Hello! My name is Alja and I am currently in Year 12 at NGHS6. I study Maths, Chemistry, Economics and German. I chose these subjects because I enjoyed them at GCSE and was eager to continue with them at A Levels. As I was told there was a ‘big jump’ between GCSE and A Levels, I felt quite nervous but at the same time ready to take on the challenges of the new year. I would agree that there was a big jump, however all the staff here were extremely helpful and approachable, and I can trust that they will encourage me to do my best and be proactive if I have any enquiries about anything. Whether I need advice or just have a simple question, there is always someone I can go to which makes me feel very comfortable.

I chose to stay at NGHS because of the various types of opportunities that I know I can take part in, from chess club to sports fixtures, to the multiple emails from Mrs Griffin giving me fantastic opportunities for work experience in different job sectors.

Some of the challenges that I have found in Year 12 is balancing my work life and social life as the work load is quite heavy. To overcome this, I am determined to get used to the work load in the next couple of weeks, and contemplate and use the advice that was given to me from the year above as they were in the same position not too long ago.

A couple of days ago I volunteered to give advice to Year 11s, which I found helpful for myself as I could take a step back and remember where I was a year ago, which makes me proud of where I am today.

I am an external student who was at Meole Brace from Shrewsbury.  I have found the long days and lots of travelling tiring, but it is so worth it as everyone is so lovely, and I felt welcomed straight away.  I did get lost and found myself asking the younger students where to go, but everyone will help you, and you find your way quickly.  I like the mix of internal and external students, and everyone is so excited to see who is coming here.  Work builds up, but it’s nothing you can’t handle if you manage your time well.  The first few weeks have definitely been positive and I look forward for my journey here at Newport Girls’.

After three months of doing nothing following the end of Year 11, starting Year 12 can feel like arriving on another planet, with a third of the number of subjects you did at GCSE, but three ties the amount of work. However, being at NGHS allows you to receive all the support you can from both your peers and teachers and perhaps makes the transition slightly less daunting, as it’s a very close unit environment.

I chose to return to NGHS for Sixth Form because I’ve felt incredibly happy and comfortable here for the past 5 years, and I know being here will get me where I want to be in the future. My teachers know me and I have developed close relationships with them, so I know when it comes to teacher references for university, that they’ll (hopefully) have positive things to say!

Currently I am doing French, German and Psychology as my A level subjects with the hope of going on to do French and Arabic at university – quite an ambitious goal, but working hard throughout Sixth Form will almost definitely get me there.

At the moment, it has definitely become apparent how much work Year 12 is going to be, so a word of advice to Year 11s right now would be to be organized from DAY ONE, otherwise the organization you need to do well will never be there.

It was quite hard making the decision to move schools after 5 years, but after the first 4 weeks I know I have made the right choice. The first day was really busy, but everyone was so helpful, both before joining and on the day, so we knew exactly where to go and what to do. We got the chance to spend the first 2 lessons in form, just to go through timetables and planners and to meet other people. This really helped me to feel less nervous, as I had already gotten to know a few people I could chat to before the lessons started. The transition between GCSE to A Levels has been made much easier with the support of teachers and other students. We have already had plenty of opportunities to get involved with school clubs ad activities, and I think the Liverpool trip really helped everyone get to know each other more.

When I was in Year 11, I was really scared of the idea of being in Sixth Form and doing my A Levels, but the transition was actually very smooth.

I wanted to stay ay NGHS because I realised that the environment here felt very familiar and I had grown attached to the people and staff here, so leaving wasn’t something I considered, and I am glad I made that decision.

So far, my subjects have been a lot more interesting then GCSEs to be honest. As long as you enjoy what you have chosen and have a genuine interest in it then lessons will go smoothly. Psychology is currently my favourite due to its link to everyday life and behaviour and that, for me, is very compelling. However, a few challenges may appear if you don’t stay on top of your work, so that is a very helpful thing to do. I am, so far, on top of what work I have, by making flash cards on topics and revisiting what was covered in lessons, and as long as this is done, the workload is completely fine. Moreover, the time in between lessons are much more significant. This is your time to focus on your understanding of the content. Free/Study periods are very valuable.

Despite A Levels being more intense than GCSEs, your health, including mental health, always comes first.  Year 12 is a good year full of opportunities for fun as well as academic enrichment, so balance your work with your social life.  “Try to enjoy the time you have now” – this mindset helps me to enjoy not only in lessons, but also the extra-curricular activities I do, like netball.

Overall, life in Sixth Form one month in has been quite good. Don’t be scared, because no matter the scale of the change between Year 11 and Year 12, you will be able to cope, and in the end you usually do.  I am definitely looking forward to further academic enrichment in my subjects, as well as embracing the time I have to do things that I love, spending time with people who will inspire me to do better. Not to mention the Liverpool trip which I am going on tomorrow.