Geneva - October 2025

Team-building in September 2025

Our fantastic student leaders in Sixth Form organised a team-building event to bring together Year 12 and Year 13. They planned and delivered the whole event themselves, which included spaghetti-and-marshmallow tower building, a quiz, “Guess the Teacher,” and plenty of other fun activities.

We’re so proud of their creativity and leadership, it was a wonderful way to end the week!

Macmillan Cancer Support - 26th September 2025

Our Sixth Form student leaders took part in the national Macmillan Coffee Morning, raising an amazing £177 for Macmillan Cancer Support. They sold a fantastic selection of cakes at break time, and we’d like to thank everyone who contributed, donated, and supported this brilliant cause.

Year 12 Barcelona Trip

Sixth Form Forensics Students Dive into Hands-On Learning

Our Sixth Form Forensics students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in practical work that brought their coursework to life. The students participated in a simulated crime scene day, where they honed their skills in analysing, collecting, and packaging evidence.

This hands-on experience was crucial in teaching them how to preserve the integrity of samples for use in investigations.

The simulated crime scene day was meticulously designed to provide students with a realistic experience. They were tasked with examining the scene, identifying potential evidence, and following proper procedures to ensure that all samples

were collected and packaged correctly. This exercise emphasized the importance of attention to detail and adherence to protocols in forensic investigations.

In addition to the simulated crime scene, Year 13 students had the exciting opportunity to travel to Edge Hill University. There, they utilized the university's dedicated laboratories to perform advanced forensic techniques. The students engaged in DNA gel electrophoresis, focusing on Short Tandem Repeats (STR) analysis. These techniques are fundamental in forensic science for identifying individuals based on their unique DNA profiles.

The visit to Edge Hill University provided the students with access to

state-of-the-art equipment and expert guidance, enhancing their understanding of the practical applications of their studies. The hands-on experience in the university labs allowed them to apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world setting, reinforcing their learning and inspiring future aspirations in the field of forensics.

Overall, these practical experiences have been invaluable in preparing our Sixth Form Forensics students for their future careers. By engaging in realistic simulations and advanced laboratory work, they have gained a deeper appreciation for the meticulous nature of forensic science and the critical role it plays in the justice system.

We are incredibly proud of our students' dedication and enthusiasm, and we look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in the field of forensics.

Sixth Form Science trip to Berlin

Our annual international Science study visit took some of our sixth form Scientists to Berlin this year, where they participated in a whole range of activities.

The first day started off with a walking tour of the city, taking in some of the iconic landmarks of Berlin. Students learned about the history of post war Berlin and the Berlin Wall. They visited the East Side Gallery – the longest open-air gallery in the world, Checkpoint Charlie, the Topography of Terror exhibition, Hitler’s Bunker, the Memorial to the Jews and the Brandenburg Gate. In between there were also visits to the German Technology Museum, the Spectrum Science Centre, the Futurium and Gunther Von Hagen’s Bodyworlds exhibition. A meal at the 60’s diner in the city centre topped off a packed day. In total, students walked around 15 miles and didn’t complain once despite the blisters!

Day two started early with a train journey to the Archenhold Observatory where students saw one of world’s largest refracting telescopes. They then enjoyed a planetarium show where they learned about celestial objects in the night sky. A further train journey then took students to the university laboratories at Glasernes where a four-hour lab session had them learning about PCR and using their practical techniques to take cheek samples and extract and analyse their own DNA. The evening was then spent at the Markthalle Neun food market where I hear the baklava was particularly nice!

Another early start to day three saw students travel to the outskirts of Berlin to the ISS Orbital Space Centre. After a talk about space, students were then invited to undertake astronaut training including a gyroscopic chair, reaction training and core stability control. From there a trip up the 368m TV tower in Alexanderplatz awaited. Afterwards, students were given the opportunity to visit the Neues Museum on museum island. The evening was then spent at a karaoke bar, where our self-proclaimed Holy Family Sixth Form choir gave renditions of several songs including “Ain’t no mountain high enough”, “Valerie”, “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “I’m still standing” which was quite apt considering the amount of walking everyone had done!

The final day was a trip to the Reichstag Parliament building where students climbed the spiral walkway inside the glass dome to take in more views of the city.

Students returned home tired after a most enjoyable trip.

Student quotes……..

“Everybody got to participate in the lab”

“Finding out I have heterozygous genes”

“Never a dull moment”

“The university trip was fun and also very informative”

“Memories for life!”

“Berlin was a great experience I saw and learned so much in the space of a few days”

“Fun and educational”

“I loved Ulf, our PCR lecturer”

“20,000+ steps per day!!”

“When Miss got stuck in a train door!”

“I loved the karaoke, especially Sir’s dance moves and Johnny Depp!!!”

Sixth Form trip to Krakow, Poland

History visit to Central Library

Mrs Hall took the Year 13 History class to Central Library in Liverpool to help them research their chosen History coursework essays. The historians are required to write a 3000-word essay on a topic of their choice relating to US Civil Rights. They learned how to search for books and journals and how to reference them. Topics ranged from the influence of music on Black civil rights, the impact of Martin Luther King, feminism in the US, and the role of the Black Power Movement.