Record Results at BHASVIC
Record pass rate A Levels 98.1% - AS Levels 92.4%
Press release: 16 August 2007

BHASVIC’s record pass rate for A levels is 98.1%, with 55.8% of the grades at A to B (29.3% at grade A). This year saw a record number of BHASVIC students gaining A grades. Of the 672 students who took A levels, 21 students achieved 4 A grades and 73 students gained three A grades.

Also one student achieved one of the top five national results: Katie Dwyer in A level Business Studies (AQA board).

Thirty-one subjects at A level (out of 47) achieved a 100% pass rate: (Accounting, Archaeology, Art, Business Studies, Chinese, Classical Civilisation, Communication Studies, Computing, Dance, Economics, English Language, Film Studies, French, Geography, German, History, Japanese, Media Studies, Music, Performance Studies, Persian, Photography, Philosophy, Physical Education, Religious Studies, Russian, Science, Spanish, Textiles, Theatre Studies, Travel and Tourism). For the 10th consecutive year Photography has achieved 100% pass rate at A level, with over 60% achieving an A grade.

All thirteen students achieved the A level grades required to secure their places at Oxford and Cambridge universities this October.

The overall pass rate for AS levels is 92.4% with 46.8% of the grades at A to B. Fifteen subjects achieved a 100% pass rate at AS level: (Art, English Language, English Literature, Film Studies, Further Maths, Geology, German, Music, Performing Arts, Persian, Perspectives on Science, Russian, Theatre Studies, Travel and Tourism, Urdu). Of the 1070 students who took one or more AS levels, 2 gained 5 A grades, 30 students gained four A grades and 56 gained 3 A grades.

Principal, Chris Thomson said: "These are outstanding results at both AS and A level, with a record number of students gaining A grades – this is fantastic news for the whole College community. We take immense pride in this achievement which merits celebration. I would personally like to congratulate our outstanding staff and students for their hard work, which has led to a record set of results.”

Students Walk to Celebrate Community Spirit
Press Release:10th July 2007

BHASVIC are staging a whole college sponsored walking event in conjunction with the Brighton and Hove Soiree Rotary Club on Tuesday 17th July to raise funds for two local charities: Brighton and Hove FareShare as well as Martletts Hospice. The ‘Soirettes’ from the Rotary Club will be supplying refreshments to students and staff on the day. At least six hundred students and staff will be walking with the aim of raising at least £5,000 for the nominated charities.

Students and staff can choose from three different sponsored walk routes that are centred around Ditchling Beacon and the Jack and Jill Windmills varying from 3.5 miles, 4.5 miles and 8.9 miles. All the walking routes will start from Pangdean Farm in Pyecombe with the first walkers setting off at phased intervals from 9 am until 12.30 pm on Tuesday 17th July. BHASVIC would like to thank Ian Currie of Pangdean Farm for his help in organising the sponsored walk.

Walk organiser Paul Riley said: ”This whole college event is not just about raising money it is also an important celebration of BHASVIC’s community spirit. Our sponsored walk will give us an opportunity to appreciate our local Downland environment and its history as well as promoting a healthy lifestyle for all our students and staff.”

Recreating the Oscars
Press Release:14th June 2007

Oscar-style awards are to be handed out at The Duke of York’s cinema in Brighton on Monday 25th June for ‘BHASVICTORs’ - the annual film show and awards ceremony for BHASVIC (Brighton, Hove & Sussex Sixth Form College). Brighton Film School, Lighthouse and Duke of York’s will each be presenting special prizes to the top Media, Film and Communication students at BHASVIC. Star guests attending will be film directors Phil Hobden and Ross Boyask, who were both students at BHASVIC and now have their own production company, with several feature films behind them. ‘BHASVICTOR’ awards will be presented for: Best Short Film, Best Music Video, Best Reality TV show and Best Thriller Opening Sequence. The event will also showcase the best print and multi-media work. The film show is free and will be open to members of the public.

