On Thursday 9 January, 30 Year 9 Computer Science students visited the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology (GBSIoT) as part of a CyberFirst enrichment visit. The experience gave us valuable insight into cyber security and artificial intelligence, and into the future digital careers pathways available in these rapidly developing fields. It helped us understand how the skills we learn in Computer Science can lead to real-world opportunities.

During the visit, we learned how cyber security protects systems, data, and people, while artificial intelligence is used to analyse information, automate processes, and solve complex problems. An interactive AI Kahoot quiz encouraged us to apply our knowledge and think critically about how these technologies are shaping society and the workplace.

We took part in a range of hands-on workshops. In an AI ethics discussion, we considered the responsibilities involved in designing and using intelligent systems. We also participated in an AI prompt-engineering challenge, exploring how humans and AI can work together effectively. In another session, we became Digital Detectives, using data analysis and open-source intelligence to investigate digital clues and understand how cyber professionals identify and respond to threats.

One of the highlights of the day was programming Sphero robots using block coding, which demonstrated how logical thinking and precision underpin both AI development and cyber security.

Overall, the visit was informative and inspiring, and it helped us see how studying Computer Science can lead to exciting opportunities in cyber security, artificial intelligence, and the wider technology sector.

On Wednesday 21^st of January, the school was honoured to host Dr Agnes Kaposi MBE FREng to deliver sessions exploring the lessons of the Holocaust, her own life and how we can create a better world for those that come after us. These were simply spellbinding and it was a true privilege for all the staff and students present to her talk with such sophistication, passion and verve. HGS was also proud to host students and staff from King Edward’s Handsworth Wood Girl’s Academy and John Henry Newman Catholic College for the first event of the day. This event was one stand of our efforts to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 and its theme of bridging the generations. We are forever indebted to Dr Kaposi for allowing us to do that.

Please read below for a student’s summary of the session and to hear some particularly moving reflections from year 12 historians.

We were privileged to welcome Dr Agnes Kaposi, who spoke movingly about her life before, during, and after the Second World War. Dr Kaposi shared her personal experiences as a Hungarian Jewish child who survived the Holocaust, offering a powerful insight into the discrimination, hardship, and resilience that defined her early life.

She began by describing the circumstances of her birth, a time when antisemitism was widespread and deeply embedded in everyday life. As a result, she experienced discrimination at school, and her family faced severe financial hardship because Jewish people were often denied employment. Despite these challenges, Dr Kaposi reflected warmly on the close relationships within her family.

Dr Kaposi then spoke about her experiences during the Holocaust, helping students to understand the scale of cruelty and suffering faced by its victims. She described families being separated, the loss of loved ones, and the harsh, unforgiving conditions Hungary’s Jews faced, highlighting the strength and determination required to survive.

Finally, she explained how discrimination continued even after the war had ended, including her own experiences of inequality at a new school. It was fascinating to hear from someone who lived under the tyranny of both Nazism and Stalinism. Dr Kaposi’s visit was both deeply moving and highly educational, helping all attending students to better understand the realities of the Holocaust and its lasting impact on individuals and society.

Rahim Rashid 10 Henry

Please see the following Year Group newsletters for January 2026:

Year 7 Newsletter

Year 8 Newsletter

Year 9 Newsletter

Year 10 Newsletter

Year 11 Newsletter

Year 12 Newsletter

Year 13 Newsletter

On Friday 12 December 2025, we went on an exciting educational trip to Cadbury World with our Year 7 Computer Science classmates.

When we arrived, we learned about the 200-year history of Cadbury and how one of Britain’s most famous chocolate companies uses computer systems, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity in real life. During a presentation, we found out how Cadbury protects its ideas and products, including the famous “glass and a half of milk” logo and the royal purple colour on the packaging. This helped us understand how digital information must be kept secure, linking to what we learn about cybersecurity and responsible use of technology in KS3 Computing.

During the factory tour, we could see how computer systems are used to control machines and manage production. We learned that machines follow instructions and algorithms to work accurately and efficiently, and that artificial intelligence can be used to analyse data, check quality, and spot mistakes. We were also told that secure networks are important to protect factories from cyber-attacks, which links directly to our learning about networks and security.

One of our favourite parts of the day was creating our own chocolate cups and choosing our own toppings. This made us think about how companies might use data and AI to understand customer choices and improve products.

After that, we enjoyed some fun attractions, including exciting rides, a 4D cinema experience, and seeing the famous drum-playing gorilla from the Cadbury adverts, which we recognised straight away.

Overall, the trip was fun, interesting, and educational. It helped us understand how KS3 Computer Science topics, such as algorithms, data, computer systems, networks, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity, are used in the real world, and it has made us more interested in learning Computer Science in the future.

Dragos Dicu (7H)