Classes in the first few days at St Peter’s College have been encouraging students to discuss their thoughts and ideas, as well as sharing their work with the class.

Physics and Chemistry

Classes have started already, with students getting heavily involved straight away. The Physics and Chemistry lesson presented scientific theory, with figures and theories flying about the room. Ensuring to take notes, pupils were quick to show their knowledge, revealing information about common chemical reactions and theories prevalent in Physics.

Politics and International Relations

For those in the Politics and International Relations class, key terms were defined to give students an idea of the themes that will be explored throughout the course. From the idea of propaganda and support to the impact of the monarchy on politics, the lesson was full of new and intriguing topics for pupils to explore.

Experimental Psychology

The Experimental Psychology lesson encouraged discussion as pupils were put into small groups to talk about key themes in psychology. Having learnt about the importance of ethics and method when conducting experiments in Psychology, it was interesting to hear what students thought about the significance of these issues.

Creative Writing

In the Creative Writing workshop, pupils had a go at writing their own short stories. Understanding the key elements to short stories – such as character and plot development – it was up to their imaginations to create gripping tales. After completing their stories, students took it in turns to share their work with the class, performing dramatic readings and impressing their peers. The levels of support were encouraging and many volunteered to share their tales.

Introduction to Medicine

Medicine classes began in Session 5 with enthusiasm and interest shown by all the pupils. Learning first about key terminology and types of medicine, it was promising to see how much students already knew about the discipline, with their answers to questions highlighting a real interest in medicine. It was exciting for pupils to also hear about what was in store over the coming weeks, especially in the practical workshops.

Church of St Mary the Virgin Photography Trip

An optional trip to climb to the top of the Church of St Mary the Virgin and take photos was thoroughly enjoyed by some ORA students at SPC. With a church standing on the site as early as 1086, the history of the stunning building is a long and turbulent one. Used for prayer and sermons to graduation ceremonies and trials, the Church has experienced many periods of history, including the Tudors and the English Civil War.

Excited to get a glimpse of Oxford from above, pupils hurried up the long and winding staircases until they reached the viewing platforms. Offering incredible views over the city made all the climbing worth it, and some amazing photos were taken as you can see below. Fortunately, it stayed dry for our students as they stood awestruck at the top of the Church and soaked up Oxford’s culture.

Alongside their course of lessons, ORA students at SPC have lots of activities and trips planned this week, such as punting and an excursion to London, so stay tuned.