Clarion Winter 2020 by Barton Court Academy Trust

Barton Court Grammar School

CLARION!

WINTER EDITION 2020

The Winter

Edition!

Contents Page Contents Page

Page Numbers

Article

Page Numbers

Article

Note from the Editors

Girls’ Sports Round-Up

Meet the Head teacher

Girls’ Sports Round-Up

Meet the Head teacher

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award—Update

Motivational Tips

Climbing at BCGS!

Rugby Update

Gifted and Talented Update!

Record Collecting - Do’s and Don’ts

The Lessons From Auschwitz

Record Collecting - Do’s and Don’ts

Year 13 Globe Trip

Quick Guide to the 6th Form

Year 13 Globe Trip

The Lego Challenge!

French Exchange

Taster Days

Spanish Exchange

Advanced Thinking School Update

The Best Films of 2019 pt1

Why Live Music Matters!

The Best Films of 2019 pt2

Why Live Music Matters!

School Trip—Italy

Senior Maths Challenge

Chinese Enrichment!

The Best Albums of 2019 pt1

Science Articles pt1

The Best Albums of 2019 pt2

Science Articles pt2

Shop Vintage: Save the Planet!

Music: under-appreciated genres pt1

Chinese Visit—January 2020 pt1

Music: under-appreciated genres pt2

Chinese Visit—January 2020 pt2

School Musical Update: Oliver!

District Basketball

Young Chefs at Barton Court

Girls’ Football Success

Fashion Show pt1

Music: Evolution or Devolution ? pt1

Fashion Show pt2

Music: Evolution or Devolution ? pt2

Forthcoming Events at Barton Court

Rap Lyrics—worthy of study? pt1

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Rap Lyrics—worthy of study? pt2 Korean Lessons

Korean Lessons

Note from the Editors We hope you enjoy this Winter Edition of Clarion ! We have tried to include a range of thought-provoking articles, together with news and information on all the exciting things that go on at the school. Some of the topics covered include: The Price of Fast Fashion, the State of the Music Industry, Why Live Music Matters, Rap lyrics, Films of 2019, Sporting Successes, Foreign Exchange visits and much, much more. Of course, we are also pleased to welcome our new Head teacher, Mr Hopkins, who introduces himself to you in this magazine. There are always lots of things to celebrate at Barton Court. Hopefully, this issue of Clarion gives a flavour of what is happening. Finally, we are always looking for new talent on the school magazine. If you want to get involved in the Summer Issue contact Mr Hodgkins or Mr Urquhart. The Editorial Team

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Headteacher’s Report Head Teacher's Introduction by Mr Hopkins

Most people begin January by making a New Year’s resolution, albeit fairly similar to the one made the previous year. This January, rather than making a small change, I made a more substantial one by starting as Headteacher at Barton Court Grammar School. I’m pleased to say it is a change I have found to be invigorating and enjoyable in equal measure. I have found both the staff and student body to be most welcoming – which has helped me to adapt and very quickly feel part of the school community. I have spoken to all year groups about ‘stepping out of your comfort zone’ in my first assemblies, which clearly reflects not only my personal circumstances but also my personal philosophy. Prior to joining Barton Court I had worked at both the girls and boys grammar schools in Sittingbourne for over fourteen years as either a Deputy Head or the Headteacher. Certainly these years provided me with invaluable experiences but more importantly instilled a determination in me to work hard for young people to realise the advantages that a grammar school education can bring. That resolve and ambition for young people is something I hope I convey on a daily basis to the staff and students at Barton Court. My first few weeks have placed a great emphasis on getting to know the staff at the school. Whilst all organisations have to have systems and procedures, schools are about essentially about people. Whether we have been engaged together in whole staff training or meeting in smaller groups as Heads of Year or Curriculum Leaders I have been very impressed not only with the commitment of the staff to the school but also their obvious enjoyment of working here. Their enthusiasm is infectious and helps to make the school a great place to be. Many students have noticed how visible I am around the school during the day. It’s important to me to be able to speak to as many students from different year groups as I can. That’s why you are just as likely to find me in the school canteen asking students about their day as well as getting them to show me their books in a work scrutiny! Over the next few weeks we will be starting to recruit staff for next September. Student involvement in this decision-making process is an integral feature, listening to student voice is key, and will help me to make good decisions for the school.

On a personal note I have lived in Canterbury for the last thirty years and thoroughly enjoy the benefits that the city brings. When I’m not at work you are most likely to see me cycling through the country lanes of East Kent in pursuit of a great café. I’m also an avid supporter of Liverpool FC which has already brought me into conflict with some of my senior colleagues. Over the next few weeks I will get the opportunity to meet more parents at our respective Option Evenings or Parent Evenings. These are good opportunities to speak, so don’t be afraid to approach me and initiate conversation. Barton Court has made me feel very welcome and I look forward to leading the school well in the coming months.

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The Student Woman Drive in Black—Theatre Team Report In the absence of Motivation Molly Kennet motivational tips……. Tripoffers in some November

Mrs Brown by Molly Emily Kennet Allison By

Motivation. Defined as ‘a reason or reasons for acting or behaving in a particular way’. So why is it that so many of us struggle to stay motivated or claim that we lack any motivation to get things done, even if there is an urgency to do so? The definition suggests that we as a species need to have a goal, or an end product which we can be proud of or obtain something from, in order to remain motivated enough to get the task done. But is this really the case, or do we simply tend to opt for the easier way? I can remember being told in a year seven assembly, that the best way to stay on top of my workload was to get the hardest piece of work finished first, so that after you can reward yourself with an easier task. Assuming then that afterwards you’ll have the satisfaction that you’ve achieved something far more difficult already. This all sounds like a good idea, that is, until you are actually in the situation. I don’t believe that even once, I have done the most difficult piece of work first. I seem to have a tendency to wait right up until the last minute to complete work that I don’t want to do or claim I haven’t got the motivation to do, and even then as a result, my work is rushed and is never completed to the level at which I would like it to be. In fact, I am currently sat writing this article in order to avoid doing some homework that is due sometime next week, and coursework which was due sometime last week: a great role-model, I know! It often feels that a simpler way of overcoming a work load is to do it little by little; as if chipping away at the mountain with a toothpick will get you to the other side! However, I know as well as the next person that this is never the way you’ll get things done.

This brings me unequivocally to discuss some uncomfortable truths: and as much as I hate to admit it, I feel as though my lack of motivation may be due to my need for my phone and social media. I seem to love convincing myself that a 20 minute YouTube video is a better use of my time than an essay which will take me 20 minutes to complete. And so ‘I’ll just leave it for another 20 minutes…’ runs through my head and, ‘what’s the time now18:45… well an hour-long documentary about a serial killer in the 1600s will only take me to quarter too eight, so that’s fine, I’ll do it later’: I put it off and put it off until it is 22:00 and I have spent the last three and a half hours learning about the continent of Australia; buying a new shirt off of Asos; watching outtakes from comedy shows and messaging my friends. The temptation to blame my phone is laughable as surely I could simply put it down, write the essay then go back to it, but nevertheless all the while I know that there is an eternity of things online that I would rather be watching or reading about. My motivation fizzles out and before I know it, I’m rushing around desperately trying to complete the work in the hour before it is due . But... it is finished, and I can rest easy. I haven’t the right to lecture any of you about this, in fact I’ve probably earnt more of a right to the title of the World’s Best Procrastinator, and this was nothing more than a rant to myself that I could change things and be more on top of my workload. However I think that I’d like you to take this too as some reassurance for yourself, and a reminder that I have made it through the last five and a bit years with this mind-set and not died yet. Just be cautious of the stress you are giving yourself, and know your limits. As long as you are getting it done, you’re doing fine.

