Monday 16 July 2012

Bradford Media Museum

Thursday 12th July and yet another fantastic English Department trip! Miss Bane and Miss Bloomer took a coachload of students to Bradford Media Museum where they explored the exhibits, enjoyed a film at the Imax cinema and created their own advert. Take a look below at some of their work...
 Hey! Who turned out the lights?
 Looking good guys.
 You put them on your ears Alex!
 Wow1 Look at all this old stuff.
 Lights! Camera! Action!
 Supervising trips is mighty hard work.
 This is where the magic happens
That's a wrap.

Year 10 @ the Bronte Parsonage Haworth

On Monday 9th July, Miss Bloomer and Miss Bane braved the stormy Yorkshire moors to visit the Bronte Parsonage in Haworth. The students produced some fantastic poetry in a writing workshop. They were clearly inspired by the history of their surroundings. Special thanks to the little old lady who let everyone shelter in her tea shop amidst the deluge!
 
The gravestone drew me toward
The gravestone drew me towards it.  No chances of me not going to it, it was drawing me in.  My chest felt tight, as if I was wearing a corset, but I knew I couldn’t have been.  The tight feeling was around my chest, and I exhaled as I carefully and silently strode along the small path.  I stood in front of the grave and a shiver went down my spine.  I remembered what this was.  It was my grave.  I sighed as I turned around.  I felt myself simmer away to non-existence.
Alex James
 
The dress stood lonely in the void room, eyes piercing every delicate stitch, woven together.  It hung elegantly, taking the attention of those passing by.  This work of art once swept the dusty halls, flowing gently over the lost soul of a petite girl.  Her smile fades, but the dress still brightens the room like a warm summer’s morning.
Roxanne Wood, Robyn Thompson, Marin Akther
anne Wood, Robyn Thompson, Marin Akther

I lay cold, alone now                                                                                                                                           For my warmth has gone.                       
People look at me through their eyes,                                                                                  
 But my mistress would gently                                                                                  
place me around her pale neck,                                                                               
 My gem has lost its shine,                                                                                                                                 and is less than a rock,                                                                            
But still people come to see me.                              
Why?  When the actual jewel,                                                                                                     
My mistress is no more,                                                                                               
  What am I without her…                                                                                            
Without her soft skin,                                                                                                   
Without her smile,                                                                                                         
Without her soul?                                                                                                                           
 Am I anything,                                                                                                                                 
or just a piece of rubbish?
Sahima Begum
We see people everyday.  They stare at us constantly, my sisters and I.  We don’t know why we have been immortalised in paintings and our books.  We are just normal people, we are not that special.
Bradlee Goldsmith
Once, long ago, I was an ash tray called Woody,                                                                                       Sitting on the mantle piece in Mr. Bronte’s study
Used everyday,                                                    
I had nothing to say,                                                                                                                                  
Holding the ash,                                                                                                                                                     While they spent all their cash.
One day though I heard the funeral bell,                              
And I suddenly knew that all was not well.          
That is because he was dead.                                                    
 In his sleep he’d shot himself through the head.
For day after day and year after year,                                                                                                               sat on that spot, the end getting near.
Ben McNulty
Coming straight out of Haworth!

Heathcliffe!
It's me, Cathy, let me in at your window.

Tuesday 10 July 2012

Year 8 Stagefighting!

On a rainy Tuesday morning stagefighting expert Phil Harrison to show Year 8 students the secrets of his art. Year 9 students had the same experience the previous day. They spent their day slapping, hair pulling, throttling, kicking and swordfighting which would have led to some interesting conversations with parents! (What did you learn at school today?) Well done to everyone for throwing themselves into it and thanks Phil for your masterclass. 
Take that George!
You take that back!
Ooof!
Ow!
Fight!
On guard!


 

Monday 9 July 2012

Enrichment Week Trip to Redcar!

On Monday 9th July 2012, 66 students enjoyed a typical day at the English seaside as they set sail for sunny(?) Redcar. The purpose of the day was to produce some wonderful Creative Writing and Land Art inspired by the surroundings. Although the day was curtailed by the inclement weather, the students didn't disappoint...
The sky is a grey nothingness hanging above our freezing cold bodies. The ships looked like a distant memory slowly disappearing into the thick black fog.

Courtney Howlett
Oil platforms shrouded by impenetrable fog. Jellyfish shiver and driftwood trembles as the wind rips past. They lie in clumps, unceremoniously thrown from the depths.
George Plumb

Redcar rich with natural beauty but scarred with brutal, ugly industry. Oil rigs, fag packets and bottles disgrace its beaches.
Matthew Currey
Fish torpedo through the water, unseen, unnoticed but always there while crabs scuttle on land and mindless jellyfish beach themselves in the sand. Gulls shriek overhead, oblivious to the wind and rain, expertly weaving paths through the sky, diving on food as fast as bullets shot from a gun. Emerald green seaweed blankets the beach, a wet jade carpet almost permanently underfoot. Angered waves take my attention with their enigmatic beauty the kind that nature has and no human can ever hope to master or understand.
Heather Mckim
The sea roars like a voice with no mouth. It crashes against the shore like a giant’s echoing footsteps.
Evan Mcgrath

The sea was murky blue with foamy white bubbles that rolled and rolled like a tumble dryer.
I waited patiently for my chips; hunger lingered in the air…
Beth King

The sun shies away; bullied by the clouds. Waves fall away into nothing.
Carl Slatter
The rough sand lingers in the misty air. The sharp emerald grass ripples above the sand.
Gemma Whitehead
Shells and shrivelled up seaweed crunched beneath my feet as I reluctantly made my way down the beach.
Sophie Todd
The breeze whistled upon us, I felt a jagged shiver down my spine.

Frank Park