Mr Dunn - 2025/26

Hello everyone!

Can you believe it! We’re only three weeks away from Christmas! That means we have lots of exciting plans ahead and so much to fit in.

We had a fantastic time at the TGMC Carnival, our class did brilliantly to explain the connection backpack and show parents some of the activities. They also had a lot of fun participating in the Carnival, playing games, enjoying snacks and one lucky class member got to pie their teacher!

This week in Literacy, students explored how writers across different texts and time periods create atmosphere, tension, and theme. They analysed Carmilla and Dracula to understand how Gothic conventions build fear and mystery, examined Jekyll and Hyde to explore the theme of duality and the conflict between good and evil, studied two 18th-century poems to compare ideas about death and the afterlife, and investigated how Edgar Allan Poe’s The Oval Portrait uses language to create suspense and a haunting mood. Overall, students developed their ability to interpret authorial choices, compare texts, and identify key Gothic and thematic elements.

In Science, students learned that all substances are made from about 100 different elements, each represented on the periodic table. They explored the properties of these elements from the periodic table, such as boiling point and uses. Also, students learned the difference between elements, compounds, and mixtures and explored how atoms combine to form new substances. Using coloured clay, they modelled simple molecules such as water and carbon dioxide, then created examples of mixtures by placing different particles together without joining them. This hands-on activity helped them visualise how compounds are made from atoms that are chemically bonded, while mixtures contain different substances that stay separate.

In Geography, we explored issues surrounding access to clean water and the solutions identified, which were most creative and sustainable. We also discussed how geography and the environment shape the kind of technology a community needs. Students explored a range of innovative ways communities around the world access clean water. Using QR codes placed around the room, they researched various technologies, including boreholes, water kiosks, solar pumps, sand filters, and gravity-fed systems, and learned how each one works.

In History, the students continued their history project, working in groups to research one of the Renaissance, Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution. Through this ongoing collaborative work, they are building a strong understanding of how creativity has changed across history. They will share these next week.

Weekly Math Update – Year 8
Tables and Probability

This week, students developed key skills within the Tables and Probability unit. They learned to:

• Aut.6.1 – Construct sample spaces for one or more events
• Aut.6.2 – Find probabilities from a sample space
• Aut.6.3 – Find probabilities using two-way tables
• Aut.6.4 – Find probabilities using Venn diagrams
• Aut.6.5 – Use the product rule to calculate the total number of possible outcomes

Students applied these skills to real-life contexts and completed a range of structured and problem-solving questions. 

They performed very well in their recent assessment, and papers have been sent home for review.

Reminder:
Students will have their end of term assessment on Monday. Please encourage them to revise the topics above and complete any practice work provided to support their preparation.

Weekly Math Update- Year 9

 Constructions and Congruency

This week, students continued their work on Constructions and Congruency. They learned to:

• Aut.5.4 – Draw the locus of points a fixed distance from a straight line
• Aut.5.5 – Identify the locus of points equidistant from two points
• Aut.5.6 – Construct a perpendicular bisector
• Aut.5.7 – Construct a perpendicular from a point to a line
• Aut.5.8 – Construct a perpendicular to a point on a line
• Aut.5.9 – Draw the locus of points a fixed distance from two lines
• Aut.5.10 – Construct an angle bisector

Students practised accurate compass and ruler constructions and improved their understanding of loci in different contexts.

They will have an assessment test this coming Friday. Please encourage them to review their classwork and practise the key construction techniques.

It’s been another productive week in class, and it’s hard to believe we now have only four weeks left of the term. Students have continued to engage well with their learning, showing great effort, curiosity, and focus across all subjects as we move toward the final stretch. Here are some highlights from the week.

Literacy

This week in English, students continued developing their Gothic writing skills. First, they focused on Gothic setting description by exploring how a hero might return to a dark or dangerous location, using sensory detail and figurative language to bring the atmosphere alive. Next, the class created their own Gothic figurative language posters, combining eerie images with original similes, metaphors, and personification to reinforce the mood and vocabulary of the genre. To finish the week, students applied these techniques in an exciting creative writing session where they crafted a tense confrontation scene between their Gothic hero and villain, using setting, suspense, and character movement to build fear.

