News
FOOTBALL NEWS: 1st December 2009
Well done to the David Game College football team for beating Westminster Tutors 20:9!
CHRISTMAS CRASH COURSES in C1, C2, C3, S1, M1, FP1
An ideal opportunity to improve grades during Christmas break
• Excellent results in June 2009 exam
• Free work sheets and past exam papers
• Proper classroom atmosphere
• £20 discount for each extra module
• £150 per moduleVisit the Christmas Revision page for more information.
HYDROGEN – TO WHICH CHEMICAL GROUP DOES IT BELONG?
Science writing competitionHydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe and the simplest – its atom consists of just a proton and an orbiting electron. Without hydrogen we would not be here; all organic compounds making up living things contain hydrogen and it is also a constituent of water, necessary for all known life.
Our Sun, like most other stars, releases energy by converting hydrogen to helium by nuclear fusion, without which there would be no energy to sustain life on Earth.
Hydrogen is therefore arguably the most important element for life, but can we fit it into a group in the periodic table?
Some previous attempts at this have tried to classify hydrogen as Group 1 (Alkali metal) or as group 17 (halogen), but neither are satisfactory.
Hydrogen as alkali metal?
The only thing hydrogen has in common with alkali metals is in having one electron in its outermost shell and having a valency (combining power) of one. Unlike the group one elements hydrogen is clearly not a metal (it is a gas at room temperature) and is a poor conductor of heat and electricity. It does not readily form H+ cations and forms covalent bonds in most compounds, whereas group 1 metals readily form cations and form only ionic bonds. Also, alkali metals form basic oxides while hydrogen oxide (water) is amphoteric (both acidic and basic).
Hydrogen as a halogen?
Hydrogen, like the halogens, has one electron short of a complete outer shell and can form H- ions like Cl- and therefore forms ionic compounds with reactive metals – NaH similar in structure to NaCl. Hydrogen also exists as a diatomic gas like fluorine and chlorine. However, here the similarity ends – hydrogen is a reducing agent while the halogens are oxidising agents, hydrogen reacts vigorously with oxygen but not with most metals while the reverse is true of the halogens. Furthermore, hydrogen oxide (water) is amphoteric, while halogen oxides are acidic only.
So hydrogen is neither an alkali metal nor halogen. Does is belong in any other group?
The best way to approach this issue, as in any scientific enquiry, is to collect data and examine it. Data of physical and chemical properties of the elements are available in most good chemistry books. Most melting points and boiling points have been known for years (since 19th century or earlier) and other characteristics such as ionisation energy, electron affinity and electronegativity have been established during the 20th century. As an exercise, why not examine these data and any others for yourself and try to present a case for placing, or not placing, hydrogen into a particular group of the periodic table.
Whoever comes up with the best argued case will have their entry published on the David Game website.
Submit entries via the College blog or email nhg@davidgame-group.com.
Good luck!
WHAT'S YOUR PASS RATE?
The pace of change within the UK education system has been almost frightening in the last 25 years, with the advent of coursework, GCSE, modular syllabuses, vocational courses, the Dearing reforms leading to the introduction of AS/A2, and the recent complete overhaul of AS and A level specifications to name but a few. However, two old adages have stood up well to the test of time:
“All people are equal, but some are more equal than others.”
“There are lies, damn lies and statistics.”
It is (or should be) the duty and professional responsibility of any self-respecting teacher to inspire his or her pupils to achieve the highest possible standard, with expectations to match. The true test, therefore, of any centre of learning has to be, “Do pupils going there realise their full potential whatever that might be?”
David Game College is willing and able to cater for a wide range of abilities (subject to basic entry requirements such as satisfactory GCSE results for a prospective A level student, of course).; these must include students capable of obtaining three A grades at Advanced level and qualifying for competitive courses such as Medicine, but should not be restricted to them. We are a College at which the personal attention experienced by the student actually addresses their needs; each pupil is an individual with hopes and ambitions, not a potential statistic in league tables. Our UCAS adviser, and of course the subject teachers, give students an enormous amount of individual attention to help in the realisation of these ambitions.
