On 18th October 2024, 20 young girls were invited by the American National Football League (NFL) to participate in a variety of American football based activities at Harrow School. This was held on behalf of the NFL who were there as a part of the New England Patriots who were training at Harrow School. This is the second year we have been invited to Harrow School for this event and the students were very excited. 

When we arrived, students were given their NFL t-shirts and a Football and thrown into some warm up drills where they had to pull tags off each other's belts they had around their waist. Not long after this, students were then introduced to Pat the New England Patriots Mascot and it was explained how the day would go. 

Shortly after, students were split into groups and participated in a variety of different American football activities where they had to maneuver around obstacle courses, catch footballs that were being thrown to them, dodge defenders, tag other players and many more. Although they got very tired that didn’t stop them from giving 100% and having a fun time! Then it was onto something even more exciting…This year, we were allowed to give the New England Patriots a ‘Guard of Honour’ as they ran onto the pitch to warm up. This involved lining up on each side of the entrance to the field and high-fiving as many people as possible as we went by. 

After this, we then collected our goody bags and had the chance to get some pictures signed by Pat and the New England Patriots Cheerleaders who had accompanied the players all the way from America. It was a fantastic experience for the students who participated and a life-long memory. 

Well done everyone!! 

Ms Z. Bishop

Physical Education Teacher 

The remnants of those deemed “insane” still lurks the Bethlem grounds, as the Year 13 Psychology class uncovered

On Friday 20th September, our Year 13 Psychology class travelled to the Royal Bethlem Hospital to learn how understanding of mental health and “insanity” have changed overtime, particularly in one of the most renowned and feared hospitals in the world. 

The hospital was known for its harsh treatment of those who were unfit for society, with the interior crumbling apart, housing many patients who were bound by shackles and straitjackets. For much of its history, it has been a private institution, seeing patients only capable of being cured within a year and who had no hope anywhere else. They sought the most experimental

means of treatment.

As a class, we stood by the two statues that are the forms of insanity, melancholia and mania, represented by each statue. The dejected, depressed individual compared to the erratic, hyper one. 

Having access to the archives allowed us to see the remnants of those who stayed at the hospital, for bizarre reasons such as attempting suicide by consuming carbolic acid or hearing voices of the devil. For many, art was their means of release which the hospital guards and displays in its galleries, some chilling to decode.

Mohammed H

Year 13 Psychology student

We are thrilled to share the wonderful success of our Read-a-Thon that took place last week in the school library! This engaging event sparked an incredible enthusiasm for reading among our students, with many eager participants filling the library each day.

A Thriving Reading Community

The response has been overwhelming, with so many students wanting to dive into their favorite books that we literally ran out of chairs! It’s heartwarming to see our young readers come together, sharing stories and discovering new worlds through literature. To encourage even more participation, there was a £10 Waterstones Voucher up for grabs to the student with the highest reading minutes in each year group. With this extra motivation, the learners were doubly motivated and meant the average time spent in the reading was incredibly high! Please join us in congratulating the following winners:

Year 11: Najma A

Year 10: Taijah A

Year 9: Filip R

Year 8: Elizabeth S

Year 7: Rihana P

Ms R. Zvobgo

Librarian

In the STEM co-curricular club with Mr. Miltenburg and Ms. Hajee, an experiment was conducted demonstrating how surface area affects the rate of reaction. They blew flour onto a Bunsen burner, showcasing that increasing the surface area of a substance can significantly enhance its reactivity.

Students were captivated by the vibrant flames produced during the experiment, as the flour ignited and created stunning visual effects. This demonstration highlighted key concepts in chemistry, particularly regarding combustion and reaction rates, while sparking excitement and curiosity among the students. 

Mr Miltenburg

Ms Hajee

Science teachers 

We are thrilled to share the exciting activities taking place during break times in the library. Our learners have embraced the joy of reading, diving into a diverse range of books that capture their imaginations. Popular titles among our learners include Horrid Henry, Nothing More to Tell, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. This enthusiasm for literature not only enhances their literacy skills but also fosters a love for storytelling. 

In addition to reading, students have been engaging in friendly games of checkers and chess. These activities promote critical thinking and strategy, providing a perfect balance to their academic pursuits.

Ms C. Corriette 

Graphic Designer and Marketing 

Well done to all of our learners who have made excellent attempts at the Sparx Maths homework this half term. As a school, we are improving every week and are currently in the top 4% of Sparx schools nationally! This is an amazing achievement which demonstrates the determination and resilience of our learners.

The top three learners in each year group for this half term will be announced after half term and will receive £5 Amazon vouchers.