Last month we shared with you the marvellous free physics lectures that take place at the University of Birmingham. Cian in Year 9 went to one of these and was kind enough to write us some notes on the lecture to share with the rest of the school. He truly embodies being self-motivated to achieve, providing valuable contributions to us all by sharing his experiences. Thank you Cian!

“‘Colour beyond human vision’. Colour can be used beyond the visible range. Colour can be measured in many more than 3 channels. Colour is used in imaging. 

Histology is when a small sample of tissue is taken and dyed with colour to determine whether a tumor is removed. Colour in the human body is already able to tell us information. Colour of blood can tell us about health. Sadly, humans are not transparent, but they are also not fully opaque. Light scatters through our cells, so it is unable to be used for medical imaging. But we can combine light and sound to get medical imaging. We can use the photoacoustic effect. Light absortion = impulsive heating = increased pressure. The lecturer used a camera on an empty can, and when the flash activated it made A small ping. The haemoglobin in blood absorbs light. We can play sound waves back in time, and it can show us images of when the light was absorbed. This is an imaging technique and can show us the absorption rates of different materials. It is safe and non-ionising, and the lasers are low powered, so they are not harming to human tissue. Imaging can measure blood vessels in the human hand. The amount of research across the years is increasing, to the point where it may be able to be used in marketing very soon. We can detect sound with light. A simple system doesn’t always make the best images. Photoacoustic signals can be weak. The deeper the ultrasound source, the worse the imaging is, as the sound gets weaker as it goes through.

We want a sensitive detector that can detect high and low frequencies of ultrasound. If we lose the high frequency, we lose the higher resolution. We need a detector that is small and scalable. Optical ultrasound detectors are transparent and meet the requirements for a good thing. We detect sound by pointing a laser beam at the sensor and it bounces around the sensor.  

We add more laser beams to make imaging scans faster. We can see very detailed images like the valves to stop blood flowing in wrong direction. Larger blood vessels at bottom branch into smaller ones. Dynamic imaging. We can look at below the surface burns and injuries. We can also see for arthritis.  

We can also see how things like cancer and tumors react to different drugs. We can give drugs over time and do a scan every day, then compare the images. Since the scans are non-ionising, they are safe to do numerous times without any bad health effects.

The Year 10 football team put on a thrilling display of skill and determination as they secured a 6–3 victory against Bournville in an action-packed match on Wednesday afternoon.

From the start, the team looked sharp but suffered a set back when the opposition scored from a corner putting the boys 1-0 down. This only seemed to galvanise the team though as a goal from Mitchell and Lewis as well as a couple from Ryan meant that Turves went into half time 4-1 up.

In the second half, both sides attacked relentlessly but Turves really turned on the style. A sumptuous volley from Lewis as well as a solo effort that Thierry Henry would be proud of from Demario meant that with 8 minutes to go, we were 6-1 up. Bournville tried to mount a comeback bagging a couple of goals but it was too little too late and our boys picked up a 6-3 win in their season opener.

This year, the boys in 11Y1 at Turves Green Boys’ School have shown what true determination and character look like.  Facing the pressures of exams, coursework, and preparation for life beyond school, they have demonstrated a level of focus and resilience that deserves the highest praise.

From the very start of the academic year, 11Y1 set the tone for excellence.  Their commitment to learning, teamwork, and mutual support has inspired younger pupils and staff alike.  Whether in the classroom, on the sports field, or during school events, the boys have embodied the school’s values of respect, perseverance, and ambition.

Among these remarkable pupils, Louis stands out as an example of quiet strength and unwavering dedication.  His attitude toward both his studies and his peers has been exemplary - consistently showing maturity, discipline, and a drive to succeed.  Louis’ ability to remain focused under pressure, while encouraging others to do their best, has made him a respected figure within the group and a role model across the school.

Teachers have commended the entire class for their positive approach to challenges, especially during key moments of assessment and revision.  Their collective resilience, developed through hard work and mutual encouragement, has created a sense of unity and pride that reflects the very best of Turves Green Boys’ School.

