Recently I took part in the First Lego League National Finals in Harrogate. First Lego League (FLL) is a global STEM competition run by the Institution of Engineering and Technology. It develops coding, designing and research skills. There are three parts to the competition:

1. Robot games where teams build and program a robot to go round a board completing missions. This could be pulling, pushing, or transporting something. Teams earn points for each mission the robot successfully completes.
2. The project where teams design and present a solution to a problem. This year’s theme was about how transporting cargo is using too much fossil fuels and our solution was an electric cargo ship with tidal turbines which we presented to the judges.
3. Core values where teams explore new skills and ideas, show respect for each other and embrace their differences and work together well as a team.

On Tuesday 29th March, we had our first live concert for over two years, which was a lovely last concert for us Year 13s (and Year 11 leavers) at Kendrick, as well as an exciting opportunity for those in the younger years and new Year 12s to experience a proper concert at Kendrick for the first time. We heard many ensembles, such as Wind Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra and Senior Choir as well as having a few Year 13 soloists, which allowed some of us a chance to show how our musicality has developed throughout our time here at Kendrick.

The week of 14th - 18th March 2022 saw the return of a very popular school event, Comic Relief Week, run by the Kendrick Student Leaders (KSL) in collaboration with the School Council. It was a fun-filled, activity-packed week enjoyed by students and staff across the school, that enabled us to collectively fundraise an incredible amount of money, £1498.63 for some really worthy causes and see our school come to life again after two years of online events. Some of the main aims of Comic Relief this year includes supporting people to live free from poverty, domestic violence and those currently fleeing war in Ukraine.

This year we delayed our Harry Potter celebration due to Covid numbers in school, but thanks to the more recent decline in numbers at Kendrick, we were pleased to host our celebration on Friday 11 March.  This year’s theme was Diagon Alley and our students were treated to visiting Ollivander’ s Wand Shop, Eeylops Owl Emporium, Honeydukes Sweet Shop and Flourish & Blotts Book Shop which happened to be hosting a book signing event with the famous Gilderoy Lockhart (aka Mrs Williamson, one of our school librarians!).

Last month saw the return of the popular house event, House Drama. This year’s theme was based around taking a myth or legend of their choice and adapting it for a modern audience. As always, our students produced three very high-quality performances which made it rather difficult for our adjudicator, Louise Gilmour, to decide on a winner.

International Women’s Day is always celebrated here at Kendrick, as it is something we feel passionate about all year around.  We have several displays around the school to commemorate this special day.  Our monthly Inspirational Woman display in the library features four women this month.