Aston University Parents' Higher Education Advice Evening 2012

Wednesday 13th June 2012 at Aston University Campus, Birmingham City Centre.

Further details can be found here.

Year 9 Super Learning Day - 8th February 2012

'Sports Science' was the theme for the Year 9 Super Learning Day last Wednesday, with a wide range of activities for the students to take part in. Physical skills such as throwing speed, strength, acceleration, jump height, coordination and peripheral vision were challenged on a variety of specialist machines which included racing Usain Bolt out of the starting blocks and beating Jenson Button on that Batak wall (congratulations to Alex Tilley who got 51 hits in 30 seconds, not far off Jensen's 67 in 30sec). Medical simulations included monitoring their lung capacity, lung age and heart rate using an ECG plus experiencing the detrimental effects of aging, weight gain, smoking and drinking. They also learnt how to diagnose illness from certain symptoms using STAN the medical simulator who can demonstrate the effects drugs on the body, how to use an endoscope with the help of 'Colin the Colon' and how to take blood from 'Andy' the injection arm!
After lunch the highlight of the afternoon was a visit from the 2011 Renault BARC motor racing champion, Dino Zamparelli, who at the tender age of 19 is already forging his path towards the top of his sport. Dino gave an inspiring talk of the determination and resilience required to beat the best... "I wasn't born a racing champion; I've got there through sheer hard work". The BRMC 'rising star' talked of the challenges of raising the hundreds of thousands of pounds sponsorship required to compete at such a high level. And also met with Ashlawn's own F24 racing team to share tips and encourage them for their own season starting in April at Silverstone. Mr Zamparelli left the students feeling inspired and is a fantastic ambassador to his sport.