Scarborough UTC News Flash Friday 7th May 2021

Scarborough UTC News Flash
                                   Friday 7th May 2021
                                           INTRODUCTION

Dear Parent/Carer

This week we have had some visitors in college. As part of this visit they spent some time
speaking with 2 students from each year group. The feedback we received on these young
people from our visitors was incredibly positive and commented on their ability to articulate
their thoughts on their time at the UTC, each one delivering a resounding sense of pride in
their college. It is wonderful to hear our students reflect so positively on their experiences
with us. We know that through providing high quality teaching and learning and a range of
opportunities working with our partner employers, that our students will be well prepared to
progress into excellent destinations. These students gave their 100% affirmation for our
approach to their education.

As previously communicated the last full time day in college for students in Year 11 is Friday
28th May 2021. Many of our students will be returning to the College in September to join
Sixth Form@Scarborough UTC, however many others are moving on to other colleges or
apprenticeships. For some there is still a final decision to be made about their destination for
September 2021. We have placed a leaflet on the website for your information and there is
an introduction below.

How can you help?

Post-16 options can be daunting – your child is likely to feel pressure and anxiety when
making their decision. You can help by: https://www.scarboroughutc.co.uk/wp-
content/uploads/2021/05/A-Parents-Guide-to-Post-16-Career-Options_20190418.pdf

Discussing their grades: Asking your child what grades they are likely to get can sometimes
be a good starting point for discussions about suitable careers.

Talking about their interests: Discussing your child’s interests can help them identify the right
choice for them; for example, if your child is particularly interested in reading, taking an
English Literature A-level may be a good route.

Analysing their skills: Establishing the skills that your child has can often indicate what career
they would succeed in; for example, if your child is a confident public speaker, they may
consider careers in public relations, marketing, sales or hospitality. Analysing your child’s skills
together can help them shortlist their options.

Helping with their CV: Encouraging your child to start writing a CV can often aid decision
making by clearly outlining their skills, interests and achievements. When your child has
finished their CV, they should ask themselves what careers match their CV, and what they
need to add to their CV to pursue their potential career choices.

Speaking to us: If you have any questions about the best route for your child, contact Mrs
Fearnehough, Vice Principal via main reception to arrange an informal discussion.

Thank you for your support

Mr. Kilgour

Principal

                                           T&L@SUTC

Our teaching team at Scarborough UTC are currently working hard to ensure that Y11 and Y13
Teacher Assessed Grade systems and assessments are in place. Ten hours of development
time has been allocated for teachers to work on the internal assessment, internal and external
moderation activities required to ensure that we are doing the best for our young people in
what has been an extraordinary year. During lessons adaptation has been made to the usual
curriculum to give students the opportunity to demonstrate their best performance during
these last few very important weeks. Well done to our students and teaching team for the
resilience they continue to demonstrate during these challenging times.

                                     TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE

News from systems control

This week Y10 have been conducting some live testing of resistance in soil samples - part of
the set task for one of their coursework units is to select an appropriate component as part
of an operational amplifier (op-amp for short) circuit - it compares two voltages, and creates
a signal depending on which input voltage is larger than the other. By careful component
selection, the exact trigger point can be set at which the Op-amp flips or triggers the output.

Students used the moisture probe created last week to test soil resistance and it was an in-
real-life test of student scientific awareness of the need to control variables - and just how
easily one variable change can ruin the quality of data. Students worked expertly in pairs to
use a digital meter connected to their sensor in the soil - with precise timing and
measurement students demonstrated good collaborative working.

Y11 have been working towards the conclusion of their R116 Programmable Systems unit -
Process Control Systems - where students must develop an automated level crossing solution.
The challenges this week for some have been to remember to show their progress using
software - and for some they've had to retrace their steps to demonstrate how they reached
their solution. Annotation is vital for others to be able to understand the student's thought
process as the flowchart programming becomes more complex to solve the problems of
checking if a train is coming, should a barrier open or close, if so - how quickly? And finally,
how to detect the train has left the crossing area.

With the focus on final assessment coursework and in-lesson tests, it is vital that students
maintain their energy and focus, using the class trackers to ensure the work they complete is
to the highest standard they can.

Finally, our KS5 students have had a written focus this week, as they have been providing the
evidence of their Distinction tasks for their Electrical and Electronic Design unit analysing
some circuits, and ensuring that assignments are being completed in time for deadlines as
well as year 11! Have a great weekend! Mr Brown

                                       ENGLISH LITERATURE

Y11 have stretched themselves this week by revisiting the poem Hawk Roosting by Ted
Hughes. Previously, we studied this poem through a humancentric lens and accused the Hawk
of being a tyrant and ego centric.

