You may not have realised or may have forgotten that our school is named after a man whose many admirable qualities and characteristics included being a great scientist. St Bede was one of the greatest scientists of his time and we are delighted to remember him and his work in this week dedicated to science!
His love of teaching took him to abbeys and church communities throughout the British Isles, where all areas of knowledge were cultivated with the scientific vision of rigour and methodological discipline. Like St Bede, our school is founded on a passion for transmitting a love of learning from the earliest age and one of our aims is for our pupils to understand the world in all its dimensions: human, material and spiritual.
Armed conflicts, such as those we are currently experiencing, show us that human beings are capable of creating unthinkable things, including those that threaten life itself. It is important to remember that, in the field of science, there are things that can be done but that should not be done because of their possible implications and consequences. This is the value of a solid anthropological, humanistic and global education, making it possible to counterbalance the very foundations of each student’s professional speciality in his or her future. The true meaning and contribution of science lies in its usefulness and contribution to the education and the well-being of all people
At St. Bede’s College we strive to ensure that our students learn to make good use of the tools of learning and know that everything taught, no matter how small, can have a big impact on the world. Science, History, Mathematics, Art and other disciplines will be valued as long as they are the pathway to becoming fulfilled individuals, capable of changing the course of history, leaving an indelible mark of knowledge, joy and truth, values that define our College.
Growing Together with the British Science Week 2022
British Science Week (BSW) kicked off on the 10 March with a programme of thousands of events taking place across the UK. The programme, which this year celebrates its tenth anniversary, is entitled ‘Grow Up’. It has been a great opportunity for all pupils at St Bede’s College to enjoy science-themed events, whatever their abilities and interests, demonstrating how science relates to other school subjects and has fascinating real-world applications.
Prep children really enjoy their Science and STEM subjects. In Science Week it is a joy to see all our pupils taking part in so many interesting activities where they are challenged to think, problem-solve, observe and analyse. Our senior pupils were lucky enough to have a visit from Josh O’Connor, a former pupil, who showed them that with hard work and determination you can go far.
We would also like to congratulate the Sixth Form for their results and efforts in the Chemistry Olympiad and congratulations to the winners of the diplomas, Jessica and Anna.
Environmental Impact
Our Upper Third students are very clear about how important it is to consider our impact on the environment. As part of their science activity this week they have been learning about the ‘growing’ life of products.
In lessons, we made a plastic rope from damaged plastic bags, giving them a new life and a new purpose: our rope was able to support up to 5kg with 2 small strips!
In the STEM club, pupils have really enjoyed turning used paper into new, recycled sheets, ready to be used again in another project.
3D Cells
This week the students become the real protagonists of their own learning, developing the ability to make decisions, seek clear goals, find the source of problems and devise answers for themselves. As in the case of Josh, our former student, we have no doubt that in the future we will meet many of his achievements.
Upper Third students have been combining their creativity and scientific knowledge by making 3D models of cells in STEM club and at home!
#BeBedian
Many of our former students are now working in laboratories, universities, innovation centres and similar institutions. They come from very different backgrounds and their ways of working as scientists are varied. This week we were honoured to receive a visit from one of them.
As part of Science Week, former Bedian Josh O’Connor visited the College. He shared his career journey since leaving St Bede’s with some of our Lower and Upper Fifth students pupils.
After studying Chemical Engineering at Birmingham University, Josh worked for Mondelez (Cadbury’s parent company) planning how to make chocolate as tasty as possible. After this, he joined Jaguar Landrover as a Solutions Engineer. He works in the company’s “Data Warehouse” using his creativity and interpersonal skills, as well as his knowledge of programming and IT infrastructure, to solve problems across the company. He pointed out that he started learning some of these skills by running the Science Club at St Bede’s and how they cut across the academic subjects studied at school.
Josh would be happy to talk to any students who are interested in learning more about careers in IT or STEM. Please contact Mr Hepburn or Ms Wakwima if you would like us to pass on any questions.
Great Little Scientists
Science Week in the Prep has been fabulous. Pupils have really enjoyed all the different activities, investigations and challenges that have been set by their teachers.