Pupils have been making great progress in writing news articles alongside their study of Animal Farm by George Orwell.  This combination has helped them not only understand the novel’s key themes, such as power, propaganda and control, but also develop their skills in journalistic writing.

Using major events from the book—like the Rebellion, the Battle of the Cowshed, and Napoleon’s rise to power – pupils have been turning fiction into fact-based news reports.  This task has encouraged them to think carefully about perspective, bias, and how information is presented to different audiences.  It’s also given them the chance to explore how language can be used to influence people’s opinions, something Orwell was clearly concerned with.

Many pupils have enjoyed writing as reporters, either from the point of view of animals on the farm or as outside journalists looking in.  This creative angle has helped them engage more deeply with the text and think critically about what’s really going on in the story.  Some have even picked up on the irony and satire in Orwell’s writing, using it to add humour or tension to their own work.

Overall, combining news writing with the study of Animal Farm has been a really effective way to build both analytical and creative skills.  Pupils have shown a strong understanding of the novel and produced some thoughtful, imaginative articles that demonstrate real progress in their writing.

Well done to these pupils!

Our Prefect team has been working hard this term to make a real difference across the school community.  During our recent Open Evening, Prefects played a key role in welcoming families and guiding tours for potential new starters — showcasing the very best of life at our school.  Their professionalism and enthusiasm were widely praised by visitors and staff alike.

Beyond events, our Prefects continue to support younger pupils through guided reading sessions, helping to build confidence and a love of learning.

Breaktime heroes - our Prefects are now involved in the library at break times, offering homework help and keeping the space a calm and productive environment for everyone.

Their commitment, leadership, and willingness to get involved make them excellent role models — and we’re proud of the positive impact they continue to have every day.

There are still some spots left on the Prefect team for the 2025-26 academic year with new Prefects being chosen in December!

As we come to the end of the first term we are celebrating the efforts of those pupils using Mathswatch over the last 8 weeks.  Since September pupils across all year groups have been putting in the time and effort outside the classroom to complete homework and additional independent practise online.

Pupils have spent a combined total of over 727 hours (that’s 30 days) completing over 21,000 homework questions and even more independent learning questions. Our highest scorers are Toby (Year 7), Daniel (Year 11) and Khalidou (Year 8) who have got the most individual marks in their questions.  With Martia (Year 11), Toby (Year 7) and Joshua (Year 11) spending the most time on the website answering questions.  A true reflection of being Self Motivated to achieve by all of them.

Not only have Year 11 being completing their homework online but as they are currently in the middle of their mock exams many pupils have been using Mathswatch to attempt online past exam papers to give them a flavour of what might come up when they get into the exam hall.  With Mathswatch marking and grading everything they do it is a fantastic resource to use.

The Maths Department is extremely proud of all pupils who have engaged so positively this term.  Mathswatch continues to be an invaluable tool in supporting learning, and we look forward to seeing even more success in the next term.

The science department would like to share with you all another brilliant series of lectures that the Institute of Physics is hosting at the University of Birmingham this year.  Last year, Cian and Patrick of 9S1 attended many of these and reported back how enlightening they are.  Below is a write up about one of the lectures the pupils attended:

“On the 3 December 2024, me and a friend went to the University of Birmingham for the public physics lecture, led by Dr Anjali Piette. The topic was called ‘What’s the weather like on alien planets?’, and was about how weather works on different exoplanets, and how we can discover what different atmospheres are made of.  

As we walked into the science department, we went upstairs and into the guest area. There were complimentary hot drinks, as well as mince pies for snacking on. At 7.30pm, we went into the lecture theatre and got seated. Dr Anjali Piette first discussed the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), and how it launched on the 25 December 2021, at 12.20pm GMT. She discussed that our solar system has 8 planets: 4 are known as rocky planets, 4 are known as gas giants. We found out that every star has at least 1 exoplanet orbiting it. With this in mind, there must be hundreds of thousands of exoplanets in space.

