A-Level Science Live: Chemistry

I was given the opportunity to attend ‘A-level Science Live: Chemistry’ in the University of Birmingham in order to hear some of Britain’s top Chemists speak about their areas of expertise and interests. We were given practical tips and advice on how to do as well as we can in our Chemistry course through two examiner sessions; which personally benefitted me very much. These sessions involved revision techniques from organising your time months prior to examinations up until the day of the exam. The examiner identified many misconceptions and advised us on how to avoid the common mistakes that students usually make.

We listened to a series of five presentations by the following doctors/professors:

Professor Andrea Sella, ‘Mercury’

Dr Philip Ball, ‘Beautiful Experiments in Chemistry’

Dr Peter Wothers, ‘Atomic Orbitals’

Dr Jamie Gallagher, ‘Nanoinvasion’

Professor Lucy Carpenter, ‘Atmospheric Chemistry’

The majority of these presentations were very interesting and taught me a lot about the world of Chemistry. Professor Andrea Sella’s presentation was my favourite! He has a great passion for the ‘most beautiful, shimmering element of the Periodic Table’ – Mercury. He tells the story of Mercury, explaining the significance of this element not just for Chemistry, but also the development of modern civilisation. Other presentations although not as interesting helped me rule out exactly what I don’t want to peruse in my future career! I am grateful to be given this opportunity and I hope there are many more events like this to come.

Huda Benrekia

On the 26th of January, we went to the university of Birmingham to attend the ‘A-Level Science Live: Chemistry’. It was here where we met 6 different scientists who have all studied different areas within chemistry, and delivered interesting presentations.

Professor Andrea Sella had touched on the element mercury, the most fascinating element within the whole of the periodic table. He suggested that it was the most fascinating as it as a metal, yet can move around in a liquid state. We found this particular presentation to have been the best to be on display all day. His passion for the element mercury was amazing. We had also received presentations by Dr. Philip Ball who mentioned that every experiment within chemistry, is simply ‘beautiful. Dr. Peter Wothers went on to talk about atomic orbitals. Further presentations went on to talk about topics such as Nanoparticles, and how they may play a huge part in our future, energy and the matter at the origin of life and finally, an around the world tour of atmospheric chemistry.

In the end, it was a very interesting day, and we all took important things away from it.

Trepavan Gill

February Enrichment Day

All pupils were off timetable on the 7th February taking part in a wide range of activities which pupils, students and staff all greatly enjoyed.

Year 7 pupils took part in the Next Generation award and also joined in activities created by the Puzzle Company.

Year 8 took part in House sports including Basketball and Handball, as well as looking at careers in the NHS.

Year 9 looked at different social issues in PSHE sessions, and year 10 were also involved in House activities such as Debating.

Year 12 had a visit to the University of Aston in order to prepare them for the UCAS process and Year 13 took part in a range of life skill activities including, public speaking, cooking on a budget, DIY, car maintenance and jewellery making. They also had an insight into university life from a group of current students at the University of Birmingham, led by former HGS Deputy Head boy Jagveer Mahal.

Thanks to all staff and students who helped to make the day such a success.

 

 

 

ABRSM Music Mark

Holocaust Educational Trust

Britney Okhiria and Matthew Morris both in Year 12 have secured places on the Lessons from Auschwitz Project which is run by the Holocaust Educational Trust. This will include a one day visit to Poland where experts will guide them through the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. They will also be required to attend two seminars either side of the visit to the Nazi concentration and death camp. This is a very significant educational experience for both students and is crucial in educating young people about the horrors of past history. It is vital that such events are never forgotten.

NACE Membership

Handsworth Grammar School is pleased to be re-awarded its’ NACE membership for showing consistent commitment to provision for more able and talented pupils in school. NACE is the National Association for Able Children in Education.

 

Area and District Selection

The U16 Badminton team beat Holte A and B teams 6-0 last night. The U14 and U16 teams are now top of the Aston League and have been selected to play in the Area and District Winter School Games at the end of the month. Good luck!

More Badminton Success

Both the Under 16 and Under 14 badminton teams beat Heartlands Academy. The Under 16 team won 6 – 0 and the Under 14’s won 5 – 1. Congratulations to both teams.

A level ‘Physics Live’ Trip

On Tuesday 16th January, twenty Year 12 Physics students headed to the University of Birmingham to attend the ‘Physics Live’ event. Here they attended lectures from high profile physicists who all lectured on their individual specialities.

Firstly, Doctor Andrew Pontzen, a highly established cosmologist, spoke about galaxies, dark matter and dark energy. Then, Doctor Suzie Sheehy spoke about the topic of particle accelerators and their several uses in industry, medicine and scientific research.  A main focus was the large hadron collider which is responsible for discovering various short-lived particles. There are around 37,500 particle accelerators worldwide, although her claim is incorrect if you consider that, for example, all oscilloscopes and ‘old style’ TVs and computer monitors accelerate electrons!

Professor Jim Al-Khalili spoke about the topic of whether life needs quantum mechanics, and the possibility of quantum biology.  Interestingly, he illustrated that quantum mechanics leads to organic chemistry which leads to biology and then ultimately life. The next topic was about time, namely, “What is time?”   Doctor Michael Brooks, who holds a PhD in Quantum Physics, enlightened us about this topic. He commented on the possibility of time travel and the theory surrounding it, most of which is supported by a lot of Einstein’s work on relativity. The final talk was given by Professor Trevor Cox who explored the physics of acoustics. He holds the Guinness record for the “longest reverberation”.

Overall, the day was highly insightful of more advanced physics.  Examination advice was also given to students which will hopefully prove useful.

Jubaer Ahmed

 

Top 5 Rating for HGS Catering Team

The Dining Room and Kitchen team recently underwent a no notice inspection by an Environmental Health Officer from the Food Standards Agency whose purpose is to grade them on a Food Hygiene rating. The inspection is carried out under:

  • The Food safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013
  • Regulation (EC) No.852/2004
  • Food safety Act 1990
  • Food Information Regulations 2014

We are delighted to report that the award winning team at HGS were awarded the top score of 5. The Inspector said that she had not seen such a well organised and clean kitchen in a long time! Congratulations.

Music Workshop

Isaac Minto, Anu Adeleye and Keir Msuya were hand-picked to perform in a workshop with the composer, performer and educationalist Paul Harris. Paul Harris has over six hundred publications to his name mostly dealing with a vast array of subjects mostly concerning music education. His Music Teacher’s Companion (co-written with Richard Crozier), won the UK’s MIA Best New Book award. He is an examiner and adjudicator and is frequently asked to take part in national events including the Chamber Music for Schools Competition, Music for Youth, the BBC Young Musician of the Year and Classic FM’s teacher of the year. Paul was impressed with the boys from HGS and their ability to perform in front of 20 music teachers from across the West Midlands.