UK Education News

A group of Year 7 pupils from Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe have been enjoying the school’s Science Club where they have been bringing science to life in a number of exciting projects.

These projects have involved making rockets, producing balloon hovercrafts, creating invisible ink Christmas cards and making and testing fire extinguishers.

”The Club offers pupils the chance to do science-related activities that extend and enhance the science they experience in the classroom,” explained Mrs Amanda Potter, Science teacher at Saint Paul’s. “We found that the children were very enthusiastic to become members and it has improved motivation and had a positive impact on attitudes. The Club has inspired our pupils, they have had some exciting hands-on experiences and it has brought Science to life for them with some real-life products with which they have been able to relate.”

Mrs Potter added “Through the Science club we have been able to get the pupils involved in some fun activities which have demonstrated the enjoyment and magic of Science. The pupils have been curious to learn more and try out some of the techniques themselves. We have been able to demonstrate that Science is much more than just an academic subject. We have tapped into our pupils’ interests and demonstrated to them the relevance of Science to life outside school.”

“The Science Club has been a fantastic initiative which celebrates the fun and enjoyment of Science,” commented Mr Wiktor Daron, Head Teacher at Saint Paul’s. “The key to its success has been in choosing activities that are stimulating and exciting. The hands-on activities are brilliant and the highly visual demonstrations capture attention and spark interest. It has made Science more visible, more interesting and more attractive to pupils in the school.”

“In addition, the Club has formed an important avenue to show the vital role which science plays in our individual lives; it teachs the pupils that science is all around them and it’s happening all the time,” added Mr Daron.

It’s not too long before the exam season  when  sometimes there may be a bit of panic in the air ….

and not just for students facing their GCSE or A level exams !

Judging by the comments we’ve had from some premises staff over the years,  it seems that “the powers that be” in their school or college suddenly decide  they need some new exam desks…. and they want them yesterday !

If you’re faced with such a situation  (or even if you don’t have such a tight deadline)  then why not give Central Educational Supplies a call on

tel: 020 7515 1797 or visit their website to see how they might be able to help.

They can supply folding , cantilever or “zimmer” style desks from only

£ 15.95  ex vat,  as well as transporters for folding desks.  They can often supply exam desks at short notice although it’s always easier if they have a few weeks notice !

Central Educational Supplies Ltd.,  PO Box 999,  London E14 6SH

Tel:  020 7515 1797  Fax:  020 7515 4420  email: signpost@talk21.com

website: www.centraleducational.co.uk

PS.  If you’re in the market for new classroom tables and chairs you may find what you need on their website…… or why not give them a call ?

Catherine Kirkham-Sandy, a Year 9 student at The Maynard School Exeter, has had her first novel published at the age of just 14.

The book is  entitled ‘A Tale to be Remembered’ and relates a story that begins and ends in the quadrangles of Oxford University, with the main story originating from a student’s research project into the society and history of two very different islands believed to have existed in the mid-nineteenth century in the mysterious region of the Bermuda Triangle. The work has just been published and Catherine is now starting to promote the novel.

Catherine, who is currently studying for her GCSEs, has always had a flair for English and decided to try her hand at writing a novel last year after encouragement by a British film director.

The aspiring author says that her flair for English stems from being an only child living in the country and spending a lot of time alone. She has a vivid imagination and used it well to create imaginary characters for company, constructing stories and scenarios from a very young age. Catherine also has an interest in acting and has appeared on television, acting in commercials, comedy and current affairs programmes; she is playing Prospero in The Tempest in Exeter in April and feature film opportunities now beckon.

Catherine said, ‘I have always loved English, and my mum taught me to read at an early age. The endless writing (more like scribbles at that age!) followed, and when I started at The Maynard Junior School I had the inspiration and terrific encouragement from the creative minds of my English teachers. My novel has a strong fictional historical dimension as I love History too and it is my second favourite subject.’

‘I am just starting to study for my GCSE’s at school, and so my work load is increasing, but I do plan to keep writing in my spare time. I am still creating characters and plots and there are some short stories in my pile of note books. I want to try a film treatment next and I have been reading up on the great masters of that skill.’

Watch this space for Catherine’s next work!