Cife Ceremony held at the House of Lords

House of Lords Prize Ceremony March 2012

10/04/2012 00:00:00

The annual CIFE Academic Awards presentation took place on Monday 19th March 2012 at the House of Lords. These awards recognise outstanding academic achievement of students who attend CIFE colleges. The standard is exceptionally high with many of those shortlisted having achieved 100% in individual A level modules.

It was very pleasing, therefore, that three Collingham students had been selected to receive awards presented by Baroness Perry of Southwark. Baroness Perry is a former Chief Inspector of Schools and the Honorary President of the Council for Independent Education (CIFE).

Giles Howdle received the CIFE award for Visual and Creative Arts. After achieving an A* and three A grades at A level, Giles has gone on to study Philosophy at King's College London.

Max Wagner received the CIFE award for Humanities and English. Max achieved the maximum possible marks in a number of units at A level. He is now studying Politics at LSE.

Paul Linshits received a CIFE college award for all-round achievement. Paul joined Collingham in his last year of GCSE study. He took five A levels, achieving two A* grades, two A grades and a B. Paul is now at Pembroke College, Oxford reading History and Economics.

Baroness Perry congratulated all the students who had been given awards: "It is a great pleasure to celebrate the wonderful achievement not only of these outstanding young people but also their parents for supporting them and all their teachers and colleges."

Exciting GCSE trip to Bulgaria

18/03/2012 00:00:00

Click here for photos

History of Art visit 2012

25/01/2012 00:00:00

AS and A2 students will be visiting the Courtauld Gallery on Tuesday 31 January to view 19th and 20th century paintings in the collection. Of particular interest will be works by the Impressionists and Post Impressionists.

Philosophy: Conference in March

25/01/2012 00:00:00

The Philosophy Department will be attending a one-day Philosophy conference at Heythrop College, University of London, on Friday March 9th. Speakers include Michael Lacewing, author of the A-level coursebooks. Click here for the full schedule.

Launch of LAMDA at Collingham

15/11/2011 00:00:00

LAMDA public speaking and performance training will be starting at Collingham in January 2012.

The classes, which are conducted on a one-to-one basis, allow students to develop confidence and skill in performance and public speaking. Students will have the opportunity to take a graded performance exam.

LAMDA qualifications add interest to UCAS personal statements and can even add UCAS points.

LAMDA and UCAS points.pdf

Success for Collingham Students 2011

13/09/2011 00:00:00

Collingham would like to congratulate all its students on their excellent results this year!

These students are some of our High Flyers of 2011 who deserve particular mention:

Collingham Stars Summer 2011

PAUL LINSHITS

Paul joined Collingham in his last year of GCSE study. He took five A levels, achieving:

Economics               A*

German                    A*

Maths                       A

Film Studies              A

History                      B

His choice of subjects reflect his wide ranging interests. A keen chess player, he is also fascinated by anything to do with films. He has gained a place at Pembroke College, Oxford to reading History and Economics.

Giles Howdle

English A*

Philosophy A

Film Studies A

Photography A

Giles did his sixth form studies over two years at Collingham. He is now at King’s College London reading Philosophy, and thoroughly enjoying the course, he says.

Arthur Harding

Philosophy A

Chemsitry A

Maths A

Arthur did his GCSEs at Collingham (all A or A*) before proceeding to the A-level Department. He has a place at Queen Mary University of London to read Maths, and intends to specialise in Statistics, applying statistical analysis to financial and economic issues. He has done work experience with a commodity trading adviser, and is aiming for a career in finance ‘within the square mile’.

Josh Fricker

Politics A

Economics A

Art A

Josh has a passion for Politics and is going to study it at the University of Southampton. His practical experience includes working for Ed Balls’ leadership campaign, and working for his local MP. Josh plays rugby to a high standard, has completed his RYA advanced sailing certificate, and has taken his power boating licence.

Max Wagner

Politics A*

Classical Civilisation A*

History A

Max achieved full marks in a number of units. His results are all the more impressive in view of his year’s work having been hampered by illness. He is going to study Politics at LSE, where no doubt he will impress students and lecturers with his encyclopaedic knowledge of American Politics.

Farah Alkandari

Chemistry A

Physics A

Biology B

Farah has her sights set on a medical career, and with these results she will be going to the University of Aberdeen to study Medicine. She has a scholarship from the Government of Kuwait, and her work experience includes volunteering for the Kuwait Association for the Care of Children in Hospitals.

