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Music 30 DT
Music
2021 SUMMER WHINCHAT DOCU CONCERT
Our Summer Concert this term took on a slightly different form – that of a Docu-Concert, giving our Prep audiences a little insight into what we have been doing musically during the Spring Lockdown and, of course, when we returned to school for the Summer Term. Working in Year Group Bubbles has been a very interesting experience, but it has certainly built up our perseverance, resilience, imagination, and the ability to rapidly change plans and think on our feet, so to speak. Have a little look at our concert (QR code on opposite page ) and you will see what we have been up to this term.
MUSIC REPORT
WORDS BY Mrs Joanne Gedye, Prep School Head of Music
This year has been an amazing opportunity for the Music Department and all our young musicians in the Prep School to dig deep and experience a new and in many ways exciting approach to music making. Working remotely and then in Year Group bubbles when we returned to school, has been challenging but has also opened new and fun opportunities for boys to experience classroom learning as well as ensemble and group performing in new ways, and I feel that we have all learnt an enormous amount about ourselves and each-other in this process.
In the Prep School we believe that creativity, perseverance, endeavour, and resilience are vital to our boy’s growth and mindset and Music plays an integral part in the development of all these life skills in our young men. We believe that Music is for everyone, and you can see this through the many music video performances over this year, including our Summer DocuConcert this term which can be accessed via the QR code alongside this report.
Despite Covid-19 restrictions, we are very
proud that every year group has been offered at least one, if not two opportunities to meet musically during the week to work together as an ensemble or choir. It has been an enlightening and interesting experience for the staff and boys to work with at times very varied combinations of instrumentalists, but I feel that this has been an excellent opportunity for us all to grow and learn musical community and the boys have embraced this experience and met every challenge head on. What I have found brilliant, and mind-blowing, was how keen boys were to get into the EMH for our rehearsals each week – somehow managing to eat early lunch and get down ready to sing before I had even opened my packed lunch!
I think the most challenging aspect of teaching singing in particular this year has been the boys getting used to working in a large space &being unusually spread out. As one boy said to me ‘Mrs Gedye – I feel like I’m singing a solo – it feels weird!’. However, the more we sang and worked on listening to each other, the better the boys got, and I have been so impressed with the adaptability our young men.
The Summer Term saw the return to near guided and continued to teach all our young musicians under extraordinary conditions this year. Although at times challenging, I feel that this year has certainly taught me a lot about endurance and perseverance and that, no matter how daunting a project might seem at the start, nothing is impossible and the resilience of our Prep boys is remarkable.
I look forward to next year with much anticipation!
Bedford Prep School Summer Docu-Concert can be accessed by scanning the QR code (pictured right)
musical normality in the return of our Prep Music Competition in Year Group bubbles. I was so impressed with the standard of playing of all our young musicians and I certainly did not envy Mrs Knight having to adjudicate the event. There were some outstanding performances, a couple of which were heard recently at our Prep Speech Day. A huge congratulations to all boys who auditioned, made it into the finals; but particularly to all our amazing instrumental teachers who have
Design Technology
DT REPORT
WORDS BY Mrs. Michelle Aldridge, Head of Design Technology
Wow! What a challenging year it has been for all, but for us as a practical subject, it really put the DT staff’s creative minds to the test, as we worked through the covid restrictions both in and out of school. Remote learning pushed us to innovate our teaching, so with some clever thinking and careful planning we were still able to deliver a subject that is very hands on, keeping the standards high.
When we switched to online learning, at fi rst, we focussed heavily on the theoretical side of our projects. We then decided to move to some Food Technology for Year 5-7. This proved to be a very positive experience at a time that was incredibly hard for everyone. Not only did the boys complete their food tasks but they also got to learn about traditional English dishes, the history behind them, food hygiene, and the digestive system. We even received a variety of creative digital formats of the pupil’s step by step practical task processes. The boys showed how they can extend their skills and go to the next level. What a great sense of achievement!
D&T within the Prep School is taught in mixed ability groups and focusses on practical work that requires students to become independent learners and active self-managers. This teaching method enables students to respond positively and independently when taking on new skills and responsibilities. Students are taught to make a wide variety of products within our workshops for which they must learn to prioritise, anticipate, and overcome diffi culties, showing great resilience and perseverance and fi nally, learning how to effectively refl ect on their successes. D&T requires the students to investigate, solve problems and challenge themselves. Working together, our teaching permits the creative contribution of ideas and develops our students’ designing ability
At Bedford Prep School, we provide the opportunities for pupils to engage in activities that are challenging, relevant and motivating. Even through the pandemic and online learning, we were able to provide high quality teaching and a range of adaptable projects. Our
2020 2021
students gain a sense of purpose and feel satisfi ed that they can play a constructive role in a technological society. They enjoy their learning in D&T and feel secure that their experiences use knowledge, skills and understanding that are applied in increasingly diverse and sophisticated ways. Design is everywhere and in everything. Everything around us has been designed. It is diffi cult to imagine what would happen without creative minds developing new products and providing solutions to essential everyday problems.
