I can’t believe that it is the winter holidays already! I want to thank you for your continued support this term and wish you a wonderful break. I look forward to welcoming you back to the College in the New Year.
Top non-selective IB provider in East Anglia
I am thrilled to share that our Sixth Form, Impington International College, has been crowned the top non-selective International Baccalaureate (IB) World School in East Anglia in this year’s The Sunday Times Parent Power List. For the third year running, the College has topped the ranks thanks to its students’ examination results.
Our 2022 cohort achieved another 100% pass rate in the IB Diploma Programme (DP), with more than a quarter of students obtaining 40 or more points (the equivalent of 4 A*s at A Level). Nearly 10% of DP students received offers from Oxbridge universities, while 98% of students secured places at their first choice of university; 36% of which were Russell Group universities.Â
The world class educational experience that our Sixth Form students enjoy rivals selective and non-selective independent and state schools across the UK, and I am so proud that we have been recognised as the best in the region. It is a testament to our learning community and one we value dearly.
Igniting change in Cambridge and beyond
You might have seen my article on the power of volunteering in the Cambridge Independent last week, which celebrated International Volunteers Day (5 December). Service as action is a fundamental element of the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) to help develop students into caring members of the community who engage with their local neighbourhoods through projects to deepen their understanding of local and global challenges.
To imbue a strong sense of community into our student cohort, all of our students participate in regular volunteering opportunities through iCAS to help them develop important skills such as leadership, communication and problem-solving. I am proud to share that currently more than 100 of our students each week volunteer in their local community at primary schools, local nurseries and care homes, in addition to undertaking their own projects. I would also like to congratulate Luca E., who has raised more than £1,000 for Cambridge City Foodbank through his busking efforts. A talented musician, Luca also recently performed for free at the Warm Up for Winter event at St Andrews Church in Cherry Hinton, a free community event that also collected donations for Jimmy’s Cambridge.
Music to my ears
On the subject of music, 100 of our students enjoyed the carol service at King’s College Chapel on 6 December. Kings College Chapel is notable as the location for the famous Christmas Eve service, A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, which is broadcast to millions of people globally. I know that our students felt suitably festive after the special occasion!
At the College, we celebrate the festive season with our Christmas Music Share. Designed to widen participation and expand opportunities for students to perform, a range of soloists and ensembles including our orchestra, jazz band and showsingers took to the stage to perform their favourite Christmas numbers in the Performing Arts department. It was heart-warming to see so many students taking part and sharing their passion for performing with their peers. Â
Blood Brothers
I know you will be as excited as I am for opportunity to attend the Year 12 examination performance of Blood Brothers on 10 January. The popular musical is a moving tale of two twins, separated at birth, and an insightful consideration of nature versus nurture, social inequality and fate; our students are enjoying exploring these themes during their rehearsals and are excited to showcase their hard work to you! Reserve your free place.
Year 13 mock exams
Well done to our Year 13 students who completed their mock examinations over the last fortnight; they have earned a well-deserved rest during the winter holidays! I am confident that each student will achieve the results they are hoping for, and we will continue to work with them to ensure that they feel prepared for their IB examinations later this year. In the meantime, we recommend that you encourage them to use their holidays to rest and relax so that they come back refreshed next term. Â Â
December 16, 2022
