The Sixth Form College Farnborough

Product Design students win trophies

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:02:22 GMT

Cool designs win trophies for College students

Students studying A level Product Design at Farnborough Sixth Form College have recently swept the board in a number of Science & Engineering related competitions.

Natasha Newman, 17 of Farnham, Isobel Priest, 17, of Farnborough, Will Tolfree, 17 of Fleet and David Montgomery, 16, of Basingstoke took part in the Sustainability Challenge run by Surrey County Council. Their design of an efficient method of cooling air using a Direct Cooler won first prize at the SATRO Science & Engineering Festival at Brooklands Museum last week. They also entered the design in the national BOC Inspiring Gases Challenge, winning the Runner-up trophy. A week later the team were awarded Best Independent Project in the National Science & Engineering Competition (South East) held at Reading University.

Natasha Newman said “I really enjoyed just having the opportunity to apply my knowledge from a number of subjects to a practical application but winning these prizes was the icing on the cake!”

Isobel Priest, whose subjects include Chemistry, said, “I was delighted to work with the rest of the team who study Product Design. I believe it was our combined knowledge and approach that made this so successful”.

Nick Tupper teaches Product Design at the College and he oversaw the project. He said “The team was fantastic. The students used their initiative and creativity throughout the development of the project and deserve the many accolades they have received.”

Tom Dowrick, 18, of Farnborough was another prize winner. He won The Brooklands Challenge Prize at the Festival of Science & Engineering for his interactive exhibit which is designed to demonstrate magnetism to primary school children.

Tom said “I was really pleased to see how much children at the exhibition enjoyed playing with my exhibit. The bright colours and ‘clacking’ noise it makes in operation were real winners and you could see on the faces of the children how much they enjoyed learning about science.”

The approach to Product Design at the College is focused on applications to the real world with project work used to engage students’ creativity and imagination. Principal Dr John Guy said, “I am really proud of the achievements of these students in a wide range of problem-solving applications which demonstrate the importance of design in our rapidly changing world.”

Summer Concert at Guildford Cathedral

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:36:11 GMT

Guildford Cathedral resonates to wonderful music

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A packed audience in the magnificent setting of Guildford Cathedral was entranced on Friday evening by the end of year concert by students at Farnborough Sixth Form College. It was a typically ambitious programme of solo and choral performances conducted by College Director of Music, Paul Bambrough.

The evening opened with Gordon Jacob’s Concerto for Flute and String Orchestra with second year student soloist, Katy Ovens. Katy had won the College’s Concerto Competition earlier in the year, the first prize of which was to perform solo with a professional orchestra in the summer.

In this four movement concerto, in which the Flute is rarely silent, Katy sustained a powerful performing presence throughout, beautifully capturing the work’s lyrical romanticism whilst also meeting the brilliant technical demands of the Finale with apparent ease.

Chairman of Governors William Bagnall said, “It was the sort of performance I would expect to see by a professional musician in the Royal Albert Hall – for an 18 year old it was astonishing!”

After the concert, Katy was typically modest about the piece. She said, “I am hoping to be a professional musician in the future and to be given an opportunity to play as a solo flautist with an orchestra in a place as wonderful as Guildford Cathedral has been amazing – I am sure it is only possible at Farnborough Sixth Form College!” Katy added, “I would just love to do it again!”

Runner up in the Concerto Competition was first year student, Rachel Mills and she was selected to be soloist in the evening’s second piece, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No 1 in C major, 1st movement, Allegro con brio. In this most imposing of works, she performed with great maturity and composure, demonstrating a sensitive awareness of tone and phrasing in addition to some sparkling passage work.

The final piece of the evening was a performance of Haydn’s Nelson Mass by the 100-strong College Choral Society. This rousing, exhilarating and majestic music was the perfect end to a successful year at the College. Throughout the work all of the students demonstrated outstanding musicianship as well as great passion and commitment, producing a wonderful sound that resonated beautifully within the vast Cathedral space.

Speaking at the end of the concert, retiring College Principal Dr John Guy congratulated the students on their magnificent performance. “Yet again you have brought much credit to yourselves and to the College – it is a privilege to have been your Principal for 18 years.”

Students visit Ghana

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:55:25 GMT

Students learn Lessons from Ghana

Twenty students and four staff have just returned from a 10 day trip to Ghana to visit the college’s partnership school, the Presbyterian Secondary Technical School in Aburi. After two days acclimatising to the heat and humidity by the swimming pool of our Accra hotel we travelled north to Aburi, experiencing on the way the frenzied street celebrations following Ghana’s World Cup win over Serbia.

The group had an amazing time at the school and were made to feel very welcome by the students and teachers. Getting up at 5.30am to be at school assembly at 7.00am was a challenge but it was all part of the experience of life at the school – especially when we found out that the Ghanaian students get up even earlier to carry out cleaning duties. The students found the experience of attending lessons a real eye-opener – the only resource used in most lessons was a blackboard with a few textbooks being shared between students on some occasions. The Ghanaian teachers expected our students to be fully involved in the lessons, answering questions and solving maths problems up the front on the blackboard! They also took part in cookery lessons with an open charcoal fire in the middle of the classroom as well as gas cookers and were involved in the sports afternoon where both our hastily-assembled male and female football teams managed to draw against the Ghanaian students and the handball team only narrowly lost despite never playing the game before!

The students at the school loved getting to know our students and some real friendships developed during the week. Leaving the school at the end of the week was hard for some of our students who were touched by the gifts and cards they had been given. Before leaving the school we were given a leaving ceremony at which our students spoke brilliantly about the week and its impact on them. The students were presented with school tracksuits and the staff some typical Ghanaian outfits. In exchange we gave presents to the senior staff and gave money to pay for a water tank at the girl’s boarding house, IT equipment and footballs to the school.

During our visit to the school we met with Peter Logo, the headmaster, and other senior staff to discuss the future of the partnership and consider ways to further develop and strengthen it. The partnership has a great deal to offer both of the institutions and our visit showed how valuable it is for our students.

After our week at the school the group travelled further north visiting the Volta Dam which holds back the largest artificial reservoir in the world and generates the majority of Ghana’s electricity through its HEP plant. We spent an amazing day at Tortibo, a small village near the dam, doing tie-dying and bead-making and playing games with the local children who loved having the group there and were fascinated by looking at pictures of themselves on digital cameras. After travelling back to Accra in torrential rain the group flew home, taking with them memories of the amazing country of Ghana that will stay with them for a lifetime.

College celebrates achievements of Film and Media students

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:07:12 GMT

Film and Media Awards Evening a triumph

Students from Farnborough Sixth Form College got a taste of Oscar-style glory last week when the Prospect Theatre played host to the Annual College Media and Film Awards.

The ceremony provided an opportunity to celebrate the fantastic achievements of Media and Film Students. The work this year was the most emotionally engaging yet. The audience was rapt from the start as they viewed the shortlisted and winning pieces. With documentaries that had the audience in tears through to animation that had them laughing uncontrollably, the students’ work impressed by its high quality.

In true Oscar fashion, the event was attended by industry professionals, including British screenwriter and filmmaker Stuart Hazeldine (“The Day the Earth Stood Still”, “Knowing” and recent Bafta nominated film “Exam”) and Helena Drakakis, Assistant Editor of The Big Issue.

Following a journey from London, Mr Hazeldine presented the award for Best Short Film. He said, “These films represent truly inspirational work – I only wish I had had the same opportunities to produce such creative work as these students at Farnborough Sixth Form College when I was starting out in my career.”

Ms Drakakis presented the Big Issue Award for print for the second year running and was extremely impressed by the development of the students. She said, “We are consistently impressed with the standard of work coming from Farnborough. The students have built on last year’s feedback to present an excellent range of work that shows great promise.”

In recognition of the outstanding level of work there were two special awards for excellence in Film and Animation. Sam Dyche won Excellence in Film and is shortly setting off to Florida to record his debut album with his band, whilst Molly Nye who won Excellence in Animation before going on to study for an Art Foundation at University of the Arts Central St. Martins.
With over 800 students, the Media department at the College is the largest centre for Media and Film A levels in the country and has been recognised by The Good Schools Guide for its outstanding results.

Aidan Hamilton, Head of Film and Media at the College said: “Year on year I wonder how our students can surpass the high levels achieved by previous talented young people at the College but the work on show tonight was simply breathtaking in its technical skill, ambition and ability to engage an audience. I am incredibly proud of them, as well as the fantastic team of teachers and technical support staff that I have the honour to lead and who enable it to happen”.

Following on from the success of the Media and Film awards on Wednesday 16th two of the College winners went on to receive prestigious prizes at Southampton Solent University, where a Hampshire wide film competition for sixth formers ‘Show Us Your Shorts’ was held on Thursday 17th June.
Molly Nye (A2 Media Studies) and Sam Dyche (A2 Film) did exceptionally well collecting three out of a possible four awards. Following on from their success at the Farnborough Media and Film Awards they collected first place, third place and the coveted People’s Choice Award at Solent, one short of a clean sweep.

The panel of judges, including industry professionals and academics, described Molly’s winning animation Rain Cloud as “poignant”, “sophisticated” and “technically accomplished.” Sam Dyche’s experimental Film #1 was praised for being truly “truly experimental”, “creative” and “unique”.

All in all this was a great week for the Media and Film Department at Farnborough Sixth Form College.

Art Exhibition wins praise from guests at private viewing

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:09:59 GMT

Talented students and committed staff create wonderful exhibition

Art students at Farnborough Sixth Form College celebrated the completion of their courses with a stunning exhibition held in the Dame Kelly Holmes Sports Centre this week. The exhibition was opened by local architect, Clare Bowman of Broadway Malyan, who designed the new John Guy Building at the College in which some of the exhibits were also located. The three-day exhibition featured outstanding displays of A level work by the College’s 800 art students, making it one of the largest and most successful A Level Art departments in the country. The range and professional quality of work was particularly noticeable, with exhibited work in Fine Art, Textiles, Photography, Graphic Communication, Sculpture, Vocational Art, and Critical and Contextual Studies in Art.

Guests at the packed private viewing on Friday evening were invited to select the work they regarded as Best in Show. It was an almost impossible task, given the variety and quality of the work, but the graphics and fine art exhibited by 18 year old Sarah Hayter of Farnham was selected as best in the exhibition.

Among a host of pieces that Sarah presented, she was most proud of her graphics work to design a shop display for Thornton’s Chocolate. Sarah said, “I am absolutely delighted that it should be chosen as the best in show but I’ve had some inspirational teachers in both my first and second years at the College and I owe so much of my development to their great talents and commitment.”

Speaking at the awards ceremony to open the exhibition, Clare Bowman said, “It has been an inspiration to work with this College – both in terms of having the honour to design the new John Guy Building on behalf of the Governors but also to work with and mentor art students, and to share design principles and philosophies with them as they worked on their magnificent collective piece called The Paper Lantern.”

The Paper Lantern is a large scale decorative hanging, specifically designed for the new John Guy Building at the College, which was on display at the exhibition. The work was undertaken by 10 gifted and talented art students, working in liaison with the architect, with the aim of developing professional skills to use in the design world of work. The students attended regular workshops with the architects studying design resolution, 3D spatial planning, profiling in industry and artistic identity.

Becky Barnes, Curriculum Manager for Textiles, oversaw the team undertaking the project. She said, "I am really proud of what the students have achieved and the work really does celebrate the ambient light, geometric structure, and the inter-relationship between nature and architecture.”

Nathaniel Amissah, 18, of Farnborough said, “This has been such a fantastic opportunity - my career aims are to become an architect and this has provided a great insight into the profession.”

Shawnee Vale, 18, of Wokingham said, “I applied to take part in the project partly to have the opportunity to give something back to the College but mostly because it offered me a chance to work with the professionals and with students from the other art disciplines.’

Summing up the exhibition, College Principal Dr John Guy said, “The work on display is astonishing; such are the achievements of the students and an excellent teaching and support staff that it would not look out of place in an exhibition of final degree work at a prestigious university!”

Major Exhibition of Students' Art Work

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:36:43 GMT

Student art work celebrated in major exhibition

Over 800 A level Art and Design students at Farnborough Sixth Form College will be displaying selected examples of their art work in a major exhibition to be held at the College next week. After a private viewing for parents and special guests on Friday, the exhibition will be open to the public on from Sat 26 June (9 - 3.00pm) and during normal College opening times until 12 noon on Tuesday 29 June. The exhibition will be housed in the Dame Kelly Holmes Sports Centre on the College campus.

Among the exhibited pieces is The Paper Lantern, a large scale decorative hanging specifically designed for the new John Guy Building at the College. The work was undertaken by 10 gifted and talented art students working in liaison with the architects, Broadway Malyan, who designed the building, with the aim of developing professional skills to use in the design world of work.

Becky Barnes, Curriculum Manager for Textiles, has overseen the team undertaking the project. She said, "I am really proud of what the students have achieved and the work really does celebrate the ambient light, geometric structure, and inter relationship between nature and architecture.”

The students have been fortunate enough to receive regular workshops with the architects working on design resolution, 3D spatial planning, profiling in industry and artistic identity.

Nathaniel Amissah, 18, of Farnborough said, “This has been such a fantastic opportunity - my career aims are to become an architect and this has provided a great insight into the profession.”

Shawnee Vale, 18, of Wokingham said, “I applied to take part in the project partly to have the opportunity to give something back to the college, but mostly because it offered me a chance to work with the professionals and with students from the other art disciplines.’

Senior Curriculum Manager Dean Piacentini said, “The Paper Lantern and the whole exhibition are triumphs of continued progression and personal achievement – we hope that many local people will come to visit.”

A full colour catalogue, designed by students and staff from the college, will be available at the exhibition.

College Leavers' Photographs

Fri, 28 May 2010 15:44:49 GMT

2009-10 Leavers' Photographs

To order the photographs, go to CristalWeb > online payments > course payments and order the formal picture or the informal picture - or both! They are on display outside the Finance Office in the College.

College music student wins Cambridge first prize

Fri, 28 May 2010 13:02:44 GMT

Lauren awarded Fitzwilliam College's first prize

Farnborough Sixth Form College student Lauren Spiceley, 17, has just been awarded first prize in a Cambridge University Essay competition to encourage A level music students to think about the breadth and depth of their studies. She collected her certificate at a special ceremony held at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, recently.

Last November, Director of Music at the College, Paul Bambrough, told the students of the Cambridge essay titles and Lauren chose: How has the medium of listening - live or through recording - affected our perception of musical works in the modern age?

Lauren said, "I am really interested in the changes which have occurred since recording technology has become much more widely available. I wanted to explore the impact of the purity of recorded music - sometimes perhaps the sanitization of music - against the excitement and drama of a live performance."

Lauren is a frequent concert-goer and she used her personal experiences as well as a wide range of resource materials, from academic treatises on music, through information on the sleeves of Jazz albums, to an article in the Guardian on why audiences no longer clap between movements.

Lauren said, "When I heard that I had won first prize, I was really excited because in the end I had had to rush to complete the essay to meet the deadline. It was a real surprise to win a prize in a competition organised by Cambridge University."

Mr Bambrough said, "Lauren really did do all of the research and write the essay entirely on her own. She presented me with a copy of her essay after she had submitted it. It was an outstanding and original piece of work so I am not at all surprised that it won the Cambridge competition."

Lauren will be taking her A levels next year and in the autumn she will be applying for a place at university to study music. "If I apply to Cambridge I think it might be to Fitzwilliam - although Oxford has a good course too!"

Newsletter to parents and friends

Thu, 27 May 2010 11:12:12 GMT

To download a copy of the Newsletter click here.

Contents
Page 1 – New Student Association Elected; Alert on university admissions 2010; Leavers' clearance arrangements; Farewell from Principal.
Page 2 – Information about University Admissions 2011 – for first year students and parents
Page 3 – Examinations 2010 – reminder. Results 19 August, Strawberries and Champagne; Congratulations!; Sports Round up
Page 4 – Concert, Art exhibition, LEAVERS PHOTO ordering arrangements; Important Dates
Page 5 – News round-up
Page 6 - News round-up.

Musical Theatre Enrichment Performance

Wed, 26 May 2010 17:36:49 GMT

Talented musical theatre performers in great show

The Musical Theatre Enrichment Group bowed out this year with a suitably uplifting and entertaining performance at the Prospect Theatre on Tuesday 25th May. This small group of very talented musical theatre performers coped admirably with the unique challenges that this type of performance presents with sumptuous sounding harmonies, tricky duets, intricate musical counterpoints and pathos and comedy through song.

The ensemble supported each of the numbers with strength and a rousing sense of the emotion necessary and although it was difficult to pick out any individuals for special praise as all played their part well, Dianna Field’s superb rendition of the Diva’s Lament from Spamalot was infused with power and longing and The Actuary Song from the off-Broadway musical “I Love you Because” was wonderfully performed by Katie Goodsell and Chloe East.

Stephen Dutton, Musical Director, was the inspiration behind the show and Jack Salzman’s evocative lighting design added feeling and intimacy to this great College show.

Student Dance Evening thrills Prospect Theatre

Mon, 24 May 2010 16:32:10 GMT

Pulsating evening of contemporary dance

Dancers at the College provided a spectacular show in the Prospect Theatre last week to mark the end of their dance courses. Over fifty students - A level Dancers, Dance Leaders and members of the College Dance Company - participated in a gorgeous celebration of this most lyrical of art forms.

The show celebrated a wide variety of contemporary dance styles, mostly choreographed by the students themselves inspired by a staggering range of rich source material – from the poetry of Tennyson, the stories of Oscar Wilde to the sculptural work of Anthony Gormley and the impact of the women’s suffrage movement!

Solo pieces were performed with supreme confidence and gusto; group pieces were carried off beautifully: throughout the 28 different compositions, the enthralled audience were transported though an extraordinary emotional spectrum – searing passion, soulless dehumanisation, political commentary, the alienation of modern life and a sensational reminder of the sheer joyful zest of being alive!

To the backbeat of a colour and a stunning aural soundtrack (including a musical piece created and performed for the evening by one of the performers – take a bow Joel Stevens!) the evening was a breathtaking showcase of the vibrant talent studying at the College. ‘Pulse’ encapsulated all that is best in College life: commitment, discipline, imagination and individual brilliance in tandem with magnificent harmonious team-working.

This was a tour de force; a show to be proud of – and dance, under the courageous and ambitious leadership of Sally Allsford and Emily Burke, goes from strength to strength.

Diploma students take their new skills to Ghana

Mon, 24 May 2010 09:27:11 GMT

Students share their IT skills with Ghanaian Partner School

Five students from Farnborough Sixth Form College, who are among the first in the country to complete the new Advanced Diploma in Information Technology, have been putting their skills into practice in Ghana. They have just returned from a visit to the College’s partner school, the Presbyterian Secondary Technical School in the mountain village of Aburi, where they have been servicing computers and teaching IT to the pupils. Last year, the College donated 50 of its retired computers to the school.

The students were accompanied by teachers Matt Thorne, Curriculum Manager for the Diploma, and Terri-lee Palmer. Mr Thorne said, “The Ghana trip was the culmination of two years intensive study of advanced level IT, involving a combination of practical and theoretical study with the emphasis upon problem-solving and project management skills.”

The students were welcomed to the school by the headmaster and they attended the start of term assembly where they sang hymns and danced with the Ghanaian students. Their work began the following day with a major overhaul of the computers which the College had donated to the school last year.

IT student Rebecca McCallan, 18, of Camberley said, “We were saddened to find that only four of the fifty computers we had donated were working when we arrived and we had to undertake extensive tests to discover the problems.”

Rebecca added, “We found that many of the power units had blown because of the unstable electricity supply but we were able to rebuild twelve machines into a working state at the end of the day – it was a really useful way to gain some valuable skills while experiencing life in Ghana.”

17 year old Ross Brett-Holt of Frimley said, “The Ghana trip was an amazing experience because it showed us that the technology we take for granted is just not available in a developing country – there are so many things that can and do go wrong. “

The students went on to load software onto the machines in Aburi which they had written in Farnborough as part of their studies, and then to teach the Ghanaian students how to use it.

Harry Scott, 18, of Camberley said, “The Ghana trip enabled us to put all that we have learnt over the last two years into a real life situation in a country with a totally different culture and way of life.”

Harry added, “There’s no way that we could have learnt everything we have seen and done by being taught it in the normal classroom.”

Organisation for the trip was supported by e-skills UK, the Employers’ Sector Skills Council for information technology, and was funded by a grant from the Department for Education in London. It was also supported by British Airways who gave the students first class complimentary tickets and contributed to the costs of the staff who travelled in economy.

College Principal, Dr John Guy, who accompanied the trip said, “We have pioneered a new approach to advanced level teaching and we are very grateful for the financial support from government and industry. Matthew Thorne and Terri-lee Palmer have been asked to contribute our findings and experiences in Ghana to national conferences on teaching and learning.”

Terri-lee Palmer said, “It was a life changing and unforgettable experience for the IT Diploma students to have the opportunity to work on a real life project; the impact of the trip to Ghana was a combination of education, culture and emotion.”

The College developed its partnership with the school in Aburi six years ago and students and staff have made exchange visits to understand more about their different cultures and to undertake joint curriculum projects.

College Choir sings Evensong

Sun, 16 May 2010 21:35:52 GMT

Southwark Cathedral moved by College Choir

Not content to rest on their laurels and bask in the success of their wonderful production of Ruddigore less than two weeks earlier, the students and staff of the College music department travelled to the nation’s capital to give yet another stunning performance. The destination was the inspiring setting of Southwark Cathedral, where the College Chamber Choir was to sing the daily service of Choral Evensong.

The music, chosen to reflect the first service of the Feast of the Ascension was ambitious in its demands but the choir rose to the challenge magnificently and led the service with confidence and assurance. As well as the appointed Psalm for the day and hymn, the choir sang the Smith unaccompanied Preces and Responses and Stanford’s wonderful settings of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (in G major). The Stanford was a wonderful vehicle for the beautiful voices of Madeleine Sakakini (16, of Old Basing) and Jessica Mabin (17, of Fleet) who dueted the solo treble lines – their voices floating effortlessly throughout the building and contrasting with that of the full choir. Jamie Barton (18, of Frimley) sang the bass solo in the Nunc Dimittis with such control, polish and assurance that none present would have guessed that this was his debut performance as a solo singer. The service concluded with the choir singing the anthem –a setting of How Lovely are thy Dwellings by Brahms which the choir sang with great emotional intensity.

Following the service the Cathedral’s Precentor, Canon Andrew Nunn, thanked the choir for their wonderful singing and particularly on the way they had paced the service – a remarkable achievement for a choir who does not regularly sing services of this kind. He concluded by offering an open invitation to the choir to return whenever they wished.

Making no effort to hide how moved he had been by the occasion, Director of Music Paul Bambrough told the choir “I am so proud of what you have done today. Not only have you sung astoundingly beautifully but you have shown a genuine sensitivity to the singing of a service and taken your responsibility for leading this act of worship very seriously. Once again, you have exceeded my all my expectations.”

The occasion was made that little bit more unique as the choir was joined by one special additional member. Ralph Wyld’s grandfather (80), a lifelong church musician stood alongside his grandson in the choir stalls and sang with us from memory. It was very touching to see Ralph sing his first ever cathedral Evensong alongside his grandfather who has sung so many.

RAG week raises over £3300

Wed, 12 May 2010 08:39:30 GMT

Students enagage in Raising and Giving (RAG) week

Students from Farnborough Sixth Form College raised over £3300 in the 2010 Rag week held last week. Student Charities Officer Matt Davenport, 18, of Fleet said, “We had five days full of crazy costumes, excitable students and wacky events to raise money for our chosen charities Daisy's Dream, Help for Heroes, Phyllis Tuckwell, Parity and Diabetes UK, and it was a huge success.”

Each day had its own theme chosen and designed by the student association beginning with Holiday. This featured the students’ very own Summer Fete complete with stalls, games and a “bean shy” which rewarded successful competitors with the opportunity to pour baked beans over members of the SA. Great fun!

Tuesday was John Guy (JG) Day – a loving tribute to the Principal who retires at the end of the academic year. Matt Davenpoort said, “We sold hundreds of T shirts sporting comments like "JG ♥ U", “I ♥ JG” and "JG 4 PM" which everybody wore and there were loads of JG Look-a-Likes around.”

Out-going Student President, Jack Nixon, 18, of Church Crookham said, “The highlight of the day was John’s stirring rendition of the Beatles classic “Hey Jude” during the Karaoke event.”

Other events in the week included Sports Day, with saw a terrific staff v students game which kicked off a really popular 5 a side tournament involving no fewer than 15 teams and an old school “sports day” on the field with very mucky egg & spoon races (who forgot to hard boil the eggs???), 3 legged, sack and sprint races.

School Day allowed everyone to break out the old school uniforms (and a few that definitely wouldn’t have been allowed) and featured a live “old v new” quiz. John Guy and Jack Nixon, the outgoing SA President, competed against Simon Jarvis, Principal Designate, and Richard Acton, the incoming SA President. This was a fiercely contested battle as the losing President had to have a leg wax! Lots of extra money was raised when Simon and John volunteered to have a leg wax for £30!

999 Day brought visits from the Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service and the Territorial Army. Newly elected Charities Officer Maddie Sakakini said, “Students wore a fantastic array costumes ranging from Ghostbusters to “Super Mr Potato Head” and our visitors posed for lots of crazy photos with the students.”

On top of these events, the SA raised money by selling T shirts, bags of tuck shop sweets, Krispy Kremes, Hawaiian flower wreaths, badges and loads more, all in-keeping with each day’s theme, and all adding to our charity bucket.

It was absolutely fantastic to see so many staff and students get into the spirit of RAG week, so a huge thank you to everyone who took part and donated!

Special thanks to Hampshire Fire Services, The Territorial Army, Krispy Kreme, the caretakers, college services and finance for making Rag Week 2010 such a winner!

25 Students set to travel to all corners of the earth

Mon, 10 May 2010 18:14:32 GMT

Students prepare to meet the damands of a changing world

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The Mayor and Mayoress of Rushmoor were Guests of Honour at the annual award of travel scholarships at Farnborough Sixth Form College today. He presented cheques to 25 students who are undertaking a variety of challenging expeditions and journeys in the next few months.

College Principal, Dr John Guy, spoke of the esteem and pride in which he held students who went out of their way to challenge themselves and to help others. He said, “The College mission is to prepare students to face the demands of a changing world with confidence and assurance and what better way to experience that than to undertake an expedition to a remote or difficult part of the world?”

Speaking at the ceremony, the Mayor Rushmoor, Cllr Roger Kimber, said, “I am delighted to support events like this where students are encouraged to go out into the world to help others. It is a wonderful tribute to the students of the College that so many are undertaking this sort of activity.”

Among first year students who received travel scholarships was 16 year old Georgia Pearson of Fleet who will be travelling to Sri Lanka with the Ocean Stars Charity. Georgia said, “I’m really excited about going and working with the communities affected by the 2004 Tsunami – but it is a bit daunting because I don’t really know the people I’ll be going with yet and I’ve never travelled that far before without my family.”

17 year old Siddharth Manikonda from Hook will be undertaking work experience in a small local hospital in India. He said, “I am hoping to be a doctor in the future and seeing medicine practiced in a developing country will give me more knowledge and understanding of diseases and their treatments in a developing country.”

18 year old Hannah Hitchin from Fleet received her award to undertake a gap year in Thailand where she will be teaching English and working as a volunteer in local community, arranged by the Baptist Mission Society. She was surprised to receive a second cheque for £250 presented by the Vice President of Blackwater Valley Rotary Club, Mandy Childs. The award, known as the Jacqueline Findlay Travel Bursary, was established by the Club in memory of one of its founding members who was a local headteacher before her untimely death from cancer some 8 years ago.

Mandy Childs said, “Jacqueline was keen to promote travel and Hannah is a very worthy winner of this award – we look forward to following her journey with great interest.”

A shocked and delighted Hannah said, “I was really pleased to receive a travel scholarship from the College but I never expected to receive the Jacqueline Findlay Travel Bursary as well! I look forward to returning after my gap year to speak to the Rotary Club members about my experiences – and to express to them my gratitude for their generosity.”

Ruddigore brings standing Ovation

Fri, 07 May 2010 10:25:27 GMT

Ruddigore captivates spellbound audiences

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Rarely in the 11 year history of the Prospect Theatre has a performance captivated the audience as this wonderfully compelling production of the classic Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, Ruddigore. It was the latest in the series of inspired Farnborough Youth Opera Projects created by the College Director of Music, Paul Bambrough, to enable College students take on challenging operatic productions to professional standard. In spite of the College’s enviable reputation for musical excellence, however, few could have expected the heights to which this production soared.

In the image of D'Oyly Carte itself, it was a gorgeous concoction of graceful music, sublime comic playing, supernatural spectres - and enormous fun! James Rowland, 17, from Aldershot as Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd and Jessica Mabin, 17, of Fleet, as Rose May led the cast superbly, performing with pizzazz and mature confidence the story of the hapless lovers. Ably supported by Stephen Mills,18, of Hook, as the hearty, seafaring foster-brother and the dastardly Sir Despard, played by Jacob Howells-Jones,18, of Tongham – a saturnine villain, all flashing dark looks and evil menace!

The plot twisted and weaved through a labyrinth of surprises and chaos caused by the ancient curse placed upon the heirs of Ruddigore, resolved at the last by true love! Mad Margaret, played by Nancy Reynolds, 18, of Bracknell, secured her man and there was even time for the late Baronet, Sir Roderic Murgatroyd, played by Richard Mahal, 18, of Frimley, to rise from the grave and find true happiness with his ice maiden, Dame Hannah, brilliantly portrayed by Kate Willetts, 17, of Sandhurst.

Joyous celebrations delighted the professional bridesmaids, beautifully led by Josie Copeland, 17, of Wokingham, and Emily Dobbing,18, of Woking, and a stout band of ancestral phantoms. Curiously, and in true Gilbert and Sullivan tradition, all seemed content with their respective partners however surprisingly they came to be together!

Ruddigore was a triumph for this young, accomplished and courageous cast and the standing ovation on the final night was a fitting tribute from the sell-out audiences.

Congratulating the cast after the production, College Principal, Dr John Guy, said, “The D’Oyly Carte company themselves would have been delighted to mount a production of Ruddigore to this standard – it is one of my proudest moments in the achievements of this College”.