IMYC

In science, students learned about the structure of atoms and explored how all matter is made from tiny particles called atoms. We looked at the roles of protons, neutrons, and electrons, and the class used clay to build their own 3D atom models. This hands-on activity helped them visualise the nucleus and electron shells, compare different elements, and understand why atomic structure is so important in science.

In history, students began a new inquiry project exploring how creativity has shaped different historical periods, including the Renaissance, the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution. Working in collaborative groups, they researched one era in depth, investigating key thinkers, inventions and ideas that changed the way people lived and understood the world. Once this research project is finished, they will present it to the rest of the class. Through this active, student-led project, the class gained a deeper understanding of how creativity has evolved and how these historical changes still influence our modern world.

In geography, students explored how the cave dwellers of Matmata, Tunisia use their natural environment creatively to build homes that stay cool in extreme desert heat. After looking at images and discussing how geography shapes shelter, students worked in pairs to design and write an estate-agent style advert for their own cave home, highlighting its unique features, sustainability, and advantages of living underground. They used Canva to design their poster and emphasised how it uses the landscape creatively, and then shared their cave home “for sale” with the class before reflecting on how people adapt their homes to their environment.

Maths

Year 7

This week we have continued our work on fraction, decimal and percentage equivalence with lessons covering how to:

• Understand the meaning of percentage using a hundred square
• Convert fluently between simple fractions, decimals and percentages
• Use and interpret pie charts
• Represent any fraction as a diagram
• Represent fractions on number lines
• Identify and use simple equivalent fractions

Year 8

This week, students completed their assessment covering:

• Aut.5.8 – Represent grouped discrete data
• Aut.5.9 – Represent continuous data grouped into equal classes
• Aut.5.10 – Construct and interpret two-way tables

I am pleased to share that students did excellent work on their assessment. 

After the assessment, we began a new topic:

Tables and Probability

Students have now started working on:

• Aut.6.1 – Construct sample spaces for one or more events

They have been learning how to list outcomes clearly and use sample spaces to describe probability situations.

Upcoming Assessment

There will be a test this Friday on Tables and Probability

The workbook will be sent home on Thursday so students can review and practise before the test.

Year 9

Students completed their assessment on Aut.4.12 – Volumes of cones, pyramids and spheres (H). Papers have been sent home for review.

We have started a new unit on Construction and Congruency, covering:

• Aut.5.1 – Drawing and measuring angles
• Aut.5.2 – Constructing and interpreting scale drawings
• Aut.5.3 – Locus of distance from a point

Students worked well with practical ruler and compass constructions.

It’s been a great first week back after half term! Students have worked hard and had fun re-engaging with their learning across all subjects. Here are some highlights from the week.

Literacy

Over this last week, students have been fully immersed in our Gothic and Horror creative writing unit. They began by developing their own Gothic heroes and villains, exploring the traits, motivations, and fears that define characters in the genre. The class then wrote the first encounter between their hero and villain, focusing on atmosphere and tension. This was followed by a warning scene, where a mysterious figure or message hinted at danger to come. Most recently, students studied The Woman in Black to inspire their own discovery scenes, revealing hidden truths and deepening the mystery in their stories. Each lesson has built towards crafting original Gothic narratives rich in suspense, emotion, and imagination.

IMYC

To launch our new unit on Creativity, students took part in several engaging activities designed to get them thinking in imaginative and original ways. They began with creative games such as the 30 Circles Challenge, Alternative Uses, and the Remote Associates Test to explore different types of creative thinking. Afterwards, the class conducted a knowledge harvest, discussing what creativity means and how it connects to each core subject.

In History this week, students explored how ideas about creativity changed from Ancient Greece to Ancient Rome. They learned that the Greeks believed creativity was a divine gift from the gods, inspired by the Muses, while the Romans began to see creativity as something that came from within each person, their own “genius.”

Students worked in teams to design a creative survival guide based on the school grounds, imagining how they could find food, shelter, and entertainment if trapped on site for a year. They explored the environment to identify natural and man-made resources, then planned inventive and sustainable ways to use them while avoiding reliance on technology.

This week in Science, students explored how different materials, such as metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites are used based on their properties. They compared natural and man-made materials, discussed how alloys and composites improve strength and durability, and learned how scientists design new materials to better suit everyday needs.

Year 7 Maths

This week we started our new unit on fraction, decimal and percentage equivalence.

