Session 10: Creative Computing

For the session this morning, the girls joined Mrs Coughlan in the IT suite. As Mother's Day is approaching on 31st March, the girls made beautiful cards using Wordart.com that we laminated for the girls to take home and give to their mothers on their special day. Some of the girls showed their creative skills in also creating Word Art designs for their fathers, grandparents and siblings!

After break, the girls used the Purple Mash software in designing an Easter-themed computer game. The girls chose their own Easter Bunny character and then decided which 'good eggs' and 'bad eggs' they would use to gain and lose points. They wrote their instructions for the game and then had tremendous fun playing their own and each other's games. For the final part of the session, the girls wrote an evaluation of the tasks that they had completed this morning and the new skills that they had gained.

Thank you, Mrs Coughlan, for a creative and wonderful morning.

Our next SHINE session is on Saturday 27th April. 

Miss Ladbrook and Mrs Blunt wish all of the girls and their families a very Happy Easter.

Session 9: Cultural Celebrations from around the World

In this morning's session, Miss Jack introduced to the girls a variety of cultural celebrations from around the world. The girls were placed into groups and worked together to prepare a presentation on their chosen cultural celebration e.g. La Tomatina which is celebrated in Spain. Using their information packs, the girls were able to learn when the celebrations take place, the history of the festivals, what happens during the celebrations amongst many other facts. The girls had tremendous fun putting together their presentation.

After break, each group presented their Cultural Celebration. The girls were very confident in their presentations and we all learnt some interesting facts about each festival. The girls finished their morning by answering questions on their favourite cultural celebration.

Thank you, Miss Jack, for a fun and interactive session.

Our next SHINE session is on Saturday 23rd March.

Session 8: Cool Chemistry

In this morning's session, the girls joined Miss Ladbrook and Mrs Blunt in the Chemistry Department. They thoroughly enjoyed becoming scientists this morning when pitting on their white laboratory coats and safety goggles! Mrs Blunt explained the origins of fireworks and the girls watched a video clip of their history including how Queen Elizabeth I was very fond of their display. Miss Ladbrook then explained the components of the Bunsen burner and the difference between a safety flame and a blue cone flame. After demonstrating how to light a Bunsen burner safely, the girls worked in pairs to demonstrate that they could do the same which resulted in all of the girls achieving a Bunsen burner Safety Certificate. Mrs Blunt then demonstrated how to test different metal salts e.g. Calcium, Lithium etc. The girls were very excited to learn what colours the metal salts would produce when heated in a blue cone flame.

After break, the girls theN applied their knowledge of their flame test experiment to design their own firework. They used the colours of the different metal salts and labelled their firework accordingly.

Miss Ladbrook and Mrs Blunt were very impressed with how all of the girls worked in the laboratory this morning.

Our next SHINE session is on Saturday 9th March.