Science in the spotlight


It’s been a busy term for the Science Department with lots of extra curricular opportunities. • Three students, Jess (Year 10), Clarrie (Year 10) and Ed (Year 11) have been invited to join the Oxford Neuroscience, Ethics and Society Young People’s Advisory Group which works with academics in the field of mental health and ethics to help design and implement research projects involving young people. The students will be meeting twice a term, normally on a Saturday at St Hilda’s College in Oxford.


• A group of Year 9 and 10 pupils visted Begbroke Science Park in Oxford for an innovation showcase.


• All of Year 8 went to the NEC in Birmingham for the Big Bang Science Fair. Pupil Alessandro said: “We were able to observe some incredible interactive science presentations, including robotics, works of engineering such as a virtual reality head set, and a miniature ‘Robot Wars’ arena where you had the opportunity to create your own robot and pitch it against other creations. A key event was watching the crew from the TV series ‘Don’t try this at Home’ demonstrate some of their experiments. It really did help provide an insight into the world of science and mathematics.”


• Year 9 pupil Charlotte attended Oxford University’s Green Light for Girls day which aims to encourage more girls into science on a higher level. The day consisted of a number of science-based workshops. Charlotte said: “My favourite part was the ‘radiotherapist for a day’ workshop that taught us about the physics behind radiotherapy used to treat cancer patients. I found it extremely interesting and fascinating to discover how physicists save lives too, not just doctors.”


Cath Harding, Head of Science, said: “These are just a few examples of some of the wonderful opportunities our students have been involved with this term. There really is a lot going on in science and it’s great that our students are prepared to grasp these opportunities, both in school and out of school.”


Unidentified flying object crash lands at Sibford!


Junior pupils returned to school after the Christmas break to discover that an unidentified flying object had crashed into their Forest School area! By the time the children arrived, the scene of the crash had been cordoned off with police tape and investigations were on-going as to how and why the space ship came to land at Sibford. Junior School Head, Edward Rossiter said:


“To say the children were surprised would be an understatement! The size of the craft was incredible and really left the children in awe.” Traditionally, Sibford Junior School marks the first half of the Spring Term with a creative curriculum whereby all lessons are focused around a central theme ... with this year’s theme being ‘Out of this World’.


Activities enjoyed by the children between January and the start of February half term included debating the differing views of Aristotle and Galileo, studying the different planets, and learning about the race to space between Russia and the USA. Highlight of the topic was a visit to the National Space Centre for Years 1 - 6, while nursery pupils visited Rugrats in Banbury for some space- related play.


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