Newsletter
Spring 2018
Cambridge trip gave students inspiration BRIGHT students got a taste of life at one of the world’s best universities during a visit to Jesus College, Cambridge. During a guided tour of the campus and grounds, pupils got a unique insight into life on a university campus, learned about student social life and the clubs on offer. They also visited the university’s famous chapel, where they listened to a history lecture given by a current PhD student. There was also an opportunity to ask questions about tuition fees and the bursaries and subsidies on offer for lower-income families. Head of Enrichment, Student Voice and Pupil Premium Ms Johnson said: “The students particularly enjoyed having lunch in the big hall and were shocked by the loudness of the organ that suddenly started playing in the chapel. They were surprised to discover that studying there is potentially cheaper than other universities because of generous bursary schemes. “It was a really positive day that challenged
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Tour: Some of the pupils (right) who attended the trip to Jesus College, Cambridge (above) misconceptions and left students feeling motivated to apply for the best universities.” Year 10 Vaishnavi Patel said: “This trip really changed my mind about this type of university. When you think of somewhere like Cambridge, you expect it to be a certain way. “But there was a lot of diversity there and lots of people from a similar background as me were at this amazing university. “The purpose of these trips, I think, is to help us students understand that these types of universities are not out of reach for us. “When you go there and see people like you,
it is inspiring because you think if they can do it, why can’t I?” Fellow Year 10 Karan Chana said: “I learned that the fees at Cambridge are not as a high as you first would expect. We were introduced to so many other things that we did not know existed, like scholarships and bursaries. “This trip has really helped to focus me. When you talk to the students at Cambridge, they all say the same thing, it starts at GCSE. “I know I am going to have to knuckle down and be on top of my work if I am going to have a chance of getting into a place like Cambridge.”
Charity events to aid appeals
OUR School Council is planning a series of fundraising events to celebrate Charities Week at the school in March. Events planned for this year’s event at its weekly Monday lunchtime meetings include car washing, a movie night and a cake sale. There is also the annual school football match where our sixth form students take on the teachers. Sixth Formers will also take part in a sponsored silence. The week of fun events will raise money for UNICEF Syria Crisis Appeal and Save the Children in Yemen. Year 7 Mathumigaa Kugatheesan said: “We want to
make it the best charities week there has ever been so we are putting lots and lots of effort into. “I have learned at this school it is very important to give back to the community and to people who don’t have much money.” The council will also be taking an active role in staff recruitment at Villiers by holding a School Council panel to quiz candidates. Mathumigaa added: “You join the School Council because you want to make the school a better place for the students. “We want to have good teachers the school who will help our education, so I am glad we will get to have our say.”
pic to come Sensational science! The school celebrated Science Week in March with students took part in some fun experiments, games and quizzes.
Villiers High School newsletter n Spring 2018