Pupils enhance learning on visits
Religious Studies pupils enhanced their learning at a high-profile conference.
A-level pupils Becky Lawton, Emily Cashell and Bethany Klazinga, together with department head Mrs Richardson, travelled to Manchester on Tuesday, February 7 for a Philosophy of Religion and Ethics conference with British academics, philosophers, theologians and authors Dr Peter Vardy and Dr David Webster.
During the event pupils got to develop their knowledge and understanding on a variety of subjects, and also got to listen to university-style lectures on topics including ‘The Problem of Evil and Suffering’, ‘Arguments for the Existence of God’ and ‘Natural Law’.
Following the lectures, the pupils took part in an ethical debate on the controversial subject of Euthanasia.
Emily, aged 16, said: “The university style lectures gave us the opportunity to advance our understanding of the RS A-level material and challenged us beyond.”
Becky added: “Getting involved in the debates on Euthanasia and Natural Law was an intense and eye-opening experience.”
Information Computer Technology pupils at learnt more about the origins of the internet on a recent trip.
The GCSE group paid a visit to the National Museum of Media, Film and Television in Bradford on Monday, February 13, which was set-up to enhance their learning ahead of exam season.
The principal purpose was to visit the special exhibition on the Internet, which traced its development, looked at different technologies surrounding the global phenomenon and examined the impact on business and social life.
This trip will serve as a huge benefit as half of their examination paper next month will be based around “Internet technologies and their impact”.
During the visit pupils also got to visit the exhibition on the development and history of television, which please department head Mr Farnell, who said: “I particularly enjoyed seeing my childhood memories in one place where Zippy and George sat alongside original Thunderbirds puppets.”
The museum itself was built to explore the science and culture of light and sound technologies and their impact on our lives, in addition to inspiring the scientists and engineers of the future.
Our A-level and GCSE group travelled to the Whitworth Art Gallery at the University of Manchester, where work from Andy Warhol is on display.
The trip was set up to enhance the group’s learning ahead of their summer submission entries.
Mr Sherrington, said: “The pupils were confronted by his famous screen prints of the electric chair and his large guns. It is always important to see real art in the flesh and they responded well to work that is obviously political and relevant today.
“The week before the sixth form pupils had all tried a real screen print themselves based on their work during a terrific workshop run by Mrs Morris. This really helped them gain a full and deep understanding of exactly what they were looking at while in the gallery.
“Each pupil concentrated on two pieces of work , either form the Warhol exhibition or from the other work in the gallery, writing notes and drawing while sitting in front of the piece.
“As GCSE’s and A levels are revised this aspect of the course has become more important. It is something that has been highlighted as a strength of Art in our moderator’s most recent report.
“It was a great day and one that will help enhance every submission in the summer."
The Warhol exhibition focusses on themes of death, politics and identity and it presents audiences with the artist’s reading of the American Dream at a time when the country will be under scrutiny just days after the 2016 US Presidential election.
In 1968 Andy Warhol was pronounced dead; shot by feminist author, activist and member of his entourage, Valerie Solanas.