College Easter Concert

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:45:20 GMT

The Spring Term ended on a wonderfully high note for the Music department with an extraordinarily varied programme performed by College music students. The first half of the evening in the Prospect Theatre enabled the New Concertante Ensemble, under the direction of Harry White, to demonstrate the breadth of the growing repertoire. The NCE opened the evening with a short piece by Schoenberg – the first time the work of this 20th century Austrian composer has featured in a College concert. Katy Ovens and Sam Cleeve gave a succinct, illustrated introduction to the piece which many in the audience found insightful and helpful. Schubert’s March in G minor was taken at a canter by the NCE, before the outstanding talents of two soloists were showcased. Emily Dobbing played the 1st movement of Bellini’s Oboe Concerto in E flat minor beautifully, before Stephen Mills (tenor) gave an assured, confident interpretation of two songs by the same composer. Before the interval, there was time for the NCE to treat the audience to some Mozart and the Salzburg Symphony.

After the interval, an intriguing, eclectic mix of the familiar and the new was laid before us by director, Ben Dowsett. Guy Murgatroyd gave a bravura performance of his own arrangement of Misty: controlled and delivered with daring and panache, this was a magnificent highlight of the evening. The Jazz Band romped through two spirited pieces before giving way to Tom Kelsey at the piano, who gave a sensitive reading of Gershwin’s The man I love. More jazz from Sixth Sense followed, mining an extensive back catalogue of the curious combined with old favourites typical of the group, and featuring the vocal talents of Jessica Mabin, who delivered a sparkling rendition of Jerome Kern’s The way you look tonight . A gorgeous multi-textured, colourful evening reached was brought to a close by Izzy and The Eskimos and an energetic, funky version of the Stevie Wonder classic, Superstition, before the Big Band returned with their special brew of Sound of Silence and Flight to Augusta, featuring the solo talents of many in the band.

College features in national newspaper concerning Oxbridge Entrance

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:38:51 GMT

Henry Tyndale School and College Production of Wizard of Oz

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 08:46:09 GMT

Coppers escape the clutches of the Wicked Witch!

Not a seat spare in the Prospect Theatre on a magical Friday night, as the packed house were treated to a joyous celebration of wizardry conjured up by the students from Henry Tyndale School. Supported by College students who have been working in partnership with the Coppers sixth form unit at Henry Tyndale this year, the youngsters - linked arm in arm - danced and sang their way down the famous yellow brick road to the Emerald City. This was an entrancing show, holding the delighted audience spellbound as Dorothy and her three companions led us bravely through the terrors of Oz.

This was an evening of wonderful determination and courage, celebrating the talent of an energetic and big hearted cast. The colourful production of The Wizard of Oz, marking the seventh year of close cooperation between the College and the School, was by far the most ambitious to date. Afterwards, Simon Jarvis, Principal Designate, and Rob Thompson, Head Teacher at Henry Tyndale School, thanked the many students and staff who had worked so hard on putting the show together.

Rob Thompson said, “In the year ahead, we look forward to continuing the close working relationship with the College which has been enjoyed by the neighbouring organisations for so many years.”

General Election Campaign Trail starts at College

Sun, 28 Mar 2010 01:22:48 GMT

Question Time Debate challenges Politicians

Aldershot and Farnborough MP, Gerald Howarth, began the defence of his Parliamentary seat on Friday at a special Question Time Debate held at The Sixth Form College, Farnborough. He was joined by Liberal Democrat candidate Cllr Adrian Collett, Labour candidate Jonathan Slater, Robert Snare for UKIP, and the Green Party candidate for Reading West, Adrian Windisch.

Acknowledging that this was the first day of their new campaign trail, the panel fielded questions from a large and lively student audience, many of whom are first time voters. The debate was chaired, David Dimbleby-style, by Government and Politics student, Frances McDonnell, who took the candidates by surprise by her feisty, challenging and very firm control of proceedings. Frances, who is hoping to read Law at Christ’s College, Cambridge, in the autumn, ensured that the panel remained focused throughout and showed consummate confidence in steering the debate to maintain momentum.

The panel were asked a series of searching questions by the student audience. They were challenged on the funding of political parties, David Cameron’s social modernisation of the Conservative Party, their views on gay and homosexual issues, the controversial Lisbon Treaty, how faith could be restored in British politics after the expenses fiasco, increases in defence spending and whether or not the panel would consider lowering tuition fees.

Adrian Collett was greeted with cheers and applause as he described how the Liberal Democrats intended to dismantle the tuition-fee “scandal”, with a phased removal of the fees beginning with those for final-year undergraduate courses. UKIP candidate, Robert Snare proposed that universities should reduce in size and teach only proper subjects. Challenged by the Chair to name improper ones, he cited politics as a subject to be dropped - to the visible and audible dismay and disbelief of his audience.

Gavin Sheffield, Tutor in History, Government and Politics, organised the debate. He said, “It is not only important for young people to take an active interest in politics but it is also vital that politics and politicians respond to their needs and consider their opinions with due respect and thoughtful consideration.”

Frances McDonnell who chaired the debate was praised by the Politicians after the event. Gerald Howarth said, “She is a very forceful young person – I have really enjoyed being put on the spot this afternoon.”

Jonathan Slater, the Labour candidate, added, “As always, the visit to the sixth form college has been challenging and stimulating – it has been an excellent start to the campaign trail.”

Order of questions asked
Rob Grieg (AS Politics)- With controversies over Lord Ashcroft and the UNITE union, is it time to change the way political parties are funded in Britain?
Adam Lapthorn (Former student) - After David Cameron’s slip up on gay equality in an interview with ‘gay times’ this week, to what extent does the panel think the Conservative Party has completed its ‘journey’ on the issue of gay equality?
Michael Veale (A2 Politics) - Does the panel agree with the policies in the Lisbon Treaty and if not, why not exactly?
Elizabeth Silvester (AS Politics) - After expenses, how should trust be restored in British politics?
James Brown (AS Politics) - Given the failure of the government to meaningfully increase defence spending, which was originally based on far less straining situation for our armed forces, do the party members on the panel have any plans to increase defence spending to meet the rising cost of our military commitments and not just to keep it in line with inflation?
Rebecca Simmons (AS Citizenship) Would you ever consider lowering university fees in the interest of the students?

New Student Committee Elected

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:05:35 GMT

New President sets dress code for election

17 year-old Richard Acton, is to be the next Student President at Farnborough Sixth Form College. Wearing his trademark waistcoat, complete with silver-chained watch, and trilby, he thanked the student body which elected him by a significant majority to this prestigious role. Richard will now lead the12-strong committee of students which contributes to the development of one of the country's leading sixth form colleges.

Richard said, "It's a great honour and a privilege to be elected President of such an outstanding student body as we have at Farnborough Sixth Form College. I look forward to even more success for the College in the coming year and to delivering on my promises for the further improvements to the student environment." Richard is in his first year studying Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Economics.

Richard’s Vice President is Josie Copeland (17), a former student of Leighton Park School, who is studying, French, Spanish, Italian and English Literature. Josie sees her role as supporting the President and the rest of the Student Association. She said, "I welcome the challenge to serve as Vice President for the coming year and look forward to supporting Richard and the committee in contributing to the success of this exceptional college."

Both Richard and Josie will be appointed to the College’s Governing Body as full voting members from April 2010, giving them invaluable experience serving on a statutory corporation answerable directly to the government. Each of the student committee members has a particular responsibility, but they work together to organise and coordinate events. Newly elected Charities Officer, Madeleine Sakakini, 16, said, “The charitable fund-raising has been particularly successful last year but I am looking forward to the huge challenge of raising even more money.”

President-elect Richard Acton said, "Both Josie and I acknowledge the challenge which faces us, but we are very much looking forward to playing our part in taking our outstanding College forward".

Both the College Principal, John Guy, and Principal Designate, Simon Jarvis, were delighted with the results. “There has been an enormous amount of interest in these elections with a 90% turnout and the candidates have been challenged to defend their policies in a series of hustings,” said Dr Guy.

Mr Jarvis said, “The main political parties contesting the General Election would do well to visit the College to see how to engage the enthusiasm of the electorate – and perhaps our new President could give them a lesson in dress code!”

Students take dance to local schools

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 17:42:30 GMT

Dance Leaders mount inspirational show with local schools

Dance Leader students at The Sixth Form College Farnborough demonstrated how they are an inspiration to local school children as their four week dance project came to a climax with a spectacular showcase held at Oak Farm Community School. The showcase, entitled Oak Farm Family Dance Showcase presented a range of pieces and involved over 50 local school children.

The work was a result of a four week project led by Dance Leaders from The Sixth Form College Farnborough, in association with North East Hampshire School Sports Partnership. Second year dance students prepared and delivered a dance session every week in Cherrywood Community Primary School, Tower Hill Primary School and St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School. The project aimed to build links between further education and local schools by providing extra-curricular dance activities.

Friends and family of the school pupils, who were invited to the performance, were full of praise for the work. Subject Leader for Dance Leaders, Emily Burke, said, “I am overwhelmed by the maturity of the leaders and how they have applied their leadership skills when working with the school children, it is a demonstration of the hard work and commitment that our students put into their studies within the Performing Arts department.”
Staff at the schools who worked with the College students said they were a fantastic role model for the school children and were impressed by their manner of professionalism and sense of responsibility.

DANCE LEADERS involved in the project were:
Cherrywood Community Primary School - Sara Lacey, Annabel Moody, Erika Rose, Rhianne Watson, Josh Harrison, Eleanor Turner, Verity Cooper, Nicola Ashton.
St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School - Sian Brown, Krystal Duncan, Samantha Till, Victoria Moore, Kimberley Jarnak , Steffi Callaco, Piers Jeffries.
Cherrywood Community Junior School - Ben Seward, Lucy Chilton, Megan Hill, Rebecca Evans, Rachel Tufts, Charlotte Black, Fallan Burke.
Tower Hill Primary School - Becky Kukcla, Sophie Kelpacz, Joel Stevens, James Dance, Jessica Newson, Hayley Goddard, Hayley Carrington.

SPECIAL THANKS to all the schools involved in this project; the dance leaders for their wonderful guidance and expertise, who made the sessions both informative and fun. Oak Farm Community School for hosting this event; Jack Salzman for technical support; Lucy Chilton and Ben Seward for creating the programme and Joel Stevens for designing the poster. Further thanks to Lucy Moore for all her hard work organising the link between the College and the schools and all the teachers who have supported and encouraged such a wonderful experience for the leaders and the students involved. Emily Burke Subject Leader of Dance Leaders.

Bishop of Guildford visits College

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:15:06 GMT

Bishop visits the student hustings and meets members of the CU

When the Bishop of Guildford visited Farnborough Sixth Form College this week, he found himself at the centre of election fever and was able to see the democratic process in full swing at the Student Hustings.

Student President, Jack Nixon, said, “It was great that Bishop Christopher could see for himself that students at the College take the elections very seriously.”

Bishop Christopher was keen to include the College in his programme during his visitation to the local Aldershot Deanery. Having been welcomed by the President and Vice President, Daniel Rodgett, Bishop Christopher had lunch with members of the College’s Christian Union.

Christian Union leader Hannah Hitchin said, “It was a fantastic opportunity to meet Bishop Christopher and have lunch with him! We spoke about a lot of issues and had a really good discussion on euthanasia and the role of palliative care at the end of life.”

After lunch, College Principal John Guy took Bishop Christopher on a tour of the College. College Chaplain, Rev Martin Cornes, who accompanied the Bishop said, “Bishop Christopher really enjoyed his visit and was given an excellent insight into College life.”

Dr Guy said, “The College was honoured to welcome the Bishop and he clearly enjoyed meeting students and engaging them in conversation. We all hope he will return again in the near future.”

College awarded "research-engaged" status

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:29:54 GMT

National Foundation for Educational Research honours College

The Sixth Form College Farnborough became one of only two institutions in the country to receive recognition as a Research-Engaged College at the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS) annual research conference held in London recently.

The award has been created by a group of educationalists, led by the National Foundation for Educational Research, in order to underline the importance of putting research at the heart of good teaching practice in schools and colleges.

The research project at Farnborough is led by David Godfrey, Assistant Director of Personalised Learning. He said, “Every year, we support subject tutors to undertake research projects with the intention of improving teaching and learning across the College.”

Mr Godfrey, who has undertaken research in education at Brunel University and has published his findings widely, encourages a research based approach to teaching. Tutors whose projects are selected for support funding undertake their research, attend additional research meetings and disseminate their findings at a June conference held at the College, attended by colleagues from many other institutions. All the reports are posted on the College’s website and published in the in-house journal, and many have been taken up by national publications, such as the NFER’s ‘Practical Research for Education’.

Mr Godfrey said, “Farnborough’s approach has been particularly praised for the sustainable, embedded way in which teachers are encouraged to carry out action research.”

“The model established at the Sixth Form College has been studied by Ofsted and LSIS and is celebrated in the national web-based resource, Excellence Gateway, as an example of good practice for others in the sector,” Mr Godfrey added.

In the citation at the awards ceremony in London, Alison Lawson, Principal Research Strategist at NFER said, “Farnborough’s excellent application demonstrated a thorough commitment to research across the whole College, with involvement of a large number of staff. Their enthusiasm and passion for improving learning and teaching through research was clear and they well deserve the award.”

College Principal, Dr John Guy, said, “The College always seeks to improve as a learning institution and it is a great honour that the research approach led by David Godfrey has received such national recognition.”

New Principal appointed

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:37:49 GMT

Simon Jarvis is appointed Principal Designate

The Governors of the College have appointed Simon Jarvis, currently Vice Principal at the College, to the post of Principal with effect from 1 September 2010.

Mr Jarvis, who is an English Literature graduate of Southampton University and holds a Master’s degree in Education from Surrey University, was first appointed to the College as a Senior Tutor in 1990. He became Vice Principal in 1992 and has overseen the very many developments in the curriculum of the College in recent years, master-minding the quality assurance procedures which have enabled the College to achieve its rating by Ofsted as Outstanding.

Chairman of Governors William Bagnall said, “This was a much sought after post in the education sector and it is a great testament to Simon’s qualities that he emerged from the strong field and rigorous assessment as the outstanding candidate.”

“The Governors were unanimous in his appointment,” Mr Bagnall added.

Mr Jarvis said, “I am really delighted and honoured to have been appointed Principal of this exceptional College. I will work with energy and commitment to ensure the College retains its ethos and the sharp focus on improving the achievements of each individual student.”

Dr John Guy, the current Principal, will be stepping down from the post he has held for 18 years in the summer. He said, “There is no one to whom I am happier to hand over the leadership of the College than Simon Jarvis. He has demonstrated that not only is he a tower of strength but also he has a wonderful capacity to inspire students and staff. I have no doubt that his vision and leadership will see the College to even greater successes in the future.”

College Newsletter, February 2010

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:20:33 GMT

The February 2010 Newsletter contains important information:

p1: Student Association Elections - information for parents and students

p2: Parents' Evenings March 2010 and Summer Examinations

p3: Careers, HE finance (2nd years); HE Information evening (1st years); Oxbridge 2010

p4: upcoming Music, Dance and Theatre events

p5: University Admissions 2010 - warning! ; Baroque Christmas Concert

p6: Photographic exhibition; Concerto competition; Performing Arts Week

To download the February Newsletter, click here

Flautist Katy Ovens wins College Concerto Competition

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:00:11 GMT

Concerto Solo for Flautist Katy

Twelve talented musicians studying A level Music at Farnborough Sixth Form College competed for the first prize in the College Concerto Competition held at the University of Surrey. The competing musicians treated the enthralled audience to a magnificent display of adept, at times dazzling, performances in an evening which provided a diverse programme of beautiful music, embracing Bach, Mozart and Elgar interspersed with wonderful surprises by lesser known 20th century composers.

The students exposed their playing skills to the scrutiny of an illustrious panel of judges led by Professor Sebastian Forbes, one of the country’s most distinguished musicians and Director of Music at the University. Professor Forbes was joined by Clive Williamson, internationally renowned pianist and Head of Performance at Surrey and Susan White, who has played with many of Britain’s leading orchestras, performing widely in Europe and the USA.

Commenting on the high standard of musicianship, Professor Forbes delighted all present in highly commending the performance of Saint-Saens’ Cello Concerto No 1, by Katy Nagle (aged 17, from Farnham). The judges were unable to separate the winners of the second prize, which was jointly awarded to pianist Rachel Mills (aged 16, of Hook) for her mature performance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto no 1, and Ralph Wyld (aged 17, from Fleet) who played the Concerto for Vibraphone and Orchestra by Ney Rosauro with evident gusto.

The judges were unanimous, however, in their appreciation of the winner, Katy Ovens (aged 18, of Woking) for her near-faultless, interpretation of Jacob’s Concerto for Flute and Strings. In winning this competition, Katy will perform the complete Concerto later in the year before a packed audience at Guildford Cathedral. Rachel and Ralph will also contribute to the event in July, reprising movements from their chosen pieces.

Katy said, “I am very excited to be playing in such a wonderful venue as Guildford Cathedral – but a bit daunted by the prospect of learning the entire Jacob Concerto and performing it to concert solo standard!”

Director of Music and inspiration behind the competition, Paul Bambrough was thrilled by the success of the evening. He said: “I’m so proud of all the students. They have shown great skill, discipline and courage tonight. It’s been a wonderful learning experience for them all, stretching and challenging them to play to such a high level before such an eminent panel.”

In thanking the students and the judges, Vice Principal Simon Jarvis said: “The real winners of this competition were not those selected for prizes but those fortunate to have been present to enjoy this sumptuous evening presented by these gifted young musicians.”

Spectacular exhibition from Young Photographers

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:48:31 GMT

Media students delight exhibition audience

Photographs by Media students at Farnborough Sixth Form College were the subject of great praise and critical acclaim at a private viewing of their best work showcased in a new exhibition taking place in the College’s John Guy Building.

The exhibition, entitled View Finder, represents a range of photography work inspired by the theme of culture, drawing also on the importance of heritage and personal identity. The collection illustrates a range of classic and experimental forms and styles, resulting in a colourful and diverse collection of images.

The young photographers, all aged 16 and 17, are students on the College’s highly successful Media National Certificate Course. Before the project, most of the students had little of experience of camera use except for holiday snapshots.

Friends and family of the students were invited to the exhibition, which was opened by the Principal. Introducing the exhibition, College Subject Leader for Media, Rachel Beasley, said, “I am really proud of the work in this exhibition; the students have thrived in creating original and inspiring images.”

She added: “The whole project has embraced our key aims of motivating students in a meaningful way in order to raise their achievement.”

Parent Ms Mokhtar-Benounane said, “These photos are highly imaginative and they have made me really think about their messages - they are all so very different! It is a fantastic exhibition.”

Among the works on show was a remarkable photograph by 16 year old Dean Overton of Aldershot whose image was entitled ‘Moving On’. Taken in Oxford, he captured a moment of transition and the sense of an unknown but exciting future with which all the visitors identified.

Dean said, “The exhibition was amazing and seeing the photographs displayed so professionally gave us all a real thrill. I’m really please to have had the opportunity to do this.”

Speaking to the students at the exhibition, College Principal Dr John Guy said, “I have attended many exhibitions of art at all levels and these images would not be out of place in a professional gallery. There are real levels of brilliance in some of these shots and I congratulate you all on what you have achieved in so short a time at the College.”

The work will remain on display at the college until Friday 12th February.

College Baroque Christmas Concert

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 19:37:28 GMT

Chamber Choir and Choral Society captivate audience

Click here for more photographs

Students from Farnborough Sixth Form College captivated the congregation in St Andrew’s Garrison Church on Friday with a beautiful evening of music at the College’s Baroque Christmas Concert.

The evening began with Charpentier’s Kyrie from the Messe de Minuit pour Noel, so wonderfully intoned by the College Chamber Choir that it seemed too high an expectation that such quality would be maintained throughout the concert. It was followed by two delightful chorales written for the Lutheran Church in Germany shortly after the Reformation. Soloists Madeleine Sakakini (soprano), Katy Ovens (alto), William Malins (tenor) and William Etheridge (Bass) filled the church with their stunning unaccompanied harmony in A Great and Mighty Wonder by Praetoius, only to be matched by Jessica Mabin, Katy Nagle and Stephen Mills who joined William Etheridge in a perfect rendition of J S Bach’s O Little Sweet One.

Director of Music Paul Bambrough’s choice of Monteverdi’s Beatus Vir, a setting of Psalm 112, enabled the chamber choir to show their strength, maturity and versatility as they triumphed in this next dramatic work scored for six-part chorus and soloists.

The student voices were able to rest during Samuel Cleeve’s solo violin performance of J S Bach’s Partita no 2 in D minor, which he played without score in a magnificent and passionate rendition, with great depth of feeling bringing sustained applause from the appreciative and delighted concert-goers.

Finally, the 100-strong Choral Society performed Vivaldi’s Gloria in D, a joyful hymn of praise and worship. Solo parts were sung with confidence and beauty by sopranos Jessica Mabin, Nancy Reynolds and Charlotte Cartwright, Alto Katy Nagle and Baritone Jacob Howells-Jones but the whole choir sang with a strength and beauty more characteristic of a professional group than one would expect of a sixth form college choir.

The evening was a triumph for Director of Music Paul Bambrough, who had put together a wonderful Christmas offering, but especially for the talented students. Thanking them after the concert, Principal Dr John Guy said, “I am not sure if, as performers, you realise just how wonderful it has been to listen to this evening’s concert - it has indeed been a privilege to be present.”

Class of 2009 receive their Certificates

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 14:56:26 GMT

Outstanding students in outstanding College

Click here for photographs of the special awards and speeches; click here for individual certificate presentations.

19 year old Joanna Dixon was named as the Dell Student of the Year at Farnborough Sixth Form College’s Annual Awards Evening on Thursday evening and was presented with Dell Corporation’s top of the range Adamo Laptop. Over 1000 parents and students packed the Dame Kelly Holmes Sports Centre when the College’s class of 2009 celebrated their examination successes.

Principal guest was Peter Lauener, Chief Executive of the newly created Young People’s Learning Agency which has responsibility for funding and planning, with Local Authorities, all post-16 education in the country. Mr Lauener said he was delighted to have been invited to the College: “This is one of the best sixth form colleges in the country and it is an honour to be with you this evening,” he told the audience.

Mr Lauener added, “It is quite simply an outstanding college and as someone with responsibility for learning across the country, I would be delighted if there were many more places like Farnborough. It has a track record which goes back many years; it has stood the test of time”.

For Principal Dr John Guy, it was his last awards evening before his retirement in the summer. He told the students, “Your results this year were excellent – I am very proud of all you have achieved.”

Mr Lauener presented certificates to 400 students and a number of special awards to students with particularly outstanding achievements.

Dell Student of the Year, Joanna Dixon, overcame considerable health problems during her sixth form studies which meant that she had to spread her studies over three years. In reading the citation, Dr Guy told Jo, “Your hope and optimism were an inspiration to us all and you achieved not only four grade A passes at A level but also a place at Bristol University to study Law – there is no more fitting winner of the DELL Student of the Year Award.”

Speaking afterwards, Jo said, “I still can’t believe I have won this amazing award – Farnborough Sixth Form College really gave me enormous support and I am particularly indebted to my tutor, Margaret Taylor, who was just amazing.”

“I am so happy,” said Jo, “and so shocked to have won the DELL Award!”

Speaking on behalf of all the students, former Student President Theo McCusker, now at Sidney Sussex College in Cambridge, told the audience, “We came to the College as schoolchildren and we have left as adults – it is a very special experience being at Farnborough and on behalf of us all I want to thank the staff, and especially John Guy, for enabling all this to happen.”

Award winners:

Outstanding Academic Achievement: Reece Straker, Maria Burova, Christine Leung, Dean Palmer, Sophie Dundovic, James Etherington, Jessica Stewart.

Outstanding Personal Achievement: Tom Ervin-Dowle, Swechha Gurung, Jack Martin, Jamie Frost, Brian Money, Stuart Rowland, Abhijit Chandgadkar.

Outstanding Contribution to College Life: Nick Elsey, Sarah Brown, Lucy Orgill, Vicky Tay, Theo McCusker.

Outstanding Contribution and Academic Achievement: Alex Lau, Adele Appleton.

Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year: Andrew Willis, Katie Wright

University College for Creative Arts Award: Lydia Simpson.

University of Winchester Awards: Nicola Cattini, Alex Teo, Tom Lewin, Simon Clough.

Mike Ritchie Award for Sport: Marc Fox, Lizzie Fearnley, Jenny Wing.

Durham University Book Prize: Sarah Reeve

Justin Scregg Memorial Award for Drama: Rosie Reynolds.

Alistair Panter Memorial Award for Personal Achievement: Alison Hare

N J Clarke Award for Accounting and Business: Rebecca Page.

Dell Student of the Year Award: Joanna Dixon.

Students surprise Local Charity for Young People

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 09:38:46 GMT

College students help homeless young people this Christmas

Cash boost to local homeless charity

Students at Farnborough Sixth Form have surprised and delighted a local charity helping homeless young people by a fantastic donation of over £2,700.

The money was raised by 40 students and their tutors, sleeping ‘rough’ for a night to publicise the plight of the many young people locally who are homeless, especially at this time of year.

The ‘sleep-out’ was in aid of local charity, Step by Step, who take almost 350 referrals a year from young people aged between 16 – 25 years who are homeless.

Student Charities Officer at the College, Matt Davenport, said, “As students, we were keen to do something to help people of our own age who don’t have the benefit of a stable home life – or even a home.”

Student President, Jack Nixon, added, “We chose to sleep rough on the College campus one night in November when it poured with rain – none of us had realised the impact of what it really felt like until we did it.”

Students, staff and friends sponsored the sleep-out, and the collections far exceeded the promised sponsorship money.

College Principal Dr John Guy thanked all concerned and said, “We encourage a College atmosphere of mutual respect and support, and our Student Association have not only worked hard for charities this term but have undertaken actions to show their commitment.”

Delighted Step by Step fundraiser Peter Davies said, ‘We are very excited by the innovative and committed way in which this money has been raised by the students and staff of Farnborough Sixth Form College. The donation will make a huge difference to our vulnerable clients, especially at this time of year.”

Newsletter December 2009

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:52:54 GMT

Click here to download a pdf version of the December 2009 Newsletter

The Villains' Opera plays to full houses

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:53:59 GMT

The mob hits town!

Click here for more photographs - and here for photographs of the live last night performance

The Prospect Theatre was a sinister place to be this Christmas, as we were led, at gun point, by an exuberant and talented company into a dark London underworld of villainy and crime.

Under the scrutiny of the all-seeing, all-knowing ever so slightly psychotic Mr Big (Joe Miller), this southside gang operate out of The Flower of Kent pub, orchestrated by the powerful, ruthless hands of Peachum played by David Allwright – part-Delboy, part-Fagin – and his gin-swilling, hard-bitten wife, played by Charlie Fooks. Aided by a colourful array of vicious hoodlums, petty-criminals and bent coppers (Mona Lisa Chinembiri and Zoe Crawford), The Villains’ Opera tells the adventures of MacHeath (Alex Warren) – a latter-day Alfie, all smiles and charms, wholly plausible and entirely untrustworthy! It’s a hard life being a gangster’s moll as poor Polly (Becky Turner) and lovely Lucy (Katie Goodsell) discover as we follow the capers of this colourful treacherous anti-hero to his bloody destiny. Of course, in the tradition of the panto season, who should appear at the end but a good fairy godfather in the form of the recently deceased but super-powered Mr Big, descending from on-high to wave his magic wand (or should that be his machine gun) and restore our hero to the tropical paradise of which he dreams.

A large cast of over 50 students have developed the piece this term and they perform with gusto, singing, dancing and wise-cracking with hi-octane humour. Interspersed with a dazzling range of songs - tantalisingly familiar melodies adapted cleverly by the cast to comment on the events as they unfold – and hilarious cameos (notably the lovelorn Filch, played by Henry Grieve, and the loyal but hapless Pinhead (Georgie Jones). The Villains’ Opera is not the usual Christmas story, perhaps, but would you argue with Scotch Gordon or Sledgehammer Perry? Now, just be careful out there, because car parks can be dangerous places in the dark...

Simon Jarvis, Theatre Critic

Computing students win national competition

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:56:25 GMT

Students' presentation to judges declared outright winner

Ten A level computing students from Farnborough Sixth Form College have won first prize in a national competition based on Biometrics and E-Identity, organised by the University of Kent, The UK Biometrics Institute and the Identity and Passport Service of the Home Office.

The students were delegates at a conference on the challenges of e-identity in the 21^st Century, held at Bletchley Park National Codes Centre. Computing Curriculum Manager at the College, Lalin Pethiyagoda, arranged for them to attend to enhance their understanding of the applications of computing in a changing world.

Mr Pethiyagoda said, “As biometric identity cards are being trialled in Manchester this week, the applications of computing in the field of personal identity is becoming increasingly important. Students heard from experts in the field of facial recognition, iris recognition and fingerprint recognition, as well as being introduced to the issues surrounding social networking technologies and their impact on identity.”

The students were then required to make a presentation to an expert panel on a previously prepared topic: How can I survive the next 20 years with my identity intact? Led by 16 year old Joshua Lambert of Spencers Wood, the Farnborough students produced a convincing video presentation warning of the impact that public access to social networking sites might have on future employment prospects.

Josh said, “We had worked hard on the presentation and we were the only team to include a video but all the presentations were excellent. We were speechless when we were announced as the overall winners.”

The judges from the University of Kent, the Passport Office and the UK Biometrics Institute told the students that their presentation was the clear, outright winner and presented the team with certificates and a cheque for £300.

Mr Pethiyagoda said, “I was very proud of the team who demonstrated their understanding in a field of knowledge at the cutting edge of modern technology. They were magnificent ambassadors of the College.”

College Dance Company creates magical menagerie

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:49:03 GMT

Dazzling Celebration of Life on Earth by College Dance Company

Click here for more photographs; higher resolution images can be downloaded from Shared Folders in College.

The Prospect Theatre was transformed this week by the extraordinary skill and invention of the College Dance Company who performed their own choreographed pieces on the theme of animals.

Like an episode from the TV series Life, to the evident delight of packed houses, the dancers transfixed us with an enchanting miasma of colour and abundant zest. At first a gorgeous birdhouse, alive with an amazing array of feathered friends; a procession of dignified elephants; stunning swans illuminated the space before a vast colony of hilarious penguins appeared, straight from the frozen wastes of Antarctica – these were Happy Feet indeed! Enter the flamingos – an entourage of preening, beautifully self-regarding creatures in their slinky, sensuous, shocking pink. Horses, bucking and spirited, a wood filled with cuckoos before the masterful, genuinely show stopping, chase of the gorillas brought the first half to an end. David Attenborough would have been captivated by this thrilling, tribe of moody, magnificent primates thumping, swaggering and stomping to the beat.

