June 2022 - Summer Term 2 - Week 1

May 2022 - Summer Term 1  - Week 5

May 2022 - Summer Term 1 - Week 4

May 2022 - Summer Term 1 - Week 3

May 2022 - Summer Term 1 - Week 2

April 2022 - Summer Term 1 - Week 1

April 2022 - Spring Term 2 - Week 6

April 2022 - Spring Term 2 - Week 5

March 2022 - Spring Term 2 - Week 4

This week in English, Dalai Lama have continued practising for their exams by completing past papers. Learners are becoming more familiar with the questions and confident for their exams.

In Maths, we have celebrated World Maths Day by competing in some online games. Learners have also sourced their own data sets to analyse in their Statistics topic. 

In Science, learners have enjoyed a range of practical experiments this week, including exploring static with a Van der Graaf generator, and making thermite while learning the reactivity series of metals.

March 2022 - Spring Term 2 - Week 3

March 2022 - Spring Term 2 - Week 2

March 2022 - Spring Term 2 - Week 1

February 2022 - Spring Term 1 - Week 7

February 2022 - Spring Term 1 - Week 6

This week in English, Dalai Lama have continued their Radio topic focussing on writing interviews and quiz segments. They also enjoyed a speaking & listening session were they had to role play some radio interviews. To finish the week, learners worked hard on a past exam paper. In Maths, Dalai Lama have been revising fractions. They have practised solving problems involving adding and multiplying fractions. 

In Science, Dalai Lama were challenged to design an experiment comparing the effects of gravity on different planets. They used a computer simulator to compare how fast a ball would fall when dropped on different planets, before writing a research proposal detailing how they could use a vacuum chamber to simulate conditions on another planet. In Computing, learners were challenged to create a symmetrical movie poster. We had work inspired by trainers, video games, cars, anime, and even a niche South American political figure! 

In Hospitality & Catering, learners were challenged to create a time plan for making two courses simultaneously. They then used their practical time to make shortbread biscuits and a fruit and custard tart. 

February 2022 - Spring Term 1 - Week 5

February 2022 - Spring Term 1 - Week 4

January 2022 - Spring Term 1 - Week 3

This week in English, Dalai Lama have completed work inspired by a radio station they have created and requiring them to practise writing in different formats and for different audiences. They have produced posters and jingle scripts to advertise their radio stations, as well as writing a formal letter to apply for a job at the radio station.

In Maths, learners have continued with their Shape topic, completing exam questions on symmetry and using isometric paper to draw 3D shapes. 

In Computing, learners have expanded their photo editing skills by learning how to interleave an image with text, as usual leading to some creative results. In PE, learners have continued working on their football skills, focusing this week on passing, moderating their power to achieve accuracy.

In Art, learners were challenged to use soft materials this week to develop their blending skills. Using chalks, charcoal and pastels, we have had some amazing work produced. 

January 2022 - Spring Term 1 - Week 2

This week in Dalai Lama, learners have been exploring questionnaires and interview technique in English. They have written their own questionnaires to find out people's opinions on Music, before interviewing staff around school to develop their communication skills and collect data.

In Maths, Dalai Lama have been using mirrors to help them solve problems involving symmetry and reflecting shapes in the mirror line.

In Science, learners have been studying Performance Enhancing Drugs in sport. They have researched different drugs used by athletes, as well as the possible side effects. Learners have continued to develop their communication skills, having some mature discussions on this topic.

In PE, learners have focussed on passing skills in football, as well as enjoying some badminton matches. 

In Hospitality & Catering, learners made a range of dishes this week, including steak and chips, beef curry, scrambled tofu and fruit cake.

In Art, learners were challenged to create a piece combining photography and their own sketching.

January 2022 - Spring Term 1 - Week 1

This week in English, Dalai Lama have been developing their independent research skills. They have chosen a genre of music they enjoy and an artist they like to research and write about. 

In Maths they have been studying angles and using the angle fact that angles on a straight line add up to 180⁰ to find missing angles.

In PE they have begun working on their football skills, completing circuit skills builder, before playing a match.

In Hospitality & Catering, learners were offered a selection of recipes, so we enjoyed chicken nuggets and hotdogs with homemade bread, as well as some gingerbread biscuits. 

December 2021 - Autumn Term 2 - Week 7

This week in English, Dalai Lama have continued preparing for their exams. They have focused on the writing section of the paper, taking time to plan their answers, before writing in full.

