Computing Trip to Bletchley Park
Bletchley Park was recently awarded Best Heritage Venue at this year’s School Travel Awards and on the 7th of July, 40 Year 10 Computer Science students visited this home of the famous codebreakers during the 2nd World War. These students were not only given a tour of the grounds and living space of the codebreakers, but they were also treated to a short film revolving around the work of Alan Turing and William Tutte.
The first half of the day saw us take part in a complex workshop which detailed the use of encryption in transmitting sensitive data across a network, as well as watching a short documentary on the secret acts of the codebreakers in intercepting enemy transmissions. This documentary also showed how the acts of the codebreakers shortened the war, consequentially saving millions of lives.
After a refreshing break in the shade from the sweltering sun, we were given a guided tour of the grounds. We then ventured inside the mansion which served as the headquarters for cryptology prior to the war. We also visited the office of Commander Denniston, the head of the Government Code and Cypher School. We were then shown the numerous huts within which the transmissions would be decoded by the many people employed as the codebreakers.
Finally, we were taught about the underground people who aided our efforts, such as the three Polish scientists, Marian Rejewski, Jerzy Różycki and Henryk Zygalski who originally cracked the enigma code in 1932. These scientists have a memorial at Bletchley, in the form of a stone book. Alan Turing used their original machine as the basis for his Enigma machine. By the end of this visit, we were far more informed of the lengths gone to by many different people to ensure victory and minimise the loss of life.
We are incredibly grateful to the teachers who organised this opportunity for us, Mr King, Mr Hawkins, Mr Ahmed and Mr Eaton.
Oliver Fance – 10H
House 500 Word Short Story Competition
This summer pupils across the school participated in the House 500 Word Short Story Competition. Our departing Head of English, Mr G Dubay had the unenviable job of judging the competition, with winners for KS3, KS4 and Sixth Form each receiving a £10 Amazon voucher for the efforts as well as valuable House points for their respective houses . The winning entries have been published below, however a massive thank you goes out to all the pupils who submitted an entry.
Mr M.Mohsin
Assistant Headteacher (11-16)
KS3 Winner – Hrithik Bansal 8H
I gazed at the calming sunset, from my bedroom window. Grateful for the moment of peace. The golden tone submerged my room. The last few weeks had been a disaster: the summer being full of bickering and relentless teasing from siblings. It was constant; I needed a break. I wanted to explore the new town. I’d heard the hills could be serene. Perhaps this sunset could be enjoyed there.
I reached the hills. The lush grass was like a bed. The sunlight and greenery were soothing. Thankfully, I was away from that life of stress. I closed my eyes and lay down. After a moment, I stood up.
I escaped. My agony was like a wildfire burning inside me. Moments ago, I’d put a young girl to rest. I needed more to fuel my need. The prison they had kept me in was disgusting. The hell hole littered with convicts. My sanity was in shards. I could not control myself. How peculiar, a child right in front of me. Another misery on this planet. I was overwhelmed with a desire to kill. A delight in murder.
A silhouette stood distantly, in their fists a dagger. Bloody. Dripping. Terror began to take over me, my eyes widened in horror. They came closer, their slow footsteps seeming like a countdown to my impending death. Their soulless eyes gloomed into my soul. The hairs on my neck stood as they approached. My heart pounded as I searched frantically for an escape route, through the bushes. Backing up, each step was punctured with fear. I had to get away. But they were too close. I had no other choice but to confront them, no matter the cost.
I approached slowly, them stepping back. A smile enlightened my scarred face, as I watched his desperate soul crumble under pressure.
Closer and closer. The cold steel of the knife glistened in the sunlight. Quickly, a flurry of attacks was unleashed. I dodged without thought. Grabbing his wrist, I compelled him to throw the knife away. Trading blows, I delivered a punch, sending him sprawling to the ground. Yet the victor was yet to be decided. Picking up the knife, I darted away, the only thing I could hear was my heart pounding in my ears.
Imbecile. He ran off. But I am the predator, and I was not finished with that boy. Escape from me was inevitable. I chased after him. Hungry. A flame of slaughter burned in my heart.
I was too slow. He’d caught up with me. Feeling a sharp push, I fell in pain. Bruises coating my legs. The knife lay on the floor, a meter away. Crawling toward it, I felt agony as he digged his nails into my leg. Grasping the knife, I pierced his chest. Blood seeped down my fingers. Watching in fright, a tear formed in my eyes. My mouth was open in shock. Sweat tricked down the temples of my head. The murderer was dead. Or was he?