We learnt that exoplanet S78S has a temperature range from as low as -175°c all the way up to 2000°c. We were also told that the first exoplanet to be discovered was called 51 PEGASI B, discovered in 1995. If you could see 51 PEGASI B from earth, it would be like looking at a tennis ball all the way on the moon!  

For indirect detection methods, we can look at stars in deep space, and whenever the light from the stars will be fainter than usual, we can tell that an exoplanet is passing in front of the star. Sometimes it can take years to observe exoplanets, as the speed it takes for the planet to rotate its star can differ from other planets. Another way of indirectly observing an exoplanet is by looking at its star. Planets emit infrared light, which cannot be seen by the naked eye, whereas stars emit visible light, which is why they are visible at night. When an exoplanet passes behind the star, the star glows brighter under an infrared lens, as you can also see the light of the exoplanet.

We also discovered that to observe the elements in an exoplanet's atmosphere, we can go to a lab and see what elements absorb certain colours. If we find that carbon dioxide absorbs the colour red, we can use an advanced light sorter spectrum on the exoplanets light, and if a certain shade of red is not there, we know that there is carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.  

Dr Anjali Piette began to discuss other exoplanets. She spoke about the planet WASP 18 B, and how it was like an ultra-hot Jupiter. WASP 18 B’s temperature can go as high as up to 2700°c, whereas Jupiter is at 110 °c. We can observe that there is water vapour on WASP 18 B, as there is a bump on the “fingerprint pattern”, which means that there is water vapour. This could indicate that there was water on this exoplanet, which could also be a sign that life could have once inhabited this planet, before its extreme temperatures.

As we came to the end of the lecture, we were handed QR codes, which led us to a survey. If we completed the survey, we were put into a prize draw to win a custom UOB umbrella. Unfortunately, I did not win, but I still had an enjoyable time.”

Khalid, a Year 8 pupil, has been working hard in preparation for his RE assessment on prophets.  He is taking real pride in his work and showing good understanding of the topic. His written tasks are thoughtful and well-presented, reflecting steady effort and focus.  Khalid’s positive attitude towards learning is clear, and he is making strong progress that should help him do well in his upcoming assessment.

Our Year 11 pupils have had a fantastic start to their first mock exam series.  Pupils have been utilising the revision guides each subject purchases for them during our breakfast revision sessions.

Pupils are welcome to join us from 8am to revise.  Staff are on hand to support and reassure last minute nerves.  It is incredible to see how the boys revise together and test one another.  Good luck with this round of mock Year 11! 

The Year 8 Drama students at Turves Green Boys’ School have been showcasing their creativity and performance skills this term by devising their very own melodrama pieces — complete with expressive characters, exaggerated emotions, and imaginative use of props!

Under the guidance of their drama teacher, the boys explored the key features of traditional melodrama — from the virtuous hero and the dastardly villain to the classic damsel in distress. They learned how body language, voice, and facial expressions can be used to heighten tension and entertain an audience.

Once they understood the conventions, the pupils were challenged to create their own original melodrama scenes, developing storylines filled with mystery, danger, and over-the-top emotion. To bring their stories to life, they made clever use of classroom props — from chairs and scarves to makeshift swords and villainous cloaks — transforming ordinary objects into tools of dramatic storytelling.

The boys worked in small groups, collaborating to script, rehearse, and refine their performances.  They experimented with stock characters, dramatic music cues, and stylised movement, all while supporting one another through the creative process.

One pupil commented, “It was really fun making our own story and using props to make it look dramatic — my group even turned a broom into a sword for our fight scene!”

The project not only allowed the boys to express themselves but also helped them build confidence, teamwork, and performance skills — key elements of the drama curriculum at Turves Green Boys’ School.

The final performances were met with laughter, cheers, and a healthy dose of dramatic flair. The Year 8 boys proved that when creativity meets enthusiasm, the results can be truly melodramatic magic!