October 2018
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Ursuline students lead two conferences each year. Students from other schools are invited to join them to consider themes of importance to their future success. The purpose of these events is to motivate students and help them to gain knowledge and understanding of the world beyond school, to draw action plans to support their own learning and also to build up the skills needed to realise their own potential. The conferences are interactive and the tailored activities are designed to enhance the students experience.
October 2018
July 2018
Led by experts in the field, Year 12 students from the Ursuline and Wimbledon College explored the extent, and causes of inequality and lack of social mobility in the UK today and the part that our Education System has to play in promoting social mobility. Together they developed action plans designed to ensure that every child, whatever the circumstances their birth, she or he can have an equal opportunity for success. Speakers included David Johnston OBE, Chief Executive of the Social Mobility Foundation, Kiri Tunks, President of the NUT (NUE), Dr Jamie Whyte, Director of Research from the Institute of Economic Affairs, Dr Matt Bullimore from Churchill College, Cambridge and Fr Michael Holman SJ. Professor Claire Ozanne, Deputy Provost, Roehampton University also supported students’ learning.
The Conference was held in partnership with TEAM (GLOBAL) This conference is organised in partnership with The European-Atlantic Movement a non-political educational charity. TEAM Global was founded over fifty years ago to promote understanding of how countries could cooperate for their mutual benefit, focusing on the whole global community and on issues such as human rights, democracy, the environment, the economy and international development.
5th March 2018
In partnership with, Catherine of Sienna College, University of Roehampton, Ursuline ran this conference for 6th Form students in celebration of International Women’s Day 2018. Led by Tina Beattie, Professor of Catholic Studies at Roehampton, the aim of the conference was to empower young women to respond to the current strong call-to-action to press forward and progress gender parity. We want to empower every young Catholic woman to work towards transforming our Church and our world.
Students from 4 Catholic High Schools reflected on their faith and considered how as young Catholic women they can become agents of change in our Church and our world. How they can contribute towards their sense of personal identity and how they can to speak out on issues of justice, equality, peace and environmental sustainability.
Speakers include Ursula Halligan, journalist, until last year Political Editor of TV3 (Ireland’s only commercial TV channel) and Mishal Francis from HOPE Human Development and Welfare Association an organisation that supports Christians in Pakistan.
A huge thank you to Professor Beattie, Roehampton University, Digby Stuart College and Catherine of Siena College for the sponsorship of this conference.
Student comments on what they took from the day
Other words students used to describe their learning
17th October 2017
We were very proud to host our My Future…Conference to enable Year 11 students before their GCSE exams to connect their learning in school with success in their future. Students spent time understanding how many opportunities there are for them in the world beyond school, hearing about the careers of over 100 Alumnae who are achieving in all areas of the working world and spending time considering their own skills and qualities and what they would like to do in the future beyond school or university.
Students heard from Ursuline Alumnae; Jennifer Anafi-Acquah, Science Researcher at Oxford Scientific Films, Rose Steerwood, National Account Executive at COTY, Polly Billington, CEO UK100 Environmental Network and Devina Paul, Partner Galvanise Technology Start Up Consultancy. Speakers also include Emma Bucknall, London Office Manager at Dropboxand Aisling Ledwith, Ask Project Co-ordinator at Education and Employers..
Students were hugely engaged throughout the morning and their own personal manifestos for the future, setting out how the actions they can take now to achieve success in their future.
Student comments on the day
8th March 2017
We challenged our students to think how they could be #BeBoldForChange in order to help forge a better working world and a inclusive, gender equal world. Which was the theme for this International Women's Day. Our girls were shown examples of women who have not only changed their own lives, but the lives of those around them.
Students were asked to think of the most important 'values' and powers needed in order to bring about such change.
Most popular words included;
Perserverance, Determination, Genorosity, Confidence
Equality, Respect, Friendship, Courage
8th March 2018
Alongside our Sixth Form Conference (Women of Faith; Leading the Change), we celebrated International Women’s Day with Year 10 students urging all students to #pressforprogress in assemblies during the week of International Women’s Day. Students called for action to achieve a quicker pace of change, in the face of the recent World Economic Forum Global
Gender