Year 7 Arundel Castle
 

On Friday 19th September, Year 7 took a day trip to visit Arundel Castle. Blessed with glorious sunshine, they were able to visit many different parts of the castle, from the grandeur of the medieval motte and the Fitzalan Chapel to the horrors of the 'oubliette' dungeon. It was a wonderful opportunity for the students to experience the history of the local area, and supported their current learning about the Norman Conquest. It also provided a great opportunity for some year group bonding at the start of the academic year. The real highlights of the day included trying medieval chain mail and weapons on for size, recreating an Anglo-Saxon shield wall and, of course, the gift shop!

GCSE Geography field trip

"Learning outside the classroom is (almost) always a joy and is an experience that leaves participants with fond memories for life. For the last three years we have taken our Year 11 Geography GCSE cohort to the Calshot Centre on a spit at the mouth of Southampton Water for a residential weekend that combines Geography fieldwork with a range of outdoor activities. Our activities take us to the New Forest to measure the River Darkwater and into Lyndhurst to assess the impact of modern tourism, whilst the students also try their hand at archery, rock climbing, dry skiing and a team-bonding assault course. Whilst providing the two-day compulsory fieldwork element required for GCSE, coming at the start of the most challenging year the students' have faced thus far, the weekend also serves to relieve any anxiety about the year ahead and brings the cohort tightly together. Each year, that sisterhood is exemplified by our bonfire and marshmallow Saturday night under the stars on the beach at Calshot. Memories are made of this..." Guy Carter, Head of Geography 

Design Museum

Our Year 10 and 11 Design & Technology students had the opportunity to visit the Design Museum, London, for the groundbreaking exhibition 'More Than Human'. This was the first major exhibition to explore the growing movement of ‘more-than-human’ design, a way of thinking that asks why design has so often focused solely on human needs, when our lives are interconnected with billions of plants, animals, and other living systems. 
 
The exhibition showcased over 140 works from more than fifty international artists, designers, and architects, bringing together art, product design, architecture, and interactive installations. 
 
Alongside exploring the exhibition, students took part in a hands-on workshop on sustainable materials. This session encouraged them to experiment with innovative alternatives to traditional resources, exploring how recycled, plant-based, and biodegradable materials might be used in real-world design. 
 
The day offered a valuable chance for our students to connect big ideas about sustainability, design, and the climate emergency, with practical, creative experimentation, inspiring them to think critically about the role of design in shaping a thriving, shared future. 

Rocking Horse 12 hour swim

Congratulations to those, who swam the first and last legs of a 12-hour swim at Sea Lanes, organised to raise funds for Rockinghorse, which is the official fundraising arm of the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton. They raise money for life-saving equipment, specialist projects, and enhanced services for sick babies, children, and young people throughout Sussex. 
 
Over the course of the year, our students will be participating in mini-fundraisers and various projects to support the charity. In addition, there will be a large fundraiser at the end of the academic year when all the students in Year 7 will have the opportunity to abseil from Peacehaven cliffs.  
 
Due to our sustained commitment to supporting Rockinghorse, we were invited to open and close a fundraising event starting yesterday, Thursday 25 September, a 12-hour swim relay at the Sea Lanes, Brighton. Congratulations to all who took part! 
 
All money raised from this event will be going to fund a new well-being hub at the hospital. Specifically, for every £100 raised, the hub will fund a six-week sea swimming course for a teenager with long-term health conditions.