In Nursery Class the children planted seeds and grew cress. When it was ready, they made their own delicious cress sandwiches and ate them.
Reception Class
Reception Class
has been very busy learning all about ‘New Life’. They found out about the life-cycle of a butterfly and observed some live caterpillars in class. They also enjoyed learning about growth and have planted some sunflower seeds with a competition in class to find out which one grows the tallest!
On Monday Prep 1 explored the gardens to see what plants were growing.
Prep 6
In Prep 6 they also have been learning about horticulture and got their hands dirty and sticky by planting some marigold and cornflower seeds as well as making slime along with Prep 4.
Prep 3 and 5 faced engineering challenges
Prep 3
had to create a ‘Ping-Pong Run’ where they had to construct a run of tubes for a table tennis ball to run along and into a cup, but the challenge was to get the ball to run the slowest.
Prep 5
had to build a marble run using cardboard boxes, toilet roll tubes and tape. They had to work together to design and build their run and collect the marble at the end. Both year groups worked well, communication between them was excellent and the results of their labours were fantastic.
STEM Club
In STEM Club the children took on the whole school ‘Growth’ challenge. Mrs Prince discussed the growing population all around the world and the fact that there was no land left to build houses or expand outwards so now people are building up. Their challenge was to build the tallest construction using spaghetti and marshmallows. The results were interesting and it was amazing to see how the children devised a plan and let their imaginations run free. Not all the marshmallows were used in construction!
Sixth to the Top with Science
St. Bede’s College places special emphasis on the teaching of science, as it helps to foster critical thinking, analysis and problem-solving skills in our students. It also, in the long term, ensures an innate interest in knowledge and possibly a successful career. Therefore, in this week dedicated to science, we are proud to have seen the enthusiasm and curiosity shown by each student to experiment, investigate and learn new things in the Chemistry Olympiad.
Congratulations to Anna and Jessica in Upper Sixth on achieving a silver and a bronze certificate respectively in the National Chemistry Olympiad 2022. What a fantastic way to kick off our celebrations for British Science Week!
Sixth Formers dressed up as elements for Periodic Table
Pupils took part in a treasure hunt looking for elements around the school. Some staff chose to dress up – others have hidden clues around their classroom.
Staff dressing certainly fulfilled its aim of getting pupils excited and talking about science! The Sixth Form were also invited to join in and get involved and featured a (Freddy) Mercury and a friendly ‘Copper’!
Our Lower Sixth biologists couldn’t choose just one winner, so lots of prizes were given out for such fantastic efforts!
1. Archie – Overall Winner
2. Caoimhe – RunnerUp
Highly commended: Alfie, Terry, Maisie, Eli, Kaifeng, Alish, Jake, Hamid, Danielle and Finley
Periodic Table treasure hunt winners
We had almost 100 entries into the Periodic Table treasure hunt and the winners were…
Overall – Dara (L5 Bosco) and Shula (L5 Siena) – HUGE 35 Points
House winners – Danielle (U3 Magdalene) and Eniola (U3 Campion)
Most entries per form U3DVS – 12 of them entered!
Congratulations to all who entered – an excellent effort was made by lots of pupils to identify as many members of staff that they could.
Mrs R Prince
Stories with Science!
A display in the Library marks British Science Week. Lots of great fiction featuring science (elements, artificial intelligence, time travel and much more) will keep you entertained and learning. Don’t hesitate to ask Mrs Poolton for advice!
Recommendation of the week to enjoy and learn in family:
Museum of Science and Industry (Manchester)
Our recommendation of the week today is the Museum of Science and Industry, where you can explore 250 years of innovation and ideas that started life in Manchester and went on to change the world. Find out how the city’s heritage is interwoven with the cotton industry in the Textiles Gallery, see science brought to life in Experiment, a family friendly interactive gallery and enjoy must-see special exhibitions like Cancer Revolution: Science, innovation and hope.
Liverpool Rd, Manchester M3 4FP, United Kingdom
+44 161 832 2244