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CAREERSNewsletter — September 2020INTRODUCTIONCONTENTS:WELCOME BACK!Welcome to the third edition of the new Careers Newsletter.Firstly, a very warm welcome to our new Year 7 studentsand to any Sixth Formers who have joined us from other schools.This monthly newsletter will be your guide to Careers and FuturePathways during your time at St Peter’s.In it you will find articles aimed at different year groups, keyinformation and dates and any local opportunities that we areaware of. There will also be interesting job profiles, university factfiles and helpful hints for our online Careers platform, Start. Youcan navigate through the newsletter using the contents on theright.CAREERS SUPPORT IN SCHOOLIf you need support you can get in touch: careers@st-peters.solihull.sch.ukMr Horsfield- Careers LeaderMrs Chander- Senior Leadership Team with Responsibility for CareersMrs Simmons- Work Experience & UCAS CoordinatorMrs Przyrodzki - Aspirations & Destinations CoordinatorMrs Stajka- Independent & Impartial Careers AdvisorONLINE CAREERS RESOURCESStart2Spotlight Degree 2Competition time 3Good & bad4Personal StatementsWhere are theynow?5UCAS Timeline6Spotlight Career7Developing yourYou can follow us on Twitter @stpeterscareer or visit the school8Personal Statementwebsite’s careers page. We post regular updates on the StudentHomepage plus opportunities and events are emailed directly tostudents, so keep checking your inbox. You can also use ourTeacher’s Corner 8fantastic Careers Platform, Start, by visiting www.startprofile.com.More info on Start inside!University Fact9FileFollow us!@stpeterscareerEmail us!careers@st-peters.solihull.sch.ukCareers Newsletter Page 1
START - YEAR 7 (AND ABOVE)WHAT IS START?Start is our comprehensive, online CareersPlatform. Every student will be given ausername and password to access Start. Start isa fantastic tool designed to connect pupils withtheir future pathways. The aim of Start is to giveevery pupil all of the information they mightneed for whatever pathway they want topursue.SPOTLIGHTDegree: MathematicsA list of wider reading /podcasts andsuper curricular activities that wouldhelp prepare for this course at degreelevel:“ABOUT ME”One of the best things about Start is how it canbe completely tailored to you. All you need todo is complete the About Me section on the MyProfile tab. This is split into four smallersections: My Interests, My Work Preferences,My Skills and My Qualities. Together, thesemake up your full profile and if you complete allof the sections, Start will suggest jobs that youmight be interested in! You can then explorethe pages in your own time and look at theinformation about each career. Just make sureyou press the Mark as Explored button once youhave read all ofthe information.Follow us!@stpeterscareerLara Alcock, How to think about analysisRoger Penrose, The emperor's new mindSimon Singh, Fermat’s Last TheoremWilliam Dunham, Euler, the Master ofUs AllMOOCsPlus MagazineUnderground MathematicsNRichTom Rocks Maths PodcastsBrilliantUniversity of Oxford MathematicsTED TalksNCETM PodcastUniversity of Birmingham LecturesEmail us!careers@st-peters.solihull.sch.ukCareers Newsletter Page 2
COMPETITION TIME - YEARS 7-13We are back for 2020 with our brand-new theme for this year's competition - EverydayHeroes!On International Literacy Day (Tuesday 8 September) entries will open for our secondnational writing competition, for 4-19 year olds across the UK.Following an extraordinary year of disruption, we want to highlight the positive storiesthat have emerged throughout the year as children write their own tales of someone whohas made a difference to them.Whether it’s a story about someone in their local community, a key worker making adifference, a family member or friend that inspires them or even a superhero from theirimagination, we want children and young people to get creative and reflect their ownpersonality, location and experiences in their tales. And who says the hero needs to be ahuman? It could be a story about a guide dog or even a cat that comes to save the day!Entries will need to be submitted online by 17:00 on Friday 27 November 2020, so theexpert judging panel can decide on the winning collection of short stories.The winning tales selected from schools and regions across the UK will be illustrated andpublished for all to enjoy.Find out more and register online.Follow us!@stpeterscareerEmail us!careers@st-peters.solihull.sch.ukCareers Newsletter Page 3
