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Friday 4th
End of term, 12.45pm
Tuesday 22nd
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Presdales School
Hoe Lane
Ware
Hertfordshire
SG12 9NX
Tel: 01920 462210
admin@presdales.herts.sch.uk
Headteacher:
Mr Warren
Design & Technology Trip – Design Museum
On Thursday 11th November, the Design and Technology department went on their first trip since Covid began. Fifty Product Design students from Year 11, 12 and 13 attended the trip, which made the day a real treat to be on as a member of staff.We arrived at almost 11am, so on our arrival we observed the two minute silence for Remembrance Day. The students were a real credit to the school, and staff were super proud of how they conducted themselves in the Museum.The exhibition, ‘Waste Age’ did not disappoint. So many different things to see, and projects that are happening all over the world, where designers are looking at ways of being more sustainable. Design and Technology as a subject involves many topics that relate to the environment, as well as exploring the social, ethical, moral and cultural aspects of design in society. Students found it super interesting, linking it to the current COP26 Conference in Glasgow.Some of the exhibition pieces were; plastics that are fully biodegradable and reusable, building blocks made from waste construction materials, plants that can be manipulated to make thread for clothing, and what other countries around the world are doing to reduce domestic waste. Here is the website if you would like to have a look at what else is on at The Design Museum; www.designmuseum.orgTo make the trip a bit more fun, students were set a challenge, with this year’s being ‘The Chocolate Challenge’. Students had to take photos of themselves with certain named exhibition pieces…well done to Anthe and Jamie (Year 13), Holly, Maddie, Katie and Mollie (Year 12), and Sarah, Stephanie, Daisy, Kim and Sophia (Year 11) for completing the challenge. Please see some of the photos below from this challenge.Thank you to Mrs Garcia, Mrs Dray and Mrs Albone for also coming along on trip, and to the students for making our first trip in two years such a pleasure to be on.Mrs Schillaci-Rowland
Year 8 Maths Trip to the Isle of Wight 2021
Year 8 are all having a great time on their Maths Trip to the Isle of Wight this week!
Lots of challenging but fun activities and day 2 started with amazing weather!
Year 12 Trip to Brunel University for the UCAS Exhibition
Last Wednesday we took our Year 12 students to the annual UCAS exhibition at Brunel University. On the trip, students had the opportunity to speak to a large number of university representatives and other post-18 options, including Degree Apprenticeship Co-ordinators, and the Army and Navy. Students spent a few hours walking around the exhibition gathering information from different providers and speaking to current university students about what life at university is like. Students even got the opportunity to tour the grounds and buy lunch in one of the many cafés on campus.
‘On our trip to Brunel UCAS Exhibition I spoke to several universities which I am interested in attending and gained further knowledge on their entry requirements and open days. Many helped me narrow down my course options and career path into Psychology and Law, and gave me an idea for next steps into my university research, through attending future lectures and gaining work experience to improve my application. Overall, it was a very inspiring and helpful day enjoyed by all!’ – Libby
‘I found the trip great fun and it really opened my mind to all the options available to me post-sixth form. I managed to visit all the universities that I had an interest in and get a feel for a university environment. All the questions and sceptical feelings I had towards university were answered and explained. I would definitely recommend attending this event to the Year 12 students next year.’ – Luke
‘At Brunel UCAS exhibitions, we were able to see lots of different universities from all over the UK. It gave us an opportunity to find out more about the courses that are available and a bit more about university life. We could also find out about options other than university, such as apprenticeships and the army. It was very useful in helping me to decide what and where I want to go and do after sixth form.’ – Rebecca
TECH 4.0 Project – FANUC Visit, Coventry
On Wednesday 5th February we went to Fanuc Coventry, we saw many amazing robots and delved into what engineering careers had to offer. As we entered, we were greeted by members of FANUC. We were able to see some of their robots which were displayed. Robots in green were human friendly meaning if it comes into contact with someone it will stop what it is doing. Whilst yellow robots do not and are kind of dangerous.
