Regents Review Summer '18

The Regents Review Summer 2018

DEPARTMENTAL NEWS Mathematics Year 7 University Challenge Four Year 7 students were

reasoning abilities when applying additional information given to them.

Year 9 Itchen College GATEway visit and Oxford At Regents Park we are always looking for ways to inspire and challenge our students. The Gateway project, run by Itchen College, is a college taster day with a difference. It aims to provide insight into a day in the life of a college student but it also showcases the range of aspirational courses and opportunities that students can study when there. 14 Year 9 students from Regents Park attended the two day program which allowed them to experience taster sessions in core subjects and a huge range of optional courses, many of which can only be studied once they get to college. These included criminology, economics, law, psychology, government and politics. Students found the days engaging and enjoyable and said that it gave them a much better idea of what they may want to study in further education. A small group of students were also chosen to visit Oxford University as part of the extended program.

selected to represent Regents Park Community College in the regional ‘University Challenged’ competition held at the University of Southampton. The RPCC team went head to head against the eventual runners up and narrowly lost in a nail biting last few minutes. We had come from several points behind to even the scores at 95 points each. A tremendous achievement with some outstanding scientific and artistic knowledge shining through. With moments to spare, their opponents managed to buzz in and answer the starter question correctly, leaving our brave students knowing that there was nothing they could do as the seconds ticked away. In the afternoon session, our students took part in a scientific and psychology workshop where they discussed and justified their thoughts on questions such as: ‘Do animals do science?’ And ‘What is the most intelligent animal species?’ They were thoroughly impressive with their background knowledge but showed impressive analytical and

It was an excellent and challenging day for them and we hope it inspires them with their courses and further education choices. Year 8 Preparations for GCSE As we approach the summer holidays, Year 8 are approaching the end of KS3, where they have worked hard throughout this academic year. In September they will start studying towards their GCSEs. I am sure Year 8 are up to the challenge and will mature into great mathematicians over the next 3 years. To support in maths, students will need to be proficient in using scientific calculators, compasses and protractors. Students will need to purchase these to use in lessons and to support with homework tasks.

Numeracy Ninjas This is an initiative which was introduced last year and one which we have implemented to help improve students’ basic skills. Students in Year 7 have really enjoyed tackling ‘Numeracy Ninjas’ as their daily starter and are keen to see which belt they have achieved. Each year the GCSE examiner’s report highlights the impact of poor basic skills leading to errors. We feel that the work we are doing, coupled with students’ own independent work to improve their times tables, multiplication and division, will be key in enabling students to make good progress in mathematics. This, consequently, will enable them to face the challenges of the new GCSE with increased confidence. Students in Year 8 now have a weekly ‘Numeracy Ninjas’ lesson within their tutor time to continue their hard work from Year 7 on ‘Numeracy Ninjas’ and it will be interesting to see the impact of this work within their maths lessons.

This term we are celebrating the following students from 7BX, 7BW and 7GX who have been working really hard on their Ninjas and have been improving week on week.

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