Year 8s took part in a workshop on Kosher and Shabbat in the Jewish Museum

On 14/11/22, Year 8 students went to the Jewish Museum in Camden to dive deeper into Judaism through two workshops. In the Kosher workshop, the students went into depth on the different mitzvot (commandments) in the Torah which link to why Jews keep kosher. They explored how Jews, depending on their denomination, might not keep kosher. During the Shabbat workshop, they learn the significance of the symbolism through the tradition as well as the importance of family and community. The students (and teachers) enjoyed eating the challah! They ended with a fantastic Q&A session where the museum allowed the students to explore their curiosity. This was an enriching experience for all the students and was a perfect opportunity to finish the Judaism topic.

Young Carers went to see Rotten Romans at the Odeon Hatfield

Last Wednesday, 30 of our Young Carers went to the cinema to watch ‘The Rotten Romans’ by the Horrible Histories people. It was quite nice to have a relaxing time and to learn a bit about what really happened when the Romans were in Britain! Snacks were enjoyed by all and it was fun to have an afternoon out together.

Bianka McC (9PA)

Work Experience Programme Launch

On Friday, Year 13s gave our Year 12 cohort the benefit of their workplace experience by helping to launch the BHGS Work Experience and Enrichment programme.

At Bishop’s, we run two comprehensive programmes of work experience in Years 10 and 12. Year 10 is designed to introduce pupils to a workplace and the second programme builds on this initial experience and any part time work thereafter and focuses more on what Year 12 want to do as a career. Both programmes run at the end of the school year.

Our Year 13s came along to the launch to give their top tips on how to find work placements, why they chose them, what skills they got out of them, and whether it has helped them to decide on a future career. Example work placements were across the board: from law firms, to court attendance, from finance to marketing and schools to the NHS and STEM employers through to construction companies. Top tips ranged from getting in early, using your network and using the skills learnt and workplace experience gained on their CV and on the all important UCAS application form!

Even if a student felt they did not enjoy a placement, this was a valuable experience in what not to do. As one student put it: “It’s saved me five years” of doing the wrong course. All Year 12s are tasked with finding a placement by the deadline of 20th February 2023.

Calling all parents and carers – if you can help with a work placement for Year 12 or Year 10 please get in contact with Head of Careers, Mrs Higgins, and let her know (jhiggins@bishophatfield.herts.sch.uk)

Work Experience runs for Year 10: 10th – 14th July 2023 Work Experience runs for Year 12: 17th – 21st July 2023

Year 12 and 13 Mock Assessment Centre Workshop – the opportunity to develop their team and communications skills in a simulated job application environment

Our Sixth Form have all been put through a Mock Assessment Centre on a Friday morning this term – and many were told that in the real world “they’d get the job!! We had great feedback on our Sixth form students from one of our lead local Business partners Computacenter who kindly came in and ran a simulated Mock Assessment Centre for our students across two Friday mornings. The students were all put in mixed groups to encourage a “new” environment and then put through their paces by having to deliver a focused business brief as a team within the tight timescales of 30 minutes. We do business tasks in a number of lessons and careers days – but this was different as Computacenter came in with a team of “assessors” to watch our sixth form teams in action and then critique ideas, pro-activity, communication skills, team work and leadership skills – as they would when they run actual Assessment centres for job roles and apprenticeships. The morning was very practical and skills-led, and got the Sixth Form motoring first thing in the morning as it was just over two hours. The students got an opportunity to hear why assessment centres are run, what skills employers look for and top tips, along with having the “experience” of one! This workshop will be useful for those about to embark on the competitive worlds of Apprenticeships, job searches and University life, and longer term into their career journey.

Thanks to Computacenter for fielding so many assessor volunteers and running our morning… Next is the dreaded interviews!