YEAR 3
Started the year carrying out a Harry Potter sweet project, redesigning the shop layout and the sweet products that were to be sold inside it. The boys were set this design task looking into the graphics of designing and making their very own Harry Potter style sweets out of air drying clay and then also designing and creating the packaging for them too. This allowed the boys to learn about slogans, brand names and the all-important
labels and symbols that have to go on food products when being produced in industry. When they returned to school the Year 3s started a new project, developing design ideas and manufacturing their ‘Superhero Mask’ but also working on a focussed practical task, designing, and manufacturing pencil holders with the theme of ‘Whales’. During this task they had an introduction to a few of the workshop tools and developed an understanding of the importance of accurate measuring and marking out.
YEAR 4
Year 4’s graphic design task was inspired by Jon Burgerman, a famous graphic designer, who likes to doodle. The boys were tasked with designing and transferring their final design ideas onto their Design Technology very own t-shirts and baseball caps. They then went on to an Alice in Wonderland Tea party graphics project. This project involved cupcake designs, party invitations & decorations, how to make a good cup of tea and sandwiches. They also worked on a focussed practical task, designing, and manufacturing a pencil holder with the theme of ‘Whales’. Throughout this task they were introduced to a few of the workshop tools and developed an understanding of the importance of accurate measuring and marking out.
YEAR 5
In September we looked at action figures, assessing how they were manufactured and branded. The boys were then able to design & manufacture their own action figure. Online we continued to gain the understanding of the different packaging processes. Moving on we touched upon 3 food technology projects: Hot cross buns, gingerbread men, and a healthy drink. After that we looked at the world of Space with NASA’s innovative technology which inspired our very own jet pack creations from recyclable materials. Lastly, using lollypop sticks, the pupils created a pirate ship using structural support systems.
YEAR 6
At the start of the academic year, we looked at rebranding the McDonalds food packaging which proved to be multi-faceted as it sparked conversations when eating the food, but also enabled the exploration of food packaging methods and processes. As a result, the pupils were able to transfer their own designs onto real packaging. Our online learning supported this line of enquiry as the boys continued to learn about packaging materials and processes. Moving on we touched upon 3 food technology projects: Space cupcakes, scones, and a fruit salad. After that we looked at the world of Space with NASA’s innovative technology and started to create our very own space helmets from recyclable materials. Lastly, using lollypop sticks, the pupils created a structural fruit bowl using Mathematics and support systems.
Design & technology is about making things that people want, or think they want, that work well. Creating these things is hugely exciting. It is an inventive fun activity JAMES DYSON
YEAR 7
At the start of the year we looked at branding a pair of the pupils’ own trainers. We looked at different manufacturing processes which included topics such as ethical and environmental materials and trainers which included creatively writing their own advert to promote them. Online we continued to gain the understanding of the different packaging processes that are used for trainers on the market today. We then touched upon 3 food technology projects: Breakfast muffins, The Bedfordshire Clanger, and a super salad. After that we looked at artists who use cardboard around the world, enabling pupils to see the many techniques and products that have been created with this material. Lastly, using lollypop sticks, the pupils created an architectural forest cabin using Mathematics and structural support systems.
YEAR 8
Throughout Year 8, pupils complete a variety of projects which aim to develop confidence and accuracy in the workshop and to introduce new design skills. This year, the pupils focused on a range of structures: making a modular Polyhedra, Leonardo da Vinci’s selfsupporting bridge and a free-standing structure with twenty sticks of spaghetti.
This was a phenomenal year full of dedication and commitment from the students and from our staff and therefore I want to thank you all for the great perseverance and resilience given. A special mention to a pupil who I felt needed to be acknowledged in this article. I would like to say a very well done to Oliver Barbour in Year 6 for his exceptional creative design work and for all the practical products that he produced, he not only made outstanding products but photographed them in an artistic and creative manner. The standard of professional and exceptional work that has been produced by this student has truly been amazing. Watch this space everyone he could be the next up and coming James Dyson…
