Global and Local Responsibility
This week’s Guiding Principle feels of more relevance than ever before, and it has been very insightful indeed to hear pupils in the Upper School discuss their feelings, concerns and thoughts about the global pandemic we’re in, and what we as individuals and groups can do to help and support each other.
Year 7 have impressed us no end with their persuasive speeches (an example is shown below), and I am sure that they would have noticed many of the techniques they have explored, employed by Boris Johnson in yesterday evening’s Prime Ministerial announcement!
Keep your wonderful ‘Stay Active’ pictures coming in - some examples this week have included cricket, yoga and a more unusual example, car-washing! It is always wonderful to see pictures of you embracing our Flourish focus ‘give’; be it cooking a meal, playing a family game, or lending a hand, it is fantastic for us to see you making such generous efforts at home to think of your siblings and parents.
Tutors have also enjoyed hearing how you’ve adapted to remote learning. Despite the obvious challenges, you are coping brilliantly by focusing on the positives. 7D’s form jamboard really does highlight how well you are all doing.
In the Google Classrooms this week……..
Maths: Year 7 have been continuing with their topic of algebra in particular looking at multiplying indices. They have also enjoyed completing mathematical challenges using algebra skills to calculate the value of each symbol with very subtle differences. They have benefitted from a mix of exam type questions, online Managahigh problem solving tasks to build speed, fluency and accuracy and fun challenges requiring high order thinking skills preparing them for year 8.
History: Year 7 have completed their study of what life was like in Nelson’s navy before going on to look at the career of the great man himself. They are currently in the middle of the Battle of Trafalgar and analysing Nelson’s tactics that brought about such a remarkable victory.
Year 8 meanwhile are continuing to trawl their way through the history of medicine. Most have now completed the Romans before entering the period of the Dark Ages where all that had been learned, seemed to be lost, as the barbarian tribes took over. Fascinating!
Geography: Year 7 are continuing to explore rivers and the processes that shape our landscape. This week we are looking at meanders and oxbow lakes. They have a lot of new vocabulary to get to grips with but are doing a great job at using the right terminology to explain tricky physical processes.
Year 8 have been investigating how birth and death rates can influence population growth, both positively and negatively. We have looked at a range of influences such as natural disasters, war, famine etc and how cultural changes can influence a countrys’ population such as religion and historical traditions.
COVID-19 - What Can Be Done? Hundreds of thousands dying, fear around every corner, depression infecting everyone's mind: is this a real life horror movie? Coronavirus is a hot topic at the moment spreading from person to person and article to article. It’s undeniable that we have to stop this life-devouring monster and annihilate it once and for all. Coronavirus, or COVID-19, is a scrap of genetic information wrapped in layers of protein and fat, and at the moment it is spreading at an alarming and distressing rate. A frequent question asked is what does it do? COVID-19 will find its way into the infected victims lungs and bury into one of the lung cells. It will then release it’s genetic information which basically tells the lung cell to create more coronaviruses and then self-destruct. Once this process repeats, the immune system kicks in but unfortunately the coronavirus can make some immune cells turn corrupt which is a major problem.
Although to some people they may only have a temperature or cough, to others it may be life threatening. It has already stolen the innocent lives of over 150 thousand people with the death toll still rising. The world is in a devastating state as if struck by a tsunami. Surely we don’t want it to stay like this forever To prevent the spread of coronavirus, we HAVE to work together as a community and follow some simple precautions. We all care about our global network, so much so we need to put that into play by being obedient to the social distancing rules, and staying at home as much as you can, only trying to go out for essentials. Although social distancing is vital, so is keeping in touch with your friends and family, so to get the best of both worlds, try and use the digital media to keep in contact.Coronavirus isn’t only taking lives, but it is also causing significant issues for the financial state of the world because many businesses have been temporarily shut down due to lockdown. Obviously this is a serious issue that could last for ages and we need to help stop this from happening.
One way of moving around this problem is by once again stopping the coronavirus spreading because then we won’t have to self-isolate as much, therefore being able to reopen businesses.
If we don’t prevent the spread, a huge amount of people will get infected, overwhelming the NHS staff which means that not everyone will be able to be treated with the essential care and equipment necessary.
One tiny action like thoroughly and regularly washing your hands correctly could make a huge difference. I strongly believe that if we don’t act now the number of deaths could even triple. Would you like to see generation after generation suffer from a virus that we couldn’t be bothered to stop?Take a world with everyone stuck in their own houses as if locked up, afraid to even go out for essentials worried that they’ll be next on the list of casualties. Now replace that with a world where humans and animals can live side by side without global warming, with fresh, clean air and
you can spend quality time with your families. That will be reality if we make a move now. Also on the bright side, lockdown has actually had a huge and more important positive impact on the environment. For example in Thailand on some of the most popular beaches, leatherback turtles have been spotted for the first time in an extremely long time.
To summarise, we need to act as one big community and we need to remember to always social distance, wash your hands properly and regularly, only go out for essentials, wear face masks and gloves if needed and keep in contact with your friends and family through digital media. Stay safe, stay sane. Let's fight this forever together!
Kieran (7KM)