The topics covered included:

• Represent tenths and hundredths as diagrams
• Represent tenths and hundredths on number line
• Interchange between fractional and decimal number lines
• Convert between fractions and decimals – tenths and hundredths
• Convert between fractions and decimals – fifths and quarters
• Convert between fractions and decimals – eighths and thousandths (H)

Year 8 Maths

This week, students have been learning about representing data. The topics covered included:

• Aut.5.1 – Draw and interpret scatter graphs
• Aut.5.2 – Understand and describe linear correlation
• Aut.5.3 – Draw and use a line of best fit
• Aut.5.4 – Identify non-linear relationships
• Aut.5.5 – Identify different types of data
• Aut.5.6 – Read and interpret ungrouped frequency tables
• Aut.5.7 – Read and interpret grouped frequency tables

Students have explored how data can be represented visually to identify patterns and relationships, such as correlation between two variables. They practised plotting and interpreting scatter graphs, using lines of best fit, and recognising the difference between linear and non-linear data.

Please note that there will be a test on Thursday covering all topics from the Representing Data unit. 

Year 9 Maths

This week, students continued their work on three-dimensional shapes and focused on understanding and calculating surface area and volume for a variety of solids. The key learning objectives covered were:

• Aut.4.7 – Surface area of cubes and cuboids
• Aut.4.8 – Surface area of triangular prisms
• Aut.4.9 – Surface area of a cylinder
• Aut.4.10 – Volume of cubes and cuboids
• Aut.4.11 – Volume of other 3D shapes – prisms and cylinders

Assessment Notice:
Students will have a test on Tuesday covering this unit on 3D shapes, surface area, and volume. 

It’s been a super busy and productive week for our Year 7, 8, and 9 students! From our exciting class trip to the school’s Halloween event, the week has been packed with learning and fun experiences both in and out of the classroom.

🎃 Happy Halloween 🎃
What a way to end the week with our School Halloween event, it was filled with fun, and spooky excitement! Students enjoyed a costume showcase, circus performances, face painting, a haunted house an escape room, and even a Squid Game challenge. The event ended with a lively Paper Disco Party and awards for best masks, candy-guessing winners, and treasure hunt champions. A big thank you to our PTA and staff for helping make the day such a success! 👻🕸️

Class Trip

This week, students visited the United Nations Peace Memorial Hall and the UN Memorial Cemetery in Busan to deepen their understanding of responsibility and remembrance. During the guided tour, they learned about the role of the UN and the 22 nations that supported South Korea during the Korean War. Students explored the stories of soldiers who served and reflected on how the sacrifices made in the past continue to shape peace and responsibility today.

Literacy

This week, students continued their Gothic and Horror Creative Writing unit by exploring how writers carefully shape tension and suspense. They first examined how sentence structure can control pace and emotion, experimenting with short, sharp sentences to create a sense of panic and longer ones to build anticipation. In “From Calm to Chaos: Building Rising Tension,” students mapped out how stories move from ordinary moments to moments of fear, using their own tension arcs to plan a scene that gradually intensifies. To end the week, they studied foreshadowing through Chapter 1 of The Monkey’s Paw. Identifying how small hints from the stormy setting to the mysterious warnings subtly suggest the tragic events to come.

IMYC

For IMYC, we are reaching the end of our unit called ‘Responsibility’. We have spent the week wrapping up learning for this unit.

In history this week, students built on their visit to the UN Peace Memorial Hall by researching key aspects of the Korean War and the role of the United Nations. Working in small groups, they investigated different topics such as major events in the war, the involvement of UN nations, and how the conflict’s legacy is remembered today. Each group created and presented their findings, explaining how different countries and individuals showed responsibility during and after the war.

In Geography, students worked in groups to research how climate change is affecting different countries around the world. Using maps and real data, they identified regions most impacted by extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and wildfires. Each group investigated the causes, effects, and levels of responsibility behind these changes, then prepared a short presentation to share their findings with the class.

Maths

Year 7

This week the students finished their unit on place value and ordering integers & decimals, and then we took the end-of-unit assessment on Friday. Everyone did well on the assessment. After the holiday we will start studying a new unit on fraction, decimal & percentage equivalence.

