On Wednesday 25 April, Olympic legend Sir Steve Redgrave visited Queen’s University to mark the launch of a new indoor rowing initiative which is being rolled out across Belfast, thanks to the Steve Redgrave Fund. 4 schools in Belfastare involved and we, the Girls’ Model, are one of them!

Ten year 9 pupils attended the launch accompanied by Mrs Mairs and Mrs Clarke and they were all lucky enough to meet Sir Steve Redgrave in person! These lucky girls were:

• Chloe Condell
• Lara Tracey
• Sophie Briers
• Courtney Paton
• Neve Robinson
• Kirsty Smith
• Chloe Gibson
• Emily Andrews
• Rachel Cooper
• Kirsty McAllister

To celebrate the launch Sir Steve Redgrave started an indoor relay race using the rowing machines between all the pupils from the four local secondary schools!

The five times Olympic champion said: “It’s really exciting to be here at Queen’s University today and see the rowing machines in action. Everyone has been incredibly positive about the initiative and it’s so rewarding to see the young people using the machines so enthusiastically. Sporting activity is essential for children’s growth and development – and rowing is a great way to do just that. I’m sure the programme here in Belfast will be a huge success.”

Watch this space girls! There will be an Indoor Rowing club starting next term!  You never know you might see the Girls’ Model rowing on the River Lagan yet!

By Mrs Graham

 We have made a great start to our fundraising and that really is down to the support we have received in School.   

 I know there are a number of fundraising projects happening at the minute but our next big event will take place on Thursday 11^th October.  We are currently organising a Masquerade Ball in the Ramada Hotel, Shaws Bridge.  This is going to be a great night including a four course meal and entertainment by ‘The Untouchables’.  Tickets are £40 and are on sale now!  We would love as many of you there as possible to make it a success.  If you would like a ticket (or maybe a table of ten reserved!) please get in touch with myself or Miss Boyd.

 Thank you again for your support so far.

 By Miss J Clarke

 By Mrs Rodgers

• Head Girls: Amy Stewart and Louise Hill
• Deputy Head Girls: Rebecca Rankin and Demi Harbinson
• Senior Prefects: Emma McKeown, Morgan Magee, Sarah-Jane Kielty and Shelley Marshall

The School then decided to reward us all with a trip.  The purpose of the trip was to come together as a team whilst in Castlewellan and to work with the existing Student Voice Leadership team.  Mr Graham spoke of how proud he was of the School and the pupils who attend GMS. 

Over dinner we had the opportunity to chat to the current SVLT and ask them questions about their experiences of working together.  We then tasted the most delicious chocolate cake ever, which Mrs Clarke had ordered by special request for us all!  We then indulged in one of our favourite pasttimes, shopping!  We also went to the cinema to watch ”I bought a Zoo”.  Everyone enjoyed the movie, even the Teachers! On the way home everyone was so hyper and full of energy, so obviously we had a sing song on the bus, with Dr Davidson doing most of the singing!

We had planned for an early night, but the current SVLT decided that sleeping wasn’t necessary and they kept us awake.  It was such a funny night and I can safely say that the existing SVLT are such a nice team and they really made us feel more confident in carrying out our roles as the NEW SVLT.

The next morning, we learnt about our new roles and we participated in some “Ice Breakers” to allow us to get to know each other a little more.  Then we found out where the Formal is going to be held next year….we are all SO EXCITED…..The existing SVLT discussed their roles and what they enjoyed doing.  We then headed home to begin our Easter holidays.

This was such a good experience, the opportunity was amazing.  It gave all of us on the New SVLT the chance to get to know each other better and it was really beneficial to find out from the existing SVLT what their problems were and their best experiences of their role.

I would like to say if you are given the opportunity to apply for SVLT then go for it, because it is such an honour.  I am so excited to see what next year brings.  I also think that we have an amazing team and I hope we can do a great job and follow the example that the current SVLT has shown us.

By Morgan Magee

This years Top Link Management consisted of; Jessica Holland, Abbbie Hayes, Jaqueline Stewart, Courtney Strain, and Chloe Graham. All five students have to be congratulated; they have shown outstanding leadership qualities.

I would also like to thank the Coaches and Teachers.

• DANCE – Mrs McKeown, Rebecca Hill, Morgan Irvine, Shannon Cunningham, Catherine Smyth, Nicola Wellington, Lousise Mckitterick, Tammy McKeown, Lara Crothers, Demi-Louise McKee, Alexis Anderson
• HOCKEY – Miss Clarke, Demi Clarke, Faith Stewart, Megan Young, Nicole McKee, Levi Glover, Rebecca Hughes
• FOOTBALL – Mrs Sutherland, Chelsey Gaynor, Kirsty Patterson, Jordan Rankin, Shaira Adams, Rebecca Adams
• TRAMPOLINING – Mrs Young, Nicole Green, Sarah Gould, Lauren Moore, Nikita Redfern, Ashley Proctor, Wynter Telford
• NETBALL – Mrs Graham, Jane Thornbury, Courtney Young, Alyson Walker, Charlene Duff, Demi Johnston, Lauren Bell, Kori Magee

The 2012 Top Link sports festival was a very successful and enjoyable day for all involved.

