Mr C Dodd – Staff Editor
GSAL Opportunities
All departments offer a range of subject enrichment opportunities; please speak to your subject teacher to find out more. The following opportunities may also be of interest:
Model United Nations Society –Miss Haigh & Mr Stodolny
Debating Society –Mrs Rees, Mr Morley, Mr Westwood, Miss Simpson
Public Speaking –Mrs Kurczij
LEAP (Business Enterprise) –Ms Ward
Extended Project Qualification – Mrs Walker
Aspire & Widening Perspectives (Sixth Form Enrichment) –Mr Rushworth
B
External Opportunites
These opportunities are in addition to those advertised via subject teachers, year group bulletins and the Higher Education team. Pay attention to all notices and check your school emails regularly.
The enrichment opportunities listed below are updated regularly. Please report any missing or broken hyperlinks.
The Widening Participation programme seeks to increase both the number and proportion of people from under-represented and disadvantaged groups accessing higher education. Students from lower income households, people with disabilities and some ethnic minority groups may be eligible.
Find out more about Widening Access & Participation at Oxford
Find out more about Widening Participation at Cambridge
**NEW** University of York Open Lectures
Every term, the University organises free open lectures on a wide variety of topics and aimed at a general audience. Some lectures require pre-booking. Where tickets are needed, this is also indicated in the publicity.
**NEW** Oxford Language Open Days
Year 12 students who are interested in applying for languages at Oxford are encouraged to attend an open day. The individual language open days offer a stimulating insight into what it’s like to study languages at Oxford, with taster lectures and information about the course. Click here to find out more, or speak to Mr Hele (Languages).
**NEW** Flash Fiction Language Competitions (French/Spanish)
The Flash Fiction Competitions in French and Spanish are now open for submissions. Students are invited to submit a short story of 100 words or fewer on a topic of their choosing. The story should be written in French or Spanish. There are two categories of entry per language: one for students in Years 7-11, and another for students in Years 12-13. Entries will be judged on imagination and creativity, as well as linguistic ability. Deadline: 31st March 2019. Click here to find out more, or speak to Mr Hele (Languages).
**NEW** Cambridge Subject Masterclasses
Masterclasses are great for year 12s (or equivalent) looking to gain an idea of what studying a particular subject at university will be like. Join us to experience two taster lectures led by our academics, gain information about applying to Cambridge, and speak to current undergraduates. Bookings are now open—Find out more.
**NEW** Cambridge Subject Matters
Subject Matters events aim to help Year 10s and Year 11s (or equivalent) make informed A level choices. With advice from experienced Admissions Tutors, these events are not to be missed. Bookings are still being taken for sessions in January and February 2019! Book now.
**NEW** Oxford University Faculty of Law Open Days
Nominations are now open for The Faculty of Law Open Days in March 2019 – on Monday 11th, Tuesday 12th, and Wednesday 13th. This is an excellent opportunity to find out what it’s really like to study Law at Oxford. For further information on the process please speak to Mr Yates (History).
**NEW** Women’s Taster Day for Classics and English
On Tuesday 19 February 2019, Murray Edwards College will be holding a Taster Day for young women in Year 12 who are considering studying either Classics or English at degree level. Further information and an online booking form can be found at: https://www.murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk/classics-and-english-taster-day-tuesday-19-february-2019.
**NEW** Women’s Taster Day for Geography and History
On Friday 22 February 2019, Murray Edwards College will be holding a Taster Day for young women in Year 12 who are considering studying Geography or History at degree level. The Further information and an online booking form can be found at: https://www.murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk/geography-and-history-taster-day-friday-22-february-2019
**NEW** GSAL Singapore STEM Trip
We are pleased to announce that there will be a trip to Singapore in October 2019. This unique experience is aimed at inspiring any Year 11-13 students that are considering Engineering as a career. We are fortunate to be visiting both Tanglin Trust and Dulwich College; which are two of the best schools in Asia where we will be taking part in a number of educational activities. We are also intending to visit Siemens, Autodesk, The National Design Centre and the Physics Institute. This is an excellent opportunity to experience world class companies in an awe inspiring environment. Speak to a member of DT staff ASAP.
**NEW** BP’s Ultimate STEM Challenge
This year the BP Ultimate STEM Challenge is asking UK students aged 11 to 14 to put their science, technology, engineering and maths skills to the test and reimagine a solution to a real-life problem. There are some great prizes on offer. Deadline: 1st March 2019. Click here to find out more, or speak to Mr Bagshaw (DT).
**NEW** McKinsey Leadership Academy
What’s not to like about a (free) post-exam summer school, run by what is probably the world’s most famous firm of management consultants? If this is of any interest it might well be worth sending off a short CV and applying. Find out more here, or speak to Mr Law (Economics).
