This week, Progress Tests are being held for pupils in Years 2-6. These ‘snapshots’ are a celebration of learning, and are approached in a low pressure, straightforward manner without the need for revision in most subjects. Generally, open-ended questions allow pupils to display what they know rather than what they don’t. Up through Year 4, most are conducted orally, with a scribe taking down each child’s answer. By Year 5 all narrations are written by the pupils themselves.

Earlier this week, Year 3 pupils were asked to recall what they’d learned in Geography – for example, ‘Tell all you know about one of your favourite countries that make up the continent of South America.’ In response, one pupil spoke about Brazil and the Amazon Rainforest; the response included detailed knowledge about climate and air quality, animal species, tribes whose way of life have been endangered because of deforestation, and specific facts about the Amazon river.

Another pupil was asked, ‘Tell all you know about New York City’. They described the Statue of Liberty, the Theater District, particular statues in Central Park, the Empire State Building, and Washington Square. In conclusion, the pupil recommended an itinerary for a trip to New York City!

The pupils’ thorough recall of topics studied several weeks earlier is impressive, and they are excited to tell all they know about a topic. These Progress Tests present an important opportunity to celebrate narration and the power of attention, as well as to reinforce and complete the learning of the term.

Last Thursday, continuing the discussions of Black History month, Year 11 led an assembly based on their History studies of the American civil rights movement. Two members of the Year 11 class first read an overview of the problems facing African Americans during this time period – particularly in the southern states – including accounts of Emmett Till’s lynching and attacks on civil rights protesters. This was followed by a debate between two groups of pupils, each arguing the effectiveness of the different approaches used by the two most prominent civil rights leaders of the time.

Year 10 pupil Hugo Allum provided a review of the assembly.

During last Thursday’s Assembly there was a debate between members of Year 11 on the motion that ‘Martin Luther King’s methods to achieve civil rights for African Americans were more effective than those of Malcolm X’. The debate was really interesting with the opposition becoming very passionate as they argued that Martin Luther King’s methods did not work, as there are still not equal opportunities for African Americans in America today. Both sides argued their sides very well but in the end the motion was passed by 34:12 votes. Members of the Senior School expressed their enjoyment afterwards and are hoping that a similar debate will be happening in the future. In fact, a surprising number of pupils said afterwards that they found it really hard to vote as they were persuaded by the arguments on both sides!