US 2024 Presidential Election Talk
US 2024 presidential election talk from Dr Adam Smith, University of Oxford 03/10/2024
The presidential talk was both engaging and entertaining, captivating the audience with its dynamic energy and thoughtful discourse. Dr Smith’s charisma shone through as he shared personal anecdotes and used humour to connect with the crowd, making complex political issues feel more relatable. The lively back-and-forth during the Q&A session added an element of spontaneity, allowing for unexpected moments that kept everyone on their toes. Overall, the blend of passion, wit, and genuine interaction created an atmosphere that was not only informative but also enjoyable, leaving attendees inspired and eager to participate in the political process. It was lovely to have visiting students from KE Camp Hill Girls, KE Five Ways, KE Aston and John Henry Newman Catholic College. It was a great opportunity to see and hear how the American presidential election will impact all of us in Birmingham and beyond. Similarly, it was fascinating to hear how the increased polarisation of American politics means the election will be decided on a knife edge and will come down to a few key states. Come November, HGS students will be waiting the exit polls eagerly!
Kelly Izinyon 11W
Future Star Award
Congratulations to Kaiden Hitchins in Year 10 who recently won the Black Country Heroes – ‘Future Star’ Award.
Year 10 Information Evening
The Year 10 Information Evening for Student and Parents takes place on Thursday 3rd October at 5pm.
Visit from Michelle Heeley KC
On Wednesday 25th September, Handsworth Grammar School welcomed Michelle Heeley KC from No5 Barristers’ Chamber to give an inspiring and informative talk to students about routes into law. Her extensive background in the field of criminal law paired with her authentic grasps of the difficulties aspiring lawyer face made for a thriving discussion in which every student could relate. We first began with Michelle providing insight into her early life and the hardships she had to overcome. She highlighted the feeling of being uninformed compared to her peers based on her circumstances. I believe this was an important issue to touch upon given the lack of transparency the law often has especially coming from a low social-economic background – “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. Therefore, Michelle subverting this through strengthening her interpersonal skills and constantly pushing the boundary was a testament to her unwavering passion and drive to succeed. Further into the talk, Michelle provided powerhouse analogies and quotes such as ‘It’s not for anyone else to limit you!” which to me boosts the morale and confidence of students and any readers of this piece to become pioneers in their own destiny.
The visit also allowed our fellow students from Handsworth Girls to participate which was a special interaction given that Michelle was previously a member. The talk ended in an immersive Q&A which as a cohort we engaged in debates regarding morality, the rise of AI and the ethics of a barrister. A personal highlight of mine was the discussion of Mason Greenwood’s case which allowed me to expand my knowledge on the indictable offence rape and whether the law currently achieves justice due to its constraints.
Overall, to witness Michelle Heeley KC unlock the potential of the new generation and bestow her knowledge of wealth onto her community was an amazing opportunity that I believe will undoubtably shape students future aspirations.
Makonnen Blake (Year 13)
Exploring a Cyber First World at BCU
On Tuesday 17th September, 30 Year 8 Computer Science students visited the Steam House at Birmingham City University to complete many different Computing challenges as part of a government initiative called Cyber First Day. Our class was based in the Create Lab, which is a very modern and specialist technology centre, packed with equipment to drive digital innovation. The aim of the day was to inspire us to join a cyber workforce in the future and equip young people with the digital awareness and skills required to pursue a cyber career path. We were all surprised to be informed that a starting salary for a typical cyber security job can be over £45000!
We were given a very informative tour of all the technology Labs and focused on many exciting Computing workshops and innovations, such as 3D Printing, Robotics and Automation, Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence and Escape Rooms. Our Cyber First hosts engaged us in our main team task for the day, which was to consider and debate the pros and cons of Artificial Intelligence, given that many machines are now programmed to think and act like humans. We also got to complete an escape room game using some very innovative Virtual Reality Headsets.
The day enabled us to explore, build and test our cyber skills in digital Labs and helped accelerate our learning of future technologies.
Eesaa Plummer, 8 Galahad.
Cranedale 2024
From the 3rd–6th of September, our year 13 geography A-level class took a 3 hour mini-bus ride to North-Yorkshire, more specifically Kirby Grindalythe. This trip was compulsory as it was essential to develop skills needed for our non-examined-assessment, which is 20% of our final grade at A-level. We started the first day with examining plant specials and testing various variables such as soil pH, humidity. After we conducted this experiment, we had a wonderful 3 course meal provided by the kitchen staff at the centre. The next day we ventured to the coastline where we continued our experiments such as measuring gradients of the beach aswell as identify coastal landforms. On the Friday, we went to the coastal town of Scarborough. We observed the townspeople and their interactions with one another and saw how place affects emotions and the environment. In terms of the Cranedale facilities, there was tennis court, a football machine. Overall, the experience was informative and exciting as we got escape city life and become immersed in the northern demographic.
