GCSE Science Live, 2022
On Tuesday 22nd of March it was a privilege to be one of the Year 10 students invited to the ‘GCSE Science Live’ event which took place in Symphony Hall, Birmingham. This event not only provided us with beneficial information for our upcoming examinations but also allowed us to hear leading scientists talk about interesting theories and explanations about Science. Many schools came to listen to the famous scientists and we heard theories about the Big Bang, Time Travel, Fertility, DNA and Chemical Reactions, some of which were mind-blowing. Everyone enjoyed the lectures which were presented by Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Professor Alice Roberts, Professor Andrea Sella, Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock and Professor Robert Winston. Overall, we were very lucky to be given the opportunity and I would like to thank Mr Jones for organising our visit. I would definitely go again!
Rafae Ajaz
Focus on Education March 2022 No. 2
News report from March 2022
Deadly blast at Kyiv TV tower as Russia warns Ukrainian capital.
Ukrainian officials accuse Russia of an attack on TV tower, after Moscow warned it would carry out ‘high-precision strikes’ on Kyiv.
At least five people have been killed after Russian forces fired at the main television tower in Kyiv and the city’s main Holocaust memorial, Ukrainian officials said, after Russia warned it would launch “high-precision” strikes on the Ukrainian capital.
Ukrainian authorities said five people were killed and five others wounded in the attack on the TV tower, located a couple of miles from central Kyiv and a short walk from numerous apartment buildings. A TV control room and a power substation were hit, and at least some Ukrainian channels briefly stopped broadcasting, officials said.
There was no immediate comment on the allegations from Russia. The country’s defence ministry said earlier that Russian troops would carry out an attack on what they said was the infrastructure of Ukraine’s intelligence services in Kyiv and urged residents living nearby to leave.
“In order to suppress information attacks on Russia, the technological infrastructure … in Kyiv will be hit with high-precision weapons,” defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.
It would be hard, in fact impossible, not to know that a war has been raging in Ukraine since February. The UK stands united with Ukraine. We should also be clear that this war is not being waged by the will of the Russian people, but by the orders of their President. This invasion is Vladimir Putin’s doing, and there is equal sympathy for Russians who have no desire to see their country engaged in this fighting. I know many of us are very upset by what is happening, but as I wrote previously, loyalty to your own country does not necessarily meaning owning everything that is done in its name.
For the rest of you, whose countries are not directly involved, I commend you on your maturity in being sensitive to the situation. The horror that is unfolding is not something to be made light of or joked about, and you aren’t.
But first, back to the war itself. You are all aware of it, but what do you actually know about it? And how do you know what you know? The news report published last month above, reporting that Russian missiles had been fired at a television tower in Kyiv. Expensive, sophisticated, extremely destructive weapons, used against an unmanned television tower. Why?
Throughout history, when an army invades, it concentrates its attack on the biggest threats it faces. Airports are bombed and seaports are mined, so the other side cannot control the skies or the oceans. Bases and barracks are hit, in order to stop their soldiers before they can deploy. Ammunition dumps are blown up, so people have nothing to fight back with. Invading armies attack military targets to neutralise resistance early on. So why waste missiles on an unmanned television tower?
I am sure you know the answer. Information can be just as powerful a weapon of war as bombs and guns. Control what people are told, or not told, and you can sway the course of the conflict. Troops tried to take out that television tower for the same reason that cyber-hackers are trying to crash Ukraine’s internet at present; to stop media coverage that might encourage people to resist.
And President Putin isn’t just limiting what Ukrainians see and hear. In Russia itself, new laws have been passed to imprison journalists who report anything other than the Government’s version of the war. Western news networks like the BBC and social media platforms like Facebook have now been blocked in Russia. You might ask, if the Russian people don’t agree with Putin’s decision to wage war in Ukraine, why don’t they rise up against him? Part of the answer is, many of them don’t even know what he is doing, let alone how badly it is going. They are victims of the information war as well.
