A traditional approach to academic sixth-form teaching including close supervision in a tutorial context, is balanced with opportunities for students to improve their capacity for clear thought and reasoning, along with a fuller development and broadening of their cultural horizons.
Students are prepared to compete for admission to Britain's first-division universities, and are offered careful advice on university selection with preparation for the process of interview. Sixth form life at St John's College is quite distinct in tone and atmosphere, and sixth formers constitute their own independent society, enjoying a separate common room and provision for an area of quiet study. A-levels are offered in a wide range of subjects at both AS and A2. Pupils normally select the four or five which best suit their aptitude and interests as their AS-level subjects, continuing three or all four subjects to A2.
The Sixth Form Offers
• An Outstanding Record of A level Results & University Admissions
• Specialist Teaching & Very Small Class-Sizes
• Supervised Study Periods
• Excellent Science, Music, Sport & ICT Facilities - wireless broadband & interactive whiteboards in many classrooms
• Weekly Debating Coaching & National Competitions - recent finalists in the Cambridge Union Schools’ Debating Competition
• Weekly Young Enterprise Coaching
• Established Links with Companies & Institutions - giving sixth formers wide-ranging work-experience opportunities and advice
• Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
Curriculum
A-levels are offered in a wide range of subjects at both AS and A2. Pupils normally select the four or five which best suit their aptitude and interests as their AS-level subjects, continuing three or four subjects to A2.
Maths & the Sciences: Further Maths, Pure Maths, Statistics & Mechanics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics.
Ancient & Modern Languages: French, German, Latin, Spanish, Welsh.
Arts & Humanities: Art, English, Economics, Geography, History, Music, Philosophy, Religious Studies.
Design Technology, ICT, Physical Education.
University Admissions The Sixth Form has a very impressive record of University admissions, with exceptional success in gaining places at all of the leading schools of Medicine and Dentistry (including Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, Nottingham and Cardiff). Significant numbers of students have also gained places in the humanities, with many successful admissions to read Law, History, English Literature and Music in first division universities (notably Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, St Andrew’s and Cardiff).
At St John’s College, Sixth Formers are encouraged not only to excel in their chosen subjects but to pursue all manner of extra-curricular interests. In recent years, their professionalism and commitment have underpinned the development of the school’s award-winning Concert Orchestra and the Cathedral Choir, and the recently formed Close Harmony group singing in the style of The King’s Singers. We have an enviable record of candidates gaining choral scholarships to Oxbridge Colleges, including the world famous choirs of Magdalen College (Oxford) and King’s College (Cambridge). Many Students have also gone on to perform as instrumental soloists and in top university orchestras alongside their chosen academic subjects.
The lunchtime Debating Society takes part in the highly respected Oxford Union and Cambridge Union schools debating competitions, recently reaching the Finals Day at the Oxford Union. Further afield, the annual Spanish trip is a favourite amongst Sixth Formers. Last year they travelled to Salamanca to receive specialist linguistic tuition and undertake work placements. In 2011, our Economics students have entered the National Business and Enterprise Competition organised by the ICAEW. This will enhance their business and enterprise skills and also give insight into financial careers. Our Science students take part in vocational training days, most recently in a DNA Photocopying Workshop at the Techniquest laboratories and a Particle Physics Masterclass at Swansea University. One of our Upper 6th students has gained an award for his contributions to the Faulkes Telescope Project at the Physics Department of Cardiff University, while our Mathematicians perform outstandingly in the UK Maths Challenge.
An entrepreneurial spirit is encouraged amongst Sixth formers, with recent students having taken a key role in establishing new societies and Fair Trade within the school as well as directing younger pupils in musical ensembles. Sixth Form students at St John’s can take pride in their willingness in the classroom to learn, as seen in their rapport with staff. This student-teacher rapport extends to Staff & Sixth Form weekly football training, aerobics and sporting fixtures throughout the year, including the annual Staff Vs Sixth Form cricket match.
Former students have also built on their sporting achievements at school to go on to represent their university teams. Recent SJC alumni have gone on to play rugby, football, netball, cricket, tennis and golf at university level, and also include a Cambridge Blue Boxer and an international skier.
News
Cathedral Choir Easter Concert at St David's Hall, 1pm- Tues 19 March 2013.
