Thursday 30th November 2017 saw the official opening of the Professor Joe Biddlestone DT Laboratories by Patrick Burns, Chair of the King Edward VI Foundation. It was a wonderful occasion and was enjoyed by all. Head of DT Ms Bullock spoke first and highlighted the developments that the DT team have made over the last couple of years such as the introduction of GCSE and A Level Product Design as well as collaboration with King Edward VI Aston School and DATA (Design and Technology Association). Most recently the team won a national competition (The Ripple Effect) sponsored by Misco, HP and Intel which saw them be awarded an HP STEM and Creative Learning Studio worth over £20,000. Headmaster Simon Bird then spoke about the work that had been put into creating the fabulous new facilities and how it had been a fantastic team effort. He thanked the DT department for their energy and creativity, the IT team for their excellent advice and support and the Bursar for driving the project forward. He then thanked the various companies and contractors who had been involved in the project: • Martin Evans Construction • Severn Group • Hobarts • Zioxi •  Lee Stimson Painting and Decorating Services • HP • PCM Dr Bird went on to emphasise that these new facilities are designed and created to enhance our students’ learning experience and to ensure that we remain at the cutting edge of both design and technology. This was emphasised by the fact that KEVI HGS is now a Hobarts Centre of Excellence School. The development of our students and staff is at the heart of all we do. He then went on to dedicate the Laboratories to Professor Joe Biddlestone who has been a Governor for some 30 years as well as a Charity Trustee. It is apt that they are named in honour of him as he has enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Birmingham as well as giving so much to KEVI HGS in wise, erudite and effective leadership. We are truly grateful for all that Professor Biddlestone has done for our school and the evening and presentation was a way of marking our thanks. By way of response Professor Biddlestone thanked everyone for the evening and his presents adding that he had thoroughly enjoyed his time as a Governor and was delighted to have played such a positive part in the development of the school over the past five years or so. Mr Burns then officially opened the Laboratories and said how delighted he was to see such an investment in teaching and learning and the collaboration across the three King Edward VI Grammar Schools in the north of the city. He also took the opportunity with his Chair of the KEVI Foundation hat on to welcome KEVI HGS to the Foundation and Academy Trust – even though he is an Aston old boy! The evening closed with viewings and hands-on demonstrations of the facilities and equipment, followed by refreshments in the Sixth Form Centre. DT LABORATORIES OFFICIAL OPENING 41