Students rise to the challenge of World Challenge CREATIVITY
Art, poetry and musical theatre... Pinner High School is a creative place to be
Armed with fabulous A-level results, our first students are on their way to university
As we commence this new academic year, it is important that we take a moment to reflect on some of the wonderful events and achievements from last year, allowing us to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of both our students and staff.
Our school has been buzzing with activity, with so many exhilarating events and noteworthy accomplishments to celebrate. Allow me to share some of the highlights.
I am thrilled that a group of our students recently experienced an unforgettable expedition to the enchanting landscapes of Borneo. This incredible adventure immersed them in the rich culture and natural splendour of this country. During their journey, they engaged in conservation projects, ventured deep into the heart of the rainforest, and had the privilege of witnessing the wildlife that calls Borneo home. I am immensely proud of our students for their unwavering enthusiasm and stamina throughout this remarkable trip.
I am also delighted to inform you that our GCSE and A-level results for this year have been nothing short of outstanding. The relentless hard work and determination of our students have undeniably paid off. Across a diverse spectrum of subjects, they have achieved excellence, a true testament to their commitment and to the exceptional standard of teaching here at our school. Our congratulations extend to every one of our students, as well as to our dedicated staff who have been instrumental in guiding and supporting them on their educational journey.
Last year, our students had the privilege of embarking on two ski trips during the winter season, venturing to the slopes of Italy and to the USA. These expeditions allowed them to not only develop their skiing prowess but also to forge lifelong memories. These trips were not merely about physical activity and adventure; they also provided our students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in different cultures, broadening their horizons in the process. I am pleased to announce that we have equally exciting plans for another ski trip this year.
I am delighted to inform you that a group of our passionate science enthusiasts will soon embark on a journey to CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research. This visit will grant our students a first-hand insight into the captivating world of particle physics and the ground-breaking research unfolding at CERN. It is a remarkable opportunity for them to witness the discoveries and advancements taking place in this dynamic field. I hope that this experience will ignite the passion and motivation of our budding scientists.
Finally, as we embark on another year of learning, growth and inspiration together, I am deeply grateful for your support, and I look forward to the many accomplishments and adventures that lie ahead for our school.
On a nice Monday in June at Pinner High School, Miss Bhatti gathered a group of green-fingered students who are interested in eco-awareness.
‘Eco-awareness’ means being alert about issues to do with the ecosystem and how to help save the environment.
The keen students planted over 30 trees at the back of the field. However since we have had such enjoyable hot weather this past week there has not been any rain. This caused hard work for the students, since the ground was so dry they could barely get a trowel in!
Luckily, they managed to save the day by using buckets of water to soften the ground and plant the saplings.
So, at the back of our field you will now find a range of trees: silver birch, cherry, dogwood. At the moment, the trees are wrapped in plastic protection to help them grow. Over time, the trees will grow from being small and skinny to tall and covered with gorgeous green leaves. Every year, a new ring will appear in each tree’s trunk.
Teya
Kays Year 8
“I really enjoy Geography, and this project is a good way to give back to the community and raise awareness for World Environment Day.” ANDREA
Will you plant trees for World Environment Day too? For more information about World Environment Day, visit: www.worldenvironmentday.global
Your heart felt like it was being wrenched out of your body
All this, no action.
SMELLS LIKE HALLOWEEN
Crunchy leaves falling down onto the yellow grass smells like Halloween
Haiku by Arushi Odera
Not one care
At least it’s not me, you think Well, what if it was?
Put yourselves in their shoes Take a moment to realise All of this because of what?
Your religion.
No place to go, leading you to be desperate
Not knowing where your family is, split up from the rest Hoping and waiting for the news That they are dead… And all because of what? Your religion…
Flowing through the forest an autumn breeze
NEVER LASTS
Golden, red and yellow are falling down
A gust of cool wind flowing through the trees
This is the opposite of a small town.
A crackling fire in a small cottage
Grey smoke coming through the red brick chimney
Outside are bushes, the perfect image
All that is here, has a home within me.
The cold settles in and starts to drown you
The door slams shut, memories start fading
Tears fall down, and shivering starts all through Cold swarms your home, there is no evading.
Spring, summer, autumn and winter are lies
The heart sinks as it also slowly dies.
