Students in Years 7, 8, and 9 took part in fun maths quizzes and puzzles to celebrate International Maths Day.

Year 7 – A History of Maths Quiz

How modern is the maths we use today? Year 7 students put their knowledge to the test in a history-themed quiz. Try it yourself—can you beat the Year 7 winners, 7S1?

1. When was the Earth’s circumference first calculated?
2. When did the numbers we use today arrive in Europe?
3. When was Fermat’s Theorem (written in 1667) finally proven?
4. When was the first “calculating machine” invented?
5. When did Muhammad ibn Musa Al-Khwarizmi write Al-Jabr, establishing algebra as a branch of mathematics?
6. What is the earliest known human use of mathematics?
7. In what year did Katherine Johnson calculate an orbital trajectory for a moon landing?
8. When did Pythagoras of Samos prove Pythagoras’ Theorem?
9. When did René Descartes introduce the coordinate system?
10. When was the first pie chart used to analyze causes of deaths in British army camps during the Crimean War?

Answers are at the end of this article—see how close you get!

Year 8 – The Set Game Challenge

Year 8 students played The Set Game, where they had to find groups of three cards that followed specific rules. The winning form, 8F2, found all six sets in just 9 minutes and 23 seconds! Think you can do better? Watch the video here on how to play and give it a go   here.

Year 9 – KenKen Puzzles

Year 9 students tackled a Japanese maths puzzle known as KenKen, and you can watch how to play here. The competition was tight, with just one point separating 1st and 2nd place. Congratulations to 9T2 on their victory! Rumour has it that Miss Rowlands is still celebrating in the staff room. Want to try KenKen yourself? Check out the link provided here.

Quiz Answers (with Year 7’s closest guesses in brackets)

1. Earth’s circumference calculated – c. 250 BC (1610 years off)
2. Numbers arrive in Europe – 1202 (198 years off)
3. Fermat’s Theorem proven – 1994 (197 years off)
4. First calculating machine – 1700 (100 years off)
5. Al-Jabr written – 820 (780 years off)
6. Earliest evidence of maths – 20,000 BC (17,000 years off)
7. Katherine Johnson’s moon calculations – 1961 (89 years off)
8. Pythagoras’ Theorem – c. 550 BC (1950 years off)
9. Descartes’ coordinate system – 1637 (63 years off)
10. First pie chart – 1854 (1 year off)

Great effort from all students—looking forward to next year’s challenges!

Year 7 students in geography have shown their focus and commitment to their learning with some amazing pieces of work being produced for their homework. We are super impressed with the way these students have engaged with their learning and know that it will bring them success in the future.

Students from Year 8 have showcased their talent in this year’s Step into the NHS competition and the results are in!

Throughout the competition, students developed valuable skills, including research, teamwork, and creativity. They investigated a wide range of NHS careers, learning about the qualifications, training, and personal attributes needed for each role. By working together, they developed innovative presentations, posters, and digital content, bringing their ideas to life.

The winning students demonstrated an impressive understanding of the NHS and its 350+ careers. Their projects not only celebrated these roles but also encouraged others to think about future career possibilities in healthcare.

Understanding different career pathways is essential for young people, helping them make informed decisions about their futures. This competition highlights the importance of exploring job opportunities, recognising the skills required, and appreciating the incredible work done by NHS staff every day.

A huge congratulations to this year’s winners and all the participants! Their hard work and dedication have not only earned them well-deserved recognition but have also helped to inspire the next generation of NHS professionals.

