Last week, Year 9 students took part in Options Week. A reminder that the deadline for Options Forms to be submitted is today. If you have any queries please contact Mrs Hart A.Hart@sharplesschool.co.uk. Options Week included an assembly, a tutorial in completing the online options form, Options Evening, and taster activities in the many options subjects available to choose from.
The PE department welcomed former student Irfan Kawri (pictured above) back to the school to speak to Year 9 about possible careers in sport and also share some important life lessons he has learnt from his career in sport. Key messages included resilience, character and the importance of body language. Irfan has a background in Education (Teaching and Pastoral) Coaching, Mentoring and Coach Development. He has spent the last 14 years working in Football at Elite level, this includes the professional and semi – professional game. Irfan is a UEFA A licence coach and has been an opposition scout for a number of Premier league and Championship first teams.
In Performing Arts, Year 9 students completed the Curious Minds wheel of life activity ‘Shape your future – learning to balance a creative career’ where they reflected on which of the following elements were most important to them; finance, career, fun/recreation, personal growth, health, family/friends, relationships and the environment. This activity focused students to consider what working life might look like for them. We then read through interviews and watched vlogs on individual creative careers pathways, as everybody’s career path in creative arts is unique and personal to them. Students completed a creative careers case study worksheet, based on the interviews, which support young people as they develop awareness and excitement about their future pathways.
In Technology, Year 9 pupils experienced GCSE Photography, Product Design and Engineering. They were given an insight into user-centered design, assembling products using technical drawings, and editing photographs to be in the style of Quentin Jones. Pupils were provided with lots of key concepts that run throughout each of the GCSE courses, and given a clear idea of what to expect in Year 10 and 11.
Year 9 pupils were also offered the opportunity to gain an insight into health and social care, child development, fashion design (pictured), and hospitality and catering. Pupils attended a lecture style event in the theatre which ensured that each subject specialist was able to offer a clear insight into the courses that we run and answer any subject specific questions. The taster sessions went really well, all pupils completed a take away sheet with information they had gained from the event.
