August brought record temperatures to Palma as we worked throughout the month preparing the College for the start of the new term on September 9th.  It was also exam results month which brought joy and disappointment, thankfully not in equal measure.  Many of our founding students achieved excellent results and can now approach the rigours of the A Level courses with enthusiasm and determination.  For a very few the inevitability of some resits looms, but with small class sizes and excellent teaching staff we will be able to offer every support.

August also saw the awarding of the first scholarship place in Performing Arts.  We had a number of auditions from hugely talented young people and it was a very difficult decision to select just one person.  Olivia May Green from les Bendinat school will be joining us on a part time basis over the next two years to study for her A Level in Applied Performing Arts.  Congratulations to Olivia and well done to everyone who auditioned.

We look forward to the start of a busy and exciting year where we will be providing the highest quality of education and working with our students and their parents to help them achieve their goals.  The Enrichment Programme has so many exciting activities on it: from personal finance to circus skills; food and nutrition to dry stone walling; preparation for interviews and university applications.  So much more is included and we will be posting the final programme on the website very soon.

If you are still looking for a sixth form education for this session please contact us as soon as possible and we look forward to meeting interested families for next session and beyond at our next Open Morning on Saturday 9th November.

Results Day 15th August

Today all over the UK and in many other countries young people will receive the results of their A2 and AS examinations if they are being educated under the British system.  The A2 results are the benchmark through which universities and colleges offer spaces on their Higher Education courses and I expect that there will be many happy youngsters today who can now move on to the step of confirming offers and making arrangements for accommodation in university halls of residence.

But what about those who just missed their offers by a grade or two?  Well, the first thing to do is ring the admissions department of the university and see if they will still consider you.  If you have missed your offer by a whisker they may well still accept you on your first choice of course or offer an alternative.  Your second option is to look at the UCAS clearing process.  This offers students the chance to make an application for a course which still has spaces left and which may match your grades.   If you are adaptable and willing to move from your first choice of uni you may well be able to begin this September.

For those who just didn’t achieve their predicted grades there are always options; if you really have your heart set on a university degree then consider re-sitting your A levels which you can do in one year and re applying through UCAS again. This, of course entails extra fees if you are at a private school abroad.  You could also consider taking some time out of education and gaining work experience or joining an organised GAP year project.  This will build your confidence and give you additional experiences to add to any future application.  It is disheartening for both students and parents when results are lower than anticipated but not the end of the world.  There are always ways forward, including some of the private universities in Europe.  Try to stay positive and get on the phone making enquiries about courses.

This week the results of the IGCSE exams also come out.  Think carefully about if your grades are really good enough to take a subject on to A Level.  If you have a grade lower than a C pass then it is clear that the subject is not for you.  There is a steep jump between GCSE and A Level so be prepared to consider alternatives.  If you are one of the lucky few who really know what their next steps may be in terms of a profession then make sure that you research entrance requirements to the Degree course NOW.  Taking the wrong subjects is fatal and an easy mistake to make.  If you are still undecided try to follow subjects which have elements of both literacy and numeracy to them as the skills in these areas will be of benefit to any future application.

If you require more advice about next steps, or would like a careers interview, please email al@palmacollege.com for an appointment.

Time appears to have flown by this month.  We had another Open Day on 13th July but were slightly hi-jacked due to the Baleares Symphony Orchestra giving a wonderful free concert 100 metres from our building with associated road closures!  Still, the hardy  managed and we welcomed some young people looking to enrol for 2014, as well as a few of our pioneering students who start this year!  Those who are going to study Art and Design have decided to come in one week before the beginning of the autumn term in order to refresh their skills and explore options for assessment with Maria Eugenia the art teacher.

We were delighted to welcome film industry experts on Open Day as the ten week film course begins in September.  Debbie, Matthew and David all have enormous practical experience in film making and will be mixing theory with practical application about all areas of the industry.  This is a course for everyone, young and old alike!

Language classes are also going on throughout August, despite the heat.  We can prepare candidates for the Cambridge Certificates at Palma College,  including the Advanced Certificate and the teaching is based on your abilities when you register.

The rooms are ready for our students to begin their work in September and the atmosphere is lively with staff and visitors popping in each day.  We are remaining open during August and in particular for results days on 15th and 22nd August.  Please do not hesitate to call or email if you didn’t achieve the grades you wanted, or in fact did better!  There is always a way forward.

Talented?

Sponsored free place on ‘Performing Arts A level’

A sponsored place on the A Level course for Performing Arts.  This place will be awarded to a young person over the age of 16 and who will study at the College two afternoons per week over two academic years to learn about all aspects of the industry.

The place will be awarded to the candidate who shows most promise in an audition to be held in August at Palma College.

More Information: Flyer PA 7.13

How time is flying past for all of us here at Palma College.  Our second Open Day is fast approaching on Saturday 13th July and all our current island based staff will be there to answer questions about subjects, combinations and careers.

Before we reach Open Morning our summer classes begin on 9th July for two and a half hours per day.  Conversational Spanish classes are leading the way but we also have English classes; the opportunity to take Art classes and some catch up or revision for academic subjects if required.

We have been asked by some slightly more ‘mature’ students if they can come and either re-take a single A Level for university entrance and, in particular, join our Performing Arts course.  We are happy to discuss flexible and life long learning programmes.  After the shock of school exams becomes a distant memory it is often appropriate to return to education purely for the love of a subject.  We are currently putting together a twilight Film Studies course for the Autumn in connection with film industry experts which promises to be both educational and instructive.  More details to follow shortly.

Finally we are open all through July if you want to pop in for a chat (please check website for exact times).  We will be in College for results days in August for both A Level and later for GCSE.  The most important thing for students on those days is not to panic if you don’t achieve your predicted grades.  There are ALWAYS solutions, just keep calm and consider your options.  Your current school should be open for advice and help during this period but we are also happy to help parents or students if they have queries about next steps.

We hope everyone has a long, happy summer.  If you have holiday work to do don’t forget it and, if you are entering Upper Six after the summer and are applying to a UK university, remember to get working on those personal statements!