Sonnet by Lewis May
Free verse by Isla Atack
FAMILY InthesuburbsofNorthernHyderabad, AndinthescorchingsunsofNepal, AndWithoutmyparentsI’dgomad withoutmybrother,I’dfall. InthepopulousstreetsofLondon, AndthepouringrainsofSheffield, AndWithoutmygrandmaI’dhavenofun, withoutmyunclesI’dhavenoshield. DeekshaMallySetty
PROTEST POEM
We need to stop throwing rubbish
In the water
It’s not good
Animals are dying because of rubbish
Throw crisp packets in the bin
It needs to stop because it is getting too warm for the animals
So no plastic bottles, no packets of crisps
And definitely NO tissues.
It is killing the animals!
Throw them in the bin!
We are not asking you, we are telling you!
Evie MeehanTRIGGER
The speed of a bullet, The drop of a tear, The skip of a heartbeat, The smell of fresh fear.
The pull of a trigger, The sound of a scream, The bullet gets nearer, Will they ever break free?
How many lives, Need to be lost, How many lives, What is the cost…
Diya Bhardwaj
We were to be spending the week at FSC Slapton Ley, a field studies centre run by the Field Studies Council, working with tutors who had expert knowledge of the location. Whilst, in theory, geography students are welcome to select any part of the course specification to focus their investigations on, all of us were keen to carry out a project based on the coastal landscapes topic. We travelled by train from Paddington and passed the time by playing Uno, card games and identifying coastal landforms whilst travelling on the train along Dawlish Warren, as we approached our destination of Totnes.
We met our instructors from the FSC, Becky and Grace, who would be taking us through the week of fieldwork. We started fieldwork immediately in Totnes, learning about the historical context as a town of trading significance along the River Dart, and how in recent years the town rebranded itself as a ‘transition town’, which promotes independent retailers and rejects international brands, so as to avoid becoming a ‘clone town’. We tested out a variety of human geography fieldwork techniques, ranging from classic techniques such as service tallies and environmental quality surveys, to more novel qualitative methods such as mood mapping, sound mapping and smellscapes! The evening ended with dinner and a stroll down to the beach where we skimmed stones and played ball games.
Tuesday saw us visit our four main locations where we would later be carrying out primary data collection for our independent investigations, namely Beesands, Torcross, Strete Gate and Slapton Ley. We surveyed the properties in Beesands and carried out a cost-benefit analysis and a flood risk survey. We spent some time looking at the lithology of Sunnydale, before heading back for fish and chips on the beach! We later went to Torcross, when the weather took a turn for the worst, and we learnt how to carry out beach profiles, using both the traditional method of using ranging poles and clinometers, and the modern method of using industry-standard dumpy levels. We headed up to Slapton Ley to look at and discuss plant succession, before heading to the north of Start Bay at Strete Gate, where we looked at how the beach became wider and the sediment smaller and rounder as we travelled downdrift of Start Point. After that, following a much needed hot chocolate, we headed back to the classroom to begin planning our own independent investigations, based on an area of interest from today.
Wednesday morning was spent in the classroom planning our investigations, doing background research on our chosen locations and devising our project titles and sub-questions. We were also introduced to GIS
(Geographic Information Systems) as a means of effectively collecting and presenting our data, as well as a range of statistical tests to look at correlation and contrasts between variables and different locations. By mid-afternoon, we were ready to go back out into the field to either conduct pilot studies, or begin data collection for our projects, which were broadly formed around the topics of coastal management, beach morphology or plant succession. By this point, we were prepared with the skills in applying methods and using specialised equipment to investigate our chosen areas of focus. The weather was much nicer, and Andrea and Summer even saw a seal! Back in the classroom, we discussed successes and teething issues thus far, and came up with a clear plan to conduct our main day of primary data collection on Thursday.
The big day had arrived on Thursday, and we were ready to begin or continue carrying out our chosen primary data collection methods for our investigations. The group was split across three locations along Start Bay, and we were busy carrying out a range of methods such as beach profiling, sediment and soil sampling, vegetation identification, measuring soil infiltration, Hudson’s equation (for measuring the effectiveness of rock armour in protecting from storms), flood risk surveys and bipolar surveys of hard
engineering structures. We were out in the field from morning until late afternoon, but by the end of it we had successfully collected all the data we needed to begin processing and analysing this, and write up our investigations over the coming months. The evening saw us enjoy some downtime, walking down to the beach to set up a campfire and play ball games. We also said hello to our favourite seal for the final time!
