Year 12 is an important one as the students make the leap from GCSE study to AS Levels, and the past few weeks has inevitably seen some movement as students make sure they have picked the courses that best align with their strengths. Given the importance of these early weeks, we are naturally cautious about piling on pressure about ‘what comes next?’ already, so the Careers and Higher Education work we do will build slowly. First up, there will be elements in camp week where we begin to think about what the future might hold - including the first in-person university fair that we have been able to hold for many years; we will be hosting approximately 60 universities. Next comes Thrive, our internship programme; students will be introduced to the programme towards the end of this term, and begin applying for positions in term two. Whilst Chris and Renie are always available in the HE office, we begin in-depth one-to-one meetings after the mocks to help guide students in planning for year thirteen. And in term three, once the stress and strain of AS exams have passed, we host the HE Days where we really dig deep into the university systems around the world.

For those of you with students in year 13, no doubt you have seen them busily working on their personal statements. These might have a different style depending on the university/country the student is applying to but you will always prove to be a useful proofreader to ensure it sounds like it is their voice - after all, you know them best.  At school they will work with their tutors, subject specialists, and Chris and Renie in the HE Department to hone their statement(s) over many drafts and iterations. For me (Chris) this is one of my favourite parts of the job as I get to learn something new every year!

Much has been made in the press and social media of the wonderful success in offers from Harvard (one of just three Malaysians to have been offered a place), and Cambridge (St. John's is pictured at the top of this newsletter) but we have enjoyed a real wealth of success across the board which will see students heading to nine different countries in the coming weeks and months. Students will be studying everything from Acting to Veterinary Medicine at more than 30 different institutions. What is most exciting, is that thanks to our great alumni network, we hope to see some of them back in school talking with your students about university life in the not too distant future.

We will aim to produce a termly newsletter such as this. But if you have any questions in the meantime please do get in touch.  You can email Chris Mercer or Renie Leng