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Rugby– Update

by Mr White

Both the under 15 and under 14 rugby teams had a good run in the Kent Cup, with unfortunately both teams being knocked out in the quarter final. This was an excellent achievement for the school in what is only our third year of competing at County level for rugby, and the first year teams have been entered into all county tournaments. The under 14 team began their tournament against a very strong and physical Marsh Academy side. Barton Court took the lead, before trailing 14-12 at half time. However, a resurgent second half performance with three tries, including an excellent last minute try from Roman, saw Barton Court go on to win the game 29-14. Barton Court then hosted Kings’ School Rochester in what was a very tight encounter. Barton Court again took the lead before Kings’ struck back. Barton Court went in at the break 7-5 up, and the game remained this way until Tye scored an intercept to take Barton Court to a 14-5 lead. Despite a last minute try for Kings’, Barton Court turned out eventual winners, 14-10. In the quarter final Barton Court travelled to St Dunstan’s College and came out on the wrong side of a physical encounter. Barton Court started poorly and conceded 4 early tries. Despite a much better second half, Barton Court couldn’t turn things around. The boys definitely left a few tries out on the pitch and, on another day with a stronger start (and less players away on the French Exchange), the result may have been different. The under 15s had an easier ride to the quarter finals, firstly beating Harvey Grammar School 47-0 and then having a walk over win against Charles Dickens School. It may have been their lack of game time which ended up being their downfall, or the long list of injuries which included Stanley the captain, as the quarter finals proved to be a step too far with a loss against Norton Knatchbull. Barton Court played the majority of this game with 14 players following early injuries to Jamie and Felix and all of the students should be pleased with their efforts and commitment.

Rugby will continue in the Spring with the district leagues and tournaments, as well as fixtures in the Kent Grammar School League and the yearly Sevens tournaments for Years 8, 9 and 10.

The Fine Art of Record Collecting By Mr Hodgkins-

Mr Hodgkins gives some hints and tips on how to collect records………….. Dear students, I know vinyl is back and young hipsters are busily snapping up LP’s on-line and at their local HMV. Some of them are even playing them on record players! It’s a good time to be into vinyl, and therefore I thought it might be appropriate to offer a few tips on buying and collecting L.P’s (short for Long Playing vinyl albums), as I have been doing this since I bought my first LP in 1978 – “Parallel Lines” by Blondie, in case you were wondering. You weren’t? Never mind. What do you mean, you’ve never heard of Blondie? There is something very special about vinyl. Maybe it’s the feel, the smell of the cardboard, the lyric sheets, the colourful sleeve designs, the pretty labels. Maybe it’s that magic sound when the needle touches the vinyl and you hear the little crackle of static. To be honest, I have records that are a little scratched, and sometimes I can remember exactly when and where I accidentally scratched them. The scratches are actually part of the listening experience! I have an album by a Canterbury 1970’s band, Caravan, called “In the Land of Grey and Pink”. I had drunk a little too much scrumpy cider one evening, and fell over when I put the needle on the vinyl. Every time I listen to it now, I remember the cider and the resultant hangover. Happy Days! The CD just isn’t the same! By the way students, alcohol is clearly only for over 18’s and even then it should be drunk in moderation. Just thought I’d add that health warning. Anyway……..moving on…………... Collecting records can produce some bargains and make some money, but don’t bank on it. Boot fairs and charity shops used to be havens for vinyl. As a young man I would happily get up at 5am and shiver my way round an otherwise rather dismal boot fair and pick up a rare Jimi Hendrix album (Jimi Hendrix? No? Google him). However, it never happens now. Mainly because I’m no longer young, and can’t be bothered, but also because people have “wised up”. Charity shops certainly have. In fact, they are far too wise in many ways. Oscar Wilde famously said that “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing”. I think he was actually talking about charity shops and how they price their vinyl. Yes, that Beatles album might be worth £60 in excellent condition, but NOT when scratched to pieces, and with a sleeve that has been torn and bitten to pieces by a rabid dog!

Condition is EVERYTHING with old records. No matter how rare an album is, if it is badly scratched it is generally fairly worthless. I remember my mum excitingly telling me that her Beatles singles must be worth a fortune. I disappointed her when I pointed out that the Beatles were quite popular, and there are millions of copies of “She Loves You” out there and, also, hers was scratched, because in the Sixties people actually played their records and played them hard. So, therefore, if you (or your Mum) DO have a record from that era in beautiful condition it can be worth a lot.

I used to buy records on e-bay, but that is a hit and miss exercise, believe me. I remember buying “two boxes of nice old records” (no pictures) from somewhere on the outer edges of civilisation (Seasalter, I think it was). The old boy selling them proudly showed me the terrible, moulding contents of his 2 boxes. My heart sank, and basically, I ended up paying him £10 so I could to take his rubbish to the local tip. Anyway, record collecting will introduce you to a range of crazy, eccentric people. You will find yourself checking out second hand record shops, visiting record fairs, and poring over boxes of old records as you search for that classic piece of rock, folk, rap or whatever. It’s a great hobby. There are regular Record fairs in Whitstable, and the Westgate Hall in Canterbury. You might even spot a couple of aging hipsters called Hodgkins and Urquhart trawling through the vinyl treasures on offer. Say hello, and a warm welcome to the wild world of Vinyl……………………………

An example of the aforementioned Caravan album. Mint condition £120, with cider induced scratch, £10 at most…

Guide to the BCGS 6th Form By our sixth form teamFollowing our recent Sixth Form Open Evening on the 29th of January, a lot of people reading this article may be considering joining our 6th form here at BCGS. Therefore, I thought it would be a good idea to create a guide of essential top tips for all potential 6th form students. This is a list of things I wish I had been told before I started my A-levels. Before starting in September, ensure you have all the essential S: stationery, but especially folders! I have found that filing all your work from the beginning of the year to the end inside a large folder, one for each subject, allows you to stay organised, and is good for revision purposes. After each of your lessons, take 10 minutes during a free period to read over your notes, making sure you understand all of it. A-levels are a big step up from GCSE, so doing this will make sure you aren’t falling behind. Make time for free time. It’s easy for work to pile up, so ensure you are allocating time to hang out with friends and watch a good Netflix show. Mental health can be so easily ignored, so take some time away from the desk. Take at least an hour a day for this. Ensure you are revising throughout the year, rather than the night before an exam, due to the large amount of content involved in each test. Choose subjects that are not only going to be useful for your future, but also something that you will enjoy. It’s all good and well if you pick all the subjects that your mum wants you to pick, but if you know you won’t find them interesting, then you may not be able to get the grades as easily as if you were doing something you love. On the other hand, you must also make sure your subjects will look good on your university application, if this is what you’re thinking of doing after school. If you want to do medicine at university, then make sure you research which subjects universities are looking for in A-levels.

Finally, have fun, and work hard! These are your last years at school, and maybe in education in general, so make sure you use them wisely.

The Lego Challenge! By Mr Woods

Recently our Year 8 students embraced the challenge to design, build and budget a Lego house. They had strict guidelines on how they must design their house and were given sample material to help explore the multiple ways in which it could look. All calculations of dimensions and quantities were done prior to purchasing their Lego bricks and they had to stay within budget. Many students successfully managed to design and build from their plans and this was highly praised by our facilitator. The purpose of the workshop was to help students make the important links of how maths is used in a variety of applications across workplaces, especially in creative ways. It was also an important lesson in how to learn from mistakes and to keep trying. Thank you to the Medway Education Business Partnership for a great STEM day.

Taster days and More….!

By Mr Mitchell

Next year, students currently in year 8 will be starting their GCSEs and those in year 11 will be starting their journey through 6th form, studying A-Levels, Level 3 BTECs or a mixture of the two. This is an exciting time, but making sure students make the correct choice of courses is vital as these decisions will start to determine their futures. In light of this, on Tuesday 4 February year 8 and 11 students spent the day partaking in a series of taster lessons for GCSE (y8) and A-Level/BTEC courses (y11).

Students took part in 5 sessions in 5 different subjects of their choice. They completed an online survey to identify which subjects they wanted and a programme for the day was then put together. During the sessions students were given the opportunity to experience what a typical lesson in the subject would be like, meaning they can make an informed decision about their choices. Year 11 students are now in the process of completing their applications to 6th form via UCAS following these taster sessions and the open evening which took place on Wednesday 29 January 2020.

Year 8 students have their options evening on Thursday 27 February, following which they will make their choices of subjects. The deadline for this is Friday 13 March. Training to Save a Life During Enrichment Day 2, on February 2020, eleven Barton Court’s First Aid Ambassadors completed their training with First Aid for Life in a two-hour session. The training included learning and reviewing resuscitation techniques, use of a defibrillator and safeguarding. Barton Court has arranged for our First Aid Ambassadors to have access to an online course with First Aid for Life to develop and consolidate their skills to respond effectively to a wide range of emergency situations. One of Barton Court’s students (Thomas Nolan, Year 10) received acknowledgement across local and national press for his actions that saved the life of a person in Canterbury, using skills that Thomas had gained in first aid training.

