Sports News All the results from SJD’s successful season in the North West Colleges League Page 8
The New Wittonian The official newsletter of Sir John Deane’s Sixth Form College
Issue 3, Summer 2022
Farewell Class of 2022 Sir John Deane’s bid an emotional farewell to the Class of 2022 in a special end of term celebration. Students were treated to ice cream, waffles and pancakes in the College courtyard and spent time with teachers and staff to reflect on a memorable two years. Deputy Principal, Tracy Foy, said: “It was a special day to
come together and celebrate a wonderful Year 13 year. Seeing our students happy and enjoying a beautiful day was the highlight of my year. “We are incredibly proud of them and their individual journeys and we can’t wait for results day, which promises to be a memorable and joyous moment for us all.”
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Issue 3, Summer 2022
Battle of the Bands
After a two-year absence Battle of the Bands was back Musicians from across Cheshire rocked the stage in the much-anticipated return of Battle of the Bands! After a two-year absence during the pandemic, the event, held at Sir John Deane’s Sixth Form College, drew a full crowd to see The Raymonds crowned worthy champions with their original performance of ‘Fish Tank’. The College had strong representation from a number of bands, including Ninety Five, who performed Fleetwood Macs ‘Go Your Own Way’ and The Counters with their rendition of ‘Can’t Stop’ by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
Murphy, said: “It was a stunning turnout for both audience and musicians. Back in 2020, a young band called ‘The Heath’ from Bridgewater High School nervously took the stage, and after a re-brand, returned as ‘The Raymonds’ last night. “They gave an electric performance and took home the crown! Very worthy winners and an incredibly enjoyable evening. Many congratulations to all involved.”
Alias, representing The County High School, Leftwich, performed ‘Hysteria’, by Muse and Middlewich High School’s Grade V rocked the room with the Foo Fighter’s song ‘The Pretender’. Lekker Springs, Project Blue, Northern Streets, Hill Cliffe and Unchartered performed an electric set of original compositions, while the College’s staff band, James Leigh, Chris Bailey, Glyn Dulson, Tim Murphy and Robert Palin stunned the audience with their rendition of ‘Starlight’, by Muse. Event organiser and Music Technology teacher, Tim
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Celebrating Student Success The College’s annual Year 12 and Year 13 Awards Evenings returned this summer celebrating acadmic excellence, community and culture. This summer term, students, parents and staff at Sir John Deane’s came together to celebrate a year of incredible achievements. The annual Awards Evenings in May and June, recognised the hard work and dedication of more than 80 students in each year group. Prizes were awarded for academic excellence, sporting prowess, creative talent and personal achievement. The events also celebrated individuals who make everyday contributions to the unique culture and community of the College. Pioneering British engineer Dame Sue Ion, who is a prominent figure in the UK’s 4
nuclear energy industry, was the special guest at the Year 13 Awards Evening. Dame Sue presented Head Girl Daisy Bolton with the most prestigious award of the evening, The Saner Prize, for Student of the Year. Daisy was selected for her outstanding contribution to the college community, student leadership and academic success, having recently secured a highly competitive engineering degree apprenticeship with Rolls Royce. Presenting the prizes to Year 12 was Cllr Andrew Cooper. Guests were also treated to an inspiring speech by Year 12 student Sharon Fadipe-Davids, who only learnt English in 2019 when she moved to the UK from Nigeria.
Principal Chris Atherton said: “I feel honoured to have been able to take part in two joyous evenings, where the whole Sir John Deane’s community celebrated the courage, brilliance and success of our wonderful students.” The full list of award winners can be found on our website.
Issue 3, Summer 2022
Year 13 Awards Evening Prize Winners
Year 13 Awards Evening 5
Year 12 Awards Evening
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Issue 3, Summer 2022
Year 12 Awards Evening Prize Winners
Year 12 Awards Evening 7
Academic Community Day Students put their presentation skills to the test during first academic conference Sir John Deane’s is celebrating the successful launch of its first ever Academic Community Day. The event, which took place on June 29th, was an opportunity for more than 80 students on the College’s Gifted and Talented programme to carry out a research project within their chosen subject area and present their findings in a professional conference-style event. Students took part in a skills workshop and heard talks from Sir John Deane’s alumni before presenting their research projects to teachers, governors and trustees whose role it was to challenge them further on their findings.
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The event was designed to prepare the students for university style interviews, enhancing critical skills, such as oracy and the ability to articulate their thoughts and develop their ideas. Students covered a wide range of topics, including bio architecture, genetics and the Riemann Hypothesis. The event was organised by the College’s Medics and Oxbridge co-ordinators Julie Stephens and Robert Palin. Julie said: “The students were articulate, charismatic and it was wonderful to see them speak so passionately to teachers and visitors, who they may never have met before. We are incredibly proud of them.”
Issue 3, Summer 2022
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Live music at lunch time Battle of the Bands winners, The Raymonds, were back on stage during the last week of term for the first SJD Unplugged event. The band joined other incredible acts from across the College, including Esther Snowden (pictured above), for an afternoon of live music in the courtyard. The event was organised by the College’s Tech Crew, Gwilym Morgan and Tiffany Wood, with the support of College technicians Bailey Audio Systems Ltd.