Year 8

This week, students worked on the following topics:

• Aut.4.10 – Plot graphs of the form y = mx + c

• Aut.4.11 – Explore non-linear graphs (H)

• Aut.4.12 – Find the midpoint of a line segment (H)

Students have been learning how to interpret and plot both linear and non-linear graphs, showing excellent understanding and confidence in applying these concepts.

A test was conducted on Friday, and the assessment papers have been given to students for review at home.

Fantastic effort and engagement from everyone this week!

Year 9

This week, students explored three-dimensional shapes. They learned to:

• Identify and name a range of 2D and 3D shapes (Aut.4.1)

• Recognise prisms and understand key terms such as edges, faces, and vertices (Aut.4.2)

• Draw accurate nets of cuboids and other 3D shapes (Aut.4.3–4)

• Interpret and create plans and elevations of 3D shapes (Aut.4.5)

Students enjoyed using both visual and practical activities to develop their spatial reasoning and deepen their understanding of 3D geometry.

Hello everyone.

Don’t forget we will be on our class trip to the UN Peace Memorial Hall and the UN Peace Park on Tuesday. It should be a great experience. Below are a few highlights from the week of learning.

Literacy

To conclude our study of Holes by Louis Sachar, students completed a written assessment exploring the question “How does Louis Sachar show that friendship helps Stanley and Zero to survive?” The rest of this week, students began their new Gothic Horror Creative Writing unit, exploring how writers create fear, mystery, and suspense. They examined extracts from classics such as Frankenstein and Dracula to identify key features of the Gothic genre, including eerie settings, vivid imagery, and tense atmospheres. Through guided analysis and creative tasks, students experimented with sensory language, tone, and sentence structure to build mood and tension in their own writing. By the end of the week, they were confidently crafting short, atmospheric descriptions that captured the unsettling essence of Gothic fiction.

IMYC

This week, in history class, students examined how the decisions of key leaders influenced the Korean War. Working in pairs, they studied short biographies of Kim Il-Sung, Syngman Rhee, Harry Truman, and Mao Zedong to understand each leader’s choices and their consequences. Students created flowcharts showing how one decision could lead to major outcomes, both positive and negative, and then discussed who demonstrated the greatest sense of responsibility during the conflict.

In Science this week, students investigated the effects of smoking on the body and how it connects to responsible decision-making. They began by examining images of healthy and smokers’ lungs to identify visible differences and discuss what causes the damage. Working independently, students then researched how smoking affects different organs such as the lungs, heart, and brain, learning about the chemicals in cigarettes and their long-term impact on health.

This week in geography, students began by presenting their geography projects from the previous week, sharing their research on global environmental challenges and how different regions are affected by climate change. Following their presentations, we explored real-world climate data, using graphs and maps to analyse how human actions contribute to rising temperatures, extreme weather, and changing environments. Students also discussed which regions are most vulnerable to these effects and reflected on how individual and collective choices can make a difference to our planet’s future.

Math – Year 7

This week, students worked on the following topics:

• Compare two numbers using =, ≠, <, >, ≤, ≥
• Order a list of integers
• Find the range of a set of numbers
• Find the median of a set of numbers
• Understand place value for decimals

The students have found the work fairly easy, so we have been working on some harder word problems and multistep logic puzzles to make sure they are challenged.

Math – Year 8

This week, students worked on the following topics:

• Aut.4.2 – Identify and draw lines that are parallel to the axes
• Aut.4.3 – Recognise and use the line y = x
• Aut.4.4 – Recognise and use lines of the form y = kx
• Aut.4.5 – Link y = kx to direct proportion problems
• Aut.4.6 – Explore the gradient of the line y = kx (Higher)
• Aut.4.7 – Recognise and use lines of the form y = x + a
• Aut.4.8 – Explore graphs with negative gradients (y = -kx, y = a – x, x + y = a)

Students have shown good engagement and understanding of linear graphs and gradients throughout the week.

Important notice:
There will be a test next Friday. Workbooks will be handed out on Thursday for students to review and prepare.

Well done to everyone for their continued effort and focus!

Math – Year 9

This week, students completed the topic Testing Conjectures, covering:

• Aut.3.7 – Conjectures with algebra
• Aut.3.8 – Explore the 100 grid
• Aut.3.9 – Expand three binomials (H)

Students had an assessment on Friday to review their understanding of the topic. Test papers have been sent home for parents to review with their children.