You may have seen an interview with a captured Russian soldier. “I feel shame that we came to this country,” he says. “I feel shame. I don’t know why we were doing it. We knew very little. We brought sorrow to this land.” He goes on to say that he feels sorry for the people back home in Russia, who are misinformed. “Some do not even have internet. They have no alternative to state media. They are constantly brainwashed,” he said.
Perhaps worse than no information though, is the threat of misinformation. Or worse still, disinformation. Misinformation is incorrect or misleading stories that are presented as facts, either intentionally or unintentionally.
At the start of the invasion of Ukraine, you may have seen the story of a group of sailors who were in charge of defending a small strategic base in the Black Sea called Snake Island. The story went that they were given the chance to surrender by the Russian Navy, but they refused (in fact, they sent back a pretty blunt radio message telling them what they could do with their surrender offer). In response to which, a warship launched a missile and wiped them all out.
The story quickly became a symbol of how ruthless the Russians were and how defiant Ukrainians could be. It inspired other defenders to fight to the death. A week later however, footage emerged of all those Ukrainian sailors alive and well, being held as prisoners of war. In the chaos of war, the original story was wrong. Not a deliberate lie, but still possibly enough to change the views and reactions of those who heard and believed it.
Unintentionally untrue, that was misinformation. Worse still is disinformation. Stories that are deliberately deceptive. And in today’s world, where anyone can post anything online without having to obey a code of journalistic integrity like the BBC have to, that is where the greatest dangers lie.
Already there are thousands of examples. A TikTok clip purporting to show a Russian truck delivering a nuclear bomb to be used in Ukraine was taken down last week because it was clearly a fake. But not before it had 18 million views. How many of those who saw it, believed it, and are now more terrified than ever?
A video went viral of a Russian tank changing course and deliberately driving over the top of a car coming towards it. Footage showed a dazed man miraculously being pulled alive from the mangled wreckage afterwards. At face value, it appeared to be an appalling, unprovoked attack on a civilian. But without any context, could it also have been a suicide bomber, or a deserting Russian soldier, or even an accident?
Photographs are circulated online every day showing the burned-out wrecks of Russian tanks and armoured vehicles. They give comfort and courage to Ukrainian fighters that maybe the enemy can be defeated. But a number of those photos have now been proven to come from wars that happened years ago, when Russians fought in Syria or Chechnya. So, are ordinary people risking their lives to resist a powerful army because of false encouragement?
In a video statement that was clearly real, Vladimir Putin said categorically that his troops were not attacking civilians. When asked about footage (which had been verified), showing entire apartment blocks being blown to rubble, he said he had evidence that the rockets had been fired by Ukrainian people themselves to try and make Russia look bad. He had no evidence for that claim. Disinformation.
There is an old adage that says, “The first casualty of war is truth.” The lesson for you in all of this is that knowledge is power, but that information can be manipulated. Our job in this School is not to tell you what to believe. It is to teach you how to believe. How to think independently. Discern for yourselves what is true and what is not.
As a deluge of stories and images continue to pour out of Ukraine, both online and in the mainstream media, you should not remain detached from the atrocities they show, but neither should you unquestioningly believe all that you see or hear. I encourage you to carefully consider everything, questioning not just the stories that are being told, but also the motivation of those who are telling them.
That said, war is always appalling, no matter the motives, and in spite of the misinformation. What is happening to ordinary people in Ukraine right now is unconscionable, and the one thing that is undeniable is that many of those being killed or injured every day are civilians. The UN estimate that over 3 million are now refugees, fleeing their homes in fear of their lives. This number is growing daily. Leaving behind all that they own in order to escape the violence that has come to their villages and cities. No amount of propaganda can hide that fact, and it is there that we should focus our practical response.
Last week I was heartened by the large number of you who asked, “What can we do to help?” Obviously, we can be well-informed, as we express our disgust at the plans of politicians and actions of military generals. But our outrage is unlikely to ever reach their ears, let alone sway them from their course. And of course, actions speak louder than words. What we can do is offer practical assistance to those in need.