The Cathedral Choir performed a varied programme of Vaughan Williams Five Mystical Songs and Vivaldi Gloria with chamber orchestra, as well as a selection of Lenten motets, to an appreciative audience in this ever-popular lunchtime concert. Many congratulations to our boy and girl Cathedral Choristers on their uplifting and polished performance, and also to Lower 6th pianist, Ethan Harris, who accompanied the Choir in the Vaughan Williams.
Seniors / L6th Cardiff Schools Shelter Cymru Golf Tournament, 9am-4.30pm - Tues 19 March 2013.
Sixth Form Rotary Quiz, Ysgol Glantaf - Fri 15 March 2013.
The school was well represented at the Rotary Club Quiz on Friday 15th March. Three teams of Lower 6th students entered from St John's College and the quizmaster for the evening was Mark Labbett - a.k.a. 'The Beast' - from ITV's 'The Chase'. With a total score of 61/80, one St John's team came a creditable fourth. Although we weren't overall winners, a great night was had by all. (Max Price, L6th Student).
GCSE / 6th Form Choristers & Instrumentalists Praised for Outstanding Performance at SHMIS Conference (Vale Hotel) - Mon 4 March 2013.
Many congratulations to our GCSE and Sixth Form choristers and instrumentalists who performed superbly last night at the SHMIS Conference hosted at The Vale Hotel. The evening commenced with a sublime rendition of Gabriel Fauré's Sicilienne performed by 13 of our instrumentalists, before the GCSE choristers sang William Byrd's rhythmically complex six-part motet, Sing Joyfully, followed by lighter close harmony arrangements of Yesterday by the Beatles and The Jackson 5's I Want You Back.
Singing their way to marital bliss - Thurs 21 and Fri 22 February 2013.
A dubious judge, a jilted bride, a dapper defendant and a whole chorus of meddling jurors starred in St John’s College’s sell-out performances of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Trial by Jury last month. Performed with panache, musicality and professionalism that could have graced any West End Stage, this sparkling production entertained from start to finish. Accompanied by the College’s own polished Concert Orchestra this rollicking farce was sung to perfection by the cast of beautifully costumed Senior and Sixth Form pupils who delighted the audience with a feast of witty and good humoured lampooning of the many ‘breach of promise’ judgements played out in the litigious courtrooms of the nineteenth century.
Mr Malcolm Harding, a distinguished conductor and former public school director of music, commented 'The production of Trial by Jury at St John's is one of the happiest I have been associated with and I have been delighted that the results have been accomplished in so short a time - evidence of talent and industry both on the part of the students and highly committed teaching staff.'
Meanwhile, with their dazzling costumes and well-rehearsed routines the Junior School presented Terry Pratchett’s beguiling tale of The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents with a cast and numerous supporting roles which gave every Junior pupil an opportunity to contribute to the success of this highly entertaining saga. The sets, costumes, characterisation and clear diction of these young thespians captivated the audience, reflecting great credit on the preparation and effectuation of their highly entertaining roles.
All in all, this double bill gave the appreciative audiences an evening of fine theatre to savour. We all look back to our school days and experiences, and nothing outshines the happy memory of playing a part in a highly successful and technically demanding school production. Knowing that we have taken part in a show - frequently given by professional actors and singers - brings home the scale of the achievement of all involved.
Senior Maths Team Challenge Final (Sixth Form), London - Tues 5 February 2013.
Congratulations to our team of 4 Further Maths students who represented South Wales at the National Finals of this year's Senior Team Maths Challenge on Tuesday 5 February. Having already beaten more than 20 schools from South Wales to win the Regional Finals in November at Cardiff University, the St John's team was one of only 62 school from across the UK to reach the National Final held in the Camden Centre, London.
In the short time after completing January exams, our team put considerable effort and hard work into preparing for the event. Our students were delighted to be with some of the most talented young mathematicians in the country and to compete in solving complex problems. We all enjoyed every minute of the event.
This is the third year that our Sixth Form mathematicians have reached the National Finals, and this year's team can all be very proud of its achievements. Many congratulations to Jamie and Eric (L6th) and Joe and Peyton (U6th)!
Dr Nades.
Ethan Harris (L6th) Achieves Highest Mark in ABRSM Grade 8 Piano- Tues 5 February 2013.
Many congratulations to Ethan, who has been awarded the 'Dorothy Grace Atkinson Memorial Prize for Pianoforte', given each year to the candidate with the highest mark in ABRSM Grade 8 Piano. Ethan has been awarded a cash prize and his name will appear in the ABRSM's 2012 Annual Review. Ethan can be very proud of this great honour.
