UCAS Programme: speaker visits from Bournemouth University and GapAdvice

One aim of the UCAS and applications programme we run at d'Overbroeck's is to get students thinking about the choices they are making – by presenting them with a variety of people and places and options that they might not otherwise have considered.

To this end, last week saw two events for Upper Sixth students:


Event 1: Sandwiches at Bournemouth?

On Tuesday, we were visited by Ricky Hale – a current Business Studies undergraduate at Bournemouth University who's spending a 'sandwich year' working for (instead of studying at) the university. So he spoke about the experience of being a student, yet not a student.

He also told us about the kinds of thing that Bournemouth media students have gone on to do (such as producing King Kong's fur for the recent movie), and described the new multi-million pound media centre built by the university.

For two years running, Bournemouth University has been 'best new university' and is ranked 12th in the country for Media courses (according to the Guardian).


Event 2: Gap years during a recession

With the economy in recession, jobs in short supply and tuition fees looking set to rise dramatically after the election, is a Gap Year still a viable option for students?

Phil Murray, Director of independent advisory service GapAdvice came to talk to our students to show how they can still take a Gap Year, despite all the bad economic news.

Whether it ends up just being 3 months of voluntary work between the end of their exams and the start of their new life at uni, or the 15 months they actually have after they finish their A levels.

Gapadvice.org provides independent gap year advice and has been described by the BBC as 'an extremely useful and reliable resource'.

d'Overbroeck's vs Wychwood - Girls' Hockey match

On Thursday afternoon last week, d'Overbroecks Ladies Hockey team made their way over to Oxford High school where they played Wychwood 6th form Ladies. Here's a short account of the match by Hockey Coach Jo Kalies.

During the first 10 minutes, both teams battled their way up and down the pitch, with a couple of attempts at goal. Finally – despite some outstanding goalkeeping by Wychwood – Elizabeth Foulkes' second shot rebounded off the keeper and from Lizzie into the bottom left corner of the goal.

This first goal completely changed the game for d'Overbroeck's – and from this point on, our team dominated the game. Just five minutes after that first goal, Megan Burton took the second, set up by Amy Reed. Straight over the keeper's foot, into the bottom left corner again.

Half time came and went – and, although Wychwood defended well, one more goal from d'Overbroeck's came from Eva Rorsman, set up by an excellent pass from Sarah Pearson. So the final score was 3-0 to d'Overbroeck's.

Everyone played extremely well. Our defence (Kate Herbert and Chrystal Pereira) kept pushing play into Wychwood's half and kept pressure on them the whole time.

Woman of the match went to Amy Reed for her excellent coving of the pitch and strong skills around defenders – as well as her excellent teamwork.

A busy first few weeks at the Sixth Form

We've had a busy first few weeks at the Sixth Form. Lower Sixth students have met their Directors of Studies and are already getting stuck into their AS courses, while Upper Sixth are up and running with their A2s.

Everyone's had a chance to choose their term's extracurricular activities at our (bustling) Activities Fair, while events like the Welcome BBQ and Movie Night have helped new students to get to know one another and make friends.

Meanwhile, rehearsals have already started for the Sixth Form student production of 'Alice in Wonderland'; ex-student George Meagher has returned to talk about his time as a Prime Minister's fellow in Brazil; and Upper Sixth students have embarked upon this term's UCAS preparation programme – of which we'll be posting more news shortly.

Meanwhile, here's a selection of photos from the Lower Sixth Welcome BBQ – sumo-suits and all.

Mansour interviewed on BBC Radio Oxford

One of our A level stars, Mansour Ahmed, was interviewed on BBC Radio Oxford yesterday. He chatted to presenter Jo Thoenes about his family background, multiculturalism and staying up all night before getting his results.

The interview then moved onto Mansour's time at d'Overbroeck's – settling in, falling in love with Computer Science, and the difference that getting an Access Scholarship has made to him.

Listen again to the interview on iPlayer (from around 1hr 08)

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 ...