Celebrating The Class of 2009 - (3) New Kids In Town

Bablake always welcomes a healthy number of new students to its Sixth Form and the Class of 2009 has been no exception as almost two dozen pupils joined us after their GCSEs. This was a record number of new entrants, joining from as far afield as mainland China.

All have flourished in their new surroundings and contributed in so many ways to help make our Sixth Form a strong, successful community. New students have starred in the classroom and beyond, whether with the BASE competition, Chemistry or Mathematics Olympiads, our 1st XV or student journalism. Love Oko produced an innovative application using Videoscribe for a summer school place in Hong Kong, hoping to follow her placement in Germany last summer, while many of the students have been superb ambassadors for Bablake and the Sixth Form at Open Evenings.

Mr Mark Woodward, Head of Careers, added: "I have noticed those who join the Sixth Form not only contribute to Bablake so widely, but they are the most active in seeking advice for future plans beyond school. Ali Hijazie's fundraising for Papyrus with fellow students Joshan Hundal and Ben Jones was outstanding, while so many of our new pupils have been key members of our charity groups. Seb Harding has impressed me greatly with his attention to the exciting resurgence of apprenticeship options. He has now received offers from a set of very desirable employers, highly sought after by top graduates, so is already ahead of the game with his planned degree apprenticeship."

He added: "Ali-Hamzah Ahmed is one student who has epitomised everything that is impressive about our new pupils. He has produced some exceptional assemblies for Bayley House, using technology to enhance the delivery, and has been a keen A level candidate, with a clear interest in planning his life beyond a degree. He looked closely at options with Year in Industry, before choosing a one year ICT apprenticeship with Warwickshire County Council, and is working keenly to gain a place for September 2017 to study a degree in Physics in London. He even co-DJed our Crystal Ball earlier this year."

We wish our 'new kids in town' all the very best for their future beyond Bablake.