Talented musicians perform at Lady Salisbury’s Coffee Morning at Hatfield House.

On Tuesday 28th March, six of our talented musicians braved a rainy walk down to Hatfield House’s Old Palace in order to perform at Lady Salisbury’s Coffee Morning. This was a fantastic opportunity to represent Bishop’s in splendid surroundings. The coffee morning was to raise money for Breaks Manor Youth & Community Centre & St. Etheldreda’s. Our audience was treated to wonderful performances from the following students: Holly armer and Ellie B (Year 11) singing a vocal duet from the musical Evita, Em W (Year 9) performing a beautiful piece of Grieg on the piano, Kiruga J (Year 11) performing a movement from Reade’s Victorian Kitchen Garden Suite on the clarinet, sensitively accompanied by Grace M (Year 9) on the piano, and Sophie G (Year 10) singing Popular from Wicked. The girls did themselves and the school proud, giving some very polished and confident performances. A number of members of the public commented on how beautifully they played, and how it was lovely to also hear some instrumentalists performing at the coffee morning for the first time. Congratulations to all six performers!

Year 13 Biologists design an animation teaching tool as part of British Science Week at BHGS

As part of British Science Week 2023, Year 13 biologists designed an animation as a teaching tool. The theme for BSW this year was ‘connections’. Our biologists have learnt about how bacteria genes are connected in structures called operons. The control of these operons is complicated and involves many substances that can switch on or off gene expression. To help with the understanding of the interactions involved they designed a play-doh animation to show the events that occur chronologically. The end result is both informative and fun. See video below.

Y12 Science Animation explaining Operons

Well done to the Year 13 Biologists!

Year 10 enjoy listening to Prof. Jim Al-Khalili, Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE and other eminent scientists at GCSE Science Live

On Friday 3rd March, we went to the Dominion Theatre in London to attend GCSE Science Live. The immersive experience was an opportunity for GCSE pupils to engage with Britain’s leading scientists, science examiners and discover more about the successful careers available for those with a Science GCSE and beyond.

We listened to renowned scientists, academics and famous science programme presenters talk about their work and were given plenty of exam and revision tips. Prof Jim Al-Khalili, who presents a lot of science on TV, talked about whether we could travel into the past and/or the future. He did not say it could never happen, we would just have to travel close to the speed of light! Maggie Aldrin-Pocock MBE, a space scientist, chatted about the stars, planets and just how vast the universe is. Alice Roberts, a biological anthropologist, biologist, television presenter and author, showed how she can date skeletal remains, however old they are and Steve Jones, a geneticist, discussed nature versus nurture and how obesity and other conditions can be due to both genetics and environment. It was a really informative day with lots of inspirational science discussions.

Genna Y

Year 9 visits the Natural History Museum

To support the ‘Restless Earth’ topic, Year 9 geographers visited the Natural History Museum in London on Tuesday 31st January 2023. We took part in a trail to find information and were all fascinated by not only the information about different rock types, the layers of different planets, natural disasters and much more but also mesmerised by the many interactive exhibits that involved looking through glass panels, pressing buttons and spinning wheels. After lunch, before our departure, we had the opportunity to visit one exhibit of our choice and we collectively agreed to visit the dinosaur exhibit, which we all enjoyed very much. Upon our arrival to the exhibit, there was an astronomical roaring T-Rex, which scared a few girls but was very popular overall and definitely the highlight of our visit. By the end of the day, it was safe to say that everyone had a convivial time and that this trip was a total success. Thank you to all the staff who came with us and a special thank you to our Head of Humanities, Mrs. Ruffhead for organising the trip and coming with us too! Lilly-Jade T, 9Parr

U12 A and B teams make last 4 of the District Football tournament

On Monday 5th December, Miss McLeman, Miss Cameron and Miss Miller – McKenzie took the U12 A and B Football teams to attend their first fixture at Hertswood Academy.

The A team were drawn in a pool against the following teams – Queenswood A, Chancellors A, Dame Alice Owens, Stanborough and Onslow. Results – * BHGS 1 – 0 Queenswood A * BHGS 0 – 2 Chancellors A, * BHGS 2 – 0 Dame Alice Owens, * BHGS 2-0 Stanborough * BHGS 1-0 Onslow The A team showed excellent determination in defence and some brilliant attacking and support play to win their group and progress to the semi final.

The B team were drawn in the opposite pool against the following teams – Queenswood B, Chancellors B, Hertswood, Mount Grace and Ridgeway. Results * BHGS 1-0 Queenwood B * BHGS 0-0 Chancellors B * BHGS 1-0 Hertswood * BHGS 0-0 Mount Grace * BHGS 0-2 Ridgeway The B team showed great effort in both attack and defence in poor conditions to finish 2nd in their group. They now progressed to the semi finals where they would meet our BHGS A team.

In a hotly contested all BHGS semi final, the A team showed some excellent attacking skills to win 3-0 and make it to the final. The dogged determination of the B team pupils really made it difficult for the A team and they were unlucky not to get a goal or two of their own.

The A team progressed to the final where they faced a strong Ridgeway team. With 2 key players causing problems at times for our A team, the resilience and effort from all of the BHGS A team kept them out until the end of normal time. With 2 minutes of extra time added, our A team were unlucky not to finish off a near certain goal but for 2 excellent saves from the Ridgeway keeper.

It was 0-0 at the end of extra time and so we progressed to penalties. Each team had 5 attempts to try and win the District Final. After a tense few minutes with some excellent goals from both teams, goalkeeper Aanya P made the difference and saved 2 shots (1 about half a cm from the goalline!) to win the final 5-3 and earn the title of District Champions!

A fantastic effort from both teams in their first football tournament for BHGS. It’s been brilliant to see so many Year 7 pupils attend Football club on a Thursday with Miss McLeman and Mr Lister – we are very lucky to have so many keen footballers and an array of talent to choose from. Hopefully next time, we might even be able to enter a C team as well! Thank you to Miss McLeman and Mr Lister for all of their hard work at Football club – again, pupils wouldn’t be able to have the opportunities without staff giving up their time every week. Thank you also to Miss Miller – McKenzie for attending the tournament as an extra staff member so the girls could compete.

Well done everyone!

U12 BHGS A Team – District Champions: Ruby Eusden D (Captain) Aanya P Ruth A Alexia L Sade M Maria M Elina Ramana Poppy Wright

U12 BHGS B Team – District Semi Finalists Amy Johnson (Captain) Stephanie B Maya F Priscilla B Amenze E Carina M Favour N Shruti G