Eshaan Prabhakar
Whitemoor Lakes 2024
Whitemoor Lake Reports 8th to 10th July
We spent 3 days at Whitemoor lakes in July as part of our year 7 residential. In general, I personally had an amazing time from ziplining to raft building. This is a little summary of my experience in the activities.
On the first day we caught a coach from school straight to Whitemoor lakes which was a pleasant 40 minutes’ drive. As soon as we arrived, we picked up our suitcases and a member of staff from Whitmoor lakes directed us around the centre for a tour. We were then told to leave our suitcases in a corridor and had to sort out our bed sheets for our dorms. After we completed the task of doing our bed sheets, we were asked to collect our suitcases from the door and put them in our rooms.
We then had a bit of free time to settle in and get prepared. In this time, we were provided with a communal area and had our lunch. We then prepared for our first activity which was team games. We started off by playing a fun game. We had to run on a grassland as far as we could whilst screaming but the moment you stopped screaming to take a breath, you had to stop where you were. Personally, I wasn’t the best at this game, but I had fun taking part. We then did a game where we were goalkeepers so we opened our legs wide and we couldn’t let the ball go through our legs or we were out. I enjoyed this game. Once we completed our first activity, we went to our dorms to have a half an hour break before our second activity.
We then went for our second activity which was zip wiring. We first got harnesses on for our safety and walked up some stairs to reach the top of a wooden building. We were then strapped into the zipline by a member of staff called Kate and then she let us go and we zoomed across the zipline. We then had time to shower and eat our dinner as day 1 at Whitemoor lakes came to an end.
The next day we woke up at approximately 7:45 and had to get ready for breakfast at 8:30. At 8:25 we started to make our way down to the dining hall and got ready to eat. Once we had eaten our breakfast, our teacher told us our first activity. My first activity was canoeing so we went back to our dorms to collect a spare pair of clothes for our first activity at 9:30.
At 9:30 we headed to our lining up station as we wanted for an instructor to collect us. Our instructor’s name was Dylan. Firstly, Dylan took us to some crates with helmets in and we put them on. Then we went to a cabin where all the life jackets were stored, and we put one on. After this Dylan told us to push our canoes into the lake and jump in with a paddle. Once we had got in, we rowed the canoe to the other side of the lake and played some games. In the first game we had to chuck a sponge in another canoe and the canoe the sponge fell in had to do a forfeit. As an example, one of the forfeits included putting all of your arm in the water and lifting it above your head. The second game we did head shoulders, knees and toes but on the canoe and the boat started shaking. After we did this our time ran out, so we rowed back to the shore and took our equipment off and got changed in the lockers.
We then had a 30-minute break before our second activity which was gladiator. After our break ran out, we waited for Dylan to collect us and once he did, we walked over put a harness on and a helmet for health and safety. We then got started straight away. Dylan strapped us in, and we started to ascend the obstacle. The first obstacle was about strength as we had to pull ourselves up onto a beam then there was a climbing frame that took up one quarter of it. After this we hopped on some tires and finally, we had to get ourselves to balance on a beam. I found this really fun.
We did more and more activities like Raft building and others. I had a fantastic time at Whittemore Lakes. Every staff member was extremely nice, and we were provided with great food and excellent health and safety advice. The hygiene was also excellent. Overall, it was an amazing experience
Brandon Sindhu 7N
When we awoke on the 9th of July, we soon got dressed and headed to our lodge’s common room. We waited until 08:30 which is when we went for breakfast. The day was ram-packed with exciting events including; water activities, a campfire, and a gathering to watch the European Championship Semi-Finals. Read on to find out more.
09:00- After finishing our breakfast, which consisted of sausage, egg, beans and hashbrown, we went to our group’s first activity: Challenge Course. Themed on a military style training course, it was filled with a rope swing, cargo net, up-and-over wall, and a balance beam. After we had raced our groupmates around the course, we played a game in which we had to get the 12 team members around the course whilst standing on crates, we only got to the third obstacle. Think you can do better?
11:00- Following our 30-minute interval between activities, we lined up behind our activity post for Gladiator. When we had fastened our helmets and tightened our harnesses, we raced in pairs to climb up a vertical, swaying tower of ladders, cargo net and tires that twisted and turned in the late morning breeze.
