News
Bug-Hunting and Pond-Dipping in Holland Park
Tuesday 6th July 2010
When we arrived at the centre the first thing I noticed about it was the clever way everything was set out. They had stuffed and real creatures. When we had put our packed lunches away, we went to sit on the floor in front of Trevor, our guide at the centre.
Trevor showed us various animals including hedgehogs, foxes and moles (all stuffed). He also introduced us to the things we would be seeing, like woodlice, millipedes and snails in the wood; and tadpoles, water-boatmen and fresh water shrimps in the pond.
Then we saw real creatures, including a python, cockroaches and giant centipedes. They were all fascinating creatures and good to watch.
After that we went out of the centre, having been put into two groups and been given a clipboard with a sheet on it. Trevor led us to the reserve and gave us a net and a tray. We got into pairs and filled the tray with pond water and got started. First I got down on my knees, then I put my net in and made a big, deep loop, one tadpole caught! It went on like this for a while until Trevor handed us some magnifying apparatus to cross-examine our pond-life creatures.
After a quick count up we were on to the next thing, bug hunting! We were each given a cup (it was see-through) with a magnifying top and a spoon to scoop the insects with. So off we went, lifting logs and stones. On trying to lift a log I found a centipede. I put it in the cup and looked at it. The next thing I found was a small slug, under a pile of leaves and then I found a woodlouse under a giant log.
After that it was time to go, and with happy hearts we set off back to the centre and back to school. It was a very good trip, and I found it fun and interesting.
by Lily (aged 11), Year 6
Olivia Is Queen Of Kayaking At London Youth Games!
Monday 28th June 2010
Olivia of Year 12 proved she was the queen of the water as she helped Kensington & Chelsea take the kayak slalom honours at the London Youth Games Regatta. Follow this link for full details:
Morocco update
Wednesday 23rd June 2010
The girls were always great company, lovely singing, and always cheerful. Some had problems at altitude, either from fitness, health or reaction to the altitude itself.
So, on Day 3 of the 4 day trek, eight girls did the summit of Mount M'goun - a 12 hour route with an altitude gain of 1100m and some snow at the top, and the other four girls took an easier route round the summit to the same campsite, still a 6 hour walk, in very hot conditions. Day 4 we all came down together; Down meant going down in height about 500m, then up to 2800m again, then finally down to 1850m, our starting height. It took us 9 hours to get back.
They all did brilliantly; we had to walk all day, pitch tents each evening and sort out kit, and pack everything away again each morning. Thank goodness for the mules who carried all the kit for us.
In terms of health, we have had fitness problems, some faintness and nausea, travel sickness, and heat exhaustion. All has been copable with and nobody has been incapacitated by it. So far, no tummy problems. We drank stream water sterilised with iodine drops. All the girls were in excellent spirits when I left them last Friday.
The guides and cooks and support team of drivers, mules and muleteers, were great and looked after us well. David Scotthorne, the World Challenge leader, has been superb. He is always focussed on the girls safety, well-being and health. he has been very impressed with the team spirit of the girls, and the depth of their observations. David Hockley has also been excellent - good fun and great with the girls, bringing a deeper insight to their experiences.
I have had messages from Jan Hockley to say it is very hot where they now are, in Ouarzazate. All are well. The main project is decorating a school for the deaf and also painting an educational mural and setting up playground games. They also meet the local students. They visited the local soukh, the film museum (Ouarzazate is used a lot by Hollywood for desert scenes) and have been swimming.
On Thursday they will return to Marrakech and have the afternoon sightseeing, before getting their flight home on Friday.
Madeleine Abramson
Small Peice Trust Presents Engineering Workshop
Sunday 20th June 2010
On Friday 18 June, all of our Year 9 girls took part in an engineering day run by the SmallPeice trust. From paper, plastic, wooden dowelling and a 75p generator, each team of 5 girls made a wind turbine that actually generated electricity! Each team had to consider not only engineering and construction but also budgeting and marketing as they had to make a 'Dragon's Den' type presentation to see which of the groups were worth a capital venture. The SmallPeice presenter, Mr James Alterman, was very impressed not only by the imaginative engineering skills but also by the presentation skills. Well done Year 9!
Annual Dance Festival Diverse and Delightful
Sunday 20th June 2010
On Wednesday 16th June 2010 St James Senior Girls' hosted it's annual Dance Festival. Over 100 girls participated in the event showcasing many different styles of dance from all over the globe. The performance also featured the winners of the lower school choreography competition - a classical duet titled "The Mirror" by Liberty Pearl and Tatyana Rutherston (Year 8) and the winners of the upper school competition - a street dance quartet by Alaleh Ghazinoori, Treasure Peart, Aditi Tanna and Isabelle Vine with music seamlessly edited by Ola bell (all from year 10). The event was a fantastic success and the audience thoroughly enjoyed the diversity and energy of the performances.