Day 3: University of Oxford Northern Ireland Summer School 2018

Day 3

The final evening of the Oxford University Summer School saw the Ballymena Academy students dining in the hall at New College. A special reception with a three course dinner was a fitting way to finish off the school. Many photos were taken and the evening ended with folk chatting on the lawns and in the JCR.

Today was spent at the university’s open day. Pupils visited colleges such as Balliol, Magdalen, and Trinity. This gave pupils a flavour of the different types of faculties and colleges, their facilities and accommodation.
Mark Hanna acted as tour guide for his college Christ Church with its Meadow, Tom Quad and Tower, Oxford Cathedral and hall which was the inspiration for Harry Potter. Lewis Carroll also was an alumnus of Christ Church and there was a tribute to him in the magnificent 18th century library, complete with Alice and the Mad Hatter!

Miss Bassett was very proud to see her former A level student so at home in these surroundings and studying Chemistry!

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Day 2

Day two of the Oxford University Summer School saw Ballymena Academy pupils participating in tutorials with university lecturers. The girls were challenged to think more deeply and critically about their subjects and enjoyed the scenarios set. They also had a visit from the Careers Service at the university and received lots of useful advice about where to obtain help with writing CVs and application forms.

Monday evening’s quiz resulted in a draw so after a tie break question we were delighted that the joint team from Ballymena Academy and St. Columb’s College emerged victorious! Their prize of university hoodies was much sought after but a bit too warm to wear today!

Tonight we are off to a formal dinner at New College – pictures to follow tomorrow!

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Day 1

This week four students from Year 13 are at the University of Oxford Northern Ireland Summer School. An action packed programme is planned to enable pupils to find out more about the Oxford Colleges and to better understand the application process. Pupils are staying at St Catherine’s College and using both it and New College for tutorials and information sessions.

Sessions on how to apply to Oxford and writing personal statements have kept pupils busy today along with witnessing some mock interviews. However there has also been a lot of fun with a quiz and some punting on the river in the glorious sunshine.

Former pupil Mark Hanna, studying Chemistry at Christchurch College, has been a really helpful student assistant. He even took the girls punting today!

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Report and photographs thanks to Miss Bassett