The Sutton Trust Summer School
We had an absolutely incredible time with our Sutton Trust Summer School students this year. They manged to do so much over the five days that it will be difficult to summarise, but here are some of the highlights!
The RVC Sutton Trust summer school is a 5 day residential school at our Potters Bar Campus. The students arrived into central London and stopped off at our Camden Campus to meet each other and their RVC student ambassadors. After a session about Pet First Aid, it was time to head off to the Hawkshead Campus and dive straight into activities.
The students had the opportunity to meet lots of animals, particularly those at our on site farm. They learnt about the life cycle of the farm animals, as well as how to handle a sheep like a vet! At an average of around 70kg each the sheep proved difficult patients, but its a very useful skill if the students decide to progress on to veterinary science.
Back at the campus, they visited our clinical skills centre where they learnt how to do suturing (using silicone mats just like our vet students), as well as bandaging and sterile gloving and gowning. Suturing was very popular, as it is something students are often apprehensive about trying and have had little experience of. Our student ambassadors gave them the time to learn and make mistakes in a friendly atmosphere which helped to build their confidence.
The students were taught by experts in their field, across a wide range of disciplines from Dinosaur bio-mechanics (the Dawn Dinos team), to how to take care of a 7ft long boa constrictor (with the amazing Wild Fangs), and understanding horse anatomy with the RVC's equine diagnostics team.
Alongside their activities, the students were given the task of creating a presentation AND poster, in time for a conference on the Thursday afternoon. With the topic of zoonotic diseases, presentations ranged from Lymes disease, to Toxoplasmosis, preventing mad cow disease, and even to the historical importance of the Bubonic plague. Every team did fantastically, showcasing brilliant presenting skills and confidence. They even included complex things like audience interaction and narrating videos. A massive well done to all!
In their free time the students had the opportunity to take part in sports activities, or settle down to create their own art pieces. On the finial day the Student ambassadors teamed up to create the brilliant Animal Olympics, where students competed throughout a series of grueling 'veterinary themed' obstacles. These included horsey hurdles and match the wellies.
The students were living in houses throughout their time at the campus, and each house got together to compete in the Bake Off night. Everyone had the same ingredients but the dishes created were totally different, with a lot of thought gone into each one.
We had the pleasure of sharing one students birthday morning on the finial day, complete with a card signed by all the students and ambassadors (and cake!)
Then all too soon it wad time to go. We hope everyone had a brilliant time, we enjoyed meeting each and everyone one of you, and we wish you luck for the future.