Advanced Thinking School update By Ms Benardâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Grosso

This year, the school is aiming for its re-advance level status as a Thinking school. Back in 2011, the school embarked into its thinking journey, putting thinking and cognitive education at the heart of our curriculum. The school received the thinking school status in 2014, and the Advanced status in 2017. We are now aiming for receiving recognition for all the hard work we have accomplished over the years in terms of training, implementation and dissemination of Thinking and best practice across the Trust but also in our local and feeder schools via our outreach and enrichment work. The SLT, Directors of Teaching and Learning , Curriculum Leaders, Staff and Students drive teams are currently working actively to collate and produce evidence towards the accreditation.

A very exciting time for the school !

Why Live Music matters! By Mr Hodgkins My favourite music venue: The Ramsgate Music Hall

Live music venues are under threat. Certain greedy property developers are busily buying up pubs and clubs are turning them into houses, flats and luxury apartments. What this means is that there are less venues for smaller, up and coming bands to learn their trade. This leaves live music in the hands of big business promoters, charging high prices to go and see bands in EnormoDomes (yes, I made that word up) and characterless aircraft hangers, where the band perform about 2 miles away and you end up watching the gig on a massive screen, while a £7 pint sloshes over your head from the over enthusiastic punter in the plastic seat above you. This sort of thing is all rubbish, of course. Music is about atmosphere. I want to see the sweat on the lead singer’s brow, see the fingers of the lead guitarist dart over the fretboard, see the drummer twirl his drum sticks in a manic Keith Moon impression (note to readers: Keith Moon was a crazed drummer in classic rock band The Who. Check them out on youtube – they make most modern music seem impossibly tame). Anyway, where was I? I want perspiration, noise and atmosphere. Also, I like to stand at gigs, not clap politely in my plastic seat.

Thank goodness, therefore, for small venues like the Ramsgate Music Hall in, er, Ramsgate, of all places. The stage is about the size of my kitchen table and the standing area just about crams in 80 sweaty punters. Most of the bands I’ve never heard of, and that’s fine because a spirit of adventure is essential when savouring music. Prices are not expensive - £10 to £12 for most gigs - and, most importantly, the people that go there are into the music in a nutty, obsessive way. Which means they listen to it, and don’t spend the time having banal, loud conversations about the price of tomatoes in Aldi, or worse, boasting loudly about other gigs they’ve been to, in order to boost their hipster credentials. Basically, If you want to talk, go to the bar, which is conveniently situated upstairs.

A typical Ramsgate Music Hall crowd savouring the atmosphere

So, the Ramsgate Music Hall is a veritable oasis in a desert of bland, overpriced stadium gigs with their eye watering prices and dead atmosphere. I’ve seen loads of bands/artists there. Most of them were great, some were alright, and some forced me out into the Ramsgate fresh air for a bag of chips and a chirpy stroll around the harbour. However, I have never regretted a single minute spent there.

The Idles play Ramsgate Music Hall, April 2018

Dear readers, music is about spirit, passion, and great close up moments of intimacy. It’s about connecting with the artist. It’s about supping deep on the electric lightning of rock and roll as it curses through our bodies, and it’s about living in the precious moment as we escape and transcend our everyday lives. We all need to support these small, independent venues and keep music alive, before it’s blanded out and spottified out of existence. Finally, although they do occasionally do tribute bands, the emphasis is on NEW music at Ramsgate Music Hall. Therefore, we don’t have to endure balding fat men pretending to be Elton John or, indeed, slightly thinner balding men doing very poor impressions of George Michael. So, support your local rock venue, or as the mighty Jack Black might say in the classic film, School of Rock: “Fight the Power!” and “Stick it to the Man!” etc etc. Maybe I’ll see you down the front in the mosh pit……………..although I’m getting a bit old for that sort of behaviour!

Mr Hodgkins

Senior Maths Challenge by Mr Woods

Several Maths A-level students celebrated good results in the UK Senior Maths Challenge recently, with all 10 participants scoring at least a bronze award. One student – Georgia Malkin – performed excellently within the UKMT, being the only student within the school to score gold and qualify for the Senior Kangaroo challenge which is the next level of the Senior Maths Challenge. Five other students were awarded with a silver award whilst the other four students were awarded with bronze. Gold awards are given to the top 10% of all scores in the country. Silver is the top 30% of the country and bronze is the top 60%. All participants within the school achieving at least a bronze award is fantastic! One example question was: X

0.5x

100

0.25x

100

‘Each of the factors of 100 is to be placed in a 3 by 3 grid, one per cell, in such a way that the products of the three numbers in each row column and diagonal are all equal. What is the value of x?’

Firstly I recognised that the top row of the grid is complete and the product of that row is given to us as the expression ‘50x’. Therefore every row, column and diagonal must also equal 50x. I concluded that the middle of the middle row must be 0.5x to make the bottom left to top right diagonal equal to 50x. By applying the same rule you should get all values of the grid in terms of x, which would look like this…

To find the value of x, you need to identify what factors of 100 we haven’t included yet (5, 10 and 20). Then conclude that x=20, 0.5x=10 and 0.25x=5.

The Best Albums of 2019 by Joseph White 1) IGOR– Tyler The Creator IGOR is the fifth studio album by American rapper Tyler, the Creator, released on May 17, 2019, through A Boy is a Gun and distributed by Columbia Records. Produced entirely by Tyler, the album follows the 2017 release of Flower Boy. It features guest appearances from Playboy Carti, Lil Uzi Vert, Solange, Kanye West, and Jerrod Carmichael, along with backing vocals from Santigold, Jessy Wilson, La Roux, CeeLo Green, Charlie Wilson, Slowthai, and Pharrell, among others. 2) Slowthai– Nothing Great About Britain Nothing Great About Britain is the debut studio album by British rapper Slowthai. It was released on 17 May 2019 via Method Records. The album features guest appearances from British rappers Jaykae and Skepta, as well as production credits from electronic music producer Mura Masa and punk rock band Slaves. 3) Anderson .Paak– Ventura Ventura is the fourth studio album by American singer Anderson Paak. It was released on April 12, 2019, by 12 Tone Music and Aftermath Entertainment. It features guest appearances from André 3000, Smokey Robinson, Lalah Hathaway, Jazmine Sullivan, Sonyae Elise, and Brandy, along with posthumous vocals from Nate Dogg. Ventura was supported by two singles: "King James" and "Make It Better". The album received widespread critical acclaim and debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200. It is Paak's first US top 10 album. The album is nominated for Best R&B Album at the 2020 Grammy Awards. 4) FONTAINES D.C– DOGREL Dogrel is the debut studio album by Dublin post-punk band Fontaines D.C.. It was released through Partisan Records on 12 April 2019 on cassette, CD, digital download, and vinyl formats. Upon its release, Dogrel received acclaim from contemporary music critics. On review aggregator website Metacritic, Dogrel has an average weighted rating of 87 out of 100 indicating "universal acclaim" based on 16 critics' reviews. On review aggregator website AnyDecentMusic?, the album has an average rating of 8.5 out of 10. 5) JPEGMAFIA– All My Heroes are Cornballs All My Heroes Are Cornballs is the third studio album by American rapper JPEGMafia, released on September 13, 2019 by EQT Recordings. After the release of his breakthrough record Veteran (2018), he began recording tracks for its follow-up, with a total of around 93 songs by 2019. He handled the production, mixing and mastering in his home studio. The album features guest appearances from Abdu Ali, Helena Deland and Buzzy Lee, as well as additional vocals by Refined Sugar, Vegyn and Young Emoji. Vegyn also serves as a co-producer on one track. CONTINUED OVERLEAF…..!

