Box Hill School SIXTH FORM EDITION
Welcome to all the New Starters On Monday 6th September we welcomed our new cohort of Year 7 and 12s to Box Hill School alongside welcoming new starters to Years 8, 9, 10 and 11. All of these students took part in our induction day ahead of the rest of the school returning for the Autumn term on Tuesday 7th September. The induction day included year group assemblies to meet the Headmaster, Mr Lowde, meeting their tutor and tutor groups, orientation activities around the campus, introductions to all departments and most importantly their first Box Hill School lunch! Parents were also invited to join the Headmaster, tutors, and other teachers at the end of the day for afternoon tea.
September 2021
About the Sixth Form Centre The Sixth Form Centre is an academic, stimulating and friendly place to study. Whatever the students goal is, our Sixth Form can help them to fulfil their potential and reach their goals. We aim to strike the balance of students being part of a school with high expectations of participation and mutual respect, and at the same time helping them to develop as independent learners. Our Sixth Form Centre is a three-story building providing a diverse range of teaching facilities, innovative study areas and individual computer workstations. The large common room provides workspace for study and an environment for relaxation and socialising. The two years of the Sixth Form are the culmination of students’ time at school and a transitional stage, designed to prepare them for the next step, be that the route taken by the vast majority of students into higher education or the first foray into work. Our Careers department is stationed within our Sixth Form Centre for this reason, to support our Sixth Form students through UCAS, job interviews, apprenticeship applications and much more.
Programme Leads Mr Baker is our programme lead for the International Baccalaureate Diploma programme. As well as being the main point of contact for all IB students and helping support them through their studies, he teaches The Theory of Knowledge also known as TOK and is a houseparent in the senior boys’ boarding house, Old Cottage. Mr Bhardwa is the A Level programme lead. As well as being the main point of contact for the A Level cohort across both year 12 and Year 13, he is the Head of Business Studies, teaching students from Year 10 in GCSE all the way through to the Sixth Form.
Sixth Form Co-curricular programme Sixth Form students can choose from a variety of co-curricular activities which they participate in during the school day. These span from Amnesty International, badminton, football, chess, multigym and debating.
Some of our sixth formers were seen making use of the space in the music centre where we have 6 dedicated rooms for practice as well as the recording studio with a grand piano. The boys also took part in football training and trials for team selection. Our students enjoy a packed fixture programme competing against other schools in the area. The school fields, classrooms and music and sports facilities are always bustling with activities during our co-curricular afternoons with students given the opportunity to learn something new or hone their skills in a hobby they already participate in.
Sixth Form Careers Introduction During induction day, the Year 12s had an introduction from Mrs Carroll our dedicated Careers Advisor. Mrs Carroll is based in the Sixth Form Centre next to the Independent Learning Centre and just above the Sixth Form Common Room so she is super close by for students to meet with her. She starts working with students from Year 7 where she breaks down stereotypes of the workplace but as it becomes more important in the Sixth Form, she spends most of her time supporting students with their decision making, UCAS internship opportunities and apprenticeship applications, and exploring all their options in terms of university choices and course choices. The Class of 2021 have left Box Hill School to take up places at highly acclaimed Russell Group universities and popular courses at other UK and International Universities including Nottingham Trent, Bournemouth and SHL Schweizerische HotelFachschule Luzern (Switzerland), alongside, sought-after apprenticeship schemes and gap years. You can see our full list of university destinations on our website or in your prospectus pack.
Sixth Form Classes Throughout the first week back we have been in to see how the Year 12 and Year 13s have been getting on in their first lessons back. There has been a mix of both A Level and IB lessons taught by our fantastic range of inspiring teachers. Class sizes are much smaller in the Sixth Form due to options choices in our two programmes – A Levels and the IB. Students always enjoy this due to having the opportunity to have more individual learning with their teachers. Typically, class sizes range between 3-10 students per class, depending on the subject.
Art Ms Catton, Art and Textiles teacher, had her Year 12 and Year 13 A Level class. Her Year 13s were continuing on from last year’s work and set tasks whereas the Year 12s had an introduction to the course. Students studying A Level Art and Textiles Design have begun by exploring the topic of Stitched Stories, discovering contemporary textiles artists who tell a story through their work. Students have researched how their chosen artists gather inspiration from their environments and experiences. This has then expanded into students considering how the artists translate their ideas and inspiration through a variety of media, materials and techniques into their final exhibited pieces. This starting point offers students the opportunity to gain an understanding of how artists interpret ideas, themes and inspiration – extending student knowledge of art in its widest sense.
