Meet our new Sixth Form Forum student representatives

This year, the College has launched a new Sixth Form Forum. Composed of elected representatives, it's a place for students to discuss College issues, suggest ideas and enact initiatives.

Following elections earlier this term, we thought we'd give you a quick introduction to some of the new Sixth Form Forum representatives and what they're hoping to achieve this year – starting at their first meeting, on Wednesday 8 December …


Flora McGivan
'I would like to present the students views to the members of staff and to enhance the lives of students at d'Overbroeck's. I also hope to help all the students make the most of all our opportunities!'

Storm Gonsalves
'I hope to use both my skill and insight to transform the sixth form student forum, with help from the student body, into a financialy, socially and legally stable institution with one aim: serving the sixth form students of d'Overbroeck's while setting an example for all other like-minded organizations in Oxfordshire – and hey, while we're at it, even THE WHOLE OF BRITAIN!'

'Josh' Pongnaren Jinruang
I believe in equality, freedom of speech, and mutual respect for different personal preferences. I plan to make sure that every voice is heard and every inquiry is attended to, within reason, so that d'Overbroeck's College will provide an enjoyable experience, educational and otherwise, for all.

Filipa Adzic
My aim is to consider everybody's opinion – because the Student Forum isn't about me; it's about everybody in d'Overbroeck's. So I want to get everybody to write on a piece of paper 3 things that they want in d'Overbroeck's. The thing that is mentioned most frequently is the thing we should concentrate on.

Sam Barton
I hope to contribute to making d'Overbroeck's Sixth Form an even better community and make life easier for students at a time of high stress levels and anxiety for many! I hope to do this by bringing experience from working with local youth forums, a need to talk with everyone about their views and plenty of ideas of my own.

John Morgan
One of the main things I want to focus on is the school's musical side. Aside from the Winter Concert, I'm going to push for new school organised bands (rock, jazz, pop) etc, and music collectives, where students can get together to write, create and produce music.

As well as that, I'm keen to represent the opinions of people in boarding houses/host families, as that is where I currently reside, and I feel that that aspect of the school, whilst already fantastic, needs a representative for any issues that need to be brought up within the council.



The full list of Student Forum representatives is: Filipa Adzic, Sam Barton, Storm Gonsalves, 'Josh' Pongnaren Jinruang, Flora McGivan, Matt McNally, John Morgan, Sam Pickering.

Giving a voice to Palestinian children: the Gaza Monologues

Lower Sixth student Sam George recently performed one of the Gaza Monologues. A series of 31, the monologues were written by 13-17 year old children in Gaza, recording their experiences and feelings.

Theatre companies all over the world volunteered to perform their own interpretations of the monologues as part of a collective effort to represent the views of those whose voices are seldom heard in the mainstream global press. To Sam, it's not about taking a political position, but about directing attention towards those caught in the middle of the conflict.

Here's a short video interview with Sam in which he talks about the Monologues and his experience of performing.



Sam's studying Drama, Music, English, Politics and the AQA Baccalaureate, and ultimately hopes to pursue a career in acting. He's also an accomplished musician, having played solo acoustic gigs and in bands.

The new d'Overbroeck's ad campaign: how it was made

Normally we use this news feed to talk about student stories or College events. This post, though, is a little different: we thought we'd give you an insight into our Sixth Form advertising – by telling you the story of how we came up with our new ad campaign, which we launched earlier this month.


The thinking behind the ads

We wanted a series of adverts that reflected the opinions of students at the College; a campaign that wasn't us talking about ourselves, but us in the eyes of our students. It was to be eyecatching and bold, with a simple message about a distinctive feature of d'Overbroeck's Sixth Form.


Asking our students for help

So the first step was to ask a group of sixth formers to give up a few hours of their Easter holiday and come in for an informal focus group.

These generous students – Charlie, Daisy, Dani, Samuel and Will – gave us a wealth of feedback and ideas. As we talked, certain themes kept coming up. Independence. Balance. Atmosphere. Trust.

We kept coming back to the idea that, at Sixth Form, these students wanted a place that was geared towards them. A place where, as somebody said, 'It's not about what you can do for the school, it's about what the school can do for you.'

This idea seemed to be at the root of many of the qualities that our group liked about d'Overbroeck's.