In Science, Dalai Lama have explored the keywords ‘exothermic’ and ‘endothermic’. They carried out three different experiments to see whether each was an exothermic or an endothermic reaction. 

In Computing, Dalai Lama learners were challenged to use their Photopea skills to edit album cover designs, replacing the text and images.  

This week, Dalai Lama class have also enjoyed a class trip to the cinema to see Spider-Man: No Way Home. It was a great way to end the term!

December 2021 - Autumn Term 2 - Week 5

This week in English, Dalai Lama have been preparing for their exams by completing practise exam papers. They have focused on exam technique and marked their own work to see how they can improve.

In Maths, Dalai Lama have been studying area and perimeter. At the end of the week, they were challenged to work out the length of the side of a shape when they were given the area or perimeter. 

In Science, Dalai Lama have looked at Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man and conducted their own experiment based on this. They found out that a person’s height is approximately ten times the length of their hand, and measured their own heights and hands to prove that they fit this ratio. They used Excel to analyse their results and create a graph.

In Computing, learners were challenged to use their photo editing skills and combine two animals to create a new mythical creature. We had some very imaginative designs created.  

In Art, learners have continued their project work. This week they focussed on using stencils and tracing to reproduce some artists’ work that they were inspired by.

In Hospitality & Catering, learners used a Swiss Roll recipe to create festive Yule Logs. They demonstrated skills in rolling their cakes and creating a chocolate ganache to decorate, before using sprinkles to get in the festive spirit! 

November 2021 - Autumn Term 2 - Week 2

This week in English, Dalai Lama have been writing letters and poetry. They were challenged to use personification by writing a love letter to a favourite item of clothing, or a poem about a favourite item of clothing. They then practiced their peer review skills by reading each other’s work and answering questions about it.

In Maths, Dalai Lama began the week by revising ratio. They had to use times tables to simplify ratios and were then challenged to answer some word problems. They finished the week by studying function machines.

In Science, learners planned an experiment to find out which material was the best insulator. They conducted their experiments by wrapping beakers of hot water in different materials and then measuring the temperature change over a 5-minute period. They then used Excel to create a graph and analyse their results.

In Hospitality & Catering, Dalai Lama were challenged to make choux pastry. The learners all worked really well, and we enjoyed a variety of delicious profiteroles and chocolate éclairs. 

November 2021 - Autumn Term 2 - Week 1

This week in English, Dalai Lama have been focusing on their presentation skills. The learners have researched and created a PowerPoint presentation on Fashion and Style in different decades. The learners then had to present their work to a member of staff. In Maths, the learners have been improving their understanding of fractions, percentages and decimals, and converting between percentages, fractions and decimals. In Science, Year 11 planned an experiment to find out if crisps or biscuits contain more energy. They then conducted their experiments, by burning crisps and biscuits and using them to heat water. Finally, they created graphs of their findings and analysed their results. 

In Art, learners have begun their new topics. They are inspired by cars and messages. The learners have created mood boards and used a spider diagram to organise their ideas. In Hospitality & Catering, learners have been making rainbow bagels. The finished products smelled amazing and looked stunning. 

October 2021 - Autumn Term 1 - Week 7

This week in English Dalai Lama have been writing some gothic fiction. They have used their imaginations to produce some very spooky stories, as well as thinking about language devices to improve their work. In Maths, Dalai Lama have been studying percentages.

In Science, Year 11 have been conducting an experiment to find out which brand of kettle was the most efficient. Learners had to plan their experiment to ensure it was a fair test, work safely in the lab, perform calculations on their data, and then used Microsoft Excel to create a graph and interpret their results. In Computing, learners have really enjoyed using their photo editing skills to create some Pop Art-style images of Quest staff and of celebrities. In PE we have had some very competitive games of badminton and learners have shown excellent engagement and resilience this week.

In Art, learners have put the finishing touches to their final pieces and written evaluations of their work. They have created some stunning pieces that they can really be proud of.

