14 March 2007

Dear Parents

Year 12: Media Studies

I am aware of the inevitable concerns being voiced by students and parents about the Year 12 A/S Media Studies course, and write to outline the situation.

Following Mr Whyte’s departure we contacted agencies in the remote hope that a Media Studies specialist might be available, somewhere in the world, but drew a blank.  Sadly, the fact that Media Studies teachers are rare does not help your son or daughter at this time.

We were able to appoint Mrs Kerrins, a former Head of English, who is well able to teach certain components of the Media course.  Drama and Art teachers are offering this support to deliver the practical elements of the course and complement what Mrs Kerrins provides.

The Board was approached to provide a video camera necessary to deliver the practical component, and this has been purchased.  Our IT Technicians are currently working to provide appropriate technical support so that appropriate software can be accessed.

Staff have pooled their considerable expertise and determined the practical component will be as follows:

To produce two film posters using Adobe Photoshop (available in IT 3 and both Art rooms with expertise from Mr Corr and Mr Kerrins who have agreed to provide extra lessons.)

Brief:

(750 words and worth 10% of the marks)

An outline of students’ plans, identifying technologies used and linking their proposals with Textual Topics in Contemporary Media studied for module 2.

Finished Product

(2 Film posters and worth 65% of the marks)

This must show how they have used relevant technologies and demonstrate an understanding of the Textual Topics in Contemporary Media studied for module 2.

 Evaluation

(1000 words and worth 25% of the marks)

This must relate to their work, the Key Concepts in Media and the Textual Topics in Contemporary Media studied for module 2.

(The Textual Topics in Contemporary Media module was completed by Mr Whyte).

This is the only coursework students are expected to complete for AS.  However, a number of the students have a poor attendance record, which must be rectified if they are to complete the coursework by early May.  Mr Corr and Mr Kerrins will each teach students in the lessons necessary to support the coursework and Mrs Kerrins will be there at both sessions.  During the last two weeks of this term and the first two weeks of next term, Miss Duff will work with the group on the video presentation.

I hope this goes some way to reassuring you.  We have already appointed a Media Studies and English teacher for September, and I did try to arrange an early start but she is contracted elsewhere until the summer.  It might encourage students if I tell you that the three Year 13 students in their latest module taught by Mr Whyte, after another difficult time with staff leaving last year, achieved an A and two Bs. 

We have appointed the necessary specialist for next year, and Mrs Kerrins plus Drama and Art staff are determined not to let students down this year.

Thank you for your continuing support in what has been a challenging time, but we are fortunate in having a very profession staff working hard for the students affected by Mr Whyte’s departure.

With Best Wishes.

John Lawson

Principal