13:00- Lunch was being served: Pizza and chicken wings were on offer with options aplenty for any dietary requirement. We chatted with our year (and class) mates about what activities they had completed in the past hours.
14:00-17:30- Between these hours we had two activities: Raft Building and Nightline. Raft Building came first. We had to create a raft, which could float and carry 12 people on a lake. We did succeed, however, never were there 12 people on the raft all together as the water was too enticing not to jump into, it was like a warm, yet dirty, bath after a Winter’s Day. Succeeding our half-an-hour break in which we played pool, table-tennis, and/or foosball we went on a blindfolded journey across the lawn of the centre to an assault course BLINDFOLDED. There were many surprises awaiting us there including a 3ft plunge into a pool of water (intentionally placed there). However, considering this, it was much like the challenge course earlier only, quite darker.
19:00-20:00- Our evening activity occurred after dinner; it was a campfire. Other than the fact we were singing slightly embarrassing songs to fellow pupils, it was quite a pleasant experience. We also had to work out a riddle set by an instructor that had already left about when he travelled to Madagascar, an island of the coast of South-East Africa, and came across a market with an odd rule on how you can purchase your items.
20:00- No room for free time, the penultimate act of the day, Spain vs France in the semi-final of EURO2024 there was no room for error as a place in the final between England or The Netherlands awaited the winner of this highly built-up game involving two titans of the international stage. France got off to a quick-fire start as R. Kolo Muani headered in the opener from 6 yards out. Two amazing goals followed (the first from Lamine Yamal and the second from Dani Olmo) as Spain came back to make the scoreline 1-2 in what would be the final result.
22:00-22:35- Between these times, the people who I was sleeping with, including me, all took showers. Our maximum time was 5 minutes, so we had to be quick. By 10:35 we were in bed and the lights were out concluding our only full day at Whitmoor Lakes, one which I will look back on very fondly.
Harrison Hunter 7A
Whitemoor Lakes was very fun, there were a variety of activities. My favourite activity was Raft building as you built a raft and had to ensure it floated. We had fun pushing each other off. I liked the coaches as they joked around but were serious with safter. I wish I could go again to Whitemoor Lakes.
Gursahib Bajwa 7A
Whitemoor Lakes was an amazing opportunity to get out into the world and build your friendships, with a whole host of activities such as; canoeing, raft building, zip wiring, nightline and so many more. The dorm system was amazing, as it gives you time to see what it is like to be away from home with your friends with a whole room as a responsibility, in preparation for other trips you may go on in your time at this school. It gives you time to collaborate in teams with friends to build your friendships to whole new heights, ready for Year 8.
Maxi Skonka 7H
On Monday 8th July to Wednesday 10th July, most of year 7 went to Whitemoor Lakes. I would recommend it to every single person who has the chance to go. We got to go canoeing, ziplining, traversing, archery, campfires and my personal favourite raft building. The reason that raft building was my favourite is because I kept on falling in and I tilted the whole boat. I would do it anything to do it again. We had 2 logs and 6 barrels and had to rope them together. It fell apart when our instructor started to move the raft. WE got to splash other groups, and it was fun. We also did a nightline that involved being blindfolded and walking through an obstacle course. WE walked through so many traps and it was fun!
Dylan Ly 7N
During Whitemoor Lakes, we did an activity called raft building. In my group there were 11 people and I limed all of them. All 11 people worked together to create a raft made out of barrels, rope And wooden poles. The raft had to float on a ona lake with all 11 people on it. There were 2 instructors ensuring that everybody was safe. The activity was an amazing experience as whilst we were on the raft, the instructors gave us challenges such as everybody stand up, everybody swap seats etc.
Nicholas Da Silva Xavier Woods 7N
At first arrival, we retrieved our luggage and made our way down a hall. We were then shown our groups and given a small tour of Whitemoor lakes- it was huge! We left for our first activity after lunch, which was team building. In team building, we screamed and ran for as far as we could and did lots of team activities.
We had a break and moved onto our next activity which for my group was gladiator. This involved completing an aerial obstacle course while we held the ropes to keep the person safe. After that we had dinner followed by the campfire. In the campfire, we sang songs, played games and had a fun time. We then had some free time where we could play outside or inside. After free time, we went back to our rooms and got ready for bed. We needed after a long day!
Filip Rusinowicz, 7W
The moment you jump off the platform your heart races buat as you go down the wore, you realise it isn’t as daunting as you expect. The wind whistled in my ear as the trees blurred into a green mess. I flet a sense of freedom and exhilaration as I soared through the air, completely immersed in the moment. As I reached the bottom, I flet the adrenaline in my veins. Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and I wish I could do it again.
Ibrahim Khan, 7W
