Mixed Media Workshop run by Alumni

The Art and Design Department were very lucky to have Amore Farrag, a previous student at Saint Cecilia’s, returning to impart her creative knowledge in a series of workshops. Amore is currently in her second year studying BA Fine Art Mixed Media at the University of Westminster. On Thursday 14th March, Amore joined the department to run a mixed media workshop with Year 11 pupils and Year 13 students to help them develop ideas from their own photographs, using mixed media to draw and explore the formal elements. Both Year 11s and Year 13s are currently developing their sketchbooks for the Externally Set Assignment, worth 40% of their grade.

Science Enrichment

Every Wednesday for the last half term, a group of 15 Sixth Form students have been learning in vitro cultivation techniques for conservation of rare plant species. This enrichment club was led by our Senior Science Technician, Miss Alexandra Rodriguez-Romero, who has been using these techniques in her PhD.

Students have learned aseptic techniques, made their own nutrient agar, produced artificial seeds and set up in vitro cultivation of their favourite plants.

Royal Holloway University of London, Music Technology Visit

Our current Year 12 Music Technology students, along with some Year 11s who are hoping to study Music Technology next year, visited Royal Holloway, University of London. They saw the sound studios, found out about the music technology course, enjoyed a lecture on sound and music in movie trailers and toured the campus. It was a great experience and we hope to develop further links with Royal Holloway University.

UCAS Discovery at the Excel Centre

On Monday, all of Year 12 attended the UCAS Discovery event to explore university, apprenticeship pathways and topical seminars, and meet higher education institutions and employers. Heloise R said, “The event was easy to navigate and I was able to talk to student admissions at all my future possible universities. It was really useful to be able to pick up all the prospectuses. In addition to universities, we could visit stands promoting degree apprenticeships, apprenticeships, conservatoires and future employers. It opened my eyes to other options beyond the university route.”  

Oxbridge Offers

We are absolutely delighted to announce that two of our Sixth Formers, Layla A-S and Molly M, have been offered places at Cambridge and Oxford universities next year. This is a huge achievement and is a result of academic scholarship.

Layla (pictured left), has been offered a place at Murray Edwards College, Cambridge, to study Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. Molly (pictured right), has been offered a place at Wadham College, Oxford,
to study History and Beginners’ Portuguese.

Both students had to sit university exams, submit additional essays and complete two gruelling interviews to secure their well-earned places.

Koko Helps Wandsworth Win Borough of Culture

We are delighted to share the news that Wandsworth has been declared as the London Borough of Culture for 2025! Our Year 13 student, Koko I, was involved in the borough’s nomination to the GLA. We are so pleased she had the opportunity to play such a pivotal role in this bid. Click here to see Koko on BBC Evening News and here to read the announcement article which quotes Koko. We are hoping that her involvement in this successful bid will allow Saint Cecilia’s to be included in the art and culture activities throughout the borough.

Celebrating #Techognition

We joined in the national #Techognition event last week - a celebration of technical support staff, recognising the importance of their essential roles in school and college education. This display in Reception shows the valuable work done by our art and science technicians: Miss Youlia Toneva (art), Ms Debbie Sharman, Miss Alexandra Rodriguez-Romano and Miss Akanksha Jadhav (science).

Saatchi Gallery Workshop

This week we have been taking groups of Year 8s to London's Saatchi Gallery in Sloane Square. Pupils had a private tour from one of the gallery's experts of Edward Burtynsky, a world renowned photographer who looks at how humans have impacted our planet. After learning about the works, we took part in a collaborative textiles workshop where pupils got to 'sew' into a giant tapestry that will be hung in the gallery later this year. It was brilliant to see pupils engaging with, and physically creating, some of London's best culture.