Food Science Fascinates Assembly

In this assembly we looked at the fascinating world of food science with some experiments that demonstrated the incredible properties of everyday foods. I was assisted by Ash (8E1) and Josie (8C3) to make ice cream using milk, ice cubes and salt. Whilst they took turns to shake a very cold bag, Alice (8D2) came on stage to help me with a second experiment.

We put a raw egg in a measuring jug and covered it with white vinegar. Alice described the white film that appeared immediately over the surface of the egg. This film was actually very small bubbles of carbon dioxide gas. As this experiment takes several days, I had two eggs that I had prepared earlier. What we observed was remarkable. The vinegar, which is an acid, (acetic acid), had dissolved the calcium carbonate found in the eggshell. The shell, which usually protects the egg, dissolved away entirely, leaving behind only a soft, translucent membrane. I think everyone agreed that the residue left in the vinegar was pretty yukky! I could see how rubbery the egg was.

We also recreated a volcano using bicarbonate of soda and vinegar, which for effect I had coloured with food colouring. Again, it was carbon dioxide that was the star of the show, with a bubbling mass of ‘lava’.

Alice helped make a bowl of Oobleck, which the students correctly identified as a non-Newtonian fluid, otherwise known as cornflour and water mixed in the correct proportions to produce a solid. Alice was able to mould in her hand then pour it back into the bowl.

Meanwhile Ash and Josie were getting very cold hands but unfortunately, the experiment was not successful, as the milk did not freeze as expected. I do hope they enjoyed trying however.

The assembly ended with me experimenting how strong the rubbery egg was and Year 8 certainly enjoyed seeing that it wasn’t as bouncy as it looked as it smashed on the floor, creating a bit of a mess. I particularly enjoyed hearing the suggestion by one of the students as he left, that I should have dropped the egg into the Oobleck to see it would protect the egg. What a show of enthusiasm and involvement!

Mrs Wenlock

Head of Food

Kew Gardens Trips

A few weeks ago, our Year 9 Geographers visited Kew Gardens in London, exploring the Palm House, Temperate House and Princess of Wales House as part of their new topic ‘Fragile Ecosystems’.

Throughout the day, students discovered the life-saving capabilities of plants, got a birds-eye view of the plant acrobatics of the rainforest and gained a better understanding of the threats humans are posing to our ecosystems. They even exemplified our ‘Brave’ value as they scaled the dizzy heights of the Treetop Walkway and collected questionnaire data from willing members of the public. All of this forms part of a fieldwork enquiry that students have continued in lessons.

MFL Poster Competition Winners!

In Years 7, 8 and 9, Languages students were given the challenge of finding out about some cultural elements of their respective languages and where they are spoken. We feel it is so important that the students are aware that our main MFL languages are not just spoken in France, Germany and Spain and that we help students develop an understanding and empathy for the wide variety of cultures represented in each of the countries chosen. After completing their research, students had to create a poster to highlight key information. The results proved to be some beautiful presentations of the variety of towns and countries where the languages are spoken.

Our wonderful Foreign Language Assistants, Killian, Nele and Aitana, chose their favourites and decided on overall winners. We are delighted to acknowledge the work of the overall winners and want to say a big thank you to all students who took part. Here are some of the winners and posters.  Well done all!

 

Winners:

Y7 French         Bhavik with France

Y7 German      Suraiya with Switzerland

Y8 French        Livi with Lyon

Y8 German      Rafferty with Germany

Y8 Spanish       Alesha with Argentina

Y9 Spanish       Sam with Zaragoza

Rhodium Reading Challenge Champions

Two more St Bart’s students will be added to the honour roll of those to complete the St Bart’s Rhodium Reading Challenge.

Year 8 students Alice and Jacob have each read at least 57 books across the five challenges in order to complete the final award in the school’s Reading Challenge. In recognition of their achievement and this impressive dedication to reading, both were congratulated by Dr Fitter, Headteacher, Mr Matthias, English Teacher, and Mrs Hewetson, St Bart’s Librarian, who said “ We are so proud of their achievement and their fantastic reading efforts, which will reap benefits as they carry on through their school careers. We know they are keen readers who will continue to challenge themselves with new books”.  Both were awarded with a hamper of goodies to enjoy, including their rare Rhodium Badge to be worn with pride.

Congratulations to Alice and Jacob!

KS3 Badminton Festival

16 students took part in the KS3 badminton festival at John O’Gaunt. As this was a festival, no scores were collected as we focused on participation and enjoyment. Well done to all those involved.

