Lemony Snicket visits The Elmgreen School

On Monday 11th January Year Seven students and some of our neighbouring primary schools were delighted to meet the author who claims NOT to be Lemony Snicket. Snicket, it transpired, had met with an unfortunate accident whilst on a picnic. Bitten by a terrible creature - under his armpit no less - resulted in instant paralysis rendering him unable to travel. It was necessary therefore for his right hand man Mr Daniel Handler to come and talk to us about the thirteen ‘Series of Unfortunate Events’ books instead.

Mr Handler was full of good advice. As nothing nice or pleasant EVER happens in Snicket’s books (the pages are packed with terrible and calamitous events) he asked us to come up with the most unfortunate or dreadful things we could ever imagine happening to ourselves. Suggestions came thick and fast: parents dying; being sent to live with someone you hate; and almost getting run over by a train. Alas, these types of events happen with alarming regularity to Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire in Lemony Snicket’s book.

But Mr Handler helpfully offered three moral lessons for our Year Seven students to use in the face of adversity.
1. Never raise your hand in public (or you might expose your armpit to possible attack).
2. If you see Count Olaf (the evil villain in Snicket’s books, identifiable by the tattoo of an eye on his ankle) scream and run away
3. If you squeeze anything hard enough it will eventually make a noise.

Lemony Snicket’s spokesperson-at-large sang to us, played the accordion (excellently), read a chapter from one of his books (accompanied by sound effects provided by his audience) and made us laugh (he was very funny). He then signed books and spent time chatting to pupils. If you would like to read about the adventures of the Baudelaire children, we have the entire series available to borrow in the library. We also have copies signed by the author priced at £5.99 each.

Southbank Market

Last Friday 20th November 24 Year 9 students had a stall on the Southbank outside the National Theatre where they could sell products they had made. The products were either from re-used or recycled materials. We had three sessions to plan and make the products. The 24 students were selected either because they were good in design technology or because they were interested in choosing DT or business studies options at key stage 4. The project was to help those students decide whether or not they really wanted to choose those subjects at GCSE.

In the DT sessions we were given the task of making products from re-used materials. We made pencil holders using food tins, magazines, newspaper and posters. We also made Oyster card holders using fabrics from charity shops. Other groups made isocks (for ipods and phones), picture frames, picture cushions and key rings. We were helped by Stephen and Hannah, two local designers with experience in making and selling recycled goods with Remade in Brixton.

We most of all enjoyed making the products even though it was hard work. Having a stall was exciting, too, and we all worked really hard to sell our products, making a gross profit of £133.65! The Elmgreen School was not the only school there: we were joined by schools such as Norwood, the Park Campus, Bishop Thomas Grant, Stockwell Park, as well as other Lambeth businesses run by young people. We learnt teamwork, how to make products, about sustainability, and enterprise skills.

By Abigail and Stephanie, 9C

 

Y8 Choice FilmClub—Kes: A case study in bullying

This term the Year 8 Choice Film Club has been improving their critical thinking and writing skills, and appreciation of different film genres. Students have shown how film can support and enhance their learning in other subjects, and build on their awareness of important issues by writing reviews of the films they have seen.

As there was a focus on Anti-Bullying at The Elmgreen School last week, the Film Club watched the classic 1970’s film Kes (directed by Kenneth Loach).

 What is the film about?
Kes is about a boy called Billy who gets bullied throughout his life by lots of people around him, but especially by his evil brother Jud. His brother asks him to put a bet on a horse, however Billy takes no notice. When Jud finds out he could have won lots of money, he sets out to get his revenge on Billy. (Rhiarn)
Kes is a deeply emotional story of a bullied boy and his kestrel. (Jamal)
The main plot is about a boy with a bad upbringing who gets bullied. It was sad at the end because the boy Billy has no self-belief and was going to end up with a sad life. (Joey)

How well does the film deal with the issue of bullying?
I think the film dealt with the issue of bullying well because it showed you the different types of bullying and the effect on the victim. I think the film was great, a real emotional rollercoaster. (Sam)
I think that the film shows how bullying really is. It catches your attention and is sometimes really funny. (Drew)
Overall rating by the Y8 Choice Film Club critics: 3 stars

TERM DATES

Keep up to date with term dates for 2011-12.

Find out more