GOOD & BAD PERSONAL STATEMENTS - YEAR 13WHAT MAKES A GOOD PERSONAL STATEMENT?Read the following examples and discuss with someone what is good and badin the examples below.Example 1My interest in Politics was kindled by “Race of a Lifetime” by Heilemann andHalperin. I enjoyed how the book showed the human side and the differingpersonalities of US politicians, highlighting both their Machiavellian andemotional natures.Example 2In Charles Dickens’ novel, Hard Times, it is said that students are like vacantvessels waiting to be filled with facts. I like to think of myself as a vessel. Avessel which wants to be filed so that it can be ready to sail off into the openocean, heading for a shore far away on a lifelong journey.Example 3What first drew me to medicine was the challenge of diagnosis. I enjoydetective stories, but sixth-form maths and science captured me and I beganto realise that there were plots to be unravelled in medical science by amixture of rigorous scientific method and human insight. Spending six monthsvolunteering in the dementia unit of a local old peoples’ home helped me torealise there are often no simple solutions for difficult problems. Anotherexperience prompted me to find out more about what I had encountered: forexample, the use of monoclonal antibodies in the cancer drug Rituximab.Follow us!@stpeterscareerEmail us!careers@st-peters.solihull.sch.ukCareers Newsletter Page 4
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Edel Leydon1.When did you leave StPeter’s?your job?The main challenge I have faced since graduating,July 2014much like many people's biggest challenge in thelast year, has been covid-19. Being a newly2. What are your favouritequalified Doctor in the NHS during a globalmemories of school?pandemic came with lots of challenges andI have loads of fondrequired junior doctors to be very flexible andmemories of school including willing to work wherever we were needed most.the banter with the teachers7. What, if anything, do you wish you werein sixth form lessons andtaught at school in preparation for your future?making life long friends.I could definitely improve my public speaking3. What do you do now?skills and wish I'd taken more opportunities to doI am now a Foundation Year 2 Doctor (2nd yearthis at school when I was younger.as a doctor post qualifying) on a four-month8. What advice would you give to yourself inrotation in a GP practice in KentYear 11?4. What were the steps you took after schoolTry to plan ahead, be organised and arrange workthat led you to where you are today?experience early but remember to have a goodI completed my 5-year Medical degree at thebalance and have fun too!University of Birmingham graduating in July 2019.9. What are your career ambitions for theFollowing my degree, I worked as a FoundationYear 1 Doctor in Geriatric medicine, Urology and future?Intensive care medicine in a Hospital in SouthI am still undecided on what I would like toLondon.specialise in within medicine. During medicalschool I took a keen5. What made you decide to follow this careerinterest in surgery andpath?thought I would be moreI always knew I wanted a job that focused onlikely to choose a surgicalworking with people and was not office based.specialty than a medicalWith science and maths being my favouriteone. However since I havesubjects at school and being intrigued by thebecome a Doctor I havehuman mind and body medicine seemed to tick enjoyed my medical jobsall the boxes for me. I was also attracted to how so who knows? My mainbroad medicine is, it opens lots of doors andaim is to find a specialtythere are many different options within it.that I enjoy and findstimulating.6. What are the challenges you are facing inFollow us!@stpeterscareerEmail us!careers@st-peters.solihull.sch.ukCareers Newsletter Page 5
UCAS TIMELINE UPDATE - YEAR 1310 Jun 2020Students to have completed first draft of theirPersonal Statement and emailed this to their formtutor.30 Jun 2020Students to have registered with UCAS andcompleted the Personal Details section.17 Jul 2020Internal deadline for students interested in studying medicine,veterinary medicine/science, and dentistry, and courses at Oxford orCambridge to notify Mrs Przyrodzki of course choice and admissionstests and complete Personal Statements.7 Sep 2020Students to have completed final draft of Personal Statement andemailed this to their form tutor.8 Sep 2020First day for receipt of completed applications.1 Oct 2020Internal application deadline for courses in medicine, veterinarymedicine/science, and dentistry, and courses at Oxford orCambridge.15 Oct 2020Application deadline for courses in medicine, veterinary medicine/science, and dentistry, and courses at Oxford or Cambridge.20 Nov 2020 Internal application deadline for all UCAS Applications.15 Jan 2021Equal consideration application deadline.25 Feb 2021Extra opens.22 May 2021 Student Finance Application Deadline.30 Jun 2021Last date for applications before Clearing.Deadlines in blue are St Peter’s deadlines.Follow us!@stpeterscareerEmail us!careers@st-peters.solihull.sch.ukCareers Newsletter Page 6