Cathedral Choir live broadcast on BBC Radio 4, Sunday 27th January, 8.10am.
Lower 6th DNA Photocopying Workshop at Techniquest - Wed 5 December 2012.
AS Biology Students attended a half day workshop in the laboratories at Techniquest. They had to extract their own mitochondrial DNA from cheek cells (not painful at all!). As this DNA is maternal, there is no danger of these samples ever being used as a DNA profile! These samples were then subjected to amplification on a PCR machine and analysed by the students using electrophoresis.
It was an early experience of working in a laboratory outside of St John’s College and the sixth formers can be commended on their enthusiasm.
Mrs Evans.
Art & Design A level group visit the National Museum of Wales and the Martin Tinney Gallery Cardiff - Fri 30 November 2012.
The Art & Design A level group travelled to the National Museum of Wales and the Martin Tinney Gallery Cardiff. The students were able to see a range of contemporary Welsh artists as well as the fantastic historical, Impressionist and modern collections. As well as this being a very enjoyable experience, the students were able to study a range of artworks and can now include evidence of this in their sketchbooks.
Mr Moody.
Cambridge Schools Debating (6th Form)- Mon, 26 November 2012.
Congratulations to Karthik Kumar, Sam Dunne, Louis Brown, David Birley, Jahna Hampshire, Daniel Jeremy, Roisin Beevers and Max Price who competed in the Cambridge Schools Debating Competition at Howell's School, Llandaff on Monday night. Our Sixth Formers are now working towards the Oxford Union Schools Competition in January, and will be attending a debating workshop this December.
Mr J. Neville
Top School in Wales in The Sunday Times 'Parent Power 2012'
Senior Maths Team are through to UK Senior Maths Challenge Final
Many congratulations to Qi Wen and Zhou Jielu of U6th and Na Jiaming and Zhong hong Wei of L6th who have been selected for the UK Senior Maths Challenge Final in London on 5 February 2013, having seen off strong competition at the regional final.
Top A Level Results in Wales for the 13th successive year
A Level Results 2012
A* / A Grades = 72.5%
A* / A / B Grades = 93.3%
Pass rate = 100%
Entries: 120
Dr Neville (Head of St John's College):
"We have nothing but admiration for the hard work and unstinting commitment of these young people and the dedication and enthusiasm of their highly skilled teachers. Warm congratulations to them all."
On Thursday 3 May 2012, Cardiff Metropolitan Cathedral Choir had the honour of performing Tallis’s 40-part motet Spem in alium with the world renowned Tallis Scholars. For centuries this work was thought to be so difficult that no-one could actually perform it. Even now, with the enormous increase of interest in early choral music, performances of it are still quite rare. This was an amazing opportunity for our choristers to perform with such an internationally acclaimed professional consort.
Former Pupil, Arvind Kumar, is Nominated as a “Star Mentor” for Cambridge University Applications- Thursday 1 March 2012. Former St John's College pupil, Arvind Kumar, who is currently studying Medicine at Cambridge University, has been nominated as a "star mentor" for his help in encouraging more applications from state school pupils to Cambridge (this year ranked No. 1 university in the world):http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/education-news/2012/03/01/student-named-as-star-mentor-91466-30434029/
Sixth Form Young Enterprise meets every Thursday lunchtime. Please click on the following link for more details:/f/Young_Enterprise.pdf
Hannah Blyth's discovery of 2 asteroids attracts worldwide acclaim. Asteroid 'Hannahblyth' expected to be named after the St John's College Sixth Former! Hannah Blyth (Lower 6th) has spotted 2 asteroids herself and helped discover 22 new asteroids between Mars and Jupiter whilst on a summer placement with the Faulkes Telescope Project, based at the University of Glamorgan. Using robotic telescopes in Australia and on the Hawaiian island of Maui made this impressive discovery and is now expected to have an asteroid named after her.
Singing their way to marital bliss
On Thursday 3 May 2012, Cardiff Metropolitan Cathedral Choir had the honour of performing Tallis’s 40-part motet Spem in alium with the world renowned Tallis Scholars. For centuries this work was thought to be so difficult that no-one could actually perform it. Even now, with the enormous increase of interest in early choral music, performances of it are still quite rare. This was an amazing opportunity for our choristers to perform with such an internationally acclaimed professional consort.