IN FOCUS 2021
Nicholls Lecture Series The Nicholls Lecture Series provides Sixth Form students with thought-provoking lectures on a broad range of topics to introduce them to ideas, interests and experiences beyond the academic curriculum. Despite a period of great uncertainty, Mr Anderson was kind enough to visit our School and deliver two illustrated talks – one for Sixth Form and another specifically for A level geographers. In both of his talks, Brian Anderson drew upon his visits to over 60 countries, utilizing his personal experiences and insights to help stress the importance of the topics in question. I believe that these lectures have helped my peers and me to understand how relevant our anthropic impact is for our generation, as a race we are continuing to put great environmental stress on the World.
Brian Anderson By Caelan, Upper Sixth Form Student
On Friday 18th September Birkenhead School was delighted to welcome Brian Anderson to present 'The Anthropocene Era and Global Commons' as our first Nicholls Lecture of the academic year. The students thoroughly enjoyed the presentation with A level geographers particularly benefitting from the talk.
I also had a particular interest in Anderson’s discussion on the global commons, especially how geopolitical factors are threatening the longevity of the Arctic, with nations seeking to extract resources for personal gain – once again showing how these issues are very much relevant and current for my generation. I would like to thank Mr Anderson on behalf of Birkenhead Sixth Form for taking the time to deliver these illustrated talks.
During his lecture, Mr. Taylor talked about his journey to medicine, what an orthopaedic surgeon does and the demands that come with working in the NHS. Though the photos of compound fractures and motor-cycle accidents were not for the faint-hearted, the main message of his talk is certainly applicable to everyone: “Work hard but also play hard”. Speaking about his own experience at medical school, Mr. Taylor told us about how he enjoyed playing sports to help balance his gruelling studies. I know that this will be very useful advice for my peers and me as our A-Level preparations continue to intensify over the coming months.
Mr Andrew Taylor By Rohan, Upper Sixth Form Student
Mr. Taylor, an orthopaedic surgeon based at Spire Liverpool, was kind enough to visit our School and deliver a socially distanced lecture entitled, “So you want to be a surgeon?” to the Upper Sixth and to prospective medical applicants in the Lower Sixth.
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As an aspiring doctor, I found Mr. Taylor’s lecture very insightful and interesting as, although he explained that Medicine is not the glamourous career it is often made out to be and requires much sacrifice, he emphasised that he would never dream of doing another job since he feels that by being a doctor he can truly have a positive impact on people’s lives. On behalf of the Sixth Form and Birkenhead School, I would like to thank Mr. Taylor for taking the time to come and talk to us.
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