Maurice Baz

Maths A

Spanish A

Economics B

Maurice has added these impressive results to the A grade he already has in French. He will be travelling in South America and South Africa from January 2012, and is applying to universities in the U.S.A.

Alexander West

Chemistry A

Having gained A grades at A level in Maths, Biology, Economics, and Italian, Alex decided that Biomedical Science was what he wanted to study, so he did the one-year course in Chemistry. Alex is now taking up his place at Lincoln College Oxford to read Biomedical Science. He is a regional-level tennis player, and has grade 8 piano. He does volunteer work helping children and young people who have the Ilizarov frame, having himself undergone this bone-lengthening procedure.

Peter Johnson

Maths A

Chemistry A

Physics A

Biology B

Peter joined Collingham from Radley, following in the footsteps of his two elder brothers. After doing one-year courses, he has improved his BBBC results to AAAB, and has a place at Imperial to read Chemistry. Hs passion for renaissance-era history and art has taken him to Italy and Istanbul. His hobbies include rowing and rugby.

Kathleen Sayers

Geography A*

Philosophy A

Politics A

Kathleen had been doing an Architecture degree at Manchester, but decided on a change of direction and a different set of A levels. After these excellent results on the one-year courses she is going to study Philosophy at Exeter. She is particularly interested in Philosophy of Language and Sociolinguistics, eg ‘the emphasis British society places on accent and dialect and the way this links with our stratified class system’.

Collingham Students House of Lords Prize Ceremony 2011

19/05/2011 00:00:00

Collingham Students in House of Lords CIFE Prize Ceremony

Collingham students have recently been awarded academic prizes by the Baroness Perry in a ceremony at the House of Lords.

Prize for outstanding A level achievement in Humanties was awarded to James Woolsey.

James demonstrated outstanding academic performance across his A level subjects. He achieved four A grades, two of them at A* and he was only ½ % off an A* in English Literature. James is now on his gap year and is currently working in a preparatory school as a classroom assistant. He also plans to travel and work on a Geography project. James’s achievement is particularly notable as he had been home-schooled for the previous two years before commencing his studies at Collingham.

Prize for outstanding A level achievement in Modern Languages was awarded to George Taylor.

George joined Collingham from Winchester College after taking his GCSEs. His A*s in French and Spanish reflect his excellent linguistic abilities. He also achieved an A grade in History. George had a lively intellectual approach to his subjects and was an enthusiastic contributor to class discussion. He worked in part-time paid employment during his final A level year. George is now reading Modern Languages at Leeds University.

The College Prize for overall outstanding academic achievement was awarded to Zayd Sharif.

Zayd was awarded the College Prize in recognition of his contribution to the academic and social life of the college. Having successfully overcome a serious illness, he achieved top grades in his A level examinations. A focused and determined pre-medical student, Zayd submitted an outstanding medical application. He carried out voluntary work with the Red Cross, played an active role in raising funds for the Coombe Trust, as well as designing and producing a Christmas card in aid of the paediatric diabetes department at his local NHS hospital. Zayd also set up a book collection aimed at older children for the children’s library to which many students at Collingham donated. He is currently studying Medicine at St Georges.

GCSE Trip to Iceland 2011

21/03/2011 00:00:00

GCSE Trip to Iceland - 2011

Students in the GCSE Department thoroughly enjoyed visiting Iceland in March. They flew to Reykjavik where they were based. The students enjoyed a number of great excursions, including one to see the Northern Lights and a visit to the Blue Lagoon.

Skiers had two days skiing at the local resort of Bláfjöll. Non-skiers visited the geysers and went whale-watching.

The students stand in front of the Geyser waiting for the next eruption.

The high latitudes and long dark winter nights gave the Collingham students a chance to try their hand at night skiing.

The students are standing on the viewing platform of Gullfoss,one of the main waterfalls in Golden triangle.

Two students skiing and snowboarding at Bláfjöll.

Oxford and Cambridge University Success

17/01/2011 00:00:00

We are delighted to congratulate the following Collingham students on receiving offers this year from Oxford and Cambridge Universities:

Paul Linshits - History and Economics

Adrian Mallevays - Classics

Klarissa Munz - Theology

Alexander West - Sciences

Excellent Results for Collingham A Level Students 2010

25/09/2010 00:00:00

Collingham would like to congratulate all its students on their excellent results this year!