6) BROCKHAMPTON– GINGER GINGER is the fifth studio album by American hiphop collective Brockhampton. It was released on August 23, 2019, through the band's label Question Everything and RCA. In an interview with GQ in June, Kevin Abstract compared the sound of the album to Outkast's "Hey Ya!", and said the group's approach was taking lyrics about topics like anxiety and depression "and putting it on a song that a bunch of people could dance to". On June 20, thirty seconds of a new song from the album titled "Sugar" was found on the app TikTok. Some fans also found that the song could be played in digital jukeboxes in some local bars. The full song was leaked online the next day. 7) Not Waving But Drowning– Loyle Carner Not Waving, but Drowning is the second studio album by British rapper Loyle Carner. It was released on 19 April 2019 via AMF/Virgin EMI Records. Familiar faces and themes serve as his trademarks. Carner’s frequent collaborator, Tom Misch, is on board to contribute some mellow funk on the bass and his mellifluous vocals for “Angel”. Fellow Mercury Prize nominee Jorja Smith and winner Sampha sound like old friends in their guest spots – they fit comfortably into Carner’s landscape, built from classic hip-hop beats and warm piano loops. In a nod to his well-documented love of cooking, two tracks are named after chefs, Yotam Ottolenghi and the late Antonio Carluccio. Over all of it, he raps with an easy flow in gruff yet honeyed tones. 8) GREY Area– Little Simz GREY Area is the third studio album by English rapper Little Simz, released on 1 March 2019 through Age 101 Music. In the review for AllMusic, Liam Martin praised the album by claiming that "On her third full-length album, Grey Area, Simz has reached a new peak, with an honest record that isn't afraid to take shots at the world at large. It's also incredibly concise -- an aspect that many of her peers often miss the mark on -9) ZUU– Denzel Curry ZUU is the fourth studio album by American rapper Denzel Curry, released through PH Recordings. Neil Z. Yeung of AllMusic saying "In less than a half hour, Curry establishes himself not only as one of the most capable and exciting artists of his generation, but also worthy of a place in Miami's rap pedigree, right alongside the local icons who inspired this gem." 10) PSYCHODRAMA– Dave PSYCHODRAMA was released on 8 March 2019. It follows his first two EPs, Six Paths (2016) and Game Over (2017). The album features guest appearances from J Hus, Burna Boy and Ruelle. Psychodrama was executively produced by both Dave and Fraser T. Smith.A concept album, Psychodrama follows the narrative of a therapy session, primarily detailing the impact of Dave's elder brothers' prison convictions, along with his struggles with mental health, strained relationships, and the tough social conditions that confront black working class youths. The album was supported by four singles: "Black", "Streatham", "Location" and "Disaster", with the latter three all reaching the top 10 on the UK Singles Chart.

Shop Vintage: Save The Planet ! By Lilly Starling

When someone says “global warming”, your first thought probably isn’t fashion. More likely, images of litter, car emissions and oil spillages spring to mind. So what do the clothes you’re wearing have to do with the environment? Fast Fashion is “cheaply produced, poorly constructed clothing, pumped quickly through stores to maximise on current trends” sold by the majority of high street chains - likely including your favourite shops. Annually, global emissions from textile production are equivalent to 1.2 billion tonnes of CO2 - that’s more than the carbon footprint of international flights and shipping combined. Our clothes are also extremely thirsty - WWF reports that the amount of water needed to produce a single cotton t-shirt and a pair of jeans is 20’000 litres (to put it in perspective, that's ten times the amount of water you will drink in a year). And what’s more, of all the clothes we consume it is estimated that over £140million worth end up in landfill per annum. If the environmental impact of fast fashion wasn’t daunting enough, the industry as a whole is deeply unethical. Rarely do we stop to consider how, where and who makes our clothes - something that charity “War on Want” is attempting to change. WoW reports that, in Bangladesh (where over 3million people work in the garment industry), factory workers are paid far less than a living wage - sometimes starting at just £25 per month. Even worse, 80% of these factory labourers work in excess of the legal limit of working hours, with three quarters reporting they had been verbally or physically abused in the workplace. So what can you do to help? Primarily, using, mending & wearing clothes you already own and being mindful of how your garments affect the world around you is a great place to start. In terms of shopping in the future, reducing the amount you spend in high street chains such as Topshop, Primark and New Look and swapping to sustainable lines in stores such as H&M and Zara reduces your carbon footprint impressively. Even better, making use of second hand clothes from charity shops, vintage boutiques or apps such as Depop and Vinted is often cheaper and doesn’t take a toll on the planet, or vulnerable workers. By changing attitudes (and thinking about where we shop), we can reduce the impact we have on our planet.

Chinese Visit to Barton Courtâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; January 2020 By the MFL Team

Barton Court Grammar School was very pleased to have the opportunity to welcome Chinese students week beginning 20th January for the whole week. The students were from the Chinese school, Belacosta in Sao Paula, Brazil. The week went very well. The Chinese students shadowed their buddies in lessons all week, and took part in extra-curricular activities, such as Basketball after school. Well done to the Barton Court students who participated in the Chinese workshops! This was an amazing experience for all involved!

District Basketball—a BCGS Success story! Feb 2020 District Basketball—an update by Miss Nuttall On Monday 20th January the year 8 boys travelled to Herne Bay for the district basketball tournament. The boys showed incredible skill and fitness in consistently strong performances. They went the whole tournament unbeaten, scoring some excellent team baskets. The boys were crowned district champions – this is due reward for their hard work and team ethic this season!

Barton Court Girls in Football success ! We hear more about the run up to the forthcoming Kent FA County Cup Final, 29th March, Maidstone FC Stadium…………... Several Barton Court girl students have reached the Kent FA Cup under 16’s County Cup Final.

The team they play for—Tankerton FC— managed to beat top of the table team, Junior Reds Roses, in a recent Kent FA County Cup semi-final It was an incredible achievement in beating a team who are undefeated this season. The players showed great character, attitude and skill with our 3-2 victory over a fantastic team. The final will take place on the 29th March at Maidstone, Gallagher stadium with 10.30am kick off. It seems very rare that any local teams reach the final of Kent FA competitions, so we ought to single out and praise the players involved who attend our school:: 

- Lauren Todd

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- Ylishia Bubb

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- Laura Temple

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- Morgan-Mae Wicks

It would be great to see some BCGS students support these girls on the big day—ask the PE Department for more details!

Music– evolution or devolution? Abi Graves discusses the state of modern music The music industry has changed dramatically over the years, but was it really for the best? Has music evolved or devolved? Were the 70s or are songs of today better? Has recording improved? Songs are recorded in one of two ways – ‘mono’ or ‘stereo’. The difference is number of channels that are used. In monaural sound, one single channel is used, and reproduced through several speakers, but they are all emitting the same copy of the signal. Stereophonic sound uses two or more channels, with a different channel going to each speaker. Songs recorded in mono can end up sounding flat when done without much care. Whereas stereo tends to sound more atmospheric and immersive. If you listen to stereo recorded songs through earphones, you may have noticed that if you take one earphone out part of the song is missing. Some good examples of song to test this out with are: ‘Stairway to Heaven’ by Led Zeppelin, which plays the guitar in one ear and the flute in the other for the first five minutes, and ‘When I’m Sixty Four’ by The Beatles, with the vocals in one speaker and the instruments in the other. Most modern recording do use stereo, but not panned as hard as older songs. Nowadays, vocals are generally mixed centre, with drums mixed by how they would be placed in relation to the listener. Bass tends to be fairly central, and guitars are often much harder in one ear than the other. By doing so, the stereo effect is often lost or confused with mono. You may be surprised to hear some of your favourite artists performing live, expecting them to sound like they do on the album, only to find their voices being significantly different. Whilst on stage, artists have the disadvantages of a huge crowd in front of them, screaming, cheering, and singing along, and the exhaustion of dancing around the stage and interacting with their fans. Whereas in the studio, it’s just them, in a room, with a microphone and headphones. Their only audience being the producer or team of producers, and a select few people, such as their manager, collaborating artists, or close family or friends who have tagged along. Of course, the setting is greatly contrasting, causing a change in their voice, but in the studio, they also have autotune. Autotune is meant to be used to fix little imperfections, or add subtle effects, in order to improve the song. In fact, going back a few decades, using autotune could be considered an insult. However, some artists use autotune to such an extent that their music can seem slightly fake at times, especially once you’ve heard the different between recorded and live. This leads some to question whether talent is even necessary today, when you could simply edit your voice until it meets standards.

‘What happened to bands from the 70s? What happened to the subtle use of autotune? Is

talent even relevant anymore? The 21st century world has become so obsessed with ‘image’ that it is quite possible for the music industry to take on people, with perhaps much less musical talent than other potential artists, based on their looks. In the 60s and 70s it was about a band getting together and making music. It was about Paul, John, Ringo and George going into a studio, and letting their creativity flow, having fun. It was about Elton John walking out onto that stage and singing whilst playing the piano. Now, many artists only do vocals, letting other people create the tune or write the lyrics, featuring Cardi B, featuring Kanye West. “Pop” culture seems to be overrunning the music industry more every year. The ‘pop’ genre includes whatever is popular at the time, it erases a song’s branding of ‘rock’ or ‘hiphop’, clumping everything together into one big group of music in a meaningless genre. Radio stations, such as Heart FM or KMFM, only play the ‘top charts’ or have their ‘disco’ songs late at night, leaving out all the music which isn’t the most popular.

