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January 2025

  • The Forfar Robotics Challenge 2025 is on!

    Published 18/01/25

    Build, Code, Compete! Because when life gives you bricks… build a robot that dances.

    The Forfar Robotics Challenge is more than just a competition—it’s a showcase of creativity, innovation, and fun. Prepare to be inspired as young minds take centre stage and robots deliver a performance to remember.

    The Challenge is a dynamic, hands-on competition designed to inspire students through STEAM education while fostering collaboration between schools. It leverages the power of LEGO robotics kits to create an engaging platform for students to develop critical STEAM skills. The initiative aligns with the principles of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) and emphasises teamwork, creativity, and practical problem-solving.
    The competition promotes STEAM Education.

    •  Science: Students explore concepts like motion, sensors, and the physics of robotics through experimentation and iteration.
    •  Technology: By programming LEGO robots, students learn to use technology as a tool for problem-solving.
    •  Engineering: Designing functional robots requires engineering skills, such as understanding structures, mechanisms, and optimisation.
    •  Arts: The competition encourages creativity in robot design, storytelling (e.g., "animal robots"), and presentations (e.g., "dance-off routines").
    •  Mathematics: Teams apply mathematical skills, such as calculating distances, angles, and speeds, to ensure precise robot navigation.

    The challenge is designed to develop 21st-Century Skills by providing an excellent opportunity to build key skills needed for future careers.
    • Critical Thinking: Students analyse challenges, troubleshoot problems, and refine their robot's performance.
    • Collaboration: Working in teams and engaging with other schools fosters communication, delegation, and cooperative learning.
    • Creativity: Designing innovative robots and crafting unique solutions are central to the competition.
    • Digital Literacy: Programming robots enhances students' understanding of coding and computational thinking.

    As a Group, we encourage collaboration between schools and this Challenge, as well as our annual inter-house debating competition, serves as a platform for inter-school interaction and community building.
    • Shared Knowledge: Students exchange ideas and learn from peers (when you share each other’s videos) in other schools, enriching their understanding.
    • Healthy Competition: The event encourages friendly competition, promoting sportsmanship and mutual respect.
    • Networking for Educators: Teachers gain opportunities to collaborate on strategies for teaching robotics and STEAM subjects.

    One of our aims is to inspire Future Pathways in STEAM.  This particular competition introduces students to STEAM in an exciting and accessible way, potentially sparking interest in STEAM careers.  It builds confidence in tackling real-world problems with technology and innovation and students gain exposure to fields like robotics, automation, and AI, which are integral to future industries.  


    Through all these challenges such as the "Dance-Off" or "Robo-Carnival", students engage with robotics in playful, immersive ways.  We can't wait to share the results

     

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  • Park School Welcomes New Head

    Published 03/01/25

    The Governing Board at Forfar Education and Park School is delighted to announce the appointment of Mrs. Nadia Ward as its new Head.  Mrs. Ward formally joined the school in January 2025. 

    Having worked in education for over 20 years, Mrs. Ward is currently the Head at Heathside School Hampstead, a co-educational preparatory school in London.  Prior to this, Mrs. Ward worked for the Eaton House Group of Independent Schools, where she was a Deputy Head for 10 years.  Following the acquisition of Eaton House by Dukes Education, Mrs. Ward worked for several Dukes schools sharing her expertise, particularly in Early Years and safeguarding. 

    As a trained Montessori teacher, Mrs. Ward is passionate about making sure that every child has strong foundations and develops a love for learning.  She holds a BEd (1st Class Honours) from UCL and a Masters in Educational Leadership and Management from The University of Buckingham.  A life-long learner, Mrs. Ward recently completed the National Professional Qualification for Headship in March 2023 and is married to Jason, a psychotherapist who has a grown-up son.

    Upon her appointment, Mrs. Ward commented that, “I am incredibly honoured to be serving as the new Headteacher at Park School.  From my very first visit, I felt a deep alignment between my own ethos and values and those that define this wonderful school.  The welcoming atmosphere and strong sense of community were immediately apparent.

    The children I met during my visit were inspiring, showcasing the spirit, curiosity and enthusiasm that make Park School such a remarkable place.  Their eagerness to learn and their genuine kindness left a lasting impression on me.  I am looking forward to getting to know each of them and to work closely with the dedicated staff and supportive parents who play such a crucial role in nurturing our pupils.

    As I step into this role, my commitment is to uphold the high standards of excellence that Park School is known for, while also fostering an environment where every pupil feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential.  In a world that is changing so rapidly, it is more important than ever to provide our children with the skills, knowledge, and resilience that they need to navigate the future confidently.”

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January 2025