... And we decided that this should therefore be the focus of our adverts.




Putting the ads together

Before our focus group had dispersed, we'd taken a few photographs of each student. We then paired up some of these with headline quotations taken from the focus group session and fitting in with our overarching theme. In our ears rang the advice of copywriter Roger Holdsworth, whose daughter Annabel studied here a few years ago: no more than 5-10 words for the headline. (Roger has had an illustrious copywriting career working for prestigious advertising agencies such as M&C Saatchi.)

At length (after a fair amount of headscratching, numerous false starts and plenty of ruthless word-pruning) we ended up with our first set of three adverts, featuring Samuel, Dani and Charlie – which are currently on display at a number of poster sites around Oxford, and have also appeared in the Oxford Times.

We'd love to hear your thoughts on the campaign!

Inside the Foreign Office

Lower Sixth student Meichun Li has been bolstering her AS level study of British politics with some first-hand experience: last week, she spent a day shadowing Labour MP Chris Bryant – Minister of State for Europe and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

During her day of shadowing, Meichun observed Bryant meeting the Foreign Minister of Kosovo and the Foreign Secretary David Milliband, as well as addressing the Scottish parliament via video-linkup on the subject of the Lisbon Treaty.

What struck Meichun about the Foreign Office? 'It's a really busy environment – everybody was working very hard, and I was impressed by the passionate attitude of the people who work there: they really enjoy working for the Foreign Office.'

Meichun is studying Economics, Politics, Chemistry, Maths and Further Maths, and hopes to go onto a degree in Economics at university. Ultimately, she thinks she might like to work for an NGO in an area related to economic policy. And she's enjoying her time at d'Overbroeck's so far:

'It's really energetic. I feel like it's a creative place – it gives you inspiration.'

Photo of the month: Rory Matthews

The above image, by Upper Sixth student Rory Matthews, is the first of a new series of posts featuring work by some of our most talented sixth form photographers.

The photo itself doesn't require much in the way of description: dark, intense and full of narrative power, it speaks for itself.



Read on for a short interview with Rory about his approach to photography ... and more examples of his work.




When did you start taking photos?
I only really began seriously during the summer after secondary school when I was given a compact camera as a reward for passing my GCSEs.

What makes a great image?
I think that composition has got to be the most important part of a picture: anything can be made interesting if it is caught in the right way. Following closely in importance is lighting: even the most interesting of subjects can be badly lit, and this will ruin a shot.

What inspires you as a photographer?
I’m not sure why, but shortly before seriously starting to try and take photographs I began to pay attention to a world that had been passing me by. I realised that there were lots of beautiful things to see if you took the time to look. I think photography followed on fairly naturally from this.


Any photographic ambitions?
I really hope that I can take the documentary or photojournalism route. I’d like to travel back to Africa where I was born, and spend time with a family or group and photograph them over an extended period.

What’s photography A level been like here at d’Overbroeck’s?
d’Overbroeck’s has been the perfect environment – and an immensely important part of my personal development. It has a relaxed environment that fosters a determined and focussed attitude amongst it’s students toward work. I hadn’t been anywhere like it before.



The above images are just a tiny selection from Rory's work – and we'd encourage you to browse his online portfolio to see more: Rory Matthews' photos (via Flickr)


All photos are © Rory Matthews, all rights reserved.

Staging a Mad Hatter's Tea Party

[This article appeared in last week's edition of the Oxford Times – we're reproducing it here for those who missed it]

How do you stage a Mad Hatter's Tea Party? And who's got the best Cheshire Cat grin? Two students at d'Overbroeck's Sixth Form – Daisy Grieve (above, right) and Emma Gonnella (left) – are wrestling with questions such as these, as they direct the Sixth Form performance of Alice in Wonderland, adapted by Adrian Mitchell.

A performance entirely conceived, acted and organised by students, Alice will be a true team effort: even the set and costume design is student-led, courtesy of Art A level students. And Gidon Fineman – one of the Sixth Form Performing Arts Scholars, who has already proven his compositional mettle by writing music for two professional theatre shows last year – is taking on the role of Musical Director.

We caught up with Daisy and Emma to find out about their plans for the production – and how it's going so far.

Us: So – what made you choose Alice?

