Community

IBSCA MYP Conference

We were delighted to host the IBSCA (International Baccalaureate Schools and Colleges Association) MYP conference in June, and gave a warm LAB welcome to all of our visiting colleagues from other IB schools across the UK. The event programme included a live session on MYP enhancements from the Hague. Delivered by Lenny Dutton, Curriculum Manager for Learning and Teaching at the IB and Guillermo Duff, Senior IB World Schools Manager, it took us on a deep dive into the PDP. LAT IB excellence was showcased throughout the day, with several sessions delivered by colleagues from across the Trust, on topics including The Universal Design for Learning and MYP Assessment in Practice, as well as a Q&A session delivered by both Mike Gore, Wilmington Academy Principal and Emma Smith, Leigh Academy Blackheath Principal (both of which were judged Outstanding by OFSTED in 2022-2023), around the IBMYP and the OFSTED framework.

LAB MYP ambassadors were on hand throughout the event to support delegates and share the many varied opportunities provided to them through the IBMYP framework. They enjoyed the event so much that they requested LAB host one every week! Unfortunately, a weekly event won’t be possible, but the LAB community are looking forward to welcoming IB colleagues back again in the future!

DofE Award - Bronze & Silver

This year has seen 130 pupils engage with the DofE Award! The DofE encourages pupils to undertake regular physical activity, learn a new skill, and positively contribute to the local community, by spending at least one hour per week volunteering to support a good cause. Some of the success stories this year include:

- Malachy leading a free afterschool sports club at his primary school (he got offered a job for the summer as a result!);

- At least a dozen of our pupils volunteering at the Greenwich Food Bank, creating food parcels for those in need;

- Larry continuing to support Blackheath Lawn Tennis Club as a voluntary tennis coach, leading free sessions for young people to develop fundamental skills;

Seventy of our Year 9 students were successful in achieving their Bronze Award, and sixty of our Year 10/11 students obtained their Silver Award.

For the expeditions, pupils were required to navigate as a team and ensure checkpoints were reached in good time, to ensure the final section of the DofE was completed successfully. The pictures below are from our Silver Expedition, where students walked the (very hilly!) Seven Sisters Path and were treated to an amazing view of the chalk sea cliffs as they navigated to their end point near Beachy Head, Eastbourne.

Year 10 Royal Observatory Trip

Year 10 GCSE Music class was invited to attend a show at the Planetarium and a tour of the Royal Observatory. On Monday 3rd July 2023, we made our way down to Greenwich Park, where we walked to the inspiring 400 year old building. At this place in the world, the Greenwich Meridian line was marked after it was chosen as the Prime Meridian of the World in 1884, and we were able to stand between two time zones.

Part of the requirement for GCSE Music is for students to write a composition based on a brief set by the exam board Eduqas in the year of their examination, so this trip will form the basis for a composition. This will be inspired by ‘Greenwich at the Center of World Time’.

“The line in Greenwich represents the historic Prime Meridian of the World - Longitude 0º. Every place on Earth was measured in terms of its distance east or west from this line. The line itself divided the eastern and western hemispheres of the Earth…If you stand with one foot on one side and the other on the left, you are perfectly in the middle of east and west”

Dance Club!

Dance club have been working so hard to learn our dance ‘Step in Time’ ready to perform at our 5th Lab Lit Fest. Their enthusiasm is infectious and they have been helping me create a really fun, engaging and challenging piece of theatre. Rehearsals are in full swing and the chimney sweeps have arrived!

Musical Theatre Club

In Musical Theatre, we have been preparing for Lat Lit Fest by creating a Mary Poppins inspired piece. All students have got really stuck into their characters, and helped me choreograph a number that showcases their wonderful talent!

They have all work hard to learn their lines and perfect the steps ready for our performance on Wednesday 12th July.

The students have already progressed so much, and I can’t wait to see their talent on our stage for years to come.

Gospel Choir

Gospel choir started this term singing songs from Sister Act, Hercules and covering Emilie Sande’s Read All About It. They have been working on bringing the energy and passion of gospel music together with harmony singing with a modern twist! We have several members of the choir who have successfully auditioned for solos, including Harry (9D), Linara (7E) and Eliza (7A). With all the fantastic singers in the school, we are looking forward to growing this choir next year ready to perform in our Summer and Winter concerts!

AV Club

AV club working with Tender RE:SET, an arts charity working with young people to prevent domestic abuse and sexual violence through creative projects.

Look out for our exciting new venture from September:

LAB Podcasts!