We have now started a new topic on Geometry, beginning with:

• Aut.4.1 – Know names of 2D and 3D shapes

Well done to all students for their continued effort and engagement

Hello everyone!

This week, the students have been busy with a range of engaging learning activities and have worked with great focus and enthusiasm. With Chuseok approaching, I hope everyone has a fantastic time with their families. Here are some highlights of the week.

Literacy

Over the past week, our class has been exploring deeper questions raised in Holes by Louis Sachar. We began by looking closely at Zero’s story and debating whether his experiences show justice or injustice, encouraging students to use empathy and evidence in their answers. Students then examined how Sachar builds tension in dramatic moments, analysing extracts to see how suspense is created. After this, we turned to questions of justice and resolution, considering how characters such as Stanley, Kate Barlow, and the Warden are treated by the end of the novel. Finally, we explored the key symbols in the book, from onions and lizards to the lake and the holes and reflected on how these connect to themes like survival, friendship, and authority.

IMYC

In history this week, students explored how governments justified their actions during the Korean War and how ordinary people may have responded. After reading simplified extracts from the United Nations and the Chinese government, the class took on different roles, such as a South Korean student, a North Korean soldier’s mother, a refugee, or a UN soldier and joined a town hall-style debate. Speaking in character, they shared perspectives on who was responsible for the conflict and how those decisions affected daily lives. This helped students see how responsibility is understood differently depending on the point of view, and encouraged them to empathise with the experiences of people caught up in war.

In Science this week, students explored how different drugs affect the nervous system. To begin, students explored how nerve messages travel across synapses, which helped them understand that the body can control whether signals are passed on or blocked. Each student then researched specific drugs such as heroin, cocaine, marijuana, and ibuprofen. They looked at whether each was a stimulant or depressant, the effects on the body, possible side effects, and how it changes the way the nervous system works.

This week, students continued working on their project. They researched environmental issues in different world regions and began preparing their role as delegates for a model UN meeting. Everyone has been busy gathering information on themes such as climate change, waste, and ecosystems, and they are now getting ready to present their findings. When we return from the Chuseok break, students will share their regional perspectives and take part in discussions to agree on global actions.

Year 7 Maths

This week we finished our unit on equality and equivalence, and the students sat their end-of-unit assessments. Everyone scored 90% or above. Next week we will start a unit on place value & ordering integers & decimals. This unit develops students’ understanding of place value for integers up to one billion and for decimals, including reading, writing, comparing, ordering and rounding numbers. We will also learn to represent numbers on a number line, calculate range and median, and explore standard form and powers of ten. All homework was handed in on time this week.

Year 8 Maths

This week, students focused on Multiplying and Dividing Fractions. They practised multiplying fractions, dividing by fractions, using reciprocals, and working with improper, mixed, and algebraic fractions. An assessment was held on Friday, and both test papers and workbooks have been returned for review. Well done to all students for their hard work and progress this week!

A homework assessment has also been handed out for students to complete.

Year 9 Maths

This week we started a new topic: Testing Conjectures. Students explored factors, multiples and primes, worked on true/false statements, and investigated whether results are always, sometimes, or never true. They also practised explaining their reasoning and making number conjectures. The class showed good understanding, found the tasks accessible, and enjoyed the activities. 

Homework assessment has also been handed over for students to complete.

Hello everyone!

This week has been a busy and exciting one! Alongside our regular learning in class, we also came together as a school community to celebrate Chuseok on Wednesday. Each class performed a special drum performance, and we were fortunate to welcome guest performers who shared their talents with us. Students also enjoyed taking part in traditional Korean games and ate traditional snacks. It was a wonderful opportunity to experience and appreciate Korean culture together as a school.

Literacy

Over the past week, the class have deepened their study of Holes by Louis Sachar. Students completed a mid-point assessment, comparing Mr. Sir and Mr. Pendanski as figures of adult authority, using evidence to develop structured essays. After this, they tracked the changing relationship between Stanley and Zero by creating a friendship graph, mapping key events across the story so far. Building on the theme of survival, they then produced creative writing, reimagining scenes in the desert with alternative twists or vivid descriptions. Most recently, we have focused on analysing how Stanley and Zero’s teamwork allows them to survive. Together, these lessons have helped students explore the novel’s major themes of authority, friendship, and survival in both analytical and creative ways.

