The Purbeck Sixth Form had the pleasure of welcoming back the Many Faiths Together team. Many Faiths are indeed this, a combination of speakers representing faiths across a broad spectrum: Lynda (Judaism), Sister Tama (Islam), Sali (Buddhism), James and Gary (Christian) and David (Humanist). Over the course of two sessions, the group addressed questions from the Year 12 and 13 cohorts which included what happens after we die, attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals and communities, to what degree religious parents should influence their children and discrimination due to one’s faith.

The overriding message came in the agreement that having love and compassion for our fellow humans is key. It was recognised too, as David noted when discussing Humanism, that the core values of our sixth form and school promote care, compassion and also ambition for oneself through our commitment to kindness, aspiration and perseverance.

Our visitors, students and staff benefited from a very positive coming together, one that was particularly fitting on Remembrance Day. We look forward to working with Many Faiths again.

On Wednesday, this year’s cohort on The National Trust’s Leadership Programme made their first outside learning visit as we visited Hartland Farm near Corfe Castle. We were welcomed by The National Trust’s Jill (Senior Volunteering & Community Officer and Mark (Countryside Manager), and Jake the tenant farmer at Hartland. The group of Year 12 and 13 students eagerly grasped binoculars and set off on a tractor trailer tour of the farm’s extensive land. Jake educated us about leading ecological initiatives including tree planting and the benefits of bull pits which are dug by bulls and can create unique, localised habitats for pioneer plants and insects. 

Congratulations to the Purbeck School Sixth Form Charity Team.

The team have been busy selling refreshments at both ‘Singin in the Rain JNR’ and the school sports day. They have managed to raise £240 for the Dorset Children’s Foundation – really well done.

Alongside money raised by the head shave for the Brain Tumour Charity and the sponsored walk for Dorset Mind, the sixth form students have raised just over £700 pounds in the last three weeks. Amazing work for great causes.

For the final activities day, many students in Year 12 chose to visit one of our favourite local attractions, Dorset Water Park. The pictures speak for themselves and confirm that the Mud Trail is certainly very muddy. Please be advised that there may be a run on washing detergent in Purbeck supermarkets this weekend.

The week has been really good fun and we look forward to doing something similar with next year’s students.

As part of Purbeck’s Activities Week, a number of Year 12 students completed the ‘Weston Walk’ from Worth Matravers to the coast. The students were led by The National Trust’s Jill Bailey, who provided information about the local habitat and the Trust’s conservation projects in the area. The students took to their tasks of bramble clearing and litter picking with enthusiasm, and all were rewarded with what must be the best pasties in the south, sponsored by The National Trust, upon their return to The Square and Compass pub. Head of Sixth Form, Simon Holmes, said,"This is another great example of our partnership with the Trust, and it is wonderful to spend time together along the coast. The students have done a fine job on the land, culminating in refreshments at the best pub in the world!’ Only soft drinks were had.

Purbeck Sixth Formers are engaged in a range of activities this week, including volunteering, completing a sponsored walk which raises money for the charity Dorset MIND, environmental work and visits to both local and national theme parks.