Year 10 Project Fair 2009

When I calm down I will write more. For now I am just overwhelmed with the amazing work done by the students. Let the pictures do the talking (apologies for people whose stall I missed...credit crunch gang..could never take a photo of yours as there were too many people around it all of the time...you should market that game!):

Year 13 Life Skills: Student Finance interesting link

I have just found a great site for students that is worth checking out. It is called studentbeans.com and it has a huge amount of advice, freebies, quizzes and competitions. The advice pages on finance or excellent and there is also a downoadable money manual that you can print off and read at leisure. It is worth checking out.
Link is:
www.studentbeans.com

Direct link to finance pages is:
FINANCE

Survey

The time-management/study skills survey is open again (see the right of the screen). Please do take the time to fill it in.

Year 10 Extended Project

Year 10 are conducting a piece of independent learning called the Extended Project. The remit for this project is that the student should research an area that they are passionate about, that extends their studies and is relevant to possible A Level and University course choices. As well as producing a general report the student should also aim to complete a practical component eg. conduct a survey, build a model, write a book, paint a picture or conduct an experiment. Finally the student will need to prepare display material for a stall that they will be allotted at the EIC Project Fair. This year the Project Fair will take place on June 12th (details will be posted nearer the time).

This is the first year that this project has run. It is possible in future years the fair will run in a similar way to academic conferences and the top 5 projects will be invited to present their work in a series of seminars throughout the day. The top project will be awarded a prize and commendations will be awarded to other top projects.

Most students conduct this as an individual exercise however engineering projects are allowed to have teams of students due to the nature of the practical component.

This years project topics (chosen by the students):

• Psychology and Perception
• Marine Biology: Do fishes have memory?
• Animal Behaviour: Colour recognition in animals
• The Brain
• Hovercrafts: Designing a steering mechanism
• Hovercrafts: Building a hovercraft
• Making a movie: Script writing and directing own movie
• Photography
• Building a Go Kart
• Share dealing
• Propulsion mechanisms
• Architecture: Designing and building own model
• Aeronautics: Designing a wind tunnel
• Diamonds
  
• Diet and Nutrition: Body image
• PopArt: Andy Warhol inspired pieces of popart
• Plastic surgery: Cosmetic and medical
• The Army: Army careers
• Computer animation
• Manga book
• Ecotechnology
• Music Industry: Influence of online marketing
• Robotics
• Physiology: Upper body sculpture

Year 13 Life Skills: Student Finance

Student Finance

Your costs vary depending on whether you are a UK citizen, EU national or and International student. You need to establish your status before you go to university as this has direct relevance on the fees you pay and the type of bank account you open.
If you are unsure of your status then the UK government website may help you.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/index.htm

You may however find it easier to ring them.

The best general website for you to look at is the UCAS site:

http://www.ucas.com/students/studentfinance/

Also your individual university will have advice centres and information on their websites to help you. Again it is important you look at these in the summer so that you are prepared.

Tuition Fees

EU students:
You do not qualify for student loans in England or Wales if you have not lived and been educated in the UK for the last three years. Therefore you will need to pay your tuition fees at the start of your course in the UK.

ACTIVITY: Look up the cost of tuition fees for your first choice course. Find out if they require the full years’ payment at the start or whether they will let you pay in instalments. Note down the cost.

In Scotland EU students do not need to pay the tuition fees at the start. Instead they can apply to the SAAS to have their fees paid for them. You will need to apply each year. It maybe that you will have to repay a small proportion of the fees after your course. At the moment the yearly fee is about 1735 pounds per year. If you are classed as an English student then you will be liable to pay 3070 pounds.

Further information

Overseas students (not from the UK or EU) pay significantly higher fees (over 10 000 pounds) so again it is important to be sure of your classification.

Bank Accounts

These also vary depending on whether you are from the UK or classed as an International student (and for some banks this includes being an EU citizen). If you are the latter it can be difficult to get a normal current account and often the best you can get is a deposit account that has a cashcard. This means it can be difficult to set up standing orders and direct debits.

ACTIVITY: Find out the difference between a standing order and a direct debit.

If you are from the UK then you should not have a problem getting an account. You will need an address, evidence that you live at that address (acceptance and registration documents from the University will do) and also your passport and/or NI number.

