are three reasons why a student may be marked as “N”:

Ø  Parents have not told us that the student is unable to come to school or has as appointment during the school day.

Ø  Students fall ill and go home without telling us.

Ø  Students have chosen to skip lessons.

Any of this can pose a safeguarding issue.

Unauthorised Absence

 At the end of each day all of the “N’s for that day will be collated and a text message will be sent home:

 “Your son/daughter has missed assembly/form/lessons and will need to pay back 30 minutes in RE1 tomorrow from 3:45-4:15. Please see Mrs Lawrie at 8:40am tomorrow with a valid reason for your absence.”

Appearance

Appearance Ø Code of Dress for a professional working

environment.

Ø Regular and random appearance monitoring

Ø Isolation

Ø Fixed Term Exclusion

Exam Access Arrangements

Exam Access Arrangements

If your son / daughter received any additional support or access arrangements for their GCSEs,  you must inform Mrs Pearson (SENCO).

A letter was given to your son/daughter indicating that this information was required by 25th September. If it has not yet been provided, it must be provided asap or we will not be able to apply for the arrangements to continue.

Exam Access Arrangements

Evidence for the arrangements put in place is required; this might be a consultant’s letter for medical needs or a completed/signed copy of Form 8 for other arrangements, along with copies of any relevant tests completed as part of the access arrangement request.

All of this should be available from the school where your son / daughter sat their GCSEs.

Exam Access Arrangements

Unfortunately, the college will not be able to chase up evidence for requests; you will need to ensure that it is provided to allow time to process applications.

The college has to work to a deadline for processing all access arrangement applications. 

Enrichment

Enrichment

Enrichment Aims • Ambitious

• Committed

• Communicative

• Confident

• Courageous and determined

•  Empathetic and understanding

•  Imaginative

•  Inspirational

•  Responsible

•  Responsive to injustice

•  Self-Managing

•  Spiritually aware

Enrichment AcAviAes  There are three kinds of enrichment activities which a student could engage in:

1. Activities which enrich themselves

2. Activities which enrich the college / 6th Form Community

3. Activities which enrich the lives of those outside of St Joseph’s

Enrichment AcAviAes •  First aid course

•  Supporting reading at St Teresa’s Primary School

•  Duke of Edinburgh Silver/Gold

•  6th Form School Council

•  Pilgrimage to Lourdes

•  Enterprise Scheme

•  British Sign Language

•  Film Club

•  Bioscience / Medics Clubs

•  Sporting activities

•  Working with local charitable organisations & residential homes

Thought for the Day  Aims:

 To reflect on social and ethical issues.

 To get to know form members better.

 To contribute to the extra-curricular and religious life of the 6th Form.

 To develop the skills of selective, analytical and critical research.

 To develop good individual presentation skills that are vital for the future.

Thought for the Day  Content:

 Must have a clear focus

 Your starting point could be: ◦  A news item article/broadcast

◦  An important issue ◦  A historic or momentous occasion/an inspirational figure from history ◦  A poem/A poet ◦  A piece of music/A musician or composer/A band

◦  A film/A clip from a film/A film-maker ◦  A book/An extract from a book/An author ◦  A photograph

◦  A piece of art (painting, print, sculpture, etc) ◦  An Interesting fact/set of facts ◦  A favourite/ inspirational person

  

 

A Form Tutor’s Perspective

MRS MARGARET SHERRATT

(HEAD OF BUSINESS STUDIES AND ECONOMICS)

MR PAUL HONEYFIELD

(HEAD OF SOCIAL SCIENCES)

Learn to take responsibility

and develop personal discipline

•  Be in the right place at the right time - school starts at 8.50 (8.55 on Wednesday)

•  Meet deadlines

•  Plan Independent Study

•  Make good use of Study Periods

A copy of their timetable may help you

Organisation

Use initiative to develop background knowledge – there is ALWAYS something they

can do

• Read newspapers / magazines

• Use the internet / appropriate television programmes / documentaries

Discuss issues with them

Make Use of What is Available

Minimise things that may harm their progress

• Jobs – excessive / unreasonable hours

• Appointments during lessons

• Driving lessons shouldn’t interfere

Please don’t make phone calls or send messages to students when they are in lessons

Distractions

Join in and have fun:

• Extra curricular activities – sport, drama, etc.

