Varndean College S T U D E N T B U L L E T I N Monday 1 1 M arch 2013 Year One Students... Student Course Surveys - We need your feedback! We are looking to recruit and train new Student Mentors and Student Ambassadors for 2013-14. Student Mentors are paired with a new student to provide support settling in to college and with regular one-to-one support throughout the academic year. Student Ambassadors assist on New Student's Day, Year 10 days, Open Evenings, College inductions, etc. If you are interested in training for one or both of these exciting roles, please email Helen Chong for an application form hjc@varndean.ac.uk by Friday 22nd March. Your Teachers would really like to get your feedback, and so it would be great if you could fill in a short survey for us on each of your courses. This will then be used to help us develop our courses next year. All of the surveys you need to complete are available on your STS page. The surveys are open from 25 th February to 17 th March. Help with logging onto STS available in Room 34.1. If you would like to ask anything about the surveys and how they will be used, do pop in and talk to me; I have an office in Room 46 (Biology hut). Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. Jill Arnold HR and Quality Director Potential Oxbridge Applicants Ex-Varndean student Tasha Dhanraj, who is currently studying ay Oxford University, will be talking about her experience of applying to, and studying at Oxford at 1.25 in Room 43 on Thursday March 14. POLITICS SOCIETY Tasha is also a stand-up comedian; it could be an entertaining event... Sean McEvoy Summer 2013 Examinations ENTRY deadlines: A level (& GCSE Edexcel) Summer examinations Friday March 15 th Late Entry Fees will apply after this date Results Day: Summer 2013 examinations (A/A2): Thursday 15 th August Summer 2013 (GCSE): Thursday 22 nd August Stephen Caitlin (Independent Councillor - Lewes) talks on Ideology, local politics and decision to stand for election Timetables: IB Timetable: Thursday 2 nd May Wednesday 22 nd May Summer 2013 examinations (all): Monday 13 th May Monday 24 th June Room 57 Thursday 14 March 13.20-14.10
POST RESULTS SERVICES (AS & A2) JANUARY 2013 There are a number of services available to students following their results. Each of these services has a fee attached. Below you will see a list of the services available (with Varndean deadlines) and a list of fees (by Board) Service 1 A clerical re-check and a statement of the marks (28 th March) Service 2 Remark: A clerical re-check, a post-results review of marking and a statement of the marks by component for an individual candidate (28 th March) Please note: The cost of the return of script(s) is in addition to the Service fees. Access to Scripts You can just simply request the script. NB: If you ask for the original script you cannot then request a remark. Service 3 Photocopied Script prior to the submission of an enquiry about results (14 th March) Service 4 Original Script (25 th April). These are not usually despatched until late April/early May Alan Ball Examinations Officer 56215 Varndean College Well Done! Congratulations on a really great set of AS exam results from January! Many students did really well in relation to their target minimum grade after only a term of advanced level study. Remember that whereas at GCSE a C counts informally as a pass, grades D and E at As and A level standard are also pass grades: that s both for employers and higher education - they carry UCAS points for university entrance. If however you are disappointed with your result, perhaps because you got a U grade, don t give up hope! Speak to your teachers and your personal tutor about what you can do between March and May to turn things around. This might involve dropping in for additional support with study skills in room 23, making more use of materials on learn.varndean or spending more time each week in your new library in The Loft. There are lots of people in College who can help you improve make sure you use them! DUKE OF EDINBURGH S AWARD Unfortunately we have been unable to arrange an Expedition to count towards the Duke of Edinburgh Award this year. However, if there are any students who have signed up for the award, they may be interested in the following: An OPEN GOLD cycling expedition package in the LAKE DISTRICT taking place this year. This is an opportunity for all potential gold participants to do an exciting cycling expedition in one of the UK's most BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES. DATES - 19-23 August - North Lakes (Training and practice expedition) 28th October - 1st November Journey across the Lakes (Assessed expedition) CONTACT - Get in touch with expedition team on 01539 443157 or info@samsykesltd.co.uk for more information and how to book a place. Residential opportunities also available at Blackpool Zoo throughout 2013. Visit www.samsykesltd.co.uk
Welfare News Attention students Are your courses costly? Is your cash flow low? If you are a Brighton & Hove student (includes areas from Portslade to Saltdean ie, parents paying council tax to Brighton & Hove Council) you may be able to get financial help from a local educational trust fund. In the past these have helped students like you with the cost of sports gear, revision books, art equipment etc. See Linda Bailey, Welfare Adviser, opposite Room 2 for details / application forms. (Tues or Thurs lunchtimes). Don t delay - forms must be with Linda by Tuesday 23rd March. Please note these funds are targeted towards those in greatest need. Details of parental income will be asked for. Only students with a family income below 30,000 or facing personal hardship are encouraged to apply.