Enterprise

Enterprise is a project about banking and business. This topic helps pupils in Mulberry learn what business is and how it works. Enterprise is known for many activities and gives examples of banking, business and more worldwide. People from other places have travelled all the way to Mulberry just to come and teach many different skills about enterprise to students who want to understand how everything works. Also they have come to see how pupils in Mulberry work as a team to build better learning methods, which helps the school to be a better place.

The Press Team have asked some of the students from the Enterprise project about what they want to learn. A student replied, saying, “I want to learn about banking and also the tactics on how business works,” said by Ruhanara from 9M.

During the project, they have been experiencing many games and interesting presentations to help understand how banking works. There was one game called ‘Icebreaker’ which one of the students enjoyed playing. “Icebreaker’s really fun and very exciting You’re playing games as well as learning how the world works with banking which is really interesting,” mentioned Shujata.

Many students thought that the Enterprise project was worthwhile as it would be needed to be used in the future as it has been an amazing experience learning about it. The teachers have been very helpful with the project, which is happening due to the fact that the country has been experiencing business and banking problems.

The Enterprise project will be going on a trip to visit the Olympic site in Stratford which is a very good idea as many banks and businesses have helped fund the games in 2012. They will also be visiting Greenwich.

The leaders of the Enterprise project are Mr Corbett and Mr Rouse. They have been taking part in this topic to help pupils in Mulberry be aware of how life in business and banking is.

Fantastic Food

The Food project! Mmmm… just the sound of that makes our mouths water! In this years Food project the eager students will be making quiche and brownies without sugar. They have also been doing an investigation with animals to see the different proteins that they have. Creatures they have been examining include locusts and maggots.

Their key focus for the food project this year is to produce food cheaply for people using insects that have lots off different protein!

Mohima from 7L said, “In this project we get to explore with food.” She also added that she would really recommend this food project to those of all ages who are fascinated about cooking and different types of food from around the world, as well as people who aren’t afraid to try new things. She added that she’s really enjoying this project as she had a blast on Monday’s trip.

The students went to a farm to explore how animals were kept and fed. Hennah in 7B said, “This will help in the future if one day I want to be a cook.”

This year’s food project has started to help the students to get more engaged in food and how food makes us who we are.

 By Sabia, Naima, Rifa and Sadia, 7E 

For a Fresh Change, Try Peer Mediation!

Peer Meditation has joined Theme Week at Mulberry this year. This project is led by staff training students from Years 8 to 10.

Peer Mediation is a way for people to sort out conflict. When you have an argument or fall out with someone there are lots of people who can help you sort it out, for example a teacher, mum or dad, brother, sister or friends. Sometimes people can sort out arguments by themselves, but it can be good to have someone else there to help you. This is where peer mediators come round to lend a hand.

The Mulberry mediators said the reason that they chose to do this project is because they wanted to get involved in worthwhile activities and do extra curriculum things involving helping others sort out their problems. Tasnim from 8U said, “It sounds like a great way for people to work together and by doing this, maybe in the future I can solve issues that I am faced with.” Teachers leading the project said these girls can do a lot for their future by doing this project. Skills they will gain are:

• Being a good listener
• Being patient with others
• Being a good co-operator
• Being able to keep things private
• Being understand others feelings and last of care for  others

We asked a student how well it has gone so far and she replied by saying, “It has been fine moving around meeting new people and I am looking forward for going to the trips because hopefully we will learn more.”   

Defining our Identity through the Digital World

Another interesting project being carried out this week is Digital Legacy. Over the period of three days, students will be using print screens and exploring the features of Facebook to make a PowerPoint on social networking, considering the impact of their digital lives and performance. Students will also be focusing on how technology is changing the world. They will then create an informative leaflet and video containing information on how to protect ourselves online.

We interviewed Mr Nilaweera, who is one of the teachers running the project. He gave us an insight on what Digital Legacy is about and why he chose to carry out this project: “I wanted to highlight how technology has changed in terms of us defining our identity through social networking.” He thinks this project is important for students to experience. “The project is to get students to reflect on their online habits and how it may impact their future selves.” According to Mr Nilaweera, the response from students has been very positive and students have so far remained enthusiastic towards their learning, “Students have enjoyed learning about social networking and have been passionate in exploring big questions which has made me feel very happy.”

The Digital Legacy project team started off by visiting a social networking site “Facebook” to explore how it was created and researching on features such as layout, which they would use in a Power Point to present to their class. Jamilla from 7M told us what information she has gained from this project so far: “Using social networking and texting during lessons will disrupt your learning and I think it’s important to understand the negative impact it has.” Jamilla also said how this project will help her: “It will help me reduce the amount of times I visit social networking sites and alert me of the safety precautions I should take whilst online.”

