I know that this week has been disruptive for many of you and your children, and would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your understanding and support. Despite the College’s partial closure on Wednesday, our students’ have remained committed to their learning, and I would like to share some of your children’s tremendous achievements.
Congratulations to our successful Oxbridge applicants
Our Sixth Form, Impington International College, has long been a springboard for students to secure places at leading universities around the world. I am absolutely delighted to share that 10 percent of this year’s International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) student cohort have received offers from the University of Cambridge and Oxford University. This is the second year in a row that such a high percent of our cohort have received Oxbridge offers, and the first year that our students will be going on to read Philosophy, Politics and Economics!
Four students have received offers from Oxford University, to read Psychology, English and History, and Philosophy, Politics and Economics, while two students received offers from the University of Cambridge to read Geography and Philosophy, Politics and Economics. This is an incredible achievement, and a testament to the hard work of the students during their two-year IB journey; I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to each of them.
Shaping our students’ vision of their futures
Last month, the first of our ‘Gropius Lectures’ took place. The lectures feature professionals from varying industries talking about their career journeys and reflecting the original vision of the College; where students and adults in the ‘real world’ meet and learn from each other. Our students, and members of the local community, enjoyed hearing from the knowledgeable Dr David Lott, CEO of IfM Engage at the University of Cambridge’s Institute for Manufacturing. I look forward to future lectures delivered by seabird conservationists, sustainable fashion experts, palliative care experts and more.
If you are interested in helping to shape young people’s vision of their possible futures, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Neil Jones to volunteer for an upcoming talk or to express your interest in attending the next event.
Kon’nichiwa Yokohama
As an IB World School, international-mindedness is at the heart of everything we do. We aim to provide our students with the opportunity to develop intercultural understanding and respect for others, and one of the ways we do this is through partnerships with schools from around the world. In addition to our long-standing French exchange programme, we are fortunate to partner with schools in Germany, Spain, Japan, Ethiopia and beyond, and regularly offer in-person and virtual exchange programmes, providing opportunities for our students to engage with people from cultures different to their own.
Last week, a cohort of our students enjoyed a virtual exchange with students in Yokohama, Japan. Our students relished the chance to practice their Japanese language skills by speaking with their Japanese peers virtually and gaining a greater understanding of what it is like to live and learn in Japan. I know they are already looking forward to the next event!
Children’s Mental Health Week
Next week marks the annual Children’s Mental Health Week. With one in six children and young people having a diagnosable mental health condition, supporting our students with a robust wellbeing programme has never been more important. The standard of our student support is well-recognised through our Gold Carnegie Medal for Mental Health award.
For the past 12 months, we have been providing YMCA counselling for students twice a week. The feedback from the students benefitting from the provision has been overwhelmingly positive and we will continue to provide pastoral and mental health support for all of our students who may require it.
Student Volunteering Week
Next week is also Student Volunteering Week. Volunteering and service learning is a fundamental aspect of IB programmes and we provide regular opportunities for our students to support local, national and international community projects through iCAS and the Middle Years Programme (MYP).
As well as volunteering on projects as far afield as Peru and Botswana, more than 100 students from the College volunteer in the local community on a weekly basis. Every Tuesday afternoon, students assist in local primary schools, care homes, conservation projects and more. This enables them to volunteer in areas that they are passionate about while gaining valuable work experience and applying the knowledge they learn in the classroom. This supports our long-term goal of helping our students to become the well-rounded, caring, and respectful individuals that will help to make the world a better and more peaceful place.
ELA Journal
Finally, the Eastern Leaning Alliance (ELA) has published its latest journal. If you would like to read more about the ELA and its news, view the journal.
February 3, 2023