Shifting through radio stations or scrolling playlists on Spotify, you may notice a few trends in the mainstream songs of modern society – relationships, break up and exes. Love has always been a great motivator for a number of things, but it seems that today’s artists have forgotten about all the other topics. It appears to be a certain type of love half of the time as well. What ever happened to ‘Hammer to Fall’ or ‘We Didn’t Start the Fire’? When did ‘Hey Jude’ and ‘Stand by Me’ turn into ‘Side to Side’ and ‘Locked Out of Heaven’? How did we go from music videos of art like ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘I Want To Break Free’ with its revolutionary drag, to ‘Anaconda’ or ‘My Humps’ with their inappropriate subject for music, visual or audial, and ‘7 Rings’ with its bragging over being able to buy all of those expensive things. Some modern artists, such as Ed Sheeran or Billie Eilish, make the type of music videos that still leave lyrics a mystery for the listener to figure out, rather than explicitly shoving it in your face, or making no sense at all.

The Music business seems to be waiting for the Next Big Thing and many teenagers are sampling the past for those truly memorable moments. Will many of today’s stars be celebrated in 50 years’ time in the way the Beatles’ Abbey Road album was recently celebrated? I doubt it…………….

Should rap lyrics be analysed in English Lessons? Henry Leutner discusses….

Ask the English teenager on the street if they can name a 21st century poet; with a bit of luck, an English enthusiast might give you a ‘Carol Ann Duffy’ or a …somebody else? However, if you do manage to get any correct answers, the chances that it actually comes from further reading, as opposed to the anthology placed on their desk in class, is very low. It seems evident that the youth of today are strongly disengaged with poetry.

Ask this same sample if they know of Kendrick Lamar or J. Cole’s work and the chances of hearing not just a ‘yes’, but also being the recipient of an attentive and interested expression, drastically increase. I’d argue that the most engaging, relevant and certainly influential poetry of today originates not from the anthology, but the mixtape. In the example of perhaps the greatest rapper of our era - Lamar - some of the richest and most powerful literature is being manifested in the deprived streets of Compton. Perhaps the youth of today are more engaged in poetry than ever, and it’s about time the curriculum unearths the goldmine of powerful words lying behind rap music. There is, of course, a distinction to be made between the highest-level conscious rap, and the emerging, viral subgenres of mumble rap and Soundcloud rap – it’s simply not possible to analyse meme hits like Lil Pump’s ‘Gucci gang’, whereby he’s essentially repeating those 2 words for 2 minutes. In the streaming era, short, simple and low level rap songs are what’s hot at the moment, creating a misconception about the legitimacy of the writing talent coming from hiphop. Not only is there distinctions to be made within rap, but it is also difficult to use the terms ‘rap’ and ‘poetry’ interchangeably, and a distinction must be made here also. Rap is made for the masses and, if, like much of poetry, it became too symbolic and layered, it instantly loses its ability to connect to people on a mass scale, and will certainly fail to capture even a fraction of the Spotify streams it currently generates. Therefore, artists face a constant internal conflict between lyrical dexterity and commercial success, leaving a small niche of appropriate work that could be unpacked in an English lesson. Lamar is one of a few, amongst others such as the UK’s emerging talent Dave, who has gained immense commercial and critical success without compromising on lyrical complexity. Lamar, a straight A grade English student himself, known for his inspirational songs for the black community, will be one of the newest authors added to the IB reading list for his most recent and successful album, “DAMN”, the first non-classical or Jazz album to receive a Pulitzer Prize for music in its 76-year existence.

Above all, the importance of getting children engaged in lessons cannot be understated. In an article with ‘Education Week’, American English teacher Lauren Kelly has found that incorporating rap and hip-hop culture into the literary curriculum can help connect instruction to students’ individual backgrounds and foster their interest in writing. Kelly’s curriculum aims to get students to look critically at texts with multiple ‘lenses’ as a way of better understanding the cultural implications and social context of texts and their own lives. In an interview with the publication she said, “There’s no better way to teach literary devices than through hip-hop. Personification, metaphors, similes, and more – there’s so much richness in hip-hop.” Furthermore, the urban youth of today are transforming the English language, but there is no recognition of this ‘new English’ in our lessons. This acknowledgement of marginalised cultures in our education system would spark excitement from a whole new demographic in our classrooms, with students, indifferent to the curriculum, being given the opportunity to study and relate to texts that apply so strongly to their everyday lives and issues. Big up to Her Majesty for honouring Wiley with an MBE for pioneering grime in the early 00s. We are certainly on the right path of getting rap the appreciation it deserves. With this article, I’m not expecting to bring about any change, and maybe that’s not what it’s about anyway. If it has any impact, I hope people can learn to acknowledge and appreciate the power of emotive, conscious rap music, which provides incredible insight into lives so different to our own, whilst still addressing internal struggles shared on a universal scale, giving it the respect it warrants as a literary entity. But don’t take my word for it, go listen for yourself.

Korean Lessons

by the MFL team

The MFL department has been very lucky to be able to have four South Korean teachers at Barton Court for two weeks. Our year 8 students have been taught some Korean and have learnt about Korean culture. It was great to see the students enjoying a game of Yutnori, learning how to use chopsticks properly, playing gongginori and being able to sing along to some K-Pop songs with the famous BTS band. It was definitely a successful experience for our students, but also for the teachers.

Sports Reports—Girls’ Round—up By Mr s Nuttall Sports is a big part of the BCGS community. Here, Mrs Nuttall describes some of the latest achievements. Congratulations to everyone who took part in these games! GIRLS’ SPORT It has been a busy start to the year for girls’ sport with action across netball, football, basketball and indoor athletics. The netball season saw teams from year 7 through to 10 competing on a local level. Established squads in year 8, 9 and 10 have worked hard in training, with excellent attendance. This has helped them have a positive start to the year with a number of wins. Numbers of netballers in year 7 have been fantastic, enabling us to field two teams on a number of occasions. The girls are developing into a strong team and we are looking forward to the second half of the season. All year groups will be competing in district tournaments when netball commences in term 4.

Year 7 have been the top performers so far in girls football. The year 7 girls performed exceptionally well in the district tournament which was hosted at Barton Court. They took on schools from all across the district and finished in a respectable 3rd place. There were some excellent performances which showed great promise for future seasons. Unfortunately many of the girls under 14 and under 16 football fixtures fell foul of the weather. However, they showed great commitment and enthusiasm for training and they are looking forward to commencing games in February.

Basketball has been the sport of choice for the girls in terms 2 and 3 with students competing at under 14 and under 16 level. The under 14 team has seen a core of year 9 girls supported by some year 8â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stepping up to play with the older age range. There have been so closely contested games, most recently a very narrow defeat to Herne Bay High. Despite a poor first quarter seeing Herne Bay rack up an 8 point lead, the girls came fighting back to bring it back to 8-6 heading in to the last quarter. It was a fierce game with some aggressive defending to the death. Unfortunately the girls ended up losing 10-8, but they showed great team spirit and are determined to get revenge in the district tournament. Under 16â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s have also put in some strong performances starting the season with an impressive win against QE, followed up by another win against Canterbury Academy. Unfortunately Langton proved too strong, but again the girls are determined for revenge in the district tournament. January 2020 saw the return of indoor athletics, with the year 7 and 8â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s competing in the district competitions held at Herne Bay High. There were some great performances from both year groups, with year 7 finishing 2nd and year 8 finishing 3rd. This was an outstanding result and bodes well for the summer season.

Duke of Edinburghâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Award By Mr Hellyar

This year we have had in excess of 65 students take part in their Bronze level of the Award. Students have been working on their individual sections, focussing on volunteering, skills, physical and also building up their map work, navigation and camp craft skills. The expeditions have been highly rewarding and the students have conducted themselves in an exemplary manner. The practice expeditions were based around Blean Woods to the north of Canterbury for one group and between Chilham and Westwell fort the other group. So far we have had a very successful assessed expedition where all students passed with flying colours. The Assessors were full of praise and have requested that they be allowed to come back next year as they were so impressed with Barton Court students. The remaining assessed expedition is currently in the planning stages and will be conducted in mid-October near Cranbrook, where we will be using The Swattenden Centre as our starting base camp. I am looking forward to seeing all of the students once again, pass all elements of this section and I hope that this will be the final piece in the puzzle for them to complete the Bronze Award. We have had nearly 50 students completing the Bronze level as at the end of October. This year we have seen staff volunteers rise from just me to a whole team. This has certainly helped with the planning and organisation of each and every expedition. I hope that the numbers of staff getting involved will increase further next year as we build larger numbers into Silver. Things are looking very bright for the D of E Award at Barton Court, as we now have our own operating licence and have already got over 50 students signed up to start their Bronze level.