As part of the College’s Pride month celebrations in June, students from the LGBTQ+ Society hosted the bake sale, which included a number of tasty treats, as well as a selection of Pride Awareness badges for students to purchase. All monies raised will be donated to the College’s chosen charity, The Wonder Foundation, which supports women and girls across the globe to access quality education and exit poverty. 10
Issue 3, Summer 2022
HE Fair comes to College Year 12 students learnt more about their university choices during the College’s annual Higher Education Fair in June. Representatives from 38 universities, including Manchester, Loughborough, Bath and York, visited the campus to talk to students about degree course options, university facilities and life as an undergraduate.
Careers Advisor, Danielle Oultram, said: “It was great that we were able to go back to hosting our Higher Education Fair in College. All of the stands were busy throughout the day with students engaged in conversation and asking lots of questions about their next steps. “They all left with a surge of enthusaism for their careers planning.”
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Star of the stage delivers musical theatre workshop
Hot off the stage, musical theatre star Akeem Ellis-Hyman took a break from his UK tour of the hit show Hairspray The Musical to visit Performing Arts students at Sir John Deane’s. Akeem, who plays one of the lead characters
Seaweed in the show and has previously starred in Motown The Musical, led the Year 12 students in an upbeat and fast paced musical theatre routine, taken from the UK Tour choreography, followed by a lively Q&A session.
Year 12 experience the workplace as part of College Work Shadow Day Year 12 students experienced a taste of the workplace as part of the College’s first ever Work Shadow Day, in June. 681 students spent the day in an industry setting with a family or a close friend, in organisations across the region including the NHS, AstraZeneca, Unilever and KPMG. Careers advisor Danielle Oultram, said: “We had some great feedback from students with many agreeing it was an insightful opportunity for their careers research whilst also building experience for their CV and personal statement. 12
“A huge thank you to all involved in sourcing placements for the students.” For those unable to arrange a placement, students took part in an Employability Day at College with specific sessions on preparing for interviews and virtual work experience. Matthew Powell, from UA92, delivered a presentation on Goal Setting while Nigel Jones, from the Cheshire and Warrington Pledge, delivered a presentation on Personal Branding.
Issue 3, Summer 2022
D of E students go for gold Students navigate the Lake District as part of their Gold D of E Award Following the end of term, students working towards their Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award enjoyed four days on expedition in the Lake District. 58 Year 12 and 13 students camped for three nights and covered 50k from Braithwaite to Coniston. Working in small teams, the students completed at least one of the famous Wainwright routes, walked a section of the coast-to-coast path and ascended 2.5k over the course of the expedition. Each team plotted their own route, navigated the terrain and completed their group projects which
they will present at the College in September to complete their award. Year 13 student, Jonathan Mullett, said: “We had an incredible week, despite some changeable weather conditions. One of the most memorable moments was seeing a quartet of fighter jets fly right over us.” There are five sections students need to complete to achieve the Gold award. They are volunteering, physical, skills, expedition and residential. This year, more than 100 students are expected to complete their Silver or Gold Award at the College.
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‘Masks Off’ exhibition celebrates talented art and design students 2022 exhibition of art, photography, textiles and 3D Design Sir John Deane’s celebrated the hard work and dedication of Year 13 Art & Design students, with a special exhibition held at the College in July. ‘Masks Off’ showcased the huge collection of work from Art, Photography, 3D Design and Textiles students, many of which had been two years in the making. The event attracted hundreds of parents, students and
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special guests from the local art community.
photographed in the students work.
Simon Davies, Head of Art and Design at the College, said: “The exhibition was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the intense hard work that has gone in to each piece.
“There was definitely a more personal feel to the art this year and lots of individual styles because students were having to work more independently as a result of the pandemic.
“There was a lot of positive energy on the night and it was also great to finally meet parents, including some of those who had been painted or
“It was fantastic to see such powerful outcomes, especially after so many covid interruptions.”
Issue 3, Summer 2022
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Sports News Teams top North West Colleges League The College’s sports team were celebrating a successful season in the North West College’s League.
the final of the John Sleigh Cheshire Cup, losing to Knutsford Academy in the final on penalities.
For the 7th consecutive year the Hockey team were crowned league winners while the College’s Netball team also finished the season on top. Both the Football 1st and 2nd team finished fourth in their leagues, while the Basketball team finished in 5th place.
Jenny Thorp, Head of PE and Sport at the College, said: “After going so long without team sports during the pandemic it has been incredible to have a full season of training together and competing. Congratulations to all our players this season, especially the Hockey team who continue to dominate the league.”
Football’s 1st team extended their season by reaching
Rowers represent SJD in first competition Two crews representing Sir John Deane’s raced at Shrewsbury Regatta, in May, in their first ever competition. Tom Ferlong and Joe Marshall narrowly lost out against Harper Adam’s University in the men’s double. Rowing coach Mary Ozsanlav said: “Tom and Joe were on their heels until they caught a crab near the finish line. Harper Adam’s said it was the best competition they had had all weekend.” In the women’s double, Louise Mann and Millie Smith lost to a composite crew but kept a straight course and had a strong finish. All four rowers joined the College in September as complete beginners.
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Athletics: English Schools Championships Five Sir John Deane’s students represented Cheshire at the English Schools Athletics Championships in July. Hermione Mason ran a personal best in the 400m Hurdles, securing 2nd place. Patrick Griffith competed in the 800m, Grace Roberts, 3000m, Holly Weedall finished sixth in the 1500m while Ellise came 12th in the Long Jump.
Gymnastics Congratulations to Year 12 student Yasmin McNicholas who came first, representing the North West in the British NDP Championship in Acrobatic Gymnatsics. 16