FUTURE SCIENCE In June ten pupils from St Matthew’s C of E Primary School attended HGS and participated in two interactive STEM workshops, both of which were designed to give them a flavour of what our students do at KS3 and beyond. First stop was a Design & Technology workshop where they were able to design their own pen and pencil holder – which they got to take home – in our brand new design studio, using 2D CAD. The laser machine was used to cut out their acrylic designs; then they used the Line bender machine to fold their acrylic design and attach it to a wooden base. The pupils also watched our cutting-edge 3D printer in action as it made a frog. They clearly enjoyed exploring all the other tools and toys previously created by the printer. After break they went for a tour round the school which ended with the pupils in the Science labs hosting a Science workshop. This involved a variety of stimulating practical activities that included looking inside cells using powerful microscopes; using Bunsen burners to carry out flame tests of select Alkali and Alkali-Earth metals; burning magnesium (making sparklers); putting their hands through the flame and understanding how fireworks are made. They were also enthralled by the exploding hydrogen balloon, the screaming jelly baby, the whoosh bottle and much more. To finish off the day, the pupils were issued with drinks and biscuits as well as flyers about the 11+ familiarisation programme and encouraged to sign up and complete the online training material in preparation for the 11+ in September. Both staff and pupils thoroughly enjoyed their HGS experience and we look forward to working with St Matthew’s next year and enthusing even more Year 5 pupils. Mr F. Ahmed & Mr D. Bansal LIVERPOOL TRIP In September we visited the National Slavery Museum in Liverpool as part of our A-Level History course. I had briefly learnt about the conditions that the slaves faced, the push towards equality and being treated as equal citizens but I was thoroughly unprepared for the Museum. On display were several harrowing tools that were used on the slaves; handcuffs fit for a small child, masks designed to degrade and whips used to maim. This made the experience in the museum uncomfortable, but necessary. Personally, it showed me how despite the horrific nature of that period it cannot be ignored. It must be talked about so that we can ensure that no one else is treated the way they were. Accounts from the children of slaves showed that they didn’t know where they originated from. The trip showed how vital it is that slavery is not forgotten and that despite the progress that has been made we still have ample work left to do. Teny Kuti, 13KDR I think the Liverpool trip was a really fascinating experience. The slavery exhibition had artefacts that displayed the cruel punishments used by slave owners on the slaves and it showed the extremely harsh treatment of the slaves. The screen that displayed the experience of the slaves on the ship was shocking. Overall, the experience was interesting as it provided a visual insight of slavery that we wouldn’t have experienced by just reading a textbook. Saba Bashir, 13AHA Visiting the International Slavery Museum allowed us to see the harsh realities of slavery first-hand, and see how elements from the transatlantic slave trade have remained ingrained in society, which made the experience as a whole solemn but interesting. Most of all, it was important and informative to see the involvement of the UK in the slave trade, something that should be a lesson for all of us. Amritpal Kullar, 13MMI 16