Environmental quality and mood mapping surveys were carried out at different locations around the grounds. Students used their data to created colour-coded maps to illustrate their results. The students had a lot of fun trying out new techniques and deepening their understanding of the skills geographers use to investigate the world.

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Students were challenged on their geographical knowledge over eight rounds, solving anagrams of famous mountains, identifying countries based on just an outline of it’s border, naming field equipment and flags as well as answering questions about recent geographical events.

The students did really well against some stiff competition from other local schools and should be commended for their efforts. We look forward to returning with two teams next year. The Geography Society games and activities will be available every Monday lunchtime for those students wishing to deepen their knowledge of Geography, or to just have fun learning about our world through games, quizzes and creative activities.

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Well done to all the winners:

Forms I–III

Mariella, Form I

Jasmine, Form II

Emma, Form III

Overall winner, Forms I-III – Lara, Form III

Form IV winner – Solomiia

Form V winner – Leila

Overall winner, Forms IV-V – Alexa, Form V

Lower Sixth winner – Eli

Upper Sixth winner – Ava

Overall winner, LVI-UVI – Millie, LVI

Congratulations to all the competitors and winners for their outstanding entries.

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We undertook an informative and interesting tour of the greenhouses focusing on the amazing adaptations of the plants and animals to the hot and humid environment and nutrient-poor soils of the forest. We were shown the many ways that leaves shed excessive water to prevent them being damaged or rotting in the forest and felt the effectiveness of “drip tip leaves” for ourselves. One of the highlights of the tour was watching the two toed

sloth making its way across the indoor jungle to fetch some fruit and find a new location to relax in, albeit upside down. The students learned about the blue poison dart frog’s abilities to ward off predators and admired the beauty of a toucan.

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Our first stop was Beaulieu where students completed field sketches and conducted traffic counts at four sites collecting a mix of quantitative and qualitative data. They gathered further data about the environment, land use and the visitors, including writing Haiku poems to capture the sense of place.  

We then enjoyed lunch in the warm sunshine under the trees in the forest – also the site of a railway station and the Sales yard where the Commoners can buy and sell the New Forest ponies which are still traded in Guineas.  

In the afternoon, we visited Lyndhurst Heritage Centre where the students carried out their own research into the National Park to find out about the landscapes, wildlife and its history as one the oldest areas of natural woodland in the country.   

Form I’s first field trip was a great opportunity to introduce them to seeing their world through the eyes of a geographer and we returned safely with not a hurricane in sight! 

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Pupils were shown how Rushall Farm is a mixed farm where they grow cereal crops and sell sheep and cattle, as well as being an organic farm.  They learned about inputs, processes and outputs into the farm and about how little labour is required due to the use of machinery.  Unfortunately, close-up visits to the animals are still off the agenda but there were opportunities to hold the chickens. 

Form I showed a wonderfully resilient and positive attitude in the face of adversity and still managed to take notes and embrace the experience which I’m sure they will all remember.  They will now begin an independent project in the classroom as they analyse their test results and decipher their notes and we look forward to seeing the finished results.

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 After a 4am start on Thursday, the students headed down to the beach immediately after lunch to see the stunning tombolo at Platja Aro.  Under the Spanish winter weather of bright blue skies and sunshine, they carried out quantitative fieldwork to measure wave energy, did two beach profiles and collected sediment for analysis back at the hotel.  

 The following day the students headed along an historic coastal pathway of Platja d’Es Monestri,  with the focus of the day being on coastal management along the bay as well as comparing tourism in two towns by recording the tourist services. 

 Saturday was spent in the beautiful city of Girona, approximately 80km from the hotel and in which parts were used in the filming of the Game of Thrones. Here the girls collected environmental data to compare the Old Quarter and the newer parts of the city and practised their Spanish by conducting questionnaires with the local population.  Each evening was spent collating data collected, carrying out statistical testing and planning for the next day and our LVI students undertook this with huge enthusiasm and engagement 

 On Sunday, with the data collected, the girls were taken on a tour of the volcanic landscapes of the region with a resident geology expert.  Here they discussed the extinct volcanoes and the potential of volcanic hazards.  It was a very intense four days and the girls will now spend several weeks writing up their investigation for submission next year. 

The post LVI A Level Geography Field Trip to Girona appeared first on Heathfield School.

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Form I enjoyed investigating the environmental factors which affect farming and took measurements of light, moisture and the pH of the soils in three separate locations. They learnt a new respect for soil as they were shown the connection between the soil characteristics and what can be grown on it. 

Pupils were shown how Rushall Farm is a mixed farm, where they grow cereal crops and sell sheep and cattle, as well as being an organic farm. Pupils learnt about inputs, processes and outputs into the farm and about how little labour is required with the use of machinery. We were also shown how the farm has diversified into other activities such as school visits, camping, forestry and as a venue for events. 

As always, the geographical highlight was the Chalk Pit with its geological cross section dating back 87 million years. Unfortunately, lamb holding was off the agenda this year, and older girls may be sad to learn of the passing of an old favourite, Camilla the pig.  

Form I will begin an independent project in the classroom as they analyse their test results and decipher their very muddy notes and we look forward to seeing the finished projects. 

Form I enjoyed investigating the environmental factors which affect farming and took measurements of light, moisture and the pH of the soils in three separate locations. They learnt a new respect for soil as they were shown the connection between the soil characteristics and what can be grown on it. 

Pupils were shown how Rushall Farm is a mixed farm, where they grow cereal crops and sell sheep and cattle, as well as being an organic farm. Pupils learnt about inputs, processes and outputs into the farm and about how little labour is required with the use of machinery. We were also shown how the farm has diversified into other activities such as school visits, camping, forestry and as a venue for events. 

As always, the geographical highlight was the Chalk Pit with its geological cross section dating back 87 million years. Unfortunately, lamb holding was off the agenda this year, and older girls may be sad to learn of the passing of an old favourite, Camilla the pig.  

Form I will begin an independent project in the classroom as they analyse their test results and decipher their very muddy notes and we look forward to seeing the finished projects. 

The post Form I Geography/Science Trip to Rushall Farm appeared first on Heathfield School.

On 11 March, Form III were treated to a talk by Polar explorer, Robert Swan. Robert is the first person in history to walk to both the North Pole and the South Pole and, after seeing the effects of climate change, he now dedicates himself to protecting Antarctica and the planet. He has founded the organisation the 2041 Foundation. 2041 is the year that the current Antarctica Treaty ends, and the future of this last wilderness will be decided.  

Robert talked about his previous expeditions following in the footsteps of Amundson and Scott in walking to the South Pole and his delight in beating the Norwegians to the North Pole. His next expedition with son Barney is called Undaunted and he is aiming to cross the entire continent completing what he set out to do 35 years earlier. The theme of his talk was very much about how individuals have the power to achieve their goals, whatever they may be, through perseverance, determination and commitment.  

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