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This week’s newsletter highlights exciting student experiences, from DNA fingerprinting in Ignite to Arabic Week’s immersive literature and cultural activities. Engineering and tech students excelled in VEX Robotics, CAD design, and concept car projects, while Year 10 tackled the UKMT Maths Challenge. Careers took center stage with UCLAN apprenticeships, an Adlib music industry trip, and work placements at Sony PlayStation and Taylor Wessing. Read on for more!
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Year 10 Maths challenge
This week, 60 Year 10 students took part in the UKMT Intermediate Mathematical Challenge. All students will receive a Certificate of Participation, with the best performers getting a Bronze, Silver or Gold certificate – and maybe an invite to partake in the Kangaroo Challenge in the future! You may have seen Miss Allason’s Maths Conundrum on the Newsletter each week – this is always a question from the UKMT Challenges so if you’re getting these right each week, maybe you could take part in the challenge next time.
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School early finish
School closes at an earlier time of 3 pm on Tuesday 4th of February and Thursday 13th of February due to our Open Evenings.
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Celebrating Arabic Week
A Vibrant Showcase of Culture Last week, our school came alive with the rich traditions and heritage of the Arab world as we celebrated Arabic Week. The event was a fantastic opportunity for students to immerse themselves in Arabic culture through music, art, food, and history. We were transformed into a cultural hub, with stalls displaying traditional Arabic instruments and fascinating artefacts, and they took part in a quiz about Egyptian gods, testing their knowledge of ancient mythology.
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Lunchtime had the delicious aromas of Arabic cuisine filling the air. One of the highlights of the week was a mesmerising performance on the oud, a traditional Arabic string instrument. Adding to the artistic experience, renowned Lebanese artist Hassan Ismael visited the school to present his stunning paintings. His talk about his inspirations and techniques gave students a deeper appreciation for Arabic art. Arabic Week was a huge success, bringing students together to celebrate a rich and diverse culture. We can’t wait to do it all again next year!
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If you would like to find out more about this career pathway then please click here.
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Engineering Concept Car
Henrique in Year 12 has already completed his concept car for the baker Dearing concept cars challenge sponsored by Autodesk and delivered by our very own CADCAM - Educators Hub ... The competition closes on the 24th of February so it's not too late to have a go! If you would like to find out more, or view tutorials from our very own engineering teacher Mr Plevin and alumni Mika then please click here.
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3 of our students secured 4 days of work experience placements at SONY PlayStation
Big congratulations to Laiken, Lily and Daisy from The Studio, we can’t wait to see what PlayStation has in store for you!
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Sickness procedure
From a safeguarding perspective, students who indicate they are feeling unwell will not be sent out of class as an unwell/injured student unaided may faint on the stairs or corridor. Staff will call first aid and first aid will go to the student. Students are not to contact home themselves when they are unwell, staff will call parents if needed.
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VEX Robotics
In Ignite, our STEAM students have finished creating their robots for the VEX Robotics event which is being held at NLA. They have just a few more days to make tweaks to their build to maximise its performance.
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Year 11 Engineering
Students have finished creating prototypes of an acoustic speaker for use with a mobile phone. They will now be analysing their results, comparing what they have created to a specification, and from those suggesting improvements on the design and their methodology.
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3D CAD models
In Year 10, students are developing 3D CAD models of their designs using cutting-edge software Fusion 360. Their coursework project is to create a design for desk organisers for a primary school.
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Adlib trip
Last Wednesday we went to the education day at Adlib, the leading event and technology partner for music venues across Europe. We took a group of Year 11 students who are passionate about music to show them how an event is put together and to get a look at some of the behind-the-scenes work. The offices were broken up into various spaces, we started with the performance area where we got a history lesson on the evolution of sound culminating in a demonstration of immersive sound, video and lighting all to the backdrop of Sam Fender!