After the interval , more surprises awaited in this magical menagerie animated for us by the Dance Company of over 80 first and second year students, inspired by the talented team of dance teachers Sally Allsford and Emily Burke: Sian Brown’s beautiful and elegant solo swan song, slithering snakes, colourful kangaroos, the cutest of itchy-scratchy, side-splitting field mice, spectacular shoals of twisting, tropical fish, a warren of rabbits and stately giraffes, gathered from the plains of Africa! Assisted by the stage management of Lauren Geary and the technical wizardry of Jack Salzman, this was a confident ensemble performance choreographed superbly to explore every inch of floor space in this intimate venue. The Carnival of Animals was a dazzling celebration of life on earth brought to us by a troupe of outstanding performers: bravo!

Students celebrate their research and scholarship

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:29:40 GMT

180 students receive bound university-style dissertations; new partnership with the University of York announced

Click here for individual photographs; high resolution images can be downloaded from Shared Folders > Extended Project 2009

Professor Colin Mellors, Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of York, congratulated 180 students at Farnborough Sixth Form College on their achievements when he presented them with bound university-style copies of their extended project dissertations last night.

The College has led the education world in pioneering the Extended Project and Professor Mellors was full of praise for the innovation. Students undertake research in an area linking two of their subjects, under the supervision of a College tutor, as though they were university undergraduates.

Speaking to a packed hall of students and parents, Professor Mellors said, “The initiative is an excellent one, and something that aligns very closely with the skills that students will need at university.”

Addressing the students, Professor Mellors continued, “It is clear from the comments I have heard this evening that you have enjoyed the research enormously and it is a huge credit to you to have done the work so willingly over and above a pretty heavy A-level workload.”

Students Josh Sancho, 17, of Hook, and Natalie Harper, 17, of Guildford, addressed the audience, speaking of the huge benefits they had felt from undertaking original research across a number of their A level subjects.

Josh said, “It has given me the confidence to analyse arguments closely and to deepen my knowledge and understanding beyond the A level specifications.”

Natalie added, “For me, the Extended Project was both challenging and exciting, and it enabled me to understand the competing demands on my time and to prioritise them, not because I was told to but because I wanted to.”

The College is recognised nationally for its outstanding teaching and learning and staff are frequently asked to address national conferences in both the state and independent sectors. The College’s relationship with many universities is strong and the Principal Dr John Guy announced another milestone at the presentation, a formal partnership with the University of York.

Dr Guy said, “This evening we are celebrating not just the occasion of real scholarship which your extended projects represent but also a new relationship with the University of York which is well known for its research and for its emphasis upon excellent teaching of undergraduates.”

Responding, Professor Mellors said, “The University feels very proud to have become part of the 'extended Farnborough family'. There is a special 'feel' about this College and it has been a pleasure to see the commitment of such highly talented staff and students.”

Charity collections reach £6000

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:50:23 GMT

Student Association sets new record for charities

Students at Farnborough Sixth Form College have raised over £6000 for charities since September. Matt Davenport,18, of Fleet, Charities Officer for the Student Association at the College, said: “In addition to fund raising this year, we are raising awareness of the work of the charities we are supporting and the importance of their causes.”

The money has been raised principally through three hugely successful charity days at the College in addition to some smaller projects. In September students began their outstanding term by raising £1300 for Jeans for Genes, a charity very close to the hearts of the students. Matt said, “Asking our students to wear jeans seemed a bit pointless as it is their normal College uniform so instead everybody got dressed up in their pyjamas and headed to College for a day of fundraising, including a sponsored pillow fight held in one of the refectories”.

Pink Day followed in October, with students and staff all dressed in their finest pink attire, raising £1720 for Cancer Research UK. A great deal of pink food was sold on the day in addition to a rather messy assault course in which students competed to raise yet more money. As importantly, though, every single student in the College watched a short video presentation on how to check for lumps and bumps on breasts and testicles throughout the week, in order to raise awareness of the importance of self-examination for early detection. In addition the Student Association held a coffee morning for staff and raised over £110 in support of MacMillan Nursing.

For the Children In Need Appeal, students and staff raised over £1375; student 'buskers' played the crowds over the course of the two recent open days, while a karaoke session at lunch time kept students entertained and unearthed some dubious singing talent!

The College students are also collecting sponsorship money for a group of 40 students and 3 staff, representing the College community, who slept rough on the campus on a particularly wet and blustery November night. They did so to raise awareness and funds for the Aldershot based charity Step by Step, who specialise in helping young homeless people and those facing adversity. Students have been promised sponsorship which should top £1500.

With another two full terms ahead of them and the annual RAG week not far off the students hope to raise over £15,000 for charitable causes this year. Matt Davenport said, “That will be a record for the College students but we are determined to do it.”

College Autumn Music Concert 2009

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:44:15 GMT

New Concertante Ensemble and Big Band thrill audience

Click here for more photographs of concert

Students of The Sixth Form College Farnborough delighted a packed audience, including members of the Farnborough Music Society, in the College’s Prospect Theatre with a lively and varied programme, demonstrating real musicianship and maturity.

The evening began with charming renditions of classical favourites by J.S Bach and Mendelssohn, performed magnificently by the New Concertante Ensemble, the College’s Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of College Music Tutor Harry White. These were interspersed with confident and convincing solos by Music Scholars Colin Li (piano), 17 of Camberley, Eleanor Beere (piano), 17 of Farnham, and William Etheridge (horn), 18 of Old Basing, who was accompanied magnificently on the piano by Rachel Mills, 16 of Heckfield.

The first half concluded with a stunning interpretation by NCE of Astor Piazzolla’s ‘Le Grand Tango’, arranged specially for College students by the renowned musician Simon Whiteside, whose most recent projects include orchestrating the musical score for the film Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

The second half saw a selection of toe-tapping favourites performed with style and verve by the College’s Big Band and Sixth Sense Jazz ensemble, under the expert direction of Music Curriculum Manager, Ben Dowsett. Old favourites such as Feeling Good were juxtaposed against new interpretations, including a marvellous arrangement of Autumn Leaves by student Ralph Wyld, 17 of Fleet. Special mention should also go to soloists Matthew Doyle (saxophone), 17 of Fleet, Jamie Barton (trombone), 18 of Frimley, Rod Oughton (drums), 17 of Camberley, Ralph Wyld (vibraphone) and vocalists Katy Ovens, 18 of Send and Jessica Mabin, 16 of Fleet, for their outstanding contributions.

Once again, the Sixth Form College students left audience members in awe after an evening of wonderful music making. After only 10 short weeks of term and with over sixty students performing to such a high standard, the event was a great testament to both their talent and dedication.

Open Evenings 2009

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:15:15 GMT

College students share their enthusiasm for studying at Farnborough

An estimated 6000 visitors attended The Sixth Form College Open Evenings held on 11 and 12 November. All departments were open for visiting students and their parents to meet College staff and current students, who were eager to share their experience of studying at the College.

The Open Evening gave the College the first opportunity to display its iconic new building at the heart of the College campus which the Governors have named The John Guy Building. The £7m project was completed in the summer and houses magnificent new facilities for Art, Computing, Physics and IT.

Students who had visited the College’s Partner School in Aburi, Ghana, had bought carvings and jewellery from Ghanaian craftsmen and women, and they were on sale at the Open Evenings to raise money for a new water bore-hole in Ghana.

The College, which is nationally recognised for its innovation and success, has about 1700 places available for new students in September 2010. Each year it is heavily over-subscribed. The opening time for the 2010 admissions process is 7am on Monday 16 November.

Music Scholars Perform

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:40:53 GMT

Wonderful evening of music in the Prospect Theatre

Sixteen Music Scholars from The Sixth Form College Farnborough gave a magnificent performance to a packed Prospect Theatre at a concert to mark the completion of the first half term of the new academic year.

The College Scholars’ programme is now in its sixth year and attracts applicants from Surrey and Berkshire, as well as from Hampshire. The students gave solo and group performances featuring pieces old and modern, from Bach to Berkeley, and featured two pieces composed by students themselves, Chris Mills’s Fruhlingsglaube, which he accompanied on the piano to Jessica Mabin’s beautiful soprano voice, and Ralph Wyld’s jazz composition, EMF – the lost volts, played with confidence and assurance by Ralph (percussion), Roderick Oughton (drums), James Cowing (Saxaphone) and Katy Ovens (flute).

The outstanding musicianship displayed suggested a maturity beyond their years and they received the prolonged applause of the audience with a confidence and maturity of seasoned performers.

October 2009 Newsletter

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:38:59 GMT

Click here to download the October 2009 Newsletter

A level results 2009

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT

College students celebrate outstanding success

50 students from Farnborough Sixth Form College are the first in the country to be awarded the equivalent of the new A star grade in a trial carried out between the College and the awarding body, OCR. Although the new nationally recognized qualification will not be introduced until 2010, the trial was conducted to ascertain how well students would deal with the more challenging A level questions. .

College Principal Dr John Guy said, “The College welcomes the changes to the A level examinations and, in particular, the introduction of the new A* grade from 2010.”

He added, “We always seek to understand any changes in examination specifications before they are introduced so that both staff and students are well-prepared; the trial with OCR was undertaken to enable both the College and the Awarding Body to see how well our students would respond to the more open-ended questions.”

In the trial involving nine subjects, 50 out of the 90 gifted and talented students who accepted invitations to take an additional examination paper were awarded a Grade A*. Four students were awarded grade A* in two subjects, a particularly outstanding achievement, and A grades in all their other subjects

Jessica Stewart of Camberley achieved A* in both English Literature and Film Studies and will read English at Cambridge University. She said, “I’m over the moon with my results – I just can’t explain how happy I feel! The College has done so much for me and now I am going to Cambridge where I really want to be!”

Helen Carrier of Hook and Eleanor Baker of Camberley, who both achieved A* in Geography and Psychology, and will read now Psychology at Durham and Bristol Universities respectively. Reece Straker of Aldershot achieved his A* grades in Physics and Economics and will go to Oxford University to study Physics.

Reece said, “I am really happy with my results and I am so looking forward to going to St Peter’s College in Oxford – Farnborough Sixth Form College has really encouraged me to study for these grades.”

Jean Marshall, Accountable Officer of OCR, said, “We were delighted to conduct this trial in partnership with Farnborough Sixth Form College because it has given our examiners an early opportunity to test some of their ideas in setting stretching and challenging questions to identify those students who deserve the A* grade.”

Farnborough Sixth Form College is widely recognized for its pioneering work and was the first College to introduce the new Extended Project for A level students; in 2007, Farnborough students were the first in the country to be awarded the AQA Baccalaureate.

Vice Principal Mr Simon Jarvis said, “With the additional stretch and challenge of the new A level, I believe that our A level programmes for young people, which also include an attestation of enrichment activities and an Extended Project, provide the breadth, depth and challenge of any baccalaureate or the new academic Diplomas – we are already doing it!”

Celebrating another year of outstanding results at the College, Mr Jarvis said, “We have a magnificent community of students who really understand the importance of studying to achieve well. Not only have we awarded the nation’s first A* grades, but also we have an astonishing five students who achieved six grade A passes in their A level examinations and 128 with four or more grade A passes.”

The six grade A stars are Maria Burova of Camberley who will study medicine at Cambridge, Alex Lau of Blackwater, who will study Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford, Christine Leung of Frimley Green who sill read Economics and Management at Oxford, Dean Palmer of Fleet who is taking a Gap year working with the top London law firm of Mishcon Reya, and Reece Straker of Aldershot who will read Physics at Oxford.

Overall the College is delighted with the achievements of students with an over 99% success rate for the 4058 A level subject entries. As one of the largest colleges in the country, Farnborough is also one of the most successful and was recently judged by Ofsted to be outstanding in every category inspected.

Dr Guy expressed particular delighted over the results in the mathematics and in languages, both areas which cause concern nationally. He said, “I am pleased to report that the numbers taking these important subjects are increasing at Farnborough and success rate in 2009 has been outstanding.”

In the four principal languages offered at the College, French, German, Italian and Spanish, 39% of students achieved Grade A standard, the best results ever in the College. In mathematics, where numbers are again growing, 45% of the 372 entries achieved Grade A, whilst in further mathematics, where the College has one of the largest entries in the country, 39 of the 50 entries were awarded Grade A, an astonishing 78%.

College student helps to conserve the Leatherback Sea Turtle of Matura

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Bethan Ashley's Expedition to Trinidad

17 year old College student, Bethan Ashley of Yateley, has just returned from a trip of a lifetime helping to protect and conserve Leatherback Sea Turtles in Trinidad with Earthwatch Teen, an American organisation which links future leaders to work with conservation scientists. Bethan received a Travel Scholarship from Farnborough Sixth Form College, where she is studying for A levels in Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry and AS Psychology, to assist with the expenses.

Her adventure began with a delayed flight, missed connection and lost luggage. Bethan, very tired and slightly tearful, was told there were no other connections – until she bumped into the manager at the airport. Bethan said, “Suddenly, I found myself on the next flight, causing uproar with everyone else on standby - sometimes it doesn’t hurt to be classed as a minor!”

In Trinidad, she found she was the only person in her team from outside the US. Bethan said, “It was slightly intimidating at first, but it didn’t take me long to find my feet and the Americans and Trinidadians had a massive fascination with my English accent - especially with the way I said ‘turtle’, so I found myself in popular demand and bearing a new nickname “English”. Spoken with a Trinidadian accent, it sounds pretty cool!”

Among the many activities in which Bethan was involved was digging up hatched or unsuccessful nests and then recording how many of each type of egg or shell was present. “You have to dig a hole that is probably just a bit deeper than arms length, meaning you are sprawled out flat on your stomach leaning head first into a hole with sand all inside your gloves, shoes, trousers – and even your ears!”, explained Bethan.

She had to burst any unbroken yolked eggs. “Although this provides crucial information for understanding turtle hatching successes and failures, I still couldn’t help but feel slightly revolted by the very potent, sweet and sickly smell that got stronger, the deeper you dug,” said Bethan.

When it was completely dark and the stars were out, the turtles started to nest and hatchlings would appear. Dressed mostly in black, Bethan and the team would walk along the shoreline, monitoring the process, “I remember my first turtle; I couldn’t believe how big she was!”

“At first, they appear as massive, dark lumps in the distance. Their movement is slow and strenuous as they make their way out of the surf, onto the coarse sandy beach. Their front flippers seem more like wings, sprawling across the sand, moving as if to create a snow angel,” said Bethan.

Throughout the night, in between tagging and measuring, Bethan was able to sit and watch these giants of the ocean as they dug perfectly formed nests and then proceeded to cover and camouflage them. Each movement she observed was precise and their flippers are perfectly formed for this behaviour. The eggs were white and perfectly spherical, each turtle laying between 80 and 120 of these pearls. Bethan said, “A hatchling is about the size of your hand, but a nesting female is easily 2 or 3 times the size of me.”

When she wasn’t monitoring turtles, Bethan was able to explore Trinidad, visiting villages, swimming and jumping through waterfalls, and even climbing a near vertical coconut tree. “It was one of the challenges I set myself when I first saw the locals getting coconuts - and I did it, I actually got 3 coconuts! They were about as stunned as I was!”

Although Bethan is now back in Yateley after her two-week expedition, she is still in contact with the rest of the group in Trinidad. "They phone every few days, just to hear my accent!", joked Bethan.

Reflecting on her adventure, Bethan said, "I'm really grateful for the help I received in financing the trip to do something different in the summer - and to make a difference to an endangered species."

College Student participates in Exercise Transglobe

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Emma battles against the high seas of the Bay of Biscay

Exercise Transglobe is a major Tri-Service Adventurous Sail Training Exercise open to all UK service personnel, Regular and Reserve, from June 2009 to July 2010. The aim of the exercise is to develop the personal qualities essential to Regular and Reserve members of HM Forces through adventurous sail training in a Service environment. Click here for further details.

Emma writes:

We left home late afternoon on Sunday 5 July to head down to Fort Blockhouse down in Gosport, the Navy base at which we were based for the initial week of training. Training week included briefings, meeting the crew and learning how to sail! Having never sailed before, it was quite a lot to take in at once. I was on the RAF boat, which included people from all ranks and abilities within the RAF.

Sailing officially started on the 11 July. Friends and family came to see everyone off at the start point at Southsea Castle. Waving to them from the boat through the heavy rain was like waving at blobs on the shore- it was so misty and cloudy that day! The weather for the first 48 hours was pretty dreadful, with heavy rain and rough seas.

Once on the boat, we were split into 3 watches by colour, red, white and blue. I was in blue watch, which soon became nicknamed barf watch due to everyone in the watch, apart from myself, throwing up. The toughest moments were within the first 48 hours, sitting up on deck with as many layers on as possible with full waterproof oilskins (oilies), gloves and hat, and still feeling the cold! Although my watch were ill, we still managed to keep going through the four shift pattern. This involved a rolling 4 hours on, 4 hours off for 48 hours. Followed by a 24 hours of ‘mother watch’ in which time you cooked evening meal, had a ‘decent’ nights sleep, breakfast and lunch, plus cleaning and general boat maintenance. It could be considered rest time, but it was hard work if your rest time was woken up at 2am to change the headsail due to force 8 winds!

One of the hardest parts of the sailing was the renowned Bay of Biscay- through which the seas were rough and winds were very strong. This made some of the crew feel very ill. It took us ten days of sailing to get to Lanzarote. The Navy arrived half a day before us in true naval style, and the Army arrived half a day after us. We were more than happy just to get there, and coming second was a bonus! Once arriving in Lanzarote we celebrated in true forces style with a fry-up and a night out in the local town.

After cleaning and preparing the boat, we sailed around the island of Lanzarote, up to an island towards the north called Graciosa. The scenery and volcanoes that we saw were stunning! On our travels around the island we stayed at a couple of marinas- one even had a swimming pool and shopping centre with internet cafe! We spent a few nights anchored up in bays to cut down on mooring fees. Anchor watched involved sitting up for an hour and a half in the night and taking bearings every 15 minutes. This was very hard to stay awake for if you were given a time such as 2.30am-4am; hence we were in pairs.

Although it was sometimes a struggle to stay awake doing any of the night shifts; 8pm-12pm, 12am-4am, or 4am-8am; due to very minimal light pollution, the stars were truly amazing! Throughout the trip I saw over twenty shooting stars and many constellations. We even think we were able to see a planet, a space station and lots of satellites and aeroplanes! When we were sailing along, watching the stars with the motion of the ocean it was quite relaxing, and if we happened to be steering on the night shift, you could use the stars to navigate by. In the day time we could use the clouds, but of course the clouds are always moving so this was harder. However at night, it was tougher to see the wind direction indicator at the top of the mast and the flag movement. Hence we relied on the compass as well, which was just in front of the wheel.

We sailed back into Puerto Calero, the main marina we were using in Lanzarote for mast checks and repairs. On our single day off, we explored the local island and went scuba diving in the afternoon! We went straight out into the sea with the diving gear on – which was too heavy for me to lift! - and it was scary. Sitting on the bottom of the sea was hard breathing into the mouth piece. I didn’t scuba dive for very long, but I was glad to have had the opportunity to try it out. The final few days we were cleaning the boat and preparing it for the next crew.

On the last Friday in Lanzarote, the temperature was 46.5°C at 11am, in the shade! I dont know what it peaked at, but due to Saharan winds it felt like a constant hair dryer. My shift volunteered to clean the top deck, this was the best job we thought because we could use the hose. We hosed ourselves down as much as the boat and because it was so hot, the water coming out of the hose was warm so it was just like having a shower. Myself and one of the girls volunteered to get in the dinghy to clean the outside of the boat. Using bubbles and sponges this was a great laugh, until we had to use scourers around the water line. We were given a scouring pad each and told to scrub the boat. To us, this seemed crazy, although it did look much cleaner when it was all finished!

The aeroplane home was about 5 hours to Manchester, followed by a 6 hour coach journey back down to Gosport. After the swaying of the boat, a very tiny bed for a month, a toilet that require pumping at least 30 times and boat ‘showers’, it was amazing to come home and sleep in a comfy bed, use a ‘normal’ toilet and normal showers. The best part of the trip was the achievement of arriving in Lanzarote!

College Chamber Choir sings Acis and Galatea at St Paul's Covent Garden

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Standing ovation for College Chamber Choir

St Paul’s church, Covent Garden was the venue for the first of two stunning performances of Handel’s Acis and Galatea given by Farnborough Sixth Form College’s Chamber Choir this weekend. This splendid setting, which would have been known to Handel himself, formed a perfect backdrop to the power, beauty and musical assurance of these accomplished young musicians as they told the story of Acis’ doomed love for Galatea.

The choir was joined by three former students who each took principal roles. Helen Lewis (left 2006) sang the role of Galatea with such beauty that no one could fail to be moved by her grief at the end. Acis was sung by Nathan Cox (left 2003) whose light lyric tenor was perfectly suited to Handel’s high tessitura and the part of the monstrous ogre Polyphemus was brilliantly brought to life by the powerful baritone Matthew Stone (left 2006).

Complimenting these principals were current students Vicky Tay and Sarah Brown who shared the role of Damon, each bringing to the part a maturity of singing and understanding of style way beyond their years; first year student, William Malins sang the tenor solo in the opening chorus.

The following day saw the choir and soloists travel to Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, to give a second performance at Holy Trinity Church as part of their annual music festival. Here the choir’s singing was so luminous and impassioned and the soloists so accomplished that the audience would simply not let them go. The sustained applause and standing ovation lasted many minutes. On both occasions the choir were joined on period baroque instruments by the Emerald Ensemble with whom the College has been partnered on a number of previous occasions.

Speaking after the performance, Director of Music Paul Bambrough said, “I cannot express how proud I am of these remarkable students. It was a great privilege to conduct a group of people so committed to perfection and so able to achieve it. These performances would stand up against any other professional choir; to think the average age is only seventeen is simply astounding”.

However, the best tribute came from an unknown lady who had wandered into St Paul’s during the rehearsal in the afternoon. “I was so moved, so inspired and so uplifted by this music and by these young people that I had to sit and hear the whole rehearsal to the end. Their energy, enthusiasm and enjoyment made me forget all my problems for an hour. Thank you!”

Students take centre stage at national IT employers conference

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Students present their IT Diploma work to top executives

Students from Farnborough Sixth Form College took centre stage at the UK’s major technology conference in London this week, Digital Talent. In a live on-stage interview with TV presenter, Alastair Stewart, they described their innovative work in the new IT advanced level diploma.

The conference was set up by e-skills UK, the sector skills council responsible for making sure that the UK has the IT skills it needs for a global digital economy. Government Minister for Communications, Technology & Broadcasting, Lord Carter, and more than 100 employers attended the event, including senior executives from IBM, British Airways, the BBC, Logica and Network Rail.

College student, Rebecca McCallam, said, “I was really nervous about speaking at so large an event with a Minister and so many significant employers!”

Interviewed by Alastair Stewart, she told the audience, “I chose the IT Diploma as part of my advanced level studies because it gave me practical and theoretical experiences of both business and IT, and it has encouraged me to work both as an individual but also as a member of a team. Our project based on introducing IT skills to our partner school in Ghana has been fascinating, really challenging our preconceptions about resources, facilities and expectations.”

The students were accompanied to the conference by their teachers, Matthew Thorne, Curriculum Manager for the IT Diploma, and his colleague Terri-lee Palmer. Mr Thorne said, “The College is pioneering a new approach to advanced level studies in the Diploma. We have introduced projects which integrate the various units so that real coherence can be built into learning, providing stretch and challenge for the students.”

Terri-lee Palmer added, “The Chief Executives of the companies present seemed very eager to find out more about the College and its approach to the Diploma and we have been promised sponsorship for our work with our partner school in Ghana.”

College student, Harry Scott, said, “I was really proud to have been asked to participate in the event and it was inspirational to meet a leader like Larry Hirst, Chief Executive of IBM – he has become my role model!”

Karen Price, Chief Executive of e-skills UK who master-minded the conference, said, “IT is one of the UK’s most innovative and successful industries and the students from Farnborough Sixth Form College demonstrated with energy and enthusiasm how they had been inspired and motivated by their studies; I am delighted they were able to contribute so significantly to this important event.”

Infoterra awards Physics prizes

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Local technology company, Infoterra, supports A level Physics at Farnborough Sixth Form College

The Sixth Form College, Farnborough, and local technology firm Infoterra have joined forces to celebrate the achievements of the College’s physics students. Infoterra offered twelve cash prizes to students for the best presentations based upon their own research, as well prizes for the biggest improvement over the past year.

Nick Veck, Director of Space Services at Infoterra, said, “We are very keen to support science education. The UK has been heavily reliant on the financial services sector in the past and given the trauma that sector is enduring currently it would be nice to think that technology companies could play a part in plugging the gap.”

Mikail Bezroukov, 18, of Camberley, won the award for the best physics presentation. He said, “I am hoping to study mathematics next year at Imperial College and so I am particularly interested in the theoretical aspects of physics – it was really good to have the opportunity to present my own research to scientists at Infoterra.”

Andrew Partridge, physics teacher and the event’s organiser said, “It’s wonderful that a local company like Infoterra has chosen to support physics education in this way, not only with their financial backing but also with their time.”

Julie Ward, Head of Physics at the College, said, “Our students are very motivated and we work very hard to ensure they enjoy a varied and interesting course but our association with Infoterra really brings home the flexibility and excellent employment prospects that a physics qualification can give you, in a very immediate way.”

The Sixth Form College, Farnborough is one of the most successful A-level providers in the country. Contrary to the national picture, Physics in the College is growing and consistently achieves results significantly above the national average.

Infoterra, a successful local technology firm, specialises in using satellite data to compile detailed maps of the country, a task for which a physics qualification is an important component.

Full list of award winners: Best coursework: Richard Matthews, Benjamin Sun, James Etherington; Overall improvement: Trafford Ali, Mitchell Palmer, George Easdown; Individual study: Brent Morris, Thom May; Materials Presentation: Philip Birkett; Practical Investigation: Mikhail Bezroukov.

Swine Flu

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Swine Flu – update

A small number of College students have now been confirmed as having the AH1N1 flu virus. Since the first case in College was diagnosed last week, the national response to the pandemic has changed. The government have moved the status of the outbreak from a ‘containment phase’ to a ‘treatment phase’. In essence, this means that:

GPs are now able to diagnose the virus on the basis of symptoms rather than waiting for laboratory testing;
All tracing of people who have been in contact with a sufferer will stop;
People who may have been exposed to the virus will not be given anti-viral drugs;
Anyone diagnosed with swine flu will continue to be offered anti-virals until further notice.

We continue to receive regular updates on the progress of the flu pandemic including advice from our local Health Authority. The advice from the health experts remains clear and is summarised below:

during this outbreak, the College should operate business as usual – unless directed to do otherwise, we will remain open;
if your son/daughter displays any flu-like symptoms (eg. high fever, headache, sore throat, tiredness, sneezing, chills and so on – see the recent leaflet distributed to all homes or contact www.nhs.uk or www.direct.gov.uk/swineflu for more detailed information) then s/he should be kept at home;
if they your son/daughter displays flu-like symptoms at College then we will contact you and ask you to make arrangements to collect your son/daughter. We are advised that returning home by public transport is to be avoided;
contact your GP;contact the College (01252-688200) initially to inform us of your son/daughter’s absence and again should a case of swine flu be diagnosed.

We will continue to update this information regularly as we receive more information about this rapidly moving picture.

Art Exhibition celebrates students' work

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Gerald Howarth opts for a wig-wam

Gerald Howarth, MP for Aldershot and Shadow Defence Minister, chose a new wig-wam designed by A level Textiles student, Anne Roberts, as his Best in Show when he opened the Art and Design Summer Exhibition at Farnborough Sixth Form College last week. The three-day exhibition featured outstanding displays of A level work by the College’s 800 art students, making it one of the largest and most successful A Level Art departments in the country. The range and professional quality of work was particularly noticeable, with exhibited work in Fine Art, Textiles, Photography, Graphic Communication, Sculpture, Vocational Art, and Critical and Contextual Studies in Art.

Speaking at the awards ceremony to open the exhibition, Mr Howarth said, “I am always struck by the high quality of work when I visit this College which is one of the finest in the country.”

Admitting that choosing a best in show was an almost impossible task, Mr Howarth opted for the wigwam which he said would be wonderful for his two young grandchildren.

College student, Anne Roberts, who designed the wig-wam, said, “I wanted to apply my textile design to a structure because I am thinking of studying architecture - but I was amazed and delighted when Mr Howarth chose my design as his best in show.”

Jo Satchell, 18, won an award for Graphic Design for her work in branding which featured a new summer range of drinks for Starbucks. She not only designed posters for an advertising campaign but also a series of cups and a take-away bag. Jo said, “I was really happy to get an award for Graphic Design but I was inspired by a great teacher, Rose Davies, to whom I owe so much.” Next year, Jo is going on to study art at London’s University of Arts, based in Wimbledon.

Kim Seymour, 18, won the award for outstanding student in Fine Art and is moving on next year to study Art at Oxford Brookes University. She explained the ideas behind her work which explored punk culture and the use of the readymade in art to Mr Howarth.

Dean Piacentini, Senior Curriculum manager for Art and Design said, “I am delighted at the quality and diversity of work in this year’s exhibition. It demonstrates that there is real talent emerging from our young people today who are to be credited on their imagination and professionalism. Much of the work would stand tall in final year Degree show displays.”

Other award winners were:

Sculpture: Charlotte Darvell, 18, of Farnborough; Graphic Design: James Woods of Fleet, Jo Satchell, 18, of Hook; Textiles: Alice Feltham, 18, of Fleet, Emily Pither, 18, of Basingstoke; Art History: Harry Coward, 17, of Wokingham; Photography: Charlotte Darvell, Gregory Deeprose, 18, of Hook; Fine Art: Kim Seymour, 18, of Finchampstead, Sam Dodsworth, 17, of Yateley; Applied Art: Anna-Marie Bywater, 17, of Fleet, Josh Harrison, 18, of Aldershot.

Chamber Choir to perform at St Paul's Church, Covent Garden

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Book tickets now for Handel's Acis and Galatea

Leavers' Ball 2009 - a night to remember!