KS4 Winner – David Fadairo 11G
Sarah had always been a thrill-seeker. She loved the rush of adrenaline that came from pushing herself to the limits, whether it was skydiving, bungee jumping, or exploring abandoned buildings. But when she heard about the old mansion on the outskirts of town, she knew that this would be her biggest adventure yet.
The mansion had been completely empty for years, ever since the wealthy family that had owned it had disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Rumors had swirled around town for years, with people gossiping about strange noises, eerie lights, and a feeling of dread that hung over the place like a dark cloud.
But Sarah wasn’t afraid.
She was sure that it was all just a bunch of silly superstitions, and she was determined to prove it to her friends. So, one night, they gathered at the edge of the woods, ready to make their way to the mansion and explore its untold secrets.
As they walked through the dark woods, Sarah could feel her heart pounding in her chest. It was exhilarating, like being in a horror movie. But as they got closer to the mansion, she began to feel a sense of unease. There was something wrong here, something that she couldn’t quite put her finger on.
They entered the mansion through a broken window, their flashlights illuminating the dusty old furniture and cobweb-covered chandeliers. At first, it was just like they had expected: spooky, but not too scary. But as they explored further into the mansion, things began to take a turn for the worse. Strange noises echoed through the halls, as if the house was alive with some unseen force. Shadows danced on the walls, flickering, and changing shape. And then there were the whispers, faint and indistinct, but somehow still audible. Sarah tried to brush it all off, telling herself that it was just a figment of her imagination. But then one of her friends screamed, and everything changed.
In the dim light of their flashlights, they could see that the walls were moving, pulsing as if they were alive. And then, out of the shadows, came a figure, cold, dark, and twisted, with glowing red eyes and a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth. Sarah and her friends ran, their hearts pounding in their chests as they raced towards the window. But the house seemed to be alive, its walls shifting and changing, blocking their path and herding them towards the center of the mansion. And then… they were trapped, surrounded by darkness and the sound of whispers, with no escape in sight. As Sarah’s friends began to disappear one by one, taken by some unseen force, she realized that this was no game, no thrill-seeking adventure.
This was real, and she was trapped in a nightmare that she could never escape from. As the darkness closed in around her, she knew that she was doomed, just another victim of the mansion’s terrible, haunting power.
House of Horror – by David Fadairo 11 Galahad
KS5 Winner – Eshan Khan 12GDR
The Man in the Window
The photograph was of a temple, a shrine you could say. But what mystery did it hold within its vibrant exterior and its soaring towers, the young boy thought. He carefully placed the photograph back on the surface of the small cabinet in front of him. What the boy had failed to realize was that this photograph was the place of origin of the Evil that lurked within this town.
William stood in the blackness of Charles Marlow’s home, the new owner of the derelict house at the heart of Angel Island Park. No one had ever seen the man, Marlow, not his face anyway. On the way back from school, William would catch the silhouette of a man in the window of this very house. Just staring out through it, standing very still.
William now stood just a few feet away from that very same window. He wondered, will he be able to see what that man had been staring at if he looked out of it, will he catch a glimpse into the mind of a killer? Ever since Marlow moved in, the cases of missing people have risen to an extraordinary amount, the rumor was that Marlow was the culprit but the police investigated the property but found no evidence so Charles couldn’t be convicted.
William emerged from the shadowy depths of the bedroom, he crept closer to the window. The blazing rays of the sun attracted the young boy as he now stood in front of the drab glass. He could see the entire park from the vantage point he possessed, it was a haven he thought. William’s eyes drew to the spot beside the apple tree outside the house, the spot where he would stop and stare at the silhouette inside the house. There was no way the person in the window, whoever it was, could have missed me standing there on the walkway, he thought.
He noticed something else in the window. His reflection, his eyes started to focus.
But there was someone else.
No, something else.
In the window, he could make out the image of a large, black, waist coat but no one to fill its sleeves and body. The person appeared to be invisible. William swung his body around, the young boy’s mouth hung open, his body unmoving. He could barely breathe as the temperature of his body surged. He became fragile in the face of fear.
There was something in that coat, not a man, it couldn’t have been. William’s eyes were drawn to its human face, to its evil eyes. They were the darkest eyes.
From outside the house, the silhouette of the young boy could be made out, it was still. Then the blackness of the silhouette was painted with a splash of scarlet red. The curtain shut and what remained of the young boy was smeared across the window where the man once stood.