**NEW** BASE Investor Challenge
BASE is ICAEW’s National Business and Accounting competition for students aged 16-17. Students are able to engage in business challenges that enable them to develop key employability skills and understand what it’s like to be an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. Click here to find out more, or speak to Mrs Walker (Careers).
**NEW** The World Today/Financial Times Essay Competition
We are inviting school and college students around the world who are aged between 16 and 19 to send an article of up to 500 words to answer this question: ‘If you were UN Secretary-General for a day, what would be your first action, and why?’ The competition closes on March 8, 2019. Click here to find out more.
**NEW** Talk by Professor Lord Winston
Professor Lord Winston of science, medicine, TV and literary fame will be visiting GSAL on Wednesday 13th February to speak to our pupils in Year 11 and Sixth Form.
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
A fascinating range of exhibitions, lectures and other events nationally—check out what’s on now.Modern Languages Schools Essay Prize
Organised by the University of Lancaster and open to all students in Year 12, the theme for this year is ‘Learn languages to speak to the future’. Essays should be written in French, German or Spanish, maximum 500 words. The deadline for entries is Monday 10th December 2018. Speak to Mr Hele or click here for more information.
Egyptology and Assyriology Study Day
Hosted by Emmanuel College, Cambridge, on Thursday 17th January 2019. Click here to find out more and book your free place.
Oxbridge Academic Summer Study Programs
Applications are now open for summer study programs in a wide range of different subjects including Medicine, Law, Business and Psychology. Click here to find out more.
Oxford German Olympiad 2019
Entries are now open for this annual competition, the theme of which this year is ‘animals and monsters’ in the German-speaking world. Individual and team entries accepted. Click here for more information, or speak to Mr Hill in school. Deadline: 15th March 2019.
New College of Humanities Essay Competition
Open to all students in Year 12, there is a 1st prize of £1,000 up for grabs; there are seven essay titles to choose from across a broad range of humanities and social sciences topics. Click here for more information and to enter the competition. Closing date: 31st January 2019.
Debate Chamber Summer Schools
The Debate Chamber offers a range of fun and challenging Summer Schools for students aged 11-18, giving participants the opportunity to explore some fascinating subjects in a more sophisticated way than is often available at school. The courses focus on developing intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and the desire to pursue ideas independently.
Student Investor Challenge
This is an interactive online share trading game open to any students in Years 10-13. The winners get a week long, all expenses paid educational trip to New York. Students don’t need any previous share trading knowledge. Click here to find out more, and also speak to Mr Stevenson (Economics) in school.
Mensa: The High IQ Society
An IQ score is a quantifiable measure which can complement GCSE and A-Level results to help you stand out. A Mensa supervised IQ test normally costs around £25. Click here to find out more, or speak to Mr Dodd (geography).
Win a Trip to Paris
The University of London in Paris is offering AS/A-Level students the chance to win a weekend in Paris. All you have to do is visit their website, watch a video and answer a few questions.
Poetry By Heart
Learn by heart, recite and record a poem from their First World War collection. 18th December 2018.
University Open Days & Taster Days
Check out the full calendar of university open days; for university taster days, click here to browse a wide variety of university courses and gain insight into university life and career opportunities.
Year 11 Subjects Matters
October-January. Each autumn, the University of Cambridge runs practical and informative sessions for Year 11 students. The events, called The Subject Matters, highlight the importance of making suitable subject choices when making an application to a selective, research-led university.
Media Society Talk
Former GSAL student Joe Wallen is visiting us on October 11th before he takes up post as foreign correspondent in China for The Independent. See Mrs Kurczij for more information.
Cambridge Religion on Film Competition
This year’s theme is RELIGIOUS SPACES. We are looking to reward creative film-makers who are interested in exploring religious spaces – such as religious buildings, sacred places, a natural space or environment, sites of commemoration or memorial, or community spaces. There is a £500 prize fund. Deadline for entries: 10th December 2018. Find more here.
The Marshall Society Conference (Economics)
This is the official Economics Society of the University of Cambridge and their next conference, open to Sixth Form students, will be on Saturday 2nd February 2019. Speak to a subject teacher or click here for more information.
Arkwright Engineering Scholarships (Engineering/Computing/Design)
Identifying, inspiring and nurturing future leaders in engineering, computing and technical design. Entries starting in November/December. Provides substantial funding in Year 12 and 13 as well as the sponsorship of an industrial partner for students intending to pursue a career in engineering via a university degree. Applicants need to be in Year 11 and all applications must be made via Mr Bagshaw following a launch meeting after October half term. Click here for the Arkwright website.
Sam Hood Translation Prize & Gladstone Memorial Essay Prize (Classics)
Find out more here, or speak to your Classics teacher for more information. Cash prizes available. Deadlines: 10th July 2019.
The GSAL Journal 