Camping, Computing, Careers and Looking Ahead

Just before half term the Upper Transits were welcomed into The House by the current house boarders with a party – planned as a barbecue, the weather put paid to that but not to the party spirit and the Upper Transits went way feeling most grown up.

During half term the intrepid Lower Transits set off on their bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award practice expedition. My updates over the weekend from Miss Saward revolved round suncream as it was an extremely hot weekend but the girls survived even if they did have very little sleep indeed. There are some marvellous pictures on the school website of some very competent camping and yomping and I understand they were the first year for some time to manage their route planning. Miss Saward will be leaving Wychwood at the end of this term and I would like to thank her for all the work she has done for us in promoting D of E. Mrs Britton will be taking over.

The week after half term saw the return of The Real Game for Remove as they began to think about the issues of having employment of their own while affording everything their parents have provided for them up to now. It is always an educational and eye- opening experience!

On the subject of careers, in preparation for General Studies week after examinations when the Study I will be starting their UCAS forms, they had their Adviza interviews. Adviza is the independent careers registered charity dedicated to inspiring people to make better decisions that help them progress in learning and work. Their aim is to support young people and others, at important times in their lives where key decisions need to be made. They arose out of the Connexions service and now provide impartial careers advice.

The Inters went to Bletchley Park to learn about the history of computing where by Mrs Stephenson’s account they had a fabulous guide and the girls were great – they were really interested, took part, asked questions and were a credit to Wychwood and to their parents.

In the classroom the Upper Transits and Study I have been realising that their examinations are looming and so there has been a great deal of mind mapping, revision card production and mutual testing going on. In both cases these examinations offer the girls a rehearsal of what they will experience for real next year and an idea of the level at which they will need to perform. In Study I where girls do not perform as well as we think they should, then we will be asking them to re-sit in September.

We finished up the week with a rambunctious Year 6 Taster afternoon and overnight boarding experience. Girls joining Remove in September have come into Wychwood this afternoon and were hosted by our current Remove. They have all taken part in activities and are currently having tea before more games are played. This evening a film, popcorn, chatter and dancing seem to be on the agenda. I will let you know how they have got on and how much sleep they all had next week.

Mrs Andrea Johnson
Head