These students are some of our High Flyers of 2010 who deserve particular mention:

Halima Abba

Economics A*
Maths A
Chemistry A
Further Maths AS A
Extended Project A

Halima was full of energy and fun and always looking to challenge herself academically. Her extended essay on microfinance possibilities in Northern Nigeria reflected Halima’s character, being professional, conscientious, informative and accessible, as well as thoroughly charming. Halima also took part in a national Economics Challenge, where she had to justify the opportunity costs of her choice of policy options within budgetary constraints. We expect to see Halima justifying her political and economic views on Question Time in the not so distant future.

Halima has now started a BA (Hons) in Law at Kings College, University of London.

James Woolsey

Geography   A*
Philosophy  A*
English  A
History  A

James’ outstanding performance, with four A grades, two of them at A* earned him a place at UCL to read Geography. He was only ½ % off an A* in English. James intends to take a gap year, during which he will travel and work on a Geography project. He may also have time to improve his golf handicap (golf is one of his passions), currently 10.

James Bourke

English Literature A
Mathematics A
Physcis A

James’s results were excellent and were all the more of an achievement given that he studied each of his three subjects over one year. James became known as Collingham’s “Renaissance Man” due to his interests and talents across both the Humanities and the Sciences.

Although James’s tutors all felt that he has a promising future in comedy script writing, he has taken up his first-choice place at Leeds University to read Economics.

Volante Pepera

Geography A
English A
Philosophy B

Volante grew up in Germany and was educated in the German system before joining the sixth form at Collingham in Autumn 2008. Her A-level success means that she will be taking up her place at her first-choice university, Sussex, where she will be reading International Relations. She has work experience in Public Relations, and her reading covers the subjects of global warming and disaster capitalism, as well as the German classics.

Patrick Denning

Philosophy   A*
Classical Civilisation  B
History  B

Patrick’s successful results mean that he will be going to his first-choice university, Reading, to read his first-choice subject, Philosophy – though with his exceptionally lucid and logical mind he might one day make a first-class lawyer. Patrick is intellectually ambitious, and his everyday reading tends to consist of the likes of Paradise Lost and Spinoza’s Ethics.

Laura Bowler

English Literature A
Philosophy A
History A

Laura came to Collingham to complete her A Levels. Having been disappointed with her AS results at her previous school, she embarked on one-year courses in English Literature and Philosophy; thus her results are all the more impressive.

Laura has a quiet demeanour but is articulate with a steely determination and cool judgement, attributes that will serve her well in her future life as a barrister. We congratulate Laura for having achieved her ambition of studying Law at Exeter University.

Farbod Faraji

Maths A
Further Maths A
Biology A
Chemistry A

Farbod came to Collingham having completed his education in Iran. Whilst working hard to improve his English, he achieved these impressive results enabling him to continue on to Warwick University to study Civil Engineering.

Pre-Medical Students

India Miskin

Biology A
Chemistry A

India came to Collingham as a mature student having read English Literature at Oxford University. With a driving ambition to become a doctor, she embarked on one-year A Level courses in Biology and Chemistry, achieving A grades in both, and successfully secured a place to read Medicine at Kings College, University of London.

With a very real commitment to medicine and much practical work experience, India was one of the most impressive medical students at mock interview Collingham has seen in some time..

Zayd Sharif

Biology A
Chemistry A
Physics B

A focused and determined pre-medical student, Zayd submitted an outstanding medical application. He was well prepared for the writing of Personal Statement, having carried out voluntary work with the Red Cross, played an active role in raising funds for the Coombe Trust, as well as designing and producing a Christmas card in aid of the paediatric diabetes department at his local NHS hospital. Zayd also set up a book collection aimed at older children for the children’s library to which many students at Collingham donated.

Zayd is now reading Medicine at St Georges, University of London.