IMYC

In our most recent science lesson, students explored how the nervous system controls the body. As an engagement activity, the students tested their reflexes with a ruler drop. Students then learned about different types of reactions and how messages travel through the nervous system. To consolidate their understanding, each student created a comic strip that combined key notes, diagrams, and explanations, showing how the nervous system works in an engaging and creative way.

In history this week, students explored the outbreak of the Korean War by looking at two very different perspectives. They read simplified extracts from 1950: one from North Korea describing the invasion as a “liberation,” and one from the United States calling it an “act of aggression.” Students compared these sources to see how each side used language to assign blame and responsibility. Working in groups, they then created their own newspaper headlines and short reports from each perspective. This helped them understand how history can be presented in contrasting ways, and how responsibility for conflict can look very different depending on whose story is being told.

In Geography, students explored The Spaceship story, a metaphor for Earth and its limited resources. They identified good and bad choices made by the characters, discussed the consequences, and summarised the main issues raised. Students then moved on to a Diamond 9 activity, where they debated and ranked the most pressing global challenges such as climate change, fair distribution of resources, sustainability, and inequality. Later in the week, students have been divided into groups to represent different world regions (such as Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Europe). Each student is focusing on a particular theme: climate change, waste, disasters, ecosystems, or resource use, using United Nations Environment Programme resources. The aim is for students to explore the major environmental issues facing their region, understand their impacts on people and the environment, and consider how governments, organisations, and communities are responding. Later, they will present these, and we will discuss the most pressing issues.

Maths Year 7

This week we finished our unit on understanding and use algebraic notation and started a new unit on equality and equivalence. The students did well on their end-of-unit assessment, but not as well as on the first unit. All homework was handed in on time.

• Aut.2.12 – Represent one- and two-step functions graphically
• Aut.3.1 – Understand the meaning of equality
• Aut.3.2 – Understand and use fact families, numerically and algebraically
• Aut.3.3 – Solve one-step linear equations involving +/- using inverse operations
• Aut.3.4 – Solve one-step linear equations involving x/÷ using inverse operations
• Aut.3.5 – Understand the meaning of like and unlike terms

Maths Year 8

This week, students completed Aut.2.8 – Interpret maps using scale factors and ratios. The class performed well and showed a good understanding of the topic. Assessment papers and workbooks have been returned to the students for review.  

We have now moved on to fractions. The new focus is on:

• Aut.3.1 – Represent multiplication of fractions
• Aut.3.2 – Multiply a fraction by an integer
• Aut.3.3 – Find the product of a pair of unit fractions
• Aut.3.4 – Find the product of a pair of any fractions

The students are making steady progress and building confidence in applying their knowledge to different problems.

Reminder: Please ensure that students submit their homework assessment by Thursday.  

Maths Year 9 

This week, students completed Aut.2.8 – Rearranging formulae (one-step), Aut.2.9 – Rearranging formulae (two-step), and Aut.2.10 – Rearranging complex formulaeThe assessment for this unit has been completed, and we are pleased to share that students performed well.  Assessment papers and workbooks have been returned to the students for review. We have now started our new unit on Testing Conjectures, beginning with Aut.3.1 – Factors, multiples and primes. Students are engaging with these foundational number skills, which will support them in developing logical reasoning and problem-solving strategies.

Reminder: Please ensure that students submit their homework assessment by Thursday.  

Hello everyone.

In English, the students have been exploring key themes and characters in Louis Sachar’s Holes. The students finished off their video showing the harsh condition of Camp Green Lake. They analysed how Stanley and Zero’s growing friendship provides hope and resilience in contrast to the harshness of camp life. Through close analysis of extracts, they also considered how the Warden’s attack on Mr Sir reveals her power and cruelty. Students then took part in a debate on whether Kate Barlow should be seen as a victim or villain, encouraging them to use evidence and persuasive language, and finally examined the symbolism of Green Lake, discussing how its change from fertile to barren reflects ideas of justice, love, and community.

This week we launched our new IMYC unit Responsibility. To spark curiosity and get students thinking about the theme, we played a fun game called “What’s Your Excuse?”. In this activity, students were given a scenario along with a random word they had to use when creating their excuse. It was a light-hearted way to start thinking about how we respond to different situations and the responsibilities we hold for our choices.

