Recycling and Energy Recovery Facility
(RERF) Year 9 Reward Trip

On 16 December a group of Year 9 students visited a local recycling facility, where they participated in a series of educational activities. Upon arrival, they were divided into small groups to engage in a task that required them to use their prior knowledge to sort recyclable and non-recyclable items. The exercise encouraged teamwork and communication skills.

One highlight of the visit was the famous living plant wall, which stands 28 meters tall and houses over 100,000 plants, including shrubs and trees. It also supports more than 700 habitat boxes for insects.

In the control room, students learned about the company’s operations, including how cameras monitor the sorting process and help decide when machines or manual labour is needed. They also had the opportunity to see how different machines function. The day concluded with a video on material decomposition and an activity sorting items based on their decomposition rates. The visit was both informative and inspiring, offering a hands-on learning experience.

Science Club

Calling all Year 7, 8, and 9 students! Last year’s Science Club was a huge success, and this year it’s going to be even better. Explore fascinating experiments, boost your communication and innovation skills and build confidence in a fun, hands-on environment.

Every Thursday from 3:10 to 4:00 pm in S7, we’ll dive into the wonders of science with exciting activities and projects. Whether you’re a science enthusiast or just curious, everyone is welcome. Don’t miss out on this chance to discover, create, and explore. See you there! The video showcases some of the work completed by our Scientists last year.

Year 8’s Explosive Day at The Big Bang Fair

This summer, Year 8 students from Mount St Mary’s attended The Big Bang Fair in Birmingham, the UK’s largest celebration of STEM. The event was packed with hands-on activities, careers panels, and workshops that left us thrilled and inspired. We explored cutting-edge science, engineering, and technology, redefining our understanding of the future. From interactive exhibits to engaging talks, every moment was an adventure in learning. The Big Bang Fair not only ignited our passion for STEM but also showcased the endless possibilities in these dynamic fields. It was a day to remember and a glimpse into tomorrow’s innovations.

Mount St Mary’s Engages Primary Schools
with Exciting Outreach Programme

Mount St Mary’s is proud to offer an outreach programme to our feeder primary schools.

St Philip’s, St Patrick’s, and St Joseph’s participated this year. This initiative enhances the Science curriculum, eases Year 6 transition, and familiarises Year 5 students with our school. The 2024 workshops included the Year 5 Fruit Batteries session, teaching electrical circuits, and the Year 6 Heart Dissection, exploring the circulatory system. Students thoroughly enjoy these hands-on experiences, with comments like “It was very good and fun!” and “I learned that blood only flows one way.” Our commitment to this programme is stronger than ever.

Another successful day at GSAL

Despite glorious weather on Saturday 11 May, thirty dedicated scientists and their equally committed staff put their fun in the sun on hold for a productive day’s revision at the Grammar School.

Students and teachers focused on the key areas of next Friday’s exam, working hard to ensure their success in what is sure to be a challenging paper. All the students demonstrated a fantastic attitude and real drive to do well that was recognised by their teachers and were very grateful to the staff who had given up their weekend at a very busy point in the year to give them that last bit of support.

At the end of the day there were smiles all round as everyone boarded the bus home, with advice for next year’s Year 11 – “Go to GSAL- you won’t regret it!”

What’s in my Water?

A group of Year 9 students were able to take part in some citizen science with the “What’s in My Water?” Project from Groundwork. The students went out to the River Aire to take samples of the river water, before taking the samples back to the lab to analyse them with a variety of specialist techniques and equipment. Students enjoyed learning about the different sources of contamination and considering what could be done about them, along with the chance to collect real-life samples and use advanced techniques to explain the science behind the headlines.

The Science Club End-of-Term Celebration

The Science Club End-of-Term Celebration leaves students in awe

In a thrilling conclusion to the term, the science club at MSM welcomed the dynamic duo of Mr Deacon and Mr Wellington for an unforgettable event. Filled with explosive experiments and fiery demonstrations, the atmosphere was electric as students were captivated by the wonders of science. From loud bangs to burning notes, the excitement was palpable. The festivities continued with Easter science competitions, igniting friendly rivalries and leaving all participants feeling like champions.

This engaging celebration not only entertained but also inspired students, highlighting the magic of science in a way that will be remembered long after the term’s end.

British Science Week

During British Science Week – 11 to 15 March 2024 – Year 9 students Pranaya Sudagar and Kavya Ramakrishnan excelled through their dedicated participation in daily challenges. Their commitment reflects the essence of the competition, showcasing youths’ potential in shaping the future of science. As winners, Pranaya and Kavya epitomize the school’s ethos of nurturing curiosity and creativity in scientific pursuits, inspiring peers and educators alike. This year’s theme, “Time,” underscores the fundamental role time plays in scientific discoveries across disciplines, from evolution to celestial observations.

Leeds Rotary Technology Competition

On Tuesday 5th March, 8 of our best Technology students were chosen to take part in the Leeds Rotary Technology competition. The competition has been running since 2007 and is funded by local Rotary clubs and over 130 students from 14 schools across Leeds took part. We spoke to the founder of the competition, Cliff, who said he wanted students to learn hands on skills such as teamwork, problem solving and using tools. Throughout the day there were 80 volunteers from local engineering companies and Leeds University to help the students and promote STEM careers.

Students were given a task on the day to launch a space rocket using limited resources such as sticks and elastic bands. They had to work independently, as teachers were not allowed to help. Students worked well together and came up with different ideas which they tested. Although we did not win, all the students enjoyed taking part and working together.

Thomas Transition Programme (TTP)

21 of our Year 11 students have enrolled on the Thomas Transition Programme, where Leeds University provide in school workshops, a campus visit and a 3 day fully funded residential.

To support our students further to maximise their potential they get 15 hours of Maths or Science tuition with the Tutor Trust.