Daisy: We thought it was a play that offered lots of opportunities. We wanted something that would involve lots of people – we've recruited a cast of 30.
Emma: And we loved the surreality of Alice ... there's so much scope for creative interpretation. In our case, a dark, slightly 'twisted' interpretation!

Us: And what are the challenges?

Daisy: We've had to take authority – we're not teachers, we're their friends.
Emma: What's really helped is the way Kate [Parsons, head of Drama] has taught us ... Before, we'd never have had the confidence to take this on.
Daisy: Also, we're taking responsibility for the whole production – so there's a lot of organisation work: we have to think about everything from copyright to scheduling to finances.


Us: You're only a few weeks in – but have there been any highlights so far?

Emma: Well, we've only had two rehearsals ... For the first, an all-cast rehearsal, it was a sunny evening, so we were outside.
Daisy: ... And we ended up with about 10 or 20 teachers all standing there watching us!
Emma: The onstage Chemistry between Matt Thorns (our Hatter) and Chris Higham (the Hare) is amazing.
Daisy: Yes, you just have to look at them together and you start laughing. They don't even have to say anything.




Us: In general what do you think makes a good performance?

Emma: Energy.
Daisy: ... and a committed cast.
Emma: Compatibility.
Daisy: ... an energetic, committed, compatible cast?
Emma: (And awesome special effects.)


Us: What about creative differences? Is it difficult to agree on an interpretation?

Daisy: Not really, actually. We generally have the same kind of ideas ... we feed off each other. I guess we're both influenced to some extent by some of the techniques we've used in class – workshops we've done and so on ... But still, most of the ideas are ours.



Us: And, finally, what are your ambitions for the future?

Emma: I really want to act, so I'm applying to drama schools: places like RADA and the Bristol Vic
Daisy: Well, I want to study Spanish & Film Studies at university – but after that I'd like to work in film direction and production.



As well as directing Alice, both Emma and Daisy are looking forward to being involved in the production of The Tempest – which will take place a month or two later, and involve not only Sixth Form students, but also those from Leckford Place, the 11-16 section of d'Overbroeck's College.


Alice in Wonderland will be staged in early February. If you would like to be notified when tickets are available, please email the Sixth Form Office.

George collects results from Cadbury's, Brazil

The results day of George Meagher was a little different from that of many students – insofar as he received his results halfway through a placement at the Brazil HQ of chocolate firm Cadbury's. He's there as one of 100 students selected from all over the UK to represent the country as a Prime Minister's Global Fellow.

We'll write more about George's exploits when he returns – and confine ourselves in this post to congratulating him on gaining straight A grades in Biology, French and Business Studies. Meanwhile, though, you might like to read his Global Fellowship blog.

See all of today's results stories

Straight As for Rosie, Sammy and Mae

Here are Sammy Hornsby and Mae Yip, shortly after collecting their results today.

Sammy (some of whose art we featured in our A level gallery a few months ago) gained A grades in Art, Classical Civilisation and English Literature, whilst Mae's were in Chemistry, Maths and Business Studies.

Mae is the youngest of three siblings, all of whom have studied A levels at d'Overbroeck's – so these results mark the end of an era … However, we look forward to welcoming Sammy's younger brother to the Sixth Form next year.



Similarly, whilst we're bidding farewell to Rosie Cohen (above) – who gained As in Drama & Theatre Studies, English Literature, French and Spanish – her sister Zanni will be joining us next year.

… So that's the news from a few of our d'Overbroeck's families!

See all today's results stories

A Lancastrian Business delegation

Next up in our results day features is a trio of upper sixth who are all bound for Lancaster University to study Business.


Above is Phil Anderson, going over his results with Head of Business Andrew Gillespie – he has an A in Business Studies and Bs in Economics and Politics.



Julian Jansen, meanwhile, has notched up four A grades – in Business Studies, German, Politics and History – as well as an AS level C in Maths.


Finally, Andreas Josephides achieved 3 As (in Film Studies, Business Studies and French) alongside a B in PE.

Congratulations to all three of our Lancaster-bound businessmen ...

4 As for Mansour -- and a place at Cambridge

Mansour Ahmed achieved a run of four straight As – in Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Computing – and has already been snapped by the local press.

