School_Matters_Issue_35

PVI AND UVI SUMMER SCHOOL 14

CARROZZIERI ITALIANI Mr Elstub’s session examined the contribution made by Italian design houses, such as Pininfarina, Bertone, Ghia, Zagato and Touring Superleggera, to the development of the motor car between 1946 and 1968. Ferrari, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Lamborghini all got more than a passing mention, and individual designers such as Guigiaro, Scaglione and Gandini were considered within the context of the development of the ‘unibody’ frame and its ramifications for the car industry the world over.

CAUSES OF CANCER Pupils came to learn more about some of the 200 different types of cancer, what the potential causes are in terms of genetics and lifestyle choices, and the increasing range of available treatments. They also learned about how work done in his previous career by Dr Slade had contributed to a clearer understanding of these processes. This led to a lively discussion with much earnest questioning by the pupils.

CRYPTIC CROSSWORDS A small but adept band of pupils learned to get to grips with the quotidian delight of cryptic crosswords guided in the process by seasoned solver Mr Bartlett. They examined the general principle of deciphering a clue, tackling anagrams, wordplay instructions, charades, puns, the phonetic alphabet and much more, before being unleashed on the morning’s Times (with, it is reported, some variety of success...)

CURRY COOKING ON A BUDGET Aromatic smells from the Cookery room drifted down the corridor in Main House as pupils collected ingredients and followed Mrs Porter’s recipe. It soon began to look like the ‘Master Chef’ kitchen and there was much enjoyment as they prepared the vegetables and spices. The finished products were impressive, much colour and flavour. We hope the use of this experience will allow them to cook up family feasts or feed their fellow students at university!

FINANCIAL INVESTMENT Mr Dare introduced 40 PVI and UVI pupils to the basics of investing: how to net present value cash flows based on different yield curves, and the implications of the yield curve on equity investment. He discussed how to diversify and optimise investment returns based on personal risk preference and views about the future. These included the green agenda, the dominance of technology companies and the ethical dimensions attached to different investments.

FOODBANKS AND FREE SCHOOL MEALS FIASCO Pupils joined Ms Palmer for a session focussed on foodbanks and free school meals. Ms Palmer outlined the reasons why a growing number of people in the UK have needed foodbanks and explained the changes in the government’s position on free school meals during the pandemic, highlighting Marcus Rashford’s contribution to the policy changes made. Pupils showed maturity and sensitivity in the lively discussion which followed on what society can do to solve the problems.

GREAT BRITISH SPORTS CARS Automotively-inclined pupils had a ‘hands-on’ opportunity to learn from the Headmaster about the flowering of British car design and engineering between the early 1950s and the late 1970s and classics such as the Jaguar E-Type, Aston Martin DB5, MGA and even the humble Mini Cooper. Back in that more innocent age, cars could be serviced without a computer and drivers had to do without the likes of power-assisted steering or ABS.

HORTICULTURE FOR BEGINNERS

GREENWICH Starting with a leisurely river cruise from the London Eye, a walking tour led by Mrs West alighted at Greenwich to view the Cutty Sark before heading for the National Maritime Museum to take in ‘Polar Worlds’, and Turner’s famous ‘Battle of Trafalgar’ painting. Then it was up the Hill to the Royal Observatory for iconic London views and an al fresco lunch stop. Canary Wharf was eerily deserted on the final leg.

Pupils swapped the classroom for the greenhouse to learn a range of new skills to help turn indoor space into a green jungle! Mrs Wright showed them how to take cuttings from Monstera, pot up plantlets from spider plants, and how to propagate Pilea Peperomioides (The Friendship Plant) in order to make gifts for free. They also planted avocado stones and pineapple crowns in jars of water.