Thirty Year 8 students visit the Sky Studios in Elstree for a masterclass

In Life Skills this term, Year 8 students were tasked to create a film pitch using the Sky Studios Masterclass template. This involved working in small groups to come up with an exciting film idea. Students had to work together to choose their film genre, title, characters and main story arc. Ms Faux, Miss Rollings and Miss Wighton chose the best three ideas and 30 students took these ideas to an afternoon at Sky Studios Elstree.

As part of the masterclass, the students attended a tour of the studios, including one of the sound stages used to film Wicked. They also had the unique opportunity to experience the state-of-the-art screening room to view trailers for upcoming movies filmed at Sky. Additionally, they spent time in the Sky XR Studio, where they brought their film ideas to life using cutting-edge technology. Taking roles such as actor, director, producer and editor, they filmed key scenes from their film ideas and edited them into a pitch. To close the day, they also took part in a careers game where they learned about the myriad of job opportunities available in the film industry, matching their interests and strengths to a variety of careers.

The girls behaved impeccably throughout the day, impressing the Sky employees and were an absolute credit to Bishop’s. Their only disappointment was not running into Margot Robbie who was filming while we were there!

Ms Faux

Bishop’s scientists join the Royal Society of Biology’s ‘Voice of the Future’ webinar and question Members of Parliament and Members of the House of Lords on topics ranging from AI to how researchers can advise on policy

On Monday 17th March, four Bishop’s scientists and Dr Bune joined the ‘Voice of the Future’ webinar organised by the Royal Society of Biology. Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School was the only school invited alongside young scientists in industry to ask questions on science education and technology to the Science Minister, Shadow Science Minister, Members of Parliament and Members of the House of Lords.

“We had to send our questions to the MPs prior to the event,” said Maryam W. “My question was the first to be asked and answered by the Shadow Science Minister, Dr Ben Spencer, MP. We asked him if he enjoyed and was good at science when he was at school! He said he was a medic before becoming an MP and loved science from an early age.” He also answered Polly C’s question: “Do you need to know all the latest scientific discoveries?”, to which he laughed and said that would be impossible but he does try to keep up with certain technologies e.g. AI.

The Science Minister, Lord Patrick Vallance FRSB, joined the webinar but then had to be called away to vote! He re-joined and answered Ciara D’s question about whether politics and science should be kept separate. “That would be impossible”, he said. “Ministers are interested, and need science and new technologies, and need to think about what is best to invest in. However there should be no politics involved in who does the research and innovation”.

Diana C’s question was answered by Emily Darlington, MP and Alisa Gardner, MP, concerning the continuing gender stereotype in STEM. They were both interested that this question came from a girls’ school. They felt that there was common cultural perspective about what a scientist looked like and more should be done in schools to show the diversity in STEM and how women have been at the forefront of science. It was noted that more enrichment experiences will encourage diversity in science. The session finished with Lord Drayson discussing the need for critical thinking skills to allow young people to manage the huge amounts of information available and to recognise fake news and biased interpretations.

“It was great to be involved in these discussions”, said Maryam. “We felt very honoured to be constantly referred to by the Chair and to have our school listed amongst all the other societies.

Maryam W

For more information on this RSB webinar, visit: MPs quizzed by Young Scientists at RSB’s Voice of the Future 2025

Celebrating Unity in Diversity: Cultural Clothing Day at Our School

Friday 28th February 2025 was a special event dedicated to showcasing the rich heritage of our diverse school community. Students and staff alike embraced the opportunity to wear traditional attire, transforming the school into a beautiful reflection of global culture.

The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the Cultural Clothing Showcase, held at lunchtime in front of an enthusiastic audience. The showcase featured an electrifying fashion show, where students proudly walked the runway in stunning outfits representing their heritage. Every step was a statement of cultural pride and celebration!

The showcase was not just about fashion—it was a multisensory celebration of culture. The audience was mesmerised by powerful poetry performances, where students expressed personal and historical reflections on identity and belonging. The energy in the room soared with traditional and contemporary dance performances, showcasing the vibrancy and rhythm of different cultures, leaving the audience in awe.

Beyond the performances and stunning outfits, Cultural Clothing Day reinforced the values of inclusivity, respect, and appreciation. It provided a platform for students to share their heritage, learn from one another, and celebrate the unique identities that make up our school community. The atmosphere was one of joy and unity, as students engaged in meaningful conversations about their traditions, fostering a deeper understanding of the world around them.

The day was a resounding success, thanks to the enthusiasm and participation of our students and staff. Events like these remind us of the beauty of diversity and the strength of coming together as one community. As we look forward to more celebrations of culture and identity, we continue to embrace the ethos that diversity is not just acknowledged, but celebrated at our school.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part and a special thank you to the Equality and Diversity Committee who organised the whole event! I am so proud to work with such wonderful, dedicated students.

Miss Maisey: Equality and Diversity Lead.

Students embrace responsible risk-taking in a lunchtime of creative activities

On the lunchtime of Thursday 6th February, as part of Children’s Mental Health Week, we held a new addition to the Bishop’s Calendar: Mics and Masterpieces. The idea behind this event was to support our students in allowing them to develop their confidence by taking responsible risks in a safe and supportive environment. With a creative slant, the activities on offer in the Drama Studio, were to take a turn performing as part of our open-mic-type set-up; or to get stuck in with some pastels, creating an artistic piece in response to some Kandinsky works which were pinned up around the room; or to decoratively ice a biscuit which they could then eat! Interestingly, Kandinsky actually experienced the neurological phenomenon ‘synesthesia’, meaning that he perceived sounds to have colours and vice versa, something which heavily influenced his art works. This made a good link between the music and art that were going on throughout the event.

We were inundated with students who came to get stuck in and give things a go in the informal atmosphere, and it was fantastic to see students getting involved and trying out activities, not worrying about the outcomes and just giving them a go. They loved seeing their peers perform and supported them with real enthusiasm! It was also wonderful to see students performing the music that they had chosen and loved, to their friends and peers, with a sense of fun and pride. Additionally, it was great to see students who might not necessarily always put themselves forward for things, get involved and do themselves proud. So many students wanted to perform that we’re in the process of planning another similar event to give more students a chance to get involved and share their talents with the school community.

For a peak into this lunchtime session, click HERE