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Class of 2009 in spectacular send-off

Special guest appearances by College X-factor stars, second year student John Moody and first year student Becky Derry, launched the 2009 Leavers' Ball at Lakeside in Frimley Green on Friday evening. When Vice Squad, led by Vice Principal Simon Jarvis, with soloists Steve Rhodes and Terri-lee Palmer, began their exciting brand of music new and old, the thousand-strong ball-goers thronged onto on the dance-floor and partyed through to the early hours with fireworks, casinos, surf-board simulators and disco as alternative entertainments. This was a Leavers' Ball to remember!

Click here to order photographs from the Official Ball Photographer, NakPhotography

Click here for more photographs

Oscars Celebration at College

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Media and Film students receive awards

Click here for more photographs

Students from Farnborough Sixth Form College got a taste of Oscar-style glory when the Prospect Theatre played host to the Annual College Media and Film Awards this week to celebrate their achievements.

The ceremony provided an opportunity to showcase practical work by the 2009 A level and OCR National Award students. There were shortlisted nominations for a range of categories including documentary, drama, screenplay and animation – and in true Oscar style, the audience was treated to excerpts before the winner was announced.

Among the guests present was The Big Issue’s Assistant Editor, Helena Adrakakis, who presented the Best Print Production Award to Paul Ransom, 18, of Hook. She also presented a special award to first year student Craig Atkinson, 17, of Frimley, whose design of a Big Issue coverpage secured him a week’s work experience with the Graphic Design department at The Big Issue.

Ms Adrakakis said, “It’s really encouraging to step into a sixth form college where the students have completely taken on board the depth and breadth of the subject matter and social issues which we, as a magazine, cover. When the Big Issue Editor and I spent the morning here we returned on the train wondering if we’d still be in a job very soon! The work was outstanding”.

The award for Outstanding Achievement was given to Jess Stewart, 18, from Camberley, who is going on to Cambridge University to read English Literature. Jess was one of ten Film Studies students at the College who have been involved in the development of the new A* qualification alongside the awarding body, WJEC. The trial was conducted to ascertain how well students would deal with the more challenging A level questions.

With over 800 students, the Media department at the College is the largest centre for Media and Film A levels in the country and is recognised by The Good Schools Guide for achieving the Best Results at AS Level for boys at any English school.

Rob Temple, Head of Film and Media at the College said: “The evening provides a unique opportunity for our students to exhibit their work in front of a huge audience and I am always impressed by the creativity, imagination, production values and professionalism displayed; it is a fantastic way for them to mark the end of their time at College”.

College Principal Dr John Guy said, “Across the College we try to reflect the world of work in the projects and demands we make on students. The Media and Film Awards Ceremony is a wonderful, professional celebration of students’ achievements and I congratulate them and the excellent teaching team who make it possible.”

College receives planning permission for new ATP

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:00:00 GMT

College sporting facilities receive another boost

The permission to install a new state-of-the-art artificial turf pitch with floodlights gave a further boost to the sporting success of Farnborough Sixth Form College. Only two years after building the splendid Dame Kelly Holmes Sports Centre, it is hoped to complete the new astroturf within six months.

The College required lighting engineers to use the very latest floodlight technology to minimise light spillage beyond the boundary fence and also to reduce the height of the floodlights. Principal Dr John Guy said, "We knew of the concerns of residents at the installation of floodlights and we required the engineers to use lighting specifications far stricter than those required by planning law."

As a consequence, light spillage beyond the boundary fence is never more than the intensity of moonlight and the College hopes that neighbours will not be affected by the use of the ATP. In addition, the reduction in height of the floodlights was welcomed by residents at the two consultation meetings held by the College.

Although the facility is primarily for College use, the ATP will be available for community groups and teams to use outside normal college hours, but within conditions attached to the permission. It will be made available for use by Team GB, who will be based in Aldershot, during the preparations for the London 2012 Olympics.

The College is committed to providing the best facilities in the country for sixth form education and the new ATP marks another significant step along the line of this continuing aim.

College Student wins Prime Minister's Global Fellowship

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Abhijit Chandgadkar selected for journey of a lifetime

When a letter from 10 Downing Street dropped through 18 year old Abhijit Chandgadkar’s letterbox in Weir Avenue, Farnborough, recently, he could scarcely believe the good news that it brought. Abhijit, a student at Farnborough Sixth Form College, has been selected as one of only 100 school and college leavers to receive a Prime Minister’s Global Fellowship to travel to China, India or Brazil.

The Prime Minister's Global Fellowship is aimed at enabling talented young people in England to develop an understanding of global issues. Abhijit has been chosen, after a gruelling interview process, to become part of a network of young people in England who will have a personal understanding of global citizenship and what it will take to contribute to and compete in our changing world.

Abhijit said, “When I received a letter signed by the Prime Minister himself, congratulating me on becoming one of the 100 Global Fellows of 2009, it felt like getting nominated for an Oscar!”

In July, Abhijit will be travelling with about 30 other 18 year old students to China where he will spend six weeks investigating issues of culture, language, education and global enterprise.

He said, “The trip is a chance of a lifetime and will certainly provide me with lessons in life, business and culture - I am really excited and I cannot wait to spend my summer in China.”

On his return, Abhijit will write a report on his experiences which he will present personally to Gordon Brown at a reception in 10 Downing Street in the Autumn.

Abhijit said, “It is a great opportunity for me to receive these useful skills at an early point in my career and I certainly don’t intend to waste them. I am really grateful to the College and especially Lesley Grovenor-Ellis, my tutor, and John Guy, the Principal, for their help and encouragement in urging me to apply.”

Dr Guy said, “We are all really proud of Abhijit’s achievement. As a College we aim to give young people the qualifications and skills to meet the demands of a changing world with confidence and assurance and Abhijit is surely one of the greatest ambassadors of this College.”

Student wins Cambridge University Mathematics Project Prize

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Student wins essay competition on Beauty in Mathematics

When 17 year old Surein Aziz of Blackwater was told of an international competition organised by Cambridge University to write about mathematics, little did he think he would win first prize! Surein who is taking A levels in Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Philosophy, as well as AS computing, at Farnborough Sixth Form College, was told about the competition by his mathematics teacher, Melody James, and he decided to try to explain the nature of Beauty in Mathematics.

Surein explained that sometimes he thinks of mathematics as a dense, never-ending jungle in which it is possible to hack away and never get anywhere. “But then you stop and see huge numbers of incredible, exotic plants and animals to marvel at – and every so often huge new swathes of jungle are found to explore, and that is really exciting,”, Surein said.

Surein based his essay on the elegant proof known as Euler’s Identity, in which complex mathematics suddenly reveals the most beautiful theorem.

Surein said, “Unlike art, where beauty is created by the artist, in mathematics the beauty is inherent and just waiting to be discovered.”

Melody James, his maths tutor at the College, said, “ Surein wrote his essay alone and I didn’t even know that he had entered it until he emailed me to say he had won!”

She added, “It is a fantastic achievement to write something which will appear alongside the work of some of the world’s most brilliant mathematicians – and I hope it will be the first of many articles on Mathematics which Surein will write in his career.

Surein hopes to go on to university to study mathematics and he would like to undertake research for a Ph.D. He said, “I was quite surprised to hear that I had won because I was writing about something that I find special in mathematics – I didn’t think it could possibly win a competition!”

Click here for a copy of Surein's article (pdf)

College students win Packaging Design Awards

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Students sweep board in National Competition

Six students from Farnborough Sixth Form College swept the board in a national competition run by The Institute of Packaging. Challenged to design and make a collecting box for a charity of the student’s own choice, Evan MacKrill, 18 of Hook, Matthew Bullock, 17 of Farnborough, Catherine Leung, 17 of Frimley Green, Desislava Staytcheva, 17 of Sandhurst, Vlad Cochintoui, 16 of Farnborough, and Joseph Barlow, 16 of Aldershot, won two gold, two silver and two highly commended awards respectively.

The Starpack Awards are presented annually to professional designers and also to undergraduate and sixth form students. Bob Dunn, Head of Design at Farnborough Sixth Form College, said, “I was delighted by the enthusiasm and commitment of the students who produced charity boxes which challenged the best of the professional designs.”

Matthew Bullock, who achieved one of the Gold Awards said, “The awards ceremony in London was brilliant and it was particularly good to speak to the professional designers who gave me a real insight into graphic art and its applications in industry.”

Matthew is hoping to study to be an architect on leaving the College and the design detail required for packaging reflects the needs of the career to which he aspires.

Catherine Leung also hopes to be an architect and has been given a travel scholarship by the College to undertake some work experience with an architect in Singapore in the summer.

Catherine said, “The College has given me a fantastic opportunity to put my ideas in to practice and I am really looking forward to the summer with Broadway Malyan in Singapore.”

After the awards ceremony held at the Institute’s prestigious headquarters in Carlton House Terrace, London, the students were taken to Buckingham Palace for a photoshoot.

College Leavers' Photograph 2009

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:00:00 GMT

The formal and informal versions of the 2009 College Leavers' Photograph are now available to purchase by logging in to CristalWeb and clicking on "Online Payments" and then "Course Payments".

Photographs will be available to purchase until Thursday 9 July 2009.

A preview of the formal photograph can be found here.

A preview of the informal photograph can be found here.

Prices:

Photo Type	Price
Photo Only (formal or informal)	£18.50
Photo with Presentation Box (formal or informal)	£22.50
Photo with mount (formal or informal)	£28.00
Photo with frame (formal or informal)	£54.00

Dance Diversity Success

Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Hip Hop and drop of Pas de Bourre

With a pinch of Hip, Hop and a drop of Pas de Bourre the College Dance Show ‘Diversity’ leapt into the Prospect Theatre on the 21st May with tremendous funk, poise and technique.

The show featured a collection of examination work from AS and A2 dance students and also work by the Dance Leadership Award students and the college Hip- Hop group (big respect!). All the pieces were choreographed by the students themselves, some based on intriguing and challenging stimuli such as ‘In someone else’s shoes’ and ‘Isaac Newton’s second law of motion’.

These pieces were all effortlessly brought together into a performance by Dance Tutors Sally Allsford, Emily Burke and Royal Academy of Dance PGCE trainee, Katie Bamforth, supported brilliantly by Stage Manager, Nicola Hayles. Theatre technician Martin Duffy created everything from moody lighting to a good old fashioned disco.

Bursting with talent throughout, the show was thoroughly enjoyed by the full theatre.

Leavers' Concert 2009

Sat, 23 May 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Wonderful evening of music

Click here for more photos

A packed Prospect Theatre enjoyed a wonderful evening of music from the talented students of Farnborough Sixth Form College on Friday evening.

The evening started with the College Big Band’s interpretation of Yankee Doodle, arranged by Rich de Rosa, and included a variety of pieces by Sixth Sense, ranging from Miles Davis’s Seven Steps to Heaven to Blue Rondo a la Turk by Dave Brubeck.

The New College Ensemble, NCE, provided a contrast of moods and music with Schumann’s Kinderszenen and Bartok's Romanian Folk Dances.

Finally, the Chamber Choir and College Choral Society sang a variety of pieces from Bernstein’s The Chichester Psalms through to Aaron Copland’s Minstrel Song.

College Director of Music, Paul Bambrough, paid tribute to the students for their commitment throughout the year, and particularly to the leavers in whose honour the concert was held.

Principal John Guy congratulated the students on their magnificent contribution to College life – the College would be a poorer place without the 2009 leavers.

Art Exhibition 2009

Thu, 21 May 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Art Exhibition 2009

The 2009 Art Exhibition will be held in the Dame Kelly Holmes Sports Centre at the College.

The opening times are as follows:

Exhibition Formal Opening Ceremony and Private Viewing:

Friday 26 June, 7pm - 9pm

Public Viewing

Saturday 27 June, 9am - 3pm; Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 June, 9am - 4pm

College wins Good Egg Award

Thu, 21 May 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Commitment to cage-free eggs

The Sixth Form College Farnborough, in partnership with Caterers Chartwells, have been awarded The Good Egg Award at a prestigious event in the Terrace Pavilion at House of Commons last week. The award was presented by Penelope Keith, one of Britain’s best-loved actresses and patron of Compassion in World Farming, together with Rosie Boycott, London’s, Food Czar, and TV presenter Charlotte Uhlenbroek.

The Good Egg Awards were developed by Compassion in World Farming to celebrate the commitment of companies that are setting free millions of hens in advance of the European Union’s 2012 ban on the use of battery cages for laying hens.

“So far more than 25 million hens are living cage-free as a result of our award winners’ policies”, said Philip Lymbery, Chief Executive of Compassion in World Farming. “These awards make it clear that the food business is turning its back on battery cages and it is great to see Chartwells and The Sixth Form College Farnborough showing leadership on this issue and choosing cage-free eggs.”

The award was collected by the catering manager at the college, Alisdair McGourlay, who attended with his assistant Margaret Hack and Student president, Jack Nixon.

Mr McGourlay said, “At Chartwells we are keen not only to use cage free eggs but also, because of our role in education catering, to influence young people to develop a commitment to Compassion in World Farming.”

Student President, Jack Nixon, said, “As students at the College we are keen to encourage the use of cage-free eggs and also the use of locally sourced foods – we were surprised and delighted when we realized how much of the catering supplies to the College come from local producers.”

Previous winners include: McDonald’s, Sainsbury’s, Unilever (Hellmann’s), Starbucks, Pret A Manger, The Co-operative, M&S, Waitrose, the National Trust cafes and restaurants, JD Wetherspoon, House of Commons catering, Tate cafes and restaurants, Restaurant Associates, Subway and Cadbury Crème Egg.

I Love You You're Perfect Now Change

Wed, 20 May 2009 23:00:00 GMT

College musical drama enrichment group present musical hit

The off-Broadway musical ‘I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change’ burst into life at the Prospect Theatre on Tuesday 19^th May, performed with real energy, verve and dynamic from a highly committed and professional company of young actors.

The Performing Arts department’s Musical Theatre Enrichment Group, made up of AS and A2 students from across the college, under the expert tutelage of musical director Stephen Dutton, put their hand admirably to the Dipietro and Roberts musical first penned in 1996. Since this time the revue type show, exploring the modern day suburban mating game, has become a firm favourite with audiences establishing itself as long runner and clocking up 4,500 performances on Broadway alone.

The tight harmonies, overlaying libretto and comedic characterisations were challenges this young cast were more than able to meet in a wonderfully entertaining and slickly choreographed show. Songs such as ‘Single Man Drought’ and ‘I Will Be Loved Tonight’ struck a chord with the female members of the audience whilst ‘Why? Cause I’m a Guy’ and ‘On the Highway of Love’ redressed the balance for the men.

Lighting design by Matt Sheppard and Martin Duffy superbly supported the narrative with atmospheric shadows and spotlights whilst Stephen Dutton’s musical direction and Matt Sheppard’s direction superbly marshalled this young group.

One could not pick out any individual future stars because this piece was truly an ensemble offering, with everyone playing their unique part equally.

This was another resounding triumph from the Performing Arts department at the College.

Students involved in Community Theatre

Thu, 14 May 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Prospect Theatre Company on tour

Students from the College’s Performing Arts Department Gifted and Talented Project, Prospect Theatre Company, PTC, have been active in a number of local and national contexts. PTC has toured local schools with a community theatre piece called ‘...left looking and A RIGHT COCK-UP’. This was accompanied by a specially developed workshop aimed at GCSE drama students, run by PTC. Members are currently rehearsing for the forthcoming season of Jim Cartwright’s gritty 1980s drama, ‘Road’.

Recently four members of the company had the opportunity to work with Bootworks Theatre Company in preparing an installation for the ‘Farnham Creates’ event held recently.

Actors from the company came to work with the students over the weekend and for one of their Wednesday afternoon rehearsals. They taught them the principles of working to an angle, and the blocking, costume changes, scene-shifting and physical moves for the mime enactment of ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’ for which the four students took on various multiroles including the sheriff, the vigilante and the Mexican.

The installation is performed to one audience member at a time, who sits on a high stool in the box and watches the show unfold through three windows, opened and closed by an actor. The students performed outside for two hours, proving a storming success - all the five-minute slots were an instant sell-out!

Cath Hammond, Performing Arts Tutor at the College who created the PTC, said, "This has been a fantastic opportunity, adding to their experience of being ‘jobbing actors’ for the year – taking a Theatre In Education tour, staging a small-scale scripted piece and being cast in an existing piece, directed by professionals, fitting into the costumes and working a specific gig."

In addition to the value of the experience, the four students involved, Rosie Reynolds (who has also gained a place on a three-year course at the Laban Centre, London), Alice Morgan, Alex Beeson and Sam Toye (who has also gained a place on the three-year World Performance course at East 15) have had a valuable opportunity to work with industry professionals, who were so delighted with their “outstanding ability, geniality and enthusiasm.”

A spokeperson for the Bootworks Theatre Company said, “It was apparent from the breadth of their knowledge of theatrical precedents, as well as their innate capability to explore challenging and demanding physical work, that a great deal is being done at Farnborough to encourage students to prepare for future careers within the arts.”

Cath Hammond said, “One of the aims is to help some of our most able students with their CV building, to support their applications to universities, vocational colleges, and even to contribute to their applications for more ambitious post-graduate training opportunities such as creative residencies and internships should they choose to pursue these pathways”.

Sports Awards Ceremony 2009 - and photographs

Thu, 14 May 2009 23:00:00 GMT

A celebration of success in sport

Click here for photographs of the awards

The Prospect Theatre provided the venue for a celebration of athletic success at the College on Wednesday evening as 100 students came together for the Annual Sports Awards Ceremony. Over 35 awards were made culminating in the presentation to Andrew Willis and Katie Wright of the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the year awards respectively.

Andrew, a London 2012 hopeful, is a double British record holder for the 200m Breast stroke. He said, “It is overwhelming to be the College Sportsman of the Year – I know that many other students could equally have been chosen and I am very proud.”

Katie has made a particularly strong contribution to College sport as a team sport all rounder and particularly as College Basketball captain. Katie said, “It feels brilliant to get this award – I will certainly put it on my CV because I hope it will indicate to future employers my potential as a strong team player.”

The success of the College teams has been phenomenal this year with the college 2^nd XI leading the way with a second consecutive county league and cup double. Indeed the 2^nd XI picked up the prestigious Team of the Year award, seeing off very strong competition from the Men’s Swimming team who finished 2^nd in the National Schools Finals in February.

The final award of the evening, The Mike Ritchie Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution to Sport was won by the 22 students who made it through to the British College Finals at Loughborough University in April. Of these athletes, 14 brought back medals during a weekend of sport which will live long in the memory of those involved.

Speaking at the ceremony, Head of Sport and Recreation, James Simms, said, “The whole College congratulates those who have won awards this evening and we are all indebted to the many sportsmen and sportswomen who have represented the College with such distinction in 2008 and 2009.”

Sportsman of the Year Andrew Willis

Sportswoman of the Year Katie Wright

Team of the Year 2nd XI Football

Mike Ritchie Memorial Award British Colleges Finalists

for Outstanding Contribution to Sport

Team Awards

Most Valuable Players Player Top Scorer

Player

Football 1st Jake Griggs Joudain Coleman Charlie Oakley

Football 2nd Luke Orchard Mark O’Connell

Football 3rd Joe Peace Chris Reidy

Women’s Football Hannah Burgin Nicola Moore

1st Team Rugby James Hardy Alex Gray Most improved

2nd Team Rugby TJ Sims TJ Sims Player

Rugby Squad Alex Gray

Netball 1st Kate Field Katy Bovington

Netball 2nd Heather Cooper Katie Wright

Men’s Hockey Sean Pearcey Simon Roisetter

Women’s Hockey Beck Paisley Jenny Douglass

Women’s Basketball Katie Wright Caz Evans

Women’s Rugby Alice Smith

Men’s Basketball Chris Hatto Josh Saifie

Badminton Steve Cummins

Men’s Swimming Andrew Willis

Women’s Swimming Gemma Bannister

42 students receive Travel Scholarships

Tue, 12 May 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Scholarships for life-changing journeys

42 students from Farnborough Sixth Form College will be extending their studies by undertaking adventurous or challenging activities in all corners of the globe in the summer months. They have been awarded Travel Scholarships by the College which has a strong commitment to encouraging a greater understanding of the global world in which we live.

College Principal Dr John Guy said, “A key part of our mission is to prepare young people to meet the demands of a changing world with confidence and assurance - what better way can we do this than to encourage students to undertake unusual projects overseas?”

First year student Bethan Ashley, 16, of Yateley received her scholarship to travel to Trinidad and Tobago with the Earthwatch organisation to investigate endangered leatherback sea turtles. She said, “I want to study natural sciences for my degree so this trip will help my university application and broaden my perspective on life.”

Alex Whitford, 17, of Camberley, will be heading off to Mozambique with the Charity Alfalit to undertake a literacy project with disadvantaged young people. Alex said, “The trip will give me an experience of a different culture on the other side of the world and help me to understand the needs of people in developing countries.”

The awards were presented by Andrew Lloyd, Chief Executive of Rushmoor Borough Council. Mr Lloyd told the gathering of students and their parents, “The breadth of projects being undertaken by you all is astonishing – never underestimate the significance of these trips which will demonstrate your own determination and resourcefulness to future universities and employers.”

In addition to the College Scholarships, Rene Glasscock of Blackwater Valley Rotary Club, presented the Jacqueline Findlay Memorial Award, in memory of the first President of the Club, to Alice Feltham, 18, of Church Crookham.

Alice will travel first to Bolivia where she will be teaching local disabled children living in extreme poverty, then on to live with the Tocana tribe in Andes where she will work on a project to help protect the biodiversity of the rain forest. Alice will finally end up in the Galapagos Islands, swimming with turtles!

Alice said, “I felt incredibly lucky to receive one travel scholarship from the College, so I was really surprised and honoured to be awarded the Jacqueline Findlay Travel Scholarship as well! I have been invited to speak to the Blackwater Valley Rotary Club when I return to describe my adventures first hand.”

Mrs Glasscock said, “Jacqueline, who was headteacher of North Farnborough Infants School, always loved travel and encouraged young people to be adventurous and to work for the good of the community so Alice’s project is particularly worthy of our support.”

May 2009 Newsletter

Thu, 07 May 2009 23:00:00 GMT

May 2009 Newsletter

Please click here to download the pdf version.

A paper copy will be sent to families shortly.

Celebrity Recital by international pianist Clive Williamson

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Student compositions inspire wonderful evening of music

Clive Williamson, the internationally acclaimed pianist, thrilled the audience at Farnborough Music Society’s celebrity recital last week with a bold and innovative programme which captivated the packed Prospect Theatre leading to three prolonged curtain calls.

As the UK’s foremost exponent of contemporary piano music, every major composer of the past 20 years has composed pieces for Williamson. He has received much critical acclaim for his recent recordings of One Minute Wonders, in which he plays short pieces by world class composers. In an exciting expression of confidence in Farnborough’s young musicians, Williamson extended his project to 25 A level music students at Farnborough Sixth Form College whom he challenged to create their own one-minute compositions which he played alongside those of established composers.

The first half, in which these pieces received their first performance, was little short of astounding. Grouped together and framed by works from the published collection, the students’ music revealed a remarkable variety of style, colour and mood and a compositional assurance well beyond their average 17 years. From the very humorous, through the very dramatic, and on to the very lyrical, all were imaginative, communicative and often poignant. The quality of the music, combined with Williamson’s remarkably insightful interpretations, kept the audience on the edge of their seat throughout the thrilling performance.

Speaking after the concert, Williamson said, “It was a true privilege to be able to work with these students. They have all produced terrific results and there was a real feeling of community among them. I know how proud the College is of them, and it’s well deserved.”

A rare performance of Ives’ monumental First Sonata occupied the second half giving Williamson the opportunity to demonstrate his awe inspiring virtuosity.

Director of Music at the College, Paul Bambrough, said, “The work is known for the incredible demands it makes on the performer but nothing could prepare the audience for the sheer physicality of the music and the apparent ease with which this formidable music was dispatched by Clive Williamson.”

The combination of the students’ fresh, youthful and dynamic works, Ives’ explosive directness and Williamson’s pianistic mastery made this a musical feast of inspiration, long to be remembered!

The next Farnborough Music Society Concert is to be given by the College’s Director of Music, Paul Bambrough (Organ) and takes place at 7.30pm, Friday 8^th May at St Andrews Garrison Church. Tickets are available from College services (01252 688219) or on the door.

Leavers photograph

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Click here for photos with Principal for which £1 was donated to the RAG Week charity.

Treasure Island Performance greeted with prolonged applause

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Henry Tyndale and College Joint Performance

Students from Henry Tyndale Special School and Farnborough Sixth Form College staged a magnificent but slightly unusual production of Treasure Island before a packed audience of parents and friends in the College’s Prospect Theatre recently. The production was the culmination of a year’s joint activities between the College and the post-16 unit of Henry Tyndale Special School, known as Coppers.

College students went through the story of Robert Louis Stevenson’s epic tale with the Coppers’ students, explaining the plot and asking for their interpretations. They renamed Long John Silver as Captain Josh who was played magnificently, with frequent ad-libbing by Coppers’ student, Josh Stocker. Captain Josh unexpectedly died not once but twice during the production!

Marilla Tolfree, 18, of Fleet, a second year student at the sixth form college studying Biology, Psychology, Sociology and Japanese, master-minded the production along with Nick Elsey, 18, of Windlesham, studying Maths, Physics, History and Psychology, as part of the enrichment activities in the College. Maria said, “It was a bit scary as we came towards the day of the production because so many things could go wrong – but everybody was magnificent and the show was a great success”.

Nick added, “It was really hard work getting the show to performance standard but it was worth it to see both groups of students so engaged with the project.”

The Coppers students, bedecked in theatrical costumes designed by the group, performed magnificently and they were supported on stage by college students dressed in theatrical black.

Congratulating the students from both the Henry Tyndale Coppers unit and the College after the performance, College Principal, Dr John Guy, said, “This production was magnificent and you all carried it off like true professionals with minimal assistance from teachers. We are in awe of what you have achieved this evening”.

Headteacher of Henry Tyndale School, Rob Thompson, told the audience, “This was the fifth year of the joint productions between the school and the college, and we are indebted to the commitment and dedication of the college students and to the staff of both institutions who oversaw the preparations”.

Higher Education Evening for Parents

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Click here to view Chris Fuller's PowerPoint Presentation

Student musical compositions receive world class treatment

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 23:00:00 GMT

International Pianist to premiere college student compositions

Students of the Sixth Form College, Farnborough are to have their compositions premiered by international concert pianist Clive Williamson at a recital in the Prospect Theatre on Saturday 25 April.

Described by the Daily Telegraph as possessing “...astonishing virtuosity”, Williamson has worked with world class orchestras and is a frequent contributor to the BBC proms. He has had work written for him by some of the foremost names in British music and has received much critical acclaim for his performances of “One Minute Wonders”, solo pieces written by major figures and student composers at venues across the UK.

This year, Williamson will give Farnborough Music Society’s celebrity recital and he was keen to extend the One Minute Wonder project to the College’s A-level music students. Following an initial launch in which students were given the same brief as the professional composers, Clive returned to the College to work alongside students in developing their pieces. Calling upon his vast experience of working with some of the world’s greatest living composers, Clive challenged the students to articulate their intentions clearly and was uncompromising in his demand for accuracy in their notated scores. Following the workshop, students revised their work in light of Clive’s insights.

Second Year A-level composer Tom Dent, 17, of Fleet, said, “The workshop was a really nerve-wracking experience but it made me think hard about my own compositional style and how a performer might react to my musical score. It has been a fantastic project and I’m now revising some of my A level composition in light of the experience.”

College Director of Music, Paul Bambrough said, “I have been extremely impressed by the way in which the students have embarked upon this project and yet more impressed by their final pieces which are, in many cases, outstanding. To have worked alongside an artist of Clive Williamson’s calibre has been an inspiration for students and staff alike. I am very proud of all involved.”

Williamson will premiere the student works, alongside other previously published “Wonders”, in the first half of his recital at the College’s Prospect Theatre on Saturday 25 April at 7.30pm. The second half will include a rare performance of Ives’ First Piano Sonata, notable for the incredible demands it places upon the performer.

Some tickets are still available for this unique event from The Sixth Form College (01252 688219) priced at £10.

New Student Association Elected

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Seventeen year old Jack Nixon, of Crowthorne, formerly of Lord Wandsworth College, has been elected to the prestigious role of Student President at Farnborough Sixth Form College. He will lead a 12-strong committee of students which plays a significant role in the development of the Beacon College, recognised as one of the country's leading sixth form colleges.

Jack said, "It's a great honour and a privilege to be elected President of such an outstanding student body as we have at Farnborough Sixth Form College. I look forward to even more success for the College in the coming year." Jack is in his first year studying Chemistry, Economics, English Literature and Mathematics.

Jack’s Vice President is Daniel Rodgett, of Fleet (16), a former student of Calthorpe Park School, who is studying, Biology, Government and Politics, History, Italian and Sociology. Daniel sees his role as supporting the President and the rest of the Student Association. He said, "I welcome the challenge to serve as Vice President for 2009/10 and look forward to supporting Jack and contributing to the success of this exceptional college."

Both Jack and Daniel will be appointed to the College’s Governing Body as full voting members from April 2009, giving them invaluable experience serving on a statutory corporation answerable directly to the government. Each of the student committee members has a particular responsibility, and this year the roles of Events Officer and Charities Officer went to Lottie Morley and Matt Davenport respectively.

Both Lottie, 16 of Church Crookham and Matt, 17 of Fleet are both former students of Court Moor School. Lottie said, “In the coming year, we want to co-ordinate these roles to benefit the whole college and also each of the charities the college is partnered with.”

President elect Jack Nixon said, "Both Dan and I acknowledge the challenge which faces us, but we are very much looking forward to playing our part in taking our outstanding College forward".

College Entrepreneurs win BOC Trophy

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Students are cool in Dragon's Den

A team of Young Entrepreneurs from Farnborough Sixth Form College have won the 2009 BOC Inspiring Gases Challenge. The challenge was to develop an exciting new application for BOC Sureserve’s range of Hospitality Gases, including helium and carbon dioxide, that could eventually be successfully marketed.

The team of four A level students, 16 year old Sam Read and Robert Towler of Aldershot, Danielle Pratt of Frimley Green, and 17 year old Vikki Chinchen of Wokingham, came up with a novel use of carbon dioxide to produce a curtain of cooling water vapour and CO₂ that could be a feature in night clubs or promotional events.

Danielle said, “The curtain would have the added benefit of cooling dancers on a dance floor or it could form a cloud through which guests or celebrities might make an entrance at a world premiere.”

Vikki added, “We have also tested the product as a screen to project colourful images on and we have even tried introducing scents into the curtain to promote fragrances and perfumes.”