By Nadia, Rezwana and Fahima 10M

Action Against Hate

Action against hate is one of the Theme Week projects in which the Mulberry students are learning to raise awareness in their community, Tower Hamlets and the world. On Monday morning they went to a workshop, ‘Hate Campaign’ in which they worked with other students around Tower Hamlets. Two Mulberry students who feel very passionate volunteered to participate in the ‘Hate Crime Campaign’.  

On Monday 18th July the students went to Nelson Street Synagogue, where they met 3 people; a Jewish man who lived in the community for a very long time; a priest from Bethnal Green Church and a man from New Zealand who converted to Islam after marrying a Bangladeshi Muslim woman. The students discussed about how they could bring together all three religions without causing hatred. The students of the project interviewed people in and out of school asking for their point of view towards hate crime and what they believe is right.

On Tuesday the ‘Action Against Hate’ students will be filming at the Cable Street Mural, which is about a painting in the 1930s. There was a group of fascists who supported the Nazis and who wanted to  march in the East end and start a war, but the community didn’t let them. Currently this links to the EDL (English Defence League), and how various local communities have opposed their presence. The same thing is happening now in 2011 with the EDL and the community isn’t letting them march. The students will also be discussing the history of The Battle of Cable Street.  

To finish off this project the group will be performing a Forum Play (this is a play which the audience watches the play once and the second time the audience pause the play and ask the performers questions).

By Yasmin, Mahfuza and Khalsuma, 7R

Expressing Culture

The Languages project is very interesting because it gives the students attending a chance to learn about their heritage and culture. Moreover they also get the chance to learn about the French, Spanish and Bengali cultures.

The Press Team have noticed that the students are very interested in learning about different cultures and understanding other people’s ways of life. The teachers involved in this project are Mr Regan, Ms Wade, Mr Zakaria and others.

So far in the languages project (Bengali) the students have been learning about their Bengali culture and their identity. The students have been asked to make a Powerpoint presentation to show their backgrounds. One teacher said, “We have asked our students whether they call themselves Bengali, or British Bengali.”

The Bengali group visited a museum in Brick Lane they attended a workshop there on identity. “I really enjoyed the trip. I feel that I got to find out a lot of valuable information.” said Nabila in 9U.

While visiting the languages project (Spanish) the students were engaged in a very thrilling activity. They were taught one of the traditional dances of Spain, the Flamenco. The students had a memorable time dancing. “I really enjoyed dancing with my friends, it was a great experience” said Tahmina from 7Y.

The Press Team were excited about the cooking that was going on in DT 16. The students were cooking traditional Spanish food which smelled absolutely lovely. “The food really made my mouth water.” Said Nadeyah, from the Press Team.

Mr. Zakaria said, “I love teaching languages and culture as it opens up boundaries between cultures. Also you can find out about different types of foods and it helps you to communicate with others.”  

There are many fabulous activities happening in the Language Festival programme, and we the Press Team are sure there’s more to come.

By Nadeyah, Aniqa, Leyla, and Aysha, Year 9

P.E. At Mulberry!

For today's blog we continue to focus on Theme Week. Earlier this morning we interviewed the P.E. Group.

We asked the group and its leaders how P.E. relates to the theme (Who am I?)Well, here is the answer: P.E. is related to the fact that people judge you on your fitness and this can make people feel really uncomfortable. So you keep asking your self questions and you now that the only answer is to exercise.

This morning, groups were working together to make the tallest tower. Speaking to the students, we found out that they are really enthusiastic about the project that they're working on. The teams are working very hard to get the task done. One teacher said, “The students are brilliant and very enthusiastic.” Students say that they chose the project because they enjoy P.E. and they thought it was fun. Well, they thought right! Ms Slater said, “The students are brilliant because they are all so enthusiastic. They are concentrating and getting the task done on time." She also said that the teachers are contributing, giving ideas and beeing helpful. Students are saying that the teachers are funny and entertaining. They also say that the teachers are brilliant, and that they are fun to work with.

When we interviewed Ms Slater she said to us, "It is all going well. It’s fun and all the kids are getting to work!”

Some students also said,“I chose P.E. because of the trips and because I'm fed up of writing after the school year!”

Thye students at Mulberry appear to absolutely love P.E . as they are keen to improve their fitness.

By Hanifa, Alayha and Sabina, 7Y