Logan Page – RAF Cadets
As a member of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, I’ve had the opportunity to start my career in aviation with multiple training and experience flights in both RAF initial training aircraft (which are the Grob Tutor and Viking T1 gliders). These flights often take place at official, fully operational, RAF bases. So, for example, my time in the Grob Tutor has been split between RAF Cosford and RAF Wittering, whilst my flights in the Viking T1 was at RAF Little Rissington.
The day does start early but its undoubtedly worth it. You start by making your way to a chosen location where you meet with about 10 other cadets from up to 5 other squadrons. Then you travel to the location of the flight and then the day truly begins. The first hour comprises of basic training such as safety measures in case of a very rare emergency. The training covers basic things such as canopy release and using a parachute, followed by some extra medical checks to ensure you’re fit to fly.
Whether you’ve had plenty of flight experience or none at all, you are near enough guaranteed time at the controls. Once in the cockpit the key differences between the two aircraft become apparent. The Viking T1 requires smooth gentle movements as it has no engine and relies solely on aerodynamics and the hunt for thermals. Thermals are simple columns of hot air which are utilised by the pilot due to increase the altitude by many hundreds of feet. The Grob Tutor is a powered aircraft and doesn’t need to use thermals to stay airborne and isn’t subject to the same manoeuvrability limitations. This means that tighter turns, high ‘G force’ movements, zero ‘G force’ movements, and even aerobatics is possible and depending on the experience of the cadet, can place the cadet in controls of rolls and loops.
Of course, my time in the air and time at Air Cadets is great fun with great people. However, these activities do have a deeper purpose, that being a career. Since the first lockdown I longed to be in the air and flying which spurred my desire to join what is the best flying institution, the Royal Air Force. The aim after A-Levels is to progress on to university, whilst simultaneously joining a University Air Squadron which is in essence a step between Air Cadets and the RAF, there is certainly a bigger emphasis on flying and that can only be a good thing!
Logan Page
Wolverhampton Art Gallery Trip
On Thursday 6th July the art department took a group of year 9 student who will be studying GCSE Art and Design next year to “‘The More Things Change..’ Exhibition, featuring the work of the founder member artists of the Blk Art Group, an association of young black British artists formed in 1979 to question what black art was, its identity and what it could become in the future. “ The Exhibition allowed the students to question and consider their own identity and their place in the world and what impact they could have on their own future.
Mrs Lisa Cutler
I am writing to share my excitement and gratitude for the incredible art trip we went on last Thursday to the Wolverhampton Art Gallery. It was truly a remarkable experience that left a lasting impression on me. I found the work inspiring and thought provoking.
Nicholas Blissett-Cousins
‘The trip to Wolverhampton art gallery was amazing! We looked at art about racism and how movies portray stereotypes in western media such as white people being good and foreigners being bad. We also saw how women and men while being used for slaves were still exploited for their bodies. Overall the trip was a lot of fun and was highly educational.’
Kisandu Hapuarachchi
King Edward VI Lunar Society 2022-23
Members of the original Birmingham Lunar Society
The origins of our KE Lunar Society date back to the 18th Century, a time of serious political change and revolution. Intellectuals would gather to discuss and debate anything and everything, from the social order problems of the day to the latest scientific advances, and the intertwining political and philosophical issues. The Lunar Society met in Soho House in Handsworth (the home of Matthew Boulton) between 1765 and 1813, and its members changed the face of the world forever. The society gained its name as its monthly meetings were always scheduled for the Monday nearest to the full moon, the better light helping to ensure the members a safer journey home along the dangerous, unlit streets. In our 21st Century Lunar Society, we discuss a range of historical issues once every half term for an hour. These topics go beyond the specification of our A Level studies, giving us a more holistic view of history and allowing us to discuss and debate our own attitudes towards key historical events. We usually focus on a key theme, including the Christmas Truce of 1914, the Holocaust, International Women’s Day, the Monarchy, and the Windrush. We would then discuss questions surrounding the topic such as: What happened? What can we learn from it? What does it tell us about the past? The Lunar Society has been a unique opportunity to go beyond our classrooms and become educated historians, connecting with intelligent students across the Foundation, meeting new people and forming our own opinions on often controversial historical topics. Meetings were always well organised and all members contributed excellently, allowing for thought-provoking discussions and enthusiastic debates. Timothy Lowman KE Handsworth Grammar School for Boys
In the inaugural meeting, after some introductions, we reflected on the question of “What is History?”, and the discussion of answering the said question was guided by readings from E.H. Carr. However, the foundations of the varied and timely topic-based discussion which was the core of the meetings which followed were set in the next topic of this meeting, that being Remembrance in November, particularly its authenticity and usefulness as a warning and lesson against future conflict(s). The Society came to fruition principally in the subsequent meetings after we had become accustomed to the format of structured, turn-based dialogue, which was required using online meetings, and were able to engage in complex discourse and discussion, and thus the society greatly surpassed my personal expectations and went far beyond the syllabus, allowing us to explore compelling opinions and detailed concepts, we would not have otherwise reached. Dylan Guiney-Bailey KE Handsworth Grammar School for Boys
E.H. Carr; author of What is History?
