May we both extend a warm welcome to the first termly Braintree Sixth Form Newsletter. The following
pages are to provide a glimpse into what has been happening over the past term across Years 12 and
13. Sixth form for most is one of the busiest times a student will have on their educational journey, yet
here at Braintree Sixth Form, we strive to ensure that not only qualifications are achieved but that we
aim to provide students with the opportunities to develop as a full person.
Please do take a moment to look over what has been happening at Braintree Sixth Form. May we both
wish you a safe, pleasant and prosperous Christmas and New Year.
Mrs A Brewis-Shephard and Mr C Nitsche
This term has been incredibly successful for some individuals.
Attendance – Good attendance is highly valued at Braintree Sixth Form and all students are
very aware of the positive correlation between attendance and good A Level/IB results.
A number of our students have achieved 100% attendance for the first term with many more
showing very high attendance rates; this is something as Year Leaders we are very proud of.
As a reward, all Year 12 and 13 students with 99%+ have been entered into a prize draw. The
lucky winner from each year group will receive an award of £10 which they can spend on what
they wish; well done to those who have had a great attendance.
Other awards this term include the Year Leader Award which is based on student competency
data and there will be individual students receiving an award for each subject – well done to all
those students.
Jack Petchey Award
We would like to congratulate Madison
Gilyatt 12I for winning the Jack Petchey
award in November. Madison achieved
great GCSE results, and participated with
the National Citizenship Scheme. She has
been very determined to raise money for
others and has decided to use her Jack
Petchey grant to raise even more money
for Farleigh Hospice.
On Thursday 29 September, the first IB ToK
(Theory of Knowledge) day of the year took
place. This was the first opportunity for Year 12
and 13 IB students to meet and work together.
Mrs Cole and Mr Nitsche organised this event,
the first of similar days that will take place over
the academic year. ToK is a key element of the
International Baccalaureate programme.
Hannah Bushen, Year 13, said ‘it has been really
helpful for Year 12 students to see how the core
element of the IB improves the student as a
whole.’
Children in Need
This year’s Children In Need was kicked off with a bang, after a surprise performance from exstudent Olly Murs. The fundraising began on Monday 7 November when some select students
were treated to an exclusive performance of his new single “Grow Up”.
Having been contacted by BBC Children In Need as a result of being one of the top 200
schools for fundraising in the UK last year, we were determined to do the same this year. After
all the bake sales, donations and the dress down day on Friday 18 November, we raised
£3,028.08! Well done to everyone who took part in the fundraising; here’s to next year.
Operation Christmas Child
Throughout November, staff and students from Notley High School & Braintree Sixth Form
gathered gifts together for Operation Christmas Child, run by Samaritan’s purse. This brings
hope to children around the world. Over all we beat our target of 100 shoe boxes and managed
to end with a total of 149! Well done, I’m sure this will bring joy to many this Christmas
Year 12 Enterprise Fair
On Tuesday 6 December 2016 during TP3, Year 7 students attended the Year 12 Enterprise
Fair, to raise money for the charity Education for All. Sweets, drinks, Christmas cards and
cakes were on sale during this event, and they even had the opportunity to get a selfie with
Santa. The total amount raised was £330, a fantastic achievement all round!
On Friday 21 October staff and students raised money for Stand up to Cancer through the
many cakes brought and sold throughout the day. We raised a total of £174 for this worthwhile
cause, well done!
Over the course of the term Braintree Sixth Form has provided students with many
educational and informative trips.
The first of these trips was to the Essex and County Golf Club whereby students were
educated on ‘surviving the teenage years’. Many of the students in attendance found the
trip very beneficial, especially leaving with belief that they could help others who may have
got themselves into trouble. During the day students were able to take part in many fun
team building activities that could be useful in the future.
Leading on from mental
health awareness, there was
a talk about the psychology
behind mental illness
struggles and what to do
when you feel down. Many
were interested and certainly
got involved!
On Thursday 10 November, our annual Roadster event for Year 12 took place. As Year 12
students approach the legal driving age, it is important to help prepare them for this next step
and educate them on the significance of road safety.
Students participated in six different workshops. These included crime investigation, car
maintenance as well as the chance to drive a car on the tennis courts – the most exciting
element of the day! During the final feedback session it was clear to see that the students
were excited and eager to begin to learn to drive but also that they were very much aware of
the significance of road safety.
Some students travelled to Cambridge to
see what the Emmanuel College was like
and experience how the most prestigious
students in our area live and learn.
Students found out about the important
student finances that many will face and
how they will reference their future work.
Year 12 A Level PE students had a visit
from the University of Essex where they
were put through the bleep test, then they
went into a classroom to analyse their
results. They all calculated their Vo2 max
and then looked in detail at all the data
collected.