It is ironic that while we have always fared well in the league tables, the figures do not always give an accurate reflection of what we do. For example, in the summer of 2007 we carried out a massive overhaul of our GCSE courses, culminating in a decision to switch to IGCSE in a number of key subjects, notably Mathematics and the Sciences; IGCSE results are not included in the tables. Further, league tables are linked to an age criterion, meaning that a student taking GCSE or IGCSE at age 17 or completing A level at age 19 does not have their results included; this excludes many of our students.
League tables fail to recognise that (for example), grade C at Advanced level constitutes a major under-achievement for some students but would be a justifiable cause of wild celebration for others. It is of no relevance to a student who, for example, has obtained U grades elsewhere to know what percentage of A grades were achieved by the College in the previous year, as very few people retaking from U grades are likely to achieve grade A second time around. Such a student does however need to know the answers to two key questions:
1. Will the College care about my situation, or are they only interested in students who will obtain
A grades and hence enhance their position in the league tables?2. Will I improve to such an extent that I will be in a far stronger position career-wise at the end of
the course?The answer to both of these questions is an emphatic yes. For over 30 years, we have taught successfully – side by side – students with widely differing aspirations. Students coming here with the potential to achieve A grades have generally done so; at David Game College we are immensely proud of the fact that most of our students gain entry to the top (Russell Group) universities. Similarly, less academic but equally determined and motivated students have been able to achieve B, C and D grades at Advanced level which have qualified them for their chosen course in Higher Education, leading to worthwhile and lucrative careers.
David Game College is one of the leading examination centres in the UK for Private Candidates, in addition to catering for the needs of our own students. Some of these Private Candidates have told us that the reason they approached us in the first place is that their school or college refused to allow them to enter for examinations, because they were predicted to obtain “only a grade C” in (for example) A level Mathematics, thus having (in the school’s view) a detrimental effect upon the school’s eventual standing in the league tables. In our view, this is a sad state of affairs; we believe that all the efforts of the teachers and senior staff at David Game College should be devoted to getting the maximum response from every student and not playing “numbers games”. Of course schools and colleges should be accountable (and we always have been), but maybe this obsession with figures has gone just a little too far….
INTERVIEWS HELD FOR SEPTEMBER 2009 ENTRY
The College is currently interviewing for GCSE and A' Level places for the September 2009 intakes. Please call for an appointment to meet the Director of Admissions and Vice-Principals for advice and guidance, and to discuss your enrolment options.
Telephone: 020 7221 6665
Email: nhg@davidgame-group.com
Location: David Game House, 69 Notting Hill Gate, London W11 3JSEND OF TERM SOCIAL!
The end-of-term Party at Queens Ice and Bowl was a great way to end a term of hard work. Good news for the fit and co-ordinated…
Thank you to everybody who came along and the great feedback! A similar event will be arranged for next term..watch this space!
We have a new sports coordinator from Spain (Jokin Doria) who will be taking the training sessions - come and play football at 'Kensington Leisure Centre' every Monday (6.00pm - 7.30pm) and Friday (5.00pm - 7.00pm). Whatever your level, come along: have a break from study, meet new friends and have a fun time! For further information, or if you have any questions, look out for Jokin around the College, or pop into reception and ask to speak to him.
See you there!
RACHEL SHERMAN - GUIDING YOU THROUGH YOUR UCAS APPLICATION
After graduating in Geography from UCL, Rachel completed her PGCE and MA at the Institute of Education , and then taught Geography up to A level for 17 years. While teaching, Rachel was also Head of Department and Assistant Head of Sixth Form. She was awarded Advanced Skills Teacher status which recognises teachers for their excellent teaching. Rachel provides career guidance and advice on university applications. She has specific expertise in preparing students for highly competitive university applications and admission tests.
DAVID GAME COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAM
Pictured below is the David Game College football team.Tney have an enviable recent record in fixtures against other London independent colleges, including a 12-0 victory on one memorable occasion!
END OF TERM PARTY
To mark our end of term and exams, DG students(only the ones over the age of 18, of course!) had a fantastic party at the Zoo Bar in Leicester Square. This was a great chance to relax and unwind after all exam stresses and many danced the night away at one of London's top nightclubs!! David Game has very kindly offered to pay for each of you to have a drink on him.
