Student Experiences

Sixth Form debate at the Cambridge Union

Friday, 23 March 2012 09:30

Anisha Patel, Lewis Smith, Sam Beardmore, Zaira Palumbo, Sophie Betts, Jasmine Barnes and Fleur Kenneally represented the sixth form at the European Youth Parliament Regional Forum which was held at the Cambridge Union on Wednesday 21 March. Using the team's research, Sophie, produced an excellent speech proposing a solution to current energy price concerns. Our motion was the second debate of the day and our opening speech was delivered with assurance at the despatch box by Zaira. After an enthusiastic debate in the forum, Lewis took to the despatch box to summarise the points in our favour with calm authority. Despite an impressive performance our motion was defeated, however the jury commended our team on their research, their engagement and their ability to get their message across.

I would like to congratulate the students for their teamwork on the day and their courage at participating in a formal debate in such a historic setting. They should feel very proud of their achievement.

Cathy Askham
Sixth Form Deputy Head

A Level Business and Economics students visit the Bank of England and 2012 Olympic Park

Wednesday, 14 December 2011 00:00

On Thursday 8 December 27 A Level Business and Economics students travelled to London to visit the Bank of England museum and 2012 Olympic Park.

The Bank of England museum told the story of the Bank from its foundation in 1964 to its role today as the United Kingdom’s central bank.  The students discovered why the bank is sometimes referred to as the ‘old lady’ of Threadneedle street and whilst inside they were challenged to lift a slab of gold worth an estimated £500,000.

The students then braved the cold for a walking tour of the 2012 Olympic Park looking at the regeneration of parts of East London and the creation of the new Olympic area. The tour led us along the industrial Lower River Lea Valley past one of the old locks to a viewing point where the Olympic stadium and other 2012 venues could be seen.

The students learnt how London’s successful 2005 bid for the games was the legacy of this area and what the plans are for the future of the site after 2012.

The students finished the day with a visit to Westfield Stratford City, Europe’s largest urban shopping mall. Westfield Stratford City is the start of the Olympic legacy and the gateway to the Olympic park with spectacular views over London. 

An enjoyable day was had by all.

Anna Thurlow
Head of Business Studies

Year 13 attend AQA English Literature Conference at the University of London

Friday, 09 December 2011 00:00

At the end of November a group of Year 13 English Literature students attended a conference at the University of London, along with Mrs Watts, Mr Jones and Ms Harris.  We heard lectures from University professors on love in the nineteenth century novel; we had an entertaining lecture from an actor and director on why he believes Shakespeare was forever mocking romantic love; and the Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy read and spoke about some of her love poems, provoking some interesting reactions from our students.

Nick Jones
English Department

Well done to Ben Gaunt who got Carol Ann Duffy to autograph his
copy of The World's Wife!

Senior Students attend Leadership Training Day

Friday, 07 October 2011 00:00

Senior students take part in a team building exercise

On Friday 30 September, a group of 18 Senior Students and 3 Year 12 students took park in a Leadership training day at The Open Venue on Bank Plain in Norwich.  This was run by MoCo a consultancy company who designed the programme of events especially for our students.

When we arrived, we were greeted by Steve from MoCo who was to lead the programme. The students had been asked to prepare a three minute presentation on a leader of their choice. Before doing this they examined the feelings surrounding getting up and speaking in front of their peers and how they could use these feelings to their advantage.  The presentations varied greatly in subject choice, from Princess Diana, Nelson Mandela, Lady Gaga and even Darth Vader!

Other activities throughout the day looked at different styles of leadership and what makes a good leader.  Through presentations and listening to each other, this gave the students the opportunity to realise that there are many different styles of leadership and many different qualities which can be valuable in leading people.

The afternoon session of the course gave the students a further chance to see how important team work is.  One activity in particular proved very popular, picking up buckets and arranging them in a tower, not only in a certain order, in a race against another team but, most crucially with out touching the buckets at all, only using a bungee cord.  This activity proved just how essential collaborating as a team is.

Overall, this was a great day which was not only very enjoyable for all the students who attended but provided them with the knowledge of leadership and their own skills.

