Having the opportunity to attend Alexandra Quan’s talk about Earth Sciences at Royal Holloway was very inspiring. Since this course was something I had not previously heard of before, this was new information to me and was incredibly useful! We were enlightened about all the possible societies, trips (to Cyprus, Tenerife, etc.) and events associated with this university course, as well as university life in general. I have to say a massive thank you to Alexandra for her talk and all of her information today!! Especially since I am also doing Biology as one of my Higher Level subjects, seeing how Alexandra went to uni for this subject was something that definitely personally resonated with me.

Deya Dimitrova, Year 12

The Senior Science Society were blessed to have the privilege of hosting Alexandra Quan from Royal Holloway University of London. She gave us a deep insight into her course, Earth Sciences, and illustrated the university life we will be experiencing soon! Alexandra, being a former BGS student, deeply connected with us as she told us about her journey into Earth Sciences, starting with Biology in her first year. Alexandra also highlighted how important the practical laboratory work on her course is, emphasising how it complements theoretical knowledge and prepares students for future research opportunities in large companies, such as BP or even Thames Water. The talk was incredibly inspiring and gave us a preview of what’s to come if we followed her steps!

The entire Senior Science Society would like to thank her for taking the time out of her schedule to talk to us. Thank you, Alexandra!

Jesse Oshogwe, Year 12

The Christmas Truce which occurred during the First World War in 1914 was a unique event in the conflict in which British and German soldiers fighting against one another in the trenches of the Western Front in France and Belgium laid down their guns on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with some of them exchanging gifts with one another singing carols and even in some instances playing football. Before December 1914, the war on the Western Front had been raging since August, although by the middle of September it had developed into “stalemate” along lines of trenches facing each other with “no man’s land” dividing them and the British and Germans suffering heavy casualties as a result of machine gun fire and the use of heavy artillery weapons. The view that the war would “all be over by Christmas”, which was a common belief on both sides during August and September and which had led to so many men following the call to join the armed forces made by their governments, had now disappeared.

By Christmas, the soldiers on both sides were exhausted and weary of the constant warfare, with many of them having signed up in the early months & being excited by the opportunity to serve their country but now wanting to return home to their families and leave the damp and cold trenches where there was constantly the threat of having to go “over the top” into no man’s land and face almost certain death from enemy fire. The truce was spontaneous, and it began with German soldiers beginning to decorate their trenches with simple Christmas trees and to light candles and sing carols, and there were even some reports that the Germans began to shout across no man’s land, wishing the English “Merry Christmas” in broken English, and although British troops were initially hesitant they eventually began to sing Christmas carols in response being swept along by the mood of the Germans and thinking of loved ones back at home.

On Christmas Eve itself, unbelievably, soldiers from both sides along sections of the front line began to get out of the trenches & cross into no man’s land, which was an incredibly brave course of action with enemy machine guns facing them, which could have opened fire at any moment but which, at this time, did not take place leading to more fraternisation between individuals on both sides. Once the soldiers were out in no-man’s land, they exchanged greetings with one another even though in many cases they could understand each other very well and there have been reports that they shook hands and shared some of their food rations and cigarettes with the British giving the Germans some Christmas pudding and the Germans offering cigars and schnapps. There were even instances of showing each other pictures of their wives and children which they kept with them, indicating that although they were from different countries they had a great deal in common which united them.

Possibly the most famous part of the Christmas Truce were the football matches that some soldiers played in no man’s land, with there being several of these taking place in different parts of the frontline, with many of these being spontaneous, informal and quiet short rather than being organised, but they were a reflection of the shared humanity between men from different countries who wanted to put to one side the horrors of war. One German soldier later recalled the events, stating “I remember the silence, the sudden quiet of the guns and the singing. The next day, we were out there walking and talking with the Germans and some of us played football in no man’s land. It was strange, really, to have a game of football with men who only the day before had been trying to kill us”.

It is important to remember, however, that the truce was not universal along the whole of the front line and there were still areas along the front where fighting continued with commanding officers on both sides concerned that the truce would undermine their authority and the morale of the soldiers fighting in the war, and they were quite anxious that it should be brought to an end as quickly as possible. The truce where it took place did not last for a long time and in most cases, within one or two days it came to an end with soldiers being forced back into their trenches and fighting on the front line resuming. It did, however, have a lasting impact and for those soldiers who were involved it proved to be a very emotional experience as it raised questions about the futility of war & what they were fighting for, which became stronger as time passed.

