We returned to Birmingham’s magnificent Symphony Hall to hear the resident orchestra perform a one-hour long programme. The concert was entitled ‘CBSO Dissected’ and it provided the school-age audience with a guide to the different instruments found in a typical orchestra. The music covered a period of almost 200 years and included operatic music as well as music for film.

The students were extremely well behaved and clearly enjoyed the concert. We are indebted to Mrs. Vaughan for arranging another successful visit to Symphony Hall and we look forward to returning in the near future.

Mr. Ward

Last week saw the publication of two significant studies into the impact of children’s use of technology. A review of the effect of screen time published in the BMJ Open Medical Journal found that there was no evidence to support the view that children viewing media on screens is harmful in itself. This was well reported in the media and the BBC article on the subject can be viewed here. While they would not recommend a maximum screen time amount, the authors made recommendations about avoiding screens an hour before bedtime to avoid an impact on sleep patterns. The second study concerned the impact of social media on mental health focused on a very large sample of almost eleven thousand fourteen year olds. The article in The Guardian on this study can be found here. Researchers found that depression in teenage girls is strongly linked to social media use. Prof. Sir Simon Wessely, an ex-president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said the researchers “still cannot definitely say that social media usage causes poor mental health, although the evidence is starting to point in that direction”. Taken together, these two articles confirm the view that digital technology is not in itself an adverse factor in children’s lives, but how it is used determines whether its impact may be positive or negative.

Congratulations to our Clarinet Quartet who have been invited to perform at the Regional Festival of Music for Youth (MFY). Anu Adeleye, Isaac Minto, Jay Keenan and Keir Msuya will perform at the CBSO Centre on Thursday 28th February. If successful, they are invited to perform at the National Festival later in the year. We wish them every success.

On the 20^th of December, 50 students – including myself – from the Sixth Form were fortunate to be selected to participate in a Reward Trip. The occasion was organised for us by Mr Bird, to whom I would like to thank for his time and effort, as recognition for our helping out during events such as open days and parent’s evenings. The trip included go-karting and laser tag, both of which were exhilarating experiences. The Reward Trips occur 3 times a year, and are great opportunities to experience new things, to unwind a little from the stresses of studying A-levels, and to create fun and lasting memories. They provide a small break from our schoolwork, and help to motivate us to continue to work hard and give back to our school. Today was the first time I had ever been go-karting, and definitely the first time I had ever driven so fast! I enjoyed the rumble of the go-kart as it accelerated and drifted when I cornered sharply. The speed of the air rushing past me and the closeness of the floor produces a unique feeling, and beats Mario Kart hands down! I also participated in two games of laser tag. The combination of darkness and the illuminating effect of laser light heightened the sense of excitement as we entered the other-worldly battlefield. We were given points for a successful hit on someone else, and points were deducted if you were hit yourself. I won’t tell you my score, but I was placed 10^th on my second try (out of 16, but no-one needs to know that). A big thank you to Mr Bird, Mr Jones, Ms Fiess and Mr Alishah for making this day possible.

Olivia McKnight, Year 13

In an interesting article in The Guardian the case is put forward for soft skills as well as hard skills for future graduates. Empathy, creativity as well as technical ability are needed in the workplace. Please click here to read the full article.