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We then looked at lighting, video production in their Kino suite and a vast array of equipment providers covering camera systems, lighting desks, mixing desks through to flight cases, microphones and more. Finally, the students had a tour of the Adlib warehouses to see the logistics of moving high-end expensive equipment in and out of Europe in time for you, the fan to have the greatest experience possible. What a day and what an inspiration for the students and staff.
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Uniform and equipment reminder
I would like to remind parents of the uniform standards with regard to girl’s trousers. A small number of students are wearing fashion trousers – made of Lycra material and flared leggings in style. The expectation is for students to wear school trousers or a pleated skirt. As the weather is getting colder please ensure your child has a warm, waterproof coat. All students are required to have a school bag with them every day. This must be large enough to carry a number of A4 revision guides. We will provide your child with a suitable bag if they are unable to obtain one.
Jill Davies, Principal at Life Sciences and The Studio School.
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UCLAN Degree Apprenticeships
Last week Martin, Zainub and Alma delivered an informative degree apprenticeship session to Year 13. The session covered the hands-on work experience available while earning a full degree. With over 4,000 graduates since 2017 and 90%+ satisfaction rate, UCLAN’s programmes offer a head start in various industries, from engineering and healthcare to business and digital technology. Our students have kindly been invited along to the SPARK – The Apprenticeship Marketplace event in March which will provide the opportunity for employers and potential degree apprentices to speed interview, creating a dynamic event that fosters opportunities for the next generation of apprentices. The event includes keynote speakers, speed pitch interviews, and the awarding of apprenticeship opportunities.
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Ignite DNA session
Ignite students in Wider Curriculum have been using an activity using paper “DNA sequences” to model the process of DNA fingerprinting. They are grappling for the first time with the concept of restriction endonucleases and recognition sites. They have also explored the uses of DNA fingerprint technology, including crime scene investigations, paternity testing and identification of human remains.
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Sociology Work Experience
On the 21st of January, Year 13 Sociology student Cerys attended a day's work experience at Taylor Wessing, a global law firm that serves the world's most innovative people and businesses. Reflecting on her experience, Cerys shared “I learnt that working on a legal case doesn't solely consist of thinking about the law because commercial awareness is also very important.”
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When asked about what she enjoyed the most, Cerys highlighted that the networking sessions stood out to her as she was able to have rich conversations with legal professionals. In terms of how her work experience prepared her for the jobs of tomorrow, Cerys shared “It has prepared me with networking skills and an insight into what truly happens in a law firm.”
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Arabic Week Year 10 English
In celebration of Arabic Week, Year 10 students were introduced to the Arabic poetry form of ghazals. They explored ideas of romantic love, loss, and unrequited love through an examination of the poem ‘Ghazal’ by Mimi Khalvati. Through discussion and detailed annotations, students were able to develop their analytical skills for poetry as well as establish thematic connections between this poem’s content and how Romeo is presented in Act 1, Scene 1 of ‘Romeo and Juliet’.
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Arabic Week English Literature
In celebration of Arabic Week, Year 13 A-level Literature students enjoyed an immersive reading experience in the Arabic tent this morning. Against a backdrop of Arabic music, the class read chapters from their A level Literature set text ‘The Kite Runner’ by Khaled Hosseini as they drank Arabic tea and discussed significant elements of ‘political and social protest writing’. The class were delighted with the experience and were incredibly grateful for the opportunity. They wanted to give their thanks to Ms Mallo, Ms Majoub, and the student helpers for putting everything together – Shukran!
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Miss Allason's Maths Conundrum
https://ukmt.org.uk/
The answer to last week's conundrum was E.
This week's conundrum asks:
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Come back next week to find out this week's answer!
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Leave us a Google Review
We strive to provide the best experience for our students. Your feedback helps us improve and continue delivering quality education and care. If you’ve had a good experience with us, we’d love to hear from you.
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Leaving a review on Google helps others learn more about our schools and gives us valuable insight.
Liverpool Life Sciences UTC
The Studio School
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Exciting opportunity for those interested in comics, illustration, storytelling, and the creative industries
Attend Mersey Margins Collective Comics Fair for a youth-led, fully accessible comics fair designed to support emerging comics creators and provide a platform for under-represented voices in the industry.