• Enrichment

• Retreats

• Assemblies

• School Council

• Seek out opportunities

Encourage students to broaden

their experience and get involved

Holistic Education

Form Time MISS HAZELLE HILL (ASS ISTANT HEAD OF YEAR 13)

1:1 Mentoring with students who are struggling.

Post-16 Academic Goals and Ambitions

Careers Advice

Personal Expectations

Mental health awareness.

Thought for the Day – critical thinking on current social issues.

Mindfulness

Study/Revision/Exam Technique

Year 12 Form Time

 UCAS/Apprenticeships

 Guidance on personal statements

 Mental Health Awareness

 Exam Anxiety – Breathing exercises/discussion/sharing ideas

 Stress/Sleep

 Budgeting

 Student finance

 Post Half term: one to one intervention for some students on Friday during form time.

Year 13 Form Time

MEGs, assessment and supporting progress MISS CHARLOTTE APPLEYARD

DIRECTOR OF PROGRESS

Year 12 Minimum Expected Grades (‘MEGs’)

•  In year 12, St Joseph’s College sets MEGs for all students

•  These MEGs are set using ALPS

estimates, which allows us to challenge our A level students in line with the top 25% of 6th form providers in the country

Year 12 Minimum Expected Grades (‘MEGs’)

Year 12 Key Dates

•  Thursday 27th February 2020 – Year 12 Parents’ Evening (whole cohort)

•  Monday 20th April 2020 – Year 12 Exams Week (1) begins

•  Thursday 4th June 2020 – Year 12 Parents’

Evening (Invite only) •  Monday 29th June 2020 – Year 12 Exams

Week (2) begins

Supporting Progress

Vision

Effort

Developing effort • Using the 1 – 10 scale

Effort

Effort – but more quantifiable?

Effective study skills MR ED LEIGHTON

DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND LEARNING

What doesn’t work •  Highlighting •  Cramming

•  Re-reading your notes

•  Copying out notes

•  “All nighters”

•  Music / phones / distractions Why don’t these work? These techniques are easy and require little though. These feel

good and we feel like we have done a lot.

What does work – You need to think hard •  Quizzingandselftes/ng(retrievalprac/ce)–createflashcards,quiz

yourself,quizothers,BBCbitesizequiz,quizapps,createmindmaps–Putyournotesawayandforceyourselftoremember

•  Spreadingoutyourrevision–imaginewateringthegarden–insteadofa3hourblock–revisefor1hourover3days.

•  Teachingothers–why?Sowhat?

•  Elabora/on–why?HowdoesthislinktowhatIhavealreadylearnt?Whatarethebigideas?Summarisewhatyouhavelearnintheformofadiagram

•  Getridofdistrac/ons

•  Metacogni/onandselfregula/on(helppupilsthinkabouttheirownlearningmoreexplicitly,oKenbyteachingthemspecificstrategiesforplanning,monitoringandevaluaMngtheirlearning)

StrivingforexcellenceChallengeyourself RetrievalPrac/ce Askyourselfques/ons Metacogni/on Self-regula/on

HighexpectaMonsofyourself–BelieveyoucandoitExcellentstandardsofbehaviourTakinggreatprideinpresentaMonsUsetechnicalvocabularyReadingsubjectspecificbooksGetridofdistracMons–workinsilenceKeepgoodcompanyArrivetolessonsonMmereadytolearnAskquesMonsinthelessonWorkforatleast1.5hoursanightextraHandinaddiMonalworkDoextra!

RecappingpreviouslessonsOnlinequizzese.g.SenecaUseofknowledgeorganisers(Look,cover,write,check)Self-tesMng–CreateyourowntestsandquizyourselfandothersRepeMMonofkeyknowledgee.g.flashcardsCreaMngsummariesofkeyinformaMonMindmappingWriteeverythingyouknowaboutcertaintopicsPauselessons–every4thlessonreviewwhatyouhavejustlearnt.Arethereanygapsinyourknowledge?SpaceyourrevisionoutratherthanjustcrammingDrawimagesanddiagramstosummarisekeyinformaMonSetaMmer–10minutechunks