Mr Mohammed chairs our half-termly meetings and has passionately and beautifully upheld the traditions of our Lunar Society by inspiring and kindling the shared love of history all of our members have. For the past year, we have (together) asked questions and provoked new ways of thought to carry the society forward. For example, after being presented with new sources and interpretations that fuel our discussion, everyone has the opportunity to share their thoughts. It is a pleasure to talk with like-minded students across the Foundation and share deep insights about the study and discipline of history in our meetings. The 2023 Lunar Society that we have today is the result of a shared vision and endeavour and for that we are grateful. Liz Kelly KE VI Handsworth School for Girls
As a relatively late member, I was pleased to be welcomed so warmly and have come to really look forward to our meetings. Going beyond A-level history and having the opportunity to explore periods and issues not covered in lessons as well as broader historical ideas such as historiography has enabled me to develop my interest in history as I hope to study it at university. Everyone’s different perspectives on the topics we discuss are what makes the Lunar Society so interesting as we are all able to come together and share our thoughts in a way that we otherwise wouldn’t. Additionally, the nature of Lunar Society’s monthly topics means we always discuss issues that are topical, such as women’s history around International Women’s Day or the monarchy during the Coronation, and I enjoy how our discussions always feel current despite them being about the past. The way that we look at history and how we link historical events to the modern day and their significance now has been really refreshing and opened my eyes to parts of history that I haven’t looked at before, making it hugely beneficial as an aspiring university history student. Hannah Batey KE VI Handsworth School for Girls
Being a part of the Lunar Society with other schools in the KEVI Trust has been engaging, fulfilling, and fascinating, particularly due to being able to interact with other historians. Every member has offered insightful and unique discussion to each meeting, and it has been intriguing to hear a range of perspectives. From discussions on the Christmas Truce of 1914 to the Windrush, I have found myself excited for each meeting as I have valued the opportunity to hear the views of other historians who speak with clarity and confidence, in addition to making friends with people who are just as passionate about the subject of history. Each member’s interpretations and discussions have given me valuable insight into the way other historians think, and the opportunity to be able to engage in such thought-provoking discussions has been invaluable. I am grateful for having the opportunity to get to know such incredible historians whose outstanding intuition and perception have helped me engage in a range of viewpoints regarding history, and I am thus thankful to the Lunar Society for giving us the chance to do this. Harjas Sian KE VI Lordswood School for Girls
One of my favourite discussions within the Lunar Society would most definitely have to be either on the Coronation of King Charles III or the Windrush generation. Not only did I enjoy analysing and evaluating the opinions of certain historians on the topic itself but in these two particular topic areas I thoroughly enjoyed each perspective and view that everyone within the group took. In the Windrush generation discussion, we talked about both the benefits and consequences of colonialism and how it could create a sense of shared identity as a result of language and culture to how it could massively impact the colonised through economic impact and enforcement of Western ideals. We also carefully considered the integration of the Windrush generation into British society. The variety of perspectives really resonated with me which is one of the main reasons why I enjoy the rich discussions of the Society. Tisha Adam KE VI Lordswood School for Girls
Windrush arrival at Tilbury Docks, Essex 1948
Soho House, Handsworth
Wednesday 23rd of November 2022. The beginning of the Lunar Society, with four members and Mr Mohammed. We had no idea what to expect, well, I certainly didn’t. Almost nine months later, the Lunar Society I saw in November, is not the same one I am now a part of in July – it has grown in size and broadened in the topics we discuss. History cannot be unpicked by one perspective, or even four, or for that matter, even nine. But I am proud to say that discussing pinnacle moments in history with these eight highly articulate students has been a learning curve for me, and I’m sure they would say the same. With the passing of time, and the addition of a group chat, the cross-school divisions faded and we began to feel more truly like a society. We were able to bounce off one another and speak with more confidence, which subsequently increased the value of our conversations, making them more frank and interesting in nature. However, one thing has remained consistent throughout our discussions this year: What is History? is E.H. Carr’s text, and it has remained a focal point of our agenda. When we question the nature of history, we question the history itself. I ask you to ponder the same question – the answer to which leads to endless thought and philosophies. Amal Khan KE VI Handsworth School for Girls