SPOTLIGHTCareer: FarmingWhat is it? Being a farmer or farm manager is all about looking after the dayto-day running of a farm estate. This can involve tending to animals, raisingcrops, working machinery, managing staff and organising farmadministration. Farms are usually arable, dairy or livestock and are run byfarm management companies or single-owner farmers. Livestock are usuallypigs, cows or sheep and crops range from wheat, barley and rye to sugarbeet and linseed.How do I get into it? The usual minimum entry level for this role is a highereducation qualification such as a foundation degree, HNC/HND, or degree.There are a number of routes into this career. Hands-on farming experienceis essential and technical knowledge is very important so you could start outas an assistant manager, or as the manager of a production unit, and workyour way up to the role of farm manager.Where would I work? Most farmers work on a farm (obviously) but you mayalso be required to do some office work to take care of finances, supplies,maintenance, advertising and promotions.What are the other jobs available?Similar jobs include gamekeeper, zookeeper, kennel manager, forestmanager, landscape manager,botanist, greenkeeper, shepherd andtree surgeon.Check out the Start Job Profile Page for more information on this Career.Follow us!@stpeterscareerEmail us!careers@st-peters.solihull.sch.ukCareers Newsletter Page 7
DEVELOPING YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT - YEAR 13DISCUSSING SUPER CURRICULAR ACTIVITY WITHIN YOUR STATEMENTChoose a text/podcast/programme/picture/event/visit (or anything!) you haveexperienced outside the classroom that has contributed to your interest in thesubject you are applying for.If you haven’t found anything yet, try doing some research now!Jot down answers to any of the following questions:1. How does your item relate to the subject/course you areapplying for?2. Note down something you find interesting about the item.3. How does it relate to something you’ve learnt about before?Extension: What critical comments could you make?TEACHER’S CORNEREach edition of the Careers Newsletter will feature the university profile of a St. Peter’s teacher.This may inspire you or encourage you to ask them about their course or university that you may alsohave an interest in. They are more than happy to be approached (post lockdown) or via email.University profile of: Mr Turner, Modern Foreign Languages TeacherWhere did you study? University of BirminghamWhat type of accommodation did you live in? Shared flat on campus, shared flat in GermanyCourse studied: Single Honours German StudiesInteresting info/memories about your course or university? The amazing libraryand sports facilitiesFirst job after University: Teaching at Crestwood School, KingswinfordHow did you get into that field? I did a PGCE at Birmingham uni after my degreeAnything else about higher education you want to share? Treat it like a job, keepregular hours of study. If you get a chance to work or study abroad, take it! Don’tspend all your free time on Mario Kart, Football Manager or playing cricket.Follow us!@stpeterscareerEmail us!careers@st-peters.solihull.sch.ukCareers Newsletter Page 8
NAME OF UNIVERSITY: University of OxfordMOTTO LATIN: Dominus illuminatio meaMOTTO ENGLISH: The Lord is my lightHISTORYThe University of Oxford (legally TheChancellor, Masters and Scholars ofthe University of Oxford) is a collegiateresearch university in Oxford, England.There is evidence of teaching as earlyas 1096, making it the oldestuniversity in the English-speakingworld and the world's second-oldestuniversity in continuous operation. Tobe a member of the university, allstudents, and most academic staff,must also be a member of a college orhall. There are thirty-nine colleges ofthe University of Oxford, eachcontrolling its membership and withits own internal structure andactivities.National rankingsComplete University Guide (2020)2Guardian (2020)3Times / Sunday Times (2020)2Global rankingsAcademic Ranking of WorldUniversities ARWU (2019)7Times Higher Education WorldUniversity Rankings THE (2020)1Oxford is regularly ranked withinthe top 5 universities in the worldand is currently ranked first in theworld in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, aswell as the Forbes's World University Rankings.NOTABLE ALUMNI (FAMOUS OXONIANS)This list is extensive. 28 British Prime Ministers incl. Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair, Boris Johnson At least 30 other international leaders incl. Bill Clinton (USA), Aung San Suu Kyi(Burma), Indira Gandhi (India) World-renowned scientists incl. Stephen Hawking (physicist & mathematician),Dorothy Hodgkin (Nobel Prize-winning chemist), Tim Berners-Lee (invented theWorld Wide Web) Literary figures incl. Oscar Wilde (poet & playwright), J. R. R. Tolkein (writer, poet &academic), Vera Brittain (nurse, writer, feminist & socialist) Sporting legends incl. Imran Khan (cricket for Pakistan), Bill Bradley (pro basketballfor USA), Matthew Pinsent (rower for GB)Follow us!@stpeterscareerEmail us!careers@st-peters.solihull.sch.ukCareers Newsletter Page 9
veterinary medicine/science, and dentistry, and courses at Oxford or ambridge to notify Mrs Przyrodzki of course choice and admissions tests and complete Personal Statements. 7 Sep 2020 Students to have completed final draft of Personal Statement and emailed this to their form tutor. 8 Sep 2020 First day for receipt of completed applications.