WhenyouhaveyourtextbookinfrontofyouaskyourselfquesMonsabouthowandwhythingswork.Describeandexplainwithasmanydetailsasyoucanandconnecttheseideastoyoureverydaylife.AskyourselfthefollowingquesMonswhilststudying:Howdotheseideaswork?Why?HowdoesthislinktowhatIhavealreadylearnt?Whatarethebigideas?Sowhat?FollowupquesMons–Who?What?When?Where?Why?ProcessesquesMons–whathappensnext?Howdidyouknowthat?Whatdowedohere?How?Workwithapartner,askthemquesMonsaboutatopicandteachthemwhatyouhavejustlearnt.CreateyourownexamquesMons

BeforestarMngatask,thinkaboutwhatyoualreadyknowaboutthistopicTakeMmetothinkabouthowyouaregoingtoapproachatask.ThinkabouthowmuchMmeitshouldtaketocompletethetaskAnnotatethequesMonDeconstructallthekeywordsinthequesMonFindarangeofworkedexamplesPauseandthinkRe-readwhatyouhavejustwroteCanyouaddbebersubjectlanguage?FindmodelanswersFindarangeofanswersandworkoutwhyoneisbeberthantheotherCompareyouranswertothemarkschemeReadexaminer’sreportsConstantlyreflectonhowwellyouaredoingSetyourselfshorttermgoalsConstantlyplan,monitorandevaluateyourlearning

Self-checkyourworkProofreadyourworkbeforehandingitinAskafriendorolderstudenttoreadyouworkRe-draKingandre-doworkbasedonfeedbackRehearseorrepeat–gobackagainandagainthepracMseaspecificskillRevisitpreviouspiecesofworkandrespondtotheteachersfeedbackRe-learnandre-testyourselfonprevioustopicsResearchandrecord–forapieceofworktryandaddsomeaddiMonalresearchIfyouneedhelpthenask

Examples from last year’s most successful year 13s

Ø  Create visuals / displays for your walls at home Ø  Mindmaps Ø  Start now Ø  Practice tests/papers Ø  Make your own tests and test others Ø  Quizlet Ø  Make the most of lesson time – turn up on time, ask

questions, re-read lesson notes, access the shared area Ø  Get rid of distractions Ø  Make it a habit – plan when and where you will study

Above and beyond…

Ø  Re-drafting and re-doing work to a better standard Ø  Researching and recording Ø  Extended reading – Newspapers, blogs, journals,

magazines, publications, TED talks, technical language Ø  Subject associations – hold local lectures and talks Ø  Debating topical issues Ø  Virtual classrooms (webinars, online lectures etc) Ø  Visiting museums, libraries, etc Ø  Work experience

Higher Education and UCAS MRS SIAN GILDING (HEAD OF YEAR 13)

HIGHER EDUCATION AND UCAS

YEAR 13 – HIGHER EDUCATION AND UCAS

 Heads of Year

◦ Mrs Gilding

◦ Miss Hill

 Student Mentoring and Support

◦ Mr Conchie

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY - 22nd June 2020

Ø Evening focussed on Higher Education •  the process (including any recent changes)

•  the timelines

•  student finance details

•  personal statement advice

Ø Higher Education Fair – this year more than 25 universities plus Higher Horizons, the NHS and Career Service had stands and answers a range of questions for both parents and students

Ø Details on apprenticeships

Ø A detailed Higher Education Booklet to support you and your child through the journey (also on the website)

HIGHER EDUCATION EVENING

DEDICATED HIGHER EDUCATION WEEK

Held in the last week of the summer term and includes:  Introduction to UCAS

◦ The website, navigation and the overall process

 Guidance on CV writing and Degree Level Apprenticeships

 Research on University courses/ future options

 Personal statements guidance including specialist session from Staffordshire University

 Specialist sessions on Wednesday afternoon

 Student finance overview

PREDICTED GRADES  As part of UCAS process,

 we are required to predict grades by subject area  Our aim is always to be aspirational but realistic

◦ Need to ensure that they receive offers which are achievable

 We will use the year 12 examination results (April and June 2020) as the primary benchmark - students must prepare thoroughly for these exams!

 Performance over the year will be considered

 Approach is to predict up to but no more than one grade up from their exam result ***

Early Applicants

◦ Dentistry, Medicine, Veterinary Studies, Oxbridge, Conservatoire (music)

◦  Individual school deadline

◦ 26th September 2020

All Other Applicants

◦  Individual school deadline

◦ 23rd October 2020

UCAS – A GUIDE ON KEY MILESTONES

Q&A

St Joseph’s PTFA MRS SPROSTON