In Geography, the focus has been on political cartoons. Students analysed images related to global issues, learning how visual messages can carry powerful meanings. This encouraged them to think critically about the responsibilities of governments and individuals in tackling worldwide challenges.

In Science, we introduced a sensitive but important topic: drugs. We discussed both legal and illegal substances, exploring the reasons people may choose to use them. Students reflected on the consequences of these choices and considered the responsibilities we all have in looking after our own health and wellbeing.

In History, we began studying the Korean War. Students are working in groups to create presentations that explain the causes leading up to the conflict. This is helping them understand how responsibilities (or failures to act responsibly) between nations can lead to significant historical events.

Year 7 Maths

The topics covered this week include:

This week we have been finishing our unit on understanding and using algebraic notation. There will be a unit test on Tuesday.

• Aut.2.6 – Substitute values into single operation expressions
• Aut.2.7 – Find numerical inputs and outputs for a series of two function machines
• Aut.2.8 – Use diagrams and letters with a series of two function machines
• Aut.2.9 – Find the function machines given a two-step expression
• Aut.2.10 – Substitute values into two-step expressions
• Aut.2.11 – Generate sequences given an algebraic rule

Year 8 Maths

The topics covered this week include:

• Aut.2.3 – Converting between currencies
• Aut.2.4 – Exploring direct proportion graphs (Higher Tier)
• Aut.2.5 – Exploring relationships between similar shapes
• Aut.2.6 – Understanding scale factors as multiplicative representations
• Aut.2.7 – Drawing and interpreting scale diagrams

Students have been provided with a workbook for reference and practice. On Tuesday, students will have an assessment on the Multiplicative Change unit. Please encourage them to review the material thoroughly to prepare effectively for the test.

Year 9 Maths

This week, Year 9 students have studied the following topics:

• Aut.2 – Forming & solving equations
• Aut.2.3 – Inequalities with negative numbers
• Aut.2.4 – Solving equations with unknowns on both sides
• Aut.2.5 – Solving inequalities with unknowns on both sides
• Aut.2.6 – Equations and inequalities in other mathematical contexts
• Aut.2.7 – Formulae and equations

The workbook has been sent home to support revision ahead of the upcoming assessment scheduled for Thursday.

The students in Year 7,8,9 classes had a fun and productive week. Here are some highlights from the week’s learning.

In English, we continued our novel study of Holes by Louis Sachar. The students spent time creating a detailed character profile of the Warden. Building on this, they then explored the question “How does Louis Sachar present the Warden as powerful and dangerous in this scene?” Using the P.E.E. (Point, Evidence, Explanation) technique, students developed thoughtful written responses. Following this, they examined the harsh conditions of Camp Green Lake, making notes which they later used to create scripts and short videos highlighting the horrors of life at the camp.

This week in maths, we explored function machines and how they help us understand number operations. The students learnt how to find outputs from given inputs and then worked backwards using inverse operations to find the missing inputs. We also began using diagrams and letters to represent operations, helping us to see patterns and generalise ideas. By the end of the week, the class was even able to identify the function of a machine when given a simple expression, a great step towards early algebraic thinking!

In IMYC, we concluded our Brainwave unit. To finish, the students designed their own personalised Mindfulness Toolkits, reflecting on what they had learned and tailoring their strategies to support their own wellbeing. They also answered a set of reflection questions to consolidate their learning from the unit.

Year 7 Maths

This week in maths, we explored function machines and how they help us understand number operations. The students learnt how to find outputs from given inputs and then worked backwards using inverse operations to find the missing inputs. We also began using diagrams and letters to represent operations, helping us to see patterns and generalise ideas. By the end of the week, the class was even able to identify the function of a machine when given a simple expression, a great step towards early algebraic thinking!

• Our next end-of-unit assessment should be on Wednesday 24th September
• Everyone did very well on the first end-of-unit assessment
• 2 out of 3 homework assignments were handled in on time this week

Year 8 Maths

This week, students continued working through Unit 1 and successfully covered the following topics:

• Aut.1.9 – Understanding π as a ratio
• Aut.1.10 (Higher) – Understanding gradient as a ratio
• Multiplicative change
• Aut.2.1 – Solving problems involving direct proportion
• Aut.2.2 – Exploring conversion graphs

All these topics have now been completed and reviewed. A Unit 1 test has been set and given to students to check their understanding of the material.

