Events 2011
Open Day at the University of Oxford
On Tuesday 27th September, Ridgeway were invited to join a host of other schools at an open day at the University of Oxford. And so, with almost 200 miles to travel, ten Year 11 students who were shocked to find that there is actually a 5:30 in the morning as well as the evening, hopped in a minibus and set off.
The weather was glorious and did nothing but highlight the splendour of the city of Oxford and the many colleges that make up its world renown University. The similarities to Harry Potter's own Hogwarts were not merely fleeting, as parts of the films were actually shot around the campus.
The students were able to choose between taster courses in Humanities, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences, all taken by Oxford lecturers. Both students and staff were also taken through the financial side of attending University. During dinner time, rather than sitting back on their laurels, the students took a stroll to the Oxford Museum of Natural History, where Mr Evans was able to get a snap of "the Oxford dodo". This is the only specimen of the extinct bird left in the world from which any DNA material can be extracted. The afternoon brought another sample of University education for the students and rounded off with a wander about the city and McFlurries for all!
A thoroughly enjoyable and informative time was had and it is hoped that this will be the start of a long relationship between Ridgeway High School and Oxford.
Mr. J. Evans
On Tuesday 27th September, ten students from Year 11, accompanied by Mr Evans and Mrs McKibbin, embarked on an exciting trip to Oxford University.
The day began at 5.30am when we all met outside school to await the coach. By 6am we were all happily on board and making our way along the motorway to the elusive city of Oxford.
After a long journey we arrived in the magnificent city, famous for its exceptional University. As we were early, we had just enough time to briefly look around before making our way to Jesus College to register.
At 10.30am we all went to one of the lecture theatres in Jesus College to have a short introduction to Oxford and the day by Sue Morris, the School’s Liaison Officer. We then got separated into our groups depending on what options we had chosen.
As I had chosen Life Sciences, my first lecture was medicine in St. Peters College. We had to diagnose a patient with bowel cancer and suggest a course of treatment. Since everyone else had chosen the Humanities route, their first lecture was French language where they wrote footnotes for a book. This lecture took place in Jesus College. We then returned to the JCR (Junior Common Room) in Jesus College for lunch. However, Mr Evans offered to take us to the Oxford Museum of Natural History. It was a really interesting place and we even saw the Oxford Dodo!
After lunch, I had a Zoology lecture in Brasenose College where we synthesised human, chimp and gorilla DNA coding for haemoglobin using paper clips. It was really interesting and I learnt a lot! The Humanities group went to Merton College for a Philosophy lecture. Jess Owen, a student on the trip said, “It was a really mind-blowing experience; I loved it!”
At 2.45pm, all of the groups returned to the lecture theatre in Jesus College to talk about what to do once we decide to leave school, give feedback and then depart. Before we left, however, we decided to go on an optional tour of Jesus College with a current undergraduate. This was very insightful and gave us a chance to see University life. Finally, after an exciting and extremely tiring day, we boarded the coach for the long trip home.
Jessica Mitchell, 11XR
