Erasmus28

The Times, yesterday, revealed that the Governments plan to ‘attract more working-class students into higher education’ may in fact backfire. 90 per cent of the extra cash will go to the students from ‘higher socioeconomic groups, gaining approximately £150 million whilst poorer families will get a disproportionate £15 million.

It appears that the government’s scheme has neglected to consider that whilst providing extra cash to encourage more young people to further their education, which is currently 39.8 per cent,10.2 per cent less than their target; the tuition fees for 2008 have already risen by £75, therefore the governments efforts for a scheme that provides ‘more’ seems to be lacking in places and gives more to those who already have ‘it all’.

My ‘Highcliffe and Beyond’ is in the latest issue of the H2U- (p.17)

http://station1.highcliffe.dorset.sch.uk/intra/pages/letters/letters/whole%20school/latest%20school%20newsletter.pdf

Highcliffe’s Buddy System.

http://station1.highcliffe.dorset.sch.uk/intra/pages/letters/letters/whole%20school/School%20Newsletter%20Volumn%206%20Edition%203.pdf

At our recent A Level Presentation evening an old teacher asked me to write about going from Highcliffe school to Winchester University, I guess it is to encourage students to consider their options for the future. I used parts of my ‘being a student at Winchester’ feature within the article. My former teacher wrote the introduction and then let me go wild! It is not the way we write in our Journo portfolio’s but thats the style he wanted it in and although I do sound like a total suck up, it is for the school paper and I enjoyed the opportunity; it will be published in the next issue of the ‘H2U’.

To Highcliffe ….and Beyond!! – The Journey through Highcliffe to University

Maxine Erasmus has recently completed her ‘A’ level studies in the Sixth Form at Highcliffe and has taken the next step towards her chosen career path by moving on to the University of Winchester.

Recently, former students returned to Highcliffe to be presented with their ‘A’ Level certificates and it provided the opportunity for Maxine to be asked to write an article for H2U about her experiences to date this was a challenge she willingly undertook. Maxine writes…..

Being back with my Highcliffe family was bizarre to say the least. It made me think about the transition we had been through from school to university and knowing how keen Highcliffe is to hear about the progress of its former students, I decided to share a bit about my experiences since saying goodbye last summer.

After five happy years at Highcliffe I had decided to stay on for Sixth Form to study English Literature, Philosophy and Ethics and Psychology. Looking back, it was definitely the right decision. Being somewhere where I already knew friends and teachers enabled me to develop those relationships, which in turn helped build confidence and I believe that the Sixth Form really helped to prepare me for the next leg of my journey.

At the beginning of Year 13 and after sifting through lists of Universities, I submitted my application and began an anxious wait. This was it; the past 6 years had led me to this point. Luckily, my conditional acceptances spread great relief; now all I had to do was get the grades.

As the last few months drew close I found myself reminiscing of my time spent at school and I was hopeful that I would feel just as welcome at Uni’ as I did on my first day at Highcliffe.

After a visit to the Winchester University on the Open Day, no other could come close, I had my heart set on it and although Winchester’s rolling hills and picturesque scenery does not scream out ‘Uni’ life’, I found great solace in the small city when arriving on that terrifying first day.

I study English and Journalism and when I graduate I hope I can continue along the media road. However, I’ve learnt that University is a place of opportunity and right now I’m thoroughly enjoying the hands-on approach in Journalism.

My first A-List encounter was with Colin Firth, or Mr Darcy, star of Bridget Jones’ Diary, when he received an honorary degree from the University. I followed him out of the cathedral where he courteously held the door and then stood for some quick photos before being dashed away to lunch. I do not think I will be able to beat that encounter but I can try!

Unbelievably, I am now almost at the end of my first year and the fears of living away from home, working and meeting new people have long gone, along with the frightening prospect of what to cook every night and more importantly how to cook.

Prior to University, the idea of ‘lecturer’, conjured images of intimidating and unapproachable individuals, this was soon overturned with the introduction to my course and peers. It is only then that you can truly appreciate and understand mum’s favourite phrase; ‘everybody’s in the same boat’.

The realisation that Winchester is the last destination before ‘real life’ came soon after arriving, but the knowledge that there are people here who will help us through ‘check-in’ is the greatest comfort of all.

I have so many memories at Highcliffe; from singing the alphabet in Spanish in year 7 and being a member of the sports teams, to paintballing in year 12 and getting lost on our way to Thorpe Park with Ms Chalmers. But my greatest memories have to be of the friends I made and just always feeling accepted.

Highcliffe provides a foundation, one that is needed in order to survive the rollercoaster that is the move to University. Living away from home has given me the confidence and inspiration I needed to discover what I want to do in the future, which at the moment is to be a reporter for the BBC.

I would recommend University life to anyone and everyone, it gives you that chance you’ve always wanted to step out and find your independence, whilst knowing that you’re not alone and that home is not too far away.