When choosing your bank consider the following points:

Overdraft allowance: Remember you may not get tuition fee help so this could be important. Check the amount offered and whether it is interest free. Some increase the amount each year (this is not cumulative ie. if year 1 offers £1000 and year 2 offers £1250 this is just £250 extra). Also check repayment rules. Some allow a year after graduation as still interest free, others hit you with the interest straight away.

Unauthorised fee: If you go over your agreed overdraft limit without permission you are charged a fee. These are quite hefty in some cases and can mount up.

ATM fees: Most banks will not charge for withdrawing from the banks own cash machine but check this out as again these aren’t cheap and can mount up. Also ask about the charges for withdrawal of money from abroad, these fees can be huge. Barclays bank offer a service where Spanish and English Barclay branches do not charge for transfers etc. but these may not be available to students.

Additional services: These include internet banking (very useful), personal student adviser, Commission free currency and travellers cheques (if you are likely to travel a lot then again this is handy).

Freebies: Alternatively termed “Incentives”. These can be very good, however don’t let them be the only reason you opt for a Bank. Your student bank may end up being the one you stay with for your adult life so choose carefully.

Location: Life gets very busy so if your bank branch is on campus or local where you live you are more likely to keep on top of your banking.

The following website may help but note that not all banks maybe located in your region:
http://www.moneyfacts.co.uk/money/currentaccounts/3/banking_stud_accounts.aspx

Banks:

ACTIVITY: Look at the following pages and select which account you thinks is the best. Note down the reasons for your choice.

Barclays
HSBC
Lloyds
Natwest
Royal Bank of Scotland

Note that there are also other banks offering student accounts. The university campus will probably have a group of special student service branches.


A note on credit cards:
Be careful with these. Unless you can pay the balance off at each month the interest rates are huge. It is an idea to have one for emergencies but otherwise use them cautiously. Again with store cards, unless you pay off the balance each month these can be a very costly method of managing your finances, my advice is to steer clear of store cards unless you are very organised.


Budgeting:

The cost of living will vary depending on where you live but it is a fair estimate to say that for basic living rent, food, clothes etc. you would need at least 10 000 a year. This would not include travel back to Spain or even your university books (a textbook can cost as much as 75pounds depending on your course).

The budget calculator below is designed to help you plan your budget. Also the university websites will give you a break down of the cost of living for a student in your university area (cost of living can vary dramatically between cities).

Accommodation:
Note that in your first year it is better to go into Halls of Residence. Some are fully catered, others offer breakfast etc.

ACTIVITY: Look up the Halls of Residence for your first choice university.
What is the average cost for an academic year.
When are you meant to pay the rent?
What would you plan to do in the summer months?

In the second year you will probably live in a shared flat or house. If you do this you will need to consider not only rent but also bills. As a student you should not have to pay a community charge but you may have to pay for water, gas and electricity. If you have your own television you will also need to pay a TV licence fee. Naturally if you are sharing then the cost of bills can be split.

ACTIVITY:
Look up the student finances pages for your first choice university. What advice do they give regarding cost of living in the second year. Note down:
The average rent.
Average monthly bills.
Find out the cost of a TV licence in the UK and the methods of payment.

Part-time work
Most universities recommend that students do not work any more than 15 hours a week. However this can depend on your course and many Science and Medical courses have heavy time-tables due to lab classes and this can make it difficult to take on part-time work. Universities always have a Careers Guidance centre that will also advertise suitable term-time and holiday work and are worth checking out. If you plan to work in the UK you will need a National Insurance number. If you do not have a number already you can apply for one at the local Job Centre.


ACTIVITY: Use the UCAS budget planner to approximate your income and outgoings per month for your first year. Note that this is not accurate and some payments will come in one month and not another eg. You will buy books at the beginning of term. In the first year you may also need to buy a lot of clothes in order to cope with the UK weather. So you will need to save up to account for one of big bills. Where-ever possible it is best to pay utility bills etc. on a monthly basis rather than have to pay them in one lump sum.

http://www.ucas.com/students/studentfinance/budget_calculator

General advice:

Also when you first arrive make sure you find and register with a dentist and doctor. Again there will probably be a university medical centre. If you are an EU student you will need to get a European Health Card (Tarjeta Salud de Europea). If you are an overseas student will have to look independently for what allowances you can get. Again your university will advise you.


