Thursday 23 May 2013

AQA Baccalaureate Projects

As you know we were one of the pioneers of the AQA Baccalaureate in the UK believing that it provides an excellent preparation for the demands of university. One important element of the AQA Bacc is the extended project which develops valuable research skills and enables students to explore areas of interest in depth. Most of the projects this year were dissertations but they also included a dance performance, a piece of film work and a piece of creative writing.


The areas of study included:

Carey Chen: 'Carey’s happiness index; to what extent has unprecedented economic growth contributed to the improvement of living standards in China?'

Emily Smith: 'Dance for Life – a dance production in support of the charity Interact’.

Duncan Churcher: 'Pegasus Bridge – a historical novella.'

Julius Gard: 'How has radio physics improved the practice of medicine?'

Isaac Guard: 'Options for sustainable future energy development.'

Olivia Johnson: 'Shelley – a short film.'

Alex Latcham-Ford: 'Why is the evangelical movement so influential in contemporary American politics?'

Ben Ryde: 'A brief history of Andalucía’s recent demographic change, the effects this has on the physical geography of the region, and the potential future sustainability of the area.'

Flo Shekleton: 'Depression; a biological, environmental or social construct?'

Julian Solomon: 'Jobs v. Cook; leadership theory and practice.'

Toby Sun: 'Why is China’s economic structure so distinctive?'


Congratulations to all those who have submitted projects and for their interesting and engaging presentations.

Our Icelandic adventurers need your support


This July, a group of 27 d’Overbroeck’s College students and staff will embark on the trip  of a lifetime into Iceland’s unique landscape. 

Their visit will include a sponsored trek into the wilderness of the Landmannalaugar National Park, with funds going to CARE International. They will be scaling the heights of ice mountains with crampons and axes, descending into the depths of volcanic lava tubes, swimming in natural geothermal lakes, driving in snowmobiles across glaciers, passing under waterfalls, whale watching and much more. 

If you would like to sponsor the group please visit www.justgiving.com/doverbroecksicelandtrek.

Alternatively you can text ICED 50 followed by the amount (i.e. £10) to 70070.

To find out more about Care International go to www.careinternational.org.uk

Góða ferð! (Bon Voyage!)

Tuesday 14 May 2013

Running Club News


The Running Club closed the season with a final race on Monday 6 May. Eight runners completed the 10k course, which looped around the villages of Chalgrove and Ewelme in South-East Oxfordshire; the hot weather making for a very enjoyable (if slightly sweaty) run.  


Notable mentions go to Graham Hope (Maths teacher) who finished with a time of 38.38 mins and placed 8th overall, whilst Felix Ogden (Lower Sixth) just missed the sub 40min mark with a time of 40.10 mins.  
Felix Ogden just missing the sub 40 minute mark
Maths teacher, Graham Hope

In addition, George Vlachonikolis (Economics and Business) made the Winners' podium as the fastest runner actually from the village of Chalgrove.

George Vlachonikolis
Vendula Dohnalova (Upper Sixth) signed off from 2 years with the Running Club in some style, posting a time of 53.10 mins and placing 27th in the ladies' category. 

Vendula Dohnalova



Tuesday 7 May 2013

Basketball Team Finish Runners-up



d’Overbroeck’s fantastic cup run ended in defeat in the Basketball County U19 final. The team came up against an extremely talented and experienced Cherwell side who played an outstanding match on the day. It was always going to be a tough encounter when you consider that many of their players from Yr11, who were last year’s national champions, were unable to get in their side!

Nevertheless, d’Overbroeck’s played valiantly and gave 100% commitment throughout the match. In the first half d’Overbroeck’s kept the scoreboard ticking over with Fong Wu coming up with some excellent shooting. However, as the game got away from the d’Overbroeck’s instead of retaining possession and playing as a team they went chasing the game, and this lead into the hands of the opposition who were clinical throughout.

Special mention must be given to Marko Stupar who has led this team brilliantly as captain, his enthusiasm and encouragement has rubbed off on many of the other senior players who have also been a pleasure to coach. To think at the start of the year we had three players that hadn’t played basketball before, making the final was a real achievement. Congratulations!


Final Score: d’Overbroeck’s: 26, Cherwell: 77