The final day was spent in the classroom and the labs at the field studies centre, processing the data we collected yesterday, analysing sediment samples, using ARCGIS to present the geo-located data collected via Survey123, and beginning to identify trends and anomalies in our data. We also went over statistical techniques we could potentially use to analyse correlations and contrasts in our data, and how this can be incorporated into the analysis section of our NEAs. By mid-afternoon, we were ready to travel back to London.
All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed our time in Slapton, and despite the long days and intense workload, we were proud of the progress we made in our coursework in a short space of time. We now feel in a much stronger position to write up our investigations, given the quantity and quality of research we did during the week.
Since we opened our doors in 2016, our Head of PE, Ryan Surridge, has given up countless evenings and weekends to give hundreds of Pinner High School students the opportunity to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. He has been a tireless, ever-upbeat ambassador for the scheme and we are hugely grateful for all his time and commitment. As he steps down from this role, he leaves big hiking shoes to fill!
“Our DofE expedition was an exciting and thrilling experience for our whole group. It enabled us to improve our navigation skills and get more time outside. We really enjoyed the views and loved walking through the Chiltern Hills. We felt DofE gave us the opportunity to create closer connections within our group, especially with all the shared experiences we have now. We all went home with a very positive outlook of the experience and many of us are excited for possibly participating in a silver DofE expedition.”
Emily O’Sullivan Year 10
“Silver DofE - what an amazing experience! It helped me and my group become completely different people, for the better. From forming greater bonds with members of my group, which will last a lifetime, to improving our ability to problem solve under enormous pressure. Silver DofE will leave us with the memories forever. It changed us in ways we never thought possible and bonded us in a way that only DofE could. I would recommend it in a heartbeat.”
Aaron Protheroe Year 11
The Duke of Edinburgh programme is open to 14 to 24-year-olds and involves three progressive levels of challenge, leading to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. There are four sections to complete at Bronze and Silver level, and five at Gold. They involve helping the community/environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills, planning, training for and completing an expedition and, for Gold only, working with a team on a residential activity. Achieving an Award isn’t a competition or about being first. It’s all about setting personal challenges and pushing personal boundaries.
In June, after a successful first season in the National Basketball League, I travelled with my team (London Elite) to Poland for my first international basketball tournament. The Radom Cup Is one of the most competitive youth tournaments in Europe, with the U12 category including 24 teams and 313 players from Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Germany, Ukraine and England. We played 5 games over 3 days, providing us with lots of valuable game experience.
Day 1 The morning saw us adjust to playing overseas and despite putting in a determined performance, we lost to reigning Champions SKS Gdansk (38-48).
Day 2 began with a commanding performance to comfortably beat Lublinianka Lublin 62-30. I was top scorer again with 21 points and had the highest efficiency rating of 18. After a great afternoon at Radom’s Waterpark, we faced Ukrainian side Chernivtsi, playing in front of a noisy crowd against physical opposition. Despite a strong performance in the early stages of the game, the pressure proved too much, and we fell to a heavy 30-58.
Day 3 saw us determined to end the weekend with a win against strong host side MKS Radom. We gave our best performance of the tournament to secure a big win before the journey home. I was really pleased to be top scorer with 22 points, and a high shooting accuracy (65%).
London Elite ended the tournament with a 3-2 record, a great achievement as most of us are in our first year of basketball I was particularly proud to be named the best player of the tournament (out of 313 boys), and in the Top 6 for Total Points Scored, 2 Point Shooting, and free throws made.
“I also had a fantastic time off the court, including attending the Radom Cup Opening Ceremony and Parade where we met fellow players from across Europe. Next season we will enter the European Youth Basketball League with lots more overseas trips to come!”
MILUN WATSON
A group of 45 Year 10 and 11 students, along with 6 members of Pinner High School staff, took part in World Challenge this summer break. Divided into three groups of 15, our students embarked on three challenges over 16 days.