Sports Roundupâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Climbing! By Mrs Nuttall Year 11 students have enjoyed a number of climbing sessions on the Christchurch climbing wall. Students have challenged themselves on a range of walls, using both colours, one colour of just natural features as they attempt to scale each route.

Students have developed responsibility for belaying, whilst the climber trusts them to keep them safe. There has been some great coaching and communication to encourage and guide the climber on their routes, whilst we have also seen some exceptional grit, determination and resilience.

Gifted and Talented Update By Ms Wild Gifted and Talented co-ordinator, Ms Wild , explains a little more about Higher Project Qualifications and we get a taste of some of the topics covered in this exciting enterprise. The younger years are completing their Higher Project Qualification this academic year, which equates to 1 GCSE. Similar to the EPQ, which we run in Sixth Form, the pupils are allowed to research anything that they are passionate about. So far we have a range of research questions from “how does cognitive dissonance affect feminists?” to “to what extent can we accurately state that dogs are colour blind?”. Here are a few example titles to offer food for thought: Higher Project Qualification Proposal- How can music affect your brain and mental health? Throughout this project, I will be discussing how listening to music can affect a person’s mental health and weather the impacts are positive or negative. I will explore all sides of the topic: the negative, positive and to what extent it can affect mental health. Project Proposal for Higher Project Qualification— “To what extent is British politics still sexist?”. We chose the topic of sexism in British politics because issues regarding equality and representation are very relevant at the moment with frequent debates in parliament and among the public as to how prejudice and discrimination based on gender should be faced. It links to psychology, which is another subject area that interests us. This science allows us to examine the mindsets and preconceptions of modern politicians, as well as members of the public, when forming opinions on politicians based on their gender, whether positive or negative. Higher Project Qualification Proposal— Can you train domestic cats to do tricks? For this project, I am going to research the history of domesticating cats and the belief that cats have to be trained to be domestic. I intend to look at the developing relationship between humans and cats. I will address wild cat circus trainers in the past and modern-day training cats to do tricks in the circus and home. I will discuss how I am intending to train my cats and what techniques I am going to use.

Sounds like a fascinating range of topics—we look forward to seeing them being completed!

Reflection on Lessons From Auschwitz by Katy Ford

January 2020 marked the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

Here, Barton Court student, Katie Ford, comments on her own experience of visiting the notorious Nazi Death Camp When I signed up to take part in the Lessons From Auschwitz Project, I knew immediately that it would be an eye-opening experience. It not only educated me further on the Holocaust, but also allowed me to gain a greater understanding of the personal stories of experiences at Auschwitz One and Birkenau. I expected that the visit would be harrowing, and that it would be difficult to come to terms with the atrocities that had occurred there. On arriving, these expectations were met, with the both Auschwitz One and Auschwitz Birkenau being almost incomprehensible places. The visit to Birkenau in particular was incredibly eerie, as we arrived there late afternoon, and a mist had descended on the deserted camp. One of the things that shocked me most about this site was the scale of it; even before entering you could sense the hugeness of it. Upon entering through the infamous gate, with the railway running through it, we were informed by our guide that the site covered over 2km². This was incomprehensible when you think about how many people were able to fit on the site at one time. You could barely see the ends of the camp no matter where you were standing, which really hit home to me how trapped and lost people must’ve felt. There appeared to be no way out. At Auschwitz One, we were taken into rooms where piles of belongings had been thrown away by the Nazi personnel as soon as people arrived. Shoes, bags, hairbrushes, glasses, all everyday items, removed in a split second, stripping people of their identities. However, although I found myself immensely shocked by these mountains, the particular mound which I found most upsetting was the one full of human hair. This hair had been cut off the people as they entered the camp. I honestly couldn’t believe my eyes. Even when I was walking around the camps, I still found it very hard to picture what had gone on exactly where I was standing, the unthinkable had taken place there. I found that I had more questions than answers by the end of the day; I had gained more understanding, but somehow felt more confused. By this I mean that I understood more of the events which took place in terms of what factually happened, however this raised even more questions for me, related to things such as the meanings behind their actions. The day was unforgettable, and I have so much that I have taken away from it.

Year 13 Globe Trip

by Alexandra Barrett. 13S

The Year 13 Globe trip took place on 14th November 2019, where students studying Shakespeare for their English Literature A Level had the opportunity to visit the historical theatre and learn more about the play ‘Othello’, along with the context behind it. The day started with a coach journey to the Southbank. The Globe stands a short walk along the river, surrounded by other London icons, such as St Paul’s Cathedral, The Millennium Bridge and The Tate Modern. After arriving at the theatre, we met our tour guide, Simon, an actor working at the Globe and the Royal Shakespeare Company. The tour consisted of a talk about the social and historical context of the Globe along with a chance to sit in the audience seats and even go on the stage! It’s an unusual space for actors to work in, given the two pillars on stage, and the most powerful place to stand on stage is the corner, with your back facing the audience: it is only from here that an actor can address every member of the audience! We asked questions about the key structures of the building, such as its absent roof and amazing painted artwork, and found out about the different social classes and their place in this theatre, and the theatre as an entertainment medium. After this informative but rather chilly outdoor experience, we were grateful to move inside for our lecture, which focused on Shakespeare’s use of prose and verse in ‘Othello’. Eleanor volunteered to read, so we could hear the cadence of these two different writing styles, and Simon used this to illustrate which form gave a character the most power. This was followed by a chance to try on Elizabethan clothing and see what people would be wearing at the time. Sapphire volunteered to be the model, whilst two Elizabethan clothing experts dressed her as a rich Lady of the period. They were very informative and talked about the difference between upper and lower class clothing.

Globe Trip - More!

by Alexandra Barrett. 13S

At the end of the day, we participated in a drama workshop, which explored a key interaction between the two central characters in ‘Othello’. It was fun to get up on our feet and act out in pairs, looking at the text from the eyes of an actor. This, and the discussion after each activity, enabled us to get inside the mind of Othello at the point where he is driven into an epileptic fit by his jealousy, or of Iago, as he calculates the best way to push Othello to this outcome. Overall, it was an amazing day where we got to learn all about the context behind the play and meet an actor who could show us the theatrical side to it. The students not only felt better prepared for exams, but had a fun and interactive way to learn extra facts as well! One student commented: ‘An absolutely brilliant day where I not only got to learn about the play but also got to see it through the eyes of an actor. An amazing opportunity to meet the man who played Cassio at the Globe’s production of ‘Othello’ too!’

38 38

The Student Woman Drive in Black—Theatre Team Report Foreign Exchange News Trip in November

by the MFL team Mrs Brown by Emily Allison

The BCGS French Exchange We arrived at BCGS at about 4:30 AM. Even though it was early, everybody was ecstatic about going to France. The coach took about seven and a half hours to get to the school, Collège Théodore Monod in Gagny. Once we were there, we met our exchange partners and did some ice-breaking activities before we were guided around the school. Following this, we went into our exchange families and spent the evening with them. The next day, we took the bus to a train station and took a train to the Chateau de Vincennes, a beautiful chateau in Paris. Numerous Kings and Queens of France used to reside there (such as Louis VII, Louis IX, Philippe V and Charles IV). That day, Wednesday, was a half day at the school, so we went to our families earlier than usual. This gave us more time to practise our French, engage in French culture and get to know the family a bit more. Later on in the day, the families took us out somewhere (such as Paris, ice-skating and bowling). Thursday was our full day at the French school. Even though we spoke a different language, the students welcomed us and helped us with the tasks we were to do. The lessons we were in were very interesting and amusing and we all felt engaged in the work. Some of the lessons we took part in were, PE, Food Technology, English, Maths and Science. We also had lunch at the school which consisted of beef, mashed potatoes, carrots, bread and cheese. As the day drew to a close, we ate the food we made in Food Tech. We made Madeleines. The following day we took a train to central Paris. Although it was raining, we all had a brilliant time. As soon as we arrived, we went to Galeries Lafayette for about an hour and a half to shop. There were plenty of things to buy there as it was a colossal department store. After we went shopping, we headed straight to the Louvre where we took pictures outside the famous pyramids and took in the beauty. Then, we went to Le Forum des Halles (Chatelet) to have lunch provided by the families and went on another shopping trip. Forty -five minutes later we took the Metro to Champs-Elysees and stopped at the Arc de Triomphe. Shortly after, we took another ride to the Eiffel Tower. We stopped at the Eiffel Tower for a while to take pictures and observe it. After that, we took another ride to the Sacre-Coeur. We went up the steps to get a better view of it before going on another shopping trip - and on the carousel! We arrived back in Gagny at about 5:20 PM where we went back in the families for one final night. The day we left, we stayed in the families for the morning until around 3:30 PM. At about 4 PM, we said goodbye to the families and started the long but thrilling coach ride home. Overall, the French Exchange was excellent, very enjoyable and a great experience for anybody wanting to study French. I would recommend this trip to anyone as I had a brilliant time.

