Monday 10th November . Issue 136
Word on the Street The Newsletter of Bethnal Green Academy and Sixth Form
Sixth Form Open Evening
It was wonderful to see so many Year 11 students from BGA and other schools at our Sixth Form Open Evening on Tuesday 4th November. BGA Sixth Form offers a wide range of courses to suit everyone as well as a fantastic enrichment programme and all
Top general wows BGA students
the support you need when looking for your next step in your education or career. LSE, Queen Mary University of London and Imperial College also had stands at the Open Evening for those who wanted more information about University courses. We look forward to seeing our Year 11 students next year.
Biology Trip to Arran Nine Year 13 Students visited the Isle of Arran in Scotland from September 25th to September 29th 2014 as part of their Year 13 Biology Coursework. Here is an account from student Julia Begum who tells us about her experiences: Arran, an island filled with nature and awe striking scenery – a statement that wasn’t apparent to us in the weeks leading up to the trip. After a tedious 6 hour journey from London Euston to Scotland, we then hopped on the Caledonian Macbrayne Ferry to the Isle of Arran. I enjoyed the ferry ride approaching the island, taking in the welcome view of the beautiful mountainous skyline as opposed to the tall buildings I was normally used to. Our journey to the Lochranza Field Studies centre allowed us the opportunity to see the wonderful sights Arran had to offer like the beaches, wildlife animals and the mountains. Upon arrival at the centre, we saw Red Deers grazing at the grass right next to our bedrooms. Our specialist biology tutors met with us and over the course of the next few days we travelled to various hotspots in the island to carry out our investigations and it was fascinating! We saw a range of organisms on the rocky shores such limpets, periwinkles, grasshoppers. But
most importantly, holding shore crabs and starfishes in my hand, quickly became fear battling moments! On one particular evening, Ms Scales and Ms Akthar forced us to go for a walk up the large hills much to all of our reluctance. It turned out to the most enjoyable part of the trip for me enjoying the views of waterfalls, climbing on rocks, and taking in the amazing view from the top. But it was the personal lessons of endurance and resilience that I developed most because walking up the hill, around the edges, was very strenuous and scary – not an easy feat at all. Our experience at Arran started with complaints over the lack of mobile reception we received. It meant that we were disconnected with our family, friends and in fact the whole world. This surprising feeling of discomfort proved to a blessing in disguise as we were able to focus on the real life experiences presented in front of us. Enjoying the beauty of Arran was only possible because we spent more time with each other to bond as a group.
ATTENTION! Pitched as a warm up to his appearance on The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday morning, Bethnal green was treated to a magnificent talk by the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir Nicholas Houghton (GCB CBE ADC Gen). More used to speaking at the UN, he regaled stories of being thrown from his land-drover by a bomb in Belfast to holding meetings with David Cameron and the head of MI5 over the country’s response to ISIS. A man who commands an annual budget of nearly £40 billion and ultimately responsible for over 200,000 personnel was put to task by 40 articulate and engaged BGA students from across the school. Posing sensitive philosophical and moral questions about the role of the army today and what determines the rights of someone to take another person’s life, his honest and considered responses provided inspiring food for thought for all those present. A truly memorable visit! Thanks must go to the general and to the marvelous students who were a credit to themselves and the school.
Life Drawing class Tutors from The Prince’s Drawing School came to BGA on Wednesday 5th November to run a life drawing class so that students could get some first hand experience of figurative drawing and learn valuable skills to help them with their A Level course work.
Arran is the perfect place for exploring nature and we are truly grateful to our teachers for giving us the opportunity to take Biology beyond the classroom and out in the field.
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