Curry & Ceilidh Celebration Evening

Isabella, Year 12

On the 9 May, Years 12 and 13 attended the annual Curry and Ceilidh where we were also joined by a live band. The evening started off with a curry in York Hall followed by a delicious chocolate bomb cake. Then we pushed the tables and chairs back ready to start the ceilidh.

It was wonderful to spend the night celebrating the Year 13’s hard work as they headed into Study Leave but also to reflect on memories that had been made throughout Sixth Form.

The word ‘Ceilidh’ descended from the Gaelic word for ‘gathering’ or ‘party’ where people spend time dancing, listening to folk music and enjoying each other’s company. During a Ceilidh one band member, who is the caller, will walk through the dance and explain each sequence and the participants practise before going full out with the music. The caller cues you in and counts throughout the dance to keep the pace.

We started by learning some simple swings and the Dosey Doe before progressing to longer dances like ‘strip the willow’. It was an incredible night filled with laughter and celebration that everyone enjoyed!

George Orwell & Cancel Culture

Michaela & Lily, Year 13

During our weekly PSHE lesson, English lecturer Professor Waddell, from the University of Birmingham came in to give us a presentation on George Orwell’s ethos and related it to the topic of ‘cancel culture.’ He expanded on Orwell’s life and how his experiences shaped his writing and perspective, such as his time serving as an officer in Portugal. He related Orwell’s works to ‘cancel culture’ as they mainly centre around political ideologies, including fascism and totalitarianism that all enforce censorship and dictatorship, and discourages individuality. The most evident example of this in Orwell’s Animal Farm, which condemns the actions taken by politicians during the Russian Revolution. Overall, we found the session to be very engaging, particularly when he asked for our own perception of passages he selected from Orwell’s writing. His encouragement of our interpretations is reflective of Orwell’s own humanist values, such as the encouragement of human agency. The session has given us a taste for our future University seminars that await us.

Valete 2023 Dr Bowdrey

The Year 13 pupils were treated to an afternoon of celebration as their formal academic lessons ended, and Study Leave for the summer examination season commenced. The Valete service is specific just to MSJ, during which each pupil hears a dedication, crafted for them personally by their Form Tutor, reflecting on their moments both big and small throughout their school careers. We heard about a few of their lesser known exploits such as counting shrimp on the Biology A Level Field trip, to being expert jigsaw puzzlers in Boarding! Some of this particular cohort have been pupils at the school since they were tiny tots back in Pre-Prep over a decade ago, and others joined as recently as the start of Year 12. Each and every pupil has a made a tangible contribution to the school community through their efforts in their academic studies, as well as extra curricular activities, which has to be roundly applauded, especially given the COVID pandemic interrupting their whole GCSE course during Years 10 and 11. The pupils are given a single white rose and this year also, an MSJ tartan rose to remind them of their time at school, as well as a piece of an MSJ jigsaw puzzle to remind them that they are both individual and part of a bigger whole school picture. All the pupils, parents and staff enjoyed the too short afternoon, resplendent with a wonderful MSJ afternoon tea. We wish them all the very best both through the examinations and beyond the school gates as they prepare for life beyond MSJ.

Somerville Supper

Javis, Year 12

The subject for this Somerville academic dinner was ‘consciousness’, and it was guided by both Dr Jones, Head of Enrichment, and Mr Morris, Head of English. At the start of the discussion, we gave our own interpretations of consciousness. Some suggested that it’s part of the brain which overlooks the whole body’s mechanism and helps us to be aware of our external world and internal selves.

During the dinner, I was intrigued by topics like lucid dreams, a hybrid stage of consciousness of surreal dreaming; and hypnosis, our disassociated state of awareness without actually falling asleep. I contributed to the conversation by making links to the speculations revolving around AI gaining consciousness, and whether or not AI will imitate self-awareness and dominate human civilisation.

We also had a discourse on how sensory deprivation could have a direct impact on consciousness. While having all 5 senses able enable us to connect with our environments, lacking essential stimuli like our vision and hearing, would make responding to the outside world more challenging.

By the end of the event, we reached a consensus that consciousness is a complex concept that couldn’t be fully answered, but this has opened our window of curiosity to something that has yet to be completely understood.

Summer Social

Liv, Year 13

On Thursday 22 June, the Sixth Formers gathered with the staff to enjoy a sunny afternoon with a rounders tournament, to finish the year. After a few games, we enjoyed hot dogs and ice cream, whilst chatting and relaxing in the warm sunshine. Once we finished, we participated in a lively staff vs pupils rounders game! Although the teachers got the better of us, the game was thoroughly entertaining to play, and exciting to watch. The weather was gorgeous, and there were high spirits all around. After the hard work put in the year, by both students and teachers, it was a lovely way to end the academic year on a high note!