Claire Pullen
Sixth Form Academic Mentor and Gifted and Talented Co-ordinator

Sixth Form Students Visit Nottingham Trent University

Friday, 22 July 2011 07:57

Students outside Nottingham Trent University

On the 12 July, thirty two of the Kett Sixth Form students attended a trip to Nottingham Trent University. When we arrived, we were taken through the Newton and Arkwright building (which is new to the university) to a small lecture room to be introduced to five student ambassadors and where were given a presentation by the activities officer from the outreach department. The presentation covered university life, finance, UCAS application, personal statements and accommodation.  It was split up into two sections and in between we were put into groups and taken on a tour with a student ambassador allocated to each group.  It was really good to walk around the university to get an idea of what it would be like to study there, also to pick up vibes and the atmosphere.  In addition, having a student ambassador who studied/studying there was brilliant as the group received first hand experiences and an honest opinion about certain aspects to the university and living in Nottingham. We were also taken to the city campus and shown where we could possibly stay and how much certain places were. We were advised about car permits and local transport and how far away certain landmarks were which was very useful as you could apply those thoughts about transport and travelling to any university you choose to attend.

After a lunch break and seeing how cheap food and drink was in the café, we headed back to the small lecture room for the remaining presentation.  The main topic was finance and applying to UCAS, she talked about loans and how the system of fees works when coming to pay it off, reassuring us that the increasing fees should not put off us going to university. Then the next few slides provided useful tips about UCAS application and personal statements.

Finally, we were then put into groups again with a student ambassador to create a presentation of our own on a certain topic, for example; student accommodation. This not only helped the group find out more about these topics but informed the other groups what we had found out when we came to present it in front of the class.

Overall, speaking on behalf of the other thirty two students, the trip was a success and I think everyone could come away with at least one valuable lesson about Nottingham Trent University and University itself.

Chloe White

A-Level Physics Students Visit The Norfolk & Norwich Hospital

Friday, 27 May 2011 10:57

Pictured from left are Ike Okoye, Blaine Kenneally and
Toby Barrett outside the Norfolk and Norwich
radiotherapy department

On the 26 May the Upper Sixth Physics group went to the Norfolk & Norwich Hospital to visit the Radiotherapy and Nuclear medicine departments. The tour was based around a patient’s experience of detection, planning and treatment of cancerous growths using high and low energy radiation. Imaging techniques such as CT and the gamma camera were looked at and explained by the professionals, who use them on a daily basis; treatment plans were also modelled and explained.

The tour continued to the high energy linear accelerators used in administering radiotherapy. It makes a huge difference to an understanding of the Physics behind a machine such as the Linear Accelerator if you see one in the flesh. An appreciation of how it is explained to a patient with little or no scientific background was also invaluable, as the experience of radiotherapy could easily be unsettling for a patient; working in a hospital definitely requires people skills.

If you think you might be interested in a career in radiotherapy or radiography and would like to speak to someone then please contact me. The Physics department has established good links with the hospital and can put you in touch with the relevant people.

Stephen Ashbee
Head of Physics

Ike tests the radioactivity of a source used for implant into patients

Treatment plans are explained

Ike, Blaine and Toby pictured with the £2 million Linear Accelerator’

Angel Baton Twirlers Success at the National Finals

Friday, 13 May 2011 08:51

Pictured from left to right are Grace Sturman,
Lauren Stearman, Amber Stewart, Sophie Chittock
and Melissa Bowling

Sprowston High students Melissa Bowling (Year 9) and myself Lauren Stearman, who are both members of the Angel Baton Twirlers travelled to Crawley recently to compete in the Baton Twirling National Finals.  We were part of hundreds of athletes who attended the individual national finals to compete against England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the Isle of White, after qualifying through both regional and area competitions.

It was a successful weekend for the Angel Baton Twirlers who brought home seven national titles, three of which were awarded to Melissa Bowling and myself.  Both Melissa and I will now train for the World Baton Twirling Federation 2011 International Cup which will be held at the Jacksonville Veteran’s Memorial Arena from Thursday, August 4 to Sunday, August 7.