Finally, you may simply wish to take the time to reflect on all that is happening and to pray for lasting peace. Until then, I encourage you all to continue to be discerning in how you consider news about the conflict and caring for all who are directly affected.
Stay well and safe.
Be kind to yourself and others.
Best wishes,
Dr Bird
Mr King Enjoys Computing Success
Congratulations to Mr King who has been elected to the British Computer Society’s – IT Leaders Forum: Executive Community in a voluntary capacity.
NACE Membership
Fasting in Ramadan
Some of you will start a month of fasting for Ramadan on Saturday 2 April 2022 (subject to the sighting of the new moon). This is, no doubt, a special time for you and your families. It is great that you are showing such dedication to your faith and keeping hold of a traditional practice that many other faiths also recognise. Part of the purpose of the month is to bring people and communities together, and we hope that the month brings you much happiness, benefit and increase. Please do remember, however, that your commitment to school and your education needs also to continue. To help you with this, a few practical tips/reminders follow:
- The longer day fasts will require you to go without food and drink for many hours. You must be best prepared for this by making sure you take something of good nutritional value in the pre-dawn meal before you close and make the intention to fast. Cereals, yogurt, dates, wholemeal bread, vegetables, fresh fruit are amongst some of the healthy/slow release carbohydrate foods that will keep you satisfied for longer.
- Following on from this during the school day avoid running or standing around in the sun. Try to find some shade and occupy yourself in low energy activities.
- It is very important that you continue to come to school prepared to learn. Lessons will happen as normal. Your teachers may make slight adjustments in some of the practical subjects for you but you should come fully prepared to take part with the correct equipment/kit.
- In the same way you must also wear the correct school uniform. Obviously if it is very hot, you may be allowed to take your blazers off, your form tutors will advise you about that. However, some students during Ramadan feel that they need to wear mosque caps/hats. We understand that this may be recommended at certain times/places but it is not a religious requirement for you to wear these in and around school.
- The real significance of this month is about self-discipline and working on improving your character. It is not just a case of going without food for long hours. Working on honesty, truthfulness, charity, forgiveness, respect etc… are some of the positive character traits that become the focus of this month. This is something that the school whole heartedly supports in its care values, and we hope that in some way we can all benefit from this.
- With the upcoming shorter nights, longer days and late-night prayers many of you will get less sleep than usual but you will still be expected to attend school punctually as normal. Therefore, some readjustment to your routine will be needed to help with this. Like in some traditional cultures you should try to catch up on some sleep after school in order to re-energise for the rest of the day/fast. It might take a few days for this to settle but it is a sensible way forward.
- It is also the case that many of you will be taking important internal exams/studies during Ramadan. While we wholeheartedly support your commitment to fasting, we also ask you to uphold the duty of taking your studies seriously – educational success is also something important to the religion of Islam. During your school days, it is crucial that you develop a positive routine around fasting, prayers, revision and study. Remember also if you are not feeling well then there is the chance of making up the fasts at a later date. If you become unwell whilst you are fasting then you should end the fast by taking some water.
- In the event of hot weather, it is obviously important that you remain hydrated but without food or drink. This is a challenge which most of you will have experienced having fasted in previous years. Small things like washing your hands with cold water, wiping over the face/head with cold water will help keep you cool. This should be done at break and lunchtimes.
- If you are unwell and unable to attend school then you should follow the normal absence procedures. Ask your parents to phone the front office and inform them on the day about your circumstances preferably before 8:40am.
- Remember also that one of the strengths of HGS is the broad cultures and faith groups represented in both our student and staff populations. This is something quite special for the School. So, while those of you who fast will need time/space to practice your faith please do remember that the Dining Hall will remain open and most people will continue to eat and drink throughout the day and they too will need time/space to do so!
- We ask students to do their prayers when they get home after school. You will have plenty of time to complete the afternoon prayer when you get home during the month of Ramadan.