Students showed good progress in recognizing key mathematical relationships and applying them to problem-solving.

Year 9 Maths

This week, students covered the following topics:

• Aut.1.9 – Model real-life graphs involving inverse proportion 
• Aut.1.10 – Explore perpendicular lines 
• Assessment Test – Unit 1 assessment was conducted to consolidate learning.
• Aut.2.1 – One and two-step equations and inequalities 
• Aut.2.2 – Equations and inequalities with brackets 

Students are steadily building confidence in handling equations and graph concepts, while also strengthening their problem-solving skills through the assessment.

We’ve had a busy and productive time in class recently, with students engaging in a range of activities designed to build both their academic skills and personal growth. The children have been working hard, collaborating with peers, and showing great enthusiasm as they explore new topics. Below is a brief update on what we’ve been learning.

In our recent Literacy lessons, for our unit on Holes by Louis Sachar, the students created their own “Camp Green Lake Survival Guides” based on Chapter 7, thinking about the skills and attitudes needed to cope in such a harsh environment. To help them think about how hard it would be the students roleplayed digging a hole. Then they explored how Stanley and Zero’s friendship begins to grow, discussing themes of isolation and connection. Finally, they examined the “fossil scene,” building a Camp Green Lake Power Pyramid to show who holds influence, and debated whether it was fair for Stanley to give the fossil to X-Ray, linking their ideas to fairness and survival in real life.

In our IMYC lessons focusing on Health & Wellbeing this week, our middle school students explored mindful listening and mindful seeing as part of our Brainwave unit. In the mindful listening lesson, they practised giving their full attention to different music, noticing how this can affect focus, emotions, and even memory. In the mindful seeing lesson, students learned about how the brain filters what we notice and practised paying closer attention to details through completing ‘I see, I notice, I wonder. Both activities helped them understand how mindfulness strengthens the brain’s ability to concentrate and manage stress.

Year 9 Maths

This week in Maths, our class has been working very hard on straight-line graphs and making excellent progress.

Topics we have covered so far:

• Aut.1.1 – Lines parallel to the axis, y = x and y = –x
• Aut.1.2 – Using tables of values
• Aut.1.3 – Comparing gradients
• Aut.1.4 – Comparing intercepts
• Aut.1.5 – Understanding and using y = mx + c
• Aut.1.6 – Writing an equation in the form y = mx + c
• Aut.1.7 – Finding the equation of a line from a graph
• Aut.1.8 – Interpreting gradients and intercepts of real-life graphs

Test Information:
We will be having a short test on Wednesday to review all of these topics. A revision copy will be sent home on Tuesday to help students prepare with confidence.

I am very proud of the effort the students have been putting into their work. Please encourage them to spend some time revising at home; it will really help them to feel prepared and achieve their best.

Year 8 Maths

This week, students have successfully covered the following objectives:

• Aut.1.1 – Understand the meaning and representation of ratio
• Aut.1.2 – Understand and use ratio notation
• Aut.1.3 – Solve problems involving ratios of the form 1 : n (or n : 1)
• Aut.1.4 – Solve problems involving ratios of the form m : n
• Aut.1.5 – Divide in a given ratio
• Aut.1.6 – Express ratios in their simplest integer form
• Aut.1.7 – Express ratios in the form 1 : n (Higher Level)
• Aut.1.8 – Compare ratios and fractions

Students have shown good focus and steady progress throughout these lessons.

On Wednesday, we will administer a brief test to reinforce learning. To support their preparation, the completed workbook will be sent home so students can revise effectively.

This week’s learning has laid a strong foundation, and with continued effort, students will be well-prepared to demonstrate their understanding in the upcoming test.  

Year 7 Maths

This week, we completed our unit on sequences, and the students are now ready for their first end-of-unit assessment on Monday. After this, we will begin our next unit, which focuses on understanding and using algebraic notation.

We also had some very interesting discussions about exponential growth in sequences, looking at examples such as the classic rice on a chessboard problem. This helped the children see how quickly numbers can grow and why exponential growth is so powerful.

All homework was handed in on time on Friday, and new tasks have already been set. The group are working very well together, and we are pleased with the excellent progress being made through the curriculum.

That’s aa; for this week, have a great weekend.