Been a bit quiet here of late. Bladder and head not quite in agreement. Much antibiotics and trying to get a grip.  One thing I knew I just had to go to, was long planned year 13 research projects presentations. My class had worked so hard for this. We had sent out invitations to guests. Practised the talks and Monday 29th was the day.

Feeling rough I got it together to get there on time. My email to staff below, is the best summary:

My Year 13 EPQ gave their final presentations today.
They managed to summarise their research into succinct, engaging, interesting and professional talks. My suggestion was that they might think of talking to their granny, to help. ie explain with respect and kindness, those things that are blindingly obvious to you but may not be to others! Pah they did too. 
The topics range from Artificial Intelligence, Islamaphobia, Drugs in Sports, Coffee prices in coffee shops, and  to how disasters affect families. One had even interviewed Costa customers. Another surveyed Performance Director England netball. Another wrote to mental health commissioners. 
They used ‘hooks’ to engage the audience. Munich Air disaster image was one-such important memory .
As for AI, what decision would a robot make at the scene of a traffic accident? Decisions to save or let die might be economic. We all exchanged worried frowns!

Finally, MB gave her thought provoking ideas on Apprenticeship vs University for school leavers. Not least the need for more information about the finances. She explained her journey.  Bedford state school . Grand-daughter of a Bangladeshi man who managed to survive the boat trip all the way here. Saved his money, sent for his wife . Became a British citizen and brought up his family . The girls, and MB is no exception, wear headscarves and  are not permitted to live away from home. They do not even get the train to London for a visit. MB, though, took her research to heart. Bedford Accountants to London Accountants. She questioned them all, and worked it out. She planned. She worried. She panicked. But….guess what?…was called last week to Deloitte London final interview panel. She prepared well for that. I got her to try ,  in the common room. Talk in front of your peers way worse than strangers was my plan.  With typical modesty, she emailed after the big train trip to say she was certain she had not got through.

Guess what? News just in. She has been accepted! That is huge.

They are amazing kids. They really are.

That is why I had to make it to work today.