Testimonials 2010-11

25/09/2010 00:00:00

Thank you to our students and parents for the following comments this year:

"[Collingham] accepted Katherine and she flourished. They said: “She’s very clever and she should try for Oxford — for Balliol, because they like eccentrics.” We thought: “Are we putting too much on her?” When her results came out, she called us and said: “I’ve got As.” We burst into tears. Katharine was into Balliol." (Ann Leslie, Journalist, Sunday Times, January 2010)

"The skill and the enthusiasm of the tutors helped my son to develop a sincere enjoyment of his subjects. We are particularly grateful for the time he spent at Collingham. It has been one of the most positive of his educational life, benefitting him enormously from the friendly environment and high calibre teaching." (Collingham Sixth Form Parent, 2011)

"Our son has grown in maturity, peace of mind, direction and has faced up to the requirements of the examiners and the 'system'. The tutors have been truly excellent and we are very pleased with his progress." (Collingham Sixth Form Parent, 2011)

"Thank you so much for teaching me for the last few months. For something I was so angry about in the first place, it turned out to be brilliant and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it." (Collingham Sixth Form Re-taker, 2011)

"Our son thorougly enjoyed his time with you and, as well as achieving good A level grades, he gained a lot of confidence and made many new friends in the process." (Collingham Sixth Form Parent, 2011)

"I have been accepted into the university of my choice and I know that I would have never been able to come this far without your help and support ... I thank you from the bottom of my heart" (Collingham Sixth Form Leaver, 2010)

"Visiting the school, seeing the happy faces of energetic young people on the stairs, and meeting you, all combined to convince me that my son would be a lucky boy if he could finish his A levels at Collingham next year." (Collingham Visitor, 2010)

"... you challenged me to push myself further ..." (Collingham Sixth
Form Leaver, 2010)

"Thank you very much for your wonderful teaching :)" (Collingham Sixth Form Leaver, 2010)

"Thank you soooo much for all the help you have given me over the past month! I really appreciate it!" (Collingham Re-taker, 2010)

"... inspirational teaching ... you've made so much possible." (Collingham Sixth Form Parent, 2010)

"He went on to get As in all his A levels, go to Oxford and get a First in Maths and Philosophy and is now studying for a Masters in Economics in Madrid. Thank you once more." (Collingham Sixth Form Parent, 2011)

Collingham Students Receive Awards for Outstanding Performance

17/08/2010 00:00:00

Cife Ceremony held at the House of Lords with awards presented by Baroness Perry
Collingham students Crystal van Oosterom, Georgina Wilkin and Omar Asfar have won three of the prestigious prizes awarded annually by CIFE for outstanding performance in the summer A level examinations.

Crystal van Oosterom was awarded a prize for academic excellence across the board in all her subjects: A level French, Economics, Mathematics and AS level Biology. Her total scores in her A level subjects were: French 576/600, Economics 513/600 and Maths 569/600 – including scores of 100% in five units. Crystal’s achievements are all the more impressive given that she is only 16 years old and took all her A level courses in one year She has secured a place to read Economics with Management at Oxford University for autumn 2010.

Georgina Wilkin won a prize for excellence in the Creative Arts. She gained a near-perfect score of 580/600 in History of Art A level, and 575/600 for her A level Fine Art. Her final art work piece included insects which she had embalmed using an amazingly intricate technique. Georgina studied for her A levels in one year, while simultaneously working part-time as a fashion model.

Omar Asfar was awarded the College prize for his contribution to the life of the College during the two years he was here. Omar joined Collingham in September 2008, after previously being educated in the USA. He took A level course in History, Politics and Philosophy over two years, achieving three A grades. In his first year, he also gained a B grade at AS level Latin.

Omar played an active part in all student activities, including participating in debates and playing competitive chess; he was always keen to engage in discussions and to investigate both historical events and philosophical issues, often by means of interrogating willing tutors whom he intercepted in the hall! His enthusiasm for study and scholarship often served to help and encourage fellow students, especially at moments when their morale might have been flagging temporarily.

Omar gained a place to study Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford, where he is thoroughly enjoying the opportunities to explore his subjects using the extraordinary wealth of resources available through the university. He will also, doubtless, play a major role in the life of the student Common Room and the Students’ Union.

Collingham Student Art selected for Prestigious Exhibition

16/08/2010 00:00:00

Collingham Student Art selected for Prestigious Exhibition

George Lawrence-Brown's self-portrait has been selected for the Royal Society of Portrait Painters annual exhibition.

Tutors-v-Students Football Match

16/08/2010 00:00:00

TUTORS – V – STUDENTS FOOTBALL MATCH

Victory two years in a row for the Tutors after this hard-fought, well-deserved 3-2 win in the warm late-afternoon sun means that they are on an unbeaten 24-month winning streak!

