Siena Society examines the importance of a Catholic education

The Siena Society had its first lecture of the summer term on Thursday 26^th May at 7.00pm. The Society aims to deliver thought-provoking, inspirational talks which will challenge pupils’ thinking and widen their horizons.

Thursday’s lecture, “The Role of Catholic Education in a Secular Society”, was presented by Christian Daw, Head of Sixth Form at St James’s School.  Christian Daw is a former Benedictine monk and his personal experiences and academic credentials made the evening’s talk an intellectual tour de force.  He focused on Catholic education as “witness to hope” and its place in the modern world.  He believes Catholic schools should be

•                     a school of prayer and service
•                    a place of communion and dialogue
•                    a place of forgiveness
•                   a place where all are invited.

The event was attended by staff, governors and parents but any pupil who has intellectual aspirations should definitely attend future lectures.

NEXT EVENT:          David Marshall – Theatre Director, English Teacher and

Wilderness Trips Organizer – “Uncovering Your Wild Side”

June 9th 7pm

Studying Abroad - a better option?

With the costs for studying at UK universities set to increase from 2012, are there better options to be had abroad?  Not only just financially, but academically and through the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2010-11, 16 of the top 20 universities are in North America, followed by 3 UK universities and Hong Kong.

So why consider it?  Here are some thoughts:

• Best rankings: it may surprise you to read that Tokyo, Singapore and Melbourne rank ahead of Edinburgh, while the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Göttingen and the Karolinksa Institute in Sweden outrank Bristol University
• Financial help: studying at many European universities remains virtually free - one of the benefits of EU membership. In the Netherlands for example, non Dutch EU students are entitled to a state maintenance grant as long as they undertake paid work for a certain number of hours per month.  But remember, you won't be eligible for UK student loans and grants outside of the UK.
• More challenging: "...it's more challenging that going to a local university and you experience new ways of studying, as well as a different working culture" Beatrice Merrick, director of services and research at the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA)
• Job hunting: becoming a globally aware graduate makes you stand out to multinational businesses looking to hire.  Also the Bologna Process has helped to standardise degrees across Europe, making a foreign degree more likely to be accepted and understood by UK employers
• No need to learn the language: most courses are taught in English.  In fact Dutch universities are actively recruiting UK students with over 200 undergraduate courses available in English.
• Combine business with pleasure: once your studying in the country, doing some travel out of term is a hugh money saver 

What to do next?  There is no UCAS system for Europe so you must approach the universities direct.  A good place to start is the Times University Rankings to get in touch. Also try the International Student Message Board or  Study Overseas UK who are holding an education fair on Friday June 3rd from 1-7pm in Russell Square, London. Here you can meet representatives from international universities and see what is available, understand the visa process and how to go about it.

Finally it is worth remembering about all the small print items like health insurance, visas, accommodation and living costs.  All of these will be more complicated and potentially add to your budget so it's worth doing the research now to see what's possible.

(More information can be found at The Telegraph)

Exam advice: Relax, and go with the flow

Relax, and go with the flow from Antony Seldon, Master of Wellington College in this week's Telegraph.

Open Days - fashion, scuba diving and volunteering

Fancy making a statement with your gap year and making it not only memorable but worthwhile?


You could work with the Bahamas National Trust to survey the Island's valuable reef and its inhabitants and become a trained PADI scuba diver while you work.  Other opportunities available are trekking in Borneo, working on medical projects in Ecuador or training to become a ski instructor.


Some inspiration from Gapforce (see their blog for first hand accounts) could help you decide what you want to do or sign up for their open day on 4th June in London.


Or you could meet VSO this evening in London and talk to volunteers and staff about what opportunities are available on their open evening.  The VSO has two youth programmes aimed at ages 18-25.

If fashion is more your style, then the Fashion Retail Academy has an open day on May 18th where they aim to provide truly vocational education through full time courses and work placements right in the heart of London's fashion arena just off Oxford Street.


Please make sure you register online for any of the open days.

The Siena Society: Summer Term Events

Our list of summer term speakers is now available.  

Please click on the flyer below for more details.

Please click on the flyer above to zoom

Universities announce fees for 2012

Universities are starting to publish their intended tuition fees for 2012 and courtesy of The Guardian a full list is available here (this link will download a spreadsheet).

The maximum amount a university can set is £9,000 and an increasing amount of universities are willing to charge this. It is interesting to note that all 123 universities and university colleges in the UK will charge at least £6,000 per year to full-time undergraduates.  Universities must publish an access agreement with Offa detailing financial support and targets for widening student applications from all education sectors and backgrounds in order to charge more than the new basic fee of £6,000 per year.

Some interesting universities to note are in Wales: Welsh undergraduates wishing to study at Aberystwyth University will only be charged £3,375 per year but any students from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland will have to pay £9,000 maximum. This move could set a trend for all Welsh universities.

Full figures will be confirmed by Offa, the independent watchdog after they have been approved on 11th July 2011.

Offa website