Autumn Bart’s Bees

The Textile department has started the academic year off with a busy term. Year 7s and 8s have been making their felt monsters and cultural tote bags. We continue to celebrate their success by awarding ‘Students of the Term’, for each of our classes, with postcards home, certificates and prizes. Students were awarded the Barts Bee for their excellent achievement in lessons, their participation in class discussions and for always being prepared to learn and fully engage in their Textile lessons. These students have gone above and beyond to produce some excellent written and practical work. Huge congratulations to all the students who completed their products this term.

This terms’ ‘Bart’s Bee Awards’, for being ‘Student of the Term’ in Textiles, have been awarded to:

 

7S TX1 – Mrs Davies

Winner: Anaisha (7D3)

Runners Up: Timothy (7C1), Elsie (7C2)

 

7S TX2 – Mrs Richardson

Winner: Scarlett (7D1)

Runners Up: Jimmy (7D2), Flo (7C2) and Sophie (7D2).

 

7T TX1 – Mrs Richardson

Winner: Nina (7P3)

Runners Up: Kitty (7E1), Honour (7P1), Barney (7E1).

 

7T TX2 – Miss Brock

Winner: Olivia (7E1)

Runners up: Isla (7E2), Elliot (7P3), Luke (7P2).

 

8T TX1 – Mrs Richardson

Winner: Alex (8P1)

Runners Up: Joe (8P2), Rosie (8E3) and Poppy (8E2).

 

8S TX2 – Mrs Richardson

Winner: Evie (8D2)

Runners up: Jacob (8D2), Ava (8C2) Tanishka (8D1).

 

8T Tx2 – Miss Brock

Winner: Imogen (8E2)

Runners Up: Lacey (8E3) Millie (8P2), Elliot (8P2).

 

8S TX1 – Mrs Davies

Winner: Jayden (8C1)

Runners Up: Florence (8D1), Alesha (8C1)

Risking It All – Parent Performance Opportunity

On Friday 7 February, Year 9 students will attend a performance of ‘Risking It All’ in the school hall. This performance is part of an innovative programme of educational theatre, focusing on risk-taking behaviour and sponsored by West Berkshire Council, Building Communities Together Partnership and the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (LSCB). The interactive performance and workshop touches on many of the issues looked at in PDP lessons, such as exploitation, unhealthy relationships and drugs and alcohol.

As part of the programme, parents/carers are also invited to attend a free showing of this performance at the Arlington Arts Centre on Wednesday 5 February at 7.30pm. This is a great opportunity to learn about and to gain confidence to talk about issues that may affect young people. Professionals will be attending the performance in order to talk to parents about these issues. Tickets can be booked here.

First Tech Robotics Challenge

Before Christmas group of Year 8, 9, and 12 students attended a robotics scrimmage. This was the first event in the First Tech robotics competition, teaming up with other schools to build, refine, and test their robots. They received an inspirational presentation from the founders of Oxford Dynamics (Robotics company), who shared insights into robotics careers and future technologies. Throughout the day, our students built their robots, collaborated, problem-solved and learned valuable new skills. Most importantly, they had a great time and returned inspired to keep innovating!

Ali Sparkes – Author Visit

We were delighted to welcome the children’s author, Ali Sparkes, to school on 28 November. Having published over 40 books for children, Ali shared her writing journey with us, including her early childhood writing which received rave reviews… but only from her friends! Ali talked to Year 9 about her latest novel, ‘100 Summers’, and gave students the challenge of figuring out a few ciphers. We were shown the obvious downsides of a code where 1=a, for example, and the advantages when you use a book as the decoding key – say, for example, one of Ali’s (as long as your friend/handler/boss has the same edition).

In the afternoon, Ali led a small workshop, giving students the opportunity to write their own title, blurb and first page and then vote on which one was the most compelling.

“I was grateful to attend the workshop in the afternoon. We voted on which front cover, blurb and short extract we liked most out of four of her books and then we paired and made our own title, blurb and short extract. It highlighted how important the front cover, blurb and short story are in influencing someone to want to read a book. I bought her book ‘100 Summers’ as the front cover looked very dramatic and mysterious and the blurb was very enticing! I can’t wait to read it!”

Holly Fry (9P1)

 Students are really fortunate to have opportunities like this, and we are grateful to Ali for coming to visit.

Evers’ Chocolate Raffle

Jack (7E2) has organised a raffle for a big chocolate hamper in time for Christmas.

Tickets are £1 each and are available to students in the Evers House Office and on ParentPay too.

All proceeds go to the Evers House Charity – West Berks Mencap.

Winning ticket will be drawn in the last week of term!

St Bartholomew’s School, Andover Road, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 6JP

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