A COMMUNITY REFORESTATION PROJECT – this involved helping to clear a corridor of jungle to replant trees lost in the 1998 Borneo forest fires. Students used long machetes to hack their way through large areas of undergrowth teeming with insects and clear areas for replanting. They collected seeds from suitable trees to be taken back to germinate and planted previously germinated plants into the gaps created. There are now three large areas of jungle that have been ‘adopted’ by Pinner High School and within the next 10 years should ensure the return of wildlife, such as the orangutan, pygmy elephant and a whole range of monkey species. The work itself was carried out in hot and humid conditions that provided a real challenge to all involved and necessitated overnight stays in the jungle in hammocks. This was truly a memorable experience!
A JUNGLE TREK AROUND THE MOUNTAIN OF KINABARU –these treks took in the surrounding areas of the Sabah peninsula and provided students with a real challenge. Trekking with fully laden backpacks uphill sharply and downhill really pushed fitness levels to the limit. Group 3 almost made it to the top of the mountain but were hampered by poor conditions. Groups 1 and 2 enjoyed overnight stays at basecamp where they were able to see Mount Kinabalu looming above them.
A DAY AS GROUP LEADER responsibility for a day’s activities, including transport, meals, timings and so on. This was a steep learning curve for all involved but our fantastic students showed what Pinner Values are all about in the real world! Without doubt, all would say that they learned something useful from their experiences of being in charge.
NOT JUST WORK, WORK, WORK – the groups were given time for rest and relaxation, ranging from River Cruises to snorkelling expeditions on the tropical island of Dinawan – truly memorable experiences.
Please congratulate the students when you see them on a job well done. They will be able to tell you clearly that it’s called ‘World Challenge’ for a reason!
A key element of Sixth Form is making choices about what to do next. We are very proud of the choices our Y13s of 2023 have made and the support we have given them to do so. Our trail blazing cohort have earned their well-deserved places at some of the most prestigious universities in the country, including UCL, LSE, Kings, Imperial, Bristol, Exeter, Loughborough, SOAS, York, and Warwick. Their remarkable A-level results have paved the way for a future filled with promise and potential. Among them, our future doctors, pursuing Medicine, at Leeds, UCL and Leicester; and our next generation of lawyers, studying at Bristol, Roehampton and Westminster. We are excited for and proud of all of our students as they embrace the challenges and opportunities presented by these institutions, and we have every confidence that they will excel, pushing the boundaries of knowledge and achievement. We wish each and every one of them the very best as they explore diverse fields of study, which include English, Chinese, Economics, Politics, Engineering, Sport Science, Genetics, Communications, Product Design, Audio Production and Music technology, Accountancy and Finance, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology, Mathematics, History, Geography, Law, Medicine and even Teaching!
Sergio Protopapas joined Pinner High School in Y12 from another school and completed his A levels with us this year.
“Upon my first day at Pinner High School, I immediately felt comfortable and happy thanks to the help and assistance of the teachers and the way that learning was taught – it was nurturing and helpful. It was entirely thanks to the efforts made by teachers and staff at Pinner High that I have risen to grades that allow me to look towards a bright future at a top-end university, and I could not possibly be happier or more thankful for everyone’s efforts as a result. My parents and I want to thank everyone at the school for giving me the opportunity. Pinner High was by far the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I’ll cherish every moment I got to spend here. Thank you so much.”
SERGIO PROTOPAPAS
Every year, millions of lives are tragically claimed by cancer, and countless more are diagnosed with this devastating disease. For decades, humanity has been haunted by the relentless presence of cancer, an affliction that arises from the very essence of life itself - the uncontrolled division of cells. The impact of cancer reverberates across the globe, affecting individuals and their loved ones in profound ways. However, amidst this daunting challenge, the relentless pursuit of scientific progress holds the promise of a brighter future. Researchers and medical professionals continue to push the boundaries of knowledge, seeking innovative solutions to combat this formidable enemy. New breakthroughs in cancer treatment have emerged, encompassing cancer vaccines, immune-based therapies, and the utilisation of microbes to combat cancer.
