a new event shows that 'health matters' when choosing our future careers

On Thursday 9 March Year 6 students from our Junior School and Ashdell participated in a brand new transition event called ‘Health Matters’. The event was designed to help the students with their move up to the senior school this September and also to show them the practical application of science subjects as a lead into Science Week.

A group of Year 12 pupils who are interested in studying health care courses at University grabbed this opportunity to share their interest with younger students and to develop the skills needed to design and run a range of activities aimed to inspire.

It was huge success, with the Junior girls enjoying a wide range of interactive health related ‘stations’ from giving CPR, to understanding anatomy and role playing a GP, to bandaging a cuddly toy foal to exploring Psychology and Optometry.

‘Health Matters’ was organised by Head of Science Mr Adams in collaboration with Head of Careers Mrs Hall, Head of Alumni Relations, Mrs Murphy and Mrs Groombridge from the Juniors. The Year 6 girls also had the chance to ask Year 7 girls questions about what it is like to study science subjects in the Senior School.

Our guests for the day were 8 former students who are now in health related careers including a Vet, a Medical student and Junior Doctor, a Dietitian, a Neurologist, a Pharmacist, a Sports Scientist and a Speech Therapist.

To make sure each Year 6 student had the chance to talk to each alumni and find out more about their career, Mrs Hall organised a ‘speed-dating’ activity where the girls had 3 minutes with each of the alumni and then moved onto the next. The Juniors had a session with Mrs Hall earlier in the week to help them put together a list of questions about the different professions including what were the best and worst things about their jobs!

At the end of the afternoon the Year 12s and some Year 11s who are considering health related professions enjoyed a networking opportunity with the visiting alumni. Amy Nortcliffe, a budding medic in Year 12, was even offered some work experience with a current medical student.

Everyone involved learned so much from this event that it will definitely become an annual fixture in the school calendar.

Watch this space for Technology Matters, the Environment Matters, Creativity Matters...

Freya Nolan, Year 12 Media Group and Mrs Hall, Head of Careers