Seniors

On Wednesday the 13th of March, 10 Westholme students from year 8 to year 11 entered the first Lego league competition. This was our first year attending in Bradford. The competition consisted of 3 challenges: The Robot challenge, The Innovation Project and team building.

 The robot challenged consisted of set tasks (previously given out). We had to design and code a Lego robot to complete these tasks. Doing so would gain us points, we each had three attempts and whoever got the most points in one of their three attempts would win that branch of the competition. On our 3rd and final attempt, we managed to score 269 points which placed us second overall.

The 2nd Challenge was the innovation project. This year’s innovation project was to explore how technology could be used to connect other people and their hobbies. For our idea this year we decided to create an app which displayed all the co-curricular clubs that were on offer at our school.  Although we were unsuccessful in this category, our presentation received high praise, with some constructive feedback for us to work on next year.

The teambuilding section brought an unforeseen challenge as we were uninformed of this section prior to the competition. During this challenge, we had to attempt to build the tallest paper tower possible using 5 sheets of paper in 7 minutes. This was done to test our collaborative skills and ability to work under pressure as a team.

To conclude we left Bradford university with our chins held up high due to the valuable learning experiences encountered throughout the day. All in all, the competition was an exciting and unique experience that we have benefitted greatly from.

In the third of our amazing overseas half-term trips, students in Years 9-12 took a flight across the Atlantic Ocean to the beautiful landscapes of Canada! Flying from Heathrow airport, they safely arrived in Toronto to enjoy what was to be a fantastic trip as they headed to the resort to unpack and unwind after a long days travel.

 

Despite what proved to be very chilly conditions indeed, students took to the slopes with enthusiasm and the usual Westholme spirit and determination. There was plenty to enjoy for all abilities and experience levels and it was great to see everyone making the most of what was a fantastic opportunity. Either side of time spent on the slopes there were lots of different activities to keep everyone busy, organised by chief instigator Mr Barnett and his side crew of staff who had also travelled along with the group to keep everyone out of trouble! The trip was fortunately timed with the Superbowl, which students were able to watch in the hotel after a long day on the slopes.

 

Of course, there was also the infamous Wally Hat, which has made plenty of appearances on previous Westholme ski trips...initially being awarded to Lewis as the first wally of the trip! The food was also superb, and much needed after burning lots of calories outside plowing through plenty of fresh layers of snow each day. Canada's specialty Maple Syrup and pancakes was a staple of most students breakfast throughout.

 

It was great to see students improving in their skill levels as the trip progressed, and challenging themselves to reach new heights on the mountain. The scenery was breathtaking with some of the views of the surrounding mountain ranges from the peaks being simply stunning. After what had been a brilliant trip, with all students being well behaved and luckily staying injury free, they braved what proved to be -20 degree weather to enjoy a final days skiing. Just to cap off the trip with a satisfying end, Mr Galloway was declared the final wally of the trip to the amusement of everyone!

 

Finally, everyone packed their bags and said a fond farewell to the resort and landed safely back on home soil having made lots of new memories, friends and experiences. It was a great way to spend the half-term and turned out to be an extremely enjoyable trip! 

 

Westholme students were delighted to be treated to a whole day of celebrations as part of World Book Day 2024. Students from the Seniors were asked to come dressed as characters from literature who inspired them. Not to be outdone by the students, staff were also given the challenge of constructing a costume representing a character from a novel who they admire. Mr and Mrs Anafi, who are clearly Harry Potter enthusiasts, became a very convincing Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagle. Miss Davies became dressed as Jo March, from ‘Little Women’. Mr Scorah, our newest member of the PE department, wore a beautiful dress, representing the main character from ‘The Boy in the Dress’. Needless to say, I was thrilled and delighted by the effort from staff and students.

 

A huge thank you must also go to Thomas Franks, who were also keen to dress up as a diverse range of literary characters. They delivered a feast, where we were treated to Jack and the Beanstalk burgers, Horrid Henry chicken burgers and jam tarts, inspired by ‘Alice in Wonderland’. Seeing students fully attired in costume feasting on these wonderful culinary creations was a sight to behold. Students were also given the opportunity to complete a ‘Shelfie Hunt’ – where they were asked to identify the bookshelves of a range of teachers. Also, they were given the challenge of designing their perfect bookshelf and they were asked, as a form, to choose which books would be featured on their shelf. Finally, I gave them the task of choosing an inspiration quotation from a book and I hope to have these transformed into artworks to be featured on the English corridor. Donations from students will be going towards the Guide Dogs charity. It is our ambition to purchase and name a guide dog.

 

Thank you for your support and generosity. I never take for granted the positivity of students and parents. On days like these, I am often reminded how wonderful our school is. Our students always throw themselves into everything, which reminded me of a quotation from ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’, by Oscar Wilde. In the novel, the hedonist, Lord Henry tells Dorian to “Live the wonderful life that is in you!” I hope you too can be inspired by your next book – recommendations are always happily received!

Celebrating Science!

 

British Science Week is a ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering, and maths that has taken place between the 8th and 17th March. Coordinated by the British Science Association, the aim of the event is to raise awareness, spark enthusiasm and celebrate science.

 

As such, the Westholme science department was busy throughout the week and invited all students to take part in several activities to help mark the occasion. There was a biology ‘sensory circus’ where students had to use all of their senses to identify objects, smells and tastes, as well as an opportunity to try braille and explore how sound works. This even involved putting their hands into boxes and trying the identify the objects that were inside, such as jelly and even bones.

 

Physics also had some amazing demonstrations using the Van de Graaff generator and Ruben’s Tube. Students eagerly got involved and under the supervision of Dr Watson there really were some hair-raising, illuminating and sparkling results!

 

Over in chemistry, every form carried out a fun periodic table quiz in the morning before lessons began for the day. Head of Chemistry Mr Charnock also led a practical for INSPIRED Sixth Form A Level students in the labs where they were trying to replicate week killer solutions and analysing their results. Whilst this activity was not specific to science week as such, it was great to see activities and experiments taking place across the whole department.

 

It was a great way to celebrate science across all departments, and it was great to see so many students actively involved.

 

Students can find out more by visiting britishscienceweek.org – this includes an opportunity to take part in a poster competition on the theme of time!