Blog: 29th January – Back to The Future

It’s almost a year ago to the day the first coronavirus case was confirmed in the UK.  It was just down the road at the University of York.  Little did we know that a full year later, our normal lives, including our schooling would be so dramatically affected.  I thought it would be interesting to look back at what we were doing when normal was just normal, and not the ‘new normal’.  The idea for this blog is based on the large number of repeats currently on tv, and the recent scientific revelations that nostalgia is good for general well-being.

Here’s a flavour of what we did when we took normal for granted:

If you’ve ever cooked too much spaghetti, then Year 7 may have the solution for you. They’ve been making spaghetti measurers of all shapes and sizes taking on a variety of themes! In French, Year 7 have been increasing their vocabulary before using Quizlet live to compete in teams against their classmates, demonstrating their increasing grasp of the French language.

 In Year 10 PSHE this week, students have been exploring risky behaviours and learning how to keep themselves safe. Topics have included healthy relationships and appropriate use of social media. It was lovely to see so many parents and students at the Year 10 Parents’ Evening on Wednesday. Questionnaire responses will be published on the website next week. BTEC students in Years 10 and 11 have an important week ahead with their first external exams in Health and Social Care and Travel and Tourism.

 Year 11 will also have the opportunity to experience the future as they embark on A-Level taster days at King James’s School on Wednesday and BHS on Friday.

Thinking even further ahead, Year 9 will have the opportunity to go to Bewerley Park to experience the Great Outdoors in July. 

Instead of assemblies for most year groups this week, we’ve been visiting tutor groups to see just how they prepare for the day ahead. We’ve seen planner and uniform checks, reading, homework time, equipment checks, quizzes and birthday celebrations! Classes also marked Holocaust Memorial Day on Monday by watching a video and carrying out thoughtful activities to remember the millions of people who were murdered or whose lives were changed beyond recognition during the Holocaust, Nazi Persecution and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. 

Year 11 had their assembly today and we welcomed visitors from the National Citizen Service who shared with students the Summer time opportunities that the scheme can bring. A large number of students got involved last year and benefited greatly from the experience so we’re hoping for the same this year.

On a positive we have been given a tentative date of the 8th March to start to come back and we’ve enriched our vocabularies with term like circuit breakers, lockdowns, pandemic, flattening the curve, whilst simultaneously enriching our scientific knowledge about r rates, spiky proteins and vaccine efficacy.

Thank you for all your continued support.

Take care everybody and keep an eye out for Mr Grierson’s weekly remote learning news on Monday.