KAE
The Kensington Academy is now gearing up for the summer!!! From June, classes will be running from 9:30-13:00. They are also pleased to announce the launch of their new daily Social Programme which will is being organised by Simon Green (more about him later ...) They made the most of the beautiful weather on Thursday by having a picnic in Kensington Gardens; photographs of this can be found on their brand new Facebook group. Just type in 'Kensington Academy' into the search box of Facebook and join this exciting new way to keep yourself up to date with all that is happening and coming up at KAE. This is also a great way to stay in touch with your old friends or even make new ones.
PAINTBALL!!
A great time was had by all this April at Deltaforce Paintball - overall winners: our very own DG White Team !
CONGRATULATIONS
David Game Students Graduate with First Class DegreesImperial College, Engineering: Ridong Liu has graduated from Imperial with First Class honours in Information Systems Engineering and was awarded the Governor's Prize for an outstanding final year student on the EEng degree.
Imperial College, Computing: Mr Mazim Zverev graduated in 2007 from Imperial with BEng Computing with First Class honours.
University College London, Economics: Miss Shan Shan Huang graduated with a First Class honours in Economics from UCL and has now been awarded a scholarship to commence her PhD in the USA.
University College London, Electronic and Electrical Engineering:Mr Daniel Akpobasah graduated from UCL with First Class honours in Electronic and Electrical Engineering in 2007.
Royal Holloway, Mr Yuntian Gao graduated with First Class honours in Mathematics with Statistics.
University of Warwick, Electronic Engineering: Mr Wen Wang graduated with First Class honours in Electronic Engineering in 2007.
University of Bath, Mathematics: Mr Tarig Abdel Gadir was awarded a Master of Mathematics with First Class honours in 2007.
PRE-MASTERS STUDENTS WIN PLACES AT PRESTIGIOUS UNIVERSITIES
Another successful year for the Pre-Masters course at David Game College with many of our students going on to take Masters' degrees at prestigious universities including Imperial College, University College London, the University of Birmingham, City University, the University of Loughborough and the University of Nottingham.
LEARN ENGLISH OVER THE INTERNET
Please e-mail nhg@kensingtonacademy.com or call us on 02072216665 for more information.
SCHOLARSHIPS FOR EXCELLENCE PROGRAMME
David Game College is delighted to launch its Scholarship for Excellence Programme.
Each September a scholarship fund of £5000 will be distributed to A Level students who have successfully gained places at top British universities.
The Scholarships for Excellence are designed to recognise our high-achieving A Level students and to assist towards the costs of their university studies.
In September 2008 Scholarships for Excellence will be awarded in these areas:
• The David Game Scholarship for Excellence in Science
• The David Game Scholarship for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities
• The David Game Scholarship for Excellence in the Social Sciences and Law
• The David Game Scholarship for Outstanding Achievement
UNIPREP
Test preparation and UK university admissions, including LNAT, BMAT, critical thinking, and medicine and dentistry preparation courses. http://www.uniprep.org.uk
AWARDS
The Good Schools Guide: A Level Awards 2005 & 2006An Award was presented to David Game College for the best results at A Level achieved by boys taking Pure Mathematics and Economics at an Independent School.
NEW COURSES
David Game College - new courses launchedDavid Game College has continued its tradition of starting new full and part time courses. Since September 2005 we have set up:
- Spanish Express - intensive Spanish courses
- David Game School of Photography - digital photography evening and weekend courses
- London School of Dramatic Art (LSDA) - acting courses (full or part-time)
- Off Broadway - evening courses in modern dance
WINTER TIME - December
Students and teachers from Kensington Academy of English went to the 'Winter Wonderland' in Hyde Park. A fun morning was had by all either on the ice or on the big observationwheel.The wheel was certainly the safer option as there were a few falls on the ice rink but by the end of it everyone got the hang of it !
SPORTS @ Kensington Leisure Centre
Basketball: Saturdays at 6.00pm - 7.30pm
Football: Monday at 6.00pm - 7.30pm and Friday 5.00pm - 6.00pmBasketball every Saturday
Football every Monday and Friday
Christmas at NANDOS !
Our Christmas gathering at Nandos in Notting Hill was a big hit ! Finger-licking-fun was had by all the students tucking in to big plates of Chicken & Chips !