We wish you a happy and prosperous Ramadan. Do take some moments to reflect on the importance of peace and reconciliation for the globe especially in the current hostilities that we are seeing. The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said: “Shall I inform you of something that holds more weight than fasting, praying and giving charity? Making peace between people, for sowing dissension is calamitous.”
If you do have any further questions or comments then you are welcome to speak to Mr Mohammed (room 10).
Focus on Education March 2022
Opening dialogue from “The Gangs of New York”
No son, never. The blood stays on the blade.
One day you’ll understand.
Some of it I have remembered.
And the rest I took from dreams.
On my challenge, by the ancient laws of combat…
…we are met at this chosen ground…
…to settle for good and all…
…who holds sway, over the Five Points.
Us Natives, born rightwise to this fine land….
…or the foreign hordes defiling it!
Under the ancient laws of combat,
I accept the challenge of the so-called Natives.
You plague our people at every turn
But from this day out, you shall plague us no more!
The above is the opening dialogue from a film called ‘The Gangs of New York.’ You may have seen it, but if you haven’t, it is set, as the name suggests, in New York in the mid-1800’s. The plot concerns a bitter feud between the poor Protestants of the ghettos, who had been born on Long Island, and newly arrived Irish immigrants, who were Catholic.
Yet the fighting wasn’t over their different religions, so much as the fact that the immigrants were taking over the low paid jobs of the locals (which all sounds a bit familiar, doesn’t it?). If you are going to watch it, I suppose in this day and age, I should issue a warning, as it is an extremely violent and bloody film. The gangs mentioned in the title are bands of young men who come from different neighbourhoods in the slums. Each has its own mottos and colours, rules and traditions, and they take up weapons and brawl in the streets against one another, often to the death.
They fight out of a sense of grievance, both sides believing the other is claiming something that is rightfully theirs. But there are also deeper motives at work. The exercise of loyalty and friendship. A shared sense of identity, of belonging. Plus, a thirst for excitement.
I can sort of understand that because I was in a sort of gang (more a band of brothers really) myself once. I say once, technically it was just for a single afternoon. When I was at school, in the Fourth Form to be precise. There was another school nearby who were our arch rivals. All of whom were filthy rich, stuck up, arrogant, entitled, and pathetic. Or so we believed. In truth, none of us had ever been there, or even met any of its students. But that is how discrimination and intolerance is born, I suppose. Out of ignorance.
Anyway, one day word reached our ears that the boys from this other school had challenged our school to a huge fight. They had supposedly called us all sorts of names, none of which I can repeat here today. Suffice to say, our honour was at stake. Vengeance was called for. And so, our sort of gang was formed. Not ever having been to a street brawl before, none of us really knew quite what was required. The fight was scheduled for after school on a Thursday. So, we set off for the local park, where hostilities were supposed to take place.
I remember feeling a bit scared; the only fights I had been in up to then were with my brothers, and they usually ended when our mother appeared. But I also clearly remember those sensations I referred to earlier.
A sense of righteousness. How dare they belittle my school? And loyalty. I was pumped up, keen to defend my mates, to fight for our collective honour. And, if I am honest, a little bit of adventure. A break from our normal boring afternoons.
So, there we were. A sort of street gang/band of brothers. And like any swelling crowd, we hyped each other up, feeding of the bravado of the mob. We were going to teach our enemy a lesson. Into the park we poured, waving our arms and chanting. Bent on violence without really knowing why. Convinced of our superiority and how just our cause was. Into the park, that was empty. Empty, except for one lone police officer, who was sitting on the bonnet of his car eating a sandwich. “Ah, boys” he smiled. “Heard you might have been coming. What are you up to now?” A bit of panic and confusion amongst us, and then one of my more quick-thinking mates piped up, “We’ve got Cricket practice, Officer.” “Oh. Really?” said the policeman. Caught red handed!
I don’t want to relive the humiliation that followed afterwards. Let’s just say that the trouble we got into at school the next day was only eclipsed by what happened when the policeman delivered us back to our parents.