Year 11 have also had a fantastic end to the half term with their Hospitality & Catering lesson. The learners were each responsible for a different dish, which they had to prepare independently and be ready to serve on time. Staff and learners were then invited into the food tech room to sample the Quest Kitchen buffet. The learners' presentation was excellent and everyone gave lots of compliments and very positive feedback on the tastes! Nathan's vegan noodles were deemed "the best noodles in the world" and inspired some younger learners to try noodles for the first time. Riley's chicken served with curry and rice accompaniments was exquisitely presented and incredibly popular. Callum's pizzas were described as "enticing and delicious". It was a lovely afternoon and the learners all demonstrated their increasing Hospitality & Catering skills beautifully.

October 2021 - Autumn Term 1 - Week 6

This week in English, Dalai Lama have been focussing on their creative writing skills. They began the week by designing a character profile for an antagonist, before planning out some gothic horror stories featuring their characters. They have finished the week by starting to write their stories, and we have had some very imaginative work produced. In Maths, Dalai Lama have continued multiplying decimals, with all learners now being challenged to solve multi-step word problems. In Science, learners have worked very hard completing a Physics assessment on electricity, magnetism and waves as part of their qualification.

In PE, Year 11 have enjoyed a range of activities this week, combining their dodgeball and balance skills as they attempted to navigate an obstacle course while avoiding being knocked off by dodgeballs. They have also demonstrated their teamwork in a stepping stones activity, and finished the week with a game of badminton. In Art, learners are putting the final touches to their final pieces, paying attention to the details and taking inspiration from artists they have studied during the course. In Hospitality and Catering, learners were given a 'Ready Steady Cook' challenge and all created a very tasty product from a selection of 5 ingredients and a spice pack to flavour their dishes.

 October 2021 - Autumn Term 1 - Week 5

This week, Dalai Lama began their English lessons with a game of 'Who Am I?' using different Gothic characters. They have studied the next part of Dracula, before looking at some different story openings, considering which features make them effective, and then having a go at writing their own. In Maths, Dalai Lama have been finishing off their fractions topic by using multiples and factors to find common denominators, followed by starting to multiply decimals, building up to solving some challenging word problems by the end of the week. 

In PE, learners have enjoyed continuing with dodgeball and are displaying improving skills in the game. Some learners have also enjoyed the chance to take the lead in warm-up games. In Computing, Dalai Lama have continued expanding their skillset in the Photopea program, learning new techniques to manipulate images and producing some very creative work.

In Art, learners are working hard to build up their final pieces. Their work is looking amazing and they are focussing hard on their use of colour and their blending techniques.

October 2021 - Autumn Term 1 - Week 4

Dalai Lama began the week in English by drawing their interpretations of Dracula’s Castle and brainstorming some themes of the story. They have listened to the next section of the book, before sequencing a storyboard of the events we have learned about so far. In Maths, Y11 have been revising their fractions knowledge. They have been practicing adding and subtracting fractions, while focusing on writing down their workings out for their exam technique. 

In Science, learners have been looking at the electromagnetic spectrum. They have learned the names and properties of the different waves, and took on the challenge of building their own electromagnets using a metal nail and some wire. They also conducted an experiment to test out Quest’s new infrared camera. In PE, Dalai Lama spent one lesson this week continuing work on their dodgeball skills, particularly focusing on preventing players on the bench from catching the ball. In their other lesson, they enjoyed a game of rounders in the MUGA. In Computing, learners were challenged to use their photo editing skills to create a mini planet from a panorama of a city of their choice. They also spent a fun lesson using technology to shred different faces. In ASDAN, all learners have now selected all their Unit 1 challenges and are working hard to produce their project work for this qualification. 

In Art, learners began work on their final pieces, using all the techniques they have learned so far, and taking inspiration from their portfolios. They are producing work inspired by sweets and by animal skulls. In Hospitality & Catering learners were challenged to follow a brownie recipe. They demonstrated their skills with different equipment, including a bain-marie and a hand whisk. Their finished products smelled very delicious. 

September 2021 - Autumn Term 1 - Week 3

This week in English, Dalai Lama have continued their study of Dracula and Gothic fiction. They have begun reading some passages from the text and been challenged to use quotations to support their answers. They also got the chance to ask Jonathan Harker some questions when teacher John stepped into the hotseat. In Maths, the learners have continued working hard through their exam prep books. And at the end of the week, they were treated to the BODMAS song, before demonstrating their BODMAS skills in a crossnumber.

