Solihull Sixth Form College

It's a beautiful sunrise looking out over our newest buildings (Turvey, Hamilton and the Terrace) as we come to the end of the first week in the Spring term. It's just over a week until mock examinations start and the timetables are available on Arbor.

The Learning Resource Centre in Kitson Building is now operating extended opening hours. It is open for students from 8.00am – 5.00pm Monday to Thursday and until 4.30pm on Fridays. That’s more independent study time for learners to take advantage of.

On Thursday 23 January the College is holding an Open Evening (4.30 - 8.00pm). Lessons will be amended this day to allow staff time to set up for the event. The timetable for the day will be:
9.00am – 10.30am - Column D (same as usual)
10.45am – 12.15pm - Column E (same for both Y12 & Y13). There will be no intervention slot.
12.15pm – 1.00pm - Lunch (same for all students)
1.00 – 2.30 - Column C (change for both Y12 & Y13)

The Book Society are looking for copies of the following books: Dracula - Bram Stoker, It - Steven King, Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte, Murder on the Orient Express - Agatha Christie, any Greek Mythology books. If you have copies please drop them off at the SDO Office. They will be read and then donated to charity.

Yesterday afternoon we marked the opening of the Turvey Building with a small celebration. His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands Derrick Anderson CBE was present to cut the ribbon and we were also joined by Dr Elisabeth Blagrove from University of Warwick, former teacher Malcolm Turvey (who the building is named after) and many other past and present colleagues. The building was designed and built by TG Escapes Eco-Buildings with sustainability in mind and we were delighted to have their team in attendance too.

Welcome back for the start of the Spring Term to all our learners. Many BTEC students start their examinations today – we wish you all the best of luck.

Welcome to all our colleagues from Cockshut Hill School, Lyndon School and Ninestiles Academy, who are visiting the College for Staff Development Day today.

Learning resumes next week. Monday is a Staff Development Day, but students are back in lessons on Tuesday 7 January. We look forward to welcoming everyone back onto campus. P.S. Thanks to TG Escapes Eco-Buildings for the fantastic photo!

Happy New Year from everyone at Solihull Sixth Form College.

Huge congratulations to ex-student Dannielle Khan on receiving an MBE in the King’s New Years Honours list following her Paralympic success this year with Lizzi Jordan. We’re proud of you!

Autumn Term ends today and College will be closed for the next two weeks. We hope everyone in our community has a very enjoyable Christmas and New Year break.

Students on the Practical Science & Forensic Investigation enrichment participated in a winter-themed practical this week, as they learnt why snowflakes grow in so many different shapes. They grew their own ‘snow’ crystals and investigated how different chemicals react with water.

Please note that mock examinations for Year 13s take place from Monday 20 – Friday 24 January inclusive. During this period, Year 13 A level learners attend their exams, but have no lessons. This also applies to Year 13 Single BTEC, Criminology and Core Maths lessons. Students on the following courses will be expected to attend lessons as normal: Year 13 BTEC Double, Year 13 BTEC Triple, Year 13 T level, Year 13 learners on pick up programmes in Year 12 A level & BTEC classes and Year 13 students taking GCSE English Language and GCSE Maths (unless they have an exam at that time). Many BTEC students also have exams between Monday 6 – Monday 20 January. Good luck to all our students!

BTEC Applied Science students have been completing their crime scene assessments at the end of term for the ‘Forensic Evidence, Collection and Analysis’ part of their course – they have been dressed in scene of crime clothing to make it as realistic as possible, as they hunt for clues at their crime scenes.