Years later, I met a guy who had gone to that ‘other’ school in the same year of the great fight that never happened. He too remembered the incident, but in his version, it was my school that had supposedly been the aggressor. My mates who had abused his fellow students. Us who challenged them to fight. It would seem that neither side actually knew anything other than rumour and speculation.
It also turned out that he wasn’t an obnoxious person either. And he kindly admitted that I didn’t seem to be one of the ignorant heathens he had been told went to my school. It is probably a good thing our two sort of gangs never did arrive in the same place that day, as I doubt we would have recognised the enemy when we saw them.
Gangs, tribes, extended families, sports teams and their supporters, political parties, religious groups, ethnicities, armies, whole states, entire nations; there are no end of groups in the world for people to align themselves with. Nothing wrong with that, we are social creatures, made to bond with each other. But each of us is a sovereign individual too. We aren’t always bound by all that a group demands, and we aren’t personally responsible for everything that it does.
Loyalty and allegiance have a part to play in our lives, but so too does independent thought and personal values. I raise that here because I believe it is very important to encourage our students to think for themselves about issues of conflict. To be able to discern when you support the views of a group to which you feel you belong, and when you disagree. To know when to stand in solidarity with “your” people, and when to stand apart.
There is no shortage of strife in the world today, and much of it often seems to be on the verge of erupting into violence. Religious divides, like those portrayed in ‘The Gangs of New York’, still simmer. A few weeks ago, saw the anniversary of Bloody Sunday, a dark day in the Troubles in Northern Island. Atrocities are still committed in many other countries today in the name of religion. The US is still counting the cost of the insurrection that saw thousands of people storm the Capitol Building last year. Death, injury and destruction in the name of politics.
And street gangs still exist of course, in New York and in every major city on the planet. You only have to look at the appalling statistics for knife crime in the UK to know that sort of brutality of tribal violence continues even on our doorstep.
Violence doesn’t have to involve death or injury either. Over the pandemic years, we have witnessed disruption and destruction of property from other groups who have banded together over a shared belief. Statues toppled, monuments defaced, motorways brought to a standstill by protestors gluing themselves to the road.
Then of course, there are the biggest gangs of all; entire nations squaring up to each other. Tensions rising between China and Hong Kong. Today, the awful spectre of war in Ukraine and the atrocities that are taking place as a result of the Russian invasion.
Many of you will feel a connection to some of those groups I just named. Fans of particular Sports teams. Protest movements whose aims you support. Political parties. Religions. Your own nationality. My point is that whilst it is perfectly normal to share a belief, or claim an allegiance, with any group, that does not mean you have to own all that is done in its name.
Whether it is naïve schoolboys or entire armies with ballistic missiles, violence never achieves its aims and you don’t have to condone it, even if you support those aims yourself.
Stay well and safe.
Be kind to yourself and others.
Best wishes,
Dr Bird
Wellbeing Advice
LAMDA Results
Congratulations to the students below who sat their LAMDA exams in December 2021 which have produced some fantastic results.
Student Name | Year Group | LAMDA Exam | Award |
Malachy Hayes | 10N | Speaking in Public Grade 5 | Distinction |
Sukveer Pawar | 10N | Speaking in Public Grade 5 | Distinction |
Bradley Osadebe | 10H | Speaking in Public Grade 5 | Merit |
Oliver Green | 10H | Speaking in Public Grade 4 | Distinction |
Jayden Naik | 8G | Speaking Verse and Prose Grade 2 | Merit |
Hridik Pandey | 11W | Solo Acting Grade 6 Bronze Medal | Distinction |
Hardev Manku | 9W | Solo Acting Grade 1 | Distinction |
Rayyan Yaqub | 11A | Solo Acting Grade 5 | Merit |
Tadiwa Mandonga | 8G | Solo Acting Grade 1 | Merit |
Rohan Cheema | 9N | Reading for Performance Grade 5 | Merit |


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King Edward VI
Handsworth Grammar School for Boys,
Grove Lane, Birmingham,
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