In Science, Year 11 have been studying magnetic fields and properties of waves. They are improving their use of formula triangles, and enjoyed using magnets and iron filings to illustrate magnetic fields. In PE, they have continued working on dodgeball skills, learning new skills warm ups, and getting competitive in some games. In Computing, learners have continued developing their photo editing skills when they were challenged to illustrate a person with a range of thoughts coming out of their head. Some very creative work was produced! Dalai Lama also began their first piece of project work in ASDAN. They each chose their own challenge and showed excellent focus and perseverance in their first project lesson. In Quest 8, learners headed out to the new track to begin their walking challenge, enjoying the weather while running and walking their first laps.

In Art, Year 11 learners continued working on their portfolios, editing and annotating previous work, and beginning some new pieces. Learners thought carefully about colour choices this week. In Hospitality & Catering, Dalai Lama made pizza from scratch. They had to give the dough time to prove, before selecting their favourite toppings. Some lucky staff were treated to a slice, and they all commented on how professional the learners' work was!

September 2021 - Autumn Term 1 - Week 2

This week in English, Dalai Lama have continued studying gothic fiction. They have explored themes and atmosphere, as well as reading extracts from 'Dracula' and beginning to analyse the language used. In Maths, they are working on a Number topic. The learners have been practicing word problems to improve their skills in interpreting exam-style questions and selecting the correct method to solve them. In Science, learners have been studying Physics, learning about energy transfer and how to solve questions using formula triangles.

In PE, Dalai Lama are practising dodgeball. They have enjoyed a range of warm-up and skills games, before demonstrating their abilities in a dodgeball match. In Computing, year 11 are focussing on photo editing. The learners have learned how to use a new programme to edit their own photos, this week aiming to create a compound image. In ASDAN, learners have begun their PSE qualification by creating their own portfolio title pages to represent themselves and choosing their first projects. They also watched a video of Nelson Mandela to understand the concept of Ubuntu. And in Quest 8, learners have researched and explored different charities, before working as a class to select which they would like to fundraise for this year.

In Art, learners have continued producing work for their portfolios, using a range of materials and producing work inspired by chocolate bars and animal skulls. And in Hospitality and Catering, year 11 were challenged to make a vegetable soup to demonstrate their skills in knife safety. They really worked hard on their presentation and created some very impressive products.

September 2021 - Autumn Term 1 - Week 1 

This week, Dalai Lama spent the first 3 days settling in to their new tutor group and getting to know some new staff members. They successfully solved clues as a team to escape from a lockdown escape room and practiced their social skills with some new board and card games. They also enjoyed a Paralympics-themed PE lesson where they got to try 3 different Paralympic sports: bowling, basketball and volleyball. The learners all showed perseverance and enjoyed the challenge. 

Dalai Lama then began their Y11 timetable. This week in English they played some communication games to get to know their new English teacher. ‘Two Truths, One Lie’ was particularly successful and entertaining! And in ASDAN they have begun working towards a new qualification in Personal and Social Effectiveness. In Hospitality and Catering, learners demonstrated their skills in the kitchen making scrambled eggs and slicing mango, before completing sensory evaluations of their work. 

May 2021

Over the last few weeks, Year 11 have been offering their services as reading mentors to lower school! 

April 2021

Joe from Dalai Lama has been mentoring and advising the learners of Albert Einstein. He started his reading mentoring with one of the learners today and that was a success.  After the Easter Holidays we shall be asking all the lower school classes if they would like a year 11 learner to come and mentor on a Tuesday afternoon during the timetabled reading slot to listen to younger learners. 
          

March 2021

This week Dalai Lama were  watching and critiquing entrepreneurs on Dragon's Den in preparation for their Speaking and Listening element of their English qualification.  

On World Book Day learners in Dalai Lama did some bearings work in Maths. They enjoyed identifying the characters they knew and asked about characters didn't know, such as Oberon. Hartley was happy to spot MacBeth, as he is  currently reading MacBeth the Graphic Novel.  

In Art, Andrew and Joe have been working hard on their portfolios on Identity, with Andrew trying different techniques to make his self-portraits pop with colour and Joe has been honing his sketching techniques.

January 2021

Josh and Hartley have been creating the dishes that they have planned on their bespoke menu plan for their Catering and Hospitality Qualification.  This week they made Millionaire Shortbread!

Joe has been working hard on his Michael Jackson portfolio for his Art project on Identity, we are really proud of the progress he makes each week!

Dalai Lama did some fantastic mind maps as part of their biology science revision.