The young inventors had to defend their ideas in a presentation to BOC judges in a Dragon’s Den style final held at the BOC Priestley Centre at Guildford Research Park. Sam said, “It was really scary facing the judges and not knowing what we would be asked but we had spent a long time on our business plan and we felt we responded well.”

They responded so well that they were awarded the 2009 trophy and their invention became the centre of attention when BOC staff from across the company came to view the entries and a demonstration of the team’s prototype over lunch.

“I think that our idea has really got commercial possibilities so we are looking at building a full size prototype for use at the College Leavers’ Ball,” said Robert.

Nick Tupper, Tutor in Design and Technology at the College said, “I was really proud of the team who had put in a lot of work to come up with their award winning design – and were able to defend the ideas in the face of tough questioning. Projects like this prepare them really well for the world of work.”

College Building on course for completion in July 2009

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The new building at the heart of the College is on track for completion in July 2009. Approval in detail was given for the project last summer and the Governors have approved the funding and cashflow forecasts. The Learning and Skills Council (which manages the funding on behalf of the government) is contributing 10% of the costs of the building - approximately £750,000. The remaining £6.75 million is being funded from the College's own resources.

Click here for a report on the topping out ceremony conducted by David Bell, Permanent Secretary, Department of Children Schools and Families.

Red Nose Day

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Students pledge money - and hair - for Red Nose Day

Student President, Theo McCusker, and his Student Association Committee were determined to break all records for charitable collections for Red Nose Day. They sought a pledge of £1 from each student - and to encourage them, Theo agreed to have his legs waxed in public. It was one of the highlights of a day when everyone went red for charity.

Oxbridge Admissions Tutors visit College

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Oxford and Cambridge Universities come to Farnborough

Admissions Tutors, Dr Richard Partington of Churchill College Cambridge and Dr Mark Wormald of Corpus Christi College Oxford, visited Farnborough Sixth Form College yesterday to discuss the admissions process with first year students and their parents. They were assisted by former College student, Nick Coxon, of Wadham College Oxford, and six of the 26 successful applicants from the College who have gained Oxbridge entry in September 2009.

Click here for the PowerPoint presentation given by the tutors.

Farnborough 6 Fun Run - Sunday 8 March 2009

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Money raised for Sebastian's Action Trust

Click here to view the results.

Farnborough continued its preparations to host the British Olympic Team preparation camp in 2012 with the Farnborough 6 Fun Run on Sunday morning. 400 runners took to the streets to raise funds for Sebastian’s action Trust and to signal the start of a healthy Rushmoor campaign.

The Farnborough 6 Fun Run was organised by a group of 16 A-level Leisure Studies students at Farnborough Sixth Form College and included a six, a three and a one mile race. Following the threat of poor weather, the sun shone on the event which was hailed to be a great success. The route took runners around the local streets passing along Hawley Lane, Chapel Lane, Fernhill Road, Cherrywood Road and Sand Hill with local residents and children cheering along the fun runners who raised thousands of pounds for the nominated local charity, Sebastian’s Action Trust. The Trust was established in memory of Sebastian Gates who was diagnosed with Wilms’ Tumour in 2001 at the age of 7 and who died two years later. In the month before he died, Sebastian launched a Trust to purchase a holiday home that would provide for families like his to spend precious time together, away from the hospitals and punishing treatment regimens, but with specialist support if needed.

Jess Clark, 18, of Bracknell, was chairperson of the organising group. She said, “When we started this process we knew nothing about organising fun runs but in six months we have organised a community event which has done so much good”.

Jess added, “There were so many people running and they have raised so much for charity! It has been brilliant.”

There were runners of all ages taking part, the youngest being eighteen months and the eldest in his eighties. All races were sent on their way by British Olympic Gymnast Rebecca Wing who fired the gun and then immediately joined the 1 mile race which she unsurprisingly won.

The event looks set to become an established part of Rushmoor community events and already the College is planning the 2010 run.

James Simms, Head of PE at the College, said, “The students who organised the fun run have set a very high standard. Building on their success, I am sure that The Farnborough 6 Fun Run will be even more successful in 2010 and in 2012 we hope the run will be joined by the British Olympic Team.”

Race winners

6 Mile Men Tom Bowerman 33.10 minutes (course record)

6 Mile Ladies Katherine Taylor 37.45 minutes (course record)

3 Mile Men Toby Smith 22.48 minutes

3 Mile Ladies Dina Gurung 24.37 minutes

1 Mile Boys Richie

1 Mile Girls Becky Wing (Olympic Gymnast)

Leading Civil Servant tops out new College building

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

David Bell completes "fantastic" new building

David Bell, Permanent Secretary at the Department for Children Schools and Families, today conducted the topping out ceremony for Farnborough Sixth Form College’s new £5.5 million arts, IT and physics building.

The ceremony marked the completion of the top floor slab and overall structure of the iconic new building which will open for teaching in the new academic year, September 2009.

Student President, Theo McCusker, 18 of Frimley, invited David Bell to conduct the ceremony. Speaking from the roof of the building to the staff and students gathered in the quad below, he said, “I am proud, on behalf of the entire student body, to be present at the ceremony and to invite you to lay the final slab on the roof of this fantastic new facility.”

David Bell said, “Today I have seen real engagement with learning by students who experience an outstanding education at this College. I hope the new building will help you to reach even greater heights of achievement. I congratulate the College for the vision, the architects for the design and the construction team for the manner in which this build is happening at the very heart of the College.”

Designed by Broadway Malyan, the 3,052 m², three storey building will form the focal point of the college’s campus offering a holistic approach to education through a building which combines the differing curriculum demands of the arts, computing/IT and physics.

The building incorporates sustainable design which minimises energy consumption and maximises the use of natural daylight, ventilation and night time cooling. Rain harvesting for WCs and landscape irrigation has also been included.

Dr John Guy, Principal of The Sixth Form College, Farnborough said: “Broadway Malyan has created a striking central building for the campus which perfectly captures our enthusiasm and commitment to teaching and learning. The architects worked closely with college staff to identify needs and offer solutions which have far exceeded our original expectations.”

Thanking David Bell, Chairman of Governors William Bagnall said, "We are proud that that you have taken the time to visit the College, principally to see for yourself the excellent teaching and learning which takes place here, but also to top out our new building which the Governors have been pleased to approve. As you know, the funding for such buildings is found largely from the College's own revenue funding and represents enormous value for money for state education. As Governors, we are delighted to oversee such a successful team - whose educational achievements are being supported by the architects, Broadway Malyan, and the construction team from Bowen Plc"

Students compete for the X-factor

Sat, 14 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Becky has the X-Factor and a radio date!

Watch Becky's winning performance (Quicktime, 23mb)

Talented students from Farnborough Sixth Form College went head to head on Friday evening to discover who really had the X-factor – and to raise money for the British Heart Foundation at the same time. In an exciting evening at the College’s Prospect Theatre in the presence of the Mayor and Mayoress of Rushmoor, Cllr and Mrs Alan Ferrier, nine student singing acts faced the harsh comments of judges before hoping to win the final votes of a packed audience.

The winner was first year student, 16 year old Becky Derry of Bracknell, who thrilled the theatre in the final round with her version of Christina Aguilera’s Car Wash. In the earlier round Becky drew cheers with her brilliant interpretation of Lady Marmalade by Patti Labelle.

Becky’s prize is to record her songs in a professional quality recording studio which will then be played on 96.4FM Eagle Radio. Becky said, “I couldn’t believe it when the audience voted me as the overall winner of X-Factor – it was a real shock because the other acts were all so good - but I am really pleased and proud!”

Runners up in the competition were Peter Holder, 18, of Frimley Green singing Beyonce’s Listen and Becky Turner, 16, of Wokingham who delighted the audience with her versions of Run by Leona Lewis and Vanessa Carlton’s A Thousand Miles.

Cllr Ferrier said, “The British Heart Foundation is one of my charities this year and we are hoping to raise money to purchase a new Echo Cardiogram Machine for the community to be based in Dr John de Verteuil’s Milestone Surgery. I am delighted that the students of Farnborough Sixth Form College are supporting the appeal – and it has been wonderful to attend such a professionally organised evening with so much young talent.”

Dr Verteuil was also present at the evening. He said, “I am really grateful for the support of college students for the British Heart Foundation. I had no idea that they were so talented – it has been like attending a professional show!”

College Principal Dr John Guy said, “Becky gave such a stunning performance at the College X-Factor production that I think she might even have beaten Alex into second place if she had entered the national competition!”

Click here for more pictures from the X-factor Production.

Farnborough's Got Talent

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Talent in abundance!

AS Performing Arts staged an abundance of talent last Wednesday night with their own version of Britain’s Got Talent. Farnborough’s Got Talent featured some of the best acts from around the College. Acts included singer song writer Josh Sancho (and his side kick Tom Syckelmoore), Comedian Connor Field, Accordionist Dajun Huo, Puppeteers Kim Lemon and Kayla Ludford , Juggler Adam Duckett , Lunastix Juggler Mark Steele, Three Piece Comedy Rock Ben, Dave and Jamie and Beatboxer Jason Peace.

The winner singer song writer Josh Sancho won in a closely fought contest with comedian Connor Field, captivating the audience’s heart with his own lyrics and acoustic set.

Battle of the Bands

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Funk Project wins battle

On Thursday evening, in a fiercely fought contest, the ‘Battle of the Bands’ event was eventually won by ‘funk project’ playing a 20 minute set of funk inspired music. In a wonderfully managed event the AS Performing Art group raised over £500 for their chosen charity through ticket sales, donations, selling of merchandise and refreshments. There was a large and appreciative audience who clearly enjoyed the whole experience.

Strictly Dance Fever hits College

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Hip Hop dancers celebrate

Hip Hop dancers Caroline Doyle and Sophie Klepacz (left) won a narrow victory over tap dancers Sian Brown and Rory Hill (right) in a thrilling evening strictly of dance fever in the Prospect Theatre last night. The other finalists were Emma Browne and Joshua Harrison (The Cha-Cha) and Michelle Horne and Carly Stewart (Street Dancing).

Fashion Show Photographs

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Animal Kingdom is fashionable - show is a roaring success

Performing Arts students staged a wonderful evening of fashion in the Prospect Theatre on Monday evening, 9 February as part of the events week 2009, raising £450 for the Teenager Cancer Trust Charity.

After a ‘snow’ start to the week, College models, roaring with talent, sprang into a wild but professional performance dressed in animal theme fashion accessories. The claws were out as birds and big cats prowled their way down the jungle catwalk, preening themselves in the coloured lights bathing the planted walkway .

For audience members the event was a hit: “What a wonderful event, so professional - and the free Zappas goodie bags were a really nice touch” remarked one audience member.

Sponsors ‘Astec Projects Limited’ donated £100 to the charity and ‘Zappas’ provided 100 goodie bags which the audience clawed their way into. Students organising the event were extremely proud of the performance and John Guy, the Principal remarked, “It was a brilliant evening – colourful, vibrant and engaging. Yes, brilliant!”

Click here for more photographs

No Snow! Tuesday 10 February

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Good news: College will open normally today. Bad news: there will be no further snow bulletins.

The photographic competition is over - thank you for the entries. Winner announced next week.

A reminder to parents - please note the dates of Parents' Evenings, the HE Information Evening for first year parents, and the variety of Performing Arts events in the newsletter recently circulated.

Click here for the web version of newsletter.

More students' snow pictures...

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Snow comes to Farnborough

Right: Ashima and Megan jumping in the Snow

Click here for more students' snow photographs

Entries still welcome as long as snow persists...

Monday 9 February

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

For the avoidance of doubt, College will run as normal tomorrow, Monday 9 February, 9am to 4.15pm.

From the weather maps, there is a chance that we will have more snow on Monday night/Tuesday morning. Please check on this website for updates - but the assumption should be that we will operate as normal.

Snow photographs - more welcome! The photos on this page arrived over the weekend.

John Guy

Principal

Student Finance for 2009 Higher Education - APPLY NOW

Sat, 07 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Government website finally opens

Students and their parents can now register via the Directgov website for student finance for HE courses starting in 2009.

Click here for the DirectGov website and follow the instructions: Applying for the first time.

College open - a slushy day

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

7.15am - The roads are slushy - and additional care and attention are still required when driving. Students - please share lifts again. The car park is covered in slush so please park carefully following the advice of the Guardians.

The paths between buildings are slushy - I know it's not cool but please wear sensible footwear! Not a day for designer shoes.

To ease the situation slightly, we will again start classes at 9.30am today. A freeze is promised for this evening - classes will finish today at 4pm to enable people to get ahead of the rush and to slither and slide to railway stations with a little less necessity for speed.

John Guy

Principal

6.30am: There is very little snow in Camberley... the BBC weather forecast suggests that predominant weather today will be sleet.

At present, there is no reason to close the College for the day - indeed very many reasons to work as normal.

Further update shortly after 7am from College. Colleagues - please email weather reports "from where you are".

John Guy

Sports Tour to Holland

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The tour will leave College in the morning, Saturday 7 February, as planned. The coaches will park in the Brian Smith Students' Car Park on Sand Hill and are due to depart shortly after 6.30am.

Please understand that local residents will not be expecting to be woken early in the morning, so please disembark from cars in the car park well away from the houses in Sand Hill.

Should there be any changes to arrangements, students will receive a text message on their mobile phones at 6am.

SNOW - THURSDAY - COLLEGE OPEN

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Update 8.50am

The roads in Farnborough are heavy with traffic and progress is slow. However, it is moving. The rain has been quite heavy so footpaths are slushy. College paths are wet but all walkways between buildings have been cleared of snow. Some colleagues who live to the West of the College have contacted us to say they are snowed in. All classes will begin at 9.30am - work will be set for those whose teachers are not in.

Updated: 7.55am

There is a thin scattering of snow which premises staff are clearing - but please take care because it can be slippery underfoot. All cleaning staff have arrived as normal. The temperature is above freezing and there is now light rain. A colleague has just reported that the drive from Hook was "normal" (which does not suggest easy!).

College will run normally today but, in view of the more difficult travel conditions, the first classes will begin at 9.30am.

Teaching and support staff unable to arrive or who will make a judgement about travel later in the morning - please email Jenny Pearson and your curriculum colleagues so that classes can be told - and can get on with some work.

SNOWBALLING
Thank you for keeping all snowballing to the fields yesterday - the same applies today, NO SNOWBALLING in any of the hard areas of the College. You may very well judge that the novelty is wearing off and it is better to keep well clear - ice-balling is not a recommended activity.

John Guy

Principal

February 2009 Newsletter

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Please click here to download the pdf version.

A paper copy will be included with the termly review sheet which will be posted on Friday 6 February, 2009.

What! More Snow - I don't believe it!

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In Camberley there has been another inch of snow overnight - the snow that was supposed to arrive tonight, I believe!

I am leaving now for College (6.30am) and will assess roads and the condition of the College car parks (which were due to have been gritted overnight) with premises colleagues on arrival.

At present, I am assuming the College will open as normal today because it does seem to be fairly light here and a bit of snow should not cause us to panic unduly.

Colleagues - Please email me with report of conditions where you are... and your assessment of travel conditions.

John Guy

Principal

COLLEGE RE-OPENS FOR TEACHING

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The College will be open for teaching as normal tomorrow, Wednesday 4 February.

The car parks still have a lot of snow and driving in them is hazardous. New and inexperienced drivers are advised not to bring cars to College - please use public transport. STUDENTS WHO NORMALLY DRIVE ALONE ARE ADVISED TO DOUBLE UP with friends to reduce the demand for parking places.

If you have a College parking permit, you will be allocated to a parking place - you MUST follow the instructions of the College Guardians. Because the parking bays are not visible and more room will be needed per car because of the snow, there may not be enough parking capacity for all - any overflow cars will need to park at Farnborough Football Club. Please allow much more time than normal to drive to College in time for your classes.

The roads are still treacherous

Sand Hill is very icy and it is recommended that drivers approach the College from Prospect Avenue, turning into Sand Hill at the junction with Prospect Avenue rather than use the particularly icy downhill stretch from Grange Road.

All interviews for prospective students will go ahead as planned.

SNOWBALLS

Please do not (be even tempted to) make and throw snowballs in any hard-surfaced area around the College which includes the College Quads and car parks. By now the snow is icy and dangerous. Those wishing to sculpt snowmen may do so on the College fields - any particularly elegant snowmen should be photographed with their creators for exhibitition on the College website - email to principal@farnboroughsfc.ac.uk.

STUDENTS: Photographic Competition

Students are invited to submit high-resolution photographs for the 2009 College Christmas Card. Please email a single high resolution JPEG image to principal@farnboroughsfc.ac.uk - closing date Friday 6 February.

Students' Art work helps women in Childbirth

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Mural unveiled in Central Delivery Suite

A stunning new work of art created by A level Art students is helping pregnant women through the experience of childbirth.

Frimley Park Hospital’s central delivery suite (CDS) is the new home of the spectacular mural which was unveiled at the hospital recently.

A2 Applied Art and Design students from the College put together the stunning mural, now hanging in the birthing pool room. The overall theme of the mural is the four seasons, and students took individual responsibility for each of the 24 panels. The complete design was also made into 2008 Christmas card from the College.

Julie Frohlich, CDS manager at Frimley Park Hospital, said: “Many women find it helpful to focus on a picture or object during contractions—this is used as a distraction especially as labour progresses. There is plenty to focus on with this fantastic design—it contains something for everyone.”

Frimley Park Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Chairman Sir Mike Aaronson thanked the College for generously donated the works to the hospital. He said the works was “absolutely right” for its new home.

Students Launch Farnborough 6 Fun Run

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Fun Run supports Sebastian's Action Trust

Sixteen A-Level students from Farnborough Sixth Form College are challenging local residents to run along the streets of Farnborough on Sunday 8 March 2009 to raise money for local charity, Sebastian’s Action Trust. Following the outstanding success of the last year’s first Farnborough 6 Fun Run, well over 500 runners are expected to take part. Runners will have the chance to run six or three mile road races or a one mile fun run on the College grounds. Half of the entry fee will be donated to Sebastian’s Action Trust as will all of the personal sponsorship raised.

Sebastian’s Action Trust was established in memory of Sebastian Gates who was diagnosed with Wilms’ Tumour in 2001 at the age of 7 and who died two years later. In the month before he died, Sebastian launched a Trust to purchase a holiday home that would provide for families like his to spend precious time together, away from the hospitals and punishing treatment regimens, but with specialist support if needed.

Jane Gates, President of Sebastian’s Action Trust, said, “I visited the College recently and I was overwhelmed with the work of the students involved. They are providing a great opportunity for the community to raise money for the Trust.”

Mrs Gates added, “Building work has already started on Sebastian’s House in North Waltham and the funds raised by The Farnborough 6 Fun Run will provide a great boost to the project. I am delighted to be involved with this event!”

James Simms, Head of PE at the College commented that the enthusiasm of the A level Leisure Studies students was inspirational. He said, “The Farnborough 6 Fun Run is the only fun run or race in the UK which is organised by students with no previous experience of delivering such large scale events. The students are working very hard and the experience they are gaining is genuinely educational.”

College student, Tom Collisson, 18, of Windlesham, is Chairperson of the 2009 Fun Run, and he intends the 2009 event to be even better than last year. Tom said, “We already have lots of runners, from the age of 18 months to 80, and we even have two runners who are going to pull a fridge around the course!”

Calling on everyone to get involved, Tom added, “There’s still plenty of time to enter - it will be a real family day and together we’ll raise lots of money for Sebastian’s Action Trust.”

Entry and sponsorship forms for all the races can be found by visiting www.farnboroughsfc2.ac.uk/RunningEvent.aspx. Entry fees are £8 for the 6 mile race, £5 for the 3 mile and £2 for the 1 mile fun run.

Students exhibit photographic work

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

College Media Students showcase photographic images

Media students at Farnborough Sixth Form College will be showcasing their Media Production photography work in an exhibition entitled This is Me: an exploration of identity through form and style next week. The exhibition will be at the popular community arts venue, The West End Centre, in Aldershot, between 26 January and 9 February.

The work of the group of 12 students, all aged 16-17, is inspired by the theme of identity, drawing also on the importance of family and friendship.

Using a range of classic and experimental forms and styles, the exhibition presents a colourful and diverse collection. The young photographers are all students on the highly successful one year OCR Media National Certificate Course. Before the project, most of them had little experience of camera use except for holiday snapshots.

Sixteen year old Sophie Tibbitts of Yateley said: “This exhibition shows everyone a little part of ourselves. It will be great to showcase our hard work.”

The students have been tutored by the College Subject Leader for Media, Rachel Jarvis. She said, “Students have put so much hard work into this exhibition. The photographs look fantastic – they could easily be the work of professionals.”

She added: “The whole project has embraced our key aims of motivating students in a meaningful way in order to raise their achievement."

The exhibition is open to the general public at the West End Centre, Aldershot, until Monday 9^th February.

College Christmas Concert fills Royal Memorial Chapel

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

A Wonderful Festival of Lessons and Carols

Click here for more photographs

A congregation of over 1000 friends and family of students and staff at Farnborough Sixth Form College gathered for a traditional service of readings and carols at the Royal Memorial Chapel, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, on Friday evening. The service, the brainchild of the College’s Director of Music Paul Bambrough, was led by the Sixth Form College Chaplain, Rev Rachel Bennetts and the Senior Chaplain of the Royal Memorial Chapel, Rev Timothy Cole.

The musical tone of the evening was set by student tenor soloists Daniel Coldridge, 17, of Fleet, and Josh Nancolas, 18, of Yateley, whose opening unaccompanied plainsong, Pour Down, O Heavens, sung from the rear balconies filled the Chapel with song.

Once in Royal David’s City was intoned by 18-year old soprano, Sarah Brown, of Wokingham, before the College Choir sang the second verse in the distance as they approached the Chapel doors. The Congregation, standing in the magnificence of the candle-lit church, accompanied the final verses as the choir of over 100 students processed into the Chapel, taking their seats in the choir stalls.

There followed a series of carols and hymns, with readings by students, staff and governors of the College. Soprano soloists Vicky Tay, 18, of Binfield, and Pippa Grayson, 17, of Fleet, and tenor Steve Mills, 16, of Hook, sang moving interpretations of Ave Maria, There’s a Light Upon the Mountains and In the Bleak Midwinter respectively, supported by a magnificent College Choir which reached professional standards of musicianship under Paul Bambrough’s tutelage and direction.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Rushmoor, Cllr and Mrs Alan Ferrier, attended the concert. Cllr Ferrier said, “This has been a magnificent evening of musical preparation for Christmas and the College should be congratulated on the quality of music which I would expect from professional choirs – it has been wonderful.”

College Principal Dr John Guy said, “I am immensely proud of the students of this College whose voices filled the enormity of the Royal Memorial Chapel to the delight of us all. I have rarely seen such a packed Church nor a congregation so enriched by the experience.”

It will be possible to order photographs in the new term.

Class of 2008 celebrate achievements

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Students Star in Awards ceremony

Click here for more photographs

18 year old Bishnu Simkhada of Tongham was named as the Dell Student of the Year at Farnborough Sixth Form College’s Annual Awards Evening last week and was presented with Dell Corporation’s top of the range Studio Laptop. Over 1000 parents and students packed the Dame Kelly Holmes Sports Centre when the College’s class of 2008 celebrated their examination successes.

Principal guest was Kathleen Tattersall, Chair of the newly established independent government regulator, Ofqual, which oversees all national examinations and qualifications.

Introducing Ms Tattersall to the College, Principal Dr John Guy said, “Kathleen is a giant in the assessment world and she carries the respect and confidence of the entire education sector.”

Dr Guy congratulated the students not only on their outstanding personal achievements but also on being the first in the country to be awarded the new A star grade at A level. “It is important for this College to be at the leading edge of qualifications reform and I congratulate you all on what you have achieved.”

Ms Tattersall told the students that their achievements were particularly outstanding. Speaking of the esteem in which Farnborough Sixth Form College was held nationally, she said, “Don’t let anyone tell you that standards in education have fallen.”

She presented certificates to over 400 students and a number of special awards to students with particularly outstanding achievements. Gareth Davies, 19, of Fleet, now at Durham University reading English, achieved the top mark in the entire country for A level Film Studies but was unable to attend because of a drama production in Durham. In Oscar ceremony style, the College arranged for a live video link to Durham to the delight of the audience. Gareth said, “I am really sorry not to be with you this evening but I owe my achievement to my teacher, Aidan Hamilton, who was brilliant throughout the course.”

Dell Student of the Year, Bishnu Simkhada, arrived in England alone at the age of 12, speaking no English. Dr Guy said, “Your achievements are an inspiration to us all and you now have a place at the University of Loughborough to study Economics.”

Speaking afterwards, Bishnu said, “I still can’t believe I have won this amazing award – Farnborough Sixth Form College really is the best college in the country. It has given me enormous support in my life and I don’t think I could have received the same opportunity anywhere else.”

Award winners:

Outstanding Academic Achievement: Gareth Davies, Fleet; Jamie Fisher, Ascot; Rachel Hyman, Badshot Lea; Luke Palmer, Farnborough; Rosemary Pritchard, Fleet; Nicole Ramshaw, Virginia Water; Caroline West, Farnborough.

Outstanding Personal Achievement: Tom Banham, Wokingham; Alexis Cooper, Aldershot; Adam James, Sandhurst; Alistair Macallan, Fleet; James Morrison, Wokingham.

Outstanding Contribution to College Life: Josh Arnold, Farnham; Daniel Barnes, Farnborough; Gemma Gronland, Ewshot; Ellen Hunter, Hartley Wintney; Mo Saqib, Farnborough.

Outstanding Contribution and Academic Achievement: Joanne Woodage, Camberley; Edward Taylor, Knaphill.

University College for Creative Arts Award: Abigail Burch, Farnborough.

University of Winchester Awards for top marks in the Country: Leanda Hatten, Farnborough; Max Welford, Camberley; Bethany Clark, Fleet; Jessica Stewart, Church Crookham; Luke Palmer, Farnborough; Edward Taylor, Knaphill.

Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year: Dan Read, Fleet; Rebecca Smillie, Deepcut.

Mike Ritchie Award for Sport: Jemma Siemak, Matt Trundle, both Church Crookham.

Justin Scregg Memorial Award for Drama: Sian Boorman, Farnham.

Alistair Panter Memorial Award for Personal Achievement: Rosalind Fraser, Swallowfield.

N J Clarke Award for Accounting and Business: Helen Williams, Finchampstead.

Dell Student of the Year Award: Bishnu Simkhada, Tongham.

Speech by Mo Saqib, Student President at Awards Evening

Thank you John.

As I take the stage for the last time as your Student President, can I firstly say that is really is great to see so many of you here tonight. This evening we celebrate our two year-long journey through Farnborough Sixth and we pay tribute to those we met along the way.

So for a moment, let's just think back to the start of that journey, our first few days at Farnborough Sixth; we had just finished about twelve years of compulsory education and had willingly put ourselves up for another two years. Our expectations at that stage were probably to just get a few A-levels under our belts and then move on to wherever the tide may take us.

But let's think of our lives now that the journey has ended, and think about what the last two years have given us. What we thought would be simply two years of walking in through those gates every morning, going to lessons, then walking out at quarter past four, turned out to be part of a larger journey: a journey of self-discovery during which all of us went through our own personal struggles and came out as better people. What we thought would simply involve new teachers throwing new subject material at us became a relationship with beacons who lit the path to our aspirations. This college turned out to be so much more than we expected and a large part of that was down to the people we met and the friends we made. I don't think any of us thought we'd meet such a diverse group of amazing people; so many of whom we can regard as good friends. So when we look back and think what a brilliant time we had at Farnborough Sixth, one of the reasons will be because of the people we got to know. But they say all good things must come to an end and right now we're all going our own separate ways; either straight into work, or on gap years, or on to uni. For those of you who decided to put off uni to earn some money or to go travelling, I hope you're enjoying life in the big wide world. For those of you studying for your degrees, as I'm on a gap year I don't know what university's like, but I hear it's a fountain of knowledge... students go there to drink.

But anyway; if we're honest, another group of people who deserve a mention, are our teachers. We've all had a number of teachers during over two years here, but let's just stop for a moment and think. Think of that one teacher who's lessons we looked forward to, that one teacher we could have banter with, that one teacher who was prepared to help us whenever we needed it. I was fortunate enough to have met so many such teachers; for example: on the SA front, Christine Eustace was an absolute tower of strength without whom many SA events would simply have not got off the ground. Any SA event that took place successfully, Christine was at the heart of it. Another decent person, one whom all of you know, is John Guy. John's been brilliant to work with, an absolute joy.

But I'm just going to embarrass him for a moment by telling you what's probably my favourite John Guy story: back in April when the College achieved Fairtrade status and it was decided that we'd give out free Ben & Jerry's ice creams to celebrate, John had to ring up Ben & Jerry's and speak to them. So he got on the phone, dialled the number, and when the person on the other end picked up, John said: “Hello, who am I speaking to? Is this Ben or Jerry?”

But most of all for me, a man who typifies the kind of unconditional support that every student should receive is my Personal Tutor, David Grant. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Dave, who stood by me as I experienced the ups- and the downs- of juggling my college work with my commitments to the SA. I'm not sure where I'd be without that kind of support.

Now, a few final words before I finish. Having graduated from Farnborough Sixth, we have all begun the walk down the foggy path to the future and although we can't see it, we all want to know what lies beyond that fog. But let me tell you: there is no better way to foresee the future than to make it. So Class of 2008 after tonight most of us probably won't see each other again- apart from when we're in Jaxx. But the last two years have been an absolute privilege and an immense pleasure- and for that, I thank you. So I'll leave you with a final thought: if you can laugh at yourself loud and hard every time you fall, people will think you're drunk.

Good night.

The Grimm Tales

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Grimm fun in Prospect for Christmas

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Students from the Sixth Form College Farnborough delighted a packed Prospect Theatre audience with something very different in this year’s Christmas production. This was an evening of pure storytelling - favourite tales from the Brothers Grimm were given a sparkling makeover by directors Matt Sheppard and Emily Tobias in a witty and wise performance which skipped as lightly as the clever hedgehog outwitting the hapless hare.

Hansel (played by Jeremy Day) escapes his feeble father (played by his brother Richard) leading his starving sister Gretel (Alice Phypers) through a dense, dark, living forest of human branches only to find themselves fattened up for the witch’s cooking pot. But of course the horrid hag (Rebecca Alloway) can’t escape her hideous fate and, once she’s in the fire, all live happily ever after!