Foreign Exchange News by Patrick Venner

My name is Patryk Venner and for the second year in a row, I took part in the Spanish exchange. Two years ago, when I went on the Spanish exchange, I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what to expect. I had never been to Madrid before and didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what life was like there. As a Spanish exchange student, you live with a Spanish family, attend a Spanish school and go on day trips to a variety of places. Living with a Spanish speaking family and having a Spanish student as your friend gives you the opportunity to put your Spanish speaking skills into practice in real life situations. Attending a Spanish school gives you an insight into the lives of teenagers living and studying in Spain. Going on day trips gives you a flavour of Spanish culture, traditions and history.

My personal highlights over the course of the two exchanges include visiting both the Real Madrid and Athletico Madrid stadiums, eating octopus in a restaurant and being a student for the day at the Spanish secondary school. My fluency when speaking and my range of vocabulary have improved as has my confidence in using Spanish in many different situations. My advice to students who are thinking of joining the exchange is to go for it. Make sure you contact your exchange partner before you go to break the ice and when you get there, smile and be sociable with your host family. Suerte!

The best films of 2019 1)

by Jack White

The Irishman (Netflix Original)

This biographical crime thriller follows Frank Sheeran (Robert De Niro) as he recalls his past years working for the Bufalino crime family. Now older, the WWII veteran once again reflects on his most prolific hits and, in particular, considers his involvement with his good friend Jimmy Hoffa's disappearance in 1975. 2) Once Upon A Time In Hollywood Actor Rick Dalton gained fame and fortune by starring in a 1950s television Western, but is now struggling to find meaningful work in a Hollywood that he doesn't recognize anymore. He spends most of his time drinking and palling around with Cliff Booth, his easy-going best friend and long-time stunt double. Rick also happens to live next door to Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate -- the filmmaker and budding actress whose futures will forever be altered by members of the Manson Family. 3) Little Women In the years after the Civil War, Jo March lives in New York and makes her living as a writer, while her sister Amy studies painting in Paris. Amy has a chance encounter with Theodore, a childhood crush who proposed to Jo but was ultimately rejected. Their oldest sibling, Meg, is married to a schoolteacher, while shy sister Beth develops a devastating illness that brings the family back together. 4) Joker Forever alone in a crowd, failed comedian Arthur Fleck seeks connection as he walks the streets of Gotham City. Arthur wears two masks -- the one he paints for his day job as a clown, and the guise he projects in a futile attempt to feel like he's part of the world around him. Isolated, bullied and disregarded by society, Fleck begins a slow descent into madness as he transforms into the criminal mastermind known as the Joker.

5) Knives Out When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey dies just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc arrives at his estate to investigate. From Harlan's dysfunctional family to his devoted staff, Blanc sifts through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies to uncover the truth behind Thrombey's untimely demise.

The best films of 2019

by Jack White

6) Hustlers

Working as a stripper to make ends meet, Destiny's life changes forever when she becomes friends with Ramona -- the club's top money earner. Ramona soon shows Destiny how to finagle her way around the wealthy Wall Street clientele who frequent the club. But when the 2008 economic collapse cuts into their profits, the gals and two other dancers devise a daring scheme to take their lives back. 6) Toy Story 4 Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of the gang embark on a road trip with Bonnie and a new toy named Forky. The adventurous journey turns into an unexpected reunion as Woody's slight detour leads him to his long-lost friend Bo Peep. As Woody and Bo discuss the old days, they soon start to realize that they're worlds apart when it comes to what they want from life as a toy.

However, the runaway success story of 2020 so far is Sam Mendes’ epic World War One film, “1917”. Let’s see if it can win Best Picture Oscar !

School Tripsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Italy

by the MFL team

Italy Trip to Lake Garda, Benice, Florence and the Dolomites During the 2019 Enrichment Week, 48 Year 8 and 9 students travelled with staff to Italy for a week to experience the sights and culture of Northern Italy.

Despite the torrential downpour on our day trip to Lake Garda, the rain finally disappeared, the sun came out for our boat trip and the skies stayed clear for the remainder of the week. All students had an excellent trip, with highlights being a day trip to Venice, coach and boat trips around Lake Garda, a day trip to Verona (including a visit to Julietteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s balcony), and a day in the glorious Dolomites playing

mini-golf. As well as these amazing day trips, students enjoyed the luxuries of the pool in the hotel, ample helpings of ice cream, and a fantastic evening in an open air fort for the final nights meal. All students were a credit to the School and behaved impeccably across the week. Yet another fantastic trip abroad! The trip to Italy is an annual feature of life at Barton Court and the trip will continue this Summer in 2020.

Chinese Visit

by the MFL team

During our Enrichment Week , the School was delighted to host 15 students and their teachers from a school in China. Students took part in the multicultural day with Year 8, following their Barton Court buddies to exciting workshops, such as Circus Skills, ICT Mandalas, traditional crafts, Zumba, singing, African Drumming, mask making, Chinese stories and dance, team-building and parachute games and storytelling. They also enjoyed a visit to Ross Wood Campsite to see Year 7 on camp and took part in fire building, bracelet making, painting and a short walk around Blean Woods.

Barton Court students also took part in Chinese calligraphy workshops and learning Mandarin. The Chinese students had a great time and Year 7 & 8 really enjoyed meeting them all and learning about life in China.

Science Article By Samson Duggan Sam Duggan explores some recent scientific developments………. 1) Xenobot- Scientists have created the world’s first self-healing robots using stem cells from frogs. Their name (xenobots) originates from the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) from which the stem cells the xenobots are made from originate. Research conducted at the University of Vermont allowed for this scientific breakthrough, the creation of the very first living robot. The machines are less than a millimetre wide, and can walk, swim, survive for weeks without food and work together in groups, all inside the human body. The researchers claim the cells ‘promise advances from drug delivery to toxic waste clean-up.

One of the most promising qualities of the tiny living robots is their ability to heal themselves after they have been cut. ‘These are novel living machines’, says Joshua Bongard, a computer scientists and robotic expert working at the University of Vermont who co-led the new research; ‘they’re neither a traditional robot nor a known species of animal. It’s a new class of artefact: a living, programmable organism’. The organisms have been shown to move in a coherent fashion, towards a goal outlined by a computer that programmed it, but when they turned over they flailed like beetles flipped on their backs. 2)The star Betelgeuse is nearing supernova- claim a group of scientists observing the recent dimming of the star in our sky. The super-red giant has, in recent months, been getting gradually dimmer, which wouldn’t be considered particularly abnormal for a star of its size, except on the 15th of January scientists measured a huge gravitational wave burst from the area near Betelgeuse.

Science Article By Samson Duggan Jackson Ryan, the science editor for CNet says ‘the gravitational waves we’ve detected so far usually relate to extreme cosmic events, like two black holes colliding or neutron stars finally merging after being caught in a death spiral’. If this star does undergo a supernova soon, don’t worry, you won’t need a telescope to see it, as it will be plainly visible from earth with the naked eye and even be brighter in the sky than the moon at night time! Surely an explosion that big will produce a sound, no? Of course not! The type of wave that sound is cannot travel through a vacuum, such as space and so to us here on earth, the explosion will be completely silent and peaceful.

3) Tardigrades are one of the most well-known micro-animals that we know of. They are eight-legged, segmented animals that live in extreme temperatures. They are not categorised as extremophiles as they are not actually adapted specifically for this environment. Studies have shown that even these hardy little animals are at a high risk from global warming due to this fact. They are not able to survive in high temperatures for a long period of time and therefore concerns are that they will shortly go extinct if the temperature on earth continues to rise. There is particular concern about these animals as their microscopic size makes it very hard for conservationists to help them in any way.

