Hour of AI Lessons in Minecraft Education

The Hour of Code is now the Hour of AI, a global movement designed to make teaching AI literacy easy, engaging, and fun. By helping students understand how artificial intelligence works, the Hour of AI empowers young people to become the next generation of digital innovators.

Our Key Stage 3 students recently took part in the Hour of AI lessons in Minecraft Education, diving into the world of artificial intelligence by training an in-game agent to complete tasks on their behalf. These hands-on sessions used gamification to help students think critically about how AI operates, recognise its growing presence in everyday life, and explore the importance of responsible, ethical innovation. This immersive approach made the learning both meaningful and enjoyable.

Computing Club: Building Our School in Minecraft

Alongside the Hour of AI activities, members of the Computing Club have been working on an ambitious creative project of their own: building a detailed digital replica of our school within Minecraft. This long-term project uses gamification elements to develop teamwork, problem-solving, digital design, and imagination as students collaborate to construct classrooms, corridors, and key features of the school site.

Notable contributors include Jamie Lee (8H), Luke McKinnon (8A), Yuvraj Jalf (11G) and David-Andrei Dumitra (8A), whose dedication and creativity have helped shape the evolving virtual model.

A Celebration of Creativity, Innovation and Digital Literacy

Together, the Hour of AI lessons and the Minecraft school-building project highlight that computing at our school is far more than traditional coding. Through gamification-driven learning, students are gaining the skills, curiosity, and confidence needed for a future shaped by artificial intelligence, whether training digital agents, designing virtual worlds, or exploring the ethical responsibilities that come with new technologies.

Computing continues to be a vibrant, inspiring part of school life, nurturing young thinkers who are ready to create, innovate and lead in a rapidly changing digital world.

As we approach the end of the first term, we’re thrilled to celebrate the forms with the best attendance across Years 7 -13. Your commitment to being in school every day truly makes a difference, because every missed day means missed learning.

This term, the top-attending forms in each year group have earned a well-deserved treat: breaktime hot chocolate! Congratulations to:

• Year 7: 7William
• Year 8: 8William
• Year 9: 9Nelson
• Year 10: 10Galahad
• Year 11: 11Galahad
• Year 12: 12AAH
• Year 13: 13ASO

A special well done to Year 8, who have achieved the highest attendance of any year group overall—an incredible effort that sets the standard for everyone.

Thank you to all students who continue to show up, stay engaged, and make the most of every learning opportunity. Let’s keep this momentum going into the new term!

Over the past four weeks, excitement has been building in our KS3 Beyblade Tournament, which saw 32 enthusiastic participants battling it out in a series of high-energy matches. The competition was fierce, with pupils showcasing strategy, precision, and plenty of spinning action!

After several knockout rounds, the tournament culminated in a thrilling grand final between Ahmed Qureshi (7W) and Muhammad Yusuf Khan (7N). Both competitors demonstrated incredible skill, but in the end, Muhammad Yusuf Khan emerged victorious with an impressive 5:1 win.

Yusuf’s outstanding performance earned him the champion’s title and a £20 Amazon voucher as his prize. Well done to Yusuf and all the participants for making this event such a success!

Check out the highlight video attached to relive the best moments of the final!

Please click here to view the Spotlight on Safeguarding Newsletter for December 2025.

🎄 Bring it on Brum! – Christmas Holidays

Eligible families will have received an email from school with details on booking procedures for the Christmas holiday programme. Please check your inbox and follow the instructions provided.

If you believe you are eligible but haven’t received an email, contact Miss Conway enquiry@handsworth.bham.sch.uk