The teams were introduced to the visiting dignitary and Fulham fan Mr David Broad of the F.O. who had flown in for the occasion, this time from India.

With the Students a man short the Tutors had to help out by offering them Floyd on a short loan. Absent for the Tutors, injured or skiving, were Cook, Crundwell, Hunt, and Jenkins.

The Tutors usually get off to a good start until lack of fitness takes its toll, and sure enough the game was only a few minutes old when Emma collected a through ball from Banks and put a low right-foot shot just wide. 10 minutes later the move was repeated, and this time the shot was inside the post: 1-0 to the Tutors, and loud celebrations from Caroline on her World Cup-style vuvuzela.

After 15 minutes reinforcements arrived for the undermanned students in the shape of Josh and Alex. Jamie was raining in shots on goal, one of which was turned around the near post. Two Jeri corners ensued, one to the near post, bundled behind by Aytac, the other to the far post, where an impressive first-time volley by Ralph was parried by Masters.

After 17 minutes a goalmouth scramble resulted in the unfortunate Billy putting the ball into his own net: 2-0 to the Tutors. But the Tutors were lucky to get away with it when Paci’s backpass to the keeper went unpunished.

Pierre was treating us to some effective if unconventional tackling, and Jeri was showing good ball retention. Deft interplay by the students down the left: Alex to Jeri, then a neat one-two with Paul. The students were pressing effectively and closing down space. Martin was a midfield dynamo, beating Banks and Collins, then hustling Vaiani.

The Luis Figo shirt that Max was disporting might more appropriately have been a Rory Delap shirt, as his long throws threatened the Tutors’ penalty area.

Jamie was the first injury, having to come off with cramp. Alex was bursting through the middle, and Jeri was playing deeper as the half ended.

Half-time entertainment consisted in a rugger ball being punted to and fro, and orange slices courtesy of Caroline. Changes included Pierre having to come off (‘hay fever’ allegedly), and Paci swapping with Masters in goal. No doubt skipper Bilic brought out the hairdryer to use on his squad.

The second half began with yet another fierce shot from Jeri, Paci making an instinctive point-blank save. Vaiani performed a neat aile de pigeon (thanks for that, Susan), but unfortunately it went straight to Martin.

Vaiani’s trickery on the right wing led to the best move of the match: Vaiani back to Bilic, first-time through-ball to Floyd, first-time shot just wide. But the main action was at the other end, where from a yard out Jeri netted, after Paci couldn’t bring the ball under control: 2-1 to the Tutors.

Bilic treated us to a signature mazy dribble. His shot was saved, and from the rebound his spectacular volley was blocked. Remarkably, there was no let-up in the pace, despite the hot late-afternoon sun. Wood was effective at the back for the Tutors, and Merton-Smith raided down the left with a neat petit pont (‘nutmeg’ to you and me).

For the Students, Ralph was tirelessly energetic in midfield, Paul was quietly knitting play together, and Will was a rock in defence, confidently tidying up in front of keeper Rory. But not even Will could block another brilliant goal by Emma, a right-foot shot from 8 yards: 3-1 to the Tutors.

Almost instantly the students replied: Martin’s shot from the right was saved, but Josh struck the rebound home from close range. 3-2 to the Tutors. No doubt the unreliable jabulani ball was to blame.

Nerves were jangling as the clock ticked down, and the tutors had serious defending to do, Collins pulling off a brilliant block from a corner. But the tutors were still dangerous on the break: Vanderpool had an effort saved, and from Emma’s pass Vaiani pulled his shot just wide.

As ever, the final scoreline was disputed, a number of shots having hit or grazed or gone just over the non-existent woodwork. But 3-2 is the official result. As the final whistle went Caroline and Lee were already passing round the sandwiches and bubbly.

Man of the match: Emma

Teams
Tutors (4-4-2): Masters; Wood, Paci, Aytac, Vanderpool; Floyd, Banks; Merton-Smith, Vaiani; Bilic (captain), Emma Gallwey
Substitutes: Collins

Students (4-5-1): Rory Chittick; Pierre Francois, Martin Ellul, Will Farrell, Billy Harvey; Paul Linshits Max Wagner, Ralph Touma, Josh Fricker, Alex Wilshaw; Jeri McTaggart(captain)

Photographs courtesy of Valentina and April