Business Studies Mr Bhardwa, Business Studies teacher and A Level coordinator, had his Year 12 A Level class for an introduction to Business Studies. A Level Business incorporates the nature of dynamic and fast paced markets/industries, market research and its strengths and limitations. A consideration of how market research and data gathering has evolved. Students can also study IB Business which looks at decision making in Business, Organisational Planning Tools and the challenges of decision making in businesses.
Economics Mrs Eagers, the Head of Economics, had her Year 13 A Level class for a double period during this first week back so managed to really delve into the introduction back to Economics and go over the exam structure and the first topic they are learning about this term. The lesson was on Market Structure which is a Theme 3 Topic (Business behaviour and the labour market) and leads on to units on perfect competition, monopolistic competition, oligopoly and monopoly and monopsony.
Mathematics Miss Appleton, Teacher of Maths, took her Year 12 IB Class in Mathematics, Applications and Interpretation, in one of their first lessons of the year. Maths is a popular subject within the Sixth Form and her usual class sizes range between 10-14 students which makes for a brilliant combination of independent and group work. The lesson started with the topics that will help towards their internal assessment, which they will start writing later in Year 12 whereas Miss Appleton’s Year 13 class are working towards finishing their internal assessments this term.
Geography in the Independent Learning Centre Mrs Fuller, a Geography teacher at Box Hill School, had the pleasure of having her Year 13s in the Independent Learning Centre for their first lesson back. The space is for students to come during free periods to access the computer suites and study. For Mrs Fuller’s lesson, students were working on their independent investigation. This is their non-examined assessment (NEA) - formerly known as coursework - and is worth 20% of the Geography A Level grade. Students have to create their own fieldwork investigation into any aspect of the Geography A Level course and devise an investigation title, design their own fieldwork methods, collect data, analyse the data and report on their findings. It is a challenging and rewarding part of the course. This year students are looking at a range of issues including: • How sustainable are new housing developments in Kingston? • To what extent is the regeneration of Drake’s Circus, Plymouth successful? • An investigation into the socio-economic impacts of Covid 19 on local businesses in Dorking.
History
Biology
Mr Anderson, Head of History, had A Level Year 13s during a lesson on the first week back. In the A Level programme they study; social, political and economic history of the USA 1916-1996 with Mr Vermeulen. While they study similar themes in South African history 1948 – 1994 with our new History teacher Miss Castle. This has included lessons examining the impact of imperialism and regional wars in relation to South Africa. In the American unit, Mr Vermeulen has challenged the students to create a History ‘Dinner Party’ with 10 significant Americans including the students justifying the selection of guests and who they are seated next to.
Mr Bond, Head of Science and Head of Biology, had his Year 13 IB class who were being introduced to their internal assessments, which is the coursework section of the course. Mr Bond discussed what the criteria for the assessments was and they then spent some time brainstorming ideas.
While, in the IB History lessons, Mr Anderson has been introducing the class to the origins of Imperial Japanese expansionism in the 1930s. This has included a detailed introduction to Japanese geography, demography and culture as well as a look at the legacy of the Meiji restoration.
Spanish Mrs Benitez, Head of Spanish, had her IB class working on their grammar. vocabulary, reading and speaking ahead of their assessments this year. This is all content they had learnt during Year 12 where they had been testing each other and working together on tasks set by Mrs Benitez.
Over the next few weeks the class will be expected to come up with a plan as well as revising for their upcoming assessments. Then they we will be moving on to look at the topic of evolution and classification which was started at the end of year 12.
Guardians’ Testimonials
Charlotte Jones
Ella Rivolta
Lleyton Coleman
Girl Guardian, A Level Programme
Deputy Girl Guardian, A Level Programme
Deputy Boy Guardian, A Level Programme
Throughout my time in the Sixth Form so far, I have formed incredible friendships which I’m sure everyone in the Sixth Form will agree, makes our experience a smooth journey. We have each other for support, encouragement and can enjoy down time and activities together. Being a Guardian has enabled me to excel in public speaking, social skills and build my overall confidence. The great thing about Box Hill School Sixth Form is that they offer both the A Level and IB programmes which means you have the opportunity to study a programme that suits your end goals and achievements and to meet new people from around the world which we wouldn’t have elsewhere.
Although I have been at Box Hill School from Year 7, the transition into the Sixth Form can be a daunting one. The Sixth Form Staff and the whole school are very accommodating to make the transition a seamless one and make it fun while learning new things all the time. Being deputy girl guardian I have had the chance to actively take a role in the experience. I have formed and improved many skills to take forward into my future such as confidence to speak in public. Due to our first year being in the height of the pandemic, we were unable to have any social events. However, this year we have many coming up such as the valedictory ball which we are all looking forward to!