There would be no repeat of the Christmas Truce in 1915, 1916 and 1917 as commanding officers in both the British and German armies were more prepared for such occurrences in subsequent years, with soldiers being ordered not to fraternise with the enemy even on 25^th December. By the end of the war, the events of 1914 seemed a very distant event, although to those soldiers involved it would never be forgotten. In spite of the Christmas Truce of 1914, which happened 110 years ago, this event, or rather, series of events, has created a lasting consciousness amongst many people, demonstrating the potential for kindness, understanding and hope even in the most difficult circumstances. Even though it was not sustained beyond one or two days and did not prevent the resumption of the conflict which would last for nearly another four years, it is still important that it is still remembered because of the values it represented at the time and which remain relevant to us today.

Mr Goodall, Head of History and Politics

Please click on the link here to view this newsletter

What a show!

Congratulations to all the cast and crew on an amazing 4 nights. The quality of the performances was simply amazing, and we are still receiving compliments from audience members about just how amazing it was.

All the hard work paid off! The Mayor of Bexley who attended the Gala Night performance had nothing but high praise for all involved and the final night was full of heartfelt messages to and from our Year 13 leavers.

Now... what shall we do next year?!

Click on the link here to view the Legally Blonde Photo Gallery. 

Mrs Casling, Head of Music

Congratulations to our Year 13 IB students and their teachers for their IB results, which were released on Saturday 6th July. We're very pleased to continue to maintain high standards, and average point score of 34 points, with our biggest ever cohort studying the IBDP. 

With 168 points equating to 3 A* grades, you can see from the table below that our students have once again gained a qualification of great academic value and exceeded typical global averages.

Bexley Grammar School recently hosted 2 Induction Days on Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th June. Over 400 students, including 200 of our own, from schools across the South East attended a highly successful event. Thanks to Miss Roberts and Mrs Aspill for the coordination and planning of the days, the current Year 12s for their friendliness and support on the day and with all the staff involved in supporting sign in, planning and delivering sessions for these prospective students.

Mr Martin - Head of Sixth Form

Induction day at BGS was so enlightening, even being an existing student, it was so exciting to try out the Sixth Form areas (SFC and K1) and meet all the new students. We were dressed in our new Sixth Form clothes, and it was great to see everyone looking so much older and ready for September. I really enjoyed being a tour guide for the new students and showing them all the best parts of BGS.

We started the day with an escape room activity, where we were randomly put into groups and had to crack many puzzles, padlocks and clues to get the secret code to open the final safe. Unfortunately, my group came 20th… last place, but it was a great icebreaker and a lovely surprise for induction day.

We also had subject tasters for the higher subjects we will be taking next year, which was so interesting considering that is what a day in our lives will be like from September. Another highlight was the taster TOK session, which was run by our amazing Senior Prefect Team and involved many debates and discussions.

I really hope to see all of Year 11 back at BGS next year and I can’t wait to find out what’s to come next year…

Matilda Jackson, Year 11

On Tuesday and Wednesday I had the pleasure of helping out with the Year 12 Induction Days. I started each day helping guide the incoming Year 12 students to their assigned rooms in the morning.  It was nostalgic seeing them all in the same position I was in just a year earlier, and seeing how quickly Year 12 had gone! The Escape Room activity in the morning was a joy to watch, and I was around the room helping out any teams that needed it. As both days went on, along with some of the other Senior Prefects, we ran the TOK taster sessions and each session brought up different ideas and questions from the students that made me further appreciate the spirit of debate that Theory of Knowledge brings out of students, including myself.

Speaking to the incoming Year 12s about the IB and BGS life in general and helping answer any of their queries was an incredibly fulfilling role and one that I enjoyed immensely. We ended each day off with a subject fayre which gave me the great opportunity to speak to some of the students about two of my higher level subjects in order to give them a better perspective into what it would be like studying them. The Induction Days were two incredibly productive days on which I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to help assist!

Princela Mensah, Year 12