13 SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2025 ENGLISH Year 8: ‘Blood Brothers’ & Crime Fiction Our brilliant Year 8s kicked off the Spring term with heart-pounding drama and haunting melodies as they delved into the world of Blood Brothers. With every twist of fate and echo of superstition, they unravelled the tragic tale of Mickey and Eddie - twin brothers separated at birth and doomed to collide. They explored themes of class, destiny, and family with wide eyes and open minds, all while discovering how a musical number can sometimes be the most powerful punchline of all. From tragic ballads to twisted mysteries, Year 8 then stepped into the shadowy world of crime fiction. Armed with magnifying glasses (metaphorically, of course), they investigated the sharp minds and darker motives behind Sherlock Holmes and The Speckled Band, uncovering how clues, red herrings, and deductive reasoning make for a cracking good story. But the mystery didn’t end there - Roald Dahl’s Lamb to the Slaughter brought a devilish twist to their sleuthing, proving that sometimes, the most dangerous weapon is hiding in plain sight... (and maybe even in the freezer!). Year 9: ‘A View From the Bridge’, Writing a Viewpoint and ‘Julius Caesar’ This term, our dynamic Year 9s have wrestled with loyalty, justice, and betrayal in some of literature’s most gripping tales. They began with Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge, where the tension simmered on Brooklyn’s docks and erupted into powerful questions about honour, family, and pride. Next, they sharpened their own voices in a writing to express a viewpoint scheme, where the humble zoo became a hotbed of debate. With fierce opinions and carefully crafted arguments, Year 9s tackled complex ethical questions - should animals be kept in captivity? What role do zoos really play in conservation? To round off the term, they plunged into the political whirlpool of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. From persuasive speeches on the steps of the Roman Senate to deadly conspiracies and moral conflict, our students didn’t just read history - they dissected power and ambition. Year 10: Mock Exams, Poetry, and Speechwriting - Oh My! Year 10 faced a trifecta of challenges this term, proving that they are a force to be reckoned with. Their first challenge: their PPEs. With pens blazing and minds sharp, they tackled a GCSE English Language paper, followed by GCSE Lit Poetry and Macbeth for good measure. Our Year 10s then turned their attention to the beauty of poetic expression. From Blake to Armitage via Wordsworth and Duffy, students have made a really positive start at the wide range of poems they’ll have to know by the end of Year 11. And last but certainly not least, our eloquent wordsmiths took on the art of speechwriting. They honed their oratory skills, addressing important topics and captivating their classmates with their brilliant presentations. These persuasive geniuses could convince a cat to fetch a ball! Year 11: GCSE English Exams - The Final Chapter Begins! Our wonderful Year 11s have now officially closed the final chapter of their Key Stage 4 English journey - and what a story it’s been! Armed with pens, highlighters, and plenty of determination, they tackled their Eduqas English Language and English Literature exams with grit, focus, and flair. Whether crafting compelling narratives or arguing their viewpoint with precision, their writing showed insight, imagination, and real maturity. In Literature, they stepped back in time and across class divides - witnessing Scrooge’s icy heart thaw in A Christmas Carol, unpicking the secrets and social conscience behind An Inspector Calls, and walking the haunted corridors of power with Macbeth. As they move on to exciting new adventures, we couldn’t be prouder. Good luck, Year 11 - wherever your next chapter takes you, we know you’ll write it brilliantly. COMPUTER SCIENCE Year 7s Get Creative with Coding and Circuits in Computer Science! It’s been a hands-on, high-energy year in Computer Science for our Year 7 students! Pupils have been diving into game design using Scratch, where they’ve had great fun creating their own interactive Maze Games - complete with custom characters, levels, and challenges. But the creativity didn’t stop there. To bring their games to life, students also explored the world of physical computing with Makey Makeys - clever circuit boards that turn everyday objects into touchpads. Many pupils went above and beyond by designing and building their own game controllers to use with their Scratch projects. From foil-covered cardboard buttons to banana joysticks (yes, really!), the level of innovation and imagination has been fantastic. We suspect a few parents got involved at home too - and we’re sure they were just as impressed as we are with what their children have created! A huge well done to all of our budding coders and inventors - the future of tech is in safe hands. Follow us @_Computing
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