We then had an introduction from representatives from the PPMA, who told us about the companies involved in the project. An apprentice then took us on a tour around the rest of the factory.
After the tour, we came back and they explained what the next 10 weeks would entail. They suggested how to set out a plan for the next 10 weeks and learnt a bit about Gantt Charts. We also had an activity involving Lego and one involving a paperclip.
In the end we had a great experience looking at robots and learning a few more things about engineering and robots. We are hoping to raise the 8% of women working in the industry to 50%!
Thea, Alice, Isabella, Louisa, Becky and Mariam (Year 9)
Year 12 Psychology Trip to Poland
In February, 28 Year 12 Psychology students flew to Poland for a short but feature-packed trip. We were there to visit the beautiful city of Krakow. However, this was not a sightseeing trip; we were there to visit the Nazi concentration camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau, which was the scene of unspeakable atrocities during WW2, witnessing the systematic execution of over 1 million people: a dark time in recent human history, known as the holocaust.
Our weekend began with a VERY early flight. Once we had arrived in Krakow, we had the opportunity to try some traditional Polish street food – Zapiekanka, a toasted, open-faced sandwich – as well some other snacks such as waffles and ice-cream, despite the cold weather. This was followed by a walking tour of the Jewish quarter, Kaziemierz, with our tour guide, Monika. We really enjoyed the tour as it gave us an in-depth insight into what it would have been like as a Jewish person living in Nazi occupied Poland, having to hide in fear of being caught or being sent away from your home and family.
The following morning, we ensured we had lots of layers to wear as it was -5 degrees and we set off on our journey to Auschwitz-Birkenau. On the coach we watched a DVD in preparation for what we were going to see on the tour, highlighting some of the horrible things that happened at Auschwitz-Birkenau. One thing that was quite surreal was the videos of the children who suffered and how they couldn’t really comprehend what was happening to them. The tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau was insightful as much as it was harrowing. It was an experience we were grateful to have had as it’s important to try and understand why these sorts of events happen and how we can try to prevent them from occurring again. As part of our A-level Psychology course, we look at the concept of obedience and what factors may influence a person to obey. We have to relate this to the Holocaust to try and explain the behaviour of the Nazi soldiers and why they obeyed the orders to harm and kill millions of innocent people.
In the afternoon, we had a walking tour of Krakow Old Town, including Wawel Castle and St Mary’s Basilica. This was followed by some free time to explore the large market square, taking in the beautiful architecture and local stalls. The evening was spent having dinner at a Polish restaurant before heading back to our hotel.
This was one of the best trips we’ve ever been on and we want to thank Mrs Simmonds, Mrs Sykes and Mrs Miller for giving us an experience we won’t forget.
By Jasmine Cooper and Rosie Hough
Bar Mock Trial, Snaresbrook Crown Court
“Oh my word. We can’t have done it again, surely?” was the thought running through Miss Catterall’s and Mr Spurgeon’s heads as the lady from the Bar Mock Trial competition read out the names of the two schools who had made it through to the final of the Outer London heat.
This was 2pm Saturday 23rd November and we were in the familiar surroundings once again of the Snaresbrook Crown Court.
Tired from an early start, the team kicked into action in the euphoria of the news, rushed to collect bags and belongings from our allotted station and assembled outside Courtroom A. We were to face Heathcote School, Chelmsford in the final.
A coin was tossed. Safia called correctly and “yes, thank you, we would like to be the defence counsel”. In we piled. Safia presented her eloquent opening speech in true barristerial style, Maddie and Meena submitted their evidence to the jury under intense cross-examination and Talitha summed up brilliantly. Mila’s officiating as court usher was at the same excellent standard as the rest of the team, but had we done enough? (The tension was getting too much for some.)
The judge deliberated for what seemed an eternity, complemented all the participants on an excellent contest and finally announced that ………………Presdales had won!! (cheers) ….by one point 74-73 ! (gasps)
Next stop: the National Final on 21st March
Venue: The Old Bailey in London.
A reward well-deserved.
