UTC Swindon

Dear all,

Today we welcomed our new year 10 cohort in for their transition day ahead of joining us in September. It was so good to see their enthusiasm and show them a bit more about what UTC Swindon has to offer. We also welcomed some of our new staff who will be joining us in the next academic year, Byron - Assistant Principal, Annabel – Teacher of Science and Lawrence – Teacher of Engineering. We also have an internal move with Jayne Rafferty becoming SENDCo.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back later in the year.

School has felt very quiet this week with our year 11s and 13s off enjoying an early summer after their exams and then also a large amount of our year 10s have been out on work experience. This is a fantastic opportunity for them to gain real life experience in careers they may be considering. It can also lead on to future employment.

Last week we welcomed Rolls Royce in to school with a careers stand and an assembly. They also ran an Engineering quiz, a branding exercise and an engine assembly activity. We are so fortunate to give our students access to such great employers.

The Year 11s BBQ party was a huge success. It was lovely to catch up with everyone after their exams and wish those of them not joining us for 6th form, luck in their next adventures. We hope to keep in touch with as many of them as we can and report back on how they are doing.

This year’s UTC Swindon vs UTC Oxfordshire Sports Day will be on the 19th of July at the County Ground; it will start at 09:30 and finish at 15:00. The charity that we will be supporting is the RSPCA.

We are delighted to share that we have been awarded a bronze certificate in rail safety following the work we have been doing with year 10 and 11 during tutor time. RSF (Rail Safe Friendly) is a movement run by Network Rail that was introduced to raise safety awareness in all schools and decrease trespassing on the railways.

Archaeology In The Park

Ever wondered how archaeologists decide where to put their trenches? Ever wondered how they reconstruct past civilisations from a handful of broken pottery? Ever wondered whether YOU would make a good archaeologist? Well now's your chance to find out. Join in between the 8th and 10th of September for a public archaeology excavation in GWR Park in the Railway Village, Swindon. More details here: Heritage Open Days: Archaeology In The Park

CyberFirst

Are you enthusiastic about technology and interested in exploring and expanding what you know about staying safe online? CyberFirst’s programme of free face-to-face and online summer courses could be just the thing to develop essential skills and bring a fresh purpose to your break.

The CyberFirst Defenders, Futures and Advanced courses are for 14 to 17-year-olds. You’ll learn all kinds of practical insights into digital safety and how everyday technology really works. Course content will be delivered in our usual fun and interesting way, and you’ll get to meet lots of like-minded students.

More information can be found here;

CyberFirst - https://www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk/cyberfirst?utm_source=Launch&utm_medium=UTC&utm_campaign=CyberFirst&utm_id=CyberFirst+2023

CyberFirst Defenders - https://www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk/cyberfirst-defenders?utm_source=Launch&utm_medium=UTC&utm_campaign=Defenders&utm_id=CyberFirst+2023

CyberFirst Futures - https://www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk/cyberfirst-futures?utm_source=Launch&utm_medium=UTC&utm_campaign=Futures&utm_id=CyberFirst+2023

CyberFirst Advanced - https://www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk/cyberfirst-Advanced?utm_source=Launch&utm_medium=UTC&utm_campaign=Advanced&utm_id=CyberFirst+2023

Year 12 Future Cities (Virtual) - 24 July to 26 July 2023

Future Cities is a virtual course, run in collaboration with experts from the University of Southampton and generously sponsored by the Ove Arup Foundation who are committed to promoting education and knowledge in the built environment through the interdisciplinary nature of design.

Students will get to explore how Civil Engineers design and develop these amazing structures, making our cities clean, safe and energy efficient. From skyscrapers and bridges to water and waste services, civil engineering is all around us.

This three-day virtual course will explore how Civil Engineers work on environmentally friendly infrastructure, but also manage existing public services and work to improve future sustainability.

Students will learn the social value of a career in Civil Engineering from leading academics and improve their CVs and UCAS applications.

Cost: £99

More information here: Small Peice Trust - Future Cities

Year 10 Human Habitat on Mars (virtual) - 29 August to 31 August 2023

Human Habitat on Mars will involve students in space exploration, how to get to Mars, how the journey would impact the human body, and look at Quantum Computing.

This course – which starts August 29 - is for Year 10 students and is run with the support and input from experts in their field from City, University of London.

Cost: £99 All kit included

More information here: Small Peice Trust - Human Habitat on Mars

MEDICAL WORK EXPERIENCE - Geriatric Care

Aspiring doctors will learn about the unique qualities and skills required to look after frail, older people who can present with atypical symptoms, such as confusion, and often have multiple comorbidities.

Students will join a medical team assessing a patient with new onset limb weakness and speech disturbance and observe the essential role of the multidisciplinary team in managing these complex health issues. They will also hear from geriatric care experts to understand how we can improve healthcare when people near the end of their lives.

Free registration link: https://wexlibrary.yourmedicfamily.org/courses/medic-mentor-work-experience-palliative-care/

DENTAL WORK EXPERIENCE - New Patients
Aspiring dentists will be introduced to the team at Dental Mentor Smiles and observe a range of both child and adult patient consultations. This includes a possible oral cancer diagnosis, aesthetic solutions and child safeguarding concerns. There will be debriefing sessions for each of the cases.
Free registration link: https://wexlibrary.yourmedicfamily.org/courses/dental-mentor-work-experience/

VET WORK EXPERIENCE – Surgery
Aspiring vets are welcomed into the world of small animal surgery! Chief Vet mentors will demonstrate how vets prepare owners for their pet’s surgery and administer anaesthesia and routine surgery.

Free registration link: https://wexlibrary.yourmedicfamily.org/courses/vet-mentor-virtual-work-experience-surgery/

The Student Leadership Board is providing a variety of enrichment activities to those in the

school community so that students can socially engage in non-curricular activities and have some fun.

Each club has a designated leader and room. Equipment is not provided for some of the clubs, such as music and DnD, so participants need to make sure they bring their own items when needed.

Please ask your student to contact any of the Student Board Leaders or Dani for more information

If your student intends to join the DnD club, please can you give consent for them to stay after school hours: Parental Consent

The timetable for the clubs is as follows:

Please do join our Parent Facebook Group, this is a community page, giving you the opportunity to meet, help each other and discuss anything related to UTC Swindon. Please be aware that this should not be used to liaise directly with the school. You can join the group here: UTC Swindon Parents Group

Please also remember to follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook as this helps with our marketing and publicity.

Boom Battle Bar are offering a free round of crazier golf in Swindon. So if you are looking for an exciting and safe family activity day this is the one for you. You can download the voucher here: Boom Battle Bar free round of crazier golf.

• Thursday 17th August – A level results day - Students will be able to pick up results from 09:30hrs to 12:00 hrs
• Thursday 24th August - GCSE results day - Students will be able to pick up their results from 09:30hrs to 12:00 hrs and enrol into the sixth form. Further communication about enrolment will be sent in due course

• Summer Term 2: Monday 5 June 2023 – Friday 21 July 2023

• Autumn Term 1: Tuesday 5 September 2023 – Wednesday 18 October 2023
• Autumn Term 2: Monday 30 October 2023 – Wednesday 20 December 2023
• Spring Term 1: Wednesday 10 January 2024 – Friday 9 February 2024
• Spring Term 2: Monday 19 February 2024 – Thursday 28 March 2024
• Summer Term 1: Tuesday 16 April 2024 – Friday 24 May 2024
• Summer Term 2: Monday 3 June 2024 – Wednesday 24 July 2024

Further details can be found on our website: Term Dates

Have a great weekend

Best wishes

Neil