Budding KS3 scientists presented their experiments at BHGS annual Science Fair

From Physics through to Psychology, an array of budding scientists emerged from BHGS Science Fair. This science flagship event gave Key Stage 3 pupils the opportunity to design/plan and present a science experiment as a team. The hypothesis tested were fascinating: why do onions make you cry; how clean is drinking water; the effectiveness of masks; optical illusions; do Zodiac signs influence behaviour; can life survive on Mars; do toys influence career choices. The winning teams were… 1st: the Genetically Modified Organism experiment (9D); 2nd: The Bacteria Everywhere team (7I); 3rd: How clean is our school (9R). Prizes were also awarded for Literacy, Numeracy and our best budding scientist went to Babara I. for her explanations on her team presentation about Black Holes.

Jessica D (9Au), one of winning team members, tells us why it is such an important event in school.

“It was a fantastic event! We had spent a few weeks preparing our projects and, on the 4th July, we presented them to year 7-10 and the visiting judges. Our presentation looked at genetically modified organisms. We added the Green Fluorescent Protein to the bacteria E.coli and watched it glow! We discussed the implications of the growing field of genetic engineering and concluded that this new technology will help us in the future, to reduce the impact of global warming and help prevent global crises like the recent pandemic. We had waited 2 years to complete and show our work, due to the pandemic, so we were very glad to finally get the chance to show the judges what we had done. We won first prize and the numeracy prize for all our analysis. We all had a great time.”

Next Generation Programme Comes to Bishop’s. The launch of our Work Experience In house programme

Bishop’s hosted a bespoke Work Experience programme in-house last week. Local Corporates visited Bishop’s to deliver a programme of simulated business and work experience tasks from Tuesday to Thursday in and outside our school grounds. Computacenter, a local and national IT provider, delivered a thought-provoking Business Case where our Year 10s worked in teams to present a new product for a Theme park. Brainstorming, product development and pulling together an engaging pitch under timed and competitive conditions produced some great ideas themed from Stranger things to underwater world rides! The Army came in with Major Downing leading our troops in a range of active outdoor tasks developing communication and team dynamics. It was a hot day and lots of jumping through tyres! In that afternoon our “new recruits” were tested in Sandhurst style with an Operations challenge. Major Downing’s feedback was that the speed and thought put into the operations plans was as good as any school she had seen – high praise! Our last day was some reflection on our “brands” what we stood for and what our Year 10s would like to focus on. Year 10 were also tasked with building their “network” with the visiting employers to secure work experience in the future. Our visitors ranged from Computacenter to PayPoint, The Army and ELSA. All employers commented on the energy and enthusiasm throughout and how they all threw themselves into the tasks. Career skills and networks were built and some outdoor fitness achieved!

Year 12 Careers Workshop understanding the power of THEIR own brand

Year 12 had a guest speaker in on Friday to share with them the importance of building, developing and protecting their personal “brand” to help prepare them for when they venture into the outside world of work. Charlie Ryan, Director of the CMR Recruitment Group, an experienced recruiter and HR specialist of 25 years, came in to help the Year 12s understand the importance and power of building their own brands. The workshop focused on many aspects from the impact of a CV through to the power and problems associated with profiles on social media. The workshop also served to show Year 12 how people are perceived in the world of work. Charlie took them through an interactive 1.5 hour workshop, reviewing CVs, looking at top tips for interviews and how to build and protect their own brands for the future – off and on-line. This forms part of our Careers Programme for Sixth form. A practical workshop on designing and developing our pupils’ CVs to maximise their skills and an assembly on how to harness LinkedIn – and use it effectively and safely – will follow next year.

BHGS Senior Athletics Team make the County Cup Final

On Tuesday 5th July, Miss Cameron, Miss Esterhuizen and Mrs Waters took the Senior Athletics team to represent Bishop’s in the Hertfordshire Athletics County Cup Final at Jarman Park in Hemel Hempstead. The Senior team had qualified as the 4th best team in our side of Hertfordshire after 6 rounds of the County League competition

The Cup Final comprised of the following schools – Roundwood Park, Parmiters, Royal Masonic, St Clement Danes, Hitchin Girls, St Albans High, Dame Alice Owens and BHGS.

As this was the top 8 schools in the whole of Hertfordshire the standard of competition was always going to be tough but the Senior team did well finishing in 8th place,

A special well done to two of Year 10 pupils who placed in the top 3 of their event – Natu K (10Fr) who came 2nd in the U16 Girls 100m with a time of 13.01 seconds and also to Ami P (10Fr) who who broke her previous PB of 9.77m for the Triple Jump with her first jump (10.03m), then again on her second jump (10.09m) and finally with her 3rd jump (10.16m) to finish in 3rd place. Brilliant work – well done girls!

Congratulations to all of the girls who have represented the Senior Athletics team this season and a big thank you to Miss Cameron as Senior Team Manager and Mrs Waters and Miss Esterhuizen for all of their help at training.

Well done everyone!