Alas, not so the mouse, the bird or the unfortunate sausage brought alive by Catrin Addison, Matt Brown and Pranav Chada, only to perish for their stupidity. And here was the tale of Ashputtel (Collete Lucas) cold, hungry and horribly abused by her cruel step-sisters (Michaela Ludford and Kate Lugton) only to go to the ball in triumph. Of course she marries the Prince (Emily Lunn) but not before the step-sisters have shed a toe or two trying desperately to squeeze their over-size feet into the magic slipper!

This was a fine ensemble performance by College enrichment drama students; the cast (almost entirely drawn from first year students) skilfully used every aspect of physical expression to inspire the imagination through these sometimes dark but always entertaining tales. Moments of wonderful comedy illuminated these cautionary visions, flooding like the gold from the backside of Ben Blake’s fabulous donkey, flashing like the light from the tinkling bell of his lying (but rather sweet!) goat. Supported by a creative technical crew who really got the best from this space, the hard-working, beautifully costumed cast took on dozens of parts and sang their way into the festive season.

College featured in Guardian Newspaper

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Click here to download pdf of Guardian article (Tuesday 9 December, 2008)

Extended Projects Presentation

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Pioneering students lead way in qualifications reform

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A senior government qualifications expert, told students and staff at Farnborough Sixth Form College last week that their work had had a profound impact upon government thinking. Mr David MacKay of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, was speaking at an awards ceremony for the College’s third cohort of Extended Project students.

Presenting the students with their beautifully bound university-style theses, Mr MacKay said, “Farnborough Sixth Form has taken a pioneering lead in helping us to understand how we should guide the national development of the Extended Project. The success of Farnborough has raised the profile of this important initiative nationally and I hope you will show these projects with pride to friends and family”.

The 148 students who received certificates from Mr MacKay had each completed 5000 word dissertations on a topic of their choice linking two of their A level subjects. They undertook the research during the summer holidays and were required to complete their projects by the end of October. Jon Marks, Associate Assistant Principal who led the project, said, “The breadth and depth of the students’ research was astonishing – I am very proud of all that they have achieved”.

Stuart Rowland, 18, of Camberley who is Vice President of the Students’ Association and hopes to read physics at university next year, wrote aproject entitled, “A brief history of modern physics and the mathematical laws which shape our universe”. He told the packed audience of parents and students in the Prospect Theatre that not only had he positively enjoyed doing the research but that the project had given him a real understanding of time management and prioritisation. “This will be a really useful skill for both my university career and my employment in the future”, said Stuart.

Sarah Brown, 18, of Wokingham, undertook her research on the development of the autistic child through mathematics, music and diet. She told the audience very movingly how the research had impacted upon her own understanding of autism and how it had taken her in directions which she had not expected.

Principal Dr John Guy congratulated students and their teachers on the work that had been produced which, he said, would not have been out of place amongst final year undergraduate theses. “This is the essence of learning at this College – we want to introduce you to the ideas of asking your own challenging questions and then to stretch you so that you can answer them”.

Changing Steps Dance Spectacular

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

From Jazz to Modern Dance

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Students from Farnborough Sixth Form College produced a thrilling Changing Steps Dance Spectacular in the Prospect Theatre last week. The performances, which were the culmination of only nine weeks of enrichment activities on Wednesday afternoons, brought delight from the audience and obvious enjoyment from the dancers.

The production was jointly directed by College dance tutors Sally Allsford and Emily Burke, who work closely with London’s Royal Academy of Dance. Speaking after the performance, Miss Allsford said, “The students have put so much effort and energy into their work this term and the range of dance styles has been really exciting; their performances have been driven by a desire always to improve their movement”.

The dance pieces ranged from the rhythmic drum beat of traditional African music, through fast-moving Charleston-inspired movement, to contemporary dance, from three different student dance companies, numbering over 80 performers in total. Performances included energetic break-dancing and Hip Hop, as well as Jazz-inspired pieces from Bond Girls to Disturbia, an interpretation of street dance which has dominated the commercial floor for music videos.

Although Farnborough Sixth Form College is one of the largest centres for A level dance in the country, the majority of students participating in this dance performance were not studying it as an academic discipline.

After the performance, College Principal Dr John Guy, said, "This has been one of the most enjoyable and professional dance presentations we have ever experienced at the College - demonstrating great skill and talent in the journey from Jazz to Modern Dance".

Dr Guy added, "People often ask me what is special about a sixth form college education. I think this evening indicates precisely the wide range of opportunities and the high quality of performance which can be achieved alongside advanced level study".

College student wins national computing award

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

What would happen if Newton's Third Law was wrong?

Seventeen year old Farnborough Sixth Form College student, Abhijit Chandgadkar of Cove, has every reason to celebrate early this Christmas. He has just won a high-specification laptop computer as first prize in a national competition arranged by Manchester University to celebrate 60 years of the modern computer.

Abhijit was told about the competition last summer by his teacher of computing, Chris Taylor. Despite revising for his AS levels in maths, computer science, physics and business studies, he took time to write a computer animation on Newton’s Third Law of Motion.

Abhijit said, “I decided that it would be sensible to write a program relating to my A level syllabus and thought I would add a touch of humour, so I wrote it to show what life would be like if Newton’s Third Law of Motion was incorrect!”.

Abhijit’s entry so impressed the judges that he won two awards, the Best Program and the Best Comedy Film, resulting in his being named as the overall national winner. He added, “I was really shocked to have won both awards from a university so well-respected for its work in computer science!”.

Chris Taylor said, “We were all impressed with the program that Abhijit wrote using new software and techniques which he had not met before. This will stand him in very good stead for his future degree and career, which he hopes will be in computer science”.

College Principal, Dr John Guy, said, “Abhijit is very modest about his achievements and his ability but his work is outstanding and a tribute to his determination, and to the excellent teaching he has received here and at Wavell School where he took his GCSEs”.

Meanwhile, Abhijit is hoping to build on the four grade A passes he achieved in his AS levels. “It’s hard work but it is really special to be recognised as the national winner and the laptop will be great to take to university”, he said.

To view Abhijit's winning entry click here

World premiere of The Rooftopsmiths

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Cinema audience bursts into spontaneous applause

The Rooftopsmiths - by Helen Rowles

A new film made by former student Helen (Len) Rowles received its world premiere at the Curzon Cinema in Shaftesbury Avenue, Soho, last night. Len who graduated with BA Honours in English and Film from King’s College London in the summer, made the film as an independent project alongside her degree studies.

A packed Screen 3 audience burst into spontaneous applause as the credits ended. The fast-moving film, wistful, moving and exhilarating, followed the course of Imogen’s (played by Natasha Freeman) engaging relationships with fellow student Joel (played by Phillip Maden) and fellow rooftopsmith Marcus (played by Oliver Jackson-Cohen who has since appeared in BBC’s Lark Rise to Candleford).

Brilliantly shot amongst the rooftops of London, Len wrote, directed, produced and edited the 35 minute film. Amidst a range of memorable scenes were stunning cinematographic evening shots against a sunset reflected from high rise windows and a wonderfully engaging cycle ride along the South Bank, filmed by Frank Madone on roller skates (there were no funds for a dolly!) to music provided by the band Arthur (lead singer Hannah Clark, a former Farnborough Sixth Form College student). Other music in the film was written and arranged by Tom Stevens (now teaching music technology at the College) and sound recording was managed by Elaine Barnett, again a former student who has recently graduated from The London College of Communications.

College Principal, Dr John Guy, who attended the premiere said, "This was a masterful low-cost production by a young film-maker of whom we will certainly hear more - and it was a privilege to have been invited."

New minister visits College

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Minister sees new IT Diploma in action

The new Minister for Schools and Learners, Sarah McCarthy-Fry MP, visited Farnborough Sixth Form College today. Mrs McCarthy-Fry was appointed to her ministerial position by the Prime Minister in September and she is visiting a series of outstanding schools and colleges across the country to see examples of excellent practice. She was particularly keen to visit the College because of its national reputation and because of its pioneering work in introducing the new IT Advanced Diploma.

She was greeted by Student President, Theo McCusker, 17, of Frimley, and Vice President, Stewart Rowland, 17, of Camberley. Theo said, “The Minister was very interested in the role of the Students’ Association at the College and our involvement in the strategic-planning of the College, especially as governors”.

The Minister opened the College’s new Recording Studio, viewing a live recording which was simultaneously transmitted to the students in the specialist teaching area by video link. Head of Music Technology, Julien McKenzie, said, “The new recording studio is fitted with state of the art equipment which enables students to use industry standard equipment as part of their Advanced level studies”.

The Minister then visited the new IT Diploma course where students presented their research on a project to provide a new IT suite to a school in Ghana. Matthew Baldwin, 16, of Aldershot, who is investigating the processes of exporting computers to Africa, described to the Minister how the group proposed to overcome import controls in Ghana by appointing an import agent. Matthew said, “It was quite daunting describing our project to the Minister who is actually in charge of the entire Diploma scheme but she seemed really impressed by our work!”

Speaking of her visit, the Minister said, “This was one of the most informative and enjoyable visits to a school or college I have made since my appointment. For the first time I have seen the new advanced diploma in action and it was very exciting”.

Mrs McCarthy-Fry added, “I want to congratulate the Principal and his staff for creating at Farnborough Sixth Form College the atmosphere where wonderfully committed groups of students are actually enjoying their studies and learning to manage their time in a mature and sensible way – this is what we mean by embedding employability skills into learning”.

Principal Dr John Guy said, “It was an honour to respond to a request from the Minister to visit the College and we were delighted to demonstrate how students respond to excellent teaching when given responsibility and support in a sixth form college environment”.

New Minister to visit College

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Sarah McCarthy-Fry to visit Farnborough Sixth Form College

The College will have the opportunity to welcome the new Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools and Learners, Sarah McCarthy-Fry MP, on Thursday 6 November. Her office requested a visit to Farnborough Sixth Form College so that she could see at first hand an outstanding college in action.

The Minister will spend the morning meeting students and staff in the context of normal teaching and learning, and she will see the way in which the curriculum is delivered in the context of the College's commitment to prepare young people to move on to higher education and employment. Mrs McCarthy Fry will see applied learning in the context of A level and the new IT Advanced Diploma which the College is piloting.

Farnborough Sixth Form College pioneered the Extended Project, the AQA Bacc and the new A star grade for A level. The Minister will hear of the College's plans for further innovation and see the site of the new £7 million iconic building at the heart of the College.

Principal Dr John Guy said, "We are delighted to welcome the Minister. The College is seen as a beacon for post-16 teaching and we hope to be able to influence Ministerial thinking so that any further reforms are well thought-out and based upon excellent innovative practice such as that at this College."

Higher Education Finance Talk Amended

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Secretary of State for Universities, Innovation and Skills, John Denham, announced yesterday (29 October 2008) that he was making changes to the proposed student grant scheme for those starting higher education in September 2009.

He is reducing the family threshold income for those students entitled to a partial grant to £50,020. The Higher Education Finance talk given last week referred to this an unlikely possibility - it has become a reality!

The presentation has been amended to show the changed limit for partial grant eligibility but the precise details are still unknown. We will provide information via the website when we know the figures. In the words of the Secretary of State: "I propose to lay before Parliament Amending Regulations to adjust the eligibility for student grants and loans. Following approval by Parliament, they will take some weeks to implement. I have asked the Student Loans Company to begin processing applications for student support in the New Year.

Click here to download the presentation from the Higher Education Finance talk (830kb PowerPoint presentation).

Music Scholars' Concert

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Musical Cat Fight at College

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Music Scholars at Farnborough Sixth Form College delighted a packed audience, including members of the Farnborough Music Society, in the College’s Prospect Theatre with a lively and varied programme demonstrating real musicianship and maturity.

The evening began with a moving duet from Mozart's Don Giovanni by Sarah Brown, 17, of Wokingham (soprano) and Daniel Coldridge, 17, of Fleet (baritone),whose voices have matured to professional levels under guidance at the College.

New students Colin Li, 16, of Camberley (piano), Will Etheridge, 17, of Old Basing (horn), Nancy Reynolds, 16, of Binfield (violin) and Elley Beere, 16, of Farnham (piano) all gave confident and convincing performances in solo pieces before a stunning interpretation of Holst's St Paul's Suite from the College String Ensemble directed by strings teacher, Alison Holford.

After the interval, first year students Chris Mills, 16, of Hook (piano), Katy Ovens, 16 of Send (flute) and Sam Cleeve,16, of Farnborough (violin) challenged even the brilliance of second year violinists Vicky Tay, 17 of Binfield, and Josh Armstrong, 17 of Farnham, and whose respective interpretations of Monti's Czardas and Frühlingswaltzer by Shostakovich were performed with real feeling and understanding.

In the brilliant finale, sopranoists Sarah Brown and Vicky Tay, accompanied at the piano by Josh Armstrong, adopted the convincing roles of fighting cats, delighting the audience with their amusing version of Rossini's Buffo di Due Gatti.

Once again, the sixth form college students left the contented concert-goers of Farnborough wondering where Director of Music Paul Bambrough finds such talented young musicians, and how such a performance could be mounted after six short weeks of a new academic year.

Students raise money for Breast Cancer Campaign

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Students in the Pink!

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Students at Farnborough Sixth Form College got into the pink last week as they raised over £1000 for the Breast Cancer Campaign. Leading by example, student charities officer, Chris Holt, 18, of Fleet, sported a bright pink dinner suit throughout the day and the whole College community got involved in fund raising activities with a difference.

The lunchtime karaoke competition attracted over 750 students, and even Principal Dr John Guy was persuaded to lead the singing of Puppet on a String! The fancy dress competition was won by Student President, Theo McCusker, who painted his entire body pink, and Gary and Jo Mayne of Candy Floss Carts supplied pink candy floss throughout the entertainments.

Chris Holt said, “The day was a fantastic success and it was great that everyone was so enthusiastic and willing to come to College dressed in so many different pink ways!”

He added, “Breast cancer has touched the lives of so many families and it is important to raise awareness in the College and to find ways to contribute to the research funding to tackle the disease –the pink theme seems to have grabbed students’ imagination”.

Chris’s next task is to mount a campaign for the Children in Need Appeal and already he is turning his attention to the College Rag Week next April.

Speaking after the karaoke, College Principal Dr John Guy, said, “It was a remarkable achievement by the Chris and his team to inspire the whole College to become involved”.

Farnborough Sixth Form College and OCR issue nation’s first A stars

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Students from Farnborough Sixth Form College were the first in the country to be awarded the equivalent of the new A star grade in a trial carried out between the College and the awarding body, OCR. Although the new nationally recognized qualification will not be introduced until 2010, the trial was conducted to ascertain how well students would deal with the more challenging A level questions. .

College Principal Dr John Guy said, “The College welcomes the changes to the A level examinations and, in particular, the introduction of the new A* grade from 2010.”

He added, “We always seek to understand any changes in examination specifications before they are introduced so that both staff and students are well-prepared; the trial with OCR was undertaken to enable both the College and the Awarding Body to see how well our students would respond to the more open-ended questions.”

In the trial involving five subjects, 28 out of the 50 gifted and talented students who accepted invitations to take an additional examination paper were awarded a Grade A*.

Greg Watson, Chief Executive of OCR, said, “We were delighted to conduct this trial in partnership with Farnborough Sixth Form College because it has given our examiners an early opportunity to test some of their ideas in setting stretching and challenging questions to identify those students who deserve the A* grade.”

Farnborough Sixth Form College is widely recognized for its pioneering work and was the first College to introduce the new Extended Project for A level students; in 2007, Farnborough students were the first in the country to be awarded the AQA Baccalaureate.

Dr Guy said, “With the additional stretch and challenge of the new A level, I believe that our A level programmes for young people, which also include an attestation of enrichment activities and an Extended Project, provide the breadth, depth and challenge of any baccalaureate or the new academic Diplomas – we are already doing it!”

A Star students

Among the College’s 28 A star candidates was 18 year old Caroline West of Rye Close, Farnborough who achieved a total of 5 grade As in English Literature, Chemistry, Biology, Law and General Studies and the A* in English Literature. Caroline, whose results mean that she has won a place at Selwyn College Cambridge to read Law, said, “I am so happy! And I’m really pleased with my results. The A star examination paper was really enjoyable because the questions were much more open-ended and I felt I was able to give my opinions and justify them.”

18 year old Simon Wood of Oaklea, Ash Vale, achieved his A* in Chemistry along with other A grades in Biology, Physics, Maths, Further Maths and General Studies. Simon, who will be going up to Balliol College, Oxford, to read Chemistry in October said, “I’m really looking forward to studying at Oxford and doing the A star exam paper provided quite a challenge – the questions were much more inventive so I’m really pleased to have got the A star!”

Top students in the Country - The Magnificent Seven
This year, an astonishing seven students from Farnborough Sixth Form College were among the top five or ten students in the country in a range of subjects. Leanda Hatten, 18, of Farnborough, and Claire Porterfield, 17, of Camberley achieved their outstanding results in performing arts and Max Welford, 18, of Camberley was one of the top ten students in Music Technology out of 3381 entries nationally. In addition Luke Palmer, 18, of Farnborough, achieved one of the nation’s top five marks in mathematics, Bethany Clark, 18, of Fleet, in Environmental Science, Edward Taylor, 18, of Woking, in English Literature, and Jessica Stewart,18, of Church Crookham, in General Studies.

Dr Guy said, “We have become accustomed to one or two of our students achieving one of the nation’s top marks but we have never before had seven across such a range of subjects. This really is a tribute to the strength of the teaching across the College and to the commitment of our students.”

Celebrating another year of outstanding results at the College, Principal Dr John Guy said, “We have a magnificent community of students who really understand the importance of studying to achieve well. Not only have we awarded the nation’s first A* grades, but also we have an astonishing six students who achieved six grade A passes in their A level examinations and a further 48 with 5 grade A passes.”

Overall the College is delighted with the achievements of students with an over 99% success rate for the 4292 A level subject entries. As one of the largest colleges in the country, Farnborough is also one of the most successful and was recently judged by Ofsted to be outstanding in every category inspected.

Dr Guy expressed particular delighted over the results in the sciences and in languages, both areas which cause concern nationally. He said, “I am pleased to report that the numbers taking these important subjects are increasing at Farnborough and success rate in 2008 has been outstanding.”

In the four principal languages offered at the College, French, German, Italian and Spanish, 31.5% of students achieved Grade A standard, whilst in the 449 entries for the three main sciences, biology, chemistry and physics, 157 students achieved grade A – at 35%, these are best results ever at the College. In mathematics, where numbers are again growing 46% of the 340 entries achieved Grade A whilst in further mathematics, where the College has one of the largest entries in the country, 45 of the 54 entries were awarded Grade A and every student achieved at least Grade B.

Moving On Day inspires students

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Graduate Rachael inspires College students

Just three years ago, Rachael Pickup of Fleet was finishing her A levels at Farnborough Sixth Form College. Last week, she returned to the College brandishing a newly acquired first class honours degree in English and Music from Lancaster University to share her experiences with current students at the Moving On Day, a major part of the College’s careers and guidance programme.

Alice Denman, 17, of Sandhurst, is a first year student at the college studying Psychology, History, Law, Photography and Music. She said, “It was really helpful to meet a range of young graduates like Rachael who were at the College like me only three years ago – they help us to realise that aiming high is both possible and sensible!” Alice is considering either a career as an officer in the army or taking a degree in Psychology and Law at university.

Rachael was one of over 120 visitors to the College from the world of industry, business and commerce, and from universities, voluntary and professional bodies from all over the country. This full day event enabled students to select from a wide choice of seminars, ranging from studying for an Accountancy career post A level to degrees in Natural Sciences at Cambridge. Companies such as TAG Farnborough, CSC and Siemens spoke about career opportunities locally.

Emma Browne, 16, of Farnborough, wants to be a doctor and she attended a variety of medical seminars on the day. Emma said, “The session led by Dr Linton was really interesting; she gave me an insight into what being a GP was all about and it was also really useful to have the perspective of a medical student”.

Beth Cureton, a former student of the College, is now studying medicine at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, told the students what it was really like to be a medic.

Holly Brookes, 17, of Camberley praised the exhibition of almost 100 stalls. She said, “There were lots of different people there, gap years, careers and employers - it wasn’t just universities.”

Dr Paul Martin and former College President, Nick Coxon, both of Wadham College, spoke about philosophy, politics and economics at Oxford University. Alex Lau, 17, of Blackwater, intends to apply for PPE at Oxford. He said, “I was wondering whether I should take up AS philosophy at College next year and their talk really sealed it for me.”

Moving On day is a popular event with the speakers as well as the students. Jon Rademeyer of Gap Year South Africa said, “It was an excellent fair and I sincerely hope that I was able to inspire a few students to pursue a challenging and rewarding gap year. I wish all school took the initiative to do this”.

Helen Diffenthal, Director of Careers and Guidance at the College, said, “This was my first year organising Moving On day and I am really pleased we were able to maintain the high standard of previous events. University Admissions staff are keen to come to the Sixth Form College Farnborough because of our high calibre students – we even got Cambridge and it was their official Open Day!”

College Operatic Production of Hansel and Gretel

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Hansel and Gretel wins critical acclaim

To view more photographs click here

Farnborough Sixth Form College marked the end of its academic year with a magnificent operatic production of Hansel and Gretel in the Prospect Theatre this week. The College’s Youth Opera Project was launched in 2006 in response to the growing talent of the student singers under the expert tuition of Director of Music, Paul Bambrough.

Despite having just completed gruelling A and AS examinations, the students responded magnificently to the challenge of the Engelbert Humperdinck opera written in 1893. Hansel, played by 18 year old mezzo-soprano Ellen Hunter of Hook, and Gretel, played by 17 year old soprano Sarah Brown of Wokingham, were magnificent in their lead roles, confidently singing with perfect pitch against a 33-strong orchestra of students, former students and friends of the College. They commanded the stage and portrayed their respective roles with great energy, perfect timing and strong facial expressions as the story described the mischievousness of the two children, their wonder and fear of the forest, and the terror of being caught by the witch.

In the forest, the children were protected in their dreams by the good elves who played joyfully with clever acrobatics and juggling, by ballet-dancing angels and even by a giant Noddy who joined the watchful team.

But in the morning, the children found themselves in the witch’s lair, a terrifying but comical place, laden with piles of mouthwatering goodies which Hansel and Gretel began to devour. The witch, played by confident tenor Daniel Barnes, 17, of Farnborough, was at once terrifying and comical as he prepared a spell in a memorable scene of flying flour and squirty cream, with cream cakes pushed into his assistant’s faces for good measure.

But the production ended triumphantly as the children shoved the witch into his own oven to burn amid the crackling flames. In the final joyous scene, Hansel and Gretel were reunited with their parents played by 17 year old soprano Vicky Tay of Binfield and 17 year old baritone Daniel Coldridge of Fleet.

This was a brilliant, colourful and ambitious production from a young cast performing well above their years, as has become the custom at the Sixth Form College.

Speaking to students after the performance, College Principal, Dr John Guy, said, “I am constantly amazed and delighted by your talent and by the inspiration and challenge of your teachers – and all this was achieved within a period of a few weeks since major examinations.”

College prepares students to move on

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Graduate Rachael inspires College students

Alice Denman, 17, of Sandhurst, is a first year student at the College studying Psychology, History, Law, Photography and Music. She said, “It was really helpful to meet a range of young graduates like Rachael who were at the College like me only three years ago – they help us to realise that aiming high is both possible and sensible!” Alice is considering either a career as an officer in the army or taking a degree in Psychology and Law at university.

Rachael was one of over 120 visitors to the College from the world of industry, business and commerce, and from universities, voluntary and professional bodies from all over the country. This full day event enabled students to select from a wide choice of seminars, ranging from studying for an Accountancy career post-A level to degrees in Natural Sciences at Cambridge. Companies such as TAG Farnborough, CSC and Siemens spoke about career opportunities locally.

Beth Cureton, a former student of the College, is now studying medicine at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, told the students what it was really like to be a medic.

Alex Lau, 17, of Blackwater, intends to apply for PPE at Oxford University. He said, “I was wondering whether I should take up AS philosophy at College next year and the Politics talk by Dr Paul Martin and former College President, Nick Coxon, both of Oxford University, really sealed it for me”.

Helen Diffenthal, Director of Careers and Guidance at the College, said, “This was my first year organising Moving On day and I am really pleased we were able to maintain the high standard of previous events. University Admissions staff are keen to come to Farnborough Sixth Form College because of our high calibre students – we even got Cambridge and it was their official Open Day!”

College Cricketers are Hampshire Champions

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT

College Cricketers win Hampshire Cup

Farnborough Sixth Form College’s cricket team are celebrating being Hampshire’s finest this week and winning the County Cup in a closely fought game against Alton College.

The Farnborough Students – many of whom also play for local clubs – were crowned champions at The Rose Bowl in Southampton, producing a solid bowling display followed by a superb batting performance.

Farnborough skipper Jon Boukhobza, who previously attended Calthorpe Park School, lost the toss and, in front of significant travelling support, was forced to take the field.

Good bowling and fielding meant that Alton found runs hard to come by. Pryce and Burton put up the most significant resistance after a destructive spell of pace bowling by Chris Pike (3 – 26). Ash Jeggo (1 – 24) was a perfect foil at the other end, bowling with tight fisted economy. Wickets fell too regularly for Alton to really get going but the run rate increased steadily toward the end of the innings and a flurry of boundaries helped Alton to reach a final total of 189 from their allotted 40 overs.

Farnborough’s innings started hesitantly. The influential Imran Choudhary was lost early and excellent bowling from Cooper (0 – 6) and Burton (1 – 38) made life very difficult for the Boro batsmen. However dogged batting by Nathan Clarke (49) and, Man-of-the-Match, Neill Marsh meant that Alton could not break through.

The required run rate rose steadily throughout the innings as Marsh and Clarke waited patiently to strike. Clarke was eventually caught on the boundary as he tried to accelerate. Alton sensed that they might have Farnborough on the ropes and even more pressure was applied to the new batsman, Player of the Year, Nick Wellman.

Indeed with 5 overs remaining Farnborough still required 42 to win and faced with accurate and efficient bowling, they looked as if it may be too much. However, Marsh had been building a perfectly judged anchor innings, allowing Wellman to play with freedom. Both players set about demolishing the Alton attack. Wellman finished the game with an over to spare by smashing Hughstanton for 6. He finished with 39 from 22 balls and was only overshadowed by Marsh who finished on an unbeaten and consummate 75, undoubtedly winning the game for Farnborough.

Art Exhibition 2008

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Students art work challenges universities

Over 300 talented students from Farnborough Sixth Form College displayed their A level art work in a major exhibition held in the College’s Dame Kelly Holmes Sports Centre this week.

Opening the exhibition attended by over 600 parents and visitors, Jon Marks, Director of Faculty, said, “Although I see the work of individual students and groups on a daily basis, seeing it displayed together in one exhibition underlines the wonderful talent of our students - and the dedication and commitment of the teaching staff.”

Senior Curriculum Manager for Art, Dean Piacentini, said, “The range of media and the balance of work is a wonderful reflection of the imagination and creativity of these young people.”

The Chairman of Governors, William Bagnall, presented awards and commented on the enthusiasm of both students and teachers. He said, “I have attended many art exhibitions of degree and professional qualifications standards and it is hard to believe that this is the work of 18 year old A level students.”

Among the award winners were, Adam Kelly, 18, of Camberley, whose main piece was a two dimensional block collage of his cousin, Wojtek. Adam said, “It has been inspirational being at Farnborough Sixth Form College and I am really proud to have won this award.” Next year, Adam will be undertaking the Foundation Art Course at the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham.

Laura Clements, 18, of Farnborough won the graphics prize for her consistent high standards and for the growth in sophistication and quality of her work, particularly in the second year. Laura said, “I was overwhelmed to win the graphics prize because the standard of all the work was so high – I am really, really pleased and proud.” Next year, Laura will be developing her creative talents by undertaking a degree in Creative Writing and English at the University of East Anglia.

Speaking to the students at the exhibition, College Principal, Dr John Guy said, “I am continually surprised and delighted by the achievements of our students and this exhibition would put many graduate exhibitions in the shade.”

Leavers' Ball 2008

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Spectacular Send-off for students

Students John Moody and Bonnie Trevelyan sang solo at the Leavers' Ball on Friday evening, 20 June, at Lakeside, Frimley. Stars of the evening, Vice Squad, with special guest singer, Amy look-a-like Winehouse, entertained the students with live music before the firework display wishing students good luck.

View photos here

Leavers' Ball 2008

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Spectacular send-off for 2008 leavers

Students John Moody and Bonnie Trevelyan sang solo to launch the spectacular Leavers' Ball at Lakeside, Frimley, on Friday 20 June. Live band Vice Squad, with special Amy Winehouse look-a-like vocalist, Martin O'Neill, entertained the leavers with brilliant music up to the Good Luck fireworks display.

View photos here (click on image to enlarge)

Employers and College work together

Wed, 21 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT

For a report of the Dinner Discussion, please click here

College awarded Fairtrade Status

Tue, 20 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT

College earns Fairtrade Status

Farnborough Sixth Form College joined an elite group of colleges and universities by being awarded Fairtrade status this week. The College was required to meet a wide range of demanding standards by the Fairtrade Organisation before the formal status was granted.

The newly installed Mayor and Mayoress of Rushmoor, Cllr Alan and Mrs Sandra Ferrier, presented the award to the College. Cllr Ferrier said, “I am proud to present this certificate to the College as my first function as the Mayor of Rushmoor – there is no more important work for young people to be involved with than creating a Fairtrade society”.

Sarah Jewell, Campaigns Coordinator for the Fairtrade national organisation, attended the ceremony at the College. She said, “Farnborough Sixth Form College is setting an example for others to follow by its commitment to Fairtrade demonstrated not only by the sale of Fairtrade products throughout the campus but also by the campaigning activities of students within the community”.

College Principal Dr John Guy said, “I am extremely proud of the work of the students over the last few years to lead the Fairtrade campaign both in the College and beyond”. As a result of their pressure, the Governors of the College passed a resolution that not only all tea and coffee served in the student and staff refectories should be Fairtrade products but also at all formal College functions.

Sarah Jewell paid particular tribute to the Fairtrade Steering Group in the College led this year by 18 year old Emily Murrell, of Crondall. Emily has been particularly involved in campaigning in the Borough of Rushmoor and among many activities, with fellow students, she modelled Fairtrade clothing in a Fashion Show in the Borough offices.

Emily said, “Achieving Fairtrade status was a result of students, staff and governors at the College working together to achieve the common goal of helping to create a fairer world”.