- Meet professional comics creators and network with industry experts
- Attend free workshops on comics, mental health, activism, and climate justice
- Engage in panel discussions with leading comics professionals like Lewis Hancox, Bex Ollerton, and Emma Reynolds
15th of February 2025, 11 am – 3:30 pm @ Future Yard, Birkenhead Free tickets - please click here.
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Unlock Your Future with JLR at National Apprenticeship Week
An apprenticeship programme at JLR opens doors to automotive innovation and technology, enhancing your skills and experience for the future. You’ll be surrounded by ambitious teammates, working together on projects that fundamentally shape the vehicles of the future. Click here to register to the webinar on the 10th of February at 11 am.
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All Aboard Your Career: Apprenticeships with Network Rail
Join Network Rail this National Apprenticeship Week and discover how their apprenticeships can put your future on the fast track. Whether you’re into engineering, finance, digital technology, or more, no matter what route you take, you’ll be making a difference to millions of journeys. Click here to register to their webinar on the 13th of February at 3 pm.
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The Women's Engineering Society is delighted to invite students to attend their FREE Apprentice Showcase
The online event will be great for anyone considering engineering as a potential career path. Students will get the chance to hear from current apprentices working in companies like BAE Systems and take on board the experiences of others to aid them in their future career path. The recordings both from this year and previous years will be available via their portal which will be open all year round and showcase current engineering apprentice opportunities from their partners. Click here for more information.
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Engineering Construction Apprenticeship Webinar
One-hour webinar on apprenticeships in the engineering construction industry hosted by the ECITB (Engineering and Construction Industry Training Board). Hear from top employers and current apprentices as they share their experiences, insights, and tips to help you take your first steps into this dynamic industry and a career full of exciting possibilities. There will be a 30-minute Q&A at the end where you can ask your questions. You can also presubmit questions you’d like addressed during the webinar to [email protected], click here to register.
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Universities and colleges that accept T Levels for entry onto at least one course
Click here to view the full list of universities.
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Transport and Support Changes
Liverpool City Council is set to introduce changes to its Home-to vSchool and SEN Post-16 Transport Policy from September 2025. The updates aim to encourage active travel, greater independence and align policies with those of neighbouring authorities, and will take effect at the start of the new school year. Click here to find out more.
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You Are a Journalist Project – run by City of Liverpool College with the NCTJ
A new initiative 'You Are a Journalist' is set to launch on the 26th of February offering a unique four-week programme, designed to give practical journalism experience to students aged 16-18. This pioneering project aims to empower young voices, nurture talent, and break down barriers to entry within the media industry. The programme will welcome up to 16 students, providing hands-on training in essential journalism skills, including interviewing, studio production, and news reporting. Students will also have access to industry masterclasses led by professionals and will collaborate on projects that simulate a real-world newsroom environment. Building on the success of previous outreach projects "You Are a Journalist" is more than just a skills development program. It is designed to inspire confidence and ignite passion for journalism. Students do not need to have any prior experience, click here to register.
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Fully funded Marine Cadetships wanting local applications
Liverpool Marine Engineer and Naval Architects Guild have announced that they are sponsoring two fully funded cadetships – marine engineer or marine electrotechnical. And they are looking, in particular, to recruit from our area ie North West/North Wales. Degree-level training, sponsorship, technical expertise and adventure are also included, find out more here. To find out more about careers at sea click here.
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Word of the Week - FATE
Definition - A power that is believed to control what happens in the future.
From Latin: fatum "thing spoken (by the gods)" Usage - "fate decided his course for him"
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Vaping – We would like to remind you that we do not allow students to bring items such as cigarettes, lighters, matches or e-cigarettes/ vapes into school.
Zero Tolerance of Abuse - The NST has a zero-tolerance approach to abusive language, violence, aggression or harassment towards employees, governors and volunteers.
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