After listening to our current Poet Laureate Simon Armitage discussing Nature poetry and the
use of anthropomorphism, we are now studying it through the lens of a naturalist.

To achieve this, we have watched the 'Hawk Off' presented by naturalist Chris Packham on
BBC's Spring Watch,a local newspaper article of an amateur photographer capturing a live
attack on a starling by a sparrowhawk.

The headline "Eat Your Heart Out David Attenborough" provoked much discussion regarding
the use of such an idiom and the idea of the expert versus the underdog.

We have also studied the beautiful nature writing of naturalist J.A. Baker in The Peregrine,
documenting his 10-year hawk-hunting journey. This is no mean feat as it is a text full of tier
2 and 3 vocabulary and complex syntax to create an all-encompassing experience of nature
for the reader. From this, students have synthesised authentic facts about hawks which has
built their cultural knowledge and appreciation of hawks and nature to an expert, erudite
level. Students are raring to start applying their new perspective lens to enhance their analysis
of this famous poem.

Moreover, important visitors- specialists in both English teaching and teaching in general
were bowled over by the students in Y11- their passion for the subject and their expert
knowledge. We are an extremely proud English department right now- well done Y11!

Y10:

Students are about to embark on their journey through Shakespeare's dark, bloodthirsty
world of "Macbeth".

We are aware that some students have had negative experiences with Shakespeare, but we
are confident that here at the Scarborough UTC, their minds and experiences will be changed!

Already we have refined our academic reading strategies such as retrieval, synthesis, and
comparison through reading articles about The Globe theatre and reasons why theatre is so
important to our culture.

It is crucial that we remember that Macbeth is a play and that students are able to think like
an actor, director and audience.

Next week we begin our retelling of Macbeth in prose, ready to watch a livestream production
of Macbeth by the RSC in the hall - I cannot wait!

English Scholars of the Week:

Y10: Davie-Junior Smith, Vinnni Byam and Josh Ford both from Miss Bailey's 10C !

I was astounded by both the enthusiasm of these students during a collaborative discussion
involving linking prior studies to the themes in Macbeth and the erudite answers they gave.
Well done!

Y11: Robin Evendon, Evie Lawson and Libby Atkin for bravely sharing their work with the class
in front of the visitors as well as producing work of an astounding level.

Reading Scholar of the Week:

Louie Stephenson from Miss Atkinson's 10T!

Louie has shown tenacity and positivity in finding a book that is right for him since arriving
here in September and finally his resilience has paid off with A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness!
It has been a joy to see Louie finally become lost in a book. I am so proud of you!

                                       BUSINESS SUPPORT

Water - reminder to please bring sufficient bottled water to college with the improving
weather. We sell a variety of drinks at break and lunchtime in addition to what your child
brings. Current guidance is still not to use shared drinking fountains.

Covid home testing - please remember to upload test results through the NHS test and trace
app and also to report to us via google forms https://forms.gle/H3GJqvDCyKQ71fod6

For further information on self-testing kits please see the link from the DfE on how to
support your child to undertake the
test https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9XR8RZxKNo&list=PLvaBZskxS7tzQYlVg7lwH5uxA
D9UrSzGJ&index=2 We will also be showing this to students in college prior to them taking
their kits home. Any queries please don't hesitate to contact us on
enquiries@scarboroughutc.co.uk or ring 01723 821621.

For further information on twice-weekly home testing please see the link from North
Yorkshire County Council https://www.scarboroughutc.co.uk/wp-
content/uploads/2021/03/LFD-Testing_Back-to-school-letter-for-North-Yorkshire-
families_11-March-2021.pdf

                                ASSESSMENT AND CURRICULUM

Pastoral and Attainment:

The week commencing Monday 10th May 2021 is week B.

It is important to continue the highest standards of business dress policy and ensure that
equipment, stationary and scientific calculators are checked regularly.

Maintaining 100% attendance is important to ensure we can continue to support progress
effectively. Students are supported through tutor time with attendance challenges.
Attendance will be an important focus for all students to ensure we can support attainment
throughout the summer term.

Water

Due to Covid 19 guidance we are unable to provide access to water fountains in college,
therefore it is important that students bring enough drinking water to ensure they are
hydrated throughout the day.

Attendance Rewards

Attendance rewards in the period before Easter were very successful. A significant number of
students retained 100% attendance for this period on the return to college after lock down.
The attendance focus for all students is now a 100 day challenge, throughout this half term.

