The Flagpole

British Science Week takes place every year in March as an opportunity to celebrate science and technology.  This year the theme is Innovating for the Future and there will be competitions and special projects in science lessons.  These will enable pupils to develop their skills such as being observant and logical as well as creative and imaginative, which are all needed to be successful in scientific careers. 

Our STEAM Prefects Lauren and Praj are also preparing an assembly on Smashing Stereotypes in Science to challenge preconceived ideas about what scientists look like and celebrate diversity and the variety of scientific paths that can be pursued. 

To encourage scientific investigation in our pupils please follow this link to see a collection of fun experiments that can be carried out at home, all explained by our Science Ambassadors. Pupils can send in pictures of these or other ‘Kitchen Science Experiments’ to gain merits and the best entry will receive a prize too, further details can be found in the link.  Years 7 – 9 can get started on celebrating Science Week by taking part in a poster competition on this year’s theme with further details here.  All entries can be emailed to fayeroberts@princethorpe.co.uk       

To celebrate British Science Week, that takes place from 5 - 14 March, we are offering pupils the chance to win lots of house points and earn a Da Vinci merit! We would like them to write a 300-500 word essay about a STEAM innovator who they find inspirational. These can include: scientists, engineers, artists, mathematicians, designers, computer scientists, and more!

Princethorpe's STEAM Ambassador, Deputy Head Girl, Lauren Mason explains, "When choosing an innovator, pupils should think about diversity, as we are interested in innovators from all over the world. Then also, how current they are, as we are looking for interesting people who are having an impact on their field right now. Perhaps there is someone your family know who they can write about?"

In the essay, pupils should include:

• What the innovator’s job is
• What they are currently researching or working on
• Why they admire them
• A bibliography of any resources they use

The competition is open to all pupils and judging will be in two separate categories of KS3 and KS4/5. Prizes will be 10 house points for every entry, with a 1st prize of 100 house points and a Da Vinci, 2nd prize 75 house points and 3rd prize 50 house points.

The closing date for entries is Friday 5 March and details of how to submit entries are on the House Teams.

Good luck everyone!

Year 9 parents will have received a communication from me on Friday 12 February at approximately 3.30pm with links to recordings from the Options Information Evening on Thursday 11 February and reiterating the next steps in the GCSE Options process including completing the GCSE Option Choices survey.

Please make your choices by completing the survey by 9.00am on Monday 1 March 2021.  The survey can also be accessed here.

Dr Michael Reddish
Deputy Head - Academic

The Upper Sixth Parents’ Evening will take place on Thursday 4 March 2021 from 6.00pm to 8.30pm. It will be hosted virtually through of a series of Microsoft Teams meetings with your child's teachers. Meetings will be booked online in five or ten minute slots and you will have received details this week by email of how to book appointments. 

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head – Teaching and Learning

Reports for Year 7 will be published on Friday 5 March 2021.  They will also be available to view on My School Portal.

Dr Michael Reddish
Deputy Head - Academic

The Year 10 Parents’ Evening will take place on Thursday 11 March 2021 from 6.00pm to 8.30pm. It will be hosted virtually through of a series of Microsoft Teams meetings with your child's teachers. Meetings will be booked online in five-minute slots. Further details will follow on how to book the appointments.

Please be aware that for subjects where teachers teach more than one set, teachers may be in contact with you via email before the Parents’ Evening to update you as to your child's progress as there will be more pupils than available meetings.

You can find a list of your child's teachers under Teacher Contacts on MySchoolPortal.

Dr Liz Pyne
Assistant Head - Teaching and Learning

Reports for Year 8 will be published on Friday 19 March 2021.  They will also be available to view on My School Portal.

Dr Michael Reddish
Deputy Head - Academic
 

Progress Reports for Year 9 will be published on Friday 19 March 2021, and will be available to view on My School Portal.  

Dr Michael Reddish
Deputy Head - Academic