Obviously there is a lot to think about. However your university will have a students union advice centre and freshers packs to help you when you arrive.

Africa

Help a school in Eritrea

Mr Stubberfield is visiting Eritrea this Christmas to spend some time working in a school. He would like to bring any good quality books and educational supplies for the children. If you have any then please bring them to Mrs Stevensons office before the end of term.

If you would like to know a little more about the country then there are some links below:

Eritrea (Wikipedia)

Eritrea (BBC Africa)

Eritrea (CIA)

Africa

GLOBAL ISSUES

Every year as part of the Year 9 PSHEplus curriculum we do a global issues/politics module where we research the political and socio-economic issues affecting an African country undergoing conflict.

As part of this project the pupils set out to "rebuild" a country following prolonged conflict, by re-introducing democracy to a country previously run by a dictatorship. They form political parties and develop their own manifestos, with promises that have to be backed with substance. They then undergo an election campaign where they produce posters, fliers, badges and party political broadcasts. They have "local elections" in form groups and then a general election with the top 4 parties running with a president and leading party being elected.

This has always been a very successful module and many year groups have been deeply moved by the various videos we have watched, facts that we have found out and students have grown in their awareness of political issues. We have written to the President of the USA, Prime Minister of Great Britain, Deputy Prime Minister of Sierra Leone and Secretary-General of the United Nations. We have also had year groups so determined to make a difference they have shown their broadcasts in assembly and organised charity days to raise money that supported villages in Sierra Leone by buying chicken farming businesses and training.

This year we are considering investigating either Zimbabwe or the Congo as both these regions are experiencing very extreme political situations. However we may also look at Eritrea as Mr Stubberfield has connections with a local community. As the school has a philosophy of ensuring money raised by us goes directly to the communities and people in need (and not lost within huge charity "machines") this may well be an opportunity to once again make a significant impact on peoples lives.

The project is due to start after Christmas so keep an eye on the blog for the students election campaigns. Meanwhile make sure you checkout the post on Mr Stubberfields book collection campaign for an Eritrean school.

Doing two things at once

In a recent PSHE+ lesson with Year 10 we were looking at time management and completed surveys on how much time we spent on different activities. We differentiated between maintenance time (eating, washing, sleeping etc.), sold time (time spent in school, on chores, on homework and other commitments) and chosen time (real free time).

We discussed how we can manage our time carefully and realise that we have more chosen time than we thought. One idea is using maintenance time to also do tasks such as reading notes and textbooks. So for example we could read in the bath, whilst we are travelling or waiting for lifts/buses. Whilst watching our favourite tv programmes we could also be doing some maintenance time work such as nails, hair, ironing (yes teenagers...you are capable of this amazing act), keeping fit (put your exercise bike in front of the tv) and even eating (though I am not necessarily advocating tv dinners). The key thing is not to waste time, not to let it drift away from us whilst we mooch about, dithering about starting homework, chores etc. Do not watch any old thing on TV but do use your chosen time fully as our relaxation time is as valuable as any other thing we do.

However there are some things we cannot double up. Many students admitted to studying whilst having their tv on and having their computer logged onto MSN. They felt that they could manage all these different activities but did admit that they probably are not working as efficiently as they could. I came across this piece of information and thought it mmight be of interest to those of us who think we can multi-task whilst working:

A few years ago, Dr. Marcel Just, co-director of the Center for Cognitive Brain Imaging at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, published a study that was widely used to justify laws banning people from using cells phones while driving. This was the first study using magnetic resonance images of brain activity to compare what happens in people's heads when they try to do two tasks at a time. The study revealed that brain activity does not double. Instead, the brain activity devoted to each task decreases. People performing two tasks simultaneously do neither one as well as they do each one alone. Performance always suffers.

So when studying or doing any important activity it is best to focus only on that task, with at most quiet, concentration inducing music in the background. We did agree that perhaps it would be more effective to focus on the work first. This way the work would be of a better quality and even finished in a shorter amount of time. This would then mean the remaining time would be completely free to spend how we chose, with no horrid deadlines hanging over our heads...bliss!

So leave the multi-tasking to maintenance and chosen time. Sold time requires more concentration.