A press reception will be held at the Duke of York’s cinema, from 5.30 – 6.30 pm, prior to the screenings, when the Producers, Directors and Stars will be available for photographs and interviews. The Film Show is scheduled to run from 6.45 – 8:00 pm.

Alison Cousens, Head of Media, Film and Communication Studies, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to have their films shown in a real cinema. Many of them have a bright future ahead in the industry – their films range from the exotic and dramatic to the amusing and surreal. They include ‘Chav to Chap’ our very own comedy version of a TV’s makeover show and a range of new thrillers with titles like ‘Chop, Chop’ and ‘The Razor’s Edge’. Come along and join us in celebrating our students’ highly professional achievements.”

Cambridge 8 Oxford 5
Press Release: 5th February 2007

Thirteen students from BHASVIC (Brighton Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College) have been offered places at the universities of Oxford or Cambridge in this year’s round of applications.

Eight students were offered places at Cambridge: Matthew Amos former pupil of Oakmeads Community College; Peter Chandler former pupil of Chailey High School; Kirstyn Gower former pupil of St Paul's Catholic College; Lewis Hemens former pupil of Hove Park High School; Craig Hogg former pupil of Portslade Community College; Eleanor Paull former pupil of Burgess Hill School for Girls; Colette Sensier former pupil of Downlands School; Hassan Shaikh former pupil of Al Sadiq Al Zahra Schools.

Five students were offered places at Oxford: Sian Edmonds former pupil of Blatchington Mill School; Tim Glebocki former pupil of Varndean High School; Simon Inman former pupil of Longhill High School; Christopher Price former pupil of Downlands School; Daniel Titheradge former pupil of Longhill High School.

“Our students have done outstandingly well and made effective use of the full support offered by their teachers and I congratulate them all” said College Principal, Chris Thomson.

BRIGHTON AND HOVE TEENS GO HUNGRY FOR A CHANGE
- WORLD CHANGE THAT IS
Press Release: 6th February 2007

BHASVIC students and staff are experiencing hunger for one day in a 24-hour famine to raise money to provide orphaned farmers in Zambia with training, seeds and tools to provide food for their families. The sponsored 24-hour famine will take place during Friday 9 February to Sunday 11 February.

Thousands of teenagers across the UK are being sponsored in World Vision’s 21st global ‘24 hour Famine’. BHASVIC teacher, Dr Stuart Newton explains: “Choosing to go hungry for one day is easy. And it’s worth it. It’s our way of helping those who go hungry every day.” Speaking for World Vision, Matt Wenham, the 24 hour famine national co-ordinator said: “over the last 20 years, more than one million teenagers in the UK have raised £20 million for hungry communities overseas. We are so happy that students at BHASVIC have decided to go hungry for change.”

Students and staff taking part in the sponsored famine will be allowed to drink water, fruit juice or tea as well as boiled sweet every 4 hours. Only those who have had recent surgery, diabetes, ulcers, heart conditions or kidney complaints will be prevented from taking part in the 24 hour famine.

THE BEGGAR'S OPERA AT BHASVIC
Press Release: 25th January 2007

Highwaymen, lowlifes and womanisers feature in the ‘The Beggar’s Opera’ performed by students at BHASVIC (Brighton Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College) on Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th February at 7.30pm. A great comedy with a savagely satirical view of marriage, money and morals; ‘The Beggar’s Opera’ by John Gay is regarded as the country's first ever musical. Performances will take place in BHASVIC’s Main Hall. Tickets are priced at £5 for adults and £3 for children under 12 and are available by calling 01273 - 552200. Groups of ten or more are charged at £4 per ticket and are available by e-mailing a.meadows@bhasvic.ac.uk

The plot revolves around MacHeath, a notorious womaniser and highwayman. Peachum, a fence, deplores the fact that his daughter Polly is marrying MacHeath and arranges for the scoundrel to be arrested and imprisoned in the jail run by Lockit, a corrupt warder. MacHeath tries to escape by enlisting the help of Lockit’s daughter, Lucy, by promising to marry her. His plan is complicated when Polly comes to try and save him. Thus, Lucy and Polly end up in inevitable rivalry. How could it possibly all end happily?