The College's Access Scholar, Mansour joined us from Cheney School. His four A grades will confirm his place at Cambridge to read Computer Science.

See all today's results stories

Lower Sixth globalisation essay wins UK award

Lower Sixth student Timur Tankayev has been selected as one of three finalists in the International Boarder of the Year contest.

Having stood out amongst a field of entries from international boarders across the UK – and with a total of 30 nationalities represented – it's a superb achievement to make it through to the final.

To earn his award, Timur had to write a 1,250 word essay on the subject of globalisation ... Which he opened in provocative fashion:

'What is the truest definition of globalization? According to the joke it's Princess Diana's death - 'An English princess with an Egyptian boyfriend crashes in a French tunnel, while in a German car with a Dutch engine, driven by a Belgian who was drunk on Scottish whisky, followed closely by Italian Paparazzi on Japanese motorcycles, etc.' The process of integration of the global economy has affected all aspects of human life.'

Timur has been invited to collect his award at a ceremony at Shakespeare's Globe in May.

Of Art and Obscurity

Serena Boheimer – one of our Upper Sixth students – has been offered a place on Cardiff College of Art's Foundation course (she's also received offers from Byam Shaw and City & Guilds in London, but Cardiff is her first choice).

So we caught up with Serena today, and asked for a peek at what she's been working on recently.

Serena's chosen theme around which she's basing her current project is 'obscured'.

Experimenting with ideas and various media, Serena explored the concept of obscured faces:









From an initial interest in facial deformity, she shifted her focus towards objects or approaches that might obscure the face incidentally – the idea that a face might not be quite what it seems.






As part of the A level course, Serena has visited a number of exhibitions – recently, both Picasso and Bacon in London – and is conscious of the influence that these artists' work has had on her own.






Working with photos and tracing paper, she began to explore the idea of combining two faces – a concept she has now taken through to the hypnotic, somewhat unsettling piece she is currently working on. Here it is – some of the paint still wet! – on her easel in the Art department.





See more of Serena's work on d'Overbroeck's Flickr pages

Sixth Form Chivalry

Sixth Form student Rory Cleaver happened to be walking down Turl Street in Oxford city centre when an elderly lady fell from her wheelchair. As luck would have it, he'd just – minutes earlier – been buying bandages for his injured knee. So he immediately rushed over.

After helping with the bandaging (he later found that the lady, Mrs Jose O'Leary, had broken her nose) and offering his coat, he ran to get help and arrange for an ambulance to be called – before returning to wait until the paramedics arrived.

... All was well, in the end – and, shortly afterwards, the Oxford Times printed a letter from Mrs O'Leary, commending Rory's chivalry:

'We often read or hear of the bad things that young people are said to do, but I witnessed some of the wonderful things that young people do and I would like to say a big thank you'

Profile of Rory on the Sixth Form website

5 A's - and Japanese from scratch ...

Ali Mitchell left d'Overbroeck's this year, having gained five A's at A level – in Classical Greek, French, History, Japanese and Spanish. We caught up with Ali shortly after he received these results.

What are your plans for next year?
I'm planning to spend September to December in Paris – perfecting my French – and, with luck, December will be occupied with an Oxford interview (fingers crossed). I've been invited to spend some time in Australia in 2009, and I'd also like to go to Japan again, to put into practice what I've spent three years studying.

Tell us more about Japanese. How did you come to be learning it?
It all started with a dispute with a friend. We were watching a film, and I felt that the subtitles weren't accurate. My friend dismissively said, "Yeah, but what can you do about it? It's impossible for foreigners to learn Japanese".

... So I bought some CDs – and finding that I enjoyed it, sought out a real teacher. I eventually decided that I liked Japanese enough to do it to A-level, so I did GCSE in my own time allowing me to do the full As and A2 at d'Overbroeck's.

You studied an unusual selection of subjects at A level. Which did you enjoy most?
It's hard to say – I enjoyed all very much. If you twist my arm, I'll probably say Latin and Greek (although technically separate, they're really educational siamese twins). Setting aside the languages themselves, these two cultures are fascinating: they're simultaneously very different from and very similar to modern European cultures. What's more, without the Greeks and Romans, Europe – and the rest of the world that it influenced – would be unrecognisably different.