On Friday 22nd September, our Sixth Form were privileged to have an assembly delivered by Stewart Dempsey, Lead Army Recruiter for the Regional Officer Recruiting Team.
The presentation was all about the different routes into joining the Army, as well as gaining an insight into each of the roles and also how you can apply for a bursary.
At the end of the presentation, students were given an opportunity to ask questions, which proved very popular. At the end of assembly, all students were invited to an Army Officer Insight Day at Sandhurst on Saturday 18th November. Please click the link for more details: Army Officer Insight Information – Sandhurst
We are trying to build up a careers programme that will support every student at Presdales School with their future decisions.
As part of this process we would like to increase the number of employer encounters that each student receives and it would be great if parents could support us with this endeavour.
Please click here to complete a short survey detailing what support you feel you can offer.
Thank you in advance and please let us know if you have any questions: jstephenson@presdales.herts.sch.uk
Our recent Careers Week included representatives from a number of different sectors including Law, Medicine, Banking, Emergency services and Graphic Design. Each completed a presentation and question and answer session which were well received by the students.
As part of the National Careers Week, Presdales organised invaluable mock interviews for all our Year 10 students. It was a very enjoyable day with excellent participation and interaction from the students. The feedback, from the external interviewers, was extremely positive. This will definitely be repeated going forward as it proved to be a very beneficial session for all concerned.
During January and February the Year 10 students have taken part in a CV and interview skills workshop, in place of their PE lesson. Sarah Gardiner from Services for Young People (SfYP) has helped them with their interview techniques and they were able to spend time working on their CV’s.
This is in preparation for their mock interview, ‘Big Interview Day’, on Friday 10th March.
This week we welcomed representatives from both Tesco and GSK into assemblies to speak to Years 8 to 11 about apprenticeship opportunities post-16 and post-18. Jo Drewitt, Head of Development Programmes from Tesco, and Kathy Freeman, the Early Talent Manager from GSK, and current GSK apprenticeship students gave our students information to consider regarding possible routes into apprenticeships.
For further information about Apprenticeships, please visit our Careers page on the school website or refer to Mrs Stephenson’s email of 6th February 2023 which had the following links:
https://amazingapprenticeships.com/parent-zone
https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk
On Thursday 10th November, 30 students, who are considering pursuing a college pathway, visited both the Broxbourne and Ware Hertford Regional College campuses. They visited different departments and thoroughly enjoyed participating in taster sessions in Hairdressing and Art & Design.
The remainder of the year group had taster lessons in A Level subjects that they are thinking of studying in September. These students were able to attend sample sessions in every subject offered.
On Tuesday 31st October Year 8 students participated in a virtual STEM morning. Through a live stream students meet Engineers. The students were given two Challenges. Working to a tight deadline, students built an Eco Factory Roller Loader, this was a marble run to safely move a product from A to B, the slower the better. Well done to the winning group, Jemima, Kennedy, Liv, Millie, Charlotte and Emily. The second challenge was called BEST Pitch, teams had to brainstorm and come up with an idea for an invention or piece of tech, and then present their ideas to the others in their form group. The winning idea was a Colour Changing Radiator. Excellent work by Mia, Gabby, Mia, Sienna R and Sienna Musk.
“I really enjoyed the virtual steam week video call because it was fun and gave a lot of inspiration to do a stem involved job. My favourite part is when we had to make a marble take the longest to touch the floor whilst moving. Overall, it was a great experience and recommend it for future years”. Amelie Langford
On Wednesday Medical Mavericks spent time with Year 9, they explored different professions in the NHS and had a chance to try out a range of medical equipment.
• Ultrasound • Pulse Doppler • Keyhole Surgery • Blood vessels infrared Vein scanner • Recording an ECG • Exploring the eye • Hearing • Reflexes
What the students had to say:
‘I really enjoyed Medical Mavericks. It was really fun and exciting to learn about what practice is like with different professions. I love learning about the less well known jobs. The activities were interesting, I especially enjoyed the drunk goggles and looking at growth plates to see if I was going to grow taller. Great experience.’ Athene 9IS
‘I loved the Medical Mavericks lesson. I really enjoyed being able to use all the equipment that would actually be used in a hospital.’
‘The Medical Mavericks was an interesting experience. It allowed us to do things with proper/ modified medical equipment. I enjoyed doing keyhole surgery. Drawing blood was definitely the worst, it was difficult. I was the session had been longer!’ Cecilia 9IS
‘I really enjoyed Medical Mavericks, as it gave us a taster activity into what the different Jobs are in the NHS. I think it was really cool how they can tell if we will grow taller or not. That was my favourite.’ Marlee 9IS
On Thursday morning Dr Tina Chowdhury came in and talked to students in the Upper School about her research and work in Bioengineering. Dr Chowdhury works with a cross-disciplinary research team at Queen Mary’s. Her work looks into preterm premature rupture of the fetal membrane. Her team are working hard to find solutions and also investigating the possible cause, including black carbon particles (from pollution) and their presence in the fetus.
Simon Green and Chelsie Graffato gave a presentation to Year 10 about Green Building Design. Simon is a local Green Building Design consultant. They shared the experiences with the students, describing the different areas of building service engineering, the skills required and the pathways into engineering.
When students return after half term we will be hosting our first STEAM week. This will encourage students to think about careers and promote valuable skills required for their future.
Activities taking place include:
• Virtual STEM morning for Year 8 (working with the PPMA)
• Medical Mavericks for Year 9
• Guest Speakers for Year 10-13
• DT Careers morning for Year 9 (an exciting range of fashion, textiles, product and industrial designers who will run workshops throughout the morning)
The following week is Bebra Coding Competition, open to all year groups, if students would like to participate, please see Mr Bedwell.
Year 7 students have more events to come, including an Arts careers afternoon and an Army STEM day.
Finally, if you have a career in STEAM we would love to hear from you, it would be wonderful if you could share your experiences with Presdales students. Please email nwarburton@presdales.herts.sch.uk or jstephenson@presdales.herts.sch.uk
Latest News
Coming Up
w/c Monday 2nd
Parks House Charity Week
Wednesday 4th
Year 11 Printmaking Workshop (1)
GCSE PE NEA Information Evening, 6pm
A Level PE NEA Information Evening, 7pm
Thursday 5th
Year 11 Preparing for GCSE Maths workshop, 6pm
Contact Us
Presdales School
Hoe Lane
Ware
Hertfordshire
SG12 9NX
Tel: 01920 462210
admin@presdales.herts.sch.uk
Headteacher:
Mr Warren