Joint 1st Place:

• Sahib, Itohan & Michaela – Social Worker
• Hamdie, Dior & Berdil – Midwife

2^nd Place:

• Shariya & Kamil – Forensic Psychologist

3^rd Place:

• Ayla, Vienna & Ruby – Midwife

Highly Commended

• Caleb, Burke, Demilade & Nicos – Pharmacist
• Jayden, Bailey, Bethannie & Eli – Biomedical Engineer
• Kai, Elif, Tru & Chloe – IT Support Officer

The recent work experience placements have been a resounding success, with students not only meeting but exceeding employer expectations across various industries. Jeyda demonstrated exceptional initiative and dedication, working her way through multiple departments, from sales and stock control to purchasing and finance. Her employer described her as “the most enthusiastic student we have had,” highlighting her determination to stay beyond required hours to complete her work—a true testament to her commitment. Lia’s professionalism and diligence were equally impressive; she completed a complex museum display project in record time, going above and beyond her original placement plan. Her employer was so impressed that she has been invited back as a volunteer and offered a professional reference for her future career.

Amidou’s strong communication skills and eagerness to learn stood out as he actively engaged with staff, asked insightful questions, and fully embraced every task given to him. Tyler made an unforgettable impact at his placement, with his employer declaring him “one of the best work experience students we’ve had”—a rare and high-level compliment. Peter-John’s positive attitude and respectful demeanour earned him high praise, with his employer calling him “a great role model” and extending an open invitation to return. Samuel displayed remarkable initiative and analytical skills, identifying an error in an archive spreadsheet and bringing it to the office manager’s attention. His employer noted that such attention to detail is “quite exceptional for a young person of his age,” proving his strong problem-solving abilities and future potential.

Such was the high level of praise received from employers this year that we have awarded 50 students with a Certificate of Achievement in recognition of their enthusiasm, commitment, and willingness to learn throughout their placements. These students made a valuable contribution to their workplaces, and this certificate serves as recognition of their dedication and professional attitude—an asset that will benefit them greatly in their future careers.

In addition, we awarded the top 15 students with a Certificate of Excellence, as they far exceeded expectations. These students exhibited exceptional dedication, initiative, and professionalism, making a significant positive impact during their placements. Their outstanding attitude and eagerness to develop new skills set them apart as promising future professionals. This certificate acknowledges their remarkable achievements and serves as a testament to their potential in the working world.

Students have returned from their work experience with valuable insights, gaining practical skills and a clearer understanding of different careers. Through evaluations, they identified key skills developed and their importance in a professional setting. 90% gained career and workplace insights, 79% developed essential skills and 90% feel more confident.

Students engaged in diverse industries, from finance and healthcare to education and construction. They developed skills like communication, teamwork, adaptability, leadership, and problem-solving. Some learned to manage time effectively, handle challenges, and maintain professionalism.

For many, the experience clarified career interests, exposing them to roles in marketing, investment banking, teaching, and medical administration. Others acquired hands-on skills, from running Bible studies to financial reconciliation and food production.

Communication, patience, and resilience were frequently highlighted as crucial, particularly in fast-paced environments. Students also gained insights into work-life balance and career satisfaction, helping them make informed future decisions.

This year’s program was a great success, with students impressing employers with their enthusiasm and professionalism. Their reflections reinforce the value of hands-on experience in preparing for future careers. We are incredibly proud of their adaptability, integrity, and determination—they are setting the standard for future placements and shaping their own bright futures.

As part of National Careers Week, our Year 8 students participated in the Step into the NHS competition, where they were challenged to design a job advert for one of the 350 different careers within the NHS.

Students explored a variety of roles, from midwife to cardiac physiologist, chef to pharmacist, gaining valuable insight into the skills and qualifications required for each profession. Days like this are essential in helping students broaden their understanding of career opportunities while developing their knowledge of the pathways available to them.

In addition to the competition, students also took part in live online sessions featuring NHS speakers, fun activities, and interactive opportunities with employers. A highlight of the day was when one of our students’ questions was read out live online, making the experience even more exciting and engaging.

We received a fantastic range of entries, all showcasing creativity and enthusiasm. While all submissions will be entered into the national competition, we are also in the process of judging them internally with final results being announced in next week’s AOW.

Congratulations to all of the students who took part.