CONTENTS MAY 2012 Aspire A Dramatic Time! Connected! Volume 12 | Issue 3 Page 3 Page 6 Page 11 A world of Challenge, Inspiration and Achievement Celebrating exCellenCe recently we have had much good news about the achievements of a number of students and ex-students at national and regional levels. These serve to remind us that success in school is not an end in itself but is to prepare our young people for success throughout their lives. Judith Potts, Headteacher Courtesy of the Daily Echo Bournemouth Congratulations to Aaron Page for reaching the to stand and speak in a very intimidating court The build up to the Olympics has been an 2012 Academy Excellence Awards shortlist. room whilst taking on the roles of Lawyers, exciting time for Coral who is one of thirty His essay has been selected as one of only five Witnesses, Magistrates, Legal Advisors, Ushers young people to be chosen to sing in Parliament. finalists in the Chemistry category. It will be and Defendants. As the youngest members of Most excitingly she has been involved in the read by Dr Chris Smith, presenter of BBC science the competition, the Highcliffe students spoke recording of the official Olympic single, with radio programme ‘The Naked Scientists’. The with real confidence and clarity under very Kimberley Walsh and Alfie Boe and as we go to title is, ‘Chemical conundrums’ - making life difficult circumstances. press will be performing at the launch event on better on a global scale: how can chemistry May 11. This is at the Royal Albert Hall with the contribute to human well-being? As we move ever closer to the Olympic Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attending and celebrations there is the great news that ex- features a host of stars including Gary Barlow, On Saturday 10th March 14 students from Year students Dan Davies and Jackie Seymour (now a Brian May, Will Young and many others. 8 met at Bournemouth Crown Court to take teacher at Highcliffe St Mark) have been chosen part in the Citizenship Foundation’s Mock Trial as torch bearers for the Olympic Flame on its In addition to these, we are proud to note the Competition. The competition, which took journey. This news follows on from the selection achievements of our Modern Foreign Language place in a real Magistrates’ Court, was incredibly of Coral Norton to be a member of the National students that you will read about in detail later tough. The students involved were expected Choir to sing at the opening ceremony. in this newsletter. www.highcliffeschool.com AlwAys Driving forwArD AspIre – work - AChIeVe Continues on... Page 12 The sTrengTh of sChool supporT for The ambitions of our sTuDenTs Is resoluTe AnD CoMprehensive. below Are four pIeCes froM differenT stages of The oxbridge journey. InCluding one froM An ex-sTuDenT reporting back on her fIrsT yeAr at oxforD AnD A sIxTh forMer DArIng To Dream AnD workIng hArD To achIeVe An oxbridge place. news froM oxforD… ‘My first (and second) term at Oxford was I’m really grateful for everything Highcliffe has amazing. I am kept busy with a lot of work, but done for me. Throughout the (daunting) Oxbridge it’s all really interesting and I’m finding Physics application process I found the sixth form staff fascinating. Everyone in college is really friendly, and the gifted and talented team very helpful and even the tutors (most of the time) and there is knowledgeable about the application process. always someone around to help. At first tutorials They were also highly supportive of my Oxford seem very intimidating because the tutors are application in terms of giving me guidance with my personal statement and interview preparation.’ …AnD AbouT To blInDness AwAreness DAy so clever, but I soon realised that as long as I put take flIghT MAkIng Links In some effort in they are happy to help and often Shane Caulkett of Tutor Group 11.6 was last seen in enjoy teaching, or seem to at least. Heidi Barnett | Physics, Exeter College MAThematics In this year’s Year 12 cohort HU2 as a result of achieving the Gold Chief Scouts the process has already The A Level Further Mathematicians Award. Shane has also been invited to join the started. Michael Smith has recently took part in the Maths Challenge, a Hampshire Youth Council who meet to discuss issues …AnD froM St MArtin’s… …AnD on The Cusp… been fortunate enough to competition organised by Leeds University. relevant to the various different ages within the be able to take up the offer This competition is designed to really scouting organisation, and try to guide the adults I began my Highcliffe experience in ‘Hello, my name is Jack Field and I am in of a place on a shadowing stretch the students, testing their ability towards their way of thinking , as the young people September 2003, when naturally my Year 13. I’ve been at Highcliffe since Year scheme set up by both to solve complex mathematical problems are the future of the organisation. He recently took purple jumper was far too big for me, 7 and I have been asked to write an article Oxford and Cambridge in areas above and beyond their A-Level part in a ‘Vision Awareness’ Day which involved my favourite parts of the school day about my time here. When I was asked I universities. course syllabus. Of special mention were leading (and then being led by) blindfolded people were break, lunch and then home was more than happy to oblige, after all, performances by Eleanor Kelly and David through a busy local high street to better understand time, and the best thing about going Highcliffe has done a lot to help me. The scheme offered the Penson. David achieved a Kangaroo, (one the everyday issues vision-impaired people have. to school was my friends. Back then opportunity to observe better than a Gold award!), whilst Eleanor ‘school was school’ and if I’d been I had originally wanted to be a doctor and and participate in a normal achieved the special accolade of British Maths asked to write a ‘biog’ I think that’s study medicine. I went to an event called day in the life of an Oxford Olympiad, a title reserved for only a handful pretty much what I would have said. Medlink at Nottingham University, which student, his Oxford day was of the top scoring competitors in the country. However, I can now see that Highcliffe had been introduced to me by Mrs Karanja, on Monday 6th February. was much more than that. I remember Director of Sixth Form, who knew I was reaching Year 12 and being told by interested in medicine. I went, expecting to He shadowed a 3rd year Mr O Connor, “You never do things come back dead set on studying medicine undergraduate called Sean ESME DANCES HER the conventional way do you?” with and eventually becoming the world’s finest doctor. I came back from Balliol College, who Way To The Top! regard to the numerous changes to knowing one thing: I DEFINITELY did not want to be a doctor. That is was really friendly and helpful. Michael had the my GCSE and sixth form timetables. an important point. If you have good GCSEs and do not know what Esme Killick in Year 8 has returned Rather than being discouraged the you want to do, do not jump straight into medicine. Think carefully opportunity of sitting in with some of the lectures to listen from the Winter Gardens in staff at Highcliffe helped me to achieve because medicine is very different to any other course. Blackpool as a champion. these aims and ensure that I was to expert professors sharing their passion and knowledge. happy with my choices. In the seven I went on more Oxbridge trips during Year 12, including a trip to Esme and her dance partner Tilly, years I was there I discovered no one the Emirates stadium (which held mixed emotions for me, being a The final visit of the day was were crowned British Champions would force me to work harder than Spurs fan), which is where I realised that the subject I really wanted out of 60 qualifiers in the I was willing to, but if and when I to study at university was Biology. In the summer term of Year 12 to Keble which is known for its sciences and so as Under-13 Rock Pairs. The previous decided I wanted to put my mind to I went on an amazing trip to Oxford and Cambridge and I realised weekend, also at Blackpool, Esme something, be it completing GCSE Fine that I wanted to apply to Oxford University. Looking back now, a maths student it was particularly important to danced her way to the finals Art in one year or taking up A-level I really have come a long way. and was awarded fifth place in photography a term late, Highcliffe Michael. A full account of Michael’s day in Oxford has the Under-12 Social Ballroom was 100% behind me. Had I not been In Year 13 I applied to do Biology at University and was offered an category. In the same competition supported in these choices I wouldn’t interview at Oxford University. I was pleased with the help given by been posted on the school website. Caitlin Heasman of Year 7 be doing BA Fine Art at Central Saint the school. I couldn’t have asked for better advice about my personal gained seventh place. This is Martins, as I am now.