Dear OFS Community,
The school was already in a wonderful space as we closed the cover on ‘Book Week’, so to kick off on Monday straight into STEAM Week felt like the second set of booster rockets giving a jolt into orbit!
Our Creative Curriculum has always fostered a sense of wonder as it inspires curious minds to dream of the impossible, so weeks like this are simply super fertilizer to encourage leaps into the unknown across so many disciplines.
Something that really resonated was an opener from Mr Chatzianastasiou who led Monday’s Assembly. He asked for 2 volunteers, to which 350 hands went up – one person would be hopping on the spot, the other had free access to a computer game on Mr Chatzianastasiou’s phone...
...when Mr Chatzianastasiou called STOP, we had 2 very different perceptions of ‘time’! I suspect that everyone recognises that feeling of time flying through our fingers when we’re engrossed in an activity and yet the same period can feel like an eternity!
Braintastic Science Show
This year we unpacked our ‘senses’ through a series of thought-provoking questions, practical experiments and interesting tasks. On a personal level I was left a little shocked, quite literally as we explored the electrical impulses that control so much of how we feel and respond to the immediate world around us. I’m still not sure how I was roped in, but having been connected to Tanay, every time he flexed his bicep, I felt a significant jolt rendering my arm useless. I’m now less concerned about the impact of AI and more concerned about Tanay’s ability to shock me!
Virtual...and Real Opportunities!
The Science Labs have been the hub of all manner of interesting experiences and opportunities to explore, resolve and test ideas. The VR headsets took pupils into new worlds, past and present, at one point screams could be heard throughout the Gardner building and all I got from the pupils was...there were sharks everywhere...I was on a roller coaster falling...when I turned around there was a dinosaur following me...so it was clear that things got a little too real in these virtual moments!
Looking Beyond
What a privilege for our pupils to have access to a Chartered Structural Engineer, an Architect, a Neurology Doctor, an Application Scientist & Product Manager and a Dentist. A huge thank you to Mr Bansal, Mrs Mahmoodi, Dr Malde, Dr Zhongbo Chen Allan and Dr Zainab Al-Mukhtar for giving up your mornings to offer such insightful advice.
Hearing such different stories about career paths and what influenced certain decisions at varying inflection points is invaluable. It was personally inspiring but a real highlight for me was watching our pupils reacting to your stories – I have no doubt whatsoever that your words landed on fertile ground!
This year's STEAM week has been amazing in many ways. Firstly because of the demos I did to the year 1's. They were such an amazing audience and generally a brilliant experience. Most importantly, thank you to everyone in the Science department and Mr. Bowd and anyone behind the scenes for such an amazing week.
Kiran Devani
My highlight of the week was definitely the VR experience because it actually felt like I was there in real life especially the skydiving experience. Plus I've never actually tried VR before so it was brilliant first time.
Yusuf Malhi
I thoroughly enjoyed the STEAM week activities, especially the Flaming Bubbles workshop because it was exciting to see that you can make flames using fairy liquid! The VR experience was truly fascinating because sharks were coming through us and went sky diving which felt like a real life experience! Thank you for organising the STEAM week activities.
Josh Chauhan
Putting the A in STEAM
Pupils in Yrs 3&4 considered movement and design observed in a butterfly. From the 'links and levers' that give them their unique flight to the camouflage that they employ to deceive predators, they responded with curisoity and creativity.
This week we also looked at the immersive approach that Turner took as an artist – strapping himself to the mast of a ship in a full storm in order to find a creative response for his masterpieces; considering the weather, we came close to replicating this! Pupils created dramatic skies using pastels with a view to composing a modern twist on Turner’s work.
House Competition – with a difference!
It was time to up the ante bringing a competitive edge into the week. We have our regular vertical mentoring groups, a chance for pupils from Yr3 to Yr8 to mix in small groups around a topic, usually a talking point. However, with it being STEAM week, we thought a mini construction challenge would fit well into this slot and there was a wonderful sense of collaboration and creativity as they set about solving a practical paper challenge...
Tipi Hosts the Fun Maths Challenge
I tend to associate the tipi, or Hub as a place of rest, recreation and time to chat...on Thursday, we had all of that but with a high-octane twist as groups collaborated under a ticking clock to solve all manner of mathematical problems. On the buzzer, they were off and onto the next one – I've not seen such frenetic activity, but it certainly captivated each year group!
Tooled Up
As a Tooled-Up School, we have access to some fantastic resources, do click through on the link below for the latest food for thought:
Orlumni News from Marlborough College!
Henley and Eston were part of 25 selected Shell students from Marlborough College to be part of a three-week exchange in Malaysia.
Henley and Eston had a truly remarkable experience, in addition to their academic pursuits, they immersed themselves in the local culture, explored the vibrant city of Singapore, enjoyed a weekend of surfing on a tropical island, and even had the opportunity to visit sustainable palm oil plantations.
The boys woke up to sunshine every day and started the day with an hour of tennis before starting school. Lunch break was spent surfing!
The exchange program has proven to be a transformative experience for Henley and Eston, a remarkable continuation of the Orley Farm Journey. It has broadened their horizons and fostered their personal growth in a unique and enriching way.
What a powerful week – Orley Farm has been buzzing! A common message from so many of our speakers over the week spoke of needing a mindset that embraces pushing boundaries, seeking new answers that lead to bigger questions and thriving on lessons founded in failure; it can be liberating to lean into this outlook!
Tim Calvey