Page 34 - Issue No. 80 Summer 2019

European Youth Parliament Team

Following on from their success at the regional competition, the College's European Youth Parliament team,
consisting of Year 12 students, were back in action at the National Finals at Liverpool Hope University. Over a
packed three and a half day schedule at the end of June,
the students worked in committee groups with students
from other schools across the country and abroad to draft
resolutions to current affairs issues and debate them in a
general assembly forum.
The competition assesses students' ability to research and
understand political issues, work together as a team,
respect others' opinions and challenge or build on them in
open debate.
We'll hear shortly whether any of our students have been
successful in being selected to represent the United
Kingdom in an international session in Germany over the
coming weeks, but for the time being, Dr Kershaw and
Mrs Nichols, who accompanied the students, agreed that
“the students were an absolute credit to the College and
gave a tremendous account of themselves, fully engaging
in all of the activities and showing all of the qualities that
sum up the spirit of the competition.”

28 Sixth Form

Sarah’s Outstanding Science Essay

Year 12 student, Sarah Bull, has been awarded second place in this year’s
Peterhouse College Kelvin Science Essay Writing Competition. The
Cambridge College noted that the standard of entries this year was really
high, but the judges felt that Sarah’s essay, entitled ‘In the light of evidence that modern humans have a
mixture of genes from Neanderthals and other species, can we really define ourselves as a species?’ stood out
for its clarity of argument, stylish prose, level of research and originality of thought.
Dr Kershaw, Sarah’s Head of Year, praised her wonderfully arranged and balanced arguments and
interpretation of evidence, said “I loved reading the essay, I was unaware of Haldane’s Law and its relation to
species definition, and I now want to find out more about the genetic information we share with
Neanderthals.”

Higher Education and Apprenticeships Day

In July, the College held its annual Higher Education and Apprenticeships Day as part
of our futures and careers programme for Sixth Form students at Ivybridge.
Kirsten Wythe from the University of Southampton gave presentations to students, and
in the evening to parents, on how to apply to university and choose a course.
Throughout the day Higher Education providers delivered workshops on student
finance, student life and personal statement writing. Additionally, there was a specific
session delivered by an armed forces representative, and also an all-day
apprenticeship workshop run by Helen Bartlett of Careers South-West.
This year, we were also lucky enough to have a range of interviewers from industry to
put 25 students through their paces in mock employment interviews, a fantastic
opportunity for the students before facing the real thing. This day will lay the
foundation for the exciting choices students go onto make next year about their future.

Good Luck to Year 13 Leavers

On Friday, 17 May, Year 13 celebrated the end of their formal studies at the College. For some this marked the
end of seven years; for others just two years, however there was a lot to celebrate. Isaac, Joe and Charlie
hosted the student awards in a humorous and entertaining fashion, and over 90 students gained awards for
endeavour and achievement in various subjects. There was a presentation full of photographs including some
from Years 6 and 7 extending the journey down memory lane. The College Band comprising of Scott, Laura,
Nathan, James, Tom and Pete, skilfully entertained us throughout. Mr Waldron put in a guest appearance and
performed the Haka, followed by an impromptu performance of Country Roads by the College Rugby team.
Kim Daniel, Head of Year 13, said, “Year 13 were amazing I am so proud of them. They created an excellent
and convivial atmosphere, it was a brilliant and memorable way to say farewell. It has been a privilege to be
their Head of Year.”

The College Echo - Summer 2019 - www.ivybridge.devon.sch.uk