The launch was attended by several hundred students. The College caterers, Scolarest, who are fully committed to the College’s Fairtrade policy, added a light hearted element by supplying Ben and Jerry’s Fairtrade ice cream to students and guests at the ceremony”.

Incoming Student President, Theo McCusker, 17, of Frimley said, “I am proud that this status has been awarded to the College in my opening term as Student President. I pledge the support of the new Student Association to maintaining and promoting the Fairtrade ideals to new students in September”.

May 2008 Newsletter

Mon, 19 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT

To download the pdf file, please click here

Midsummer Night's Dream Spectacular

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Coppers reinterpret Shakespeare

Students from Henry Tyndale Special School and Farnborough Sixth Form College staged a magnificent but slightly unusual production of A Midsummer’s Night Dream before a packed audience of parents and friends in the College’s Prospect Theatre last week. The production was the culmination of the term’s joint activities between the College and the post-16 unit of Henry Tyndale School based in Fleet, known as Coppers.

The play was written by the College students who went through the story of Shakespeare’s great comedy with the Coppers’ students, explaining the plot and asking for their interpretations. Jennifer Platten, 18, of Woking who is studying English, French, Spanish and Psychology at the College, and Kayleigh Everson, 18 , of Aldershot, (Maths, Further maths, Accounting and Psychology) took responsibility for the script. Jennifer said, “The Coppers’ students thought that Shakespeare’s names were a bit long and old-fashioned so in our play Titania became Tina and Oberon became Ron!”.

Each of the Coppers students wore a brightly coloured kaftan or a costume of their own from home that they thought their character might wear. They were supported on stage by college students dressed in theatrical black.

The production incorporated dances made up by the Coppers students themselves with the help of College students Katharine Piddington, 17, of Fleet, and A level dance student Alex Stocker, 18, of Bracknell. Ingrid Chiu, 17, of Cove, was in charge of the props.

Lauren Ellis, 17, of Farnborough, a second year student at the College master-minded the production along with 18 year old Natalie Hallifax, of Aldershot, as part of the enrichment activities in the College. She said, “It was a bit scary as we came towards the day of the production because so many things could go wrong – but everybody was magnificent and the show was a great success”.

Congratulating the students from both the Henry Tyndale Coppers unit and the College after the performance, College Principal, Dr John Guy, said, “This production was magnificent and you all carried it off like true professionals with minimal assistance from teachers at the College. We are in awe of what you have achieved this evening”.

Headteacher of Henry Tyndale School, Rob Thompson, told the audience, “This was the fourth year of the joint productions between the school and the college, and we are indebted to the commitment and dedication of the teachers who oversaw the preparations”.

Ghanaian students enjoy visit to College

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT

College partners Ghanaian School

Students from Farnborough Sixth Form College played host last week to ten students from the Presbyterian Secondary Technical School in Aburi, Ghana, who were paying their first ever visit to England. The students were accompanied by Mr Peter Logo, the headmaster of the school, Mrs Isabella Awilime, the senior housemistress, and Mr Christian Dzikunu, head of science.

The partnership is the brainchild of two Personal Tutors at the College, Catherine Cole and Lisa Hart, who sought out the school after College Principal, Dr John Guy, gave a paper at the conference of the Association of the Development of Education in Africa held in Mauritius in 2005.

Dr Guy said, “The challenges facing the African Schools are enormous and they put our problems into stark perspective but we decided that we would have much to learn from partnering a school in a less developed part of the world as well as being able to contribute positively to their curriculum and strategic development”.

"We are now proud to have two partner schools: the Liceum Ogolnoksztacace in Sulechow, Poland, and our new friends in Ghana", added Dr Guy.

The College sent a group of 15 students to visit the school in Ghana last summer and Catherine Cole was determined to arrange a return trip by the Ghanaians. She said, “It has been a challenge to raise the money to pay for the air fares but the whole College has joined in the task by fund-raising activities, not least by last Sunday’s sponsored Fun Run”.

The students from Ghana gave a presentation of Ghanaian culture to the College in the Prospect Theatre, in the presence of the Mayor and Mayoress of Rushmoor, Councillor and Mrs David Welch. When the Farnborough students visited Aburi last year, they met the tribal chief in full costume. Cllr Welch quipped, “I’m the nearest to a tribal chief in Rushmoor, so I wore my formal dress and Mayoral chain”.

During their visit, students have been working on a joint curriculum project on HIV/AIDS, building up resource materials for use in both establishments. Catherine Cole said, “It’s been wonderful week and it’s been lovely to see the students working side by side on the curriculum project and also making two cross-cultural banners, combining the West African Adinkra symbol of democracy without conflict with the British Tudor Rose”. When completed, one banner will be hung in each of the educational establishments.

20 students from the College will be making a return visit to Ghana in June to continue their joint curriculum work. Among the other projects on which the College is working with the school is the setting up of a new network of computers.

Mr Peter Logo, the headmaster of the Ghanaian school said, “We have a very special relationship with the students and staff and we are proud to be partners with such an outstanding College as Farnborough Sixth Form College”.

Farnborough 6 Fun Run Success

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 23:00:00 GMT

400 runners compete in races

Click here for the results.

Farnborough began its preparations to host the British Olympic Team preparation camp in 2012 with the Farnborough 6 Fun Run on Sunday morning. 400 runners took to the streets to raise funds for two charities and to signal the start of a healthy Rushmoor campaign .

The Farnborough 6 Fun Run was organised by a group of 18 A-level Leisure Studies students at Farnborough Sixth Form College and included a six, a three and a one mile race. Following the downpours of Saturday, the sun shone on the event which was hailed to be a great success. The route took runners around the local streets passing along Hawley Lane, Chapel Lane, Fernhill Road, Cherrywood Road and Sand Hill with local residents and children cheering along the fun runners who raised thousands of pounds for the two nominated charities, WheelPower and Ghana Link.

Jemma Siemak, 18, of Church Crookham, was chairperson of the organising group. She said, “When we started this process we knew nothing about organising fun runs but in six months we have organised a community event which has done so much good”.

Jemma added, “There were so many people running and they have raised so much for charity! It has been brilliant.”

One of the runners was College Principal, Dr John Guy who had promised to contribute £50 to the charities for any student who completed the six mile route faster than he could run the three mile route. Dr Guy said, “They are about 40 years more youthful than I am, so I was a bit anxious how much it was going to cost!”

On the day, only one student came in ahead of the Principal, 17 year old Tom Bowerman of Farnborough. Tom has established the Farnborough 6 record at 33.11 minutes.

The event looks set to become an established part of Rushmoor community events and already the College is planning the 2009 run.

James Simms, Head of PE at the College, said, “The students who organised the fun run have set a very high standard. Building on their success, I am sure that The Farnborough 6 Fun Run will be even more successful in 2009 and in 2012 we hope the run will be joined by the British Olympic Team “.

Race winners

6 Mile Men Tom Bowerman 33.11 minutes

6 Mile Ladies Susan Hart 46.03 minutes

3 Mile Men Mike Siemak 22.48 minutes

3 Mile Ladies Dina Gurung 24.37 minutes

1 Mile Boys Matthew Arnold

1 Mile Girls Nicola Aidan

Ghanaian Partner School Students spend week in College

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 23:00:00 GMT

Curriculum development theme on AIDS Awareness

Ten students and three teachers from the Presbyterian Secondary Technical School in Aburi travelled from Ghana to spend ten days in the UK. They are staying with host families of students from The Sixth Form College who went to the school in Ghana last June for ten days.

They arrived on the the morning of the Sixth Form College’s Fun Run which is raising some money for our partner school.

While here the students will be going to lessons and working on a project called Choose Life, Avoid Aids. This will be a joint project with the students researching various aspects of HIV/Aids in their own countries. They will then produce a joint project which will be published and distributed to each school. The Sixth Form College will use this information in their tutorial programme and the school in Ghana will use it in their social and health education lessons. Last year both schools produced an excellent report on the water usage in both countries, which was very informative and made our students aware of water as a global issue.

The students will also be working on a joint banner using textiles to illustrate our partnership. We are hoping to produce two so that each institution will be able to hang it up so all students will see it. This is an exciting project as it will be a colourful and visible demonstration of our commitment to a long term relationship.

Each school will be teaching different dances to each other which they will perform in the welcoming ceremony on Tuesday 1^st April. The students and staff from Ghana will be welcomed by Farnborough Sixth Form College’s music department playing the Ghanaian national anthem and the Ghanaian students will be sharing and exchanging their musical expertise with our students also.

This is an exciting cultural exchange and we are all looking forward to the visit.

New Student Association Elected

Sat, 29 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Students elect new team

Seventeen year old Theo McCusker, of Ridgewood Drive, Frimley, formerly of Tomlinscote School, has been elected to the prestigious role of Student President at Farnborough Sixth Form College. He will lead a 12-strong committee of students which plays a significant role in the development of the Beacon College, recognised as one of the country's leading sixth form colleges.

Theo said, "It's a great honour to be elected President of such an excellent student body as we have at Farnborough Sixth Form College. I look forward to even more success for the College in the coming year". Theo is in his first year studying Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, German and Classical Civilisation at AS level at the College.

Theo’s Vice President is Stuart Rowland, 17, who is studying Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Italian. A former student of Kings International College in Camberley, Stuart sees his role as supporting the President and the rest of the committee. He said, "I am extremely proud to have been elected Vice President of the Student Association. I hope I can I fulfil all my responsibilities supporting Theo and contributing to the further success of the College".

Both Theo and Stuart will be appointed to the College’s Governing Body as full voting members from April 2008, giving them invaluable experience serving on a statutory corporation answerable directly to the government.

Each of the student committee members has a particular responsibility, none more important than that of Environmental Officer for the students. The post was won by Kerry McIntyre, 16, of Church Crookham, who is studying Philosophy, Economics, English and Photography. Kerry, formerly of Court Moor School in Fleet, said, "I am looking forward to working to develop more sustainable approaches to the running of the College and trying to reduce the carbon footprint".

Speaking after the election, College Principal, Dr John Guy, said, "Everybody took a lively interest in the elections and for the first time we used the single transferable vote system, following the advice of the College’s politics students”.

Dr Guy added, "All the voting was done on-line and the computer analysed the results within seconds of the voting closing. This represents the modern face of democracy, which I am delighted to say, is alive and well among the young people studying at this College".

President Theo McCusker said, "Nearly everybody in the College voted in our elections - it would be good to think that the electorate in the coming local elections will beat our turn-out!"

Student Haiku Competition launched

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Haikus invited

The College is holding a competition for students to write Haiku verse which might be embedded into glass panels within the atrium of the proposed new building. The Haiku could relate to any aspect of College life in learning and creativity - but might well focus on aspects of art, science and computing which will be housed in the building, or on the idea of sustainability in new building design.

Haiku is a poetic form and a type of poetry from the Japanese culture. Haiku combines form, content, and language in a meaningful, yet compact form. Haiku poets write about everyday things. Many themes include nature, feelings, or experiences. Usually they use simple words and grammar.

The most common form for Haiku is three short lines containing 17 syllables. The first line usually contains five (5) syllables, the second line seven (7) syllables, and the third line contains five (5) syllables.

Haiku doesn’t rhyme. A Haiku must “paint” a mental image in the reader’s mind. This is the challenge of Haiku - to put the poem’s meaning and imagery in the reader’s mind in only 17 syllables and just three lines of poetry!

There could be up to six different glass panels each containing a Haiku - winners will receive £100 and their names will also be embedded into the glass panel - for posterity!

Entries by Friday 16 May 2008 to Jan Moore, Principal’s PA, either on paper or by email: jmoore@farnboroughsfc.ac.uk

One World Week at College

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Students Explore One World

Students at Farnborough Sixth Form College spent last week exploring multicultural and world issues by inviting guests to visit the College and share their thoughts, beliefs and experiences. The initiative was the brainchild of 18 year old Student President, Muhammad Saqib of Cove, who was inspired to organise the week-long event after attending the Hampshire Multicultural lecture given in Winchester last year by television reporter, Rageh Omaar.

Muhammad said, “We live in a diverse world where many of the conflicts arise from misunderstandings and fear between people of different religions and cultures and I wanted the student body in my presidential year to be more informed as we all move on to university and employment”.

One of the early guest speakers in the week was the photo-journalist Sue Cunningham who has spent months living and working with indigenous populations in the Amazon rain forest. She shared her personal journey of discovery of the values and life of the tribesmen and women, and the culture of love and support within their extended family groups.

The most moving session of the week was Holocaust survivor Harry Bibring’s vivid account of the dramatic and devastating changes in his young life when Nazi Germany annexed Austria. Harry was one of the children who survived the holocaust by coming to England with the Kindertransport in 1939, leaving behind his distraught parents whom he was never to see again. Harry told the students, “Suddenly, the other boys in my class, my friends, would no longer talk to me because my family was Jewish - and then the authorities announced that my grammar school was closed to Jews and I had to leave”.

“In the space of a week, my world was turned upside down because of my religion and I was earmarked for extermination”, he said.

18 year old Jo Woodage, of Camberley, had visited Aushwitz last year with the Holocaust Educational Trust. She said, “Even though I saw the gas chambers and horrible conditions with my own eyes, it was not until I heard Mr Bibring’s account of how it felt to be a young Jewish person under the Nazi regime that the full reality of the crimes hit home – I will never forget his story”.

The week ended with a Question Time session in the College’s Prospect Theatre with Aldershot MP Gerald Howarth, Bishop Ian Brackley of Dorking, Robert Elliott, secretary of the Hampshire Buddhist Society, and Luth Karim, Chairman of Trustees of the Camberley Mosque. The panel was chaired by Simon Reigh, Director of Faculty at the College, and faced searching questions from students on multiculturalism, religious fundamentalism, and the composition of the House of Lords. Mr Howarth said, “It is always stimulating to engage in real debate with young people on issues which impact upon the stability of our country and our Christian heritage”.

Student President Mo Saqib said, “The week wasn’t all intellectual and we had events like sumo-wrestling, American Football, and salsa dancing, and different food from around the world served in the college refectories each day, but I really do believe that it has caused people to stop and think about our personal responsibilities in political decisions affecting other people’s lives”.

College Principal Dr John Guy said, “Mo Saqib was inspired to organise the week by Rageh Omaar’s lecture in Winchester; in response, Mo himself has inspired the whole College and I salute his vision, determination and commitment”.

Local business sponsors Fun Run

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Local Business backs Farnborough Fun Run

Farnborough’s new Farnborough 6 Fun Run, organised for the community by students from Farnborough Sixth Form College, has received a major boost thanks to a local business. The event, in its inaugural year, will be held at the College on Sunday 30 March 2008, and will provide a six and three mile road run, as well as a 1 mile fun run held on the college grounds. Michael Usher Mortgage Services of Frimley have demonstrated their support by providing sponsorship worth £500.

Managing Director Michael Usher said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our company to support a very good cause which has everything: it will encourage people to take some exercise, it provides a great educational experience for the students organising it and, finally, it gives an excellent opportunity to raise funds for two worthy charities. How could I say no?”

James Simms, Head of PE at the college, said: “This sponsorship is a real boost for the event. The funds will allow the student organising committee to use their imagination to provide a fantastic day for all the family”.

Mr Simms added: “It also means that the students can be confident that a significant sum of money will be donated to the two nominated charities: Ghana Link and WheelPower”.

The Farnborough 6 Fun Run will see up to 400 local people take to the Farnborough streets. All entrants are encouraged to raise further funds for charity through sponsorship, while half of all entry monies will be donated to the charitable fund.

The students have done a remarkable job to establish the fun run. Chairperson of the students’ organising group, Jemma Siemak, 18, of Church Crookham said: “When you try to do something really special like this, people just want to help you and Mr Usher’s donation is an excellent example of this - we’re all really grateful.”

Jemma added: “We want all kinds of people to take part on Sunday 30 March! No matter what your age, no matter what your fitness level, we want you to come and get involved!”

Further information and entry forms are available here.

February 2008 Newsletter

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

To download the newsletter, please click here.

World renowned pianist, Joanna MacGregor, visits College

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Standing Ovation for exuberant performance

The internationally renowned pianist Joanna MacGregor’s performance at Farnborough Music Society’s first concert of 2008 was greeted with a standing ovation last week. Juxtaposing a selection of Preludes and Fugues by J.S. Bach and Dmitri Shostakovich with music from Brazil and New York, Miss MacGregor entertained a capacity audience of around 220, packed into Farnborough Sixth Form College’s Prospect Theatre.

The concert consolidated the society’s exciting renaissance from its apparently inexorable decline to a vibrant centre of classical music in an extraordinary recital attracting both faithful FMS members and a new student generation of enthused classical music lovers. The re-birth of the society under the auspices of the College has proved to be one of the great success stories of local music making.

With a subtle, almost pointillistic approach to Bach’s Prelude and Fugue No. 1, Joanna MacGregor began a powerfully weaved first half narrative that came to a heart stopping close with the bitter-sweet darkness of the Bach’s B minor Prelude and Fugue. Carefully constructed programming, which alternated seamlessly between the two composers, shone new light on these two giant figures of music, illuminating the powerful modernism of Bach alongside the intricate and classically constructed architecture of the works of Shostakovich.

The palpable tension of the concert’s first half was effortlessly relieved in the second as Miss MacGregor showed herself to be the consummate 21^st century musician, applying her considerable talents to a range of works from Villa Lobos to Gershwin. With mesmerising technique and infectious enthusiasm, MacGregor seduced the audience through a sumptuous assortment of works and quasi-improvisatory passages that concluded with Gershwin’s fiendishly difficult ‘Songbook’ arrangements, rattled off with polish, wit and an irrepressible swagger.

The well-deserved standing ovation brought to end this tremendously successful inaugural ‘Celebrity Gala’ of the Farnborough Music Society. Committed to the end, Joanna MacGregor remained to sign her latest CDs and to answer further questions from inspired, enthusiastic A Level students of the Sixth Form College, who had taken part in her interactive pre-concert seminar earlier in the evening.

College Principal, Dr John Guy praised the evening, saying, “Joanna was an inspiration, not only for the Farnborough Music Society but especially for the many A level music students at the College who were able to see, hear and engage with a world class pianist in the College’s own theatre. Joanna’s challenging explanations of her arrangements of major musical works gave rare and invaluable insights into the mind and thinking of a renowned musician”.

The next widely anticipated event on the horizon for the FMS will be Geoffrey Morgan’s Demonstration-Recital of popular organ works to be held at St Andrews Garrison Church, Aldershot at 7:30pm on Tuesday 11 March. It promises to be yet another exciting evening of music making!

Bonnie wins College X factor

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Students impress judges

Talented students from Farnborough Sixth Form College went head to head last week to discover who really had the X-factor. In an exciting evening at the College’s Prospect Theatre, six acts which had won their way through to the finals faced the harsh comments of judges to raise money for Breast Cancer Campaign.

The winner was Bonnie Trevellyan, 18, of Farnborough, singing Eva Cassidy’s version of Over the Rainbow. In the preliminary rounds Bonnie had enthralled the packed audience with her brilliant interpretations of Heard it through the Grape Vine and Chasing Pavements.

Beaten into a very narrow second place was John Moody, 16, of Frimley, who delighted the audience with his version of Moon Dance by Michael Bubble.

Judges for the event were former College student Ellie Chidgzey from the Rocky Horror show, Posh Al from the Peter Gordon breakfast show on 96.4 Eagle radio, Tom Stevens, an accomplished local performer and teacher of Music Technology at the College and the President of the College’s Student Association, Mo Saqib.

Posh Al was astonished by the quality of the acts she saw on the evening. “I had no idea that I would see performances of such high quality at the College – it has been really difficult to decide which of the many high quality acts should be the winner”, she said.

Bonnie will now be invited to sit in on the 96.4FM early morning Eagle radio show and then have breakfast with the team. But Posh Al was so impressed with John Moody’s performance that she declared, “I think we will invite both Bonnie and John to the show – they have been brilliant!”

Bonnie said, “It is a fantastic feeling winning the competition – I was runner up last year but it is really special to be voted as the student with the X-factor!”

here

Students Strictly Go Dancing

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Samba, Can-Can and Cha Cha Cha

Students at the Farnborough Sixth Form College hosted their own version of Strictly Come Dancing in the College’s Prospect Theatre as part of a charity week organised by performing arts students which raised over £1,300.

Matt Sheppard, Senior Curriculum Manager, hosted the event with a stunning impersonation of Bruce Forsyth, complete with singing routine and frequent dance shuffles.

The four final couples produced a variety of dances with professional expertise and colourful costumes. Twins Emily Daly-Mackenzie and Sophie Daly-Mackenzie, 18, of Camberley danced the can-can, a physically demanding Music hall routine with real verve and energy and Holly Harmes and Scott Mcdonald, both 17, and from Blackwater, danced the cha-cha-cha, a Latin American Dance of Cuban origin, with commitment, rhythm and passion.

But the judges narrowed the field to two couples in the final dance-off. Eventual winners were Emma Browne, 16, of Farnborough and Emma Rickwood, 18, of Aldershot who danced the cha-cha-cha to applause from the packed audience, adding innovative individual style to the carefully choreographed duet.

Runners up were Nigel Beard, 17, of Farnborough and Ayesha Hassan, 17, of Fleet whose interpretation of the Samba, a lively rhythmical dance of Brazil, was passionate and energetic, with lifts and style.

Matt Sheppard said, “All the students have worked incredibly hard over the past few weeks on the preparation of this project, but the single overriding characteristic of the event has been their amazing professionalism in organisation”.

Proud subject leader for performing arts, Emily Burke, said, “This is a real example of the enormous charitable contribution that the students at the College have made to the local community and beyond”.

College in top 10 for Cambridge

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Cambridge University Admissions office has confirmed that Farnborough Sixth Form College has become one of its top 10 providers of undergraduates for the 2008 entry round. In terms of the absolute numbers of offers made by the University, Farnborough is ninth in the country.

However, in terms of the proportion of successful applicants, it is fourth in the country. The average national success rate of applications to Cambridge is about 25% - one in four applicants being offered a place. For the Farnborough students, this year, it was 44% - bettered by only three other schools.

Principal Dr John Guy said, "Admissions tutors from across the University of Cambridge seem to have recognised the great potential of our students. Many of them undertook an Extended Project which the College has pioneered and the additional breadth and depth of their knowledge seems to have given them an edge over other candidates".

The College has worked hard to encourage students to apply to both Oxford and Cambridge Universities but it has never before broken through into being one of the country's most successful institutions for Cambridge entrance which for many years has been perceived as being the preserve of top flight independent schools.

On March 27, as part of the outstanding Oxbridge preparation programme, the College will welcome Dr Kirsten Dickers, Admissions Tutor for Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, and Dr Anne Mullen, Admissions Tutor for St Anne's College, Oxford, for an admissions conference open to first year students of the College and their parents.

Mrs Helen Diffenthal, Director of Careers and Guidance, said, "This is a very important meeting in the life of the College and marks the beginning of the 2009 entry round. We will be expecting a theatre-full of over 300 students and parents and we are very pleased that once again Oxbridge academics are coming to the College to encourage our students to apply".

Students set Oxbridge Record

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Cambridge 24 Oxford 9 in College's University Challenge

Students from Farnborough Sixth Form College are celebrating their best ever success in admissions to Oxford and Cambridge Universities. This year 33 students from the College have won places, exceeding the previous best of 23.

College Principal, Dr John Guy, said, “We are delighted that these two prestigious universities seem to be recognising the significance of a sixth form college education.”

“Admissions tutors frequently tell me that they appreciate the greater independence and maturity of our students – they leave us with a greater understanding of what it means to be an undergraduate”, Dr Guy added.

This year, Sidney Sussex College in Cambridge has accepted four students from Farnborough.

“That’s enough to make up a University Challenge Team!”, said 17 year old Serena Spink of Hartley Wintney who, along with Rebecca Wild, 18, of Fleet has been accepted to read Law at the College.

Rebecca added, “The interview process was really tough and I feel proud to have been offered a place and it is amazing that four of us from Farnborough will be in the same College”.

Cassia Hare, 18, of Basingstoke, who has won a place to read Veterinary Medicine said, “I really didn’t expect to get in to Cambridge because the interviews were so tough but the practice interviews at the College were really helpful and that increased my confidence”.

Alex Huttunen, 18, of Fleet, who will also go to Sidney Sussex College, is one of four Farnborough students to be offered a place to read Mathematics in 2008. He said, “Although you can never tell, my interview at the College went really well and I found I was actually enjoying being challenged on all aspects of the subject!”

Dr Guy said, “The Cambridge University Mathematical Tripos is renowned throughout the world and it is a wonderful tribute to the staff at this College that so many of our students have been selected for admission this year”.

He praised particularly the work of the College’s Director of Careers and Guidance, Helen Diffenthal, who has developed the Oxbridge preparation programme at the College. For a number of years, Mrs Diffenthal has been an invited observer at Cambridge admissions interviews and she is an adviser for the English Literature Admissions Test at Oxford University. The College has developed strong links with the two universities and there is an established programme of support for potential applicants which begins in the Spring term with visits to the College by Admissions Tutors from both Oxford and Cambridge.

Mrs Diffenthal said, “I’m constantly seeking new ways to support our students in their applications to university. This year we are extending our Oxbridge development programme to interested year 11 students in our partner schools so that they and their parents can meet admissions tutors from Oxford and Cambridge”.

Students organise Community Fun Run

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Farnborough 6 Community event

Students from The Sixth Form College Farnborough have taken on the daunting task of establishing a major community sporting event: ‘The Farnborough 6 Fun Run’. It is 10 years since Farnborough’s last fun run and the students have decided to re-establish it to promote the health and fitness of the area. It is expected that up to 400 runners will take to the streets of Farnborough on Sunday 30 March 2008.

Runners will have the chance either to run a six mile race or, if six miles is a little too far, to run 1 mile within the College grounds. Half the proceeds of the event will go towards the officially nominated charities including ‘Ghana Link’ (a College fund to develop links with its new partner school in Ghana) and ‘Wheel Power (British Wheelchair Sport)’. The remaining funds will be used to establish the fun run in 2009.

Chairperson of the organising group is Jemma Siemak, 18, of Church Crookham. She said: “It is about time that Farnborough once again had a community event like a fun run and we are proud to provide an opportunity for the community to show its spirit”.

Jemma added: “We don’t just want to appeal to experienced runners - this is an opportunity for people to get on their feet for a morning and take part in something exciting. All ages will be welcome and there will be fantastic entertainment for kids”.

Christine Smith, ex-teacher at Oak Farm Community School, believes that the Farnborough 6 Fun Run will be a great success. She said: “When I used to organise the Oak Farm Fun Run the entire community would come together and contribute to a fantastic festival of sport and community spirit. I am delighted that the sixth form college students are committed to making this happen once again”.

The Farnborough 6 Fun Run will honour the route used in the 80s and 90s but the fact that it is being organised by students is unique. Head of PE James Simms has great confidence in the students’ organisational skills. He said: “We should remember that these talented young people taken on a huge challenge and have performed with distinction thus far. This is a genuine educational experience and the PE department is proud to be working on with this major community event”.

Entry fees are £8 for The Farnborough 6 and £2 for the one mile fun run and application forms and instructions are available from the College website www.farnboroughsfc.ac.uk.

text here

OCR National Students exhibit their work

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Media students at Farnborough Sixth Form College have undertaken a photography course which has resulted in the best of their work being displayed at the popular community arts venue, West End, in Aldershot, Hampshire. The group of 19 students, all aged 16-17, will be showcasing their Media Production photography work for the first time in a the exhibition entitled This is Me: an exploration of identity through form and style.

The students have been supported in their hard work by Industry professional, Philip Nash, and their photographs represent a range of work inspired by the theme of identity, drawing also on the importance of family and friendship.

Using a range of classic and experimental forms and styles, the exhibition presents a colourful and diverse collection. The young photographers are all students on the highly successful one year Media National Certificate Course. Before the project, most of the young people had little of experience of camera use except for holiday snapshots.

Sixteen year old Matt Tapp of Frimley said: “The thing I am most proud of is that I have been able to develop my creativity through using the camera better and also learning how to use Photoshop to improve the images”.

The students have been tutored by the College Curriculum Manager for Media, Colette Brennan. She said, “The energy and enthusiasm generated by the students throughout this project has been fantastic”.

She added: “The whole project has embraced our key aims of engaging employers and motivating students in a meaningful way in order to raise their achievement”.

The exhibition is open to the general public at the West End Centre, Aldershot, until Sunday 10 February.

Students retain Public Speaking Title

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Best overall public speaking team

Students from The Sixth Form College Farnborough were judged the overall winners in the Aldershot and District round of the Rotary Youth Speaks competition hosted by the Aldershot Rotary Club at the Rushmoor Council Chambers this week .

The College team, consisting of Georgia Stilwell (Chairperson), Simon Wood (Main Speaker) and Marisa Barnard (Vote of thanks) gave a presentation entitled, ‘We’ve Discovered the Secret of Life’, discussing the great benefits genetics has given society, and questioning why the public perception of genetics is so negative.

Simon Wood said, “We were really pleased to win. We have all been engaged with public speaking for the last five years and it was great to retain our title”.

Six teams entered the competition in total, including Hawley Place, Court Moor and Ash Manor Technology College, but the College students defended the title they held last year. Georgia Stilwell said, “The competition is really enjoyable and the Council Chamber provides a great platform to speak from”.

Marisa Barnard said, “It was nice to see our hard work paying off and now we will be going on to represent the area in the regional finals”.

Vanessa Norton-Edwards, tutor in psychology at the College and adviser to the team, said after the competition, “The students were poised, confident and secure in their presentation against strong opposition and the College is immensely proud of their achievement.”

Guardian Newspaper features College

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

For pdf of the Guardian article click here

For link to the Guardian web site click here

Brian Smith RIP

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Brian Smith, a great man

When you’ve had visitors and they leave your house, they tend to fall into three categories

- there are those who you are rather pleased see the back of;

- those who have been no trouble and have never got in the way – their leaving really makes no difference;

- and those who you are sad to see go because their company has been special.

Insofar as Brian Smith has been a visitor into our many lives, we are not just sad but grief-stricken that he has passed away – and so suddenly. He has left a hole in many hearts.

For Brian was one of those men who made a real difference to our lives. He relished company, he seemed to love people – and in the context of Farnborough Sixth Form College, he knew how to improve our lives – and to improve the achievements of us all.