By Ms Howard

The pupils have the opportunity to learn about the basics of Science in a fun and practical way. We currently do bouncy balls, germs, crystals, combustion & rockets or flight. During the bouncy ball experiment, the pupils make a bouncy ball out of corn flour & PVA glue. We also test which ball can bounce the highest. While learning about germs, the pupils grow their own germs on agar plates & look at these the week after. The P6 pupils also grow copper sulphate crystals out of copper oxide. While burning splints (combustion) the pupils learn how to light a Bunsen burner safely. Lastly, they make rockets & launch them if the weather is good or make paper aeroplanes on rainy days & test these out.   This year we had our first returning group, a Primary 6 composite class, while the  Primary 7 pupils made plastercine boats and constructed bridges. Both of which look at forces & are hands on experiments.

The schools that have participated this year are Black Mountain Primary School, Malvern Primary School, Harmony Primary School, Wheatfield Primary School, Ligoniel Primary School and Ballysillan Primary School.  The teachers at the Girl’s Model involved this year were Mrs Reilly, Mr Johnston, Mr Clifford & Mr Campbell. The pupils have really enjoyed this science programme, read below for some of their feedback. 

Pupil Feedback

“I liked everything & would love to come back!”
“I would like to come back to the Girl’s Model & do more Science stuff.”
“I thought all of it was good!”
“It was really fun!!”
“Thank you for all the fun! Thanks!”
“It was brilliant.”
“I wish we could do it again!”

Teacher Feedback
“Lots of pupil participation which they all loved. Children couldn’t wait to come each week” Teacher
“Whole class introduction (power point) with practical activities & children working together in pairs. Very successful.”

By Mrs Reilly

Name: Amy Stewart.
When were you elected as Head Girl? 21^st of March 2012.
Why did you apply to be Head Girl? I just wanted to give all my skills and abilities back to the school just as they have given to me. I applied because I wanted to be a good role model to all the younger students in the school. I also thought I was really well suited for this role.
What skills and qualities do you have that makes you a good Head Girl?

What advice would you give pupils in Girls’ Model? Build good relationships with pupils and teachers. Give 100%, education is the key to success. Enjoy your time at school, friendships will last. Also, choose subjects wisely, not just what your friends are doing.

What advice would you give to pupils who want to be a potential Head Girl? Apply for it, get involved in school life. Join extracurricular activities inside and outside of school and give 100% to all your work.

On Friday 23^rd March some girls from 9O ran a mile on the athletics track to raise money for Sport Relief.  They asked friend as and family as well to sponsor them as well as going round form classes asking for support. Altogether they raised £166.50.

On Monday 23^rd April Year 9 will be taking part in a sponsored silence during LLW raising money for kids4school. Alan from Kids4school came to speak to Year 9 during Year assembly showing us how even £30 can sponsor a child in Tanzania to go to school and get one decent meal every day.

By Miss Allen

But first came the SCIENCE…

Tobin from Deafness Research UK explained exactly how it is that we can hear sounds.  With the help of a really Big Ear model and an even bigger cotton bud, he explained the hearing process from start to finish.  I myself found out a thing or to, for example, did you know that the folds of skin inside the ear help you to work out which direction sounds are coming from?

After a trip down the ear canal, he described how the smallest bones in the body, the hammer, the anvil and the stirrup transfer vibrations through the middle ear to the cochlea. The final part of the process is to convert the vibrations into electrical impulses which are sent to the brain.

Tobin was very engaging and full of enthusiasm.  He brought the whole process to life with the aid of videos, sound clips and of course his Big Ear.  At the end of a very entertaining hour I think we all knew much more about the hearing process and more importantly, how to look after our hearing.

While the lectures were going on, Andrew, Tobin’s colleague, was conducting free hearing tests to any member of staff who wanted one.  I am told that half the staff availed of this opportunity.

On the whole, I think the day was a triumph, and the girls I have spoken to certainly enjoyed it.  I personally would like to see the Bionic Ear Show back in school next year…after all, there are still half the staff who need there hearing tested!

By Mr Cathcart

The pupils were great ambassadors for the school and all of the visitors were highly impressed with both the facilities and the girls who were making use of them. The DCAL Permanent Secretary and her Monitoring Group colleagues held their meeting afterwards in our Conference Room and it is great to see our excellent facilities being used for this type of activity. Thanks to all the staff and pupils involved in making things go so well and for raising the school’s profile in creating opportunities for girls to be involved in so many different areas of sporting life.