REMINDERS

Don´t forget to look at the links. There is a good study skills and revision link that provides revision planners and advice. Also the BBC Schools site gives you lots of subject revision links (scroll down pass the poll questions, the links are underneath).

Also please have a go at the poll to the left.

Study advice from Year 11

General Advice:

Ask your teacher for help when you don´t know how to do something because she can explain it to you so you understand.

Keep your notes really neat so you can read over them in Year 11.

If you are behind in theory catch up in lunch

Go to bed before midnight

Go to bed early so that you can focus during lessons

(Loads of students commented on this issue, recommending getting lots of sleep).

Cut down on your social life a few weeks before the exam.

Make your own notes which you can glance back at before the day of your exams, to refresh your memory.

Make sure that notes are written down during lessons, as that lesson may never come again.

Keep sports and studying in balance.

Make sure that all your coursework, especially ICT, is handed in on time.

If you don’t complete the coursework by the deadlines then you miss your lunchtimes.

Organize your notes.

Take away major distractions such as World of Warcraft.

DO NOT Play WOW: it is one of thr most highly addictive games you can play.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle e.g. fitness.

Have a 5 minute break every 40 minutes.

Stay hydrated as dehydration causes lack of concentration.

Set units of time throughout your week ie. 1 unit = 30mins, so do 3 units each day spread out.

DO NOT let your social life take over your academic studies.

Do your best during lessons, listen to the teacher. That way when you revise you’ll realize you know the stuff and you can focus on things you don’t know.

Make a timetable.

Don’t be shy in class when asking questions.

If you have a laptop remove the internet connection before doing homework.

Make sure your activities after school aren’t too much and that you have time for your homework.

If you don’t understand something in the subject then make sure you go and ask the teachernto properly explain it to you, don’t leave it to the last minute.

Don’t take too many sick days off school or you will get really behind.

Make sure your coursework is to a high quality don’t be lazy with it. You can walk into your GCSE’s with up to 60% of your work done (100% if you do drama).

And worthy of repeating:

Take control of your computer addictions

And from one student…..

“Quit yo jibba-jabba during the class foo’” (in a Mr T voice)

Study advice from Year 11

Homework:

Don´t leave your homework and studying till the last minute.

Don´t start at 9pm.

Get your homework done as soon as possible

After you have done a lesson read through your notes at home.

Try to hand in work before the deadlines.

Do work on the day it is set.

Don’t watch TV when doing homework.

Try to not spend all your time on homework and leave some time for revision.

Don’t leave all your homework for the week end, otherwise you will not have much time for relaxing, which is important.

Study advice from Year 11

Revision:

Create a revision timetable

Have little 10 minute breaks every hour.

Make conclusions after each paragraph

Just LISTEN in class and think to yourself “do you understand it”

Use Cue cards for definitions and test yourself until you can remember the answers with ease.

Get off Facebook/MSN/ichat etc. (loads of students suggest this)-TURN YOUR COMPUTER OFF.

Get Sleep!

Read through your textbook.

Concentrate when you are reading, don´t be thinking about other things.

Make yourself a little revision test on each topic and test yourself.

Keep your books and notes fromYear 10.

Try and have an area where you do your revision which doesn’t have any things to distract you.

Always revise the stuff you don’t like first.

Don’t just copy notes from a book.

If you have an exam coming u split the subject into topics and learn each topic per night.

Revise how you want to: drawing pictures could help you to understand.

Create shortened versions of your information that you are studying, which includes all the main points.

Study advice from Year 11

Year 11 have listed their key study tips, mainly geared at Year 10 but much of what they have written is relevant to everyone. Hope some of the advice above helps.
Many comments have been listed regarding sleep, computer use and managing a "work/life " balance. To look into these issues I have added some polls on the left to see how big an issue each one is, please take the time to answer them.
Mrs Gardner

USA ELECTION 2008

Phew!!!

Well I am exhausted because I stayed up all night to watch the election results being called.
Barack Obama has won, by a huge margin.

I suggest that you click on the link to the BBC News website for more news and detailed analysis of what everyone is quoting to be an historic event. The electoral college system is explained and also details are given for the voting for the Senate and House of Representatives.

Obama will be inaugurated as President of the United States of America on January 20th 2009.