I have been reading the entries on the Facebook wall started by our current Student President, Mo Saqib:

- one of them simply states – Brian was a legend;

- another says that he will turn down his car radio every time he drives past the College as a mark of respect for Brian;

- and another says that the words – “have you got a permit for that vehicle, young man?” will ring in his ears for ever…

but they are all said with real love and affection for a giant of man.

For Brian commanded respect – he didn’t demand it – he just got it – from us all. And the reason is that we all knew that he was a selfless man – he was there for the community. For Brian, life was not about how much he would get out of a situation – it was always about what could he give in a situation. Brian’s faith was a private thing – he didn’t speak much about his Catholicism and Christianity – he just lived it by his very actions. He would always go the extra mile…

For me, the legend started in his first week when he came to introduce himself – and called me Sir several times in his first greeting. And Matt Smith has written on Facebook of the pride his young two year old daughter felt when, each morning as Matt walked her to the nursery, Brian would boom “Good morning, Sir, Good morning Miss”. A policeman knew her! He was good at sprinkling magic dust on people – making them feel good about themselves.

And then there was the first major inspection of the College, in 1997 the year Brian started – and we all wanted the College to be seen in the best light. There was a team of about a dozen inspectors – who arrived on Monday and were there until Friday. Monday was about feeling the College – Tuesday was a day of full inspection – and Wednesday was essentially about confirming first impressions – the key day. Brian was in the front car park ensuring that the inspectors could park their cars, and showing them all due deference. But one drove into the car park and stood looking in complete despair at his front tyre which was completely flat … how could he sort out his tyre and also conduct the most significant part of his inspection?…

Enter Brian …. You’ve got a problem there, young sir! Don’t you worry – an important man like you has got enough worries without being bothered by a flat tyre. Leave me your keys and I’ll have it sorted by lunch time…

Sure enough, Brian took off the wheel, had it repaired on the College account, and by 11 o’clock it was back on the car, good as new. When the inspector returned at lunch time, there was Brian standing by the car, ready to hand back the keys.

“What do I owe you?”, said the inspector – “You don’t owe me anything, Sir – glad to help you out in your important work!”

The inspectors were full of it – never before had they known anything like it. Brian – single-handedly – had charmed them into submission and the grade 1s gave tumbling out of them like a one-armed bandit! Brian became the talk of the entire further education sector – and Simon Jarvis and I have spoken about him at conferences where we give examples of discretionary effort.

And when he retired in October 2005 – we were all struck by his leaving speech. “When I was a young bobby”, he said, “my sergeant said to me “just remember the three Fs, Smith – Firm, Fair and Friendly”. That’s exactly how he was – and he has left that indelibly stamped on us all – that and two more qualities which society seems to lose sight of sometimes.

Loyalty and Respect. No one was more loyal to the College than Brian – and in return no one was more deeply loved than he. There’s a song: Love is something if you give it away – you end up having more … that sums up Brian.

And respect – well sometimes it was old-fashioned – and often tinged with humour. He was particularly supportive of my two sons who were at the College – perhaps perceiving that at times it might be tough be the principal’s son – can’t think why!

So he would always ask me, “And how’s that young Tom?” after Thomas left the College. And when Thomas worked in the premises team over the summer holidays, Brian asked him one day – “So what do you wear when you go to lectures at that university of yours?”

“Jeans and tee-shirt”, said Thomas.

“Jeans and tee shirt?! I’d expect you to wear a suit and tie! – Show some respect to the professors!”, responded Brian.

So when Thomas asked me what he should wear at the funeral – I said, “Well, funerals these days – it doesn’t really matter, being there is more important”.

And Thomas thought for a minute – and said, “No - Brian would expect me to wear a suit – and so I will”.

Brian’s influence has touched us all. In his own way, his teaching of the students and of us staff, his quiet insistence on the right skills in life, is as important as the academic studies and qualifications of the students.

The College is indeed a lesser place in his absence – but it will remain permanently a better place for having had his legendary and precious presence.

And in memory of his greatness, as a permanent testament to his lasting presence, I am proud to announce that I will endow a Brian Smith Annual Award to a student for loyalty to the College ; and in the New Year, the student car park – a rather unimaginative label if there was one - will bear a new name with pride: the Brian Smith Car Park.

John Guy

21 December 2007

College Awards Evening

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

College celebrates outstanding achievement

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The first students in the country to successfully complete the new AQA Bacc received their certificates at an awards ceremony at Farnborough Sixth Form College this week.

The first trial of the Bacc took place at College in summer 2007. At the awards ceremony, which saw all students at the College receive their A-level certificates, 68 students were the first in the country to receive certificates for the AQA Bacc.

The certificates were presented by Dr Mike Cresswell, Director General of AQA.

Speaking about the new qualification Dr Cresswell said:

“The AQA Bacc makes a major contribution to the choice which will soon be available to young people after their GCSE examinations.”

“To achieve this award students have had to demonstrate planning, research and self-management skills alongside academic ability. In developing such important skills, AQA Bacc students are well placed for progression to further study or employment.”

He thanked the principal of the College, Dr John Guy, for the innovative approach which allowed the two organisations to work together on the development of a new national qualification.

Dr John Guy, Principal of The Sixth Form College Farnborough said:

“I have always thought that reporting the final achievements of young people at the age of 18 in terms of three for four A level grades is an inadequate reflection of their post-16 studies. The AQA Bacc reflects not only their A level performance but also their research and writing skills, as demonstrated by the Extended Project, their more general education reported through Citizenship, General Studies or Critical Thinking, and also their wider activities reported in the Transcript of Enrichment. It is by embracing all these aspects of their sixth form studies that the Bacc begins truly to reflect the breadth and depth of a challenging sixth form curriculum.”

Dr Guy added, “At Farnborough, we do not believe in a minimalist approach to learning. The AQA Bacc reports the sense of coherence in students' studies and their wider skills which employers find so valuable. It is very close indeed to the Tomlinson ideal which has inspired it.”

Dr Cresswell also presented special awards to a number of students whose achievements had been particularly outstanding and Mrs Maggie Willis, Director of Dell UK, presented the final award of Dell Student of the Year to 18 year old Nick Follett, of Fleet, now studying chemistry at Bristol university.

Speaking afterwards, Nick said, “I still can’t believe I have won this amazing award – Farnborough Sixth Form College has been a brilliant place to study. I can’t believe anywhere else would have given me the opportunity and support to achieve so well at A level.”

College students excel in dance production

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Spectacular Dance interpretation of Nutcracker!

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Students at Farnborough Sixth Form College delighted packed audiences in the College’s Prospect Theatre last week with a spectacular dance production of Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker!, in a brilliant interpretation of the traditional Christmas production of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece.

Nutcracker! follows Clara’s bittersweet journey from a hilariously bleak Christmas Eve at an orphanage, through a shimmering, ice-skating winter wonderland to the scrumptious candy kingdom of Sweetieland. Bourne’s choreography was adapted for the College students by Dance tutors, Sally Allsford and Emily Burke. Throughout, the dancing was dynamic and sensitive but it was also the acting and sense of comedy and timing that made the evening so magical.

Head of Dance, Sally Allsford said, “This was one of the most ambitious pieces we have attempted and the large company of 60 dancers have been working and rehearsing on Wednesday afternoons as part of our enrichment programme. They have been a magnificent troupe and the performance has been exciting and exhilarating for us all.”

Speaking to the students after the performance, College Principal Dr John Guy said, “I am not sure whether you realise just how outstanding your performance has been. As an audience we have been entranced by your dancing and by your interpretation of characters – it has been a perfect Christmas treat for young and old!”

College Christmas Production of Honk!

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Honk - Christmas Quackers!

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As the curtain opened on Honk! at Farnborough Sixth Form College’s Prospect Theatre last week, a cheery sunlit stage was revealed showing a village duck pond.

Drake,played by Ashleigh Wells, 17, and his long-suffering wife, duck Ida played by Vicky Shillingford, 18, (alternating with Phoebe Hughes, 17) were watching over a clutch of eggs awaiting the birth of a new brood- but the clutch seemed to contain one inordinately large egg. And so began the magnificent production of Honk!, the musical theatre tale of Hans Christian Anderson’s the Ugly Duckling and his transformation into an elegant swan.

Ugly, played with great energy and feeling by Sian Boorman, 17, couldn’t quack – he could only honk! Ostracised by his siblings, Honk began an exhilarating and energetic musical adventure across a brilliantly constructed set to the delight and hilarity of packed audiences.

Luke Edis,16, was superb as the Cat who tried to convince Ugly that he was a friend, all the while intending to eat him for dinner. All the individual parts were played with confidence and great presence by the student actors who rose to the challenge of musical theatre with maturity beyond their years, but it was above all a brilliant ensemble performance.

Director Matt Sheppard said, “The production was a testament to the effort and commitment of all the students and staff involved in what has been a hugely satisfying and enriching experience.”

He added, “Musical theatre is one of the most demanding of challenges but the students have risen to it in amazing way. I am extremely happy at the heights everyone has reached in this year’s show.”

December 2007 Newsletter

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

To download the December 2007 newsletter, please click here.

Director of QCA inspired by College

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Pioneering students lead way in qualifications reform

Mary Curnock Cook, the government’s principal adviser on qualifications reform, told students and staff at Farnborough Sixth Form College that their work had had a profound impact upon government thinking. Mrs Curnock Cook was speaking at an awards ceremony for the College’s second cohort of Extended Project students.

Presenting the students with their beautifully bound university-style theses, Mrs Curnock Cook said, “Farnborough Sixth Form has taken a pioneering lead in helping us to understand how we should guide the national development of the Extended Project. The success of Farnborough has raised the profile of this important initiative nationally and I hope you will show these projects with pride to friends and family. This has been an inspirational evening for me personally.”

The 138 students who received certificates from Mrs Curnock Cook had each completed 5000 word dissertations on a topic of their choice linking two of their A level subjects. They undertook the research during the summer holidays and were required to complete their projects by the end of October. Jon Marks, Associate Assistant Principal who led the project also undertook his own research and was rewarded with a Master of Science degree just two weeks earlier. Mr Marks said, “The breadth and depth of the students’ research was astonishing – I am very proud of all that they have achieved.”

Muhammad Saqib, President of the Students’ Association, completed his project on whether Turkey should be admitted to the European Union. He told the packed audience of parents and students in the Prospect Theatre that not only had he positively enjoyed doing the research but that the project had given him a real understanding of time management and prioritisation. “This will be a really useful skill for both my university career and my employment in the future”, said Muhammad.

Becky Glass undertook her project on whether Jane Austen was a feminist. She told the audience that the supervision she had received from her tutor, Jo Chambers, had been invaluable. “It was really helpful to have someone to bounce ideas off on a topic which fascinated us both”, said Becky.

Principal Dr John Guy told the audience that the projects had challenged not only the students but also the staff who supervised them. His supervisee, Katharine Piddington, had undertaken her project on the properties of the alloy Nitinol and its use in surgical devices.

Dr Guy said, “I learnt a great deal from Katharine - and I was forced to go back to my university texts on transformation hysteresis simply to keep up with her!”

Farnborough Music Society given new lease of life

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Emerald Ensemble delight Farnborough Audience

The Farnborough Music Society Concert Programme was reborn last night under the auspices of Farnborough Sixth Form College. Director of Music at the College, Paul Bambrough, welcomed a packed audience in the Prospect Theatre to the first of the 2006/7 concerts by Bristol's renowned professional chamber orchestra, the Emerald Ensemble.

Led by Roger Huckle, the orchestra played Handel's Music for Royal Fireworks to the accompaniment of distant sounds of rockets in the Farnborough night sky. The work was played with energy, feeling and enjoyment by the musicians, to the delight of the audience.

The second half programme was the work of Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla, Cuatra Estaciones Portenas - The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires. Intended to be interleaved with Vivaldi's Four Seasons, the tempi and moods of the piece revealed the different weather of the southern hemisphere. Piazzolla's works typically reflect his passion for a mixture of jazz, classical and tango music - and the skill and feeling of the Emerald Ensemble players left the audience entranced by a magical and exciting performance which demanded three curtain calls.

Members of the Farnborough Music Society left the College in high spirits, not only because of the musical experience but also because the audience was rejuvenated by the presence of many A level students studying music at the College giving optimism for the future.

Minister acclaims College Green Initiative

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Minister acclaims College’s work

Students and staff at Farnborough Sixth Form College had a double reason to celebrate last week. Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector named the College in her annual report as one formally designated as outstanding and Minister of State for Further Education, Bill Rammell MP, celebrated the work of the College in developing green curriculum materials through its work with a secondary school in Ghana.

College students Becky Cagney, 18, of Farnborough, Mike Eager, 17, of Camberley, Becky Glass, 17 of Bracknell and Rosemary Pritchard, 17 of Fleet, accompanied College Principal, Dr John Guy, to the launch of a new Green Colleges Publication opened by the Minister in Westminster.

Mr Rammell said, “I am delighted that colleges, as demonstrated by this publication, have proved their commitment and ingenuity in establishing sustainable development into their buildings, the curriculum and their work with employers and local communities.”

He took particular interest in the work of Farnborough’s students in developing curriculum materials to promote water conservation. Becky Cagney told the minister that she had been part of a 15-strong group of students who had visited the College’s partner school in Ghana last June.

Becky said, “The Minister was very interested that we had worked with the Ghanaian students to develop new materials which we are now using throughout our college and also in the school in Ghana”.

Dr Guy said, “We are taking the issues of sustainability very seriously in the College and our link with Ghana has given an important new dimension to the thinking of students and staff”.

“It is an example of our desire to broaden and challenge the views of students which Ofsted found particularly interesting”, he added.

Students Boycott Jeans for Genes

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Students in £1800 boycott of Jeans for Genes

Farnborough Sixth Form College is often commended on the standard of its teaching and learning but, alongside study, students at the College also dedicate time and energy to charitable events. But in a novel twist, students decided to boycott Jeans for Genes day.

Tutorial sessions in the week leading up to Jeans for Genes outlined the importance of research into genetic disorders in children. But as wearing jeans is the usual College uniform, students were encouraged to take a different approach, by boycotting jeans! Instead the Students’ Association encouraged fellow students to come to College dressed in pyjamas – and a weird and wonderful collection of nightwear from nighties to dressing gowns emerged!

18 year old student Charities Officer, Hattie Leach, masterminded a variety of activities including a mass pillow fight in one of the college’s three cafeterias while student Jeans Police toured the College during breaks issuing fines to all those who were seen in jeans. Meanwhile, an army of students wielding buckets harassed everyone else for any loose change to donate.

In total, the College managed to raise an astonishing £1800 for the charity, a record for any single day in the College’s history. 17 year old Tamsyn Pack said, “I think charity days are a really great way of raising money, whilst still having fun. Jeans For Genes day was especially good because everyone got really involved”.

James Hawkins, 18, the students’ press officer said, ¨There are many more charity events on the college calendar, including Breast Cancer Awareness and Children in Need, and we will keep trying to beat our previous records for collections”.

October 2007 Newsletter

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 23:00:00 GMT

To down load the newsletter, please click here.

Music Scholars' Concert

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 23:00:00 GMT

Music Scholars delight the audience

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Ten music scholars from Farnborough Sixth Form College gave a powerful concert of individual pieces in the Prospect Theatre on Wednesday evening, holding the audience spellbound by the quality of their musicianship.

The evening began with Sevan Houston, a first year student, playing Leonardo Vinci’s Adagio and Allegro for Saxaphone. Sevan, who is a first year student studying Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics and Music, played with imagination and sensitivity. In a duet, he also accompanied fellow saxophonist, Amy Wellen, a second year student studying Maths, Further Maths, Biology and Music.

Vicky Tay and Sarah Brown sang a wonderful duet from the Marriage of Figaro, as well as playing instrumental pieces on the violin and flute respectively. Other soloists were second year students Lucinda Cowing (piano and French horn), Ellen Hunter (oboe), Bethan Sutton (flute) and Max Welford (clarinet). Sarah and Bethan also played a beautiful flute duet to the delight of the audience.

First year student, Josh Armstrong, played a piece by the Italian composer Girolamo Frescobaldi with great composure and confidence, and Daniel Barnes performed Hartley’s Suite for unaccompanied tuba.

Finally, Daniel’s arrangement of the can-can was played with energy and obvious enjoyment by all ten music scholars to end a wonderful evening of musicianship.

A level success at Farnborough

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 23:00:00 GMT

Another first at Farnborough Sixth Form College – the AQA Bacc

Five students in top five in their subjects nationally

Identical twins split between Oxford and Cambridge

Students from Farnborough Sixth Form College were the first in the country to be awarded the new British Baccalaureate by the Awarding Body, AQA. The new diploma reflects the broad educational experience offered by the College, including the Extended Project which the College has pioneered.

Congratulating Farnborough Sixth Form College students on their awards, John Mitchell, Director of Qualifications Development and Support at AQA said:

“I am delighted to be able to congratulate the students at Farnborough Sixth Form College on becoming the first to be awarded a new British Baccalaureate developed by AQA. Farnborough Sixth Form College has been a natural choice for us to trial this new qualification given their leading reputation for excellence”.

College Principal Dr John Guy said, “The AQA Bacc awarded to our students reflects the fact that an advanced level education is about more than three or four A level grades – as evidenced by the wide opportunities available to our students, including travel scholarships to support voluntary activities abroad”.

Out of the 68 students who pioneered the Extended Project as part of their A level programmes, 51 were awarded a Distinction by the Awarding Body. Their project work drew national attention and has been the basis for the development of the new qualification which is about to be approved by the government.

One of the students, Kate Holloway, 18 of Ascot, said, “This new qualification has taken me by surprise – I was not expecting something extra but I am pleased that it recognizes the wider activities which I undertook whilst at College”.

Kate achieved five grade A passes at A level in Mathematics, English, French, Music and General Studies, as well as a Distinction in the AQA Bacc. Kate will now go to Selwyn College, Cambridge, to study music, one of 20 students from the College going to Oxford or Cambridge Universities.

Five students in top five in their subjects nationally

Five students at the College achieved one of the top five marks in the country for their A levels: Victoria Cox, 18, of Fleet, in English Literature, Kathryn Parratt, 18, of Aldershot, in English Language and Literature, Donna Hughes, 18, of Fleet, in Business Studies, and Nick Coxon, 18, of Fleet, and Tristram Smith, 18, of Woking, both in General Studies.

Nick Coxon, who achieved four grade As to win a place at Wadham College, Oxford, to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics, said, “It feels fantastic to have got into Oxford after two years of study. I’ve had an amazing time at Farnborough Sixth Form College and this is pretty much the perfect end to College life”.

Dr Guy said, “We always hope that one of our students might achieve one of the top five marks in the country in a subject but to have five in one year is remarkable – I am very proud of their achievements and of the staff who have taught them”.

The College is celebrating a record 99.3% pass rate at A level, with 57% at grades A or B. Popping champagne corks at the celebrations with jubilant students, Dr Guy said, “Our students have set a wonderful national example, not only by their excellent A level achievements and the new Extended Project but also by their participation in a wide range of extra-curricular activities which for the first time have been taken together to receive national recognition in the AQA Baccalaureate”.

Identical twins split between Oxford and Cambridge

Identical twins Emma and Rebecca Cuthbertson have a double celebration and opened a new rivalry: Emma has won a place at Oxford and Rebecca at Cambridge University.

Emma achieved Grade A passes in Biology, Mathematics, Psychology and English Literature and will be studying Biological Sciences at Merton College Oxford. Rebecca achieved A grade passes in Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics, English Literature and General Studies and will be studying Engineering at Robinson College, Cambridge, in October.

Emma and Rebecca, 18, from Ewshot, received their results on-line at home on Thursday morning. Emma said, “It’s a fantastic feeling to receive the results I’d hoped for!”

Rebecca added, “We are pleased for each other as well as ourselves!”

College Summer Concert

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 23:00:00 GMT

Standing Ovation for students Jason and Helen

Two 18 year old music scholars at Farnborough Sixth Form College received standing ovations at their debuts as soloists at a concert held in Guildford Cathedral last week. The Summer College Concert was staged as part of the Guildford Summer Festival and the packed cathedral audience listened in awe to the young virtuosi.

Jason Chowdhury of Fleet has been a holder of a Hampshire Exceptional Ability Award since 2001 and was awarded a College Scholarship to study for his A levels in 2005. He won the College’s first Concerto Competition held in the autumn, the prize for which was the opportunity to perform solo with a professional orchestra at the Guildford Summer Festival. Jason is an accomplished percussionist and played Rosauro’s Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra, made more popular in recent years by Evelyn Glennie’s interpretation of the piece.

Jason said, “The marimba is a tuned percussion instrument of African heritage closely related to the xylophone and when I first heard it, I felt a real urge to develop skills in percussion.”

Jason added, “The concert was really exhilarating and I felt quite emotional about the response of the audience which was much stronger than I had ever expected – it was a wonderful way to end the year and my time at the College.”

Helen Lewis of Farnham, who was runner up in the Concerto Competition, sang Mozart’s Exultate Jubilate. She met the challenge of the opening Allegro of this exuberant work with wonderful technical control, filling the vast cathedral with her strong lyric soprano voice, and finished with a brilliant interpretation of the Alleluia movement.

Helen, who will be studying music at King’s College, London, next year, said, “I was so nervous waiting to go on stage because it was such a large venue but by the third movement I forgot I was nervous and began really to enjoy it.”

Helen added, “It is an experience I will never forget and I am really sad to be leaving the College although excited about starting my music degree.”

The concert was the brainchild of the College’s Director or Music, Paul Bambrough, who was celebrating the end of his 10^th year at the College. In addition to the two solo works, the College Choral Society performed Carmina Burana, filling the Cathedral with pounding rhythms and medieval symbolism leading to a magnificently delivered O Fortuna finale.

Speaking after the concert, College Principal Dr John Guy said, “Paul Bambrough has produced many great musical performances and tonight was yet another brilliant example of his ambition for, and confidence in, so many young musicians. What a wonderful way to end a term!”

Captions (for more photos click here)

Jason Chowdhury finishes the Marimba Concerto with a flourish.

Helen Lewis sings Mozart's Exultate Jubilate

Paul Bambrough conducts choir and orchestra for Farnborough Sixth Form College's performance of Carmina Burana in Guildford Cathedral

College hosts over 100 employers at Moving-On day

Sun, 08 Jul 2007 23:00:00 GMT

Moving-On Day is a great success

Students from Farnborough Sixth Form College were introduced to a host of different occupations and professions at their annual Moving-On Day last week when the College played host to over 100 visitors, from Architects to Zoologists.

Among the visitors was Dr Joanna Higgins, herself a former student at the College, who graduated in medicine at the University of Birmingham last year. Joanna is now on a specialist training route to become a surgeon, and she brought with her a series of artificial arms with sutures and forceps for students to try their hand at stitching.

Philip Sajik, 17, of Camberley, who is studying A level Biology, Chemistry, Physics and History at the College, said, “Joanna gave us a lot of information about what it is like to undertake medical degree programme which is really useful because I want to be a doctor”.

Philip added, “It was also good to get some hands-on experience and stitching an arm was a lot more difficult than I had imagined – it’s a good job the arm was not attached to a patient!”

Moving-On Day is the brain-child of Mrs Sandra Doel, Director of Careers and Guidance at the College. She said, “It is very important that we give our students the opportunity to understand more about the occupations and professions that are open to them, either after College or on graduating from university, and hearing about them at first hand from the people doing the job is much more meaningful than reading about the job on the internet”.

Flt. Lt. Nikki Frost represented the RAF at the event. She said, “I was amazed at the range of professions and careers which the College had gathered together and also at the range of good questions which the students posed in the seminars”.

Flt. Lt. Frost added, “I wish my school had arranged something similar when I did my A levels!”

Alex McCabe from the University of Exeter said, “It was a really worthwhile event because the students seemed well-prepared and we are pleased to invest time in visiting a College with so many potential undergraduates”.

College Principal, Dr John Guy, said, “This was the biggest careers event that the College has ever mounted and we were delighted by the response from local employers, gap year organisations and from universities across the UK who all came to share their expertise with our students”.

Captions:

Farnborough Sixth Form College student Philip Sajik of Camberley tries his hand as a surgeon watched by 17 year old Emma Gridley of Basingstoke.

Alex McCabe of Exeter University describes university life to 17 year old College students Jasmine Gordon, Joanna Stovell, Danielle Young and Calum McKenzie who all live in Camberley.

Summer Concert at Guildford Cathedral

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 23:00:00 GMT

Click here to view photographs

Students return from Ghanaian Exchange

Thu, 05 Jul 2007 23:00:00 GMT

Farnborough Students visit new partners in Ghana

Fifteen students from Farnborough Sixth Form College have just returned from a visit to their new partner school in Aburi, Ghana. Their visit was the first in a new link to foster learning, understanding and friendship between staff and students at the College and the Presbyterian Technical School, Aburi about 50 miles from the Ghanaian capital of Accra.

The Farnborough students were treated to a celebratory welcome by the Aburi students, dressed for the occasion in traditional African tribal cloth, and a warm welcome from the Principal Mr Peter Logo, who had visited Farnborough Sixth Form College earlier in the year.

Among the sixth form college visitors was 17 year old Becky Cagney of West Heath Road, Farnborough. She said, “Within minutes of arriving at Aburi, we were made to feel at home and we found that, even though there was a lack of equipment and resources, everybody was very eager to learn.”

The Farnborough students got involved in a whole range of activities from Home Economics to Woodwork and from Christian Religious Studies to a typical French or English grammar lesson. Farnborough students helped enrich the curriculum by teaching some unavailable subjects to their new friends such as Spanish, which was picked up with eagerness and astonishing speed by the Ghanaian pupils.

Catherine Cole, Assistant Director of Teaching for Learning at the College, accompanied the trip. She said, “The main curriculum focus of the visit was to enable our two groups of students to discuss the grave dilemma of the freshwater shortage which faces both Ghana and the UK.”

After a week of washing with buckets, many Farnborough students had learnt for themselves the necessity of water preservation in Ghana and the way in which water is squandered in the UK.

Jamie Fisher, 17, of Ascot said, “We visited the local water source in Aburi and saw for ourselves the potential for contamination which threatens the local people.”

Jamie added, “It brought home to us how much of a precious resource water really is and

It was humbling to see how our Ghanaian friends could live so happily on such a modest water supply.”

Personal Tutor Becky Sharp also accompanied the trip, She said, “We were all very sad to say goodbye but we know that the link between our two schools is now strong.”

She added, “When we look back on this trip, all of the students will remember the friendships made with their brothers and sisters in Ghana, as the Aburi pupils so often referred to us, which will last for years to come.”

Jamie said, “We learnt a lot from the trip but the main lesson, not only for us Farnborough students but also for the Aburi students, was one of c lose and lasting friendship, regardless of social status, upbringing or skin colour”.

Captions:

Farnborough Sixth Form College students Jamie Fisher and Becky Cagney with students in Ghana.

Amy Pippard, 17 of Farnborough, and Kim Jardine, 17 of Yateley, in a tutorial with students in Ghana.

College Exhibits A level Art work

Wed, 04 Jul 2007 23:00:00 GMT

Outstanding A level work at College described as graduate standard

Nearly 1000 family members and visitors attended the newly established exhibition of art by A level students at Farnborough Sixth Form College this week. Their work was the culmination of two years study at the College and it was exhibited in the newly opened Dame Kelly Holmes Sports Centre.

Speaking to the students and guests at the private viewing and awards evening on Monday, Martin Lamb, South East Regional Director for the Learning and Skills Council, said, “I have seen work here which would be celebrated by final year undergraduates; you should all be very proud of your achievements and the manner in which you have displayed such impressive collections of art.”

He added, "The Learning and Skills Council is very pleased with the achievements of Farnborough Sixth Form College - you are lucky to have studied in such a highly regarded College."

Six students received particular awards for outstanding work, among them 17 year old Katy Gravett of Sandhurst who won the award for A level graphics. Next year, Katy will study Graphic Design at the Winchester School of Art.

Katy said, “I was really surprised to be given this award because the standard of work in graphics by everybody was so high; it is a real honour for my work to have been singled out.”

The award for 3 Dimensional Art was won by 18 year old James Clement of Camberley who will be studying three dimensional design and special effects at the University of Hertfordshire in September. James said, “I have greatly enjoyed studying at Farnborough Sixth Form College and I would recommend it to anybody. Out of such a large group of students, I am really proud to have won this award.”

Other award winners were Rose McDowell, 18 of Aldershot for Textiles, Emma Denney, 18, of Farnborough for Photography, Florence Spurling, 18, of Henley for Fine Art, and Sophie Deeley, 18, of Frimley for the A level Double Award in Art.

Speaking after the awards evening, Chairman of Governors, Mr William Bagnall, said, "It is a delight to see such magnificent achievements displayed so professionally in the new sports centre. The Governors are proud of this College and it is clear to see why it achieved the formal designation of Outstanding from Ofsted earlier in the year."

Captions:

Katy Gravett, 17, with her award-winning collection of Graphic Art.

James Clement, 18, who won the award for three-dimensional art.

Leavers' Ball 2007

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 23:00:00 GMT

Click here for pictures

Oscars Awards at College

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 23:00:00 GMT

Tinseltown - Oscars come to Farnborough

Students from Farnborough Sixth Form College caught a glimpse of an Oscars future when the Prospect Theatre played host to the Annual Media and Film Awards to celebrate their achievements.

The Oscar-style ceremony was an opportunity to showcase the practical work submitted by the 2007 A level and National Award students and featured a display of exemplary print work and a compilation of the best videos. There were nominations for a range of categories including best short film, film trailer, music video, comedy and documentary.

The award for Outstanding Achievement was given to Mark Carter, 18, from Camberley for his stunning stop-motion film that also scooped the Best Animation Award.

Among the guests present was Peter Eyre, a television director who has previously produced Brainiac and Dimbleby on Sunday. Congratulating the College at the end of the ceremony he said: “I am particularly struck by both the students’ and teachers’ evident enthusiasm for their work and pride in their achievements. There is no doubt that these students will have come away from the College with a deeper understanding of the creative decision making and technical requirements that go in to making a TV programme”.

With over 900 students, the Media department at the College is now the largest centre for Media and Film A levels in the country and is recognised by The Good Schools Guide for achieving the Best Results at AS Level for girls and boys at any English school.

Rob Temple, Head of Film and Media at the College said: “The evening provides a unique opportunity for our students to exhibit their work in front of a huge audience; it is a fantastic way for them to mark the end of their time at College”.

College Principal Dr John Guy said, “The standards achieved by students each year is remarkable and we are able to provide facilities which challenge even the very best university centres in this significant field”.