Academic News

Going wild for sustainability

Sherborne Girls was the first school in the country to enter the Operation Future Hope Award with our Nature and Rewilding Programme. Ecology, Conservation and Sustainability Ambassador in Residence Alana Thorburn explains more about the School’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.

At Sherborne Girls, we are committed to helping our pupils translate their environmental concern into concrete action. That is why I was appointed as the School’ s first Ecology, Conservation and Sustainability Ambassador in Residence, giving me a platform to help the whole community pursue our target of being carbon neutral by 2030.

It’ s a privilege to hold this role and I’ m inspired each day by the girls ’ commitment and dedication. As part of my engagement with them, I’ ve launched a Nature and Rewilding Programme that will shape their perceptions and inspire action.

The course focuses on the state of nature as we move from the Holocene to the Anthropocene, recognising the impact of human beings on the planet. It introduces pupils to the concept of rewilding and helps them identify ways of bringing that practice to the School. It also helps them become nature-positive in the future and consider the wide range of careers available in this area.

It’ s exciting to see girls embracing their commitment to the future and engaging with this new opportunity. They will shape tomorrow ’ s world. It’ s our task to make sure they understand what a difference they can make.

Our Eco Prefects, Selene and Carys (U6) supported Alana Thorburn and Eco Prefect from Sherborne School, Ottokar (U6) to launch the new Lower Fifth Nature and Rewilding Programme in September. a presentation in a classroom (or in a w i

o

A digital revolution in teaching

Sherborne Girls has been named as a Microsoft Showcase School, reflecting our commitment to innovation in teaching and learning. Senior Deputy Head, Louise Orton celebrates our success.

Long before the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a move to virtual learning, Sherborne Girls was committed to making the best use of technology in our classrooms.

The move was part of our Education Transformation Journey, designed to equip girls with the skills, aptitudes and dispositions to thrive in the 21st Century. By teaming up with Microsoft, we ’ ve been able to leverage the very latest technology, meaning that pupils become adept at embracing change and understand the power of technology to enhance their lives.

After four years of collaboration, Microsoft has named us as a Showcase School. This is the highest accolade awarded by the company, reflecting the extent to which digital skills are embedded in the education we provide. With Microsoft Showcase status, we are recognised for creating studentcentered, immersive, and inclusive experiences that inspire lifelong learning, stimulating the development of essential future-ready skills. Technology helps us develop girls ’ problem-solving skills, as well as fostering the habit of lifelong learning. It enriches the classroom experience by encouraging collaboration and unlocking creativity. Our staff have developed their own skills and understanding to deliver a highquality experience for our pupils.

Microsoft Showcase status recognises how far we ’ ve come on our journey. What’ s more, it gives us the opportunity to share our expertise with other schools, helping shape the future of education beyond our own community.

The annual Psychology Brain Day provided plenty of food for thought, as Head of Psychology Richard Gent explains.

It was a great pleasure to welcome Neuroscientist Dr Guy Sutton back to Sherborne Girls for our annual Psychology Brain Day. Guy is Honorary (Consultant) Assistant Professor at the Division of Psychiatry in the University of Nottingham ’ s Medical School and always delivers a stimulating series of sessions for our pupils.

This year, he delivered lectures on

“Drugs and the Brain ” and “The Brain and Crime ” , as well as leading a dissection of a sheep ’ s brain with our L6 girls. In the afternoon, his sessions included “Methods for Exploring the Brain ” and “The Shattered Mind” . Guy then lectured the whole School on “The Changing Brain: from Foetal to Teenager through to Dementia ” . As always, it proved to be a busy and stimulating day that inspired everyone and was of particular interest to our Psychology pupils. We very much look forward to Guy ’ s return in 2023.

A CEREBRAL GATHERING

A SPECIAL CHEMISTRY

Inspiring the next generation of scientists is Dr Joanna Buckley’s stockin-trade. Head of Science, Antonio Angelosanto, reports on Dr Joanna Buckley’s visit to Sherborne Girls in October when she spoke about how Chemistry contributes to society.

On Wednesday 5 October, we welcomed Dr Joanna Buckley to give a Junior Science Lecture to our L5, along with pupils from King ’ s Bruton and Leweston School. She also delivered a similar lecture to pupils from The Gryphon School, as part of our outreach programme.

Joanna teaches at the University of Sheffield and works as an education coordinator for the Royal Society of Chemistry. She has been a consultant for the BBC’ s educational scientific programmes, presented numerous radio broadcasts, and written for the likes of The Times, Chemistry World and PBS America.

Joanna drew on her personal experiences in the world of Chemistry. She explained how, despite being a Music Scholar at Worksop College, she was inspired by a school Chemistry teacher to study the discipline at university.

She then took her research further into the chemistry of food and taste, which involved a partnership with a Michelinstarred chef. She explained that by analysing the chemicals in food it is possible to create unusual but delicious meal combinations (anyone for Weetabix with baked beans, or pizza and Nutella?).

Joanna ended by explaining how Chemistry helps solve problems, especially in relation to sustainability and

environmental care. It was an inspiring session, helping our pupils gain a better understanding of the impact of science on contemporary society.