This morning, at Kendrick School we commemorated Holocaust Memorial Day (27/01) with an assembly lead by Ms. Kattirtzi. Some Year 12 History students took us through this year’s theme of the 'Fragility of Freedom' by explaining how those who are targeted for persecution have had their freedom restricted and removed, like Anne Frank who spoke in her diary about Jewish people not being able to ride a bicycle or take a talk when they wished. Our students also explained that others risked their freedom, like Vali Rácz risked her freedom and her life to save Jews in Hungary during the Second World War. Despite being aware she would likely be murdered if caught, she built a false partition into a large wardrobe to hide people.

With two in-patient long-term wards, various clinics and incredible teams, the local community has benefited greatly from the children’s ward at Royal Berkshire Hospital. Having recently been there to shadow a doctor, I saw many patients presenting with vastly different concerns. Some only a few months old, some edging into adulthood. But all of them and their families were going through one of the most difficult times of their life. To help provide some distractions, I decided to start a gift drive.

On Tuesday 3^rd October, 70 Year 12 and 25 Year 13 Maths students took part in the Senior Mathematical Challenge run by the UK Maths Trust. This is a 90-minute multiple choice paper featuring stimulating problems designed to make students think carefully and apply their mathematical skills in new ways. We are delighted that this year, 78 students achieved either a Bronze, Silver or Gold certificate.

On the last day of November, we were given the opportunity to fly a plane by our CCF unit, who  encourage their RAF cadets to experience airmanship first hand. The experience was a once in a lifetime opportunity - from controlling the plane ourselves to experiencing aerobatics.  We also met cadets from other cities and talked to pilots about their experiences. Being at an airbase was an educational experience as we learnt about different planes throughout history.

Card designed by Amy in Year 9. Music by former Kendrick A Level students

We were lucky to have a local published poet to come along to Kendrick School to run two workshops with our students at Kendrick School. Some of these students were part of the Poets' Society and some of these students were keen writers in the younger year groups. Two students who were in the younger year groups, Shathana and Kaavya, shared their reflections on the events below. It is very pleasing to see how these events make a difference to young people's perspectives on poetry, and help improve their writing, editing, and analysing skills. We thank Claire Dyer for her visit.