We will be attending the Family Fun Day on the 4 June 2011 to raise money for our trip to the USA.   If you are interested in sponsoring us for the trip to the competition then contact Ann Cullum, Troupe Leader on 07884 408414.

Lauren Stearman
(Year 13)

View related article on the Evening News website

Sixth Form Students Visit Italy

Wednesday, 11 May 2011 13:11

Mark Cotter, Janis Brown and I took 19 sixth form students to Italy for a 4 day trip at the beginning of the Easter holidays. We arrived in Naples in the morning on the Thursday after an extremely early start. The weather was beautiful, and the scenery between Naples and Sorrento is really fantastic. We spent the afternoon shopping in Sorrento, after a slap up pizza meal in the town.

On the Friday we had an early start, taking the train to Pompeii where we met our guide Mario. The entire morning was spent looking at the main attractions in the ancient city including the amphitheatre, takeaway shops, temples and even a brothel! We then took the train further along the line to Ercolano, to visit the town of Herculaneum. Being a smaller site, we managed to see nearly all of the houses, and a bath suite. Only one fifth of the site has been excavated, as the modern day town has been built above it.

Saturday was yet another beautiful day, when we took the train to Sorrento, then a ferry over to the exclusive island of Capri. We enjoyed a full day there, taking a furnicular to the top of the island where we went window shopping in the designer shops. We headed back through Sorrento for some final bits of shopping, then back to the hotel for a gorgeous last night meal.

The final day was the earliest start, arriving at a mozzarella farm at 8.30am where we saw mozzarella being made, and then got to sample it. The final part of the trip involved being driven up the side of the volcano Mount Vesuvius, and then walking to the top to see the crater itself. If it had been less cloudy, I am sure the views would have been amazing; as it was, just being on the top of a live volcano was pretty impressive!

We arrived back at Sprowston tired but happy. All the students were a pleasure to take away, and I hope they have as many good memories as I do.

Sarah Copsey

Year 12 Students Visit King's College Cambridge

Thursday, 07 April 2011 08:13

On Wednesday 23rd March, the Year 12 Gifted and Talented group enjoyed a visit to King's College, Cambridge. Our visit was led by Kristy Guneratne, the Schools Liaison Officer at King's. On arrival, the first thing the group got to experience was eating lunch in the dining hall at King’s.  The students also had a very informative talk on ‘How Cambridge Works’ This included details such as how to apply, what the differences are within the colleges, the deadline date for applications and what to expect should you be asked to an interview at Cambridge. Kristy was also joined by Nicola; an English undergraduate at King’s who provided the group with a student’s perspective. This was then followed by an opportunity for the students to ask questions. This talk was so useful to the students, and really provided them with first hand knowledge of Cambridge University.

The students were also given a tour of King’s college which gave them access to areas ordinarily only available to undergraduates. This gave them an insight to the facilities that the college and Cambridge University itself has to offer.

Overall, this proved to be not only a very enjoyable day for the Year 12 Gifted and Talented group, but an extremely useful day which we hope has inspired many of the students to think of applying to Cambridge University, as well as to university in general.

Claire Pullen (Gifted and Talented Co-ordinator)

Year 13 Trip to the Norwich Combined Courts

Monday, 14 March 2011 10:34

On Friday the 4th of March a group of Year 13 Law students spent a very interesting morning at the Norwich Combined Courts; their visit focused, in particular, on the Criminal Justice System and the Crown Courts.

Mr Michael Huggins, Chief Usher, led the proceedings which began with an interactive presentation, clearly designed, to move students ‘out of their comfort zone’; enabling students to empathise with court procedures. The workshop covered the functioning of the Crown Court on a daily basis covering administration to actual jury trial.

The interactive nature of the event allowed students to view the criminal law in a realistic context, therefore, being able to empathise in a way that is not possible in a classroom environment. In addition, Mr Huggins had many interesting stories to tell , while at the same time dispelling the ‘myths’ often put forward by the media in relation to crime and the Criminal Justice System.

Students had access to a criminal trial and found the Judge’s summing up to the Jury of special interest. All students clearly enjoyed the morning and agreed that this was a very interesting and valuable experience.

Kim Steele-Atkinson