Music: A Quick Guide to some under-appreciated genres

By Shea Boyle

Shea Boyle is one of our highest achievers in the music department here at Barton Court. In this article Shea informs us some of the stigmas involved with certain music genres. The music industry is currently the largest it’s ever been. New artists are born every day and thousands of songs are released every day, so it goes without saying that a large variety of genres and styles of music are explored. However, not all of these genres are received and perceived in the same way: a lot of music nowadays has a stigma attached to it. I’m going to explain stigmas involved with 6 different genres of music and why these genres each have their own reasons to be appreciated. 1. Hip-Hop In recent years, Hip-Hop or Rap music has begun dominating the charts in western countries. Although the general perception of Rap music has improved as its popularity has risen, there is still a negative view regarding it, stemming from its origins. Hip-Hop originated in New York in the 1970s: it developed from African-American and Caribbean youth cultures. The youth would use music as an outlet for their disadvantaged situations, often including a political or social message in their words. Over time, a stigma developed around Hip-Hop due to its political nature and often aggressive sound. However, I believe that it is exactly these features that make Hip-Hop so engaging. Although this genre has recently developed a more boastful and drama-fuelled side, the core of Hip-Hop music includes some of the most emotionally-driven lyrics and strong messages found in music. These strong lyrics, combined with a catchy and ingenious accompanying beat, are a recipe for a genre of music well worth checking out. 2. K-Pop A dominant genre in the East, K-Pop is a genre with a rising popularity in the West. However, because K-Pop is predominantly sung in Korean, it is met with a xenophobic attitude by many in the West. The heavy focus on visual/appearance and dance choreography is often seen as feminine or cringe-worthy by many; however, these aspects are some of the most charming features of K-Pop. If people were not too quick to dismiss this genre, learning about its immersive and expansive culture could be illuminating for many.

BTS - arguably the most popular K-Pop group of recent times 3. ‘Classical’ Classical as a genre refers to music specifically from the Classical period. However, the term ‘Classical’ is often used to refer to music that sounds like it is from a bygone era (for example someone could call a piece of music from the Romantic period ‘Classical’). ‘Classical’ music is often dismissed as outdated, boring and samey. Although this may seem the case, some of the most complex and encapsulating pieces of music are ‘Classical’ works. Beautiful melodies and ingenious harmonic movement found in such pieces create powerful impressions that can completely mesmerize a listener.

4. Punk Punk or Punk-rock music, along with a whole range of related genres (such as: Emo, Screamo, Hardcore, Alternative rock, etc…), is seen as an aggressive and sad genre that is only listened to by social rejects and teens that are ‘going through a phase’. This stigma prevents many from exploring a new world of music that contains some of the most powerful lyrics and exciting instrumentals. Artists of this genre tend to be those that are least afraid to address controversial topics, most commonly mental health. This is a genre in which people can find topics that they can relate to and lyrics that can provide them with comfort .

5. Electronic /EDM Perhaps the genre most affected by the stigma involved with it, Electronic music is a vast genre that has the potential to become the future of music. The use of exciting new technology by highly skilled producers results in a world of inspiring, exciting and immersive music that ranges from something you dance to in a club to something that strikes you deep into your soul. Negative ideas of Electronic music include people thinking that it is just incoherent machine noise (which can only result from either ignorance or just personal preference of different timbres) and, more popularly, people thinking that it requires no skill since there is a lack of ‘real’ instruments. This could not be more wrong, since professional EDM producers need to have mastered an incredibly large skillset (from sound design to mixing to mastering to equalisation to… you get the idea). Although there is no physical aspect to it, proficient use and skill with a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation [music software]) requires a great level of skill that is at least on par with playing an instrument, if not much higher. The diversity of this genre allows for some of the most exciting, most immersive, most emotional and most magical music ever created. The potential of Electronic music is limitless. In fact, all the other genres mentioned (besides ‘Classical’ for obvious reasons) have recently been massively influenced by EDM. 6. Pop Even though this genre gets its name from its success: Popular Music – it still receives heavy scrutiny by many, and there is a stigma involved with it where elitists and people who believe they are interesting for disliking something that is popular think that Pop music is just uninspired, generic trash. Artists of the Pop genre (or, in many cases, their producers) are masters of finding winning formulas for songs that entertain the masses. They are highly skilled at creating songs that are enjoyable for the majority, something that artists of other genres have clearly struggled to do (evident in the lack of success of those genres relative to Pop). Things become generic because they follow a winning formula, which is often true for Pop music, so they may seem uninspired when in fact they can be the exact opposite. So go on, ditch your biases and prejudices and take a plunge into the unknown. A whole world of possibilities awaits. If you don’t like the new sounds, that’s fine. Just don’t blindly dismiss them – or be prejudiced towards them.

The School Production

“Oliver!”

by Ms Wild

Ms Wild provides an update on the exciting school musical production coming in the Summer………. The Barton Court Youth Theatre is well underway with rehearsing our annual musical Oliver! Due to the demand for tickets last year, we have extended to a three night show (Wednesday 8th-Friday 10th July). We have started the big chorus numbers of “Food glorious food” and “consider yourself”, our wonderful Finn Crockatt is taking on the role of Oliver. The cast list is attached: Oliver: Finn Crockatt Nancy: Molly Kennett Artful Dodger: Ollie Rosenberg

Fagin: Petros Papa-Adams Bill Sykes: Isaac Gidney Bet: Emily Reynard Noah Claypole: Ewan Gubb Mr Bumble: TJ Widow Corney: Maddie McIver Mr Brownlow: Benjamin Sharp

Mrs Bedwin: Sophia Kollien Mr. Sowerberry: Adam Jervis Mrs. Sowerberry: Ella Askew Charlotte: Isabella Jacobs-Moronta

Understudy: Ewan Gubb Understudy: Emily Reynard Understudy: TJ

Young Chefs at Barton Court By Miss Morris Recently Barton Court competed in the Rotary Young Chefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s competition. 18 Youngsters from East Kent took part.All four of our entrants scored very highly and earned aprons and certificates on the day. The BCGS students who entered were: Joe Palmer, Molly McGlashen, Elizabeth Stuart and Fleur Connelly. Congratulations on their culinary efforts !

Fashion Show! Ms Wild tells us more about Aimee Mann’s Fashion Show, held in early February…….. One of our amazing A-level students, co-ordinated and created her own fashion show last night as part of her EPQ. The fashion show concept was ‘Fashion through the ages’. Aimee Minter took herself out of her comfort zone, presenting the fashion show with confidence and ease. Audience members commented on her commitment to the Extended Project Qualification, saying that she has ‘set the bar high’ ,and is a role model for those who are currently completing their EPQ. Aimee was delighted that our newly appointed head teacher, Mr Hopkins, was there to support, along with governors. We hope this will set a trend of creative artefacts for the EPQ here at Barton Court. Well done, Aimee!

Fashion Show!

Forthcoming Events: 27th Feb—Year 8 Options Evening 17th March—Spanish Exchange students arrive 18th March—Careers Fayre Careers Fair 2020 @ BCGS On March 18, 2020 Barton Court is hosting a careers event, bringing employers, businesses, higher education institutions and professionals together in our sports hall. From 9am to 4:15pm, students from all year groups will have access to explore career and training pathways with these representatives at varying points throughout the day. This year, we are inviting parents to participate in the Careers Fair – access will be available from 3:15 to 4:15. This event should be an excellent opportunity to find out more about how to access particular jobs and courses, as well as discuss with representatives the skills that are essential in preparation for future opportunities in the workplace. Barton Court’s Career’s Ambassadors will be involved as events managers; planning the event, liaising with representatives and ensuring students and parents are able to access this excellent opportunity. Further information will be published by the end of February. Queries can be sent to mcullimore@bartoncourt.org along with requests for exhibition space at the Careers Fair.

2nd April—Spring Concert

27th April—Year 9 Parents’ Evening 4th May—Year 7 Parents’ Evening 1st June—Year 10 Parents’ Evening 12th June—Year 12 Parents’ Evening 8th—10th July—Oliver !—School Production

Clarion Winter 2020

Articles inside

Chinese Enrichment

Spanish Exchange

Girls Sports Round Up

Forthcoming Events at Barton Court