The Box Hill School Sixth Form has really helped me develop as a person as well as academically. The staff give outstanding support in all aspects of the school which is always helpful. The common room where we can relax is a very cosy and welcoming room, with teachers always there to help and encourage me if needed. This is support I wouldn’t get at a college. This next year is my final year and it will be bittersweet because I will have finished my A Levels, however I will be saying goodbye to all staff and peers that have been with me on this exciting journey as well.
Academically, I have been supported and pushed to achieve my potential. The teachers really help make their students love their subjects even more. The common room is a great place where Sixth Form students can access independent or group study, for relaxation or meetings with our teachers or tutors. The careers department is just upstairs from the common room which is really handy now we are in full swing with our UCAS applications.
I really enjoy all my subjects at A Level, the teachers are supportive and help whenever we need them while finding the balance to let us work independently. The independent study centre is a great place to complete work on the computers. I get all the help I need and even a hint of uncertainty does not go by unnoticed by our tutors, teachers and houseparents across the school.
There are a wide range of activities that are on offer here in the Sixth Form, such as badminton which allows us to relax and have some fun even during these important exams. It allows me to maintain a healthy balance between work and relaxation which I have found to be very helpful in making my A levels more enjoyable. In the Sixth Form there is also an offer of taking part in the Gold DofE and I feel that this is a great chance to build on existing friendships and also make new ones, as well as helping you to build character and work on leadership skills which are perfect for helping you become a prefect in Year 13 and for my life after Sixth Form.
The Addams Family, Winter Production - Auditions
Seb Kilby Boy Guardian, IB Programme Over my time in Box Hill School Sixth Form, I have discovered which subjects I truly enjoy and which I thrive in. The common room where we study during our free periods is an excellent working atmosphere, and the teachers are always willing to help if we have any questions. Our tutors help us to keep on top of the deadlines, for example as I am doing the International Baccalaureate my tutor reminds me about my extended essay and my internal assessments. There is a wide range of cocurricular activities for the students to choose from. I am doing football on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and jazz band on a Thursday. This helps keep a healthy balance of physical activity, fun, and time to relax in amongst revision in free periods. Other options for students in the Sixth Form include the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Last year we went to the South Downs for our expedition. This was a fantastic opportunity to make new friends and improve our teamwork. If the students are looking for responsibilities, there is the opportunity to apply for the Syndicate, the schools’ prefect team. This gives the students the opportunity to interact with the lower school, and helps the students learn about how to handle responsibilities.
The drama and music department have been busy auditioning for the next whole school production, rehearsals will take place over the next term and performed to a live audience for the first time since the pandemic back in March 2020. Tickets will go on sale after half term for parents to attend, we are very much looking forward to welcoming everyone! As a whole school performance, all year groups were invited to audition for a role, if they wished. Many students take part in GCSE Drama, and A Level and IB Theatre Studies. If students don’t wish to be on stage, there are plenty of opportunities to still be involved including set design, costume design, music production and recording and the tech desk controlling the lighting. Auditioning for some major roles such as Morticia, Wednesday and Gomez are some of our Sixth Formers in both Y12 and Y13. Once our music and drama department have completed auditions from our enthusiastic students across the whole school, they will make their keenly-awaited announcement!
You can still view our Summer Drama Production of Alice in Wonderland on our website under school life – The Arts.
Inter-house Competition Our houseparents organise lots of weekend trips and activities to keep our boarders busy on the weekends. In the Sixth Form, over half our students board – either full boarding or weekly boarding. We have 19 nationalities in the Sixth Form, boarding at Box Hill School including British boarders. After their first week, an inter-house competition was held. The boarding houses competed in some tennis and rounders followed by a BBQ – just catching the last of the summer weather! Having an end of first week activity allows the students to be in a different environment to their school day, bonds them as a new house and they can let off some steam and enjoy their evening together. Thai boarder, Vithidnu K has taken some pictures from the event and kindly shared them with the school as lasting memories of his Box Hill Boarding experience.
Library Induction GET IN TOUCH Please contact us via admissions@boxhillschool.com WHO TO CONTACT
The school library, located in Dalewood House, is packed with books of all genres. The Year 12s benefited from an induction into the library by our School Librarian, Miss Rose, who is always on hand to help assist with picking books and signing them out. The adjoining Reading Room is a great resource for Sixth Form quiet study.
Claire Jordan, Registrar Emma Bushnell, Marketing Manager
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