All Years

Student information on attendance, attainment and behaviour in College is accessible
through My Child at School (MCAS). Reports are issued are on this format and information on
professional value points, communications and attendance are updated live, so if you have
still to sign up to the App please do so. You will receive an email which will invite you to the
link where you can set up your personal account.

To support these arrangements, years 10 and 12 will finish College for May half term on Friday
28th May at lunch time. The bus schedules have been amended to reflect this. On return after
half term, Year 10 will revert to the original college day, therefore no split lessons around
breaks and lunch. This will be beneficial to our Y10’s as they move into Year 11 as it also
enables increased access to specialist teaching areas within college.

                                           SIXTH FORM

Congratulations to our Year 13 students who are working hard at the moment completing all
of their assessments for their grades this summer. There is lots to do in engineering
coursework in particular and they have shown a conscientious attitude to their studies.

This week we have had the fourth and final session of our employability skills for life with M
and G Investments. The focus has been on finance. Students can send in their CV’s to get
feedback from the M and G team. All resources are on the sixth form google classroom.
https://www.mandg-skillsforlife.com/future-you

Year 12 had an opportunity on Wednesday to attend the online UCAS Discovery Day to find
out about university courses.

Year 12 students interested in Oxbridge should attend the online session with St. Catharine’s
College on May 10th.

The webinars are targeted at students thinking of applying to Oxbridge or other selective
universities. We’ll take attendees through real personal statement examples, talk about what
selective universities look for, and ask current Oxbridge students to chip in with advice on
how to begin writing.

Sciences Workshop: 10th May 6-7.30pm, Register here:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JlHHhkthSNe6Nbt6NwnPAA

Arts & Humanities Workshop: 12th May 6-7.30pm, Register here:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_540vzrPWSz6fwlvGk7YtDQ

It was great to see many of our Year 12 students working with GCHQ as part of their Careers
Development Programme this week.

All of Year 12 have been informed of a sixth form speaking competition – Speak Up for Net
Zero. Further details are here : https://form.jotform.com/211083003349344

Please remind your child to check college emails and the Sixth Form google classroom
regularly.

Year 13 students finance application deadline is May 30th. This is for Year 13’s intending on
going to university. Details from https://studentfinance.campaign.gov.uk/.

                                            CAREERS

It was graduation week for our eight students who completed their brilliant club project on
aeronautical engineering. They have worked with Dr Ravinder Ranaweera from Northumbria
University and taken part in weekly seminars and produced a large research report to
complete their course.

This graduation was a virtual event and we were given a tour of Selwyn College Cambridge
and heard about the career opportunities available from university study. We are very proud
of all of our students’ hard work this year who have had to do everything online: Adam, Bobby,
Reece, Xavier, Charlotte, Harvey, Ryan P and Ryan S. Well done to Xavier who was our UTC
spokes scholar and talked about his brilliant club experience to 1,500 graduates and to
Charlotte who gained the highest mark this year and was awarded a First.

ETHOS

The theme of the week has been exams. This is timely as our year 11 and 13 students are
sitting assessments that will inform their results this year.

Our thought of the week has been a reminder to students that they should have confidence
in themselves if they work hard they can achieve. It is important to us at the UTC that students
are hardworking and resilient. Mr Connell has led assemblies on the importance of exams
and summative assessments.

We encourage our students in Year 11 and 12 to participate in The National Citizenship Service
this summer for their personal development.

Details for the programme can be found at https://wearencs.com/summer

Students of the week

Year 10: Mason Loughran

Year 11: Libby Atkin

                                         DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Summer Half term:                               Monday 31st May 2021 to Friday 4th June 2021

Term ends:                                      Friday 23rd July 2021

                                  ACADEMIC YEAR 2021/22

                                         DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Professional development training day:          Monday 6th September 2021

Term starts:                                    Tuesday 7th September 2021

Professional development training day:          Friday 8th October 2021

Autumn half term:                               Monday 25th October to Friday 29th October
                                                2021

Professional development training day:          Friday 3th December 2021

Christmas holiday:                              Monday 20th December 2021 to Monday 3rd
                                                January 2022

Professional development training day:          Tuesday 4th January 2022

First day of spring term for students:          Wednesday 5th January 2022

Spring Half term:                        Monday 21st February to Friday 25th February
                                         2022

Easter holiday:                          Monday 11th April to Friday 22nd April 2022

Professional development training day:   Monday 25th April 2022

First day of summer term for students:   Tuesday 26th April 2022

Bank holiday:                            Monday 2nd May 2022

Summer Half term:                        Monday 30th May to Friday 3th June 2022

Term ends:                               Tuesday 26th July 2022