Vaccines have undeniably revolutionised the field of medicine, playing a crucial role in safeguarding human health by preventing diseases such as measles, mumps and polio, and even eradicating one of the deadliest diseases in human history, smallpox. With their remarkable success in infectious diseases, including COVID-19, an intriguing question arises: Can vaccines have a similar impact on cancer?
There are two distinct categories of cancer vaccines: preventive vaccines and therapeutic vaccines. Preventive vaccines, such as the HPV vaccine, have been available for quite a while and are designed to protect against specific viruses known to cause cancer, for example, cervical cancer. However, their effectiveness is limited to certain types of cancers and does not offer benefits once an individual has been diagnosed. On the other hand, therapeutic vaccines represent an exciting new frontier in medicine, as recent discoveries have shown their potential to treat a wide range of cancers. Unlike preventive vaccines, therapeutic vaccines are administered after a person has been diagnosed with a specific type of cancer, and have demonstrated promising results in targeting and combating a wide range of cancer types.
A notable and innovative form of therapeutic vaccine is the Personalised Neoantigen Vaccine, specifically designed for each individual patient. In cancer, mutations occur randomly in the DNA of our body’s cells, making each person’s tumour unique. This means you cannot develop one general vaccine that can cure cancer due to each individual having a different form of the same type of tumour. Personalised Neoantigen Vaccines are created by studying the patient’s tumour to find specific markers on the outside of their cells, called neoantigens, which are only found in cancer cells.
The vaccine is then custom-made for that person. This personalised treatment offers patients a tailored approach designed specifically for their unique tumour, which can potentially lead to better outcomes while not affecting healthy body cells. Although the Personalised Neoantigen Vaccine is still in clinical trials, it has the potential to give tremendous results!
CAR T cell therapy is an exciting and advanced cancer treatment that enhances the body’s own immune cells, called T cells, to fight cancer more effectively. The process begins by collecting the patient’s T cells from their blood. These T cells are then modified in a laboratory to have special receptors, called chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), on their surface. These CARs act as targeting systems that help the T cells recognise and bind to specific proteins found in cancer cells. Once the T cells have been modified with CARs, they are cloned in the lab to create a larger population of CAR T cells. Inside the body, the CAR T cells act as highly skilled soldiers. They roam through the bloodstream, looking out for cancer cells that display the specific protein targeted by the CAR. When they find a cancer cell, the CAR T cells attach to it and release powerful anti-cancer chemicals that can destroy cancer. CAR T cell therapy has
shown remarkable success, particularly in treating certain types of blood cancers!
Microbes, such as bacteria and viruses, have become unexpected allies in the battle against cancer. While they are commonly associated with causing infectious diseases, these tiny organisms have the potential to act as game changers in cancer treatment! Researchers have discovered that certain microbes can be engineered or harnessed to target and destroy cancer cells selectively. For instance, oncolytic viruses can be modified to specifically infect and eliminate cancer cells while sparing healthy cells. These viruses can also stimulate the immune system to launch a potent anti-cancer response. Additionally, bacteria can be engineered to release anticancer chemicals directly at the tumour site, providing a targeted focus on cancer cells, without affecting healthy cells!
In conclusion, the diverse range of new cancer treatments signify a new era of hope in the battle against cancer. Through continued advancements and collective effort, we move ever closer to a world where cancer is no longer a devastating diagnosis, but a condition that can be successfully treated and overcome!
WHITECHAPEL JACK THE RIPPER TOUR
PGL Marchant Hill
LONDON ZOO
Harry Potter World
Horsenden Hill Activity Centre
Bowling
The Barbican Wicked Supreme Court of Justice
MUSEUM OF BRANDS
Tate Britain
GEOGRAPHY FIELD TRIP SLAPTON ON SEA
ROYAL ALBERT HALL
Chinatown London
CCP SUMMER CAMP
Ski Trip Italy
PALACE OF WESTMINSTER
CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research
MEDICS CONFERENCE, UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
Women in STEM, Brunel Kew Gardens
CHEMISTRY CONFERENCE, UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
British Museum
Ski Trip USA
PRE CONFERENCE, UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
Clink Prison Museum
STRATFORD URBAN REGENERATION STUDY
Chilterns River Field trip Christ’s College, University of Cambridge
WORLD CHALLENGE
BORNEO TREK
BLETCHLEY PARK
London Transport Museum