Kings Cross
9C visited King’s Cross Station in London. After an ‘adventurous’ start to our trip, we managed to arrive at the station with just an hour's delay. Our guide, Toby, was just brilliant. He talked to us about the Victorian-era station. He gave us a tour, taking us to the operational control room with 1000 CCTVs and to the famous 9 ¾ Harry Potter platform, amongst other areas of interest.
The highlight of our day was access to one of the most iconic features there, the Clock Tower. We had to climb 135 steep wooden steps to glimpse the station’s rich architectural heritage. Toby shared fascinating stories about the station’s role in London’s history; we got to see the intricate design up close and listen to haunted stories, too.
Next, we had the unique opportunity to walk on the station's roof, offering an extraordinary view of the bustling city below. The roof walk gave us a fresh perspective on the station's modern architectural updates, contrasting with its historic elements. We observed the flow of trains and commuters from above, which was both exhilarating and educational. We admired London’s skyline with all its iconic landmarks, saw the new Google offices that are about to open next year, with 10,000 offices, and learned that it takes 4 weeks to clean all the glass roofs at the station! The trip combined history, architecture and a touch of adventure, making it a memorable learning experience for all pupils (and some staff, too), who conquered their fears and showed exceptional bravery, going out of their comfort zone. Well done, everyone!
Green Power
Building Future Engineers (STEM):
St Edward’s School is excited to announce a unique new opportunity for our pupils: the Formula Goblin project! This program brings a complete, hands-on kit to our classrooms, designed to spark a love for engineering by building and racing their car!
The Formula Goblin kit arrives flat-packed, like the ultimate team DIY project, and includes all the parts needed to construct a fully functional electric car. With step-by-step instructions that are clear and easy to follow, pupils will work together to bring their vehicle to life. Along the way, they’ll learn about basic mechanics and electrics in a way that’s accessible, fun, and engaging.
This is more than just a build project; it’s a chance for our pupils to get hands-on with engineering concepts in a safe, guided environment. They’ll be introduced to the fundamentals of how a vehicle works, from the wheels to the battery, experiencing first-hand how their actions turn a pile of parts into a fully assembled car.
Adding to the excitement, we're thrilled to announce a special guest appearance from none other than The Stig! The mysterious, helmet-clad character will be racing our pupils to add a twist to the project, sparking a bit of competitive spirit and laughter. It’s sure to be an event our pupils will talk about for years to come!
Word of the Week
Mausoleum
A stately or impressive building housing a tomb or group of tombs.
Ancient skeletons discovered in secret tomb in Jordan:
A team of archaeologists have discovered a hidden tomb at a famous monument in Petra in Jordan.
The secret tomb was found underneath Al-Khazneh - which means 'The Treasury' in Arabic - and is said to be one of the seven wonders of the world.
The huge sandstone monument was hand-carved into a cliff by the Nabataean people around 2,000 years ago.
Using technology to scan the area beneath the monument, a team of researchers found a hidden ancient tomb as well as 12 skeletons, and a number of bronze and iron artefacts.
The newly discovered tomb could now be home to the largest collection of ancient human skeletons found buried in one place within Petra.
The archaeologists are now excited to study the tomb and the skeletons, to learn more about what life was like for the people there 2,000 years ago.
Y11 BTEC Hospitality and Tourism trip to Paulton’s Park
Our pupils made the day a pleasure to be a part of. In addition, seeing them have fun, laugh and enjoy each other's company all day showed how far they have come. They demonstrated the attitude and behaviours of young men and addressed all of the information-gathering work that they were set. This was the final piece of research before they began their assessment for this unit. I wish them the best of luck and encourage them to give their best effort.
Kew Gardens
This week, Class 10C went on an exciting trip to Kew Gardens! They had the chance to explore one of the world's most renowned botanical gardens, discovering the beauty and diversity of plant life from around the globe. From the stunning glasshouses to the
awe-inspiring arboretum, this trip allowed our pupils to deeply understand ecology and environmental science in a truly inspiring setting.
Eden
As Halloween's spooky and ghostly time approaches, Eden pupils chose to celebrate this period by visiting a farm to purchase some pumpkins. They then set about carving them, with some pupils taking their inspiration from a book by Roald Dahl called ‘The Witches’, which we are currently reading during Enrichment, while others chose to change their appearance, resulting in some amazing pumpkins. Eden would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Halloween, but most of all, a scary one.
MSB end of term Celebration
Class MSB had a week filled with Halloween-themed fun and learning! We started with research as students dived into Halloween traditions and brainstormed ideas for our activities. Next, they headed out for some shopping, tasked with planning their purchases within a set budget (though only one pupil managed to stay within it—bravo!).
Back at school, the class got hands-on with pumpkin carving and "pumpkin barfing". To top it all off, everyone celebrated with spooky treats and enjoyed ghostly goodies.
And, of course, Halloween week is only complete with a little Dungeons & Dragons!
Preparing for Adulthood at St Edward’s
As part of Marley's Life Skills curriculum, Marley took on the challenge of cooking a chilli from scratch! He headed to Aldi, located and scanned each ingredient, and followed the recipe step-by-step back at school. The final result was a delicious chilli that he prepared with care and skill.
Marley was complimented on how good it tasted—a well-deserved recognition for his hard work! It was a pleasure to accompany Marley on this journey, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing his skills in action.
Mr David McAdam
Artists of the Week
Alfie has finished his excellent Surrealist piece this week.
Great response from Alfie, who realised his intentions (dreaming in the cosmos). He’s worked really hard and shown great resilience.
LSA has been looking at Pointillism (dots) this week. Fantastic response from the class whom artist George Seurat inspired. We have linked our work to Remembrance Day poppies (11th November).
Online Safety
This week's show, co-hosted with Charlie, focussed on children spending more time than ever on screens—up to 7 hours a day on average! While digital devices can be great for learning and fun, spending too much time watching content with little value, often called "Brain Rot," can harm mental health and focus.
Excessive screen time, especially with random or mindless videos, can lead to issues like trouble sleeping, anxiety, and even depression. Studies show that children who consume too much flashy, high-stimulation content often struggle with attention and problem-solving in school.
To keep your brain sharp and healthy, try limiting screen time to 2 hours or less. And remember, what you watch matters too—opt for videos that teach or inspire, rather than content that drains your focus.
Make better choices online and help protect your brain's health in the long run.