Thank you to all of Year 9 who prepared amazing posters. The display caused quite a buzz around campus. Students and Teachers all were talking about the implications and issues surrounding the election. Teachers from Year 2 up to Year 13 came up to me to tell me of the discussions they have had in classes with their students. Many people attempted to vote in our own mini-election but had problems, thank you for trying though and my apologies for the early closing of the voting. Of those that managed we had 28 votes in total: 4 for McCain and 24 for Obama.

The 2 winning posters are still displayed and 5 house points go to each group in charge of the posters.

I strongly recommend you watch the clips, available from BBC News, of Obama's winning speech and also McCain's concession speech. Both are examples of how to be magnanimous in victory and defeat. I suspect Obama´s speech will be remembered for a long time. It is 17 minutes long but do be patient and listen passed the thank you section as it has a resounding finish.

The important lesson to learn from this event in school is that every vote counts, every person counts and everyone should get involved with the issues both locally, nationally and globally that affect us all.

Once again THANK YOU YEAR 9!!!

Mrs Gardner

Watch the elections

Follow the election:

SKY NEWS: ELECTION 2008

VOTING TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

VOTE TODAY

PLEASE NOTE: You can only vote from a terminal once so please vote from your home computers.

Due to a technical error 12 votes for Obama have been wiped from the total.
Sorry!
These votes will be taken into account when the voting finishes (Honest!).

HAPPY VOTING!!!

Mrs Gardner

Vote Obama

Here is a pro-Obama piece written and presented by Martin (written in Poetry Week!):

John McCain, What a pain

Likes to fight wars in iraq

Is he good, is he vain?

Maybe not, lets vote Barack!

Palin and McCain, are they the right choice?

I think not! They want what Bush wants, War in Iraq

But that isn’t what the people want, they want their loved ones to come home.

Do they listen, or will they just keep the war going?

You decide, to stop the suffering of those in iraq, or to stop the hopes of those at home.

Barack Obama's Website

Vote McCain

Here is a pro-McCain presentation selected and prepared by Pilar:

John McCain has always put his country's interests before any party, special interest and even his own self-interest. He has always and will always do what is right for America. Under a McCain presidency the United States will experience robust economic growth, and Americans will again have confidence in their economic future. A reduction in the corporate tax rate from the second highest in the world to one on par with our trading partners; the low rate on capital gains; allowing business to deduct in a single year investments in equipment and technology, while eliminating tax loopholes and ending corporate welfare, will spur innovation and productivity, and encourage companies to keep their operations and jobs in the United States.
What are you waiting for?
Vote For John McCain,
Vote For An Improved America.

Promotional video from John McCains website

KEEP INFORMED ABOUT THE US ELECTION

Here is a direct quote from Sarah Palin, trying to justify her raising the supposed links between Obama and Bill Ayres (who had been a domestic terrorist). If you get to the end without having to stop and reread...well done!

"It is pertinent, it's important because when you consider Barack Obama's reaction to and explanation to his association there, and without him being clear at all on what he knew and when he knew it, that I think kinda peaks into his ability to tell us the truth on, not only on association but perhaps other things also ... so, it's relevant, I believe, and I brought it up in response to the New York Times article having been printed recently, and I think it just makes us ask the question that, if there's not forthrightness there, with that association and what was known and when it was known, does that lead us to ask, is there forthrightness with the plans Barack Obama has or say tax cuts, or spending increases, makes us question judgment. And I think it's fair and relevant."

Try this link for more election info:

US Election Briefing

Mrs Gardner

Year 9 American Election Project

Year 9 have been working on a project covering the american elections. Each class have been divided into a Republican Party group and a Democratic Party group. Within each group they have been further divided into a positive campaign team and a negative campaign team. The positive group research the presidential and Vice-Presidential candidate of their party and produce campaign posters giving reasons why you should vote for them. The negative campaign group research the candidates of the other party and produce posters stating why you should not vote for them. You will see them around school on the 3rd and 4th of November.

Students will post some of the research and work here into the blog. Read what they have written and then make a decision as to who you would vote for.

ELECTION DAY: 4th NOVEMBER
The poll to vote for the next EIC President of the USA will be activated for 24 hours. Please vote!!!!

Mrs Gardner