Through our multiple online Teams sessions, we have gained many valuable skills such as an increased understanding of pertinent aspects of our history that impact and influence our lives in today’s world. For example, we just recently explored the monarchy and its history following King Charles’ coronation. We are also given many opportunities in which we debate and discuss our opinions on issues and historical topics in which we try and understand different perspectives along with expressing our own. This also helps us in building and developing our communicative and debating skills as we articulate our opinions on thought-provoking ideas such as the necessity of history. This can no doubt also help us outside of the Lunar Society meetings. Along with this, we are also able to meet and make friends with our fellow Lunar Society members and indulge in multiple valuable insights which is extremely useful. Ganga Dewgun KE VI Handsworth School for Girls
The greatest skill that the Lunar Society has given us is communication. As anyone would expect, having discussions with a group of complete strangers can be quite daunting. However, we all quickly became familiar with each other, and gained confidence in speaking, especially since some members would congratulate well-presented points! Not only did our general communication benefit, but interacting with students across the Foundation has improved our people skills also, which will be incredibly useful in the world of work. The Lunar Society has given us skills that we can use in the future, including what I believe are the two most important life skills: teamwork and collaboration. A group that can have both thought-provoking historical discussions and interesting conversations outside of the professional environment reflects its members and their individual skills and qualities. That is exactly what the Lunar Society has become and it has been indescribably beneficial for each of its members. Sami Zahid KE Handsworth Grammar School for Boys
Computing Trip to Morgan Motor Company
On Friday 30th June 2023, year 9 computer science students visited the Morgan Motor Company in Malvern, Worcestershire. Famous the world over for its unique blend of craft, heritage and pure driving experience, the Company has been manufacturing quintessentially British vehicles in Malvern, UK, for more than 110 years.
We were given an exciting factory tour across differing areas of the production line with the exception of the pre-delivery inspection area. Our tour guide informed us each Morgan car was hand crafted using three core elements: ash, aluminium and leather. There was a focus on Morgan and BMW engines and we discovered the purpose of turbos to help with fuel and combustion efficiency. We were then introduced to the differing types of wood used in the interior of the cars and were shown how the leather is intricately sewn together to create unique seats for the upholstery.
We noticed every car on the tour was entirely unique, built to the highest standards by passionate craftsmen and women, whose skills had been handed down through generations and perfected over a lifetime, bringing together heritage, innovation and cutting-edge technology.
It was also a real bonus to be invited into the historical showroom to see many pictures of Morgan vehicles throughout history.
Suhban Alam, 9G and Aariz Gangji, 9W
Summer Concert 2023
On Tuesday 4th July the music department hosted its Summer Concert in Big School. The hall was packed with both family of those performing as well as staff. The evening started with a dhol trio comprising Dylan Seehra, Aashish Goyal and Manav Talwar. Straight after their rousing performance we heard three items from the school orchestra; Blue Danube theme, Lucy in the sky with Diamonds and Star Wars main theme. Other ensembles that performed were our String Quartet, String Ensemble, Year 7 Guitar Ensemble, Senior Guitar Ensemble, Junior Woodwind Ensemble, Senior Woodwind Ensemble, Year 7 choir as well as the Staff Choir. We also enjoyed the first performance of our year 8 ensemble comprising Adam Cunningham, Hrithik Bansal, Johan Del Rosario and Amaan Nazir. They performed Fly me to the Moon as arranged by Adam.
We enjoyed solo items from Max Rueff (trumpet), Daniel Alloh (saxophone), Angus Huang (classical guitar), Rayhaan Hussain (trombone), Manav Talwar (violin), Enzo Lee (piano), Kieran Hay (classical guitar), Jovan Singh Mann (dhol), Amitoj Saggu (piano) and Simeon Tinley (piano). The performances were excellent.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the instrumental teachers who have worked so hard this year with our boys. Our next Concert will be at St. Mary’s Church Handsworth. We hope that you will be able to join us and hear our students and staff performing.
Mr. Ward.
Exciting Alumni Development!
We have created an Alumni page on our website to enhance our ability